Has Galway overtaken Limerick?

Hunchback · 02-10-2015 02:41PM #1

I think I recall the last time that there was a census hearing that on the day that the census was being done, there was some sort of a sporting event in Dublin. It might have been a Munster rugby game I think.

Anyway, I remember hearing a radio DJ saying that it would actually have in important effect insofar as a large proportion of the population of Limerick would be out of their home city when the census was being done, with the consequent effect that the numbers declared in the census for Galway city would reflect that it had the third highest population of anywhere in Ireland, ahead of Limerick.

Ever since then I get the sense that whenever someone on the radio, or television is referring to cities in Ireland, they refer to Galway third and then Limerick fourth, if at all.

Has anybody else noticed this? Is is the case that Ireland at large have more of an affinity for Galway than Limerick and are only too happy to do this? Has Galway a more prominent space in the public mindset? Like, Birmingham has a bigger population than Manchester but you always think of Manchester first...

Into The Blue · 02-10-2015 02:45PM

Baraics Pollox wrote: »

Galway, less of a depressing kip than Limerick.
Manchester, less of a depressing kip than Birmingham.

All four are much of a muchness

osarusan · 02-10-2015 02:45PM

2011 census had Limerick at 91454 people and Galway at 76778.

I would have thought that Limerick was still viewed as Ireland's 3rd biggest city, but not paid much attention really.

Poor Uncle Tom · 02-10-2015 02:46PM

Fog, It's all just fog.....

02-10-2015 02:46PM

A lot of limericks population is outside the city boundary. Galway city has a bigger population than Limerick city. You can't count the people who don't actually live in the defined area of the city.

Galway is officially Ireland's 3rd city.

keithclancy · 02-10-2015 02:49PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JORbaMkp0NI

JohnFalstaff · 02-10-2015 02:58PM

I travel down to both Limerick and Galway with work a few times a year. The city centre of Limerick is probably larger than Galway's, but there always seems to be something happening in Galway - that might account for the amount of publicity Galway gets.

biko · 02-10-2015 02:58PM

Tbh, Limerick feels much more like a city than Galway does - and I love Galway to bits.

Tarzana2 · 02-10-2015 03:06PM

Natasha Spicy Pinhole wrote: »

A lot of limericks population is outside the city boundary. Galway city has a bigger population than Limerick city. You can't count the people who don't actually live in the defined area of the city.

Galway is officially Ireland's 3rd city.

And yet it feels like a town. Limerick feels much more like a city.

Edit: And you're wrong actually. Limerick has a higher population within city limits than Galway, and has a much bigger metro population.

Baraics Pollox · 02-10-2015 03:06PM

I've retracted my earlier statement, too harsh!

As a Dub, I always felt Galway more superior to Limerick. This is probably something simply due to the relative scales of the whole counties. I think Galway has more going for it too. Any time I've been to Limerick I've thought it feels bet down and a bit rougher. They're my reasons anyway.

Silentcorner · 02-10-2015 03:09PM

Natasha Spicy Pinhole wrote: »

A lot of limericks population is outside the city boundary. Galway city has a bigger population than Limerick city. You can't count the people who don't actually live in the defined area of the city.

Galway is officially Ireland's 3rd city.

Limericks city boundary no longer exists, the metropolitian area now has a population of 102,000, this excludes the 15-20,000 people living in South East Clare which is essentially part of the city.

Limerick is, and always was the states 3rd largest urban area.

There is a very curious tale between these two cities.

One gets f**ked by media every chance it gets.
The other gets treated the exact opposite...it's weird.

Galway always was a provincial town, and has the cultural relevance that reflects this, it also has the historical relevance of a provincial town. Now, I hasten to add, that even though I find Galway a bit too one dimensional for my taste, it clearly is a very popular place to visit/live.

Galway is treated very well by national media, way better than Cork or Waterford, with every festival and cultural event highlighted and amplified.

Limerick was always been a little city with a global aspect that is reflected both its history and culture.

The media does not do Limerick city justice, it has conditioned Irish people to think of Limerick in a particular narrow narrative...it is a shame, it is completely unpretentious city, very creative and has a long track record in innovation and is a much more affluent city than people realise.

Paramite Pie · 02-10-2015 03:10PM

Well county Galway apparently has 256,000 people overall -- so if more of those move into the city boundaries (inevitable due to urbanization) it'll over take Limerick eventually.

Limerick is sadly overlooked for jobs and investment though.

c_man · 02-10-2015 03:11PM

All partitionists in this thread. Belfast kicks Cork into third place :pac:

hmmm · 02-10-2015 03:49PM

Galway has always presented itself as a cultural location, whereas Limerick has more of an industry focus, so naturally Galway seems to get more air-time on the media. There's a lot more jobs in Limerick and the hinterland (which would overlap with Cork) and the population is a good bit bigger.

The problem with Limerick is that they stuffed the city centre full of social housing, and most people with money or any drive have long since moved to the suburbs. It's a warning for the future of Dublin city centre.

