Is Galway depressing?

Betts

So, I'd love it if anyone would give me a detailed expression of how life is in Galway! I come from a city, so its pretty hard to imagine life in a quiet place like Galway. I keep hearing stereotypes of Galway, like that its suicidally depressing because of all its rain and tiny size. Oh, and hows the shopping, aura, community feel like? I'd appreciate any info! thank you!

Ficheall

Betts wrote: »

So, I'd love it if anyone would give me a detailed expression of how life is in Galway! I come from a city, so its pretty hard to imagine life in a quiet place like Galway. I keep hearing stereotypes of Galway, like that its suicidally depressing because of all its rain and tiny size. Oh, and hows the shopping, aura, community feel like? I'd appreciate any info! thank you!

Life in Galway is terribly relaxed, but if you want to keep busy there are always plenty of things to do. You should slap whatever fool told you that it was suicidally depressing, but it does rain an awful lot. Bring waterproofs. The community in Galway is pretty friendly, given the small size, and you're always bound to bump into someone you know, which isn't always necessarily a good thing, I suppose. The aura is grey during the day, and a sort of orangey-yellow at night.

sconhome

Betts wrote: »

So, I'd love it if anyone would give me a detailed expression of how life is in Galway! I come from a city, so its pretty hard to imagine life in a quiet place like Galway. I keep hearing stereotypes of Galway, like that its suicidally depressing because of all its rain and tiny size. Oh, and hows the shopping, aura, community feel like? I'd appreciate any info! thank you!

Its GREAT!!

leeroybrown

I've rarely ever heard someone being that negative about Galway City. Galway's a great spot. Unless you're someone who needs the hustle and bustle of a massive city it's a great spot. There's a great social scene and if you find clubs and socs in college that you're interested in you'll find plenty to do and meet loads of people.

dvae

Only for Connemara, Galway would be a lovely place.

conamara

Troll Alert!

dvae wrote: »

Only for Connemara, Galway would be a lovely place.

biko

Betts wrote: »

So, I'd love it if anyone would give me a detailed expression of how life is in Galway! I come from a city, so its pretty hard to imagine life in a quiet place like Galway. I keep hearing stereotypes of Galway, like that its suicidally depressing because of all its rain and tiny size. Oh, and hows the shopping, aura, community feel like? I'd appreciate any info! thank you!

I think it's just easier for you to visit one weekend and see for yourself. Whereabouts in Galway are you referring too? You know that Galway city has a large poplulation?

Discodog

It doesn't rain significantly more in Galway than many other cities - it's just that the residents are obsessed with the weather

leeroybrown

Discodog wrote: »

It doesn't rain significantly more in Galway than many other cities - it's just that the residents are obsessed with the weather

The average annual rainfall in Galway is almost twice that of Dublin, London and Edinburgh. It's not exactly tropical or equatorial but I think that does qualify it as relatively wet. It's also year round rain rather than seasonal rain so you don't get a big chunk of it out of the way in two or three months like you do in many other cities.

ValerieR

The weather on the West Coast changes very fast because of the Atlantic and the weather systems. It's often that we get the 4 seasons in the one day and rare enough that it rains the whooooole day ! ...

As far as whether Galway is boring or not ... it all depends on YOU and what you want to make of it. Some people would also find Paris boring ... :rolleyes:

K.C

Moved to galway 9 months ago from Dublin. I love Galway, yes it rains more but who cares. Get out and enjoy it. Great City, lovely people and just good fun. I'm best man for a wedding in January and guess where the stag will be?

Betts

Thank you guys! You've all been a great help! I'm actually looking forward to Galway now.
I really should slap those ignorant fools. I guess the rain will be a huge adjustment since from where I come from (Arizona), it just rains around july. Plus, if it even does rain, it'll just last for about two hours-which means I have some major rain coat shopping to do!

