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The staff are happy to help you discover the many places of interest around the country, including The Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland's Ancient East, Ireland's Hidden Heartlands and Dublin.

Stop by the Galway Tourist Information Centre, chat with friendly Travel Advisors who will support your visit to the colourful City of the Tribes. Their expert local knowledge will take you on a journey through this bohemian city bursting with culture. Get to know about the many attractions, medieval heritage, historic landmarks, traditional music, beaches, seaside promenade, events, and endless festivals. You may even get “to watch the moon rise over Claddagh and see the sun go down on Galway Bay.”

Located in Galway City, Ard Bia at Nimmos Restaurant is a charming locale where guests can enjoy diverse cuisine, such as Irish, New Zealand and Middle Eastern dishes. It includes a café, restaurant and wine bar.

Welcome to Éan Bakery, Restaurant & Wine Bar, located on Druid's Lane, Galway City, next to the prestigious Druid Theatre Company. Éan, meaning 'bird' in Irish, is an inventive bakery, restaurant and wine bar from the creators of Galway's sustainable Michelin starred restaurant, Loam.

Experience the epic craic in Connemara, County Galway. Book in with Connemara Pub Tours and get a tour of all the best spots.

Dela Restaurant is located at 51 Lower Dominic Street, Galway city and is just a short stroll from shop street. Serving brunch and dinner, the menu is focused on sourcing, using and sharing the finest Irish ingredients.

The Dough Bros started out with a woodfired oven in a street food truck in June 2013, with the sole aim to revolutionize the pizza game in Ireland. Why can’t the best pizza in the world be right here, in little old Galway, Ireland? That’s 'The Bros' mission.

Experience Irish dance the way it was shared in the past. Irish Dance at the Thatched Cottage in Galway City, on the Wild Atlantic Way, offers a one off dance class aimed at visitors to Galway. Taught by an experienced tutor and dance scholar with years of experience in teaching Irish dance.

Subscribe now to receive destination inspiration, travel tips, upcoming events and all the best things to do around Ireland.

Here at Visit Galway, our aim is to showcase the best that Galway has to offer to both tourists and locals alike and provide an informative platform for people to explore our beautiful little part of the world.

We are INDEPENDENT … meaning that we are not government or council run, giving us the freedom to promote our beautiful region in the manner in which we think tourists and locals will appreciate. We are reliant on you, local communities and local businesses. So thank you for your support.

We are LOCAL … that’s right, behind the screen Visit Galway is run by people who are born and bred in Galway and who share a love of their home place. And although there might only be two of us, the handy thing about being local Galwegians is that we have plenty of insider tips and local knowledge to pass on!

We are INFORMATIVE … we strive towards a common aim which is to educate people about Galway; its culture, its food, its people, its traditions, its places, its history and more. We hope that Visit Galway helps you unearth hidden gems, explore fascinating places and uncover interesting things while discovering Galway and it’s beautiful regions. Our past has shaped the present that we know, and we believe that it’s important to bring to life and appreciate the local culture and history. 

We are VISIT GALWAY … thank you for stopping and checking us out! We truly appreciate your support and we would also like to invite you to engage with us on our social channels: Facebook , Twitter , Instagram and LinkedIn . Be sure to use the hashtag #VisitGalway so we can follow your journey throughout Galway.

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Galway City Council is seeking Expressions of Interest for the site of the former Tourist Information Office in Salthill to provide new economic, tourism, and community benefits to the area.

The 0.13ha site of the tourist office is next to Galway Atlantaquaria, boldly situated right on the Salthill Promenade and looking over Galway Bay.

This site has a building that was once a local Tourist Information Office. This modern single storied building is approximately 1915 sq. ft. and occupies a small portion of the site.

“This is a great opportunity for the right occupier to provide a positive impact for Salthill through the re-imagination of this site,” the council invitation states.

“Any proposal should benefit Salthill, the community on the West of the City and have a positive impact on the overall economic, tourism and community benefit of Galway.”

Applicants must include written proposal for the site, which includes a five year business plan, indicating how their proposal will generate economic activity for the area.

The site is zoned Recreation and Amenity in the Galway City Development Plan 2017 – 2023.

The preferred applicant will be required to submit for planning permission for the project within 12 months of project approval

Proposals will be judged based on their compliance with the CDP objectives, contribution to local tourism and economic development, viability, previous experience of the applicant, and funding & price.

The Expressions of Interest are to be submitted by email to [email protected] to the Economic Development section of Galway City Council on or before midday on November 16, 2020.

