Galway city council's controversial new 'G' almost identical to European company's logo

First revealed by Galway Live last week when it emerged that €28,000 had been spent on a project to refresh Galway City Council’s corporate identity, we can now reveal that the logo isn’t that fresh after all.

Because it is almost identical to that of the logo for Gondella - a retail shopfitting solutions and shelving company based in Belgium which supplies major retailers across Europe.

There was a sigh of relief around Galway when it was announced that the branding project had been put on hold for further consultation - before the council announced Thursday morning that they had actually proceeded with the project.

The new Galway logo retains the strong maroon colour - as does Gondella’s - and also ‘The Coat of Arms of Galway City’ still features as the council’s family branding.

The lower-case ‘g’ is used with a gap in between top and bottom and a peak tipping over the right hand edge - for both logos.

Galway City Council said their ‘unique’ G reflects “the form of the hull of the ship” from the Coat drawing on the county’s civic and maritime heritage - alongside seanchló writing which is the historic script used in Irish.

The battle to “Keep the Galway G” is set to return to City Hall despite all this, with Cllr Alan Cheevers (FF) vowing to press ahead with a motion to retain the familiar symbol – despite this week’s official unveiling of its replacement.

Cllr Cheevers wants elected members to formally back retaining the existing ‘G’, although he acknowledges that the final say rests with the Council executive.

“My motion will be tabled,” he told us.

“This is purely down to the executive function.

“The manager has to be accountable to the people of the city. It is not the councillors; there is very little we can do.

“The manager needs to say it to the public exactly.”

Cllr Cheevers said he would proceed with the motion despite believing it could ultimately “fall on deaf ears”.

His motion calls for the ‘G’ to remain in use across Council recreation and amenity facilities, vehicles and machinery, stationery and official communications, buildings, signage and promotional materials.

It states that the branding “has become a recognisable and positive identity for Galway City” and argues that retaining it would provide continuity and avoid unnecessary expenditure.

A number of councillors contacted by Galway Live have voiced opposition to a full rebrand or raised concerns about its cost and timing.

Cllr Eibhlín Seoighthe (Ind), who first questioned the value for money of the project when details emerged in August, said prioritising a rebrand felt “deeply out of touch”.

“At a time when families face cost of living pressures, businesses are struggling with rising rates, and homelessness remains a daily crisis, Galway City Council's decision to prioritise a rebrand feels deeply out of touch,” she said.

“Spending €28,000 – potentially more once it is rolled out – on a new logo sends the wrong message when core services are under strain.”

Cllr Seoighthe said there was a problem with how the local authority communicates with the public, but argued that changing its identity would not solve it.

“There is a communication problem between the council and the public, but it won't be solved with new templates and design guidelines,” she said.

“It will be solved with transparency, accountability, and genuine engagement before major decisions are taken.”

She also called on the executive to publish the full costs associated with the project and explain why it had been prioritised.

Cllr Josie Forde (FF) was emphatic in her opposition. “I want to make my position absolutely clear. I am completely against it,” she said.

She questioned spending on a rebrand at a time of housing pressures and financial difficulties for families and local businesses.

“Galway already has a strong identity, history, heritage and a city crest that people recognise and are proud of,” she said.

“I see no justification for spending public money on changing that identity when there are far more urgent needs across our city.”

Cllr Alan Curran (Soc Dem) also said he does not support a full rebrand and said the Council needs to improve how it communicates.

“I’ve been very vocal about the need to improve our communication both internally, and externally to the public, but I don’t think changing the brand was the necessary first step,” he said.

“There is a lot of history and personal stories behind our existing logo, some of which I’ve only learned about in the last couple of weeks, and I think with respect to those individuals involved, our logo represents Galway.”

Mayor of Galway City Cllr Helen Ogbu (Lab) said she would not support the Council proceeding with a rebranding exercise “at this time”.

“I recognise that effective communication and a strong Council identity have value,” she said.

“But I think it is reasonable to ask whether a new branding exercise is the best way to strengthen that identity at this point, and whether the resources involved could be better directed towards the services and infrastructure that people are asking us to prioritise.”

She questioned the timing and value for money of the exercise given competing demands on Council services and the forthcoming budget process.

“Our strongest brand as a Council will be the trust and confidence people have in the work we do and the difference they see in their communities,” she said.

Cllr John McDonagh (Lab) was also opposed, saying people wanted Council resources focused on practical priorities.

“People want to see Council resources focused on practical priorities, housing, roads, footpaths and essential services. That is where our focus should be,” he said.

Cllr Shane Forde (FG) described the situation as “a complete mess” and said the matter should not be under consideration “in the times we are in”.

He pointed out, however, that the funding had been agreed by “the current pact” in last year’s budget and the money was factored in. “Our focus should be on housing, maintenance and footpaths,” he said.

Cllr Terry O’Flaherty (Ind) said none of the three options she had viewed convinced her of the need for change.

“Having looked at the three options, I am not in favour of any of them,” she said.

“The logo we have been using for the past 40 years should be retained and the letter ‘G’ really stands out in my opinion.

“As the saying goes, ‘why fix it when it is not broken’.”

Cllr Níall McNelis (Lab) said the debate was distracting from more pressing matters.

“Now is not the time,” he said. “This is detracting from much larger issues. I would prefer it if we were talking about the housing crisis.”

Cllr Eddie Hoare (FG) said he was “not overly supportive” and called for a full costing of what any eventual rollout would involve.

While he was comfortable that the consultant had been appointed through the procurement process, he said that “on reflection it is important that as members we get a full costing report of what the expected rollout could be”.

“That has been raised by the public, what it will cost to roll out,” he said.

“I also have reservations. We need a full costing and report brought to us as members before proceeding with the project.”

Our Galway City Tribune first revealed in August that councillors had been invited to review three proposed visual identities before consultants made a recommendation to the Council’s Senior Management Team.

The €28,000 spent to date was funded through the Council’s communications budget, with a private consultancy appointed following a tender competition.

All Galway City councillors were contacted by Galway Live for their views on the issue.

Funded by the Local Democracy Scheme.