I was wondering, hows the vibe like at NUIG? Eccentric with students somersaulting on the grounds (if its not raining of course)? How bout the professors, rating them from 1 to 10? Sorry for all the questions- its just there aren't a lot of Irish student review sites out there!
Oh, and congrats on being best man K.C.!

Discodog

leeroybrown wrote: »

The average annual rainfall in Galway is almost twice that of Dublin, London and Edinburgh. It's not exactly tropical or equatorial but I think that does qualify it as relatively wet. It's also year round rain rather than seasonal rain so you don't get a big chunk of it out of the way in two or three months like you do in many other cities.

So Galway City is heading for an average of around 35 inches for this very wet year. That's about the same as for Manchester & less than Zurich, New York or Miami. Imagine living in Bergen which gets double our rainfall :eek:

I work outdoors & I have worked in London. The rain here is often fast moving which makes a big difference. In reality it isn't the amount of rain that is depressing but the duration. I remember looking at a rainfall map of the area & the narrow coastal strip on the Galway side of the bay got a lot less rain.

Everyone told me that I was mad to move here. 12 years on I haven't found the rain to be any worse than when I was in the UK.

ssimples09

Every time I've been up to Galway its been great! Seriously good night life..and if you visit during the Galway races there is a serious buzz around the place!

Sergeant

leeroybrown wrote: »

The average annual rainfall in Galway is almost twice that of Dublin, London and Edinburgh. It's not exactly tropical or equatorial but I think that does qualify it as relatively wet. It's also year round rain rather than seasonal rain so you don't get a big chunk of it out of the way in two or three months like you do in many other cities.

As a proud Galwegian I grew up hearing this story about it raining twice as much in Galway as it does up in Dublin. It was almost a badge of honour; us stoic westerners braving the elements, while up in Dublin they went around wearing Scooter t-shirts in November.

I then moved to Dublin, and once I got over my open-mouthed fascination with double-decker buses, I started to observe the weather. And it seemed to rain with almost the exact same frequency, if not quite the the same intensity.

This would be backed up by this report:

http://www.met.ie/publications/Rainfall%20November%202009.pdf

which says that the average rainfall on the west coast is between 1000 and 1250mm per year, while the east coast gets 750 and 1,000 mm. So it's a bit wetter, but nothing too extreme.

super_furry

Galway is a great, great city. In fact it's the only place in Ireland, outside of Dublin, where I think I could live happily.

Caribs

Galway is a great place to live, I moved from Dublin quite a few years ago and have never looked back. Depending on what you are interested in you will always find something to do. To be honest even though logically I know it does rain more here than the East coast you get used to the rain and after a while as long as you have a good raincoat you just get on with it. You even end up becoming optimistic about it - it only rained once on Tuesday, for nearly 12 hours straight mind you

Yedya

For teens there isn't much to do in Galway....its very very boring..which leads to alot of drinking....


It's a nice place to live tho,its not to busy.

kerryjack

Yedya wrote: »

For teens there isn't much to do in Galway....its very very boring..which leads to alot of drinking....


It's a nice place to live tho,its not to busy.

don't give me that crap there is loads to do for teens in galway to name just a few
Rugby
GAA
Soccer
Golf
Cinema
Fishing
Carting
Cycling ClubS
Drama
I am sure i left out a few, but kids will be kids and still go drinking anyway

mosstin

K.C wrote: »

Moved to galway 9 months ago from Dublin. I love Galway, yes it rains more but who cares. Get out and enjoy it. Great City, lovely people and just good fun. I'm best man for a wedding in January and guess where the stag will be?

Prague? I love guessing games. I'm just not very good at them.

Yedya

kerryjack wrote: »

don't give me that crap there is loads to do for teens in galway to name just a few
Rugby
GAA
Soccer
Golf
Cinema
Fishing
Carting
Cycling ClubS
Drama
I am sure i left out a few, but kids will be kids and still go drinking anyway

I play basketball at the weekends thats it,if thats a list of things to do in Galway for teens then it just goes to show...

