Galway Bay FM News Archives
Volvo Race funding talks at ‘delicate’ stage
Date Published: 17-Mar-2011
BY CIARAN TIERNEY
Negotiations are said to be at a crucial stage to land the estimated €11 million in sponsorship required from overseas investors to ensure that the grand finale of the Volvo Ocean Race will be a success for Galway in July of next year.
With the race set to begin in Alicante, Spain, at the end of October the Irish organisers of the world’s biggest sailing event are confident that the finishing leg will attract another huge attendance to the city centre and Salthill following the success of the Galway stopover two years ago.
Competitors will sail from Lorient to the city in the shortest leg of the event, ensuring what should be an exciting finish in Galway Bay on the first weekend in July.
So far, six teams have been confirmed for the event and Irish organisers are in negotiations with a number of potential sponsors overseas. Three years ago, Chinese sponsors contributed €8 million to Let’s Do It Galway and the Green Dragon boat was a joint Irish-Chinese entry. Part of the stipulation for Galway to host the 2009 stopover was that Ireland had to have a team in the race.
“We are at a delicate stage in negotiations in relation to a number of issues and plans are on track for a much bigger event this time around,” said John Killeen of Let’s Do It Global. “ We will be building on the last one and it will be a massive event.”
Up to 50,000 corporate guests are expected to come to Galway for the end of the gruelling event, with 600,000 individual visitors to the Race Village set to match the corresponding figure for the 2009 stopover. The event could raise up to €80m for the local economy.
“There will definitely be more corporate visitors because Galway will be the host city for the finale and the awards ceremony,” said Mr Killeen. “Already, bookings are coming in every week. We are expecting more visitors than the last time and people will know what to expect this time because we have hosted the race here before.”
For more on this story, see the Galway City Tribune.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
Galway has a population of young people which is more than twice the national average.
According to information gathered by the Central Statistics Office, Galway’s population of 20 to 24 year olds is more than twice the national average.
The number of 25-34 year olds in Galway is also more than the norm nationally, with the two main colleges thought to be the main reason.
However immigration in Galway is much higher than in other areas at 19.4 percent, compared to the national average of 12 percent.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
A city councillor is encouraging people to donate goods directly to charity shops.
It follows allegations of thefts from clothes banks in Galway and across the country in recent months.
However, cameras are in place at some clothes banks and surveillance is carried out by local authorities.
Speaking on Galway Talks, Councillor Neil McNeilis said the problem of theft from clothes banks is widespread.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
A park ‘n’ ride scheme from Carnmore into Galway city could become a permanent service if there is public demand.
That’s according to the Chief Executive of Galway Chamber of Commerce, Michael Coyle.
The pilot scheme will begin at 7.20 next Monday morning, May 13th.
Motorists will be able to park cars at the airport carpark in Carnmore and avail of a bus transfer to Forster Street in the city.
Buses will depart every 20 minutes at peak times and every 30 minutes at offpeak times throughout the day, at a cost of 2 euro per journey.
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