It seems tourists have the high ground in Galway while the residents are Anekin Skywalker. In a study by the Galway Advertiser, one-third of shops in the main shopping district are geared towards tourists.
Galway has long been cited as the cultural capital of Ireland, but this has become its detriment in recent years. The city's charming cobbled streets, the rolling hills and rich language of Connemara, and the beautiful Atlantic coastline - a picture right out of fairytales.
Well, except for the streets full of tourists wearing shirts saying "Kiss me, I'm Irish".
Tourism is one of the largest economic generators and most vital employers in Galway. However, the tourism industry also has several negative impacts.
The question of whether Galway caters to tourists rather than residents is difficult, and we must approach it with nuance.
The Positives
From roadways to alleyways, the liveliness of Galway cannot be denied. Tourism is a major factor shaping the city's vibe. Streets lined with buskers, people chatting over a pint in every pub, and Bam Artiste's musical compliments - just an average day in Galway city.
In many ways, gearing to tourists can bring many positives for residents.
Firstly, a number of employment opportunities arise for residents to meet tourists' needs. The hotel industry, for one, provides many jobs for Galwegians. From accommodation to food service, a plethora of job opportunities are created, particularly in summer, directly due to increased tourist numbers.
Additionally, increased footfall and publicity for the city incentivise the council to invest more in infrastructure. The beautification of Eyre Square and surrounding areas are upkept to ensure tourists spend more time in the central shopping hub, and spend more money. According to the Galway Tourism Strategy 2023-2031, the industry generates around €754 million. That can then be reinvested in community development projects, thereby catering to the needs of both residents and tourists.
The Negatives
That said, the negatives of the growing industry cannot be denied. For instance, short-term lets.
Airbnb's prominence, driven by high tourism, may be contributing to the housing shortage in Galway. Airbnb's website shows 1,630 results for Galway; however, a recent AirROI study found that occupancy is only 51.9 per cent on average. This means that the rest of the time, homes are left empty, amidst a housing shortage.
Galway city Councillor Níall McNelis (Lab ) says his official stance is that the system of short-term lets is broken and is "putting a squeeze" on the rental market in Galway city. The Short Term Letting and Tourism Bill 2025, which would have put in place regulations on this, was delayed. What should have come into effect in May 2026 is now promised for December 2026.
The CSO statistics on new dwellings built during Q1 have risen by 32.9% since 2025. Of 7,856 homes built, 4,082 were scheme dwellings, and 2,355 were apartment completions. However, this does not mean all these homes will go to residents.
On top of this, Galway does not have the infrastructure for the number of tourists in the central hub. Quay Street is almost impossible to move through. The already narrow street, further tightened by the outdoor seating of the pubs and restaurants, combined with tourists crowding to take photos with the "Galway Girl" statue, has locals feeling like Ethan Hunt in Mission Impossible.
To maximise profits, tourist-oriented shops are concentrated in the area with the largest tourist footfall. That is simply how business works. However, in our own study, 22 of around 60 shops in the central hub are either specifically tourist shops or marketed more to tourists than to residents.
Galwegians often travel to places like Athlone or Dublin due to a lack of shops for locals, causing both inconvenience and additional travel expenses. One local woman felt that "there is nothing to be in Galway but be a tourist".
Takeaway
It is clear that Galway is becoming increasingly targeted at tourists, leaving Galwegians feeling neglected. One local man stated he feels that "tourists are being prioritised over locals". However, what is the solution to over-tourism? We cannot discourage tourism, as that would damage the economy and threaten residents' job security. Yet locals do not feel like their city is their city. Another resident felt that the volume of tourism is so high that "everyone's a tourist now" in Galway city. It is a complex question that warrants further discussion.
Ruby Higgins is a 19-year-old recent Leaving Cert student from Presentation College, Headford. She is an aspiring political journalist, currently doing work experience at The Galway Advertiser. She has a deep interest in anthropology and human rights. She credits her English teacher, Mr Whyte, as her inspiration for pursuing a career in writing.