Not everyone likes soccer/gaa
Carting is way out on the tuam road
Cycling club? really?

mikemac1

Galway is great, the people are friendly, lots of great pubs and places to eat, great sport, lovely walks like Roscam, down by the canals, Nimmo's pier, the prom, far too many roundabouts and murderous traffic issues and I'll say again the people are friendly

It's not like Limerick with their grid pattern in the city centre, driving in Galway is just a nightmare so lose the car if you can get away with it


If that person is bored then that's their own issue.
Some people make their own fun and others will be miserable wherever they go

dinneenp

any city/town can be depressing; depends on the person and their experience.

Galway is small, the city centre is very small but it's got a great vibe/buzz.

Obvioulsy compared to Dublin there's not as many big gigs, events but there's live music most nights etc.

confuseddotcom

I'm loving this Thread. I've always endeavoured to see Galway as having a lot going for it, (for example have always believed that our Islands around us are hidden treasures not talked about as much as they should be,) but never for a second would I have thought that everyone would be on here praising the place. I totally mis-read ye'all and horribly pre-judged that ye'd all come on bashing our lovely city for the few bad-pointers that it has! But, ye've all totally pleasantly surprised me, I saw the Thread Title, and figured it would be a riot in the making, honing in on such things as specifics of areas of habitual drinking etc., and other rackets in the city. And I was waiting and waiting, kept saying I'd give it a day, yesterday no, the previous day no lol, today no! Pretty-much all positive vibes on the go! So kudos to practically everyone that has posted here! Sorry to go o/t, I just think it's really nice to see/read.

ihaddajoin

Betts wrote: »

So, I'd love it if anyone would give me a detailed expression of how life is in Galway! I come from a city, so its pretty hard to imagine life in a quiet place like Galway. I keep hearing stereotypes of Galway, like that its suicidally depressing because of all its rain and tiny size. Oh, and hows the shopping, aura, community feel like? I'd appreciate any info! thank you!

Galway is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. No where in the world beats shop street and the wealth of restaurants and pubs available. You have the galway races, aran islands, the beautiful coastline of Connemara to explore... horse riding, mountaineering, kayaking, beaches, rugged coastlines, beautiful people. I love Galway

I don't find Galway depressing at all but sometimes a little boring and slow paced.

sconhome

Yedya wrote: »

I play basketball at the weekends thats it,if thats a list of things to do in Galway for teens then it just goes to show...

Not everyone likes soccer/gaa
Carting is way out on the tuam road
Cycling club? really?

Plenty of running clubs around the county, there's x3 cycling clubs, swimming pools, junior triathlon club in Loughrea / Kilcornan and senior clubs in Galway (x2), Tuam and Loughrea / Kilcornan.

Summer camps at the gyms, sailing . . tons of stuff.

Back in our day, we were lucky, we had an "outside" to play in all Summer.

yer man!

Yedya wrote: »

For teens there isn't much to do in Galway....its very very boring..which leads to alot of drinking....


It's a nice place to live tho,its not to busy.

And what exactly can you do in Dublin? as a teenager I found that city boring, there's shopping..... yay.

Yedya

Dublin obvisouly has more things to do,airsoft,paintball ect

amphkingwest wrote: »

Plenty of running clubs around the county, there's x3 cycling clubs, swimming pools, junior triathlon club in Loughrea / Kilcornan and senior clubs in Galway (x2), Tuam and Loughrea / Kilcornan.

Summer camps at the gyms, sailing . . tons of stuff.

Back in our day, we were lucky, we had an "outside" to play in all Summer.

Summer camps? lol Im not 14 years old

pat.folan

Galway is not Dublin. It has plenty to do and see but it is a small town. Having said that, Ireland is a small country. Any place is only a few hours drive away. The day to day stuff is just as good if not better here.

We have clean beachs, rivers and lakes, mountains and forests. We have a series of festivals to suit most tastes and the arts in general are well represented. It is a "young" town becasue of the two colleges as regards night life. There is plenty of music though the venues can be on the small side.

