Location
Loughrea is located on the N6 National Primary Route approximately 35kms east of Galway City on northern shore of Lough Rea, from which it takes its name. In the County of Galway context it ranks fourth in importance to Galway City, Ballinasloe and Tuam.

Modern Loughrea is a service centre for the surrounding agricultural area. It has extensive retail and commercial facilities and is a major educational centre. It has a large industrial estate located on the N6 on the east side of the town.

The population of the town of Loughrea in the 2002 census was 4,001 with the population of the Loughrea Rural District at 832 in the same census. This leads to a combined population of 4,833 in the 2002 census.

The town is comprised of a medieval town centre, inside the line of the town walls and moat and later development along the approach roads to the town. The town centre is enclosed today by the “Walk” to the North, by Loughrea River to the East, by the Lake to the south and by the Fairgreen to the West.