Long before international travel became part of everyday life, one Galway business was already paving the way. Fahy Travel, one of the city’s most enduring enterprises, has been at the heart of the local community since 1880, a time when travel meant steamships and long voyages across the Atlantic.

The company’s origins date back to Kate Fahy, who assisted with visa applications and sold tickets from her office on Bridge Street to passengers emigrating to North America. On 11th June 1880, the first ship of the Allan Shipping Line, The Austrian, set sail from Galway Bay. Among its passengers were fifty families from Connemara, accompanied by their parish priest. They purchased their tickets from Kate Fahy, paying £6 for steerage and £12 for a cabin, all on one-way tickets to a new life.

The business was passed down to Kate’s daughter and remained a staple of Galway life well into the 20th century. In the 1960s, as international travel began to gain popularity, Fahy Travel expanded its offerings to destinations such as Lourdes, Spain, Italy, Greece, and the United States.

Under the leadership of Michael Staunton and John O’Dowd, the company evolved further, keeping pace with the rapid developments in the travel industry. It became the first Galway agency to implement a computerised booking system and later launched specialist departments, including corporate travel, religious tours, and a dedicated cruise shop.

Today, Fahy Travel stands as one of Ireland’s leading travel companies, recognised nationally for its innovation and customer service. The company has earned numerous awards and continues to thrive under the direction of Managing Director Maura Fahy.

“The key to our success has always been the support of the local community and the personal service we pride ourselves on,” says Maura.

Fahy Travel is not just a business; it is a Galway institution, built on generations of trust, resilience, and a passion for helping people explore the world.