Silentcorner · 02-10-2015 04:00PM

hmmm wrote: »

Galway has always presented itself as a cultural location, whereas Limerick has more of an industry focus, so naturally Galway seems to get more air-time on the media. There's a lot more jobs in Limerick and the hinterland (which would overlap with Cork) and the population is a good bit bigger.

The problem with Limerick is that they stuffed the city centre full of social housing, and most people with money or any drive have long since moved to the suburbs. It's a warning for the future of Dublin city centre.

Limericks social housing policy was borrowed from Dublin, the council estates were built outside the city centre breaking up very socially integrated city centre neighbourhoods...Dublin City Centre's social issues are much much greater than Limericks already...senior politicians in Limerick at the time pleaded not to build the social housing in isolated parts of the outskirts of the city because of the issues that were emerging in Dublin in the 60s/70s....

The only issue in Limerick City centre was the poor quality of accommodation that was build during the Celtic Tiger, and Limerick is no different to any other city including Dublin (Priory Hall/Longboat Quay) in that regard...no different at all....

Again, you have bear in mind, that every problem in Limerick has been amplified to create the illusion that other cities don't have the same issues...it seems to have worked! That is not to say that Limerick city doesn't have issues by the way.

realdanbreen · 02-10-2015 04:06PM

c_man wrote: »

All partitionists in this thread. Belfast kicks Cork into third place :pac:

We are not talking about British cities.

beardybrewer · 02-10-2015 04:18PM

Ok, which one of you jokers edited Wikipedia??

Balmed Out · 02-10-2015 04:19PM

I completely agree it's like there's a media campaign to promote Galway over limerick. Even on boards people talk as of its Ireland's third city.

Even my phone automatically gives Galway a capital G but limerick a small l. Coincide or conspiracy?

John Doe1 · 02-10-2015 05:21PM

Limerick feels like a small city kinda like Derry.
Galway feels more like a large town like Dundalk, Kilkenny Etc.

Media definitely affects perception, Letterkenny for instance has a larger population than Sligo and similar population to Athlone yet a lot of people down south would not really think that i'd imagine.

the dark phantom · 02-10-2015 05:26PM

realdanbreen wrote: »

We are not talking about British cities.

That's a bit rich coming from the real dan breen

myshirt · 02-10-2015 05:33PM

About the true capital of Ireland, I always thought the saying below gave the story:

Limerick was, Dublin is, and Cork will be.
So not even a mention of Galway.

According to RTE, everything that happens in this country happens in Dublin. The fact is it doesn't.

brice_nobes · 02-10-2015 05:34PM

Baraics Pollox wrote: »

I've retracted my earlier statement, too harsh!

As a Dub, I always felt Galway more superior to Limerick. This is probably something simply due to the relative scales of the whole counties. I think Galway has more going for it too. Any time I've been to Limerick I've thought it feels bet down and a bit rougher. They're my reasons anyway.

limerick is a less affluent city , its had an awful time of it since the crash , galway had no recession at all and is booming for a couple of years now

brice_nobes · 02-10-2015 05:37PM

Silentcorner wrote: »

Limericks city boundary no longer exists, the metropolitian area now has a population of 102,000, this excludes the 15-20,000 people living in South East Clare which is essentially part of the city.

Limerick is, and always was the states 3rd largest urban area.

There is a very curious tale between these two cities.

One gets f**ked by media every chance it gets.
The other gets treated the exact opposite...it's weird.

Galway always was a provincial town, and has the cultural relevance that reflects this, it also has the historical relevance of a provincial town. Now, I hasten to add, that even though I find Galway a bit too one dimensional for my taste, it clearly is a very popular place to visit/live.

Galway is treated very well by national media, way better than Cork or Waterford, with every festival and cultural event highlighted and amplified.

Limerick was always been a little city with a global aspect that is reflected both its history and culture.

The media does not do Limerick city justice, it has conditioned Irish people to think of Limerick in a particular narrow narrative...it is a shame, it is completely unpretentious city, very creative and has a long track record in innovation and is a much more affluent city than people realise.

while i agree that the media is kinder to galway , galway really does do incredibly well with what it has , this despite being located in the area of the country which has one of the smallest populations , if you go outside galway city , the next nearest population is athlone or ennis , limerick has all of tipperary , north kerry , etc , yet its still weak economically

the city of culture thing last year was an opportunity to sell itself , they done nothing with it , i hear its governed awfully

You Mirin? · 02-10-2015 05:37PM

Galway feels like a town

Tarzana2 · 02-10-2015 06:14PM

brice_nobes wrote: »

galway had no recession at all

Yeah right. Everywhere in the country was affect by the recession. Dublin was affected and it's the strongest part of the country, economy-wise. No way was Galway special in all of this.

Silentcorner · 02-10-2015 08:00PM

brice_nobes wrote: »

limerick is a less affluent city , its had an awful time of it since the crash , galway had no recession at all and is booming for a couple of years now

A city which is hugely dependent on tourism got a massive whack from the recession, as everyone pulled back on non essential spending including weekends away.

