World Travellers

Galway is a city located in the province of Connacht in the Republic of Ireland. The city rests on the west coast of Ireland and it boasts a population of 65,832. The city dates back to a fort built in 1124 by the King of Connacht - around which a small settlement began to grow. The settlement started to thrive during the Middle Ages under the rule of fourteen merchant families known as the ‘Tribes of Galway’. At this time Galway established itself as an international trading post. Today, the city continues to boom and Galway contributes both commercially and culturally to the country.

Galway is one of the few cities in Ireland where the Irish language is commonly spoken – giving it the title ‘The Bilingual capital of Ireland’. The city places strong emphasis on the importance of Irish culture, traditions, music, song, dance and storytelling – this is mainly due to the city’s proximity to the Irish-speaking Gaeltacht area. As well as rich traditions and culture, Galway offers visitors a glimpse at some beautiful architecture. The city boasts an abundance of medieval buildings, not least St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church built in 1320, or Lynch’s Castle on Shop Street. For those interested in Renaissance architecture, the extravagantly named Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St Nicholas, is well worth a visit.

The city is a famed home of artists, musicians and writers and Galway hosts a large number of arts festivals each year, including: the Cúirt International Festival of Literature, the Galway Arts Festival, the Galway Early Music Festival and the Galway Film Fleadh. Galway is a perfect base from which to discover the beauty of the West of Ireland, such as the Aran Islands or the Burren. However the city itself offers the perfect location for a relaxing break steeped in the area’s rich traditions and lively culture.

By: Dara Ward

About the Author: