Remote workers flock to Galway

Galway is by far the most popular county in Ireland with workers who have relocated since the start of the pandemic – and it also tops the wish list for those who would move in the future if they were able to work remotely.

The third annual National Remote Working Survey – carried out by the Western Development Commission and NUIG – shows that coastal counties in general are the preferred location for those considering relocation.

Of the 688 respondents who’d already moved, over eleven per cent had relocated to Galway, ahead of Cork at just under nine per cent and Kildare at just under eight per cent.

Those who would consider moving in the future also choose Galway (10.1%) as they ideal destination, again followed by Cork (9.2%), Wicklow (5.9%) and Kerry (5.8%).

But on the other hand, almost seven and a half per cent of those who’d moved had left Galway, the third highest in the country – just behind Cork but massively behind Dublin which accounted for almost two-thirds of the overall total.

Western Development Commission chief executive Tomás Ó Síocháin said that the latest survey had identified a broad trend over the last three years that just under ten per cent of respondents have already moved with further significant numbers actively considering it.

“This trend highlights the importance of remote work in supporting balanced regional development and initiatives like the ConnectedHubs network and legislative support for remote work can sustain these trends into the future,” he said.

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