John O'Mahony (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am standing in for Senator Maura Hopkins. I welcome the Minister. It is her first occasion here in the Seanad and I wish her will in her new portfolio.

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the awarding of the European capital of culture to Galway. It is a signal and well-deserved honour. Many in this room and throughout the country have always known it was a capital of culture. It follows in the footsteps of Dublin in 1991 and Cork in 2005. In my own respect, I was involved deeply in promoting the culture of Gaelic football there for many years.All of my family attended third level college there. I have never heard someone speak anything but praise for the city's culture and all that goes with it in every aspect of life in Galway.

I compliment the board, the CEO, Ms Hannah Kiely, and the creative director, Mr. Chris Baldwin. The bid was under way since 2014. A great deal of work has been done and much more remains to do. It is important that 2020 leaves a sustainable and long-lasting legacy, not just in Galway city or the towns and villages of the county such as Tuam or in areas such as Connemara and so on but also in the west overall. Galway is the west's capital.

Galway has a proven track record in large-scale cultural events, with its arts festival, the summer racing festival and the Galway Film Fleadh taking place annually. The city also played host to the Volvo Ocean Race, making world headlines. Towns like Ballinasloe in the east of the county play host to one of Europe's oldest horse fairs every October, contributing significantly to the county's cultural offering. The designation of capital of culture will provide Galway city and county with an unprecedented opportunity to show off its rich cultural offering. It will place an international spotlight, not just on Galway, but all of Ireland. Tourism has seen significant growth in the west with the development of the Wild Atlantic Way. The designation will benefit the entire region in 2020 and beyond.

The three themes are language, landscape and migration. In the context of Brexit and increasing isolation from Europe across the Continent, the symbolism of the most western city within the Union being designated the capital of culture cannot be underestimated. It puts not just Galway, but Ireland, at the heart of European culture.

The ability of Small Towns, Big Ideas to succeed will depend on community engagement. I urge communities to continue engaging, as the scheme has the potential to have a positive and lasting impact on the country. It seeks to bring back the idea of community and collective action, which has begun to fade in recent times. By reconnecting people in rural towns and villages with their rich cultural heritage, we can help to foster a greater sense of community and thereby improve the quality of life for everyone.