Located on the Western Seaboard of Ireland, County Galway is the second largest County in Ireland. At the centre of the County is the City of Galway, one of the fastest growing cities in Europe and the regional capital which hosts two third level Research and Educational campuses, the National University of Ireland, Galway and the Galway-Mayo Institution of Technology. The region is recognized as an international centre for the development and production of bio-medical products. Ireland’s National Marine Research Agency, the Marine Institute, is also located in County Galway.

Galway County Council is the Local Authority for County Galway. Galway County Council has set for itself the core objective to "Further develop the County in a balanced manner through the provision of essential infrastructure and progressive planning that meets the needs of industry and communities." We work with other State bodies such as IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, Galway County and City Enterprise Board and Údarás na Gaeltachta to encourage and assist enterprise to locate within the County. In County Galway, the opportunity exists to base an enterprise close to modern research and development facilities while also benefiting from one of the world’s most beautiful landscapes and heritages. Galway County Council is determined to sustain the balance between dynamic enterprise and quality of living.

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The population of County Galway is over 140,000 and growing. In the urban centres of Athenry, Ballinasloe, Clifden, Gort, Loughrea, Oranmore and Tuam, Galway County Council has or is progressing the development of fibre based Broadband Metropolitan Area Networks. Significant resources are currently being invested to upgrade the road and rail infrastructure between these centres. A regional airport is located at the centre of the County while two international airports, Shannon and Knock, are close to the borders of the County. The crossroads of the Western Transport Corridor and the West-East Transport Corridor are located at the heart of the County. There are a range of Business and Technology parks located throughout County Galway which offer office and enterprise space for manufacturing and international service based enterprises.

County Galway has a long heritage of creative arts and culture. The County includes a Gaeltacht area which the native language of Irish is still spoken. There are over 58 festivals and cultural events held in the County during the year. The County has a fantastic quality of life where residents can access a range of educational services, recreational facilities, clean rivers, lakes, Mountains and the Sea.

Galway County Council works with people in business and assists and advises them on;

• locations to base their enterprise,
• planning and business regulations, and
• we introduce enterprises to the various State Agencies that exist to support the development of enterprise in the region.

We have facilitated the preparation and ongoing implementation of an integrated 10 year Economic, Social and Cultural Strategy for the County addressing the following eight themes;

1	A Strong Economic Base
2	Managing our Wealth of Physical and Natural Resources
3	Opportunities for Work and Learning
4	Investing in Communities
5	Access to Services
6	A Living Gaeltacht
7	Vibrant Island Communities
8	Celebrating Cultural Diversity

This was prepared in conjunction with the other State Bodies, Educational Sectors, Employers, Communities and other Social Partners in the County. This strategy is available for your consideration on our website. www.galway.ie.

We invite you to visit our website www.galway.ie to learn more about County Galway.

Director of Services
Community, Enterprise and Economic Development Unit
Galway County Council
County Buildings
Prospect Hill
Galway
Ireland

Phone: + 353 91 746860
Fax: + 353 91 779082
bfcg@galwaycoco.ie
www.galway.ie

Click here to obtain a copy of INWARD INVESTMENT