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Wednesday Jan 31, 2024

46. Ruairí Lehmann: Galway City Council - Tourism Officer

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Episode 46 brings you an in depth conversation with the tourism officer of Galway City Council, Mr Ruairí Lehmann. Ruairi discusses the challenges and joys of his job, how popular Galway is as a tourist destination, how Galway County and Galway City work in tandem with each other, the importance of the tourists and students to the economy to Galway and the west of Ireland, development plans for the future, the different festivals - big and small, the tourism season of Galway, how Galway is a MedTech capital globally, balancing Galway's heritage with its developing future, public consultations, the challenges of opening a new business in Galway, what the council are doing with sustainability and green energy, short term lets and new legislation, the night time economy as well as other topics.

Relevant Links

https://www.galwaycity.ie

Photo by Professor Chaosheng Zhang

https://www.instagram.com/chaoshengzhang

Additional Links

https://atasteofgalway.com

https://www.wildlands.ie

https://gleg.ie

https://www.giaf.ie

https://tonnta.eu

https://www.instagram.com/ar_imeall

https://www.localenterprise.ie

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JCI Galway Tourist Guide

Brought to you by Junior Chamber Galway.

The 47th Edition is now available

JCI Galway (Junior Chamber International Galway) is a voluntary, world-wide, independent, personal development organisation for young professionals and entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 40.

The Galway Tourist Guide has been published by JCI Galway for nearly 60 years, between 1962 - 2020. 

Galway is a medieval city steeped in history and culture, awarded the European Capital of Culture 2020. Voted the Friendliest City in the World and in 2015 ranked Europe’s Micro-City of the Year.

Produced by a voluntary committee, now in its 47th edition, is the oldest and best-known project organized by JCI Galway. Up to sixty thousand copies of this guide are distributed locally, nationally and internationally each year since 1962. 

Since the establishment of JCI Galway in 1961, we have served as a leadership training platform to encourage young people to be active citizens and create positive change in several areas including individual, international, community, and business.

To advertise in the JCI Galway Tourist Guide 2021, please email us with your Name, Address, Number and choose the following:  

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With around 5,000 local organisations in more than 100 nations, JCI forms a vibrant global community of nearly 200,000 young people. The collective action of all JCI local organisations forms a global grassroots movement, empowering members to run effective projects, exchange ideas and work together.

JCI encourages young people to take responsibility for local issues and find targeted, sustainable solutions that benefit our communities and the world.

Tourist Guide 2020 (47th Edition) - Eolaí Turasóra 2020

• Free of charge to tourists
• 60 pages, printed in full colour and digital version
• Well known for its convenient A5 size, easy to carry
• Online Guide linked to several web sites worldwide
• Features this year include:
• "City of Tribes" themed walking Tour of Galway City Centre (by Adrian J Martyn)
• Scenic driving tours of the Galway area, including Connemara
• Section on Oughterard, Roundstone & other County Towns
• Top free things to do in Galway
• 'Kick the Wall' tradition
• Accommodation Guide, Restaurant Guide, City Nightlife, Shopping Guide
• Tours and Transport
• Useful map of Galway city across two pages
• Useful telephone numbers for both tourists and locals alike
• Provides a comprehensive listing of events happening in Galway for the entire year.

Colleen Baxter   President, JCI Galway

President of JCI Galway

#InspiredByUs

People often ask me ‘What is JCI?’ and there are many different answers. In my opinion JCI trains the young adults of today to be the future leaders of tomorrow.

Junior Chamber International Ireland (JCI) has been active since 1957 and is a voluntary, world-wide, independent, personal development organisation for young professionals and entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 40. We develop the skills, knowledge and understanding of our members on a personal basis but also in the community, in business and internationally.

We have 150,000 members world-wide, across 5,000 local chapters and located in 100+ countries. The shared purpose, common vision and camaraderie among JCI members is palpable. No one who’s attended a European Convention or graduated from Leadership Academy would deny it. 

Our national and international conventions, workshops, trainings and awards programs, everything we do, is produced and directed by our JCI boards, ran by people just like you and I. 

If you feel the power of that community like I do—the power to improve places, connect people and drive prosperity—then you really ought to be a member of JCI. In 2020 we want you to be #InspiredByUs

Connect with me on Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn or at one of our events around the country.

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Wayfinding Project

This project showcases a 1000 years of built heritage in Galway East and brings to life through a series of audio discovery tours, available to download on the web and on CD. The Wayfinding Project includes a Driving Tour of Galway East and six walking tours of towns in East.

http://www.galwayeast.com/wayfinding

Mountain Views

A Hillwalking Resource for Ireland - Over 250 members have built this site as a place for everyone to learn and talk about walking in the mountains.

http://www.mountainviews.ie

Walking and Cycling Routes in Galway

A compendium of Walking and Cycling routes in Galway

Links to local tourism websites

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Galway City Arts Office

About galway city arts office.

