Galway

Galway
Gaillimh
City
From top; left to right: Galway Cathedral, University of Galway, Eyre Square, Galway Harbour, the Long Walk
From top; left to right: Galway Cathedral, University of Galway, Eyre Square, Galway Harbour, the Long Walk
Coat of arms of Galway
Nickname: 
"City of the Tribes"
Motto(s): 
Laudatio Ejus Manet In Secula Seculorum[1]  (Latin)
"His Praise Remains unto Ages of Ages"
Galway is located in Ireland
Galway
Galway
Location within Ireland
Galway is located in Europe
Galway
Galway
Location within Europe
Coordinates: 53°16′19″N 9°2′56″W / 53.27194°N 9.04889°W / 53.27194; -9.04889
CountryIreland
ProvinceConnacht
RegionNorthern and Western (West)
CountyGalway
Founded1124 AD
City Rights1484 & 1985 AD
Government
 • Local AuthorityGalway City Council
 • MayorEddie Hoare (FG)
 • Local electoral areas
  • Galway City Central
  • Galway City East
  • Galway City West
 • Dáil ÉireannGalway West
 • European ParliamentMidlands–North-West
Area
 • Total57.3 km2 (22.1 sq mi)
Elevation
25 m (82 ft)
Population
 (2022[2])
 • Total85,910
 • Rank4th
 • Density1,500/km2 (3,900/sq mi)
DemonymsGalwegian, Tribesman
Time zoneUTC0 (WET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+1 (IST)
Eircode (Routing Key)
H91
Area code091(+353 91)
Vehicle Index
Mark Code
G
WebsiteOfficial website Edit this at Wikidata
Map

Galway (/ˈɡɔːlw/ GAWL-way; Irish: Gaillimh, pronounced [ˈɡal̠ʲɪvʲ]) is a city in (and the county town of) County Galway. It lies on the River Corrib between Lough Corrib and Galway Bay. It is the most populous settlement in the province of Connacht, the fifth most populous city on the island of Ireland and the fourth most populous in the Republic of Ireland, with a population at the 2022 census of 85,910.[2]

Located near an earlier settlement, Galway grew around a fortification built by the King of Connacht in 1124. A municipal charter in 1484 allowed citizens of the by then walled city to form a council and mayoralty. Controlled largely by a group of merchant families, the Tribes of Galway, the city grew into a trading port. Following a period of decline, as of the 21st century, Galway is a tourist destination known for festivals and events including the Galway International Arts Festival.[3]

In 2018, Galway was named the European Region of Gastronomy.[4] The city was the European Capital of Culture for 2020, alongside Rijeka, Croatia.

  1. ^ "William R. Wilde's Loch Coirib – Its Shores and Islands". Galway.net. Retrieved 12 August 2010.
  2. ^ a b c "Census 2022 Profile 1 – Population Distribution and Movement". Central Statistics Office. 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference events was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Galway-West of Ireland 2018". europeanregionofgastronomy.org. Archived from the original on 9 June 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2020.