Spend a weekend here and decide for yourself. That's the real test of whether you will like it here.

Yedya

Hmmm there isn't plenty of music? Lack of proper gigs and the club promoters are *****

sconhome

Yedya wrote: »

For teens there isn't much to do in Galway....its very very boring..which leads to alot of drinking....

Yedya wrote: »

Summer camps? lol Im not 14 years old

But 14 is a teen age!!

What are you interested in doing?

Discodog

pat.folan wrote: »

Galway is not Dublin.

Thank God

I am much travelled & I chose Galway above all other (today's weather might of made me think twice). I genuinely believe that Galway is one of the best towns in the world.

Greaney

Nothing for teens to do!!!!????? Are you kidding me!!?? You'd want to be a right couch potatoe lard arse to do nothing in Galway. :eek:

1) You can learn to sail, in the city for €60 pa student membership (and get out on the water twice a week), and you pay a couple of quid (about 3) per sail for hire of equipment, life jacket etc.). No where else in Ireland is it that cheap. Actually, that includes wind surfing too;)

2) As a teen I joined Macnas and had a blast. My son did it years later and learnt to stilt walk. Free!!!

3) There's heaps of free events if you just look for it, between the museum, the college during the year, not just Arts festival.

4) There's Galway community circus

5) The Gaf is the cafe on Eglington street for 14-25yr olds. They also host workshops, song writer nights etc. (No link, sorry, they don't have a web page). Free!!!

May I finally add, if it ain't in a pub, most teens can go to adult stuff. There's nothing stopping them going to a show, a rugby match in the Connaught grounds, a free classical concert in Kenny's or join St. Pat's brass band Inexpensive music lessons!!

I'm sorry, I've worked with teens for years and I know the kind of people who say there's nothing for teens to do. They are usually moaners who would rather buy a play station for their kid and complain than actually spend the money on music lessons, sports gear, tickets to a show or google 'what's on'.

Yedya

amphkingwest wrote: »

But 14 is a teen age!!

What are you interested in doing?

Paintball,airsoft,lasertag and going to proper gigs.I do make movies also when i can get the people together

Greaney wrote: »

Nothing for teens to do!!!!????? Are you kidding me!!?? You'd want to be a right couch potatoe lard arse to do nothing in Galway. :eek:

1) You can learn to sail, in the city for €60 pa student membership (and get out on the water twice a week), and you pay a couple of quid (about 3) per sail for hire of equipment, life jacket etc.). No where else in Ireland is it that cheap. Actually, that includes wind surfing too;)

2) As a teen I joined Macnas and had a blast. My son did it years later and learnt to stilt walk. Free!!!

3) There's heaps of free events if you just look for it, between the museum, the college during the year, not just Arts festival.

4) There's Galway community circus

5) The Gaf is the cafe on Eglington street for 14-25yr olds. They also host workshops, song writer nights etc. (No link, sorry, they don't have a web page). Free!!!

May I finally add, if it ain't in a pub, most teens can go to adult stuff. There's nothing stopping them going to a show, a rugby match in the Connaught grounds, a free classical concert in Kenny's or join St. Pat's brass band Inexpensive music lessons!!

I'm sorry, I've worked with teens for years and I know the kind of people who say there's nothing for teens to do. They are usually moaners who would rather buy a play station for their kid and complain than actually spend the money on music lessons, sports gear, tickets to a show or google 'what's on'.

Im not really into macnas or anything of that sort.I guess theres plenty of things to do for that "crowd". A show? what show? A free classical concert? really?

Gizmo2000

Way to go Yedya, you have brought a refreshingly positive thread about this great city to a standstill with your negative and ignorant opinions.
You stated that you are not 14 years of age but you have presented yourself with an immature and obnoxious attitude that would be fitting of someone that isn't much older.

