Galway City and County’s joint bid to become the European Capital of Culture has made it through to the shortlist.

A panel of European judges in Dublin Castle announced this afternoon that three bids have been shortlisted – Galway, Limerick and the ‘Three Sisters’ (Kilkenny-Waterford-Wexford).

It was initially understood that two bids would be shortlisted from four (Dublin was eliminated today), but judges announced that three would go through to the next round. Dublin already held the title in 1991.



The teams now prepare a second bid book, and the winner will be selected next July.

The Galway 2020 team – made up of project manager and Galway City Council official Patricia Philbin and nine figures from across artistic and cultural life of the city – travelled to Bedford Hall in Dublin Castle yesterday afternoon to make their presentation on the bid book.

They included Galway City Chief Executive Brendan McGrath, Director of the Galway City Museum, Eithna Verling and children’s author Trish Forde.

Galway’s bid book – entitled ‘Making Waves’ – was presented as a love letter to Europe. The 30-minute presentation included a one-minute video followed by contributions from each of the 10-member team, before finishing with a two-minute video.

Mr McGrath said the presentation was positively received by the judges.

“We got quite a number of smiles, laughs and nods, we certainly struck a chord with them.”

They were then given deep and intensive questioning on 15 broad topics by the panel.

Speaking in Dublin Castle this afternoon (Friday), Project Manager Patricia Philbin said: “Galway is absolutely thrilled to have been shortlisted as finalists. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Galway to showcase its wealth of culture to the rest of Europe and the world. This amazing opportunity allows us to bring Galway’s vision of culture to a much greater level.

“Galway city and county have united and put their heart and soul into this bid. Being shortlisted is richly deserved to a region which has unofficially held the cultural title for many generations. Winning this bid allows Galway on the western periphery of Europe to become more central and showcase our distinctive heritage, culture, arts, people and more importantly our ability to rejuvenate and grow, to our European neighbours.

“The people of Galway have fought a passionate battle and showed their ingenuity all of which Galway is known for but now we’re ready to get to work and wow Europe with an amazing European Capital of Culture programme of events.”

Mr Mc Grath said “On behalf of the Galway 2020 Bid and on behalf of Galway City Council, I am delighted that the European Capital of Culture jury has shortlisted the Making Waves Bid. By recognising the quality and intention of our bid, the jury has set us on the way to preparing a final bid by next summer with the ultimate designation of Galway as European Capital of Culture 2020.

“I would like to commend the elected members, the business sector, the cultural community and all those who participated and contributed to our successful initial bid. I would like to particularly pay tribute today the Galway 2020 bid team led by Patricia Philbin who have motivated and inspired a swell of enthusiasm and pride in our city and county to get behind the bid.

We now look forward to the challenge set for us today for the final bid submission”.

Kevin Kelly CEO of Galway County Council, commented: “This announcement today is the culmination of months of enormous creative outpouring across the City and County and it is wonderful news for the people of Galway.”

Complimenting the rigorous work of the Galway 2020 team, he went onto say, “Patricia and her team have done a tremendous job in a short space of time, they have ignited an even greater passion for culture in all its guises across all communities in the City and County, from our offshore islands to the heart of the city and have harnessed the enthusiasm and energy of the people to develop a successful bid.

“We congratulate all the villages, towns communities, groups and individuals, who have supported and inspired this bid process. Tomorrow we get back to work to harness the next stage of the Galway 2020 bid.”

CEO of Galway International Arts Festival, John Crumlish said: “We are delighted that Galway has made the short list and I would like to thank the bid team for all their hard work and everyone who contributed in helping make this possible. We now look forward to an exciting nine months in which we will need everyone’s help and ideas in making sure Galway becomes European Capital of Culture 2020”.

The initial Galway 2020 bid book – an 80-page document answering a specific set of questions – was submitted on October 16.