15 Insightful Facts About Galway: Ireland’s Most Musical City
Galway has the second highest amount of coffeeshops per capita in Europe, second only to Athens in Greece
Whatever you think of music megastar Ed Sheeran, we’ll bet that you’ve heard his Platinum 2017 song Galway Girl – and he’s not the only person to have been taken with this vibrant Irish city.
Easily one of Ireland’s most fun and lively cities, you’re never far from music in Galway; the streets are lined with buskers, pubs play Irish tunes long into the night, and it hosts countless festivals.
Born in Galway, Insight Vacations’ Local Expert Gary (above) has been walking and talking people through his hometown for over 8 years, leaving no stone left unturned in “the friendliest city in the world”. We picked Gary’s brain for the most interesting facts about Galway (many of them music-themed). He also inspired this week’s Insightful travel trivia questions, clues to which can be found in this article.
What is Galway all about?
Galway takes the cake as Ireland’s most entertaining and musical city. Turn each corner and you’ll find something new to experience, whether it’s a lively pub, chatting with friendly locals, or ambling round fascinating museums and galleries.
The cobbled Quay Street, a pedestrianized street in the heart of the city, is filled with pubs playing traditional music, colorful shop facades, and enough restaurants and shops to satisfy every shopper. Galway is known for it seaside location, traditional music, cobbled streets, festivals and its lively culture, art and food.
Head down Quay street and you’ll reach the Latin Quarter where you’ll find some of Galway’s best shopping, with shops selling clothing, jewelry, pottery and food. Soak up the city’s culture at one of the galleries showcasing local and international talent, or catch a show at the area’s many theatres and museums
Though the city is brimming with excellent food, galleries, and music all year round, Galway also hosts countless arts, food and cultural festivals – the Galway International Arts Festival, the Galway Oyster Festival, and the Galway Races are just a few.
Want to know more about this dynamic destination? Without further ado, here are Gary’s top facts about Galway.
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Fun facts about Galway
1. There are 2 ‘Galway Girl’ songs
American artist Steve Earle’s original was recorded in 2000 with local musician Sharon Shannon. A later version sung by Edmond Enright ‘Mundy,’ was the most downloaded song in Ireland in 2008.
Ed Sheeran also released a ‘Galway Girl’ song in 2017 – it has nothing to do with Steve’s song. He tried different Irish towns like Wexford, Clonakilty and Dublin, to avoid confusion, but nothing sounded quite like ‘Galway Girl’ to him.
2. There are also 2 different versions of a song called ‘Galway Bay’
Bing Crosby recorded a version of one of them in 1947 that became a favorite of the Irish diaspora. The first, however, is called “(My Own Dear) Galway Bay” by Frank A. Fahy (1854–1935), composed in London although he was from Kinvara, a village on the shores of Galway Bay.
3. Ed Sheeran recorded the video in Galway
Keeping on the theme of twos, Ed Sheeran recorded his ‘Galway Girl’ video in 2 local bars with Irish American actor Saoirse Ronan – O’Connells in Eyre Square and O’Connors pubs in Salthill are now frequented by Ed’s loyal fans.
4. You might recognize some locals…
A shy barman who agreed to be in Ed’s video took off for Edinburgh when people recognized him from the video on its release and wanted selfies with him. He stuck to his guns and just didn’t want the 15 minutes of fame!
5. You’re never far from a caffeine fix
As of 2024, Galway has the second highest amount of coffeeshops per capita in Europe, second only to Athens in Greece. 25 years ago, all we had were jars of Maxwell House!
6.You’re also never far from a pint
Galway is home to 450 pubs, so there’s certainly no shortage of pints around these parts! You’ll find live Irish music across the city; check out Taaffes, The Crane or The Quays.
7. Galway is a busker’s haven
Shop Street (aka Quay Street) in Galway is without a doubt the busking hotspot of Ireland. There is footage of, you guessed it, Ed Sheeran playing at the tender age of 14 on this vibrant thoroughfare.
8. Irish folk music broke a Guinness World Record
De Danann is perhaps the most famous Irish folk band to come out of Galway. Formed in 1975, their fiddler, Frankie Gavin, set a Guinness record in 2010 as the fastest in the world.
9. It has attracted artists other than Ed Sheeran…
The annual Galway International Arts Festival has hosted musicians like Blondie, Talking Heads, The Waterboys, Radiohead and many more, since its inception in 1978.
10. There are more than 2 festivals a week
One of the most incredible facts about Galway – it’s the festival capital of Ireland. We have some 123 per year. The latest addition was Cellissimo 2024, dedicated to the power and beauty of the cello. I have only ever heard cellos in jazz bands!
11. You’ll be greeted with a smile
Galway has been voted Europe’s friendliest city in the Condé Nast Traveller Reader Travel Awards on multiple occasions, most recently in 2020, beating Dublin which came in second place.
12. It’s the ‘Cultural Heart of Ireland’
One of the best places to experience traditional Irish music, it’s no wonder Galway has been dubbed the “Cultural Heart” of Ireland.
13. Horse racing is important
The Galway Races is a horse-racing festival, which takes place across one week in late July. It generates a quarter of all Irish racing revenue in the entire racing calendar!
14. There’s even a Galway whiskey
Swing by the Micil Distillery to taste 170 years of distilling expertise. This family-run distillery produces Irish poitín (moonshine), Irish whiskey and more.
15. Whiskey not your thing? Galway is the best place in Ireland for a G&T
The experts have decided that Galway’s Latin Quarter is the best place in Ireland to enjoy a G&T, after it won the Gold Medal for ‘Gin Destination of the Year’ at the Irish Gin Awards. See for yourself – every year The Latin Quarter plays host to ‘Gin Fest’, a 4 day celebration where G&T drinkers and the best gin brands from across the globe come together.
You can meet Gary on an Insight Vacations tour and find out so many more facts about Galway while you walk around this incredible city.
About Jess Williamson
Jess is an experienced writer and editor, with 6 years' experience working within the whisky industry. Her work has taken her to Scotland and beyond, while her personal travel highlights include backpacking around Vietnam with her sister, trips to California, Madrid, and the Greek islands.
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