The City
Galway, the fifth largest city in Ireland, is the major hub for visitors to West Ireland. The city has a multicultural vibrance and therefore is also known as “The city of the Tribes”. Galway is also known as a scenic getaway with a fabulous nightlife and charming pedestrianized streets with various pubs and cafes. According the 2011 census the city has a population of 75 414 people.
Tourism
Tourism and commerce are the two major industries of Galway. A strong interest in the arts can be seen in the number of areas where events can be hosted and tourists will enjoy doing many activities during the length of their stay.
Airport
The Galway Airport, located 8km from the northern side of the city, has easy and immediate access to a multitude of onward destinations such as Dublin, London Luton and Manchester.
Airlines
The following airlines offer flights to Galway from Johannesburg, Durban or Cape Town:
- Emirates (Cape Town and Durban)
- Kenya Airways (Johannesburg)
- Lufthansa (Johannesburg)
- SAA (Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg)
- Virgin Atlantic (Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg)
What to see / do
- Galway Cathedral – One of the largest and most dominating buildings in Galway.
- Galway City Museum – Exhibitions focusing on the medieval town.
- Spanish Arch - A 16th century bastion
- St. Nicholas Church - The largest medieval parish church in Ireland.
- Lynch’s Castle – Formerly owned by the fourteen tribes which ruled the city centuries ago.
- Salmon Weir Bridge – The bridge crosses the Corrib from the cathedral to the courthouse.
Events
- Galway Arts Festival – A celebration of the performing and visual arts in July every year.
- Galway Loves Theatre – An extravaganza of performance, passion and laughter.
- Roundstone Summer Festival – A festival of music, fun, laughter and games for all ages.
- Clarenbridge Oyster Festival - Great festival filled with good food, drinks, music and entertainment.
- Burren Peaks Walking Festival - Guided walks around the paved city streets.
Accommodation
Search for hotels in Galway
General Info
Galway has the Euro as its new currency. The city has a full range of mainstream shops as well as a great variety of specialist and tourist orientated shops. Visitors from outside Europe can claim tax back on gifts they bought in Galway, adding value to these items.
Weather
The city experiences a mild, moist and changeable climate all through the year. Temperatures below 0 °C and above 30 °C are rare. Rain is the most common form of precipitation and hail, sleet and snow are rarely found. Humidity range between 70% and 100%, leading to heavy showers and thunderstorms, particularly in late summer.
