18/07/2016

Galway Named European Capital Of Culture 2020

Galway has been chosen as the European Capital of Culture 2020 alongside Rijeka in Croatia, the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys, has announced.

Galway was selected from a shortlist of three candidate bids, beating Limerick and the Three Sisters Bid (Waterford, Wexford and Kilkenny) in the final selection process. Dublin had previously been unsuccessful in the pre-selection stage of the competition which had taken place in November 2015.

Commenting on the award, Minister Humphreys said: "Hosting the European Capital of Culture presents a unique and important opportunity to showcase a city, bringing with it an unprecedented focus at local, national and international level. It will allow Galway and Ireland as a whole, to put our best cultural foot forward and promote the best of Irish creativity.

"The European Capital of Culture will give Galway a wonderful opportunity to showcase its cultural richness. While of course being named European Capital of Culture for 2020 will be a great boost in terms of attracting visitors, it also has the potential to engage and enliven local communities right across Galway in an exciting year of artistic and creative engagement."

(MH/LM)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

17 December 2014
Ireland To Defer City Of Culture Award
Ireland will defer its next City of Culture until after 2020, with Minister for Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys, citing the high level of funding required.
21 February 2017
EmployAbility Galway Scheme Achieves 100 Jobs Target
A number of employers across Galway City and County have created 100 jobs for people with disabilities, achieving the goal established under the EmployAbility Galway scheme. EmployAbility Galway is one of the 23 organisations that operate the EmployAbility service throughout the State.
15 September 2010
Higgins Lines-Up For Presidency Race
Long serving Labour TD, Michael Higgins, has again announced his interest to run for the Irish Presidency. The Labour TD, who is the Party President and Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs, is putting himself forward for the second time after being denied the chance to run in 2004.
15 August 2016
€9m Arts and Culture Capital Scheme 2016 Announced
Funding of €9 million has been secured for the Arts and Culture Capital Scheme 2016, the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys, has announced.
04 October 2019
ESB Continuing To Work To Restore Power After Storm Lorenzo
ESB have restored power to some 12,000 homes, farms and businesses, affected by Storm Lorenzo, while work continues to restore power to 3,600 customers still without power. A clean-up operation is underway across the west and northwest following the storm on Thursday. According to reports, substantial flooding was experienced across Donegal.