Galway City will be at the centre of the country’s biggest and most spectacular seafaring festival this week as a small armada of sailing, scientific and navy ships make their way around the coast as SeaFest hits our shores.
Galway Harbour Master Captain Brian Sheridan, believes it will be an unbelievable sight.
“Every inch of the port will be crammed with boats of every size and shape and the entire waterfront will be awash with spectacle and non-stop water based activity."
“SeaFest is a marvellous festival, unquestionably the best of its kind in the country. It’s going to be brilliant weekend of spectacle and family-friendly entertainment and we are delighted to be able to open the port and provide a stage for such a wonderful event.”
An estimated 80,000 to 100,000 visitors will flock to Galway Harbour for the three-day festival from Friday, June 30, to Sunday, July 2.
The weekend will see more than 100 seafaring, water sport, sea science and entertainment events being staged in and around the Harbour which will also be the location for business and industry exhibitions and a range of children’s activities and workshops.
The Irish Sailing Association is offering free Try Sailing lessons especially for those who have never been on board a sailing boat before, to experience the excitement and the adventure of getting out on the water for the first time. The ISA is also arranging free lessons for people with disabilities. Specially adapted keelboats will be sailing every hour between 11am and 3pm from Galway Harbour.
Three sailing clubs – Galway Bay Sailing Club, Galway City Sailing Club and Spiddal Sailing Club – are combining with Báidóirí an Chladaigh, Galway Bay Boat Tours and the Port of Galway Sea Scouts to offer three days of free sailing trips.
The Galway Hookers operated by Báidóirí an Chladaigh will take up to 20 people at a time on an hour long sailing trip. A fleet of powerboats from Galway Bay Boat Tours will also be taking up to 20 people on the water every hour for a trip along the Claddagh throughout Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Aaron O' Reilly and crew from GBSC aboard his Beneteau First Class 8, will also be taking groups of 5 or 6 on the water for hour long thrill rides around the inner harbour and bay are.
Visit the Galway Bay Sailing Club stall, located inside the kids zone on the island in the middle of the docks where the large marquee is located in the picture below.
