Galway walking tour to highlight "worst black spots" in city for short-term lets

The Community Action Tenants Union (CATU) Galway have announced a walking tour in Galway this Wednesday, July 22, to highlight the "worst black spots" in the city for Airbnb and short-term lets.

The tour expands on their Homes Not Holiday Lets Campaign, which they launched in February 2025. The campaign hopes to enforce proper legislation for short-term lets (STLs), including a short-term tourist letting register with a capped amount of STLs.

Over the past decade, there has been an 80% increase in rents in Galway with over 600 homes in Galway city listed as a STL. Galway is the second-most expensive city in the nation for renters and has a housing vacancy rate that is double the national average.

They will be speaking to members about the impact that tourisification has had on the community and encouraging the boycott of STLs.

The tour will last approximately 50 minutes and will be led by CATU member Oisín Mac Donnchadha, beginning at 8pm on Wednesday at the top of Eyre Square by the Liam Ó Maoilíosa (Mellows) statue.

 

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