Street closures to facilitate series of celebrations in ‘The West’

Revellers are being urged to “cross that bridge” this summer for a feast of street parties planned for the ‘The West’.

The West End Traders’ Association is planning to close Dominick Street Lower to Henry Street – namely from Monroe’s Tavern to the Bierhaus on five weekend nights – with a sixth night also planned – to cars to make way for a sea of people.

Spokesperson Gary Monroe of Monroe’s Tavern said the traders planned to hold an array of events in order to ensure the city’s festival atmosphere during the height of the tourist season spreads across the water.

On Friday, June 3 the first of the silent discos are planned. Next off is a two-day street party earmarked for June 14 and 15.

Friday and Saturday, July 22 and 23, will be a chance for the thousands of visitors to the Galway International Arts Festival to take a break from the ‘madding crowds’ along the main strip, to sit on benches on Dominick Street, enjoy a drink and listen to the entertainment laid on.

Another silent disco is planned to mark the end of the Galway Races on the August Bank Holiday Monday, with the final event planned for Sunday, September 18.

The pedestrianisation of the area is an initiative in place since 2010, which has attracted new customers to the area, said Mr Monroe.

However, it does not come cheap; traders pay €15,000 to erect barriers, provide security and lay on entertainment. The biggest nights have featured an entire bill of live bands performing on the lorry stage.

“If you come as a stanger you definitely think it’s the end of the town when you get to the bottom of Quay Street so we miss out on the first, second or third bite. Costs are going up, people are drinking at home, coming out later, so we have to keep trying to get more people here,” the businessman insisted.

“We’d love it if we had a few quid off the [Galway City] Council or the Arts Council to promote the place. It’s all owner-occupied businesses here – they put their heart and soul into it, it’s very demanding, very challenging, but we’re trying to make it happen to encourage more people to visit.”

The traders recently released an online video featuring traders old and young, new and recent, to the district.

Traders describe the West End as a mecca of the city’s best pubs, live music venues and traditional music enclaves, offering Galway’s “best dining” experience as well as a wealth of cultural and arts hubs.

Urging visitors and locals alike to “cross that bridge”, they exclaim on their website: “It’s that part of town that as a tourist you’re delighted to discover. It’s off the beaten track and may take a bit of finding but when you get there you know you’ve discovered the soul of the city, where the locals are maybe a little bohemian and maybe a little eccentric, but always friendly.”