The Wall Family in Ireland

In this work, the Wall family — originally of Anglo-Norman stock — is traced from a fief in Normandy through England and South Wales to Ireland. One of the first knightly families to occupy Irish lands after the Norman invasion of 1170, their history is followed, generation by generation, through the succeeding eight centuries.

Thus a unique insight is provided into the ramifications of Irish genealogy and also into the complex system of feudal land tenure, the effects of rebellions and confiscations upon the fortunes of different branches of one sept, and the narrow margin which separated settler from native …read more

The author, Hubert Gallwey

Hubert Gallwey’s scholarship is impeccable. Educated at Ampleforth and Christ Church College, Oxford, where he read modern history, he subsequently joined the British Army. He was commissioned in the Royal Artillery in 1937, served during the Second World War and eventually retired from the army in 1959 with the rank of Lieutenant – Colonel.

Hubert Gallwey’s interest in Irish genealogy was of long standing, and began (as in most cases) with research into his own ancestors. However, it was not until his retirement from the army that he was able to devote himself fully to genealogy. His main interest was in Hiberno-Norman and Old English families, and the material he collected on one of these formed the basis for his only book, The Wall Family in Ireland, 1170-1970. Purchase the book here.

Hubert’s research into the Wall Family was carried out in the late sixties, and the publication of the book was timed to coincide with the eighth centenary of the first Walls arrival in Ireland. His investigations led him to sources of virtually every kind for those eight hundred years; not only was the quantity and interest of the material he collected impressive, but he gained thereby experience which was immensely valuable both for his subsequent work and for his editorship of the Irish Genealogist Journal for almost sixteen years …read more