The City Arts Service is managed by Galway City Arts Office. The Galway City Arts Office consists of the Arts Officer, the Arts Development Officer and the Arts Office Administrators. The Galway City Arts Office works in partnership with the various sections and departments within the council from Tourism, Community and the Galway Culture Company to develop and strengthen arts opportunities in communities, neighbourhoods and districts across the city.

Through our Artists Residency Programme, Artist in Schools Programme, the Arts Partnership Grants, the Per Cent for Art Commissioning Scheme, Culture Night, the Bealtaine Festival and many other programmes, and through the capital and revenue funds we invest in arts venues and organisations, amateur and voluntary groups and artists across the city.

Through the city arts programme the public enjoys and benefits from high quality arts provision so that the best outcomes are secured in the wider context of cultural value and the public good.

The Arts Officer for Galway City Council is Ruth Mulhern.

The Arts Development Officer for Galway City Council is Nicola Gilcreest.

The Arts Office Administrators are Deirdre Headd, Sharon Spellman and Stephen Doyle.

What is Galway Arts Office

The Arts Office manages and coordinates the investment of public money in the arts on behalf of Galway City Council, funding a wide range of activities across the city – theatre, visual art, readings, dance, music, film, street arts, circus, spectacle and more.

Galway City Council was one of the first local authorities in the country to establish an arts office (2001) and is the key agency for the development and support of the arts in the city.

Since 2001 Galway City Arts Office has been a vibrant and essential part of Galway City Council. Established to advise the Council on all aspects of contemporary arts practice, the Arts Service runs its own programme of residencies, events, interventions and strategic partnerships.

Galway City Council is committed to investing public funds in the arts to support a healthy and diverse arts ecology. Funding is awarded to individuals, groups and bodies that define themselves primarily as artists and contemporary arts organisations.

The programmes, projects and organisational supports for arts and culture are funded by Galway City Council from its annual budget (the arts budget is voted on annually by all the elected members) and through funding from The Arts Council, Creative Ireland, The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, as well as from other government departments and national agencies.

Grants awarded support artists at all stages of their careers, as well as ensuring investment in both new and established arts organisations. Galway City Council invest in local community groups who wish to develop arts programmes that create opportunities for collaboration with artists and facilitate high quality creative engagement.

Where can I find the Galway City Arts Office?

The Galway City Arts Office is based in Galway City Council offices at City Hall, College Road, Galway.

If I have a query whom should I contact?

For all queries, please contact us at [email protected]

How do I contact the Arts Officer?

Any queries for the Arts Officer can be emailed to  [email protected] 

Which artistic practices and art forms does the Arts Office cover?

Galway City Arts Office engages with contemporary creativity in the art forms of architecture, circus, dance, film, literature, music, opera, street art and spectacle, theatre, traditional arts, and visual arts. We work in practices that cross art forms to encompass venues, young people, children, education, arts and health, arts and disability, socially engaged art and artist’s support. The Arts Office is active in its support of engagement, production, and dissemination through the medium of the Irish language, recognising that both contemporary and traditional arts are key elements in the diverse culture of our city.

We do not engage with heritage or conservation unless there is a contemporary, living aspect to the project. For heritage and conservation projects and funding please see the Heritage Office in Galway City Council and / or Galway City Museum.

How does the Arts Office support creative practitioners?        

• Individual creative practitioner bursaries, grants and awards.
• Residencies in the Tyrone Guthrie Centre, Annaghmakerrig, Co. Monaghan.
• Creative practitioner bursaries are offered on a competitive basis to artists in all contemporary art forms. Application criteria and timelines are announced on this website and in the media. The artist bursaries are for individual professional artists domiciled in Galway city. The bursaries consist of financial awards given to support artist's creative practice.

How does the Arts Office support arts organisations and groups?

We offer annual arts grants to professional and voluntary arts organisations operating in Galway city. The principal and primary function of the organisation or group must be contemporary art practice.

Annual arts grants are awarded on a competitive basis. Application criteria and timelines are announced on this website and through social media. 

Galway City Council has awarded grants totalling €400,000 to the city’s arts organisations for 2023.

Galway City Council values the powerful projects and programmes delivered right throughout the city in participation, access and diversity. The grants to over sixty artist-led organisations will help keep them in business, reward them for the great work achieved online and offline and assist them in developing programmes in the future.

