Life in Galway City Today

Galway is often said to be one of Europe's fastest growing cities. In the 1996 Census, the population of the city was 57,241. In 2006, it was 72,414. In just ten years the population grew by more than 25%.
 

How can a city grow so fast?

What kind of changes happen when a city or town begins to increase in size?
 

Many people have come to Galway to work. When people move to a new city they need somewhere to live. Many new houses and apartments have been built in Galway in the past decade. The city has spread in every direction and is now bigger than ever before.
 

Galway Arts Festvial Parade

The first Galway Arts Festival took place in 1978 and it has become an annual event. Performers and artists of all kinds take part in the two week festival which takes place in July.

Courtesy Joe Desbonnet / galway.net

Galway Arts Festvial Parade
Courtesy Joe Desbonnet / galway.net

Galway Arts Festvial Parade

The first Galway Arts Festival took place in 1978 and it has become an annual event. Performers and artists of all kinds take part in the two week festival which takes place in July.

Courtesy Joe Desbonnet / galway.net

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As well as people moving to the city to live, thousands of people travel there everyday to work in the new factories and businesses which have opened. New roads, bypasses and roundabouts have been built to help ease traffic congestion.

In addition to the people who live and work in the city all year round thousands of people visit Galway as tourists every year. They need some where to stay so there are now more hotels, hostels and guesthouses than ever before.
 

The Galway Races

The Galway Races take place every August at Ballybrit, just outside the city. They attract huge crowds of people from Ireland and abroad. The tradition of horse racing at Ballybrit goes back over one hundred years. Many Galway people who live abroad like to come home during 'race week' as they can be sure of bumping into friends there.

Courtesy Joe Desbonnet / galway.net

The Galway Races
Courtesy Joe Desbonnet / galway.net

The Galway Races

The Galway Races take place every August at Ballybrit, just outside the city. They attract huge crowds of people from Ireland and abroad. The tradition of horse racing at Ballybrit goes back over one hundred years. Many Galway people who live abroad like to come home during 'race week' as they can be sure of bumping into friends there.

Courtesy Joe Desbonnet / galway.net

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Residents, tourists and commuters all need places to eat, shop and entertain themsleves. New shops, restaurants, cinemas and cultural events have been added to the city to cater for everyone's needs.
 

In your area, the population may have increased or decreased over the years. Can you think of reasons for population change in your local area?