A cryptic plaque put in place in one of the most recognisable areas of the city is being investigated by the Galway City Council after questions were raised regarding its existence last week.

The plaque, which is located just steps away from the Spanish Arch in the historical area of the city, says that it was erected by the Galway Democratic Republic, however no such group can be identified in the city.

The mystery plaque bears the initials GDR, the same as the German Democratic Republic, a self-declared socialist state in the Soviet Zone of occupied Germany. The Council has confirmed that it would be investigating the matter.

While there is no clear indication of how long the plaque has been in place, it claims that the Galway Democratic Republic was declared on that spot on October 4. The German Democratic Republic existed from October 7, 1949 to October 3, 1990 after it re-established with West Germany to form the current state.

The plaque also contains the Latin inscription “Ita erat quando hic adveni”, which, when translated means “It was that way when I got here”, as well as a line at the bottom claiming it was erected “in co-operation with the Society for Historical Interpretation, Trusteeship and Education”. When taken as an acronym, the line proclaims the plaque was erected in co-operation with S.H.I.T.E.