The annual Galway Christmas Market will not be taking place this year, as the city council has cancelled all public events in Eyre Square for the coming months.
The council said that it has cancelled all activities and events that are due to take place in Eyre Square, including the Christmas Market and comedy festival, as a matter of public safety, and to comply with COVID-19 health guidelines.
“We understand this news will come as a disappointment to the general public, event producers and traders as well as the local businesses,” the city council said in a statement.
“Galway City Council would like to acknowledge efforts of the various event producers in adjusting their plans to comply with the latest and changing guidelines.”
“However, Galway City Council has decided that in the interests of public health, there will be no organised events in Eyre Square for the foreseeable future.”
The City Council has said that it is working with Fáilte Ireland to try and deliver a “safe, socially distant Christmas experience” this year.
“Galway City Council will also fully fund the city Christmas lights for 2020 and is working to ensure that Galway is an attractive and safe place to live, work and visit during the Christmas period.”
“Galway City Council hopes to welcome, as soon as is safe and possible, events back to Eyre Square in 2021.”
Mayor of Galway Mike Cubbard acknowledged that this will be a “huge blow” to local traders, and visitors to the city.
Mayor Cubbard said that a lot of work has gone into trying to come up with a market that would fit with changing public guidelines in recent weeks, but that “sadly there was no concrete solution”.
