Unique ‘opportunity to transform the city’

Galway’s bid to become European Capital of Culture in 2020 has provided a unique “opportunity to transform the city and county”, according to the CEO of Galway City Council Brendan McGrath.

Mr McGrath was speaking at the launch of Galway International Arts Festival this week, when he urged people to get behind the bid, which will be submitted for judgement by October.

If Galway beat off its three other Irish competitors – Limerick, Dublin and the South-East region – to win the title, it would result in significant investment in the lead-up to 2020, he stated.

A sum of €40 to €50 million would be spent, separate from any investment in infrastructure, according to Mr McGrath.

The money, which would come from Galway City and County Council, central government, the EU and private sponsors would be spent on programming the event, marketing it in advance and running it.

Teams from Galway County Council and Galway City Council, with support from NUIG, are currently working on the Galway 2020 submission.

“But we can’t do it without support and commitment,” Mr McGrath told the large attendance at the Radisson Blu Hotel. “We need people to come forward with ideas, commitment, energy and enthusiasm.”

Galway City and County Councils were moving “to place culture at the centre of the way we live”, he said. “And I mean culture in the widest sense of the word, whether it’s sports, language, history, heritage or gastronomy.”