An action-packed festival of street theatre and children’s entertainment has been planned to celebrate Ireland’s entry, Green Dragon, in the Galway Volvo Ocean Race - and its all free.
Included in this programme is The Green Dragon Route which will run from May 29 through to June 1.
The Green Dragon Route starts at Eyre Square then continues along to the Race Village at Galway Harbour, Spanish Arch, Nimmo’s Pier, Toft Park, Salthill Promenade, Salthill Park, the beach and ends at Blackrock.
There will be plenty of Galway Volvo Ocean Race stewards and signposted flagpoles to guide families along the route.
On arrival into Eyre Square visitors will encounter An Puca - a giant 140 ft inflatable Green Dragon which marks the start of the Green Dragon Route where you will be greeted by music from Lackagh Mummers, St Patrick’s Brass Band, Batafada, and The Patrician Boys’ Band.
Next stop is the Galway Volvo Ocean Race Village at Galway Harbour where children will be entertained by Tumble Circus, Grant Goldie – That Man Show, Fractured Fairytales – A Theatricade by Alá Community & Arts Education Project, and the Rusty and Shuggie Show where two clowns struggle to find peace with each other.
The Boat Show in the race village will also a be a key feature during the Bank Holiday weekend.
The Green Dragon Route will continue on to the Spanish Arch where Spraoi – The Box will perform a zany and hilarious piece of street theatre on Friday May 29 and Saturday May 30 at 5pm.
Take a stroll by Nimmo’s Pier where you will be entertained by Galway Community Circus and Circus Gerbola on Friday May 29 and Saturday May 30.
Sailing enthusiasts can watch a junior parade of sail and a search and rescue simulation by the RNLI and Coast Guard on Friday May 29 at 5pm.
Not to be missed on Saturday May 30, local residents and visitors are encouraged to make their way to Salthill to ensure a spectacular view of the Red Arrows air display at 12 noon followed by the Volvo Ocean Race In Port Racing at 1pm when the teams will race along Galway Bay to compete for valuable points and visitors can cheer on the Green Dragon.
On-water entertainment continues with the Pro-Am Race on Sunday May 31at 12 noon.
On the Monday June 1 hooker racing and multihulls (catamaran racing ) on the bay takes place. Windsurfing and kitesurfing displays, and even keel sailing for people with disabilities also takes place on the bay throughout the two-week event.
In addition to the line up of children’s entertainment Galway Arts Centre will present Sandcastles, Performance, and DJ vibes at Ladies Beach on Saturday May 30 at 3pm. Also on the beach is the Drum Circle with Baboró International Children’s Arts Festival and Wassa Wassa Percussion Group opposite Salthill Park on Sunday May 31 at 3pm.
Tumble Circus will perform at Salthill Park on Saturday and Sunday at 4pm, while at Toft Park, Conor Lambert Puppet Theatre will perform live interactive puppet entertainment for children and grown-ups. Hooks & Crookes Sea Shanty Singers will perform at Salthill Promenade on Saturday and Sunday at 3.30pm.
