Galway has been given a major tourism boost ahead of its stint as European Capital of Culture as it beat the likes of Dubai and Vancouver to be named as a must-visit city next year by travel bible Lonely Planet.

Galway and County Clare have been highlighted as 'exciting foodie destinations' by highly regarded travel magazine, Conde Naste Traveller.

For a nation known — fairly, or not — the world around for its drinking habits as well as its riches-to-rags economy, it’s disappointing that no Irish hostelries feature in a compilation of the planet’s 50 best bars.

LOCALS in the west are being asked to come up with a name for Galway’s first ever craft beer.