Galway 2020 event cancelled due to storm warning

The organisers of the Galway 2020 event said they are extremely disappointed about the cancellation

The opening ceremony for Galway's year as European Capital of Culture has been cancelled due to expected bad weather.

In a statement, Galway 2020 said it was extremely disappointed to announce the cancellation but that the decision had been made in the interests of public safety.

The company set up to oversee the year-long European designation said it had been in constant contact with relevant authorities overnight and this morning.

The decision to cancel the event was taken as a result of the Orange level wind warnings in place for Galway from 1pm to 6pm today.

Today’s event was to have been the culmination of months of effort across Galway city and county, with hundreds of volunteers taking part in the launch ceremony.

The UK-based company, Wonder Works, was involved with Galway 2020 in planning the ceremony, which was to take place at South Park in the Claddagh area of the city.

Galway 2020 is extremely disappointed to announce the cancellation of the finale of our Opening Ceremony this evening due to the severe national weather warnings in place for the whole of today, tonight and tomorrow.



Full statement below.https://t.co/AX2dhYcmY7#Galway2020 pic.twitter.com/t8LgMYMs4h — Galway 2020 (@galway2020) February 8, 2020

However, inclement weather conditions could have caused huge disruption to the event, as the site is bordered by the River Corrib and the shores of Galway Bay.