Galway is the second largest county in Ireland with an area of almost 6,200 km².
The population of the county is about 260,000. About one third of the population lives in Galway City.
City and Towns
Galway City is is the fourth largest city in The Republic of Ireland with a population of about 80,000
The other main towns in County Galway are: Tuam, Ballinasloe, Loughrea, Oranmore, Athenry, Gort, Clifden, Moycullen, Portumna, Oughterard and Claregalway.
Landscape
Galway is a coastal county with a long coastline with lots of bays and inlets. The landscape varies from the mountainous wilderness of Connemara in the west to the plains in the east and it contains numerous lakes and rivers which are famous for inland freshwater fishing.
The Gaeltacht
In the west of the county in parts of Connemare the Irish language (Gaelic) is spoken as the first language. The Connemara dialect has its own particular pronounciations, vocabulary and accent which distinguishes it from other dialects like the Munster dialect or the Donegal dialect.
Sport
Galway is a stronghold of Gaelic Games and its county teams have won numerous All Ireland Football and Hurling Finals.
Soccer is also popular and Galway United is one of the leading clubs in the country.
Connacht Rugby which is one of the professional provincial rugby teams in Ireland and which has come to prominence in recent years is based in Galway.