A new stone plaque featuring the words of the song 'Galway Bay' has been unveiled in Salthill, almost a decade after an earlier version had to be removed, due to multiple errors on an Irish language translation of the lyrics.
The Office of An Coimisineár Teanga has welcomed the corrected plaque, which it says complies with regulations regarding signage installed by public bodies.
The initial stone was unveiled as part of a poetry trail around the city in 2016, and featured the lyrics of the song written by Arthur Colahan in English, Irish, French and Latin.
However, it had to be taken away following complaints about the standard of the Irish translation, which had been found among the papers of the late Sonny Molloy, a renowned local businessman and singer.
Regulations state that text in Irish on public signage should be of equal standing to the text in English.
Ten years ago, a complainant to An Coimisineár Teanga expressed concerns that the translation was not a true reflection of the English language version. The 20 lines of text in Irish contained approximately 40 errors.
Now, two separate plaques have been erected on the Promenade in Salthill, with both Irish and English versions of the song's lyrics.
Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga says the corrections made to the text in Irish give "due consideration" to the first official language of the State.
'Galway Bay' was made famous in the mid‑20th century when it was recorded by Bing Crosby.
Its writer was born in Enniskillen, moved to Galway as a teenager and spent much of his life working in England.
He died in 1952.
The title 'Galway Bay' has been used for other songs too. The late Delores Keane recorded what might be the definitive version of the Francis Fahy penned tune, while the 1988 debut album from Toasted Heretic also featured a song with the same title.
