Galway ‘Cultural’ City
Music, festivals, horse racing, pubs, restaurants, shops, theatres and most of all Galway people, combine to create this atmospheric mediaeval city of culture.
Galway City is one of the fastest growing cities in Europe and, with a population of approx. 71,983 as per the census of April 2006, it has become the third city in the Republic of Ireland after Dublin and Cork. It began as a small fishing village centred around the estuary of the River Corrib, a river traditionally called Abhainn na Gaillimhe (The Galway River) after Galvia, a mythological princess said to have drowned in its waters.
Galway is often considered to be the 'Cultural Capital of Ireland', and is world renowned for its vibrant lifestyle and numerous festivals, celebrations and events. In 2004, there were three dance organisations, ten festival companies, two film organisations, two Irish language organisations, 23 musical organisations, twelve theatre companies, two visual arts groups and four writers' groups based in the city.
The Gaeltacht
Galway city is unique among Irish cities because of the strength of its Irish language, music, song and traditions - it is often referred to as the 'Bilingual Capital of Ireland'. The city is well known for its ‘Irishness', and mainly due to the fact that it has on its doorstep the Galway Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking area). The language is visible on the city streets, with bilingual signage on display on shops and road signs, and can be heard by locals around the city. Irish theatre, TV production and Irish music are an integral part of Galway city life, with both An Taibhdhearc, the National Irish Language Theatre, and TG4 and RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta headquarters in Galway. This has brought an Irish-speaking young professional population to the city and county, and has generated a renewal of interest in the language and in language-related activities.
Sport
Galway has a magnificent and heterogeneous sporting heritage. Sports range from horse racing, Gaelic games, Soccer and Rugby to Rowing, Motorsport, Greyhound racing and many more. The Galway Races are known worldwide and are the highlight of the Irish horse racing calendar.
The city has many hurling and gaelic football teams at all levels. Major football and hurling matches take place at Pearse Stadium in the city. The stadium is also the home of the Salthill Knocknacarra Gaelic Athletic Association club which won the All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship in 2006 for the first time.