Shop Street

{{Short description|Street in Galway City}}{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}

{{Use Irish English|date=June 2020}}

{{Infobox street

| name = Shop Street

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| native_name ={{native name|ga|Sráid na Siopaí}}

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| image = GalwayStreet(js).jpg

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| map_type = Ireland Galway

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| length_m = 110

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| width = {{Convert|12|m}}

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| location = Galway, Ireland

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| postal_code = H91

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| coordinates ={{coord|53.2727|-9.0527|type:landmark_region:IE|display=it}}

| direction_a = Northeast

| terminus_a =Abbeygate Street, William Street

| direction_b = Southwest

| terminus_b =Mainguard Street, High Street

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Shop Street ({{Langx|ga|Sráid na Siopaí}}) is the main thoroughfare of the city of Galway in the west of Ireland. It has been pedestrianised since the late 20th century.{{cite web|url = https://www.irishtimes.com/news/let-s-talk-shop-street-1.596924 | publisher = Irish Times | website = irishtimes.com | title = Let's talk Shop (Street) | date = 13 August 2011 | accessdate = 14 November 2018 }}

As its name suggests, it is Galway's main shopping street, and was one of the first streets in the city to develop a retail focus.{{cite book | title = The History of the Town and County of the Town of Galway | author = James Hardiman | year = 1820 | publisher = W Folds and Sons | page = 282 | quote = Shop-street [is] so called because in this street the first shops were opened}} Shop Street contains a number of old brick buildings, bright shopfronts, and numerous pubs.{{cite web|url = http://www.bootsnall.com/articles/04-12/misadventure-on-shop-street-galway-ireland.html | title = Misadventure on Shop Street - Galway, Ireland | publisher = BootsnAll Articles | date = 2014 }} The street name "Shop Street" is common in the Connacht region, being found in Boyle, Tuam and Westport as well as Galway.{{cite web|url = https://www.logainm.ie/en/s?txt=Shop+Street&str=on | publisher = Placenames Database of Ireland | website = logainm.ie | title = Search - Shop Street }} Street performers and buskers are prevalent on the street.{{cite news |last=O'Dwyer |first=Davin |date=13 August 2011 |title=Let's talk Shop (Street) |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/let-s-talk-shop-street-1.596924 |work=Irish Times |location= |publisher= |access-date=15 April 2025}}

Shop Street contains one of central Galway's best preserved ancient buildings, Lynch's Castle. This 16th-century building was converted into a branch of Allied Irish Banks during the 1960s.{{cite web|url = https://www.discoverireland.ie/Arts-Culture-Heritage/lynchs-castle/48981 | publisher = Failte Ireland | website = discoverireland.ie | title = Historic Houses and Castles - Lynchs Castle | accessdate = 14 November 2018 }}

File:Shop Street, Galway 2016.jpg are a common feature of Shop Street]]

Book shops on Shop Street include Dubray Books and Eason & Son,{{cite news|url=http://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/32733|title=Ryan Tubridy to sign JFK book in Dubray|date=28 October 2010|accessdate=14 November 2010|publisher=Galway Advertiser | website = advertiser.ie}}{{cite web|url = https://galwaybayfm.ie/irish-retailer-plans-to-sell-its-well-known-shop-street-store/ | publisher = Galway Bay FM | website = galwaybayfm.ie | title = Irish Retailer Plans to Sell its Well Known Shop Street Property | date = 31 August 2018 | accessdate = 14 November 2018 | quote = Eason is planning to sell the property which houses its well known store at Shop Street in [Galway] city [..] The Galway store will continue to trade as normal}} with Charlie Byrne's Bookshop on nearby Middle Street.

As of late 2017, additional improvements and pedestrianisation works were proposed for Shop Street and the surrounding area.{{cite web|url = https://www.joe.ie/news/shop-street-galway-renovation-606503 | publisher = Joe | website= joe.ie | title = Shop Street in Galway is set to undergo a major renovation, starting next year | date = 14 November 2017 | accessdate = 14 November 2018 }}