The 2018 Galway SeaFest, Ireland’s national maritime festival, has won ‘Best Cultural Event’ at this year’s Event Industry Awards.
SeaFest 2018 was described by judges as “A bustling and action-packed weekend celebration.
“SeaFest 2018 was full of life and provided fun and entertainment for people of all ages.
“Our panel were impressed by all the carefully planned efforts made to source quality exhibitors and also felt that the organisation throughout the festival, from security to live shows, was exemplary.”
The Event Industry Awards celebrate excellence and showcase the very highest standards in Ireland’s event industry.
This is the second year in a row that SeaFest has taken home the ‘Best Cultural Event’ prize after the 2017 festival, which also took place in Galway.
Since first starting in 2015 the maritime festival has grown from 10,000 visitors in its first year to bringing over 100,000 people to Galway in 2018.
The three day festival combines a host of entertaining and educational activities on and around the water. From tours of ocean-going vessels, inspiring talks and interactive educational activities, