Claregalway (Baile Chláir) is a village situated about 10km from the city of Galway in County Galway, Ireland. It was founded on the banks of the River Clare, hence Baile Chláir meaning "town on the Clare". Claregalway lies within the Gaeltacht and traditionally most of the locals would have only spoken English as a second language if at all. This village has an ancient heritage stretching back over a thousand years. It has many features of historical interest but two of the largest ones on the banks of the river include an old Franciscan monastery founded in 1245 and a watchtower completed in the 16th Century.