Applicant - 2023 AWARD

Community, Voluntary, and Amateur Strand

Club Shine - €600 Cois Cladaigh - €1,200 Crannóg Magazine - €2,000 Eastside Community Drama - €2,000 Galway African Diaspora - €1,000 Galway Art Club - €500 Galway Baroque Singers - €1,400 Galway Baytones - €1,000 Galway Cartoon Festival - €1,000 Galway Cathedral Recitals - €1,500 Galway Choral Association - €1,000 Galway Film Society - €3,000 Galway Musical Society - €500 Galway Percy French Society - €300 Galway Ukulele festival - €500 Galway Youth Orchestra - €1,000 Irish Patchwork Society - €450 Red Bird Youth Collective - €1,500 Renmore Pantomime - €1,000 Skylight 47 - €900 St Nicholas Collegiate Church Schola Cantorum - €1,200 The Forge Clay Studios - €2,000 Youth Ballet Galway - €1,750

Professional Strand

126 Artist Run Gallery - €11,000 An Taibhdhearc - €4,250 Architecture at the Edge - €4,000 Artspace Studios - €10,500 Baboró International Childrens Festival - €20,000 Blue Teapot Theatre Co - €5,000 Branar - €8,000 Brothers of Charity Services Ireland - That's Life - €5,500 Brú Theatre - €2,250 Cúirt International Festival of Literature - €15,000 Decadent Theatre Co - €4,000 Druid Theatre Co. - €28,000 Engage Art Studios - €13,500 Eva's Echo Theatre Co. - €1,000 Galway Arts Centre - €35,000 Galway Community Circus - €10,000 Galway Dance Project - €6,500 Galway Early Music - €4,000 Galway Film Fleadh - €19,000 Galway International Arts Festival - €46,000 Galway Music Residency - €26,000 Galway Theatre Festival - €11,000 Galway Youth Theatre - €3,000 Junior Galway Film Fleadh (Galway Film Fleadh) - €1,500 Knocknacarra Amateur Theatre Society (KATS) - €500 Luminosa - €4,000 Macnas - €24,000 Misleór - Galway Traveller Movement - €1,500 Moon Fish Theatre Company - €6,000 Moth & Butterfly Festival - €1,000 Music for Galway - €16,000 Resurgam - €1,200 Saolta Arts - €5,000 Tulca Festival of Visual Art - €14,000 Westside Arts Festival - €5,000

Where can I find information on arts and culture in Galway?

For news and updates on the arts in Galway contact [email protected]  to sign up to our email mailing list.

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7 August 2023

~1 minutes read

Galway City Councillor calls for urgent update on Derelict Tourist Office in Salthill

Labour City Councillor Niall McNelis has called on Galway City Council tourism and economic development departments for an urgent update on where planning is for a proposed business that was successful in its bid to use the Derelict Tourist Office in Salthill.

The building ceased operating as a tourist office in 2012 and has proved difficult to get up and running again.

It was also recently vandalised by graffiti on its roof which has been removed following calls by local councillors.

Councillor McNelis says that a solution must be found for the building.

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A local’s guide to Galway City: 10 top tips

The joint European capital of culture’s year of events highlights a city of festivals, seafood and literature, and with pubs galore

Festivals – all the time

Galwegians love to celebrate, and seem to go from one festival to another. As joint capital of culture it has a huge programme of events – along with existing festivals. Cúirt is an Old Irish word for a court of poetry, and the name of a week-long festival of literature (20-25 April) that Seamus Heaney, Edna O’Brien and Allen Ginsberg have appeared at in the past. Galway Arts Festival in July (13-26) feels to me like it involves everyone in the city. Baboró is an inspiring festival for children and there’s also the Galway Races (not just about the horses) and the celebration of a local delicacy at our Oyster Festival (25-27 September).

Two walks from Wolfe Tone Bridge

There are two very different walks starting from Wolfe Tone Bridge . First, wander south past the Claddagh district and out along Nimmo’s Pier and by the seashore, until you see the Promenade on the right, built in the mid-19th century but gradually extended since. Here, you’ll meet walkers, joggers, strollers, crawlers and more – all taking in the sea air and ever-changing colour and light that is Galway Bay . It’s about three miles long and one of the glories of Galway. The second walk follows the canal north to University College , heads into the grounds through the entrance and, at Bailey Allen Hall, turns right to the river. Follow the riverbank for a couple of miles to Da ng an , opposite the ruins of Menlo Castle . This gives you a different sense of Galway’s character but for me, having grown up by the sea, the Prom is the one.

