Free parking on city’s streets

On-street parking in the city centre is free for two hours each morning from today (Monday) in an initiative designed to boost trade for retailers.

The ‘trial’ – which will run for a fortnight – could cost Galway City Council up to €15,000 in lost revenue.

Each weekday morning, on-street parking (the Council off-street carparks are not included) will be free from 10am to midday.

The initiative will run until November 28, when the annual Christmas Park & Ride will be launched.

“One of the Council’s roles is to support economic activity in the city, so along with Galway Chamber and the Galway City Business Association for the last couple of years, we’ve been trying to encourage people into the city centre during the quieter period before Christmas.

“It is only for the on-street parking spaces, so the off-street carparks like the Dyke Road are not included,” a spokesperson for the Council said.

It covers parking spaces on Augustine Street, Dominick Street, Forthill Street, Lombard Street, Cross Street, Market Street, Raven Terrace, Bothar Irwin, Eyre Street, Frenchville Lane, Merchants Road, Newtownsmyth, Woodquay, Bridge Street, Forster Street, Headford Road, Middle Street, St Brendan’s Avenue, and Court Lane.