Galway Street Ambassadors received the Arts, Culture, Heritage and Cúrsaí Gaeilge Award at the Mayor’s Awards 2025 for “enhancing the visitor experience in Galway.”
Galway’s voluntary street ambassadors & their impact
Tuatha & the realisation of an archaeologist’s vision
Tuatha of Terryland Forest Park won the Environmental Sustainability Award for its volunteer efforts in nature restoration and conservation in the local urban park.
The Galway Street Ambassadors programme, launched in April 2024, enhances the visitor experience in Galway City by providing assistance and local insights while promoting cultural awareness.
The programme is supported by the Galway Volunteer Centre, Galway Culture Company, and Fáilte Ireland, and operates primarily through a dedicated volunteer force.
Ambassadors interact with tourists by offering directions to landmarks like Eyre Square and the Latin Quarter, and by sharing information about ongoing events, such as the Galway International Arts Festival.
Future plans include expanding volunteer shifts, integrating ambassadors into other tourism programmes, and potentially inspiring similar projects in other cities to improve visitor assistance nationwide.
The initiative aims to boost tourism in Galway, targeting a 20pc increase in visitor numbers and a 25pc rise in tourism revenue by 2025, contributing more than €400m annually to the local economy.
Founded by Neil Jackman, Tuatha aims to promote Ireland’s archaeological and cultural heritage through sustainable tourism and public engagement.
The organisation provides expert-curated content and educational resources while focusing on under-visited heritage sites to foster appreciation and connection with Ireland’s landscapes.
Neil Jackman’s commitment to public archaeology and sustainable tourism shapes Tuatha’s mission to make heritage accessible and preserve it for future generations.
The citation read: “through their tireless volunteer efforts, have significantly enhanced a local urban park, committing to ongoing nature restoration. This has deepened my understanding of the rich variety of landscapes and monuments, and helped me to enjoy a more meaningful connection to Ireland. By fostering love for Ireland’s heritage, Tuatha aims to ensure its preservation.”
Donncha Foley, Development Manager at Galway Volunteer Centre shared: “becoming a Galway Street Ambassador is a great opportunity to get involved in your community.”
Mayor Peter Keane shared: “our city is a fantastic place to visit – and the Galway Street Ambassadors are playing an important new role by being a welcome and helpful face on the street.”