You stated that there is very little for a teenager to do in Galway and were presented with a multitude of activities that are geared towards but not exclusive to the teenage demographic. From thirteen right up to college age and beyond there are plenty of things to do here for people with the motivation to participate. Plenty.

You were asked what your interests were:

Yedya wrote: »

Paintball,airsoft,lasertag and going to proper gigs.I do make movies also when i can get the people together


Im not really into macnas or anything of that sort.I guess theres plenty of things to do for that "crowd". A show? what show? A free classical concert? really?

My heart bleeds for you that nowhere local facilitates your primary interest of shooting at people with toy guns. I guess you're just too cool for all the other boring activities that were suggested and had to think hard about what Galway doesn't have!

What kind of 'Movies' do you make? You know if you got involved in Macnas- the Theate and Arts group then you may find like minded individuals amongst that "crowd" that would love to be involved in whatever project you have on the go.

So the only show in Galway recently was a free classical concert? Really?
From the Ocean race to the arts festival to the film fleadh to the races that was the only show? Really?

Take your head out of your hole kid and look around you once in a while. Just maybe you'll shake off that pessimism going into adulthood.

And to the OP, Galway is a brilliant city.
My home of the last 9 years and I have no intention of leaving.
Provided you come here with a better attitude than Yedya, you'll have a great time.

Greaney

Thanks Gizmo, when the poster was so derogatory about Macnas and the Art's 'Crowd' I figured they'd dis any suggestions so I gave up on them. I had thought my post had offered a good choice for all tastes but there's no satisfying some folk. They just have to be negative

Just by the way, I have worked with Macnas on and off for the past 20 years and I've met all sorts, many of whom just joined up for a bit to get to know people, or get out of the house. They had no huge interest in the Arts to start with, they just wanted the craic.

Macnas used to approach different groups every year that would not normally do 'the Art's thang'. 'Active retirement groups, folk with disabilaties, Schools (including Primary), Youth projects and Sports clubs. Thousands of people over the years who would never have thought to do anything 'Arty' spent a summer with Macnas and had a blast. You have to admit, that's a pretty varied 'crowd':rolleyes:

Yedya

Gizmo2000 wrote: »

Way to go Yedya, you have brought a refreshingly positive thread about this great city to a standstill with your negative and ignorant opinions.
You stated that you are not 14 years of age but you have presented yourself with an immature and obnoxious attitude that would be fitting of someone that isn't much older.

You stated that there is very little for a teenager to do in Galway and were presented with a multitude of activities that are geared towards but not exclusive to the teenage demographic. From thirteen right up to college age and beyond there are plenty of things to do here for people with the motivation to participate. Plenty.

You were asked what your interests were:



My heart bleeds for you that nowhere local facilitates your primary interest of shooting at people with toy guns. I guess you're just too cool for all the other boring activities that were suggested and had to think hard about what Galway doesn't have!

What kind of 'Movies' do you make? You know if you got involved in Macnas- the Theate and Arts group then you may find like minded individuals amongst that "crowd" that would love to be involved in whatever project you have on the go.

So the only show in Galway recently was a free classical concert? Really?
From the Ocean race to the arts festival to the film fleadh to the races that was the only show? Really?

Take your head out of your hole kid and look around you once in a while. Just maybe you'll shake off that pessimism going into adulthood.

And to the OP, Galway is a brilliant city.
My home of the last 9 years and I have no intention of leaving.
Provided you come here with a better attitude than Yedya, you'll have a great time.

I make movies myself,proper ones.I tried a local community centre,it was a movie group.Biggest load of **** ever,never filmed anything.So i set out and got some actors from the NUIG film course,one of them actually attended Macnas....I like doing things I enjoy,macnas would actually be a good place to pick up actors actually...

I find it funny how you are so offended,Galway is great craic yes,but really there isn't much to do.Airsoft guns are far from toys,its actually a sport played worldwide and now played in Ireland,so lose the condescending tone.

