Volvo Ocean Race

Galway has gone mad as the Volvo Ocean Race completed its leg from Boston to Galway in the early hours of this morning. The good news was that Green Dragon, the Irish-Chinese entry, finished third and therefore achieved their main ambition.....to gain a place on the podium in Galway at the end of this leg of the race. Eventhough they did not arrive until four o'clock this morning the dock area was packed to capacity with cheering spectators celebrating this prestigious event. Galway city is one city that traditionally knows how to celebrate. We have the world famous Galway Races in the middle of our Summer...seven days of the best of horse racing both on the flat and over the fences. We have the Arts Festival in June which attracts people from all over the world and we have the Oyster festival in September. Now we have the Volvo Ocean race and this is a first for us. Already the crews have been overwhelmed by the scale of the celebrations and the vast numbers who have turned out to greet them. These celebrations are to go on for the next two weeks and it is estimated that they will result in a bonanza of over 40 million for the city. This is no doubt more than welcome in these troubled times. If you want to see what is happening just Google Volvo Ocean Race and it is all there for you to see. There will also be a race around the famous Galway Bay before the boats set sail again on the next leg and that will be something to see.