New Petition Seeks Lifting Of Ban On Watersports At Galway's Silverstrand Beach

20th April 2026

Afloat.ie Team

Zone Debate Builds: Aerial image shows proposed swim and watersports launch zones at Silverstrand, as campaigners argue zoning can allow safe shared use in line with Blue Flag standards

A new petition has been initiated, which calls on Galway City Council to lift the ban on watersports at Silverstrand beach.

As Afloat has previously reported, Galway City Council erected the signs without consultation, banning a broad range of activities such as "windsurfing", "kitesurfing" and "surf craft".

The terms can encompass surfboards, kayaks, and stand-up paddle (SUP) boards, and the ban has led to confusion and concern among regular users of the beach, causing conflict between swimmers and water sports users.

Silverstrand beach has long been a magnet for visitors to Galway city. By banning water sports, this will impact on local businesses that rely on these tourists, according to a group of local watersport campaigners seeking to have the ban lifted.“The Blue flag which Silverstrand proudly claims, requires zoning of beaches that support multiple activities, ensuring swimmers and water sports users can coexist peacefully and safely,” the campaigners state.

“Galway City Council currently do not zone any of its beaches, making it the only local authority along the Wild Atlantic Way without such a management approach,”they point out.

In September 2025, local city councillors adopted Motion NOM:58/2025 which has not as yet been implemented.

The motion reads as follows:

(1) 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.

(2) 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, water-sports and beach users.

Sign of the Times: Galway City Council signage (July 2025) at Silverstrand bans windsurfing, kitesurfing and surf craft, prompting confusion among users and calls for zoning under Blue Flag criteria

Since September 2025, the local water sports groups have met with Galway City Council management on four occasions with no resolution to the ban.

“We call upon Galway City Council to implement the motions, to remove the signs banning water sports and to zone Silverstrand Beach,”the campaigners state.

“ By aligning with Blue Flag criteria and international best practice, this will provide for safe, inclusive use of our beaches for swimmers, water sports and beach users,”they state.

“We are asking for your support and the support of our elected representatives, and the Galway West by-election candidates to ensure that Silverstrand beach is zoned prior to the start of the 2026 bathing season,”they state.

The online petition is here

Published in Galway Harbour, Dun Laoghaire Harbour News

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.