Wonderful pubs

Whiskey drinkers go to Garavan’s in William Street or Sonny Molloy’s in High Street as both have a remarkable array of labels to sample. Freeney’s , also in High Street, the Hyde Bar in Forster Street and Tigh Nora in Cross Street all carry great gins (and tonic). In pubs, the emphasis is on traditional music and the Crane Bar on Sea Road is the one for purists. A great way to experience the atmosphere on the streets is to sit outside Tigh Neachtain , another classic pub, with a drink and watch the world go by. I’ve experience of all of these establishments but I’m mature and grey and like good pub talk, so particularly recommend the Bunch of Grapes in High Street and Lonergans in Salthill (no websites). There’s now a small distillery, Micil, making poitín in the Oslo Bar in Salthill: it does tours and tastings Tues-Sat at 2pm, 4pm and 6pm.

Joyful theatre fires the imagination

Macnas is an Old Irish word that means “the energy of a young calf leaping around the meadow in the springtime”. It’s also the name of a Galway theatre group that specialises in outdoor spectacle. A macnas parade is a riot of imagination, colour, enthusiasm, music, throbbing drums, fire, dance and mayhem. An air of abandon infects most of the population during these events; it’s as if a spell spreads over Galway and makes everybody happy for the day. Its 2020 programme is built around the epic of Gilgamesh. Events 10-12 April, 21 June, 19-28 November, 12 December, macnas.com

Seafood and sea views

A taste of Galway has to start with the oysters it’s famous for (available when there’s an R in the month). Pacific oysters can’t match our local ones: I’m partial to those from Cooke’s restaurant in Abbeygate Street and Kasbah , a wine bar that is next to its parent pub Tigh Neachtain. Family butcher Colleran’s has been serving Galwegians since 1935 and its black pudding is also a local delicacy, while Sheridan’s Cheesemongers on Churchyard Street is an occasion of sin for anyone interested in (local, Irish and international) cheese. For food and views, Ard Bia by the Spanish Arch looks out on the river, and the sea, and has an emphasis on seafood. Corrib House Tea Rooms has spectacular views from the river bank at Waterside, and has a terrific array of teas plus B&B accommodation (doubles from €120). Kai on Sea Road was once the tuck shop for the school next door but has been turned into a restaurant with a focus on organic, and wild, locally sourced ingredients.

St Nicholas’s Collegiate Church

This church was founded in 1320, making it 700 years old this year – which is excellent birthday timing. It’s a must-visit because it offers a microcosm of the history of the city: it was built by the Knights Templar, supported by the Tribes of Galway (14 leading merchant families), and has been visited by Christopher Columbus, Oliver Cromwell’s troops, lepers, famine victims and countless worshippers over the years. It has alternated between Catholic and Protestant and, while today it’s in the care of the Church of Ireland, it really is an ecumenical building. Every Saturday, there’s a lively market outside. stnicholas.ie

A labyrinth of books

If you like independent bookshops to be a seductive maze of rooms, search out Charlie Bryne’s Bookshop on Middle Street. Inside its labyrinth are more than 100,000 books (new, secondhand, antiquarian) but the staff know their stuff, so can help navigate. It’s no surprise it was voted Irish bookshop of the year in 2019. You’re likely to bump into a visiting author there, just as you are at my place, Kennys . Bell Book and Candle in the Small Crane Square has an eclectic collection of books, comics, music and posters and is a fun place to visit.

Wander the Galway poetry trail

This is a series of more than 20 poems and pieces of writing about Galway engraved on plaques around the city. The bookshop I help run set it up, in conjunction with Galway City Council, and each plaque – in bronze or stone – is in a place that reflects its content. There are words by James Joyce, Seamus Heaney, Moya Cannon, Máire Holmes, Roger McGough and more, and each offers quiet contemplation to lift the soul in an urban environment. They’re happy surprises when you come across them. Details at kennys.ie , while a trail map is available from Galway tourist office on Forster Street

Sporting spectacle … with sticks

The 34,000-seat Pearse Stadium in Salthill gives you the chance to see the action-packed – and uniquely Irish – sporting spectacles of hurling and Gaelic football. I think hurling’s one of the fastest stick games in the world, but though the sticks look like weapons they’re rarely used as such: it’s a highly skilled game with wonderful hand-eye co-ordination. If you prefer rugby, the Sportsground on College Road, a five-minute walk from the city centre, is the home of Connacht Rugby . Try for a spot on the Clan Terrace for the best atmosphere. galwaygaa.ie

The legend of the Claddagh Ring

The Claddagh was a fishing village at the spot where the Corrib enters the sea, with cobbled streets, mud-walled houses and an independent spirit – with its own laws and king. In the late 1920s, medical officers declared it unhealthy and it was demolished and replaced by concrete houses. The village also had its own style of wedding ring and a tradition of handing them down from mother to daughter. It’s worn with the crown towards the knuckle while single and, after marriage, with the crown towards the nail.

