In recent decades, Galway has earned a massive international reputation as a thriving hub for theatre, street spectacle, traditional music, and visual arts. Galway : Making a Capital of Culture delivers a brilliant, analytical look at the strategic decisions, community movements, and artistic pioneers that built this global identity, culminating in major milestones like the European Capital of Culture.

The text looks past standard tourist copy to evaluate the concrete development of foundational events like the Galway International Arts Festival, Macnas, and the Druid Theatre Company. Exploring how local authorities, grassroots artists, and international coordinators worked together to reshape the city’s urban landscape, this functional, engaging study stands as an essential read for arts administrators, cultural historians, and proud Galwegians.

Key themes explored in this volume:

• Arts Infrastructure Mapping: Details the growth of local galleries, performance spaces, and community arts programs over several decades.

• Economic and Social Impacts: Examines how prioritizing creative expression reshaped tourism, local industries, and civic pride in the West.

• Authentic Behind-the-Scenes Data: Packed with first-hand interviews and strategic breakdowns from major cultural directors.