For instance, during the racing festival (which gets blanket tv coverage despite the poor quality of the actual meet) in 2007, Galway welcomed 217,000 people all spending on average of X amount per head, by 2012 that figure crashed to 135,000 spending less than X amount per head....that is what a recession does to a tourist town.

It was a nationwide economic depression, not a single town, city or region escaped it...

I agree, Galway does well with what it has, but it is helped hugely in perceptions terms by the National Media.

Limerick has always been one of the most affluent areas of the country and still is, despite the recession and its social issues...like I said earlier just because it is unpretentious doesn't mean it is not affluent, likewise, just because a city is pretentious doesn't mean it has wealth...only just over 10 short years ago Galway was lagging behind the rest of the country, along with the Border regions and the Midlands and received financial aid in terms of funding to help it catch up.

brice_nobes · 02-10-2015 08:24PM

Silentcorner wrote: »

A city which is hugely dependent on tourism got a massive whack from the recession, as everyone pulled back on non essential spending including weekends away.

For instance, during the racing festival (which gets blanket tv coverage despite the poor quality of the actual meet) in 2007, Galway welcomed 217,000 people all spending on average of X amount per head, by 2012 that figure crashed to 135,000 spending less than X amount per head....that is what a recession does to a tourist town.

It was a nationwide economic depression, not a single town, city or region escaped it...

I agree, Galway does well with what it has, but it is helped hugely in perceptions terms by the National Media.

Limerick has always been one of the most affluent areas of the country and still is, despite the recession and its social issues...like I said earlier just because it is unpretentious doesn't mean it is not affluent, likewise, just because a city is pretentious doesn't mean it has wealth...only just over 10 short years ago Galway was lagging behind the rest of the country, along with the Border regions and the Midlands and received financial aid in terms of funding to help it catch up.

the cost of housing is usually a good gauge as to how affluent a place is

limerick is 30% cheaper for housing than galway and eighteen months ago was 40% cheaper

Silentcorner · 02-10-2015 08:31PM

The cost of housing is an indicator of nothing other than what local people are prepared to pay for housing...you will not see a single economist in the world who agrees with you...I can't believe we haven't copped onto that one.

And the housing market is so dysfunctional in this country, I could just as effectively argue that housing prices are more of an indicator as how gullible people are. (we would both be wrong)

Remember, an awful lot of Limerick residents also have 2nd properties and holiday homes in Co Clare/Co Kerry...the city empties out every July and August more than any other Irish city...

outsidein98 · 02-10-2015 09:20PM

As a Dub with Limerick connections who lives on Galway. I have an interest. I do think Galway gets a lot of good PR in a way that Limerick never does. But really it's a big town rather than a city, sorry Galway people but it's true. Limerick is a proper city and it does suffer from city problems. Galway is really rather small from the perspective of a Dubliner. It's a great place to live, friendly, open and very little crime. Plus it has the advantage of being near to Connemara. But there's a bit of a small town mentality that persists. My wife couldn't wait to get out of the place when she was younger.

Someone earlier mentioned it escaped the worst of the recession and that is my observation too. It is a prosperous town/city.

Plus it has to be said that it's reputation as a place to go among Dubliners, who like it or not are a huge influence on a city's reputation, Cork people take note! You would be amazed how many Dublin flags appeared around the county, often in odd rural places, often with Galway flags alongside during the recent finals.

I have sarcastically referred to it as the westernmost Dublin suburb and the to hear some of the accents. You might think D4.

Limerick on the other hand has the drug problem. As a kid I was amazed to see, on visits to my cousins in Limerick, rough estates and poverty just like in Dublin. It's stab city rep is unfair but you can't ignore the issues.

I do think in the end Galway will overtake or match Limerick population wise. It's a good place to live and that draws people. It might in the end spoil the place but time will tell.

But finally I do prefer Dublin. You can take the man out of Dublin.........

Silentcorner · 02-10-2015 10:11PM

I think we can all agree, the Dubs in particular love Galway, ahead of Cork, Waterford, and Limerick.

Indeed, in my experience the South Dubs actually really dislike Limerick with its unpretentious nature, I know in rugby circles there is a very deep dislike on both sides, I wonder is that at the heart of the differences in how the media treat both cities.

I mean, no one I know in Limerick has any problem with the Cork based Irish Examiner, or the Galway based TG4...

Because it is clear that media create perceptions, it is clear that media treat both cities in two very different ways, creating two very different perceptions....are the South Dubs (where most of Irish media are based) that parochial? I think they are...

Whatever about Limericks well documented social issues, I do object to use of that horribly crass nickname the media have attached to the city...I sometimes can't believe that Irish people think nothing of using it...

Roquentin · 02-10-2015 10:15PM

the actual city centre of limerick is far bigger than galway.

Has Galway overtaken Limerick?

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