Galway Language Exchange in The Salthouse -

By Marcela Villagómez

Being new to a city can feel overwhelming, particularly when its main language is not your mother tongue. But in places like The Salthouse, that difference can become an advantage rather than a barrier.

Every Tuesday at 5:30 pm, the pub in Galway’s vibrant West End transforms into a hub of diversity as the city’s multilingual community gathers for a weekly language exchange. A cosy atmosphere, paired with craft beers and lively conversation, provides the perfect backdrop for the event.

Galway’s diversity helps explain the popularity of such gatherings. According to the 2022 Census, Galway is the most diverse city in Ireland after Dublin, with a high proportion of non-nationals and more than 60 languages spoken.

Like a real-life Duolingo

As soon as you enter, you are handed a white-and-blue sticker indicating the languages you speak and those you want to practice. Around the room, a mix of Indian, Spanish, Italian, German and many other accents fills the air. Here, fluency does not matter; only the willingness to speak, listen, and connect with others from different backgrounds. It is like a real-life Duolingo.

Brian May, one of the organisers, has been running the events for the past 18 months. The original concept was created by a Swiss-Italian friend of his, a language enthusiast who decided to turn his passion into both a business and a social space for people interested in learning how to structure thoughts through new words and new languages.

“It’s mostly foreigners who come to these events; there aren’t a huge number of Irish people,” Mr May said. On the evening this reporter attended, only one sticker displayed the word “Gaeilge.”

“You’ll see the same group coming for three or four months, and then they may leave Galway or get busy with work. Then new people arrive and discover the event. That’s how the community develops.”

According to Mr May, most attendees are students or people who have moved to Galway for work and want to improve their English. Over the years, organisers have continued to adapt the format, introducing small but effective ideas such as the language stickers, which help people feel more confident approaching strangers.

“It’s very rewarding when people tell us they met most of their friends in Galway through these events,” he said.

“I can enjoy myself with people from different nationalities”

Tom, a Galway-born English professor and regular attendee who has lived in London and Spain, agrees that the exchanges help newcomers settle into city life. “Because it’s so inclusive, even shy people can make friends,” he said.

Thalyta, an attendee from Brazil, comes every Tuesday while studying English.

“I feel more confident here. I’m not afraid of my level, and I can enjoy myself with people from different nationalities while improving my English,” she said.

For anyone who has studied a foreign language, the importance of regular practice is undeniable. Events like these offer a space to do just that, while supporting a local Galway pub and, for many, creating friendships that last far beyond a Tuesday evening.