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Galway - This article is about the city in Ireland. For other uses of the name, see Galway (disambiguation).
Galway (Irish: Gaillimh) is the largest city in the province of Connacht in Ireland. The city is located on the west coast of Ireland on the north-eastern corner of Galway Bay in County Galway. The Corrib River runs through the city. CSO Census 2002 indicated the city has a population of approximately 66,000. "Greater Galway" extends out to Oranmore on the east, Barna on the west and north towards Claregalway. Tuam, Loughrea, Athenry, Moycullen and Spidal conttribute significant commuter populations (and traffic jams). Galway is known as The City of the Tribes, because fourteen so-called tribes led the city to prominence early in its history. They were the merchant families of Athy, Blake, Bodkin, Browne, Darcy, Deane, Font, French, Joyce, Kirwin, Lynch, Martyn, Morris, Skerrett. The most credible derivation of the name of the City is from the Irish Gallibh, the foreigners' town (from Gall, a foreigner). Other sources suggest that derives from the original name of the River Corrib, Abhainn na Gallimhe, being the river into which Gallimhe, daugher of Breasail fell and was drowned. Still others trace it to the Spanish province of Galacia, since it is known that coastal trade from Spain was more normal than overland trade. The Mayor of Galway is the "first citizen" of the city. - See also: List of Galway people
History Main article, History of Galway Galway was, in recorded history, an anglo-norman city that grew increasingly to prominence in the late middle ages. A walled city, it remained loyal to the crown during the Gaelic resurgence. Galway endured difficult relations with its Irish-speaking neighbours. A notice over the west gate of the city read "From the Ferocious O'Flahertys may God protect us". An expedition to County Mayo to dislodge the 'pirate queen', Grace O'Malley, ended in failure. A bye-law ordered Irish (as opposed to Galway's Anglo-Irish citizens) not to "strutte or swagger through the streets of Galway". During the middle ages, Galway was ruled by an oligarchy of anglo-norman families, the 'tribes' of Galway. The city thrived on international trade. Galway was on the losing side in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms (it supported the king), and was besieged during the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland It picked the losing side again in the War of the Two Kings (it supported King James II of England against William of Orange ). The great families of Galway were ruined, the city declined, and it did not fully recover until the great economic boom of the late twentieth century. Hardiman's History of Galway was long considered to be the definitive history of Galway city and county. It was first published in 1820 and most of it is now available on the web. It covers the history of the region from the earliest of times until the early 19th century. A new book by John Cunningham, dealing with Galway's 19th century history was published by Geography Publications during 2004. It is entitled 'A town tormented by the sea: GALWAY, 1790-1914', and several excerpts from it are available on the web The Claddagh ring is associated with the Claddagh, a fishing village located just outside the old walls of the Galway city. In more recent times, the resignation of Eamon Casey, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Galway is seen as pivotal in the decline of Church control. Cultural events Annual events include the Galway Early Music Festival (May), the Galway Film Fleadh (July), the Galway Arts Festival (July), Galway Races (August), Galway International Oyster Festival (September) and the Babor Galway International Arts Festival for Children (October) Education The city is the location of Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology and National University of Ireland, Galway two higher education institutions. The institute of technology has campuses in counties Galway and Mayo. The offices of the Central Applications Office are also located in the city, this is the clearing house for undergraduate college and university applications in the Republic of Ireland, a related organisation the Postgraduate Applications Centre processes some taught postgraduate courses. Sport Galway has an Association Football (Soccer) team, Galway United in the League of Ireland; two rugby teams, Galwegians and Corinthians; and contributes players to the County [Hurling]-teams.--Sailing-on-both-sea-and-lake-are-popular,-and-the-University-rowing-club-hosts-[rowing]-events-on-the-river.--"title="GAA Gaelic Football and [Hurling] teams. Sailing on both sea and lake are popular, and the University rowing club hosts [rowing] events on the river. "walk">Power walking]" and blade|roller blading the promenade from the Claddagh to Blackrock is popular all year round. Access Road Three national primary roads serve the city: the N17 from the North (Tuam, Sligo, Donegal), the N6 from the East (Athlone, Dublin), and the N18 from the South (Shannon, Limerick and Cork). Galway is considered to be the gateway to Connemara and the [N89 road|N89 along the western shore of Lough Corrib and the R337 along the northern shore of Galway Bay lead to this wild and romantic region. - National primary roads are usually well maintained roads, but are not motorway grade. The speed limit is 100 km/h, except in built-up areas where the limit is normally 50 km/h. On January 20, 2005, Ireland adopted the metric system for road travel. It is expected that motorways will link Galway to the other major cities sometime between 2010 and 2020.
Travel time to Dublin is about 4 hours. Travel time to Shannon Airport : 90 minutes. Travel time to Limerick: 2 hours. Rail There are six return rail services to/from Dublin each day. The service also stops at Athenry, Ballinasloe, Athlone, Tullamore, Kildare. Travel time is about 3 hours. The rail service is run by Iarnrd ireann (Irish Rail). Air There are five flights daily from Galway Airport to Dublin, and two flights daily to London (Luton, England), as well as flights to Birmingham, Edinburgh, Manchester and Lorient. Also convenient to the city is Shannon International Airport (about 90 minutes drive from Galway) and Knock Airport (also about 90 minutes drive). See also: Transportation in Ireland News media External links Pictures of Galway - Irelandscape - Pictures of Galway, surroundings and other Irish locations.
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