Legend claims that Richard Joyce, a Galwayman, was captured by Algerian corsairs and sold as a slave to a Moorish goldsmith who trained him in jewellery making. In 1689 he was freed and returned to Galway to set up his own business. Some of the earliest known Claddagh rings are believed to be his. There is more about rings and legends at the Claddagh Ring visitor centre on Shop Street in the city centre. claddaghlegend.com

Getting there Irish Rail operates daily services between Dublin and Galway (around 2 hours 30 mins, from €36 return). Galway’s Ceannt station is in the city centre. Ferry ports include Dublin, Dún Laoghaire, Rosslare and Cork, see Irish Ferries for more information. Stena Line runs services from Cairnryan and Liverpool to Belfast.

Where to stay Built in 1852, The Hardiman (doubles from €115 B&B) is a grand property (originally called the Railway Hotel) that was refurbished in 2019. It is in the city centre, overlooking Eyre Square. The Harbour Hotel (doubles from €108 B&B) serves up a waterfront stay that’s a short walk from the city centre and a 10-minute stroll to Salthill promenade.

Tom Kenny is a director of Kennys Bookshop and Art Gallery

Looking for a holiday with a difference? Browse Guardian Holidays to see a range of fantastic trips

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Hop-on Hop-off

Galway city hop-on hop-off.

The best way to see Galway City and Salthill. Our tour takes in the best of Galway City and Salthill, with 13 stops along the way.

Leaving every 90 minutes from Eyre Sqaure

With tours leaving every 90 minutes, giving you plenty of time to explore Galway City and Salthill.

Choose from 24 or 48 hour tickets

Unlimited trips on the Galway City Hop-on Hop-off tour for 24 or 48 hours. For when, one day exploring just isn't enough.

13 stops near iconic landmarks and locations

With 13 stops at or near must see locations, you can explore all Galway City and Salthill has to offer.

Eyre Square and Urban Charms

Unveil the lively heart of Galway City as you embark on your open-top bus journey, starting at the vibrant Eyre Square North. Explore the contemporary charm of Hyde Hotel on Forster Street, and delve into the rich history of the iconic Spanish Arch along the banks of the River Corrib.

Coastal Wonders and Nature's Retreat

Traverse the stunning coastal landscapes of Galway as your open-top bus tour takes you to the Wild Atlantic Way Mid-Point, the serene Blackrock Diving Board, and the peaceful retreat of Cashelmara. Discover the tranquility of Salthill Camping & Caravan Parks, offering a rejuvenating pause amidst the beauty of nature.

Cultural Oases and Architectural Marvels

Immerse yourself in Galway's cultural treasures at the Circle of Life Garden and enjoy panoramic views from Galway Bay Sea View Apartments. Experience the legendary Irish hospitality at O'Connor's Famous Pub, then delve into academia at the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG), and marvel at the grandeur of Galway Cathedral before completing your journey back at Eyre Square North

County Galway Adopts First Tourism Strategy

The Elected Members of Galway County Council has adopted the first ever tourism strategy for County Galway, Ireland’s leading cultural and natural heritage tourism destination.

The County Galway Tourism Strategy 2023-2031 sets out to spread the benefits of Galway’s growing tourism economy across the wider county, promote sustainable tourism development, and support existing and create new jobs across the sector.  The tourism plan also is targeting a 10% increase in overall visitor spend by 2030 with a particular focus on attracting visitors who stay longer and spend more in Galway’s towns and villages.

As the most visited destination outside of Dublin, Galway benefits considerably from tourism – with 984,000 domestic trips and 1.7 million overseas visitors contributing €754 million in tourism expenditure.

According to  Liam Carroll , Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, “the level of engagement by public bodies, private enterprises, communities and individuals in the development of this strategy underlines the far-reaching significance and benefits of tourism. This partnership approach provides a solid and positive basis for the further development of tourism across our unique county, and I have no doubt that this strategy will serve visitors and communities across the county well in the coming years.”

Liam Conneally , Chief Executive of Galway County Council, said, “the adoption of this strategy means that, for the first time, there is a collaborative framework in place for the development of tourism over the next eight years across the County. The Strategy is built around four strategic areas, each with key actions and recommendations and is also supported by the identification of six Development Zones that ensure more targeted interventions where they are required to address more local challenges and opportunities. This tourism strategy represents an opportunity to support existing and create new employment, establish sustainability as a foundation for the future, and will extend the benefits of tourism to less-visited areas.”

