Following the electric atmosphere of the last 12 days, Let's Do It Galway, are asking as many people as possible to join in farewell festivities on Saturday to bid farewell to the Volvo Ocean Race sailors.
The ceremony, to be attended by President Mary McAleese will commence at 11.30am and spectators are advised to arrive at the Race Village as early as possible after it opens at 10am.
The ceremony will start with a parade of the crews down the pontoon to their boats. Skippers will be accompanied by young people who were chosen as mascots at last Monday’s ‘Meet the Sailor’ event. The fleet will then be blessed, and President McAleese will wish the crews a safe journey to the next stopover port on the race, Marstrand in Sweden.
The boats will leave Galway Harbour one by one to the sound of their theme tune. This will be the last occasion to wish Green Dragon a safe journey by singing along to Galway Girl. Salthill promenade will offer one final opportunity to see the boats, while they sail around the bay waiting for the Volvo Ocean Race to officially re-commence at 2.30pm.
The boats will then cross the start line in Galway Bay, bound for Marstrand, a distance of 1,250 nautical miles.
The fleet will sail south down the west coast, then south-east across the Irish sea to England, eastwards up the English Channel into the North Sea and finally to the entrance of the Baltic. The first of the boats is expected to arrive in Marstrand on Wednesay 10th June.
Aran Ferries are running a one and a half hour trip to watch the farewell for €60 per adult, €30 per child departing at 1.30pm from the Harbour. Visit www.aranisland ferries.com for more information.
