Battle to ‘Keep the Galway G’ to return to City Hall as rebrand goes ahead

The battle to “Keep the Galway G” is set to return to City Hall, with Cllr Alan Cheevers (FF) vowing to press ahead with a motion to retain the familiar symbol.

Published 19th Sep 2026, 10:00 BST Inset: Galway City Council The battle to “Keep the Galway G” is set to return to City Hall, with Cllr Alan Cheevers (FF) vowing to press ahead with a motion to retain the familiar symbol. It comes as Galway City Council has confirmed its new rebranding project following a short period of further consultation.

The move is the latest twist in a debate first revealed by the Galway City Tribune in August, when it emerged that €28,000 had been spent on a project to refresh Galway City Council’s corporate identity.

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The issue intensified the following month when an impassioned public plea to preserve the ‘G’ struck a chord with Galwegians at home and abroad.

Galway City Council subsequently put the branding project on hold for further consultation, but has now confirmed the process is proceeding.

Cllr Cheevers wants elected members to formally back retaining the existing ‘G’, although he acknowledges that the final say rests with the Council Executive.

“My motion will be tabled,” he told the Galway City Tribune.

“The manager has to be accountable to the people of the city. It is not the councillors; there is very little we can do.

'They are ignoring the public outcry’ – ‘Keep the Galway G’ campaigner hits out at new logo Mayor of Galway City opposed as Galway City Council unveils new logo and brand identity Cllr Cheevers said he would proceed with the motion despite believing it could ultimately “fall on deaf ears”.

His motion calls for the ‘G’ to remain in use across Council recreation and amenity facilities, vehicles and machinery, stationery and official communications, buildings, signage and promotional materials.

It states that the branding “has become a recognisable and positive identity for Galway City” and argues that retaining it would provide continuity and avoid unnecessary expenditure.

A number of councillors contacted by the Galway City Tribune have voiced opposition to a full rebrand or raised concerns about its cost and timing.

Cllr Eibhlín Seoighthe (Ind), who first questioned the value for money of the project when details emerged in August, said prioritising a rebrand felt “deeply out of touch”.

“At a time when families face cost of living pressures, businesses are struggling with rising rates, and homelessness remains a daily crisis, Galway City Council's decision to prioritise a rebrand feels deeply out of touch,” she said.

“Spending €28,000 – potentially more once it is rolled out – on a new logo sends the wrong message when core services are under strain.”

Cllr Seoighthe said there was a problem with how the local authority communicates with the public, but argued that changing its identity would not solve it.

“There is a communication problem between the council and the public, but it won't be solved with new templates and design guidelines,” she said.

“It will be solved with transparency, accountability, and genuine engagement before major decisions are taken.”

She also called on the executive to publish the full costs associated with the project and explain why it had been prioritised.

Galway City Council preparing to adopt new corporate identity as questions raised over rebrand value for money Cllr Josie Forde Cllr Josie Forde (FF) was emphatic in her opposition.

“I want to make my position absolutely clear. I am completely against it,” she said.

She questioned spending on a rebrand at a time of housing pressures and financial difficulties for families and local businesses.

“Galway already has a strong identity, history, heritage and a city crest that people recognise and are proud of,” she said.

“I see no justification for spending public money on changing that identity when there are far more urgent needs across our city.”

Cllr Alan Curran (Soc Dem) also said he does not support a full rebrand and said the Council needs to improve how it communicates.

“I’ve been very vocal about the need to improve our communication both internally, and externally to the public, but I don’t think changing the brand was the necessary first step,” he said.

“There is a lot of history and personal stories behind our existing logo, some of which I’ve only learned about in the last couple of weeks, and I think with respect to those individuals involved, our logo represents Galway.”

Galway City Council unveil new ‘G’ logo after controversy Mayor of Galway City Cllr Helen Ogbu Mayor of Galway City Cllr Helen Ogbu (Lab) said she would not support the Council proceeding with a rebranding exercise “at this time”.

“I recognise that effective communication and a strong Council identity have value,” she said.

“But I think it is reasonable to ask whether a new branding exercise is the best way to strengthen that identity at this point, and whether the resources involved could be better directed towards the services and infrastructure that people are asking us to prioritise.”

She questioned the timing and value for money of the exercise given competing demands on Council services and the forthcoming budget process.

“Our strongest brand as a Council will be the trust and confidence people have in the work we do and the difference they see in their communities,” she said.

Cllr John McDonagh (Lab) was also opposed, saying people wanted Council resources focused on practical priorities.

“People want to see Council resources focused on practical priorities, housing, roads, footpaths and essential services. That is where our focus should be,” he said.

Cllr Shane Forde (FG) described the situation as “a complete mess” and said the matter should not be under consideration “in the times we are in”.

He pointed out, however, that the funding had been agreed by “the current pact” in last year’s budget and the money was factored in.

“Our focus should be on housing, maintenance and footpaths,” he said.

Cllr Terry O’Flaherty (Ind) said none of the three options she had viewed convinced her of the need for change.

“Having looked at the three options, I am not in favour of any of them,” she said.

“The logo we have been using for the past 40 years should be retained and the letter ‘G’ really stands out in my opinion.

Galway City Council Cllr Níall McNelis Cllr Níall McNelis (Lab) said the debate was distracting from more pressing matters.

“This is detracting from much larger issues. I would prefer it if we were talking about the housing crisis.”

Cllr Eddie Hoare (FG) said he was “not overly supportive” and called for a full costing of what any eventual rollout would involve.

While he was comfortable that the consultant had been appointed through the procurement process, he said that “on reflection it is important that as members we get a full costing report of what the expected rollout could be”.

“That has been raised by the public, what it will cost to roll out,” he said.

“I also have reservations. We need a full costing and report brought to us as members before proceeding with the project.”

'Families carry shame through generations’ - Woman's justice for Galway men sentenced to death by hanging 'Important to have our ducks in a row' - Update issued over new €20 million Galway project The Galway City Tribune first revealed in August that councillors had been invited to review three proposed visual identities before consultants made a recommendation to the Council’s Senior Management Team.

The €28,000 spent to date was funded through the Council’s communications budget, with a private consultancy appointed following a tender competition.

The issue subsequently went beyond City Hall when Woodquay publican Fergus McGinn made an impassioned plea to “Keep the Galway G”.

Mr McGinn highlighted the history and heritage behind the familiar symbol, which was created by Spiddal-based designer Jimmy Conneely for Galway’s quincentennial celebrations.

His spontaneous appeal gathered momentum, with Galwegians at home and abroad sharing memories of the ‘G’ and the man behind it.

Following the public reaction, Galway City Council put the branding project on hold to allow for further consultation.

At the time, the Council said further feedback would be gathered on the proposed visual identity and an announcement would be made once that process had concluded.

The Council has now confirmed that it is pressing ahead with the rebrand.

Cllr Cheevers’ motion will nevertheless ask elected members to formally back retaining the existing ‘G’ across Council services and assets.

All Galway City councillors were contacted by the Galway City Tribune for their views on the issue.