Galway has yet another festival lined up for the summer. Shannon McNamee reports…
As part of the latest Irish tourist initiative The Gathering, Galway is adding yet another festival to its already stellar line-up of summer festivities.
Embracing its Atlantic location and maritime culture, Galway will host, for the first time, the Galway Sea Festival, which will take place over the June bank holiday weekend.
The festival will be a family friendly weekend, focusing on nautical themed events and is not aiming to exhibit alcohol-integrated activities in its itinerary.
Sea-based activities that are hugely ingrained in Galway’s maritime heritage such as kayaking, canoeing, sailing and surfing are only a few of the elements that are intended to be included over the 3 day celebration.
Many local businesses and organisations are getting involved, ensuring the festival is jam-packed with a variety of activities to span over the course of the weekend, with all age groups and interests in mind.
Galway Bay Sailing Club is planning on bringing its annual regatta into the city which will provide an array of some 45 racing boats for the locals and many tourists expected over the weekend, and with the city having hosted the Volvo Ocean Race last summer, it is well equipped and able to accommodate such large scale events.
The festival will also host a variety of on-shore events, including guided historical walks along the city’s canals, beach safaris for children (which The Galway Atlantaquarium will be aiding), music and dancing in multiple venues, street entertainment, food trails and much more.
Galway Chamber President, Declan Dooley speaks on the festival saying; “It’s about combining lots of small events into a big festival. Galway Chamber of Commerce is steering the event, but we don’t want to own it.”
The festival itself, is an initiative of Galway Chamber and will be run in partnership with Galway City Council and supported by Fáilte Ireland.
Photo by Jessica Thompson.
