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.
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, Jamie Hardiman, Galway, 1820. Old Galway, Maureen Donovan O'Sullivan, 1942.