Galway businesses back SeaFest 2017

Businesses across Galway and the region are giving their support to SeaFest 2017, with festival activities extending from Galway Harbour to The Latin Quarter and Salthill.

SeaFest 2017 is Ireland's national maritime festival and will include a variety of marine-themed activities and attractions to celebrate the sea from 30 June to 2 July 2017.

Dr Peter Heffernan CEO of the Marine Institute said the involvement of businesses across Galway and the region is vital to the success of SeaFest 2017.

"The marine sector is of major value to the Irish economy and coastal communities and offers significant potential for growth. It is essential for businesses, organisations and communities connected with our ocean to be part of SeaFest," Dr Heffernan said.

For the first time, SeaFest will welcome the contribution of the Western Development Commission (WDC) to the 2017 event.

"The WDC are delighted with the opportunity to participate in SeaFest," said Ian Brannigan CEO of the WDC. "At SeaFest we are setting out to showcase businesses in the West of Ireland who take their inspiration from Ireland's ocean. We are also working with our regional partners to showcase 'surf' related short films to highlight and promote the unique West of Ireland coastline and the relationship that surfers, at home and from abroad, have with the sea," Mr Brannigan said.

The Galway Chamber of Commerce will also support SeaFest 2017 by working with businesses across Galway, particularly The Latin Quarter Galway and Salthill, to develop a programme of activities.

"The group is very excited to be part of SeaFest 2017 and celebrate Salthill's history and relationship with the sea," Jeff Warde Chairman of The Village Salthill said. "Salthill offers stunning views of Galway Bay, and could be the ideal location to feature water sports or hold family-friendly activities along the shore. With seafood restaurants, swimming facilities and Ireland's national aquarium nearby, there are plenty of options for us to explore," Mr Warde said.

As well as the three-day festival, a range of industry events will be held as part of SeaFest 2017. National and international delegates will attend Our Ocean Wealth Summit on 30 June at NUI Galway. Digital Ocean: Ireland's Marine Engineering and Technology Conference and the Marine Industry Awards will take place on 29 June. A Marine Trade Show will also be held at NUI Galway on 29 and 30 June, to run in parallel with the Our Ocean Wealth Summit and Digital Ocean events.

SeaFest is co-ordinated by the Marine Institute, on behalf of the Marine Coordination Group.

For more information on SeaFest visit www.seafest.ie and follow SeaFest on Facebook and Twitter.

For more information on Our Ocean Wealth Summit visit www.ouroceanwealth.ie

ENDS