It’s party time as Galway on the crest of a wave

Date Published: 03-Jun-2010

By Dara Bradley

Galway is preparing for a weekend of partying not seen since last summer’s Volvo Ocean Race with more than 150,000 visitors expected to descend on the city for three major events over this June Bank Holiday weekend.

Business representatives hope the new Cuban festival, maritime festival and popular annual soccer tournament in Salthill will give city businesses in the hospitality and retail sectors a much-needed ‘bumper’ start to the summer season.

The festivities kick-off in the Latin Quarter of the city tonight with the inaugural Little Havana Festival, which runs until Sunday.

The Cuban-themed festival features an exciting line-up of street performances from authentic Cuban bands, Salsa dancers, Latino DJs and percussionists from early evening and a also range of related daytime street activities for the family.

The organisers say the festival will transform the district – which stretches from the Spanish Arch at Long Walk to O’Brien’s Bridge to St Nicholas’ Church and back via Buttermilk Lane to Middle Street – into “a Cuban oasis”.

One of the highlights is a colourful ‘Carnaval Parade’ of pulsating percussion and performance through the streets of the Latin Quarter, commencing at the top of High Street and making its way down to Quay Street beginning at 8pm Friday.

The centrepiece of the weekend, the Powerboating Festival, kicks-off on Saturday, and is expected to attract 140,000 visitors alone. It is estimated it will generate almost €10 million for the local economy.

The seven-day free festival from 10am to 10.30pm daily includes the exhilarating P1 Superstock Grand Prix on Galway Bay Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 11am which can be viewed from the Prom in Salthill where there will be live commentary. The on-the-water activity continues through next week with the start of the Around Ireland Powerboat Race which leaves Galway on Monday.

There is also a series of events at the race village constructed at the docks where more than 500 performers have been lined-up as well as 50 food, craft and bar stalls, street theatre, family amusements and street performers.

For more on this story, see the Galway City Tribune