Filed under: Events, Festivals, Ireland, People, Places, tourism | Tags: failte ireland, Galway, Galway Bay, galway ireland, galway tourism, Ireland, Irish Tourism, summer festivals, tourism galway, travel, visit galway, visitors to ireland, Volvo Ocean Race, west of ireland
Volvo ocean race galway
The organisations behind a high-profile event held earlier this year in Galway have yet to pay some of their suppliers and are in talks with a number of them in a bid to get their bills discounted or rescheduled.
Businesses which supplied Volvo Race in Galway say that they have yet to be paid by the organisations behind the event.
The Volvo Ocean Race have offering 70 per cent of the total that they owe with the prospect of further payments in the future.
The owner-manager of one of the suppliers pointed out that he has over 30 staff who have to be paid every week, and added that his business cannot afford to operate in a situation where it is not being paid.
The stopover of the Volvo Ocean Race, a round-the-world sailing event in Galway, was billed as a huge success. It was originally estimated that it would attract up to 140,000 spectators or “visits” over a two-week period.
Ultimately, it was estimated that it drew some 600,000, with a considerable spin-off for the city and the region.
A spokeswoman for Let’s Do It Galway, the group behind the organisation of the Volvo Ocean Race stopover in Galway, confirmed that it has a number of creditors who supplied goods and services to the event that have yet to be paid.
She said that the organisation had contracts with about 1,000 suppliers, and was dealing with debts running to a “double-figure number”.
The spokeswoman said that it was seeking discounts and attempting to reschedule payments to these suppliers.
State tourism agency Fáilte Ireland pledged €8 million to the Volvo Ocean Race. The spokeswoman explained that the body is not due to pay this money until Let’s Do It Galway completes a number of audits and reports on which it is currently working.
It also has to collect some sponsorship money due from smaller, local backers.
Filed under: Events, Festivals, Ireland, People, Places, tourism | Tags: galway ireland, galway races, galway tourism, Ireland, summer festivals, tourism galway, visit galway, west of ireland
The Galway Races Summer Festival organising committee are hopeful that despite the recession attendances at this year’s flagship event will hold steady, with a ‘late burst of bookings’ indicating that between 180,000 and 200,000 are likely to flock to Ballybrit from Monday next. Galway City businesses are keeping their fingers crossed too that the remarkable pulling power of the annual pinnacle of Galway’s tourism season will rescue what has been a difficult Summer so far by pumping an estimated €70 million or €80 million injection into the local economy.
Last year around 175,000 paying customers went through the stalls at Ballybrit over the seven days with an estimated 30,000 or so more in the free area and funfair area adjacent to the entrance tunnel opposite the stand and although Mr Moloney said the numbers could be down 10% this year, he is hopeful numbers will hold steady.
Filed under: Ireland, Places, tourism | Tags: galway film fleadh, galway tourism
Veteran actress Anjelica Huston is set to be honored at the 21st Galway Film Fleadh. The Oscar Award-winning star will be presented with the inaugural Galway Hooker award, named after the famous local fishing boat.
The festival spokesperson, Felim MacDermott said, “It is very fitting that Anjelica is our guest of hhonor in our 21st year, as in our very first Fleadh, in 1989, she featured with her father John in a documentary about the local Galway Blazeers hunt.”
“Anjelica will also introduce some of her films, such as James Joyce’s ‘The Dead,’ which was directed by her father, during a mini-retrospective of her work at the Fleadh.”
The 57-year-old actress, who won an Academy Award for her performance in 1985’s “Prizzi’s Honor,” will be participating in a public interview in the Town Hall Theater on July 12 so audience members can ask her questions.
Huston serves on the board of directors at the NUI Galway’s John Huston School of Film and Digital Media, named after her father.
The Galway Film Fleadh will be held from July 7 to 12.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: connemara, Galway, irish surfing, Oceans, Sailing, Surfing, visit galway, Walking, Waves, west of ireland
Eyes anxiously search for the next crevice in the cliff’s face while below, there’s a sheer – and impressive – drop to the ground. Although you might want to, don’t even think of looking down to where waves are lapping against the foot of the cliff. This is the place where Michael Crawley has chosen to take his beginners climbing group – one of the most spectacular training spots this part of western Ireland has to offer adventurous holidaymakers.
The region around Limerick city is perfect for open air activities. “But despite their suitability none of the individual locations are overcrowded,” says Joanna McInerney from the Burren Outdoor Education Centre in Bell Harbour, County Clare.
