Councillors were elected for a five-year term of office from 3 local electoral areas (LEAs) on the electoral system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote (PR-STV).

[2] The term of office was extended for a further year, with the 1991 Galway Corporation election taking place as part of the 1991 Irish local elections.

[4] The townlands of:— Coolagh, Curragrean, Doughiska, in the district electoral division of Ballintemple; Ballindooly in the district electoral division of Carrowbrowne; and Ballybaan Beg, Ballybaan More, Ballybrit, Castlegar, Coolagh, Glenanail, Menlough, Merlinpark, Murroogh, Parkmore, Rahylin Glebe, Roscam in the district electoral division of Galway Rural.

the townlands of:— Ballyburke, Ballymoneen East, Ballymoneen West, Ballynahown East, Barna, Cappagh, Cloonagower, Clybaun, Keeraun, Kimmeenmore, Lenabower, Mincloon, Shanballyduff, Shangort in the district electoral division of Barna; and Ballyagh, Barnacranny, Bushypark, Dangan Lower, Letteragh, Rahoon, in the district electoral division of Galway Rural.

the townlands of:— Gortnalecka, Knocknacarragh, Pollnarooma West, Rusheen in the district electoral division of Barna.