Committee Co-Chair: William D. Gainer [ Bio ] Committee Vice Chair: Billy Lawless
Since the Sister Cities signing in 1997, the Galway Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International has engaged in a variety of cultural and governmental exchanges.
Cultural programming highlights of the Sister Cities relationship include the annual “Oyster Festival of Racing” fundraiser that takes place every year in September at the Hawthorne Racetrack.
Delegations have traveled to and from Galway every year to strengthen the ties between the two cities. In 2006, The Galway Committee opened a photo exhibit“Images of Chicago – A Spectacle of Urban life at the Water’s Edge” at the Galway City Museum. In 2007, the Spirit of Galway delegation visited Chicago for the dedication of Grainne, a sculpture from Galway was placed at Heritage Park in August, 2007.
ABOUT GALWAY – Fast Facts
Mayor: Tom Costello Country: Ireland Country Location: The city is located on the west coast of Ireland. Country Population: 4,234,935 Geography: Arable 10%, meadows and pastures 77%, rough grazing in use 11%, inland water 2%. History: The Irish people are mainly of Celtic origin, with the country's only significant sized minority having descended from the Anglo-Normans. English is the common language, but Irish (Gaelic) is also an official language and is taught in schools. Industry: Food processing, beverages, engineering, computer equipment, textiles and clothing, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, construction. Flag Description: The green is representative of the Catholic community while the orange represents the Protestant or Community. The white in the centre represents the peace between the two groups. Did You Know? For more than 25 years, the annual Galway Arts Festival has seen literary, performing and visual artists from around the world descend on the city to celebrate contemporary culture with a strong focus on Irish and international theater.
PAST GALWAY – CHICAGO PROGRAMS
2009 March
Galway Committee Vice Chair Billy Lawless celebrated St. Patrick's Day in Washington, D.C., with Senator Dick Durbin and Moyor Padraig Conneely of Galway.
April
Focus: Government
The committee held a reception in honor of Mayor Conneely.
Galway Committee Chair Billy Lawless was featured in the April 8 edition of the Irish Echo newspaper, the United States’ most widely read Irish-American newspaper.
Click below to read the article
page 1
page 1
Billy Lawless, Vice Chair of the Galway Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International, visited with President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House on St. Patrick’s Day 2009. He is also pictured below in the Office of the Assistant Majority Leader, Senator Dick Durbin, alongside the Senator and Mayor Padraig Conneely [...]
Spirit of Galway Delegation
The Galway Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International hosted the annual Spirit of Galway delegation, August 18-21. Mayor Padriag Coneely, City of Galway along with City Council and Chamber of Commerce members met with Mayor Daley, visited the Grainne sculpture at Heritage Green Park and attended receptions at Irish Oak and Lizzie [...]
