| Salthill Bóthar na Trá
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| — Area of Galway city — | |
| Salthill | |
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Salthill
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Ireland |
| Province | Connacht |
| County | County Galway |
| City Council | Galway |
| Elevation | 5 m (16 ft) |
| Population (2006)[1] | |
| • Urban | 3,376 |
| Irish Grid Reference | M275248 |
Salthill (Irish: Bóthar na Trá) is a seaside area of Galway city, Ireland. It lies within the townland of Lenaboy (an Léana Buí) and attracts many tourists all year round. There is a 2 km long promenade, locally known as the Prom, overlooking Galway Bay with bars, restaurants and hotels.
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Salthill was, until 2007, home to one of the biggest non-fee paying air shows in Galway, the Salthill Air Show, which took place in June over Galway Bay hotel. The show annually attracted over 100,000 people and generated over €1m in revenue.[2]
Every Christmas Day for many years it has been a tradition to jump into the sea from Blackrock Diving Tower. This record-breaking event is now a fundraiser for local charity in Galway.
Salthill has been a tourist destination since the early twentieth century. During the 1950's it was a hot spot for dance and show-bands, the most noticeable location being the Seapoint dance hall now a leisure centre.
The 1970's saw the introduction of a number of casinos and more leisure centres. Leisureland, having a fair ground, swimming pool and concert hall, became a huge attraction and brought in top bands such as U2, AC/DC and ZZ Top during the 1980's, as well as artists such as Morrissey in recent years. There was an annual airshow (up until 2007) where up to 100,000 people viewed the air display along with a public water safety and army demonstration.
In recent years, Salthill was a centre point for the 2009 Volvo Ocean Race, as well as the more recent Round-Ireland Powerboat race in 2010. During these events, stands were set up along the Prom selling a variety of goods. Throughout all the developments, Salthill's main attraction every year has been its promenade and numerous sandy beaches. Sathill having a clear blue sea along with a diving area located at Blackrock beach is popular with locals and tourists alike. Blackrock, having steps down to the sea, is used all year round regardless of the water temperature.
Scoil Ide is a school for girls and boys up to the age of seven. The Jesus and Mary sisters were invited to open a National school in Salthill as the population was rapidly increasing in that area. Scoil Ide was opened on May 1, 1952 with forty-three pupils and two teachers. Scoil Ide is known for its average academic standards and its ignorance towards Art, Music and Drama. Most of Scoil Ide's 'pupils' go on to the secondary school Salerno which is based nearby. Salerno had high academic results once in 1973 and is the reason some girls attend Scoil Ide. The better school however, is Colaiste Iognaid, or more commonly referred to as the Jes. The Jes boasts a fine tradition in both school and extra curricular activities, winning the Connacht Senior Cup 2011 against rivals Sligo Grammar. In hockey, the Senior girls won the 2011 Heskin Cup, defeating Sligo Grammar, Dominican Convent and, of course, Salerno with ease. In debating, 2nd years Eoghan Finn and Daragh McCarthy travelled to Cambridge for the International Competition for Young Debaters and finishing an incrediblle joint 9th, defeating competition from Canada, South Korea, Greece and Britain. They also have a proud tradition for Soccer, Gaelic, Basketball and Rowing.