Galway City Council cooks up plan for new season of outdoor dining
While Galway may not have the alfresco restaurant history of a Paris or a Bologna, the ambition remains to create a similar ambience in the city over the coming years with plans in train for a second major season of outdoor dining to start next month.
The City Council is pressing ahead with proposals to close off a number of streets in the city – from April 9 to the October Bank Holiday Weekend – to provide space for outdoor dining at six locations across the city.
What started off as a stop-gap measure to help eateries cope with the indoor restrictions brought about by the Covid crisis, now seems likely to be a permanent feature of the visitor experience to the tourism capital of the west.
Forster Street, Woodquay, Raven Terrace, The Small Crane, William Street West and Dominick Street Upper have all been earmarked for road closures during the coming tourist season.
City Council Chief Executive Brendan McGrath told the Galway City Tribune that there had been a tremendously positive response to the outdoor dining experience from businesses, native Galwegians and visitors to the city.
“Last year was a learning curve for us and we will take into account any glitches that occurred, but overall, there was a really positive response to the expansion of the alfresco dining experience in the city, and we intend to build on that,” said Mr McGrath.
The Council’s Tourism Officer, Ruairi Lehman, said that the expansion of the outdoor dining facilities had greatly enhanced the economic and cultural vibrancy of the city.
“There is a huge appetite out there for individuals and families being able to enjoy a meal in the open air and especially so when the weather conditions are favourable.
“Issues that were raised last year by local residents and the impacts on traffic will be looked at in detail for the coming season, but overall, the response to the whole concept has been a very positive one,” said Mr Lehman.
Cllr Eddie Hoare said that one of the key things about this year’s outdoor dining experience would be to learn from any of the problems or issues that arose last year.
“This was something that started out of necessity because of the Covid difficulties but it has turned out to be a really good experience which has added greatly to the atmosphere of the city,” said Cllr Hoare.
The street closures, to apply from Saturday, April 9 to Monday, October 31, 2022, are:
■ Forster Street, single lane from College Road to Eyre Square.
■ Woodquay, outbound lane from Daly’s Place to Headford Road. Local access maintained at all times.
■ Raven Terrace, from Fairhill Road Upper to Fr Griffin Road. (4.30pm to 11.30pm).
■ Small Crane, from New Street West to William Street West.
■ William Street West, from Small Crane to Munster Avenue. (6pm to 11.30pm). Local access maintained at all times.
■ Dominick Street Upper, from Dominick Street Lower to William Street West. (6pm to 11.30pm).