CHECKING IN WITH ROSE FINN

General Manager, Galway Convention Bureau

What Galway attractions and experiences should international guests not miss?

There are many activities and attractions for our international guests to enjoy. Starting in Galway City, a food tour with Sheena from Galway Food Tours is a must; it helps you find the best eateries, sampling our local delicacies and hearing each supplier’s unique story. You can then hop on the Corrib Princess for a boating experience on the republic’s largest lake, Lough Corrib. Check out Galway City Museum, or zip around with Galway Bay Boat Tours’ fisherman Ciaran Oliver on a lobster safari. When back on dry land, check out the world’s smallest claddagh ring in the Claddagh Ring Museum, and try on and possibly buy a traditional Aran sweater in Ó’maille – The Original House of Style, which made some of the costumes for the famous 1952 movie The Quiet Man with Maureen O’hara and John Wayne.

A little outside Galway City I recommend the captivating Connemara region for a visit to Kylemore Abbey and its Walled Gardens, Connemara National Park for its walking trails and, if you feel energetic, a trip up Diamond Hill. There are also many white beaches along the coast. For learning more about the Irish culture and landscape, the restored hill village of Cnoc Suain is a must. Go on a daytrip to the Aran Islands and step back in time. The Islands can be reached by ferry or plane from the mainland.

What benefits does the Galway City Innovation District offer startups that move into the district?

The Galway City Innovation District offers startups a distinct place to network and collaborate. The GCID was founded to attract creators and innovators who wish to work in close proximity to others in a supportive and connected environment within Galway’s inner city, as well as young tech companies with strong growth potential and even larger Irish companies and multinationals.

Galway was designated as one of only two European Capital of Culture 2020/21 cities. Because the pandemic occurred during this time, how did it affect events and visitors to Galway City?

Many of the Galway Capital of Culture projects had to be reimagined for online delivery. The cultural partners worked with Galway 2020/21 in ensuring we retained the original vision of the events, and many projects were still created in the landscape of the city and the county. The landscape was viewed through the lens of our Irish and international artists and producers; and the online events, films and projects attracted a huge global audience. While our global audiences could not physically travel to Galway, they were able to enjoy the events from the comfort of their homes across the world, and our “year” as a Capital of Culture was actually extended into 2021.