Galway City pubs and little else

Silentcorner · 10-03-2018 10:16AM

jh79 wrote: »

The Regenerative Medicine Instituite in NUIG and associated spin out companies / industry partners are doing great things in Stem Cell research.

They now have the capabilities to produce stem cells to GMP standards and carry out clinical trials in humans.

They are the first in Ireland and one of only half a dozen in Europe who can do this.

Pretty big achievement by anyones standards.

That is impressive, I am aware of the medtech sector in Galway....but come on...centuries of history and that is it? Take a look at Waterfords industrial history and compare with Galway....it's embarrassing....

Silentcorner · 10-03-2018 10:24AM

whatever99 wrote: »

You said yourself, “Galway refers to itself as the graveyard of ambition.” (Can’t multi quote on my phone). Surely by saying “itself”, you meant the people of Galway? So yes, being from Galway, and having spoken about that phrase/heard others mention it, I am confident that most people in Galway would mean it as I’ve said.

Well just to clarify, it was a Galway businessman who mentioned the expression and its meaning to me many years ago...

It's a city that claims/prostitutes itself as Cultural hub but the cultural infrastructure is pathetic...for a city with huge tourism that is unforgivable....the €10 million 350 seat Art House cinema notwithstanding....

fawltyBas · 10-03-2018 10:41AM

Well, may I ask what you expected to see out of a Torquay Galway hotel bedroom window? Sydney Opera House perhaps? The Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically across the savanagh?

fergiesfolly · 10-03-2018 11:43AM

Silentcorner wrote: »

Can you explain to me then, the expression "The Wesht is awake" which is lashed around everytime Connaught Rugby or Galway hurling win a game .... is it because the Wesht is normally asleep because they all had so much fun the night before?

Its the title of a ballad written by Young Irelander Thomas Davis in the 1840s. Famously sung by Joe Connolly after lifting the All Ireland in 1980.
It was one of those moments that stay with you forever and the song holds a place in most Galwegians hearts.

Now stop trolling.
You're making a show of yourself.

Discodog · 10-03-2018 12:49PM

I just walked my dogs for an hour, along the sea, West of Galway. I didn't see a single person & yet I can be in the City in 20 minutes. There is virtually nowhere in the World that offers this combination.

If this coastline was in the UK it would be full of people. The Tourists know that it's special, the locals just take it for granted. I have walked the same stretch, every day, for 16 years. It's still as magical as the first time.

RDM_83 again · 10-03-2018 01:02PM

Discodog wrote: »

I just walked my dogs for an hour, along the sea, West of Galway. I didn't see a single person & yet I can be in the City in 20 minutes. There is virtually nowhere in the World that offers this combination.

If this coastline was in the UK it would be full of people. The Tourists know that it's special, the locals just take it for granted. I have walked the same stretch, every day, for 16 years. It's still as magical as the first time.

Doesnt nearly every city and town on the coast apart from Dublin or Belfast offer this though.

Discodog · 10-03-2018 01:22PM

RDM_83 again wrote: »

Doesnt nearly every city and town on the coast apart from Dublin or Belfast offer this though.

Well before settling here I spent 6 months travelling around Ireland. I found quiet spots near towns but few near Cities. We just don't appreciate it. We laugh at Tourists who want to sit on the rocks & watch the sunset. It takes me 5 mins to walk to the sea.

If you are a city person then I doubt that Galway is for you. It has the atmosphere of a village. When I have non Irish friends over & we walk in town, they keep asking who is was who said hello. I explain that so many people do it, I couldn't possible remember them all.

I came here as a total stranger. The first time I went into a pub, The Kings Head, I was chatting to the locals in minutes.

Arghus · 10-03-2018 01:25PM

Silentcorner wrote: »

Druid are state funded pal...like the Irish Chamber Orchestra in Limerick....

So what? Your claim was that nobody out of Galway has achieved anything. They're an example of someone who has. Stop moving the goal posts; you've clearly got some bizarre chip on your shoulder about the place.

tommy249 · 10-03-2018 01:46PM

anna080 wrote: »

Never heard of race week being described as rape week or racist week and I’ve been living here near 30 years.
That’s the kind of rubbish that could damage a place.

Like the Dublin media labelling Limerick as "stab city....... On so many occasions when I am abroad and I tell them I'm from Limerick the response it "oh, stab city :mad: Even worse when American relatives are told by a Dublin taxi driver to stay away from Limerick because its stab city.

Silentcorner · 10-03-2018 02:55PM

Arghus wrote: »

So what? Your claim was that nobody out of Galway has achieved anything. They're an example of someone who has. Stop moving the goal posts; you've clearly got some bizarre chip on your shoulder about the place.

