It lies on Galway Bay. Ireland Galway serves as the administrative and commercial center for much of western Ireland. Factories in the city make clothing, food products, and electronic and electrical equipment.
Tourism contributes to the economy.
Salthill, a suburb of Galway, is a popular seaside resort. St. Nicholas Church in Galway dates from 1320. University College, founded in 1849, is also in the city. Anglo-Normans founded Galway in the 1200's. The town was chartered as a free port in 1484, and 14 merchant families, or tribes, controlled the town.