Impact of 2020 will diminish further away from the city

Galway’s designation as European Capital of Culture will have less significance for those parts of the county furthest away from the city.

This was a view expressed at a meeting of Tuam Municipal Council when members were discussing the formation of a committee to suggest local events to coincide with 2020.

Galway has also been designated a European Region of Gastronomy for 2018 – the first region in Ireland to receive this honour.

Alan Farrell of Galway County Council said that these were two very significant designations and it was hoped that the rural parts of County Galway would benefit as a result.

He said that it was the aim to establish a committee in each of the five municipal areas of County Galway to come up with objectives and potential events that would form part of these special events that will take place.

But Cllr Pete Roche was not very enthusiastic about these designations and particularly as far as rural Galway is concerned.

“I am of the opinion that the further away from the city you are, the less you will benefit from these designations. I genuinely don’t believe that they will be of much significance for rural areas.

“It is just hard to see how the likes of Glenamaddy, Williamstown or Abbeyknockmoy will benefit for Galway being the Capital of Culture or any other designation,” Cllr Roche said.

Mr Farrell said that it would become much clearer in the next month what both designations would mean for the county and the potential they would have for rural communities.

He said that he would have more information at the next meeting of Tuam Municipal Council with regard to both events and how communities could benefit.

Cathaoirleach of Tuam Municipal Council, Cllr Tom McHugh said that in the absence of this information, there was no point in forming a committee.

“We need to be more informed before a committee is established,” he added.