Salthill () is a
seaside area in the
City of Galway in the west of Ireland. Lying within the
townland
A townland ( ga, baile fearainn; Ulster-Scots: ''toonlann'') is a small geographical division of land, historically and currently used in Ireland and in the Western Isles in Scotland, typically covering . The townland system is of Gaelic orig ...
of Lenaboy (''an Léana Buí''), it attracts many tourists all year round. There is a 2 km long promenade, locally known as ''the Prom'', overlooking
Galway Bay
Galway Bay ( Irish: ''Loch Lurgain'' or ''Cuan na Gaillimhe'') is a bay on the west coast of Ireland, between County Galway in the province of Connacht to the north and the Burren in County Clare in the province of Munster to the south; Gal ...
with bars, restaurants and hotels.
Tourism and events
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.
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
Salthill-Knocknacarra is the local
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA; ga, Cumann Lúthchleas Gael ; CLG) is an Irish international amateur sporting and cultural organisation, focused primarily on promoting indigenous Gaelic games and pastimes, which include the traditional ...
club. The team won the
All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship in 2006, beating
St. Gall's in the final.
Pearse Stadium, one of
Galway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) ( ga, Cumann Lúthchleas Gael Coiste Chontae na Gaillimhe) or Galway GAA are one of the 32 county boards in Ireland; they are responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway, and ...
's two primary stadiums (the other being
St Jarlath's Park
St Jarlath's Park (''Páirc Naomh Iarflaith'', commonly known as Tuam Stadium) is a GAA stadium in Tuam, County Galway, Ireland. It is one of the principal stadiums of Galway GAA's football teams. The ground once had a capacity of around 26,0 ...
), is on Dr Mannix Road in Salthill.
Salthill Devon F.C.
Salthill Devon Football Club is an Irish association football club originally based in Salthill, Galway. Their senior team currently plays in the Galway & District League. They have previously played in the Connacht Senior League, the A Champio ...
, the local football team, fields teams in the
Galway & District League
The Galway & District League is an association football league organized by the Galway Football Association. It features amateur and junior clubs from County Galway. It currently features six divisions. Its top division, the Premier Division, ...
. They played in the
League of Ireland First Division
The League of Ireland First Division ( ga, Céad Roinn Sraith na hÉireann), also known as the SSE Airtricity League First Division, is the second level division in both the League of Ireland and the Republic of Ireland football league system. ...
from 2010 to 2013, before merging with
Mervue United
Mervue United A.F.C. is an Irish association football club based in Mervue, Galway. Their senior men's team currently plays in the Galway & District League. The club has previously fielded teams in the Connacht Senior League, the League of Ir ...
and GUST, the supporters trust of the then defunct
Galway United, to form
Galway F.C.
The Galway Lawn Tennis Club, winner of Irish Tennis Club of the Year in 2002, is located on Threadneedle Road.
Transport
Salthill railway station opened on 1 October 1879 and closed for passenger traffic in January 1918.
The nearest station is .
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.
Popular culture
The
Long Walk and the Salthill promenade are both referenced in the
Steve Earle penned tune "
Galway Girl".
See also
*
List of towns and villages in Ireland
*
Wild Atlantic Way
References
{{Roman Catholic Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora
Articles on towns and villages in Ireland possibly missing Irish place names
Beaches of County Galway
Geography of Galway (city)
Seaside resorts in the Republic of Ireland
Tourist attractions in Galway (city)