Salthill
Salthill Bóthar na Trá | |
---|---|
Suburb of Galway | |
Salthill | |
![]() ![]() Salthill Location in Ireland | |
Coordinates: 53°15′40″N 9°04′16″W / 53.261°N 9.071°WCoordinates: 53°15′40″N 9°04′16″W / 53.261°N 9.071°W | |
Country | Ireland |
Province | Connacht |
County | County Galway |
City Council | Galway |
Elevation | 5 m (16 ft) |
Population (2006)[1] | |
• Urban | 3,376 |
Irish Grid Reference | M275248 |
Salthill (Irish: Bóthar na Trá) is a seaside area in the City of Galway in the west of Ireland. Lying within the townland 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 with bars, restaurants and hotels.
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.[2]
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.
Tourism
![](../I/m/Galway_Bay_from_Salthill.jpg)
The 1970s saw the introduction of a number of casinos and more leisure centres. There was an annual airshow (up until 2007) where up to 100,000 people viewed the air display along with a public water safety on Galway Bay and army demonstration.
Salthill was a centre point for the 2008–09 Volvo Ocean Race, as well as the Round-Ireland Powerboat race in 2010.
Sport
- Salthill-Knocknacarra GAA is the local Gaelic Athletic Association club. The team has won the All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship, beating St. Gall's in the 2006 final.[3]
- Salthill Devon F.C. are the local football team. They played in the League of Ireland's second tier, called First Division, from 2010 to 2013, before merging with Mervue United and GUST, the supporters trust of the defunct Galway United, to form Galway F.C..[4]
- Pearse Stadium, one of Galway GAA's two primary stadiums (the other being St Jarlath's Park), is found on Dr Mannix Road in Salthill.
- 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.[5]
- Currently there is one city bus service: Bus Éireann's route 401, which runs to Eyre Square only at a 20-minute frequency from 7am to 7pm Monday-Saturday and 40-minute at other times. That same operator also runs the regional buses 416 and 424 from the Bus Station into Connemara which pass via Salthill.
- Until December 2012, City Direct Galway ran route 413 from Eyre Square via Salthill to Knocknacarra, which carried the number 36 before City Direct's service renumbering and remapping in July 2012.
Rail Access
The nearest station is Galway.
Popular culture
- The Long Walk and the Salthill promenade are both referenced in the Steve Earle penned tune "Galway Girl".
See also
References
- ↑ "Census 2006 – Volume 1 – Population Classified by Area" (PDF). Central Statistics Office Census 2006 Reports. Central Statistics Office Ireland. April 2007. Retrieved 7 May 2011.
- ↑ RTÉ News, 2007-07-04, Huge crowds at Galway air show.
- ↑ http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2006/0317/202581-salthill/
- ↑ Football's comin' home — compromise reached as Galway FC applies to league
- ↑ "Salthill station" (PDF). Railscot – Irish Railways. Retrieved 24 November 2007.