Alan Farrell , Director of Services with Galway County Council described the Strategy as an important milestone for Galway tourism, saying, “the Strategy provides a roadmap that will unlock the social, cultural and economic potential of tourism across the entire county, doing this in a sustainable manner. By enhancing our thriving tourism industry and leveraging the successes of key destinations, the Strategy will build on the collaborative approach that has been taken in the county over many years and it will complement the regional strategies for the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.”

Commenting on the Strategy’s goal of spreading the economic benefit of tourism across the wider county, Galway County Council Tourism Officer John Neary  said, “not all areas of the County are equally well-known. Core infrastructure – such as accommodation and attractions – is clustered in particular areas, naturally following the patterns of highest visitor demand. One of the challenges of this strategy, therefore, is to seek to manage well-developed tourism areas within the County with the further growth of less-established areas.”

“This strategy, the Implementation Plan for which will be published in 2024, will seek to stimulate tourism development throughout Galway, enhancing it in areas that already strong and nurturing it in areas that are less mature from a tourism perspective with a commitment to delivering economic, social, cultural, and environmental benefits to diverse locations and communities.”

The County Galway Tourism Strategy 2023-2031 will be formally launched in early 2024.

Ryan Harmon

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Local Elections: Dublin City Council candidate list

172 candidates competing for 63 seats.

A total of 172 candidates, spread across 11 electoral areas, are seeking election to 63 seats on Dublin City Council .

In 2019, Fianna Fáil (with 11 seats) emerged as the biggest party and it has since controlled the State’s largest local authority, with the Green Party, Labour and the Social Democrats. Sinn Féin is running 30 candidates and will be seeking to recover lost ground after its seat total was halved in 2019 to eight. Fianna Fáil has 19 candidates and Fine Gael has 16.

A “green wave” saw the Green Party emerge with 10 seats in 2019, but if issues raised with candidates in recent weeks are anything to go by, climate change does not be appear to be a primary concern for many at present.

• Find details of candidates in each local electoral area here
• Find details of 15 candidates for the Limerick mayoral election here
• Find details of candidates in each European Election constituency here

Housing dominated the doorsteps in the lead-up to the last council election, but candidates say immigration is currently outweighing it as a concern being raised. In the Pembroke area, where tent encampments developed close to the International Protection Office and then the Grand Canal, voters feel let down by the handling of the issue.

Local elections: Counting gets under way across the country

The ‘Splinternet’ Election: Campaign was fractured, aggressive, costly and humourless

Miriam Lord’s elections: Highs, lows and awards from the campaign

Election campaign marked by ‘unprecedented’ levels of vitriol and abuse

Other local matters raised with canvassers include a lack of public amenities, anti-social behaviour, the BusConnects plan, littering, and the upkeep of footpaths and roads. In Rathmines, locals are concerned over the planned closure and relocation of the post office, while in Clontarf, flood defences, or a lack thereof, are in focus after a year of extreme weather.

Artane - Whitehall: 6 seats

Ballyfermot – drimnagh: 5 seats, ballymun – finglas: 6 seats, cabra – glasnevin: 7 seats, clontarf: 6 seats, donaghmede: 5 seats, kimmage – rathmines: 6 seats, north inner city: 7 seats, pembroke: 5 seats, south east inner city: 5 seats, south west inner city: 5 seats, elections 2024.

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Jack White is a reporter for The Irish Times

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Ireland heads to the polls for three separate elections today

Ireland is heading to the polls on friday, june 7 for local, european, and mayor of limerick elections - find out how these irish elections work here..

The people of Ireland are heading to the polls on Friday, June 7 for local council elections and European Parliament elections. Limerick will also be voting for Ireland’s first-ever directly elected Mayor.

3,762,937 people in Ireland are registered to vote in the local elections. 3,558,051 people are registered to vote in the European elections, and 157,672 people in Limerick city and county can vote for the country's first directly-elected mayor, according to RTE News.

Polls across Ireland will be open from 7 am to 10 pm on Friday, June 7. When polling is over, all ballot boxes are taken to a central counting place for each constituency.

Counting for the local elections will begin at 9 am on Saturday while counting for the European elections begins once voting has finished across EU member states. The count for Mayor of Limerick is expected to begin on Monday.

In Ireland, there are currently 29 political parties on the Register of Political Parties . However, if a candidate has no affiliation with a particular political party, they may describe themselves as “Non-Party."

