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Galway is the
second largest county in Ireland covering an area
of 2350 square miles. Just over 188,000 people
live here. Galway sits on the Atlantic coast in
the west of Ireland, with a natural indented
coastline of harbours, deep fjords and island
clusters. The county is divided into two by the
extensive Lough Corrib, Ireland's second largest
lake, with fertile farmlands to the east and
mountainous Connemara and boglands to the west.
Off the coast of Connemara lies the island of
Inishboffin, unspoiled and rich in archaeology
and geology. To the south, in the mouth of Galway
Bay, are the Irish speaking Aran Islands where
age old traditions are found along side modern
living.
The name Galway derived from the Irish 'Abhainn
na Gaillimhe' - the Galway River - which was
named after Galvia, a mythological princess.
Steeped in history, County Galway displays the
remains of many beautiful monasteries, striking
castles and new heritage centres. Inhabitants in
Galway date back over 5,000 years.
Visitors to County Galway can enjoy a rich Irish
culture from the Gealtacht areas of Connemara and
the Aran Islands to the contemporary arts
festivals of Galway city. See our separate guide
to Connemara and discover the magic of this
breathtaking and dramatic landscape, the splendor
of Kylemore Abbey and the charming towns and
villages of this unspoiled corner of Ireland.
Quite a different terrain can be found in the
eastern part of County Galway. Rich pastoral land
set in a lush wooded landscape lead into the
region known as the Shannon, home to Ireland's
cruising waterways. The southern tip of the
county is the beginning of the Burren, a huge
unique limestone plateau with underground caves
and botanists delight.
| Cities
and townships in County Galway |
| The
capital of the county is the university
town of Galway. Other principle towns are
Tuam, Ballinasloe, Clifden, Oughterard,
Athenry, Gort and Kinvara. Please see our
individual town guides for further
information. |
| |
| The
chief economic activities in County
Galway are agriculture, tourism,
services, IT and manufacturing. Computer
software and telecommunications are two
growing industries along with the
manufacturing of healthcare products,
information technology and food
production. New businesses into the
county are actively supported by various
organizations listed below. Galway is the
principal centre for business in the
county and for the whole of the west of
Ireland. A vibrant city reflecting a
booming economy and renewed affluence. |
| |
| Helpful
contact details for business enquiries |
| Enterprise
Ireland |
|
tel: (353) (0)91 735900 |
| Galway
County Council |
tel: (353) (0)91 509000 |
| Galway
City and County Enterprise Board |
tel: (353) (0)91 565269 |
| The
Industrial Development Agency (IDA
Ireland) |
tel:
(353) (0)91 751111 |
| The
Irish Trade Board |
tel:
(353) (0)91 756600 |
| Galway
Chamber of Commerce |
tel:
(353) (0)91 563536 |
| WESTBIC
(Business & Innovation Centre for the
West of Ireland) |
tel:
(353) (0)91 567974 |
| Forbairt |
tel:
(353) (0)91 755138 |
| Udaras
na Gaeltachta (for the Gaeltacht/Irish
speaking areas only) |
tel:
(353) (0)91 592011 |
| FAS -
the National Training and Employment
Authority |
tel:
(353) (0)91 567165 |
| Other
sources of finance applicable to business
start up, development and acquisition,
and related agencies are as follows: |
| Credit
Unions |
|
tel:
(353) (0)1 4908911 |
| National
Irish Bank |
tel:
(353) (0)1 6785066 |
| Ulster
Bank (Small Business Unit) |
tel:
(353) (0)1 6777623 |
| Bank of
Ireland Enterprise Support Unit |
contact
any branch |
| Smurfit
Job Creation Enterprise Fund |
tel:
(353) (0)1 4784091 |
Allied
Irish Bank Strategic Development
Business Banking |
tel:
(353) (0)1 6600311 |
The
Dept. Of Enterprise, Trade and Employment:
TEL (353) (0)1 661 4444; www.irlgov.ie/entemp has extensive and very
helpful advice on all aspects of business
employment in Ireland, including a business start
up information pack which is superbly put
together and includes everything from planning,
funding, locating, employing people and business
development.
| Travel
(also see town guides) |
County
Galway can be reached by road, train, bus
or air. The county is serviced by
excellent trunk roads from all the major
entry points to Ireland. Galway Airport
has flights to and from Dublin and
Manchester in the UK.
Mainline trains run from Dublin via
Ballinasloe and Athenry. Bus Eireann
provide a choice of services in the
county including Expressway town to town
service, Provincial Bus covering Galway's
rural areas and City Services in Galway
city. The Aran Islands can be reached by
ferry from the mainland or by plane from
Conamara Airport. |
| |
|
Airports |
| Galway Airport |
tel: (353)
(0)91 7755569 |
| Connemara Airport |
tel: (353)
(0)91 593034 |
| |
|
Bus |
|
Bus Eireann |
tel: (353) (0)91 562000 |
| |
|
Ferry Services |
| O'Brien Shipping (Aran Islands) |
tel: (353) (0)91 567283 |
| |
|
Train |
Iarnrod Eireann (Irish Rail)
www.clubi.ie/railnet |
tel: (353) (0)91
564222 |
| |
|
| Galway Tourist Office |
tel: (353)
(0)91 563081 |
| |
| Tourism, Leisure and Accommodation |
| Please see town guides |
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