Galway, Ireland

Galway is a city in the province of Connacht in the West of Ireland. It is the county city of Galway County, which is named after it. It is located between Lough Corrib and Galway Bay on the River Corrib and is the sixth most populous city in Ireland, with a population of 79,9344 at the 2016 Census.

Galway, situated near an earlier settlement, grew around a fortification constructed in 1124 by the King of Connacht. In the 13th century, when the Anglo-Normans captured the area and constructed a fortified city, Galway expanded from a small fishing village. 14 merchant families were given authority by a charter of 1396, and Cromwell would later mock this elite as “tribes” – hence the nickname “City of the Tribes”

The city, largely under the control of these 14 families, the Tribes of Galway, grew into a trading port. The city is a tourist destination after a period of decline, and starting in the 21st century, it is known for hosting numerous festivals, celebrations and events, including the Galway Arts Festival.

There are several points of interest in and around Galway: Eyre Square, Lynch’s Castle, Legend of the Claddagh Ring, Saint Nicholas Collegiate Church, Hall of the Red Earl, Spanish Arch and Galway City Museum are notable few.