Salthill

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Salthill
Bóthar na Trá
Suburb of Galway
Salthill and Galway Bay
Salthill and Galway Bay
Salthill is located in County Galway
Salthill
Salthill
Location in County Galway
Coordinates: 53°15′39.6″N 9°04′30.2″W / 53.261000°N 9.075056°W / 53.261000; -9.075056
CountryIreland
ProvinceConnacht
CountyCounty Galway
City CouncilGalway
Elevation
5 m (16 ft)
Population
 (2017)[1]
 • Urban
20,650
Irish Grid ReferenceM275248

Salthill (Irish: Bóthar na Trá) is a seaside area in the city of Galway in the west of Ireland. Lying within the townland of Lenaboy (an Léana Buí), it attracts tourists all year round. There is a 2 km long promenade, locally known as the Prom, which overlooks Galway Bay and has several bars, restaurants and hotels.

Tourism and events[edit]

Galway Bay from the Promenade, Salthill
Leisureland's big wheel

Salthill was, until 2007, home to one of the biggest non-fee paying air shows in Galway, the Salthill Air Show, which took place in June over Galway Bay. The show annually attracted over 100,000 people and generated over €1m in revenue.[2]

The 1970s saw the introduction of a number of casinos and more leisure centres.

Salthill was a centre point for the 2008–09 Volvo Ocean Race, as well as the Round-Ireland Powerboat race in 2010.

Every Christmas Day for many years it has been a tradition to jump into the sea from Blackrock Diving Tower. This record-breaking event is now a fundraiser for local charity in Galway.

Sport[edit]

Salthill-Knocknacarra (SKGAA) is the local Gaelic Athletic Association club and fields teams in Gaelic football, Ladies football, hurling and camogie. The club's senior men's team won the All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship in 2006, beating St. Gall's in the final.[3] A team representing the club also won the 2022 Ladies Junior Football title.[citation needed] Pearse Stadium, one of Galway GAA's two primary stadiums (the other being St Jarlath's Park), is on Dr Mannix Road in Salthill.[citation needed]

Salthill Devon F.C., the local football team, fields teams in the Galway & District League. They played in the League of Ireland First Division from 2010 to 2013, before merging with Mervue United and Galway United Supporters Trust, the supporters trust of the then defunct Galway United, to form Galway F.C.[4]

The Galway Lawn Tennis Club, winner of Irish Tennis Club of the Year in 2002, is located on Threadneedle Road.[citation needed]

Transport[edit]

Salthill railway station opened on 1 October 1879 and closed for passenger traffic in January 1918.[5] The nearest station is Galway.

As of 2022, there is one city bus service, Bus Éireann route 401, which runs to from Salthill to Eyre Square. Bus Éireann also runs the regional bus routes 416 and 424 from Galway's bus station to Connemara, which pass via Salthill.[citation needed]

Popular culture[edit]

The Long Walk and the Salthill promenade are both referenced in the Steve Earle penned tune "Galway Girl".

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Cunningham, Enda (17 April 2017). "Galway City's population is just below 80,000". Connacht Tribune. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  2. ^ "Huge crowds at Galway air show". rte.ie. RTÉ News. 4 July 2007.
  3. ^ "GAA | Latest Gaelic Games News, Results & Fixtures". rte.ie. RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  4. ^ "Football's comin' home — compromise reached as Galway FC applies to league". Galway Advertiser. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  5. ^ "Salthill station" (PDF). Railscot – Irish Railways. Retrieved 24 November 2007.