Galway Bay FM News Archives
Galway will enjoy ripple effect from big visits despite missing out on international spotlight
Date Published: 18-May-2011
By Dara Bradley
Queen Elizabeth and US President Barack Obama may be staying clear of the west of Ireland during their State visits but tourism chiefs are confident Galway City and County will profit hugely from the expected boost the ‘Queen and Obama’ tourism effect will bring.
The United States and the United Kingdom are by far Ireland’s largest tourism markets and a substantial boost in bookings is expected to arise from the visits – and a rising tide of tourism numbers will lift all counties, including Galway, not just those that are the focus of the State visits, according to Fáilte Ireland West.
The spotlight of the world is shining on Ireland this week and next with more than 1,200 journalists accredited to cover the historic visit to the Republic of the Queen, the first in 100 years of a reigning British Monarch; and the ‘flying visit’ of President Obama.
More than 300 reporters from British news organisations, including in print, radio, TV and online media, are in Ireland this week to cover the Queen’s visit; as well as CNN and Russian, Chinese and European media outlets, many of whom, particularly the American networks and newspapers, will remain on to cover President Obama’s trip.
Despite an intensive lobbying campaign to entice Mr Obama to follow in the footsteps of President John F. Kennedy who visited Galway City and addressed Eyre Square, neither the US President or Queen Elizabeth will come to Galway.
And while places like Dublin, Cork, Tipperary, Kildare and Offaly will receive maximum exposure, Fáilte Ireland West says Galway’s tourism industries will be provided with a “huge boost” as a result of the exposure. “There will be a big knock-on effect for everyone, including Galway,” said Fiona Monaghan of Fáilte Ireland West.
“Money couldn’t buy the exposure Ireland will get from the visits and Fáilte Ireland couldn’t afford to pay for the media exposure we are going to get in our top two tourist markets. These are huge opportunities, and it’s hard to quantify the return in visitor numbers that will result – it will be very big,” she said.
Galway is certainly not losing out, she said, because many of the hundreds of reporters who are here for the visits will have extended trips, courtesy of Fáilte Ireland and they will be visiting Galway City and Connemara in particular. This will lead to exposure in media outlets throughout the world in travel articles and reviews.
All media outlets are briefed on the assets of Galway and the west during their stay and the cultural and natural beauty of the county has been emphasised. CNN, for example, is broadcasting Mr Obama’s visit live and this will be interspersed with three-minute TV clips promoting Ireland and Galway City and Connemara are prominent in these.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
Galway has a population of young people which is more than twice the national average.
According to information gathered by the Central Statistics Office, Galway’s population of 20 to 24 year olds is more than twice the national average.
The number of 25-34 year olds in Galway is also more than the norm nationally, with the two main colleges thought to be the main reason.
However immigration in Galway is much higher than in other areas at 19.4 percent, compared to the national average of 12 percent.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
A city councillor is encouraging people to donate goods directly to charity shops.
It follows allegations of thefts from clothes banks in Galway and across the country in recent months.
However, cameras are in place at some clothes banks and surveillance is carried out by local authorities.
Speaking on Galway Talks, Councillor Neil McNeilis said the problem of theft from clothes banks is widespread.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
A park ‘n’ ride scheme from Carnmore into Galway city could become a permanent service if there is public demand.
That’s according to the Chief Executive of Galway Chamber of Commerce, Michael Coyle.
The pilot scheme will begin at 7.20 next Monday morning, May 13th.
Motorists will be able to park cars at the airport carpark in Carnmore and avail of a bus transfer to Forster Street in the city.
Buses will depart every 20 minutes at peak times and every 30 minutes at offpeak times throughout the day, at a cost of 2 euro per journey.
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