More than 60,000 visitors came to SeaFest last weekend to enjoy an action-packed programme centred on Galway Harbour.
Ireland's national maritime festival ran a programme of events which included the spectacle of the Galway Hookers’ challenge for the Galway Plate; the arrival of the gracious tall ship, The Phoenix, Frank Bölter sailing his quirky large scale origami paper boat into the harbour in partnership with TULCA for Galway 2020, Bord Bia's seafood extravaganza, and the Marine Institute's ‘Our Wild Atlantic – What Lies Beneath’ marquee.
Dr John Killeen, chair of the Marine Institute was thrilled at the huge turn out for SeaFest 2016.
"It was reminiscent of the big festivals we have had in Galway over the last few years. I think it shows that in the harbour we have a natural amphitheatre for festival events, which makes Galway very attractive. It has become so family friendly as well.
"There are a number of reasons why we were so successful. First of all the content was excellent. Part of the rationale for putting the event was trying to bring to the people what is happening in the seas around us. Very few people are aware of the activities in our marine environment, so Seafest 2016 was about creating awareness but also bringing a family friendly element. Certainly all the activities inside were family orientated and family friendly."
SeaFest 2016 brought to Galway a major focus on marine research and the marine economy, a fact which is very important, according to Dr Peter Heffernan, CEO of the Marine Institute.
"The national target for growing the marine economy is well on track; from pledging €3 billion back in 2010 to over €6.4 billion in 2020. Estimates and studies up to 2014 are showing in excess of €4 billion. It is very diverse; there is very strong areas in shipping services, in tourism, in seafood, in fisheries, in culture, and we have new and exciting areas in science, the application of technology, in software, in medical devices, biotech, and ocean energy itself, all of which were evident in the exhibits on show in the natural amphitheatre of Galway harbour."
An integral part of the event was the message of 'Harnessing our ocean wealth' and Dr Heffernan believes the huge crowds suggest that people have an understanding of it.
"We had a very integrated programme this week. We had business events with over 700 delegates, and to reach 60,000 people as we did in a very good and enjoyable experience for them. The feedback and the responses we were getting from people was phenomenal and it reflected the energy and the quality of the people participating at all the different exhibits, be it the seafood extravaganza or the marine research, people were very enthusiastic about what they had experienced."
There are plans afoot to bring back the maritime festival to Galway for 2017, an undertaking which is supported by Dr Killeen.
"Certainly from the feedback we got, people are demanding it back. I think we have a little bit more work to do, convincing all the participants and everybody involved, including our city council, and of course we have to obtain permission from the harbour company to run the event next year. But certainly there is a huge appetite to bring the event back because it means a lot to Galway.
"In business terms I am led to believe every hotel in Galway was full over the weekend and there were huge crowds around the streets, not including the 60,000 who came to the docks. SeaFest 2016 was brilliant for Galway."
