The confirmation last evening of the story that we brought you first last week, that Galway is to host the final leg of the Volvo Ocean Race in 2012, brings to an end a remarkable series of negotiations that have concluded with a tremendous fillip for everyone here in the west. With the state of the economy and few lights on the horizon, the promise of this remarkable event is something that the entire region can plan around for the next two years.
Galway businesses who have been badly affected by the downturn in the economy can now see what role they can play in the planning of this event, and they can also visualise the benefits that will accrue from the honour of hosting it.
It is fitting that it should fall in the same summer that London will host its Olympics, because there had been some hope expressed along the way that Galway would act as a training base for countries eager to sample the climate of these isles before heading to south London, but this event is way bigger than any of that London spin-off would have been for us.
These are our Olympics, given to us not by political favour or cronyism, but because Galway and the organsiers have shown that we can do it and do it in style.
Now it is up to us all to play a part in its success.
Whereas this time last year, the tanks were still on the docks and there were concerns about having the site ready, this time the organisers are starting with a clean slate and building on the plans they have already submitted; the 2012 finish can be the most spectacular event this part of the world has ever seen.
Last year’s stopover is a sort of a Eucharistic Congress for the city, because generations to come will eulogise about the tremendous fortnight of sunshine, sailing and song as Galway people rediscovered the docks, and in some way, rediscovered their confidence.
So many people have done so many things for the west, but the efforts of John Killeen, Enda O Coineen, John Concannon and the teams at Let’s Do It Galway and Failte Ireland have a lot to be proud of. Their efforts will go down in the annals of the history of this region. Well done to all concerned and also to Minsiter Eamon O Cuiv who is believed to have played a key role in the successful bid. How ironic it would be if he were to lose his portfolio just weeks after pulling this off for Galway. But such is politics.
The backers have delivered and it is now up to the rest of us to surpass the success of 2009 and to create more memories. The wind is behind our sails, let’s avail of it.
