Irish pubs with live music and platters of freshly caught seafood,...
... and breathtaking scenery - all reasons why Galway was chosen as a European Capital
of Culture. The university town on Ireland's west coast attracts young people from around
the world.
It`s just so different. I mean, nowhere in the States – except for our Irish pubs – that`s
the only time we hear music like this. Everything is kind of medievel stone. It's
the harbour and the sea is beautiful as well. Everybody is so nice and the beer is amazing
It's cheerful, lively and somehow feisty - different from Germany, definitely. The people are more
open and laugh a lot more.
A week before the city's year as Europan Capital of Culture officially began, County Galway
rang it in - with musicians and fire-jugglers touring seven of the surrounding towns with
their acts. Every day, they came one town closer to Galway.
This is just the opening. So, we have got a 195 events to go until next February. We
got a trioneel cello festival at starting. We have got extraordinary environmental projects
happening out in the mountains, these expirations of the irish language– there is such a lot
to see.
As Creative Director, Helen Marriage is in charge of the upcoming program of cultural
events - a challenge she willingly took on for Galway.
Galway is really an incredible place. Amazing people. Extraordinary landscape with an ferocious
wheather. It`s a bit like Barcelona in the rain.
Galway lies exposed to the full fury of the Atlantic, giving it an average 220 days of
rain per year and heavy storms. But the ocean and the rugged terrain also provide a bounty
of treasures. Michelin star chef JP McMahon braves the elemnts as he gathers ingredients
: eelgrass and other sea herbs.
One of my favourites, even though it`s a little bit sandy, is sea lettuce. You can see it
on the rocks it's a green sea weed. Really beautiful eaten fresh, and we would dress
our oysters with it.
Oysters are readily avaialble in Galway . Almost every restaurant has them on their menu. JP
McMahon makes an especially tempting oyster dish.
The oyster has been around Galway for like thousands of years. And it`s probably only
in recent years that we become to appreciate it more. I think always people traveled to
Galway to taste the oyster.
The Irish Gaelic name for Galway is Gaillimh, from 'stony river' - which is the River Corrib
that runs through its center. Galway has been enjoying an economic boom
since the 1990s. The old center with its pubs, vibrant arts scene and Galway's two universities
attract people the world over .
The mix adds up to Galway's special charm for Hans-Walter Schmidt-Hannisa . He has lived
here for 15 years.
Galway is among the bigger irish cities the nicest one. The most scenic one.So, this attracts
a lot of younger people. The university has now more than 15,000 students, and the total
population is about 80,000– so that gives you an idea. It's a city with a thriving youth
culture – a party town really.
And this is precisely the feeling the long-planned official opening for its year as culture capital
was supposed to put across. But weather didn't permit. The big party was canceled for safety
reasons. But nothing rains for long on Galway's parade. The celebrations just took place in
the pubs - with traditional Irish music, of course.