Galway is an ancient Irish city was once the largest sea port. There was conducted a lively trade with the world, and the city itself, its piers and quays were well fortified and was not afraid of the invasion of the invaders.

Spanish arch is a small fragment of the fortress wall, all that is left today of these powerful fortifications. This section of the city wall was built in 1584 and was held from the tower of St. Martin to the river Corrib, protecting the waterfront, which then housed the Fish market. In the XVIII century the town and the port was expanded, the city walls were reinforced and they were done arches, so you can get to new piers and embankments. One of these arches later became known as Spanish. The exact origin of this name is unknown; perhaps it is through this arch to the city got the goods from Spain. Originally, the arch was called Blind arch or Head wall. It is located on the banks of the river Corrib directly opposite the village Claddah (now a suburb of Galway), birthplace of the famous Claddagh rings.

In 1755 occurred the Lisbon earthquake, which resulted in a tsunami that destroyed part of the city walls of Galway. Suffered and Spanish arch, her decorations were washed away or damaged.

At the end of XX century it housed the city Museum Galway, but in 2006 the Museum was built a new building. Spanish arch now serves as the wall of the Museum's patio.

The arch is decorated with a wooden sculpture of the Madonna, made Claire Sheridan. This famous writer and sculptor lived for some time in the next to the arch house.