Arcana musician Johnny Donnelly on drums, Mairtín O’Connor on box and the Galway tenors in lifejackets and tuxedos on water marked a spectacular opening in Galway docks last night for the Galway Volvo ocean race festival.
Guests of honour including the Volvo yacht skippers, along with Taoiseach Brian Cowen, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism Martin Cullen and Mayor of Galway Cllr Padraig Conneely (FG).
Master of ceremonies was Hector O hEochagáin who described it as the largest event of its type on the Irish coastline.
Highlight was the singing swan, created and illuminated on board the decommissioned fishing vessel Star of Faith. It was witnessed by thousands of spectators lining the quay walls, as it was escorted in by a torch-bearing escort of small craft, including currachs,
Mr Cullen and Mayor Conneely congratulated the international crews, and Galway’s organisers, including businessman John Killeen and harbourmaster Capt Brian Sheridan.
The Irish-Chinese Green Dragonsecured a podium finish when it took third place at the Mutton Island mark behind the US Pumaearly on Sunday morning, Dutch-Irish entry Delta Lloydtook fifth place, with just over five hours separating all seven craft.
The Swedish Ericsson 4skippered by Brazilian Olympic medallist Torben Grael was the first to cross the mark after a 2,500 mile Atlantic crossing from Boston. It is leading the race overall.
Mr Cullen said that the race had brought more than economic benefit to these shores.
“By their example, facing the extremes of sea, wind and rain and putting themselves at the mercy of the elements, the sea-farers who have arrived today show a grit and determination we could all learn from,”he said.
Although several hundreds boats had taken to the water in darkness and westerly winds early yesterday morning for the race arrival, only one incident was reported. A woman who slipped from Nimmo’s pier shortly before 3am was rescued unharmed by the Galway inshore lifeboat.
The RNLI, Irish Coastguard, the Naval Service ship LE Ciara, Garda Water Unit and Customs service provided support to the Galway Harbour Office and Volvo race. Some 72 marshal boats will be on duty for the Volvo fleet in-port racing next Saturday, and for the fleet's departure for Sweden on June 6th.
The Volvo race village is open all week in the Galway docks, with a daily and nightly programme of activities in the village and on the Green Dragon trail between the city centre and Salthill. More details on galwayvolvoceanrace.com and alternatives also in the Junior Chamber International Galway guide, available in tourist offices and on www.jci-galway.org