Tuam

Chief town in northern County Galway, Republic of Ireland; population (2002) 3,100. Lenses, electronics, and electrical components are manufactured here. The area around Tuam has many prehistoric and historic remains, significantly ring forts, several of which have a souterrain (or underground) system.

Tuam is the seat of a Catholic archbishop and of a Protestant bishop. The Anglican cathedral of St Mary's was built in 1152 by Turlough O'Connor, King of Connacht, on the site of a monastic house founded by St Jarleth in the 6th century. Two chancels survive - one from the 12th century in the Romanesque style and another from the 14th century. The cathedral was extended by Thomas Deane between 1861 and 1878. The Roman Catholic cathedral was erected in 1846. The Cross of Tuam in the market square has inscriptions to Turlough O'Connor and a 12th-century abbot.

Some 3 km/2 mi north of Tuam is the Georgian Bermingham House, open to the public.