Background and History

It appears that it was during the mid seventies when, for the first time, few Muslim families settled in Galway making it their permanent home. Soon after, they were in need of a mosque (Masjid in Arabic) for the purpose of establishing the five daily prayers and offering the Friday prayer in a group.

A landmark effort was made to acquire a three bedroom semi-detached house at Riverside near to their homes. The local Muslims involved funded the project, and this house was dedicated for offering prayers in a group. The identity of the principal individual/individuals accomplishing this noble mission remains unknown till to date. A group of noble faithful Muslims who formed the Galway Islamic Society took care of this house and put a great effort to maintain a consistent service for daily Sallaat (prayers) and Friday prayers. Moreover, they did a wonderful job by organising Taraweeh (extra prayers offered during the month of Ramadan), and for both the Eid prayers.

They also regularly met to discuss the various matters in relation to growing needs of the Muslim community; repair and maintenance work of the Masjid at Riverside. Although, the society members performed this work in a cordial manner, however it was carried out entirely on an informal and voluntary basis. The activities of society lacked organisation and continuity. Therefore, with the departure of certain individuals from Galway, the social, religious and cultural activities suffered a gradual decline and finally a complete stalemate on all fronts.

This took place particularly on a time when community had grown to a sizable number and was in desperate need to be kept united, motivated and vibrant. Moreover, there were no plans or strategic suggestions for the future activities by the Society and the Riverside Masjid that formerly was a reasonable facility for basic activities, that gradually turned into an insufficient location for any sort of bigger religious, social or academic activity.

At this critical stage, a group of conscientious Muslims debated the current dilemmas of Muslims of Galway and future challenges they were facing. All of them agreed to get together and set up a more formal organisation, which should operate with a certain instrument of governance and act as a central agency to keep the Galway Muslims united and is a true representative body for them. It will operate for the religious and cultural needs of Galway Muslims including preservation of Muslim ideology and its social and moral values among the members of Muslim community. It must register itself with appropriate governmental bodies and operate within the legal framework of the country. In view of this, in October 2007, the then officials of the Galway Islamic Society decided in principle to dissolve the society and setup a new organisation called Galway Islamic Cultural Centre, GICC.

Galway Islamic Cultural Centre (GICC)

GICC is a the operating name of Western Islamic Cultural Centre (WICC), which is registered as a not-for-profit, non-political organisation that works for the religious and cultural wellbeing of the Muslim community in Galway.

Membership is open to all Muslims on request by filling a membership form, as long as they are living in the Galway. However, this would automatically change into a 'friend' status after a six month period when a member stops residing in Galway. Non-Muslims are also welcome to be friends of GICC.


GICC constitution
(A copy of the GICC constitution is available on request.

GICC Membership form

Please download here