The voice of Galway becomes the face of the city as Keith Finnegan takes on international role
A familiar Galway voice has become the international face of the city, as Galway City Council establishes the new post of International Relations Officer.
Broadcaster Keith Finnegan has joined the council staff, taking on a role that connects Galway with the wider world, not just through the airwaves.
The City Council created the role of International Relations Officer to shape Galway’s international brand and to act as a direct liaison with its sister cities around the world. Working alongside the tourism and development team, the new post will engage globally to promote Galway as a destination to live, study, work, and visit.
It is a middle management position within the council that saw over 60 applications.
Senior executive officer for Galway City, Brian Barrett said: “Galway City has always been outward facing, with a long history of international trade, economic and cultural exchange, from our time as medieval city of the tribes, to today, as the fastest growing city in Ireland over the past 50 years, with one of the top five internationally recognised med tech clusters.”
Galway remains a cultural hub, home to world-renowned festivals, musicians, and artists. In 2014, it was designated a UNESCO City of Film, opening a bridge to filmmakers and artists worldwide. That recognition is underpinned by the Galway Film Fleadh, as well as grassroots events such as Little Cinema’s 48-hour challenge and Culture Night.
Keith was the trusted morning voice of Galway Talks on Galway Bay FM for more than 30 years, often travelling abroad, particularly to the United States, to strengthen connections. He even made it to the White House and to St. Louis for St. Patricks Day celebrations.
But his time behind the mic came to a natural end in April 2024, when he decided to “throw in the towel”. Retirement, however, did not mean slowing down. Instead, Keith focused on mentorship and philanthropic projects while waiting for the right thing to come along at the right time.
Then one day he came across the advertisement for a new role at the Galway City Council on a public job site. A role that piqued his interest and drew on his wealth of experience and global network.
“So, at 63 years of age, I brought down the application, wrote it up, and submitted it. I then passed through the first part of it, then I went for interview, and then I was informed that I was the successful candidate. Which leads us to where we are here,” he said casually, tapping the marble café table with his finger.
“I have a huge passion for Galway because I grew up here. Galway has done extremely well, and the city has done extremely well all over the world. The pulse of Galway is one of the strongest pulses in the country,” Keith added, “This city is on a trajectory to huge success at an international and local level.”
“I am only two days in the council. Prior to going into the Council, I knew a lot about the council. But in two days, I've learned more about [it], and it's absolutely, vibrantly fantastic. I'm proud to be from it. I am proud to be from the city that it is. There are people doing work that is above and beyond.”
A key focus of his work will be Galway’s twin cities and friendship agreements that span the globe, from St. Louis, Missouri, to Bradford, England, to Auckland, New Zealand.
Recently, councillors returned from Milwaukee and Chicago after attending Irish Fests. Next year, they look forward to marking the 40th anniversaries of Galway’s partnerships with Seattle, USA, and Bradford, England.
Chicago remains one of Galway’s strongest international connections, thanks to deep Irish roots linking the two cities. Keith regaled the story of how the partnership between the two started with a friendly businessman from Galway.
“Chicago started back in the late 1990s with a man from Galway called Billy Lawless. Billy would have been one of the biggest traders in Chicago. In Ireland, he would have had pubs and restaurants. He left Galway because his daughter was rowing [in college] so he decided that he would relocate to the States.”
Mr Lawless accompanied Keith on a trip to Milwaukee, which ended with a meeting with the Chicago mayor at the time. “Then Billy got friendly with the mayor and Billy decided to relocate to Chicago and became one of the biggest advocates for Irish people in the States never mind in Chicago.”
The rest, Keith said, is history, nearly three decades of flourishing ties between the City of Tribes and the Windy City. “It starts, it grows, and it becomes,” he said, likening the relationship to a tree.
What excites Keith about this role is the opportunity to make it his own, but he is sure to clarify that his loyalty lies in “bettering the city”.
“It's not a blank canvas, but there are very good people that have worked very hard for the canvas that I have now. I can choose the colours. I can choose the elements that go into those colours.”
“In these troubled times with all the tariffs, and all that's going on, behind all of that is a very positive picture and a huge amount of positivity in the city, but to bring likeminded people together - that's the top line there.” He added.
“I think you bring people along on a journey when you collaborate with them, you cajole, you walk with them. By the time I finish this position I want to have a legacy for the city, not for Keith Finengan. This is about the city. It's not about one person. It never has been in my life.”
Keith believes he brings a “wealth of untapped knowledge” to the role, and the anticipation to weave Galway maroon threads through the tapestries of other cities excites him. “[I bring] contexts that can be used for the betterment of the city. Context that can be used at an international level to make a difference.”
Perhaps most of all, it is observing the international social phenomena that occurs every day on the cobblestone of Shop St where thousands of people from all over the world flock to a city that feels like a village. A place where the love of culture is etched on the walls, carried on the salt air of the Prom, and alive in the heart of the Saturday market vendors.
“What I get a kick of is standing on Shop Street on Saturday with a cup of coffee and seeing how many nationalities that we have. And that's not down to our sister city; that's down to the brand of Galway,” Keith said, “I think the brand of Galway is so strong. I cannot speak highly of it and. It's only going to get better.”
For now, as Keith settles into his firm office chair and organises his new desk at city hall, the council staff and Galway locals offer a warm ‘Céad Míle Fáilte’ with big visions for what global Galway will become.