Go West: Why You’ll Love Setting Up Home in Galway

Once your feet hit the cobbled streets of Galway you feel it. There’s something in the air here, a sort of bohemian vibe you can’t quite put your finger on. Galway is a city that marches to the beat of its own drum, respecting its past but with its feet firmly in the future. If you’re in the market for a new home, there are a multitude of reasons to put the City of Tribes at the top of your list. Here are just a few reasons to buy a house in Galway.

Stunning Scenery

You can’t compile a list of Galway’s highlights without mentioning its coastline. Even in the city, you’re never far from a bracing sea walk. If you’ve always dreamt of living in a cottage by the sea then you’re in luck, here you’ll find postcard perfect cottages dotted close to beautifully rugged, romantic beaches. Inland, the ever-changing, dramatic Connemara landscape never ceases to inspire.

Great Working Life

Galway is home to a strong base of international companies from HP to Medtronic - as well as a host of thriving local businesses. If you have the option of working remotely or are keen to work for yourself, then check out PorterShed, which is backed by AIB. Located in the new Galway City Innovation District, it has co-working spaces, meeting rooms, weekly events and a community of engaged entrepreneurs.

Fantastic Food

If you’re into food, living in Galway won’t disappoint. There are an abundance of restaurants to choose from, offering everything from award-winning pizza to Michelin-starred feasts. Prefer to cook your own? Spend your Saturdays cruising around the city’s market on Church Lane and a plethora of independent food shops. From cheesemongers to fishmongers to bakeries, you’ll be spoiled for choice. And don’t forget about one of the county’s most famous exports – oysters. These magnificent molluscs are celebrated in September during the culinary extravaganza that is the Galway Oyster Festival.

Family Friendly

As anyone who holidayed in Galway as a child can attest to, it’s a fun place for kids. There’s plenty of nature to experience - like the breathtaking Connemara National Park where wild Connemara ponies roam the landscape. Or how does spending your weekends as a family at the beach sound? The water might be cold, but in the summer months, a good wetsuit and a bodyboard equate to serious fun - even in the rain. There are around thirty playgrounds in Galway city and three skate parks for teens. On rainy days, they can whizz down a waterslide in Leisureland or get up close and personal with a shark at the aquarium.

Amazing Nightlife

This city truly comes alive in the evening. Galway’s music scene is thriving and lively trad sessions are the norm. Your best bet for a seisiún is the cosy pub Tig Cóilí where music is firmly on the menu and travelling musicians often lend their talent. If you’re in the mood for a gig, head to the Róisín Dubh where many famous bands like Villagers and Two Door Cinema Club cut their teeth. It’s also the perfect place for a giggle, with comedy shows a regular occurrence. Favourite spots for a pint are the bright-blue Tigh Neachtain’s and the beautiful O’Connell’s. But don’t take our word for it, try out a few before you settle on your new local.

Interested in Making the Move?

Interested in finding out more about taking out a mortgage in Galway? Visit our online mortgage calculator to find out how much you could borrow. You can also apply online.

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Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c. is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Copyright Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c. 1995.