The centre is located on the edge of the region’s iconic karst landscape, the Burren, and close to the Cliffs of Moher, and offers an extensive array of different sporting activities.
For climbing, the centre takes clients to one of the steep chalkstone cliffs in the Burren region. Each climb is not just physically demanding, “they also build your self-awareness,” says McInerney.
Giving up is not part of the day’s activities and everything is focused on reaching the top. The most important thing is the next hand grasp and pulling yourself up a few more centimetres.
Abseiling is another form of climbing whereby the cliff face is conquered from the top and not the bottom. Wearing a helmet and a safety harness, you slowly lower yourself to the foot of the cliff.
Just leaning over the cliff edge requires courage and sends a shot of adrenaline through the body. From the bottom, Crawley calmly gives directions and a short time later this test of courage is completed – now it’s time to enjoy the view.
Water sports enthusiasts are attracted to the beach at Fanore on Galway Bay where body boarding is a popular activity.
Just like surf boarding, body boarding is about riding waves to their maximum. Neoprene suits allow you to stay in the cold Atlantic waters.
From salt water to sweet water. Near Killaloe, about 30 kilometres north of Limerick city, the river Shannon widens to form Ireland’s third-largest lake.
Lough Derg provides ideal conditions for water sports and for the last 12 years its shore has been home to the University of Limerick’s Activity Centre. Most of the centre’s activities are connected with water.
West of Ireland Adventure
Paddling a canoe is one of the best ways to see the landscape surrounding Lough Derg. Kayaking is slightly more strenuous and requires some sweat from participants asthey glide over the lake’s surface.
At the point where the Shannon flows out of Lough Derg the water becomes choppy and is perfect for beginners who want to know what it’s like to ride a kayak in wild water.
Kilfinane Outdoor Education Centre south of Limerick runs outdoor orientation courses in the surrounding mountains. Courses on offer include mountain biking and valley climbing – two of the activities on offer in what is Ireland’s biggest playground for outdoor enthusiasts.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: arthouse cinema, cinema galway, Galway, galway arts festival, galway tourism, technology, visit galway, west of ireland
The planned “cultural quarter” in Galway has taken a giant leap forward with confirmation that a building project is due to commence soon on a €4m arthouse cinema. The 350-seat cinema will be developed on Merchant’s Road, close to the docks. The project has been initiated in partnership with Solas, comprising Galway Film Society, Galway Film Fleadh, Galway Film Centre and Galway Arts Centre.
Initial works will begin next month and construction is due to begin in June just after the departure of the Volvo Ocean Race. Three cinemas are incorporated in the design, a 176 seater at basement level, a 77-seater on the second floor
Galway Arthouse Cinema
and a 105 seater on the third floor including 28 seats on the balcony. The cinemas, equipped for 35mm and digital projection, will screen films of the “widest cultural diversity and will offer programmes that are innovative in form and challenging in content.
The project was earmarked in the current Galway city development plan which recognised a deficit of culture and arts infrastructure in the city. The authority has acquired additional property in the area as part of its “cultural quarter” plans, incorporating the new cinema and the existing city museum. The development will include a cafe and a bar area, a book and DVD shop and an online archive link to the National Film Archive and specialist online cinema resources.
Filed under: Ireland, People, Places, Volvo Ocean Race, tourism | Tags: Galway, galway tourism, Ireland, Irish Tourism, Oceans, Sailing, summer festivals, tourism galway, travel, visit galway, visitors to ireland, Volvo Ocean Race, Waves, west of ireland
Work is expected to begin within the next week on demolishing giant oil storage tanks at Galway docks which are regarded by visitors and locals alike as an eyesore in the city centre. The demolition has been accelerated to ensure that Galway puts its best foot forward for the Volvo Ocean Race stopover in the city next month. Up to 150,000 visitors are expected to head to the western capital for the event, which takes place between May 23 and June 6 and which will have a television audience of 1.8 billion. The removal of the 11 tanks will facilitate a massive Volvo Ocean Race tented village which will be constructed along the dockside, allowing maximum viewing access for the expected massive crowds. The stopover is expected to generate a spend in the region of €40m across the wider Galway area, with the Government, under the aegis of Failte Ireland, stumping up €8m to promote the event.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Galway, Galway Bay, galway tourism, Irish Tourism, Oceans, Sailing, tourism galway, travel, visit galway, visitors to ireland, Volvo Ocean Race
Volvo Ocean Race Galway
After months of prolonged negotiations it was finally announced this week that the oil tanks on the Docks will be removed in time for the arrival of the Volvo Ocean Race in May. The decision paves the way for the Galway Volvo Ocean Race Village to be included as originally planned on the site of the tanks, ensuring a connection between the village and Eyre Square via Victoria Street.
