Top travel writer says Galway in summer should be avoided

By Declan Tierney

An award-winning travel writer has slammed Galway City for “jacking up” prices during festivals and warned that it was a place to avoid from a consumer point of view during the Summer months.

 The city has been accused of rip-off pricing whenever a big event takes place and the writer said that last year’s Volvo Ocean Race was a typical example of this.

 “I would now avoid Galway during July and early August because between the Galway Races and the Arts Festival, prices tend to go through the roof,” said Philip Nolan who was named the Travel Writer of the Year recently.

 And he wasn’t too complimentary about access to the city centre either, saying that the advantages of having a motorway were scuppered once it came to an end on the outskirts of Galway.

 He said that negotiating around Galway City, particularly from a tourist’s point of view, was no easier than it was 20 years ago, while finding somewhere to park was also difficult.

 Mr Nolan also questioned the need for an airport in Carnmore when he said that it was much quicker to hop in a car and drive to Dublin Airport.

 While he said that Galway City was a tremendous visitor destination, there were a number of drawbacks when it came to pricing during the height of the tourist season.

 “It is basically rip-off pricing when there is a big event taking place,” Mr Nolan said.

 For more on this story, see the Galway City Tribune.