Galway - 2020, A Capital of Culture and Industry

Galway regularly ranks supreme as the best place to visit according to the likes of the National Geographic and Lonely Planet, but I firmly believe this year could very well be the best time to show why Galway is a great place to live and settle. The 8th of February was supposed to mark the grand opening of Galway’s stewardship of the title of European Capital of Culture. Unfortunately, Storm Ciara couldn’t behave herself and spoiled the opening weekend a little but nonetheless we are now underway.

Thankfully we have a lot to look forward to over the next 12 months and its only just beginning. Wonder Works, the organisation behind the incredible London 2012 Olympics, are the masterminds orchestrating this fabulous yearlong event designed to attract every sort of visitor from near or far to drink in the atmosphere of the gorgeous West of Ireland!

So, what to expect from this year’s festival of fine Irish culture?

A review of 2019

Sadly, we must come crashing back to earth and firstly address the swings and roundabouts of last year to get to the exciting prospects of 2020. 2019 was mired in a mix of negatives like Brexit, the slowdown in the automotive sector and the stressful imminent introduction of the dreaded MDR regulations within the Medtech sector. However, with every difficulty comes opportunity so Galway did just that and battled against adversity to end the year on a massive high.

Firstly, Brexit provided plenty of fodder for the front pages of papers but in all honesty, it was pure speculation in most cases, and we are still unsure on how it will directly impact the European Union and specifically our emerald isle. The West of Ireland, true to nature, responded bullishly by announcing thousands of new positions. Within the Medtech sector with the likes of J&J, Boston Scientific and Edwards Lifesciences announced hundreds. There were also the likes of Wayfair who have gone from strength to strength in Galway and now reside in the aptly names Wayfair towers. The likes of The Knot assist in developing your perfect day and were able to marry the fantastic creatives and customer support staff available in Galway with their amazing wedding platform, announcing 100 new jobs. The well-known names of EY and PWC too were on the move towards a high-peak of growth throughout the year and well into the future.

So how is all this development possible in the remote West of Ireland? Why are Industry and People alike flocking to the Atlantic seaside?

The European Capital of Culture 2020

The big question is, how will Galway capitalise on this historic year where everything from the city’s streets, the famous old colleges, the food and music scenes and even the waterfront are all bustling with development and activity.

I personally remember when Cork became the European Capital of Culture and the city, I grew up in transformed itself into a completely and entirely different beast. The streets are typically never silent, especially when you are rocking up and down St Patrick’s Street or Pana as its affectionately known to the native cork people but something special was in the air. The development of the city centre and rural towns in itelf was incredible but the street performers, cultural events and the summer festivals brought about a year to be experienced by all. Holidaymakers and homemakers alike from all over the globe realised Ireland wasn’t just Guinness at St James' to be had but Beamish too at the beautiful Crawford Brewery. So too did they discover that Dublin wasn’t the only capital to be seen in Ireland when the European Capital of Culture was a short drive away. Galway is perfectly placed in the West to welcome the world to the Wild Atlantic Way!

So, what is there to do and see? The Galway 2020 initiative is broken down into various projects such as the migrant’s initiative by John Behan where he explores the Irish History and the often-sad truths behind the journeys the Irish and many others have to take to not even thrive but sometimes survive. The idea behind these exhibitions is tied to the idea that the West of Ireland consistently makes waves throughout history, especially through modern culture and art. Similarly, they will follow on from the great work done by Connacht Rugby in the communities by highlighting the big ideas coming from small towns. Connacht Rugby has long stood for uniting the community through sport and on the back of huge success, mounted a campaign to bring the grassroots community to the forefront of their sport and to a global stage. 

The themes of the year West hark back to the traditional Irish Language, Gaeilge. Imbolc, Bealtaine, Lughnasa and Samhain bring us from February 2020 through to January 2021.

Imbolc has you swimming in the mostly bitterly cold Atlantic waters, believe it or not hoping that it rains and meeting some of the Wild Atlantic Women. Bealtaine begins with a fantastically bizarre fun run and builds up to the legendary Galway Arts Festival boasting the Pixies and Sinead O’Connor as just two headline acts with a sprinkling of Cello and Poetry thrown into the mix. Lughnasa looks at the deepest shade of green, fire gardens and the mighty ocean while travelling beyond the End of the road. Finally, as the Galway 2020 celebrations move towards a crescendo, Samhain has the Ceili (a traditional Irish music session, pronounced kale - e) at the crossroads. This is a variety of workshops and traditional Irish music sessions throughout the city, towns and villages of Galway.

You couldn’t ask for a more diverse line-up of projects but that’s what Galway is famous for, a patchwork quilt of Irish Tradition, cultures from every corner of the planet and a homely feel that knits it altogether beautifully. What’s more is that Galway is renowned for its fabulous food and delectable drink. Incredibly innovative chefs such as JP McMahon with his Michelin starred restaurant Aniar have heavily influenced the Galway food scene. Most importantly, there always seems to be a local maverick or two willing to buck the trend such as Handsome Burger, Micil Gin, Galway Bay Brewery and The Dough Bros!

From lively pints listening to the local traditional Irish music in Tigh Coili to tucking into the famous Dough Bros pizza in their own Italian styled Restaurant or in the one of a kind beer garden in O’Connells. You can grab fantastic modern pub food in Caribou or one of the best burgers in Ireland with the appropriately named Handsome Burger! As you meander down shop street making your way down to the West End, they have the cosiest pubs and bars with some of the most delicious seafood you could ask for. Every inch of Galway screams local comfort, bohemian culture but with a modern twist. But maybe you head the opposite way to find yourself in the beautifully designed Hyde bar sipping a local Micil Gin & Tonic next to its rose petal walls. You could even pop across to two of the great sports bars, the Pucan and Murty Rabbit’s to sit with all of the Connacht rugby or Galway United supporters.

So, is it not clear yet why you would choose the West of Ireland to at least visit during an incredible year filled to the brim with culture and craic? Galway is sometimes referred to as the graveyard of ambition as once here, very few leave after they fall head over heels in love for the city. A Spanish Armada ship once shipwrecked here leading to a lot of very confused Spaniards coming face to face with some puzzled Connemara locals. They settled and became part of the patchwork of Galway, even building their very own arch at the heart of the city. So, what’s stopping you? Building your own arch is optional and subject to council approval but as listed above, you can get upto much, much more in the meantime!

My point is simply this, come for the culture, the lovely welcoming people and incredibly high-class food but stay for the strong industry and bright future for the Wild Atlantic Way!