A new logo for Galway City Council with a maritime theme has caused a stir among city councillors.
The design draws on Galway's civic and maritime heritage, the city council says.
The lower-case ‘g’ reflects the form of the hull of the ship represented in the city's coat of arms, while its style also draws on the tradition of “seanchló”, the historic script used in Irish.
The colour palette includes maroon, which was supported in feedback from staff and elected members, together with blue reflecting the River Corrib, the city council says.
The new identity retains maroon as its principal colour and gives greater prominence to the council's Irish-language name, Comhairle Cathrach na Gaillimhe.
The council says the coat of arms of Galway city will also remain in use as part of the council's “new brand family”.
The development project was awarded to strategic branding and identity specialists Turas Branda ,following a competitive procurement process. The overall project cost is €28,000, the council says.
The project included “a review and audit of the existing identity, stakeholder engagement, development of a brand strategy, visual identity development, brand architecture, accessibility and bilingual considerations, templates, applications and visual identity guidelines,”it says.
The current Galway City Council branding was introduced almost two decades ago and features the coat of arms beside a large G, with the name of the local authority in Irish and English.
Mayor Helen Ogbu has demanded that the city’s historic coat of arms remain part of any new identity, while Councillor Alan Cheevers has moved to retain the iconic G branding.
Mayor Ogbu told The Connacht Tribune there was a “legitimate question” over spending on a rebrand when communities were raising urgent concerns about infrastructure and essential services.
Independent councillor and former city mayor Mike Cubbard said it was a “ridiculous idea” and “completely unnecessary” and he did not know many councillors who supported the rebranding.
The city council says the new identity “follows a review and audit of Galway City Council's existing branding, including stakeholder workshops and surveys”.
“The work formed part of the development of a communications strategy identified as a strategic priority following the 2024 Local Government Elections,”it says.
“The review found that the public does not always recognise the full range of services provided or supported by the council, while different services, programmes and projects are not always presented in the same way,”it says.
Richie McCarthy, head of communications and corporate marketing at Galway City Council, said the identity “draws directly on Galway, including its civic heritage, the River Corrib and the city's bilingual character”.
“Importantly, the coat of arms remains part of the brand family, while the new system gives the council greater flexibility across digital, print and physical communications.”
The new identity will be introduced on a phased basis, with existing materials and assets replaced as they reach the end of their normal lifespan or require renewal, he said.