An Coimisiún Toghcháin, the electoral commission in Ireland, has published this video with tips on how to vote on June 7:

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Ireland's voting system

Ireland uses proportional representation (PR) for voting in elections, with each voter having a single transferable vote (STV).

Proportional Representation – Single Transferable Vote (PR-STV) is used for voting in Ireland's general elections, local elections, European elections, Presidential elections, and Mayoral elections.

PR-STV is a candidate-based system, which means voters can choose to vote for as many or as few candidates as they like, in order of their preference.

The voter’s first preference vote – the candidate they give their number 1 vote to – is most important and is always counted. A voter’s second (and further preferences) may be counted if their preferred candidate is eliminated at the end of a round of counting, or is elected with a surplus. These are known as transfers.

You can learn more about Ireland's voting system  via the Electoral Commission .

Local council elections in Ireland

Local elections are held in Ireland every five years to elect councillors as public representatives on local authorities.

Local councillors make policy decisions at local level including in areas such as planning, roads, traffic, housing, environmental services, recreation, community development; formal civic functions; a general representational and oversight role; and citizen/community engagement.

There are 31 Local Government Authorities in Ireland, which include County Councils and City Councils. Each county and city council is divided into local electoral areas. Each local electoral area has a specified number of council seats to be filled in the election. In total, there are 166 electoral areas in Ireland and each of them elects a number of councillors. The number of councillors to be elected nationally is 949.

In the 2019 local elections - where turnout was 49.78% - Fianna Fáil won 26.92% of the vote (279 seats), Fine Gael won 25.26% (255 seats), Sinn Féin won 9.48% (81 seats), Labour won 5.73% (57 seats), Green won 5.55% (49 seats), Social Democrats won 2.28% (19 seats), Solidarity / People Before Profit won a combined 1.93% (combined 11 seats), Aontú won 1.48% (three seats), and Independents won 0.5% (three seats).

Who can vote in Ireland's local council elections?

All those who meet the following criteria are eligible to vote in Local Elections:

• Aged 18 years or over
• Ordinarily resident in Ireland
• On the electoral register (You can check this using CheckTheRegister.ie )

You do not need to be an Irish citizen to vote in the local elections.

The deadline to register for in-person and postal votes has now passed.

Limerick mayoral election

The people of Limerick will vote for Ireland’s first-ever directly elected Mayor on June 7, 2024. This is taking place as a result of a 2019 plebiscite in which the people of Limerick city and county voted in favour of a proposal for a directly elected Mayor.

The directly elected Mayor of Limerick will be unique in Ireland as they will be the first Mayor with executive powers set out in legislation.

15 candidates are vying for the one mayoral seat in the 2024 election. The Mayor will remain in office for five years, which is the same electoral cycle as local councillors.

The Mayor can serve a maximum of two terms of office. These two terms can be consecutive or non-consecutive.

Who can vote in the election for the directly elected Mayor of Limerick?

To vote in the election for the Mayor of Limerick you have to be:

• 18 years old
• Ordinarily resident in the State
• Registered to vote within the Limerick City and County Electoral Areas

Voters can check if they are registered to vote on CheckTheRegister.ie or by contacting Limerick City or County Council.

The deadline for registering to vote has passed, as has the deadline to register for a postal or special vote.

European Parliament elections in Ireland

European Parliament elections take place every five years. In these elections, EU citizens choose the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) who will represent their interests in the European Parliament. Together with government representatives from 27 EU Member States, MEPs shape and decide on new laws that influence lives across the European Union. MEPs are elected according to national electoral systems.

A total of 720 MEPs will be elected in June 2024; voters in Ireland will elect 14 MEPs in 2024, one more than in the 2019 elections. 

In the 2019 European Parliament elections, Fine Gael won five seats, Fianna Fáil won two seats, Green won two seats, Independents for Change won two seats, and Sinn Féin won one seat.

Ireland is divided into three constituencies for European elections:

• Dublin - elects four MEPS
• South - elects five MEPS (Carlow, Clare, Cork, Limerick, Kerry, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford, and Wicklow)
• Midlands-North-West - elects five MEPS (Cavan, Donegal, Galway, Kildare, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, and Westmeath)

Who can vote in European Parliament elections?

You are eligible to vote in the European elections in Ireland if you are:

• 18 years or older
• registered to vote
• an Irish or an EU citizen who is ordinarily resident in Ireland

Irish citizens residing in other EU Countries can vote in their country of residence.

If you are an EU citizen but have not registered to vote at a previous European election in Ireland you must apply for registration and complete a statutory declaration form, EP1 (available from your local authority). The statutory declarations are sent to your home Member State to make sure people are not voting twice.

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