Making the announcement Galway Harbour Master, Brian Sheridan said he was delighted to see that all parties involved had finally reached a decision. Work on the decommissioning of the tanks in due to begin in the very near future and the expected month of work should be completed in plenty of time for the arrival of the tented village from Rio de Janeiro on Monday 11 May. According to Topaz, who will manage the decommissioning of the tanks, the work should be completed by the end of April allowing the race village be constructed in ample time.
Filed under: Internet, Ireland, Places, TV, tourism | Tags: Galway, galway tourism, twitter
Galway Tourist information updates are now available on Twitter. So now you can keep updated through our ‘tweets’ about what’s happening in Galway throughout the year.
For those who are not familiar with the service ‘Twitter’ is a social networking and micro-blogging service that enables its users to send and read other users’ updates known as tweets. You can follow us by going to – twitter.com/galwaytourism
Filed under: Beauty, Ireland, People, Uncategorized | Tags: beauty salon galway, galway beautician, wedding make-up artist
Ever imagined how amazing you could look if you had a professional make-up working on you in the comfort of your own home? A new beauty provider, Deirdre’s Mobile Beauty Salon, has just been launched in Galway. This excellent
Deirdre's Mobile Beauty Salon
services along with giving you a great look, will provide you with the tips and tricks of a professional beautician. With industry knowledge you can have a groomed look every day with minimal effort and cost. Deirdre McGuire can help advise you how to recreate amazing looks with advice and personal guidance from the fashion and film industries’ top make-up artists and hair stylists. You can learn how to achieve a luminous complexion or the smoky-eye look. Deirdre’s Mobile Beauty Salon can help you make the most of what you already have in your make-up bag — meaning you can still look great without splashing out on expensive products. Without the expensive overheads of running a on street salon, Deirdre is able to offer very competitive prices. Deirdre is also available as a wedding make-up artist and beautician in Galway.
Call Deirdre on (087) 9929521, e-mail info@deirdremcguire.com, or visit www.deirdremcguire.com.
Deirdre’s Mobile Beauty Salon is also available for bridal parties, stylish hens, and group bookings.
Filed under: Ireland, Places, Volvo Ocean Race, tourism | Tags: failte ireland, Galway, galway ireland, Irish Tourism, visit galway, visitors to ireland, Volvo Ocean Race
Green Dragon Volvo Ocean Race
Green Dragon Volvo Ocean Race team hopes to leave a greater awareness of Ireland among the Chinese in its wake. China is set to become the world’s most important tourist industry in the next few years and this is one of the reasons why the Irish have put so much effort into publicity here in Qingdao.
With China set to become the largest outbound travel market, this kind of event gives you great exposure. On the night the Green Dragon arrived, it was the Green Dragon that everyone here was interested in.
Bono visited the boat with his brother Norman Hewson in Alicante, but U2 lookalikes with huge papier mache heads greeted the crowds at the hall in Qingdao, which was full of Chinese people eating Irish food supplied by Good Food Ireland, and entertainment by Arcana from Galway.
“Our concept is all about giving a real flavour of Ireland so that’s why we had the food and the personalities behind the food,” said Gorman.
Ireland’s profile in China received a significant boost during the Chinese New Year TV show on CCTV, which is the most watched TV show in the world with hundreds of millions of viewers.
The “CCTV Spring Festival Gala” featured Riverdance, the first time a foreign group had featured so prominently on the show, and the whole country is talking about how the Irish troupe high-stepped its way into the Year of the Ox. In fact, Riverdance has replaced Roy Keane as the thing about Ireland most people in China know about, distracting attention away from the tainted pork scandal of recent months.
“I don’t know much about Ireland. Irish dancing is very famous, but after this event I know a bit more. If I had an opportunity I’d love to visit,” said Zhang Huizhen, from Qingdao.
Snow Qu, who works for the electronics group Philips in Qingdao, said she was a big fan of Guo. And is also a big fan of the brown bread and jam on offer.
“The food is great. If we could go to Ireland, we’d go,” she said.
The Green Dragon, which is fourth in the race rankings, and the other boats are expected to arrive in Brazil on March 20th. Fáilte Ireland received €8 million from the Government to build a marina in Galway to receive the Volvo Ocean Race teams when they arrive, and also to sponsor the Green Dragon itself.
