From this week’s Galway City Tribune – A new ‘night-time adviser’ is to be recruited in Galway City to draw up an action plan to improve the offering after dark for locals and visitors.

Galway was among nine locations to get funding for the position in a pilot scheme designed to bring back life to urban quarters following the decimation of the night-time economy during the Covid pandemic.

City Tourism Officer Ruairi Lehmann, who submitted the application to the Dept of Tourism, Culture and Arts, said the first job of the new adviser will be to set up a committee to consult with businesses, communities, venues, residents and artists about what they believe would help create a safe and sustainable environment round the clock.

They will then be tasked with drawing up an action plan and then start implementing it.

The two-year role is a grade seven administration officer role in the local authority where salaries range from €53,000 to €65,000.

The Department has yet to send details of what qualifications will be required from applicants, but it is likely to be the same advertisement for the pilot areas, which include Drogheda, Sligo, Buncrana and Longford Town.

Mr Lehmann expects the role to be filled by the end of the year.

“Initially it’s a pilot scheme but we believe it’s an important role for Galway and would like to see it extended once we see how it works and see how the consultation progresses and the action plan develops. It will be shaped by all the stakeholders and we will be able to put our own stamp on it.”

While Galway is well-known for having a vibrant nightlife, with a large offering of pubs, restaurants, cafes and music venues, there is just a single nightclub still open following the restrictions.
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