Galway Vacations, Galway Vacation Reviews, Tourism Guide

Galway Vacation Guide

Galway is located on the west coast of Ireland, roughly a three hour bus ride from the hustle and bustle of Dublin. The city name derives from the Gaelic \'Gaillimh\' after the river but the meaning is unclear and disputed. One theory is that it is the name of a Gaelic chieftain who drowned there! Situated within a few miles of the Connemara Gaeltacht(Irish-speaking region), Galway is a center for Irish traditional music and culture, and is reputed to be the fastest growing city in Europe today. During the Summer months visitors flock to this cultural hub, especially during the Galway Arts Festival fortnight in July when a diverse range of Irish and international acts perform in the city. Another hugely popular time in Galway is race week, which runs from the last Monday in July. A variety of other festivals keep the city busy throughout the Summer and Autumn.

Universities: the National University of Ireland, Galway, & the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology. The overall population is therefore quite young, and the city definitely has a \'college town\' feel in some respects.

Most activities center around Eyre Square with many small roads leading off offering various establishments to eat, drink, and shop. A good day trip can bring you to the magnificent Cliffs of Moher or the Aran Islands.

A one-off festival will take place in Galway from May 23rd to June 6th 2009, in recognition of the Volvo Ocean Race stopover, with a wide range of events free of charge.