The twenty stories included in the collection take the reader on an intimate tour of Galway, the cultural heart of Ireland. From the top of Eyre Square to the prom on Salthill, from the bogside of Cashel to the stone walls of Kinvara, each of the stories explore the neighbouhoods and the people who live there. Some stories — such as Jim Mullarkey’s ‘Encounter on Buttermilk Lane’ or Olaf Tyaransen’s ‘Don’t you know who I am?’ — present a vivid portrait of the neighbourhoods using specific landmarks and detail; others — including Edward Boyne’s ‘The Sculptor’ or Nuala Ní Chonchúir’s ‘Cri de Coeur’ — convey the atmospheric spirit of the neighbourhoods and their inhabitants. The stories in the anthology offer a distinct array of content and theme, voice and style, celebrating also the diverse talent of Galway writers, including Kevin Barry, Mary Costello, Julian Gough, Mike McCormack, Alan McMonagle and Nuala O’Connor. Galway Stories also includes photos and background information on each neighbourhood, as well as maps displaying the location of each story to further provide an evocative snapshot of Galway.