Have you have ever fancied following in the footsteps of two major celebrities in Galway?
Sheeran announced the song as the third single from his album “÷” on Saint Patrick’s Day, 17 March 2017.
The official video was filmed in Galway on 11 April 2017, over roughly 36 hours, with much of it shot among the city’s lively streets rather than on a closed set.
The “Galway Girl” music video – 36 hours of filming
Filmed from a first-person perspective, the video makes the viewer feel like Sheeran as he experiences Galway and enjoys an energetic evening with Saoirse Ronan.
Directed by Jason Koenig, it captures real reactions from fans and passers-by, giving it a spontaneous, high-energy feel. Comedian Tommy Tiernan also makes a comic cameo in the men’s toilets.
Although the song is called “Galway Girl,” not every scene was filmed in Galway: the concert footage was shot at Dublin’s 3Arena.
The video took just over 36 hours to shoot in Galway filmed on 11th April 2017 – essentially over a day and an evening.
The famous O’Connor’s pub in Salthill was closed off for a short spell whilst our two major celebrities Saoirse Ronan and Ed Sheeran did their thing however the rest of the time they simply navigated the uncondoned bustling city streets of Galway.
The most practical route to follow and the one that chronological appears in the music video is outlined below.
O’Connell’s Bar, Eyre Square – a nice place for a pint and a celeb spotting
The video starts here, with Saoirse dancing on the table and the pub becoming the setting for the drinking/darts scenes.
Address: 8 Eyre Square, Galway, H91 FT22, Ireland
Shop Street/ William Street — beautifully decked out with unexpected famous encounters
They head out into the city onto William Street, a popular haven in Galway for street performers and shopping. Here we see them encountering people and a busker who are hugely starstruck to see two major celebrities running around Galway City.
Address: William Street, Galway, Ireland
Spanish Arch — historically famous for its connections to Spanish trade routes
Built in 1584 and originally named Ceann an Bhalla, an Irish phrase meaning “the Head of the Wall”. Ed and Saoirse make their way through this part of Galway during the night.
The Spanish Arch gets its name as Spanish galleons regularly docked near the arch to trade goods like wine, spices, and textiles with the locals.
Address: 2 The Long Walk, Galway, Ireland
Abbeygate Street Lower – a good setting for an surprise celebrity experience
This is where the céilí dancing scene was filmed. This is an uplifting and infectious moment in the video. We cannot always guarantee there will be céilí dancing and drama like this every time someone visits but its certainly worth walking down for a sense of stardom.
O’Connor’s Famous Pub, Salthill – always good for a jig
A major part of the video. They have the trad-music session here, with Saoirse dancing and playing the fiddle.
This is one of the many great pubs in Galway for Irish traditional music. Comical moments make this part of the video highly enjoyable to watch with locals involved in some of the action.
Address: Salthill House, Upper Salthill Rd, Galway, H91 W4C6, Ireland
Tattoo parlour – make sure you check the spelling!
Sheeran gets his infamous “Galway Grill” tattoo here, thanks to Saoirse’s prank. This might be something you fancy doing or simply seeing it if you don’t want to permanently ink the experience onto yourself!
It’s not publicly known where this tattoo parlour is however we do know it was filmed in Dublin by a local tattoo artist brought in that evening.
The Long Walk – quite a romantic spot
The video finishes with the pair looking out towards Galway Bay. This is a beautiful popular tourist spot for Galway if you are looking for some scenic experiences whilst there. A good place to watch the sun come up at the end of a jovial night out.
Address: Galway, Ireland
The Herons Rest / Long Walk area – looking off into the distance as the story ends
Listed as the filming location for the ending. The location was a private venue so images are not available online not its address, however it brings the story to a cosy and romantic conclusion after an incredible fun filled night in Galway city.
The route celebrates Galway itself: its pubs, street culture, historic waterfront, and sense of spontaneity. Several locations are still easy to identify, and the walk links Eyre Square, the Latin Quarter, the Spanish Arch, Salthill, and Galway Bay in one memorable trail.
And O’Connell’s is definitely still trading and actively advertises itself as the pub where Ed Sheeran filmed “Galway Girl”. It can certainly hope to add itself to the list of top celebrity location spots in Ireland.
