Bradley Bytes – A sort of political column by Dara Bradley

The big controversial issue in Galway City this year, for residents, businesses and visitors, was parking.

And parking looks set to dominate local politics again in 2026, as Galway City Council struggles to contain a problem of its own making.

A city like Galway cannot function without parking; and the parking system cannot operate unless people have faith in it.

Trust in that system – and the reputation of Galway City Council and the city itself – took a battering, due to the pay-parking debacle that has yet to be resolved.

The fiasco blew up in early January 2025, when cash and card payment options were stopped in Galway City Council’s network of 90 car=park and on-street Pay and Display machines.

We won’t rehash it blow-by-blow, but there has been widespread confusion about how to pay for........

© Connacht Tribune