Information about Galway
County Galway is one of the biggest of Ireland's counties and is on the west coast of the Country. The population of the county is about 250,000 of which about 75,000 live in Galway City. Connemara, which is a rugged mountainous area of natural beauty to the west of the county contains the largest Gaeltacht (Irish speaking) area in Ireland.
Galway City , which is called The City of the Tribes dates from the 11th century and id built at the mouth of the Corrib River on Galway Bay. Galway is a city of culture, theatre and music and is also home to the world famous Galway Races.
The main towns in County Galway are:
Ardrahan, Athenry, Ballinasloe, Barna, Carraroe, Claregalway, Clarinbridge, Clifden, Corofin, Craughwell, Glenamaddy, Headford, Kinvara, Leenaun, Letterfrack, Loughrea, Mountbellew, Moycullen, Oranmore, Oughterard, Portumna, Rosmuck, Rossaveal, Roundstone, Spiddal, Tuam and Woodford.
Famous Literary figures associated with Galway:
Lady Gregory, Founder of the Abbey Theatre, W.B Yeats, Máirtín Ó Cadhain Novelist,
Tom Murphy Playwright,
Nora Barnacle Wife of James Joyce, Walter Macken Novelist,
Thomas Kilroy, Novelist & Playwright.
Rita Kelly Poet,
Rita Ann Higgins Poet,
Eilis Dillon Novelist,
JM Synge Playwright,
Martin McDonagh Playwright, Garry Hynes Founder of Druid Theatre Sommerville and Ross Novelists, Pádraic Ó Conaire Short Story Writer.
In Sport Galway excels at Gaelic Football and Hurling and one of Ireland's leading soccer clubs is Galway City.