“We’re building on brand Galway with our own Gift Card so we can direct spend to Galway businesses.”

The first businesses have been onboarded to the forthcoming Love Galway/Grá do Ghaillimh Gift Card ahead of its official launch this autumn.

A collaboration between Galway Chamber, Galway City Council and Galway County Council, the Gift Card is being introduced to increase footfall and spend in the city and county.

All types and sizes of customer facing businesses in Galway city and county are eligible to accept the card, including retail, hospitality, leisure, accommodation, health and beauty, and services. Mastercard backed, merchants can accept the card with no additional equipment required.

Once launched, the Love Galway/Grá do Ghaillimh Gift Card will be commission free for registered businesses to accept, and available in either physical or digital format.

Eligible businesses in Galway city and county will receive a visit over the coming weeks to register their business to accept the forthcoming Gift Card. Businesses can also register their interest on www.galwaychamber.com or by emailing lovegalway@galwaychamber.com.

The Love Galway Gift Card will be part of the multi-award winning Town & City Gift Cards initiative active across Ireland, with over €17.4m in cards purchased in Ireland in 2025 alone.

Karen Ronan, CEO of Galway Chamber, said: “The popularity of Gift Cards is growing, as is the desire to ‘shop local’. We’ve seen the power of local Gift Cards across Ireland to tap into these trends and generate millions for their business communities each year. We’re building on brand Galway with our own Gift Card so we can direct spend to Galway businesses.

“The Grá do Ghaillimh Gift Card will wrap up the best of Galway, from where to shop to what to do and where to stay, making it ideal for locals and visitors alike, for treats and day to day items, and for gifts and employee rewards. Registering to accept the card now ensures Galway businesses are part of this collaborative initiative to lock spend into Galway city and county.”

Mayor of Galway City, Cllr. Helen Ogbu, said: “We’ve worked closely with Galway Chamber on initiatives to encourage ‘shop local’ through the Galway Joint Retail Strategy and the Love Galway Gift Card is the next step in that partnership. Galway has a wealth of unique independent businesses across the city, and having our own Gift Card will be a huge opportunity for businesses across a range of sectors to drive business through their door, ringfencing Gift Card spend into our local economy.”

Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, Cllr Andrew Reddington said: “County Galway, its islands and Connemara are among the most recognisable parts of Ireland, and we are lucky to have such a great range of towns and villages, with excellent local shops, restaurants, boutiques and businesses. As we approach the important Christmas trading period, I would urge all customer-facing businesses across the county to register to accept the Love Galway/Grá do Ghaillimh Gift Card. It is a great opportunity for businesses to attract new customers, increase overall footfall and encourage more people to shop locally.”

Colin Munro, CEO, Miconex, said: “Around 3000 businesses are part of Town & City Gift Cards initiatives across Ireland. These businesses are being discovered, driving additional revenue and generating repeat customers by being a part of our programs. It’s easy for businesses to register to accept the Love Galway Gift Card. It’s a proven means to drive footfall and spend, with no additional costs for the business, and no additional equipment required.”