In the Middle Ages, the Norman-English conquered Ireland, and seized O'Flaherty country in 1235 a.d. The DeBurgo family seized and fortified the town of Galway, planting it with Norman-English families like the Lynches, Martins, Barretts, etc. The O'Flaherty were forced into the "houseless wilds" of Connemara. By the 14th and 15th Century, the O'Flaherty clan had grown strong again through a liberal management of territorial waters.
Threatened by the strength of the Gaelic natives, the Galway citizens walled off their city, and on the wall placed the ominous prayer:
"From the Ferocious O'Flahertys O Lord deliver us"