The tenth edition of the Galway Christmas Market which concluded at the weekend, drew more than 600,000 visitors to Eyre Square, generating an economic boost of €20m to Galway city.
Research has consistently shown that the Galway Christmas Market is estimated to be worth more than €20 million to the city, with €3 being spent in local hotels, shops, restaurants, cafes and bars for every €1 spent in the market.
Maria Moynihan Lee, managing director of Galway-based creative production company, Milestone Inventive which produces the market, said she was particularly pleased at the public response to the many additional lighting and décor features which they invested in this year, especially the light curtain along the Skeff side which significantly increased footfall to that artisan section of the market.
“2019 saw evidence of significantly increased levels of visitors from out of town attending the market - 70 per cent of all visitors are from outside Galway City and 57 per cent of these stay overnight,” she told the Advertiser.
“More than 30 artisan producers participated this year and they were also joined by 10 local charities each showcasing their work and fundraising through the market. Sixty per cent of the traders taking part in the market are local Galway-based businesses. Many of the visitors travel in groups by bus from such far flung distances as Kerry, Cork, Donegal and the south east.”
In conclusion, Maria Moynihan Lee said she wanted to thank all of the hard working team for ensuring the success of the market.
“We are grateful to our friends, supporters and traders, as well as Galway City Council and most especially the visitors who make it all possible. We can now truly say that Galway is Ireland’s Capital of Christmas,” she said.
The broad consensus among visitors, fans and traders is that this was the best market yet and featured more than 50 seasonal market stalls, the highly popular 32m observation wheel, Après Ski Bar, Santa’s Express Train and a traditional carousel.
