ACCORDING to the preliminary report of the 1996 Census, Galway increased in population by almost one eighth between 1991 and 1996 - the highest percentage increase in population in the State.

Some of the most dramatic increases were to the west of the city, with a stunning 58 per cent jump in the population of Barna (from about 4,500 to more than 7,000). Further west, in the Gaeltacht district of Na Forbacha (Furbo), the population rose 30 per cent to more than 1,000.

The difference between the east and west side of the city is shown by the 10 per cent increase in Rahoon to the west, while Renmore dropped by almost the same percentage.

The biggest increase of all was in the Eyre Square urban district. Here the population rocketed by 78 per cent, to just under 3,500.