I was waiting for that one to be wheeled out...

I'm just asking the question, has anyone with ambition (in any artform or otherwise) ever come out of the graveyard of ambition...and if so, how does Galway compare to other Irish cities...

Silentcorner · 10-03-2018 03:00PM

fergiesfolly wrote: »

Its the title of a ballad written by Young Irelander Thomas Davis in the 1840s. Famously sung by Joe Connolly after lifting the All Ireland in 1980.
It was one of those moments that stay with you forever and the song holds a place in most Galwegians hearts.

Now stop trolling.
You're making a show of yourself.

I'm sorry for hitting a raw nerve...

Thanks for informing me of the origions of the phrase, but you never explained what it refers to...

I am not trolling I reject the accusation....and I won't be bullied off this thread...I love Irish culture, I am fascinated by what people from a small island can achieve....towns like Navan, Mullingar and others like them seem to box above their weight when it comes to producing talent of all kinds....but conversely Galway underperforms...I will not apologise for challenging the narrative that the city is some "cultural jewel" when in fact it is the opposite...it is Galway that is trolling us if anything as far as I can see...

jam83 · 10-03-2018 03:01PM

Katgurl wrote: »

the work-shy insincere alcoholic galwegians any day.

You'll have to explain this. Work shy? Are there stats showing Galway as the biggest dole scrounging place in Ireland per head of population? Please post a link if so. Otherwise I'll assume you're talking horse****.

wakka12 · 10-03-2018 03:05PM

Theres probably several hundred other towns and villages in ireland that are way worse places to live in or visit than galway
Maybe galway is a tad overrated, but hardly deserves this bashing

Silentcorner · 10-03-2018 03:08PM

wakka12 wrote: »

Theres probably several hundred other towns and villages in ireland that are way worse places to live in or visit than galway
Maybe galway is a tad overrated, but hardly deserves this bashing

You think this bashing is bad...how would the city cope with a 40 year image problem that Limerick has had to put up with...

jam83 · 10-03-2018 03:20PM

As a galwegian I'd agree about there not being a whole pile to see in the city centre but nobody i know ever said there was. There's a few really old historical landmarks that you'd see in a quick afternoon but the city is more about atmosphere than doing long tours of buildings.
I don't know any galwegian that ever reckoned it has more history than other cities. If other people in the media or wherever blow up Galway culturally or whatever then maybe they just enjoyed it here and they recommend coming? Nobody I know here thinks it's the greatest city in Ireland. But we still love it because theres a lovely vibe walking around town, a lovely buzz all the way down quay Street and to the Spanish arch on a nice day. I find myself that people who move here talk up Galway more than galwegians. And that's very welcome but it's rubbish to say that all galwegians are smug and always talking up the place. Best city in Ireland has to be cork. Great vibe walking around and it gets international music acts for one thing. Beautiful city.
Galway is a big town really with a sprawling city population so what would you expect to see in a place of its size?
Jobswise it lacks financial and business related jobs. Manufacturing is the lifeblood of the city. It could do with a better spread. Only for foreign direct investment we'd be in serious trouble.
I like the buzz in Galway walking around. And the fact that there's always atmosphere when you head out for a drink or play in town.

Silentcorner · 10-03-2018 03:24PM

jam83 wrote: »

As a galwegian I'd agree about there not being a whole pile to see in the city centre but nobody i know ever said there was. There's a few really old historical landmarks that you'd see in a quick afternoon but the city is more about atmosphere than doing long tours of buildings.
I don't know any galwegian that ever reckoned it has more history than other cities. If other people in the media or wherever blow up Galway culturally or whatever then maybe they just enjoyed it here and they recommend coming? Nobody I know here thinks it's the greatest city in Ireland. But we still love it because theres a lovely vibe walking around town, a lovely buzz all the way down quay Street and to the Spanish arch on a nice day. I find myself that people who move here talk up Galway more than galwegians. And that's very welcome but it's rubbish to say that all galwegians are smug and always talking up the place. Best city in Ireland has to be cork. Great vibe walking around and it gets international music acts for one thing. Beautiful city.
Galway is a big town really with a sprawling city population so what would you expect to see in a place of its size?
Jobswise it lacks financial and business related jobs. Manufacturing is the lifeblood of the city. It could do with a better spread. Only for foreign direct investment we'd be in serious trouble.
I like the buzz in Galway walking around. And the fact that there's always atmosphere when you head out for a drink or play in town.

For the record, I don't dispute it is a fine place to live....

What grates with me is how it is fawned all over by Irish media which in turn has affected how some locals see their city....

