Galway’s tourism industry got a ‘Swift’ boost last weekend after a slow start to the year.

Fans of Taylor Swift were among the visitors who filled the city’s hotels over the past two weeks, with international fans of the American star using the time before and after her weekend gigs in Dublin to tour the west coast.

And according to those working in the industry locally, a boost was needed as rising costs have hit numbers visiting from abroad and elsewhere in Ireland.

Local business-owner and City Councillor, Níall McNelis, said similar to the surge in trade ahead of the Notre Dame American Football match last August, ‘Swifties’ arriving for the three sold-out Aviva Stadium concerts last weekend toured Ireland as part of their visit.

“We had a lot of Swifties around Galway before and after the gigs, and they were moving around the country which was really welcome. These were Americans and other visitors who had flown over to see her,” said Cllr McNelis.

“We also have a lot of German visitors at the moment who have gone travelling with the Euros on at home. We’ll get French visitors, too, when the Olympics are on in Paris,” continued the city-based jeweller.

Caption: Taylor Swift.

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