Seán an tSalainn French
Introduction '''Seán an tSalainn French''' (1489–1546) was Mayor of Galway from 1538 to 1539.French was born in Galway, a member of one of The Tribes of Galway. Baptised John, he was known as ''Seán an tSalainn'' ('John of the Salt') because of the immense wealth he accrued as a merchant. He financed several additions to St. Nicholas' Collegiate Church, and had a chapel built on the south side of St. Francis Abbey. A large stone building, called John French's Chamber, was erected on arches, just outside the town walls, over the river Corrib.Four of his sons later became Mayors - Dominick (1568–69); Peter (1576–77); Robuck French (1582–83); Marcus French (1604–1605).
References * ''History of Galway'', James Hardiman, Galway, 1820. * ''Old Galway'', Maureen Donovan O'Sullivan, 1942. * Henry, William (2002). ''Role of Honour: The Mayors of Galway City 1485–2001''. Galway: Galway City Council. * Martyn, Adrian, ''The Tribes of Galway:1124–1642'', Galway, 2016.