Volvo ocean race was a great week,i flew into Ireland for it actually.I can't remember any good acts tho.....Great aul craic none the less,lovely to see Galway so alive and busy.
As for as the pessimistic attidude,well Im Irish

Gizmo2000

You're right Yedya, my attitude was condescending and for that I apologise.
I myself have participated in paintball, lazertag and airsoft and admit that it is good craic. A couple of my friends are into Airsoft in a big way up in Sligo where apparently there is a pretty big scene.
It drives them mad too when I call them toy guns.
Incidentally, its only 1hr45mins away from Galway so not too far to travel if you wanted to participate regularly.

I wasn't offended by your posts, just felt compelled to pull you up on the negativity.
I am still annoyed by your insistence that 'really, there isn't much to do' for teens in Galway.
There is.
I do not understand how you can even present that argument and honestly stand by it.

I know it was a tongue-in-cheek comment when you suggested that being 'Irish' somehow is an excuse for being pessimistic.
However, I am of the opinion that us Irish were viewed as being happy go-lucky with the ability to laugh in the face of adversity and get on with life through tough times.
It is very important not to turn into a bunch of whingers and moaners and be viewed as a nation of pessimists.
It's unfortunate that there is a certain age group that were raised during our great economic good fortune who now focus more on what they don't have than what they do.

To bring this back on topic, Galway is far from depressing.
There is a wealth of activities to engage in and if you feel Galway is lacking something which is in demand then what is stopping you from being pro-active and setting up a club?

Yedya

Gizmo2000 wrote: »

You're right Yedya, my attitude was condescending and for that I apologise.
I myself have participated in paintball, lazertag and airsoft and admit that it is good craic. A couple of my friends are into Airsoft in a big way up in Sligo where apparently there is a pretty big scene.
It drives them mad too when I call them toy guns.
Incidentally, its only 1hr45mins away from Galway so not too far to travel if you wanted to participate regularly.

I wasn't offended by your posts, just felt compelled to pull you up on the negativity.
I am still annoyed by your insistence that 'really, there isn't much to do' for teens in Galway.
There is.
I do not understand how you can even present that argument and honestly stand by it.

I know it was a tongue-in-cheek comment when you suggested that being 'Irish' somehow is an excuse for being pessimistic.
However, I am of the opinion that us Irish were viewed as being happy go-lucky with the ability to laugh in the face of adversity and get on with life through tough times.
It is very important not to turn into a bunch of whingers and moaners and be viewed as a nation of pessimists.
It's unfortunate that there is a certain age group that were raised during our great economic good fortune who now focus more on what they don't have than what they do.

To bring this back on topic, Galway is far from depressing.
There is a wealth of activities to engage in and if you feel Galway is lacking something which is in demand then what is stopping you from being pro-active and setting up a club?

Ah sure im going to AIT in september so il be close to an Airsoft site which im looking foward to.Most Irish people are great craic and are happy,i do think that alot of people in Ireland half a "good laugh" out of their own country,if you get me.

As far as nothing to do,well for me and a vast majority of teens my age find that Galway can get very boring,after living there all my life...It's not Depressing.I have some mad nights out...


I don't have money to set up a club i don't.I would love to start my own club,however when i get home I plan on asking some promoters for bookings get some local Producers down for a few gigs.That said,i think the new Garda commissioner is cracking down on clubs and shutting them down very early.

GastroBoy

biko wrote: »

I think it's just easier for you to visit one weekend and see for yourself. Whereabouts in Galway are you referring too? You know that Galway city has a large poplulation?

Not really. When you factor in the cost of transportation, accommodation, food and beverage costs, I think it would be significantly easier for someone to just type a few word and tell him what they think, which is what the OP asked for originally.

GB

biko

Reading other posts by OP it turns out he/she is from sunny Arizona in the US and here to study at NUIG.
This means he/she is not asking about the county but the city - referring to Galway as "tiny" is odd as it's the largest county in Ireland after Cork - hence I assume he/she means the city which is only the 4th largest.

OP I suggest you use the NUIG forum for your questions.