Galway City Watersports Group Welcomes Motions On Access Passed by Councillors

17th September 2025

Afloat.ie Team

Windsurfers at Galway's Silverstand beach

Galway City Watersports Group says it warmly welcomes the recent passing of motions by Galway City Council to improve access and management of city beaches.

The Galway city beaches include Ballyloughane, Grattan Road, Salthill and Silverstrand.

Three motions passed state that:

the Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) meets with the Galway City Water Sports Groups to begin meaningful consultation;
that Galway City Council develops a beach management and zoning plan (that fully meets Criterion 30 of the Blue Flag beach criteria document) for all Galway city beaches;
that Galway City Council engages with all stakeholders to develop zoning plans and maps for all Galway City Beaches (consistent with Criterion 5 and Criterion 30 of the Blue Flag beach criteria document) that allows for dedicated launch zones, improved access routes to the water, and provides for safe, inclusive use of our beaches for swimmers, watersports and beach users.

The group says the motions are “a significant and positive step forward in ensuring that our beaches are safe, accessible, and enjoyable for all users — swimmers, watersports enthusiasts, and the wider community alike”.

“We would like to sincerely thank Cllr Clodagh Higgins for proposing the motion, Cllr Donal Lyons for seconding, Cllr Alan Curran for his constructive engagement on this matter, and all councillors and local TDs for their support,” the group says.

“The commitment shown by elected representatives demonstrates the importance of finding solutions that balance the needs of all beach users,” it says.

“The public response to the sign banning watersports at Silverstrand Beach in July 2025 was overwhelming and demonstrated clearly the value that the people of Galway place on maintaining fair and safe access to their beaches. This strong community reaction underlined the importance of consultation, transparency, and collaboration in shaping decisions about our shared public spaces,” it says.

“Galway City Watersports Group looks forward to constructive engagement with Galway City Council and all stakeholders as the beach zoning plans take shape,” it says.

“Galway City Council currently does not zone any of its beaches, making it the only local authority along the Wild Atlantic Way without such a management approach. We view the passing of these motions as an important milestone in shaping the future of Galway’s beaches,” it says.

Updates will be posted to the Galway City Watersports Group webpage

Published in Galway Harbour

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Galway Port & Harbour

Galway Bay is a large bay on the west coast of Ireland, between County Galway in the province of Connacht to the north and the Burren in County Clare in the province of Munster to the south. Galway city and port is located on the northeast side of the bay. The bay is about 50 kilometres (31 miles) long and from 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) to 30 kilometres (19 miles) in breadth.

The Aran Islands are to the west across the entrance and there are numerous small islands within the bay.

Galway Port FAQs

How old is Galway port?

Galway was founded in the 13th century by the de Burgo family, and became an important seaport with sailing ships bearing wine imports and exports of fish, hides and wool.

How old is Galway bay?

Not as old as previously thought. Galway bay was once a series of lagoons, known as Loch Lurgan, plied by people in log canoes. Ancient tree stumps exposed by storms in 2010 have been dated back about 7,500 years.

What is the tonnage of the port?

It is about 660,000 tonnes as it is a tidal port.

Who is the harbourmaster of Galway port?

Capt Brian Sheridan, who succeeded his late father, Capt Frank Sheridan

When are the lock gates open?

The dock gates open approximately two hours before high water and close at high water subject to ship movements on each tide.

What's the biggest ship that can 'fit' in the harbour?

The typical ship sizes are in the region of 4,000 to 6,000 tonnes

Is renewable energy generating a lot of business for Galway port?

Turbines for about 14 wind projects have been imported in recent years, but the tonnage of these cargoes is light. A European industry report calculates that each turbine generates €10 million in locally generated revenue during construction and logistics/transport.

Is Galway a European cable location?

Yes, Iceland has selected Galway as European landing location for international telecommunications cables. Farice, a company wholly owned by the Icelandic Government, currently owns and operates two submarine cables linking Iceland to Northern Europe.

What's the update on the Galway port expansion plans?

It is "very much a live project", Harbourmaster Capt Sheridan says, and the Port of Galway board is "awaiting the outcome of a Bord Pleanála determination", he says.

Where does all the scrap go at Galway Port?

90% of the scrap steel is exported to Spain with the balance being shipped to Portugal. Since the pandemic, scrap steel is shipped to the Liverpool where it is either transhipped to larger ships bound for China.

Why is Galway Port exporting silage and the Irish farmers are crying out for it?

It might look like silage, but in fact, its bales domestic and municipal waste, exported to Denmark where the waste is incinerated, and the heat is used in district heating of homes and schools. It is called RDF or Refuse Derived Fuel and has been exported out of Galway since 2013.

When is the new ferry starting service from Galway?

The new ferry is arriving at Galway Bay onboard the cargo ship SVENJA. The vessel is currently on passage to Belem, Brazil before making her way across the Atlantic to Galway.

Is the Volvo Ocean Race coming back to Galway?

Two Volvo round world races have selected Galway for the prestigious yacht race route. Some 10,000 people welcomed the boats in during its first stopover in 2009, when a festival was marked by stunning weather. It was also selected for the race finish in 2012. The Volvo has changed its name and is now known as the "Ocean Race". Capt Sheridan says that once port expansion and the re-urbanisation of the docklands is complete, the port will welcome the "ocean race, Clipper race, Tall Ships race, Small Ships Regatta and maybe the America's Cup right into the city centre...".

When is Seafest coming back to Galway?

The pandemic was the reason why Seafest did not go ahead in Cork in 2020. Galway will welcome Seafest back after it calls to Waterford and Limerick, thus having been to all the Port cities.