The recent Galway Showcase, which took place from April 16 to 18, has been deemed a huge success, bringing all types of business together, from retail, restaurants, and hotels to all the other riches of Galway city.
The event, organised by the Galway City Business Association and sponsored by Fáilte Ireland and the Hotels Federation, helped to increase footfall in Galway and helped businesses in the city market themselves to the wider audiences, promoting Galway as a friendly, safe, fun place to visit and stay, with great value shopping and entertainment.
There was a great buzz in the city during the showcase, which was achieved with the help of street ambassadors. This group of people gave their time and energy as volunteers during the event.
More than 300 entries were received in the customer feedback competition survey. The main message is Galway car parking charges are too expensive, especially on a Saturday morning. Many requested the street ambassadors become a regular feature of the city. Customer survey winners included Myra Lyons of Knocknacarra Park, Galway; Anne McGill, Dublin; and Peggy Comel.
An arts and crafts treasure trail took place each day starting from Judy Greene pottery, Kirwan’s Lane, visiting some 20 different venues, from designer hats to craft venues all over the city, and finishing in Bold Art Gallery. A €300 hamper was the overall prize. The art and crafts trial was won by Sean Courtney; and Aisling Smith and Louise Holmes took second prize.
Many bands took part free of charge including the Mulkerrin Brothers, St Patrick’s Band, Emmet Scanlan, What The Good Thought, Bam and Co - Street drums, Sean Keane, Galway Early Musical Society, Galway Open Trad Session, Shaskeen, Mystic Force Irish Dancers, Disconauts, the Multi-cultural Community choir, and Pipa the clown.
Gaillimh Le Gaeilge provided a sheet of Irish words to make the cúpla focail simple, complete with phonetic pronunciation guides.
Visit www.galwayshowcase.com to see photos of the day. The Galway City Business Associations has moved to thank sponsors Fáilte Ireland and the Hotel Federation, the volunteers, businesses, and bands who took part in the event, as well as the committee, Judy Green, Declan Farrell, Gill Carroll, Michele Burke, John Kavanagh, Martine McDonagh, Patricia Lohan, Mary Bennett, Elaine Bright-Jenson, and Ronnie O'Gorman, for their hard work in organising the showcase.
If you or your business would like to join Galway City Business Association, contact Olivia at [email protected]
