Night Time Economy

The Night-Time Economy (NTE) encompasses various stakeholders and offers diverse activities such as cultural events, entertainment, hospitality, festivals, community, sports, and retail, aiming to create a safe and welcoming environment for both work and leisure between 6 pm and 6 am.

Galway City’s Night-Time Economy: A Collaborative Action Plan 

Galway City: Night Time Economy

What is the Night-Time Economy? 

The Night-Time Economy (NTE) encompasses various stakeholders and offers diverse activities such as cultural events, entertainment, hospitality, festivals, community, sports, and retail, aiming to create a safe and welcoming environment for both work and leisure between 6 pm and 6 am. A thriving NTE is fostered by well-designed public spaces, efficient transportation, and diverse activities throughout this timeframe.  

The focused development of the Night-Time Economy in Ireland originated from a post-COVID-19 response to support the sectors badly affected by the pandemic. Following on from a commitment under the Programme for Government, the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (D/TCAGSM) established a multi-agency task force to examine the challenges facing the development of a vibrant night-time culture and economy.   

Catherine Martin T.D., Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media published a report from the NTE Taskforce in 2021. Action 19 calls for a pilot initiative to establish new "Night-Time Advisors" to develop new Night-Time Economy opportunities. There are currently 9 NTE Advisors in place across the country  - Drogheda, Sligo, Kilkenny, Galway, Cork, Limerick, Longford, Dublin, Buncrana.  The aim of this national initiative is to stimulate night-time economy activity through the development of enhanced collaborative structures supported by a Night-Time Economy Advisor.   

Galway City NTE Action Plan  

Galway City’s Action Plan builds upon the framework established by the Night-Time Economy Taskforce Report and other key strategic initiatives, aiming to cultivate a city that thrives as a home, a destination, and a place of work. 

In the development of the plan, Galway City Council has engaged with a wide range of stakeholders, including local businesses, residents, and community organisations, to ensure that the action plan reflects the unique character and needs of the city. Throughout the consultations, key themes emerged, highlighting the desire for enhanced infrastructure, communication, and expanded cultural offerings and experiences.  

The vision for Galway's Night-Time Economy is to build upon and maintain Galway’s vibrant, welcoming, and inclusive night-time experience for residents, workers, and visitors.  

Central to this vision are the principles of sustainability, diversity, and inclusivity. Diversity means offering a wide range of choices and experiences in the NTE, reflecting the varied needs of our community and visitors. 

This plan is a starting point for ongoing dialogue and collaboration. Galway City Council is committed to working with stakeholders across the city, including businesses, safety partners, residents, artists, and community groups, to ensure that our NTE reflects the unique character of Galway and embraces all. We also acknowledge the need to remain adaptable, responding to evolving societal trends and preferences to maintain a thriving and sustainable NTE. 

Together, we can enhance our thriving night-time economy that is vibrant, welcoming, and inclusive. We invite you to join us in this exciting journey as we work towards a brighter future for Galway’s Night-Time economy. 

 

Galway City Council is pleased to introduce the city’s first Night-Time Economy (NTE) Action Plan.