Galway City Centre

Galway City is one of the brightest and most intriguing jewels of the West of Ireland.

It marks the halfway point on the Wild Atlantic Way and is the only city on the entire 2500km route. The city is wild and bohemian, and at the same time full of culture, artistry, exceptional food and music. As well as being a popular seaside destination with long sandy beaches, Galway is also a thriving and cosmopolitan city centre. It is always a joy to explore with its wonderful cobbled streets, colourful shop facades, and its offbeat café/bar culture.

Galway is also well known for its proliferation of festivals and civic events, with huge crowds gathering for the much-celebrated Galway International Arts Festival, the craic of the Galway Races, the spectacular Macnas Halloween Parade and numerous other events throughout the year. Ireland’s great traditions of hospitality have their place in the city too, with turf fires and traditional music featuring in many of the city’s pubs.

Infrastructure, services and amenities in Galway City.

Galway City is known as Ireland’s Cultural Heart (Croí Cultúrtha na hÉireann) and is renowned for its vibrant lifestyle and numerous festivals, celebrations and events.
There is a long list of primary, secondary and educate together schools in Galway City. It is also home to Galway Mayo IT and the historic NUI Galway.
Galway City is well connected by road via the M6 to Dublin, the M17 to Sligo or the M18 to Limerick. To get in and around Galway we have 12 public bus services as well as private bus services to get to Dublin. The city is also connected by rail to Dublin, Limerick & Athlone.
The main city hospital, University Hospital Galway, is located on two campuses — Galway University Hospital and Merlin Park University Hospital. Two private hospitals, The Galway Clinic and the Bon Secours Hospital, Galway, also operate in the city.

Galway is home to various GAA, rugby & soccer clubs. Galway GAA, Connacht Rugby & Galway United all play here. We also have Galway Lawn Tennis Club, The Galway Rowing Club and Commercial Boat Club.
It is a foodie’s paradise. Diverse and innovative, Galway’s culinary scene grows more exciting by the year. From Michelin-starred restaurants to hole-in-the-wall falafel joints, there’s something in the county to suit every taste & budget.
Part of the city is in the Gaeltacht area and as a result Galway City has a reputation for being associated with the Irish language, music, song and dancing traditions. Irish theatre, television and radio production and Irish music form a component of Galway city life, with both An Taibhdhearc, the National Irish Language Theatre, in Galway city itself, while TG4 and RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta headquarters are in the Connemara Gaeltacht elsewhere in County Galway.

See what’s happening in Galway City.

Galway International Arts Festival 2022

11 – 24 Jul, 2022

The Galway International Arts Festival is one of the main highlights of the year and involves events throughout Galway City. The 45th Galway International Arts Festival will take place for…

Galway Potters Market 2022

23 – 24 Jul, 2022

Galway Potters Market happens again this year! The market is expected to take place on July 23rd and 24th at the Spanish Arch in Galway City from 10am-6pm. 28 specially…

West End Summer Street Festival

31 Jul, 2022

Galway’s West End hosts their neighbourhood Street Feast on Sunday of the August Bank Holiday (31st July 2022). The Street Feast is bringing together the much loved and award-winning businesses…

Galway Pride Festival 2022

8 – 14th Aug, 2022

The annual Galway Pride Festival – the longest continual Pride event in Ireland – is expected to take place from Monday August 8 to Sunday 14 and this year’s theme…