Galway City: What You Should Know

Known as na Gaillimhe in Irish ("City of Galway")interested in Irish Music, many pubs will have
Galway City is located in County Galway in thetraditional music at least once a week in Galway.
West of Ireland. With a population of over 65,000The center of Galway is more or less built
people, Galway is relatively small compared to thesurrounding Eire Square which has recently been
other Irish cities; however what it lacks in size itrenovated. Often referred to as the 'city of pubs,'
more than makes up for with character. GalwayGalway's Eire Square is surrounded by Pubs and
is very accessible from all over Ireland whether itthe compulsory fast food multiples. The night life
is by road, rail or air.here is second to none, and it is not unusual for
The city of Galway can be traced back to 1124people from all over Ireland to visit Galway to
when Dún Bun na Gaillimhe ("Fort at theenjoy the nightlife.
Mouth of the Gaillimh") was constructed. DuringGalway is a city of two parts with the second
the 1230s Galway was captured by the Anglobeing Salthill, a coastal resort which is famous for
Norman Richard Mor de Burgh. During the Middlebumper cars and slot machines. It is not as tacky
Ages Galway was a very important port town,as it could be, and today Salthill has evolved into a
particularly for trade coming form Spain andmore balanced offering with restaurants, cafes
France. The city also had the miss-fortune to beand bars along side a few remaining fun
captured by Cromwell until the city fell into theemporiums.
hands of the Williamites. The city declined into ruinWhat really marks Galway out from the other
and did not really recover until the beginning ofcities in Ireland are the streets in and around the
the 20th century when economic prosperitycenter of Galway which are cobble stoned and
returned.and soaked in history. There are fantastic shops
Galway has a rich tradition in Irish culture in itsand bars along these streets and it is easy to
main three forms, Irish music, the Irish languagespend an afternoon ambling around shopping and
and Irish dancing. Much of this richness of culturedrinking coffee. If you are visiting Ireland, a visit
is due its location in close proximity to a nearbyto Galway is an absolute must.
Gealtach (Irish speaking area.) If you are