Silentcorner · 10-03-2018 03:50PM

crazy_larry wrote: »

locals often chat to strangers in order to get info out of them , thats nosiness , not being friendly

galway is known for its clannishness , once the facts about you are collected , your a blow in and the chatting stops

dont get me wrong , the city does very well for its size and there is usually plenty going on to keep people entertained but its very very cliquey , the county of galway is the most clannish place in the country outside of kerry

I find your point very interesting.

I have always found rural Irelands self proclaimed "friendliness" to be a bit of an exaggeration...it verges on nosiness I find...it is very insular...

If you want proper warmth you'll find it in the urban areas where people don't really care about your business....maybe that is why I can't warm to Galway...

fergiesfolly · 10-03-2018 05:08PM

Silentcorner wrote: »

For the record, I don't dispute it is a fine place to live....

What grates with me is how it is fawned all over by Irish media which in turn has affected how some locals see their city....

Well, we can't help how the media fawn over the city.
And if it has affected some locals, its bugger all out of the population of the city( a couple of arty types and the hipster blow-ins)

I am loath to slag off other towns and cities.
Have had great nights out and weekends away in Belfast, Limerick, Cork, Killarney, Sligo, Dublin, Athlone and more and look forward to visiting many others.
Each have their own feel and atmosphere, but I feel no matter where you go, starting out with a positive open attitude and a willingness to engage will really increase your enjoyment during your stay.

And no I don't work for Bord Failte.

whatever99 · 10-03-2018 05:13PM

Silentcorner wrote: »

For the record, I don't dispute it is a fine place to live....

What grates with me is how it is fawned all over by Irish media which in turn has affected how some locals see their city....

Us locals love Galway because we love it, simple as, and not because of some perceived media fawning. I can form my own opinions.

Silentcorner · 10-03-2018 05:16PM

fergiesfolly wrote: »

Well, we can't help how the media fawn over the city.
And if it has affected some locals, its bugger all out of the population of the city( a couple of arty types and the hipster blow-ins)

I am loath to slag off other towns and cities.
Have had great nights out and weekends away in Belfast, Limerick, Cork, Killarney, Sligo, Dublin, Athlone and more and look forward to visiting many others.
Each have their own feel and atmosphere, but I feel no matter where you go, starting out with a positive open attitude and a willingness to engage will really increase your enjoyment during your stay.

And no I don't work for Bord Failte.

And we here in Limerick can't help how the same media s##t all over our city....I think the root of this is somewhere in that unique issue...

I accept your point, for the record, I love exploring Irish cities and towns I find a lot of them utterly fascinating...I appreciate Irish culture as best I can...

freddie1970 · 10-03-2018 05:18PM

Red_Wake wrote: »

There's a museum down by the Spanish Arch. A few art galleries about the place showcasing local artists as well.

A number of landmarks[the quad in NUIG, the Cathedral, the market, Spanish Arch, the fountain in Eyre Square, the old city wall,etc].

Arts Festival every year - loads of stuff going on and very family friendly.

The Galway Races are massively overhyped tbf, but the trouble comes mostly from people who are bad drunks.

i like galway but in all fairness that museum by the spainish arch is muck

TerrorFirmer · 10-03-2018 06:37PM

freddie1970 wrote: »

i like galway but in all fairness that museum by the spainish arch is muck

I was in it for the first time ever recently (lived in Galway my whole life) and I thought it was OK with some interesting things.

I mean....it's a museum in what is essentially a small town that just carries the moniker of city. It's a nice building.

Agree with what people have broadly been saying though. People love Galway for it's relaxed atmosphere and cultural melting pot vibe, really.

There's no point moaning that there's 'nothing' to do....for a town of its size, it has plenty to offer and is very well situated as a gateway also.

Whether or not you appreciate that is is up to you, but most people seem to enjoy it for what it is.

There is one poster on this thread who clearly was beaten up in the playground by Galway City as a child.

fergiesfolly · 10-03-2018 07:26PM

Silentcorner wrote: »

And we here in Limerick can't help how the same media s##t all over our city....I think the root of this is somewhere in that unique issue...

I accept your point, for the record, I love exploring Irish cities and towns I find a lot of them utterly fascinating...I appreciate Irish culture as best I can...

Limerick has an unfair tag, but I think it's outgrowing it. Dublin taxi drivers and comedians short on material are about the only ones who refer to it as stab city. I've been down a few times and have really enjoyed it. Really like the Milk Market and and St John's Castle. Great pubs and some really nice restaurants. And the locals were good craic as well.
As I said earlier, you get much more out of a place if you put a bit of effort in. Some people will turn up to a city or town and expect to be entertained, as if they were at Disneyland.

Galwayguy35 · 10-03-2018 07:56PM

Katgurl wrote: »

I lived in Galway for a few years in my thirties. I felt at first like I'd been granted another chance at youth; always a party, a night out, people were so friendly and welcoming with such a lovely relaxed approach to life.

Fast forward a few years and I couldn't wait to get back to Dublin. Give me the dub's alleged rudeness, shallowness and money obsession any day over the work-shy insincere alcoholic galwegians any day.

Ah come off it, there's lot's of dubs who are work shy as well.

We haven't demolished a LIDL supermarket here yet though.

Butterface · 10-03-2018 08:23PM

fergiesfolly wrote: »

As I said earlier, you get much more out of a place if you put a bit of effort in. Some people will turn up to a city or town and expect to be entertained, as if they were at Disneyland.

I suspect the OP is one such person. If you don't do a bit of research into what is going on in the city on the date you decide to visit.. what do you expect to happen?

I would cite the annual (until this year!) vox pops on RTE news with tourists complaining that there are no pubs open in Temple Bar on Good Friday as a prime example of lack of planning. And of course, instead of admitting to your own faults, you allow it to colour your opinion of the entire country of Ireland!

With regards to one poster's comments about the media fawning over Galway, I can't say I've noticed this at all? If there was some media coverage over the 2020 EU Capital of Culture campaign, then that's to be expected. It's an Irish city competing, and as I recall there was similar showboating of Limerick before and during its reign.

Silentcorner · 10-03-2018 08:39PM

Butterface wrote: »

I suspect the OP is one such person. If you don't do a bit of research into what is going on in the city on the date you decide to visit.. what do you expect to happen?

I would cite the annual (until this year!) vox pops on RTE news with tourists complaining that there are no pubs open in Temple Bar on Good Friday as a prime example of lack of planning. And of course, instead of admitting to your own faults, you allow it to colour your opinion of the entire country of Ireland!

With regards to one poster's comments about the media fawning over Galway, I can't say I've noticed this at all? If there was some media coverage over the 2020 EU Capital of Culture campaign, then that's to be expected. It's an Irish city competing, and as I recall there was similar showboating of Limerick before and during its reign.

I assume you are referring to me...

It can be quiet subtle, for instance, everytime the RTE cameras are in Galway for whatever, they will always show a short quick clip of a Macnas Parade and refer to the city rich cultural offering....

Everytime the RTE cameras are in Limerick, they will show a short clip of a young fella on a sulky and burnt out homes....they are prolific at finding excuses to show young fellas on sulkies and burnt out houses...

Repeat those little short clips over and over and over and you'd be amazed at the impact those images have on how both cities are perceived....

RTE also broadcast live the Galway Races every year (careful never to show drunk people about the town/racecourse) giving the cities racing festival invaluable exposure....watch the 6 One News on RTE during the festival, it is comical the stories they invent to ram the races down us...

RTE have always supported festivals in Galway, covering them in news bulletins, they never extended that courtesy to any other Irish city or town...again, these would slip by unnoticed to most people...

RTE were a little more balanced in the run up to the 2020 EU COC decision, but I know they got a lot of stick in Limerick for how they treated Limerick COC in 2014...they (RTE) disgraced themselves that year, and that is saying something considering what they have done to Limerick in the past...

I don't expect too many people to agree with what I have outlined, but most people have no idea how media are capable of creating and shaping perceptions...we all foolishly believe we make up our own minds....if we did the world of advertising wouldn't exist...

Katgurl · 10-03-2018 08:41PM

Galwayguy35 wrote: »

Ah come off it, there's lot's of dubs who are work shy as well.

We haven't demolished a LIDL supermarket here yet though.

Yeah. You're too lazy.

Even the way people walk in galway does my nut... Meandering all over the path in that slow aimless manner.

Galwayguy35 · 10-03-2018 08:49PM

Katgurl wrote: »

Yeah. You're too lazy.

Even the way people walk in galway does my nut... Meandering all over the path in that slow aimless manner.

Sounds more like the junkies you'd see on O Connell Street or maybe the inbred skangers hassling people on the Luas Red Line.

Silentcorner · 10-03-2018 09:14PM

Deedsie wrote: »

There is a song called the Wests awake. Some people from Connacht pronounce it wesht instead of West.

Does it need more explanation than that?

Thanks for asking but I looked up the lyrics and managed to decipher them, I now understand what The West is Awake is about and its relevance...it always struck me as odd, but then ignorance can do that....

Again thanks for your kind concern...

Your Face · 10-03-2018 09:30PM

I'm not sure people are even giving out about Galway anymore.
This just seems like a general ranting thread now.

Galway City pubs and little else

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