GALWAY AT NIGHT | THE STREETS OF GALWAY

GALWAY AT NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHED BY WILLIAM MURPHY

MY CAMERA:

My Sony NEX-7 does not perform well in low light conditions which is a pity because I really like the camera. A few months ago I ordered a SONY A7R MkII which should prove to be much better for street photography especially as it is supposed to work well in low light and also because it can operate in a true silent mode. Unfortunately it did not arrive in time for my visit to Galway. At this stage I have no delivery date but I really do hope that it arrives before I travel to Waterford. [It did not arrive in time and also I had to cancel the trip to Waterford]

LOCAL CULTURE:

Galway is known as Ireland's Cultural Heart and is renowned for its vibrant lifestyle and numerous festivals, celebrations and events. Every November, Galway hosts the Tulca Festival of Visual Arts as well as numerous festivals.

On 1 December 2014, the Director General of UNESCO announced the official designation of Galway as a UNESCO City of Film.

In 2004, there were three dance organisations, ten festival companies, two film organisations, two Irish language organisations, 23 musical organisations, twelve theatre companies, two visual arts groups, and four writers' groups based in the city. Furthermore, there were 51 venues for events, most of which were specialised for a certain field (e.g. concert venues or visual arts galleries), though ten were described as being 'multiple event' venues. The main squares in the city are Eyre Square (containing John F. Kennedy Park) in the centre of the city, and Spanish Parade next to the Spanish Arch.

In 2007, Galway was named as one of the eight "sexiest cities" in the world. A 2008 poll ranked Galway as the 42nd best tourist destination in the world, or 14th in Europe and 2nd in Ireland (behind Dingle). It was ranked ahead of all European capitals except Edinburgh, and many traditional tourist destinations (such as Venice). The New Zealand Herald listed Galway as one of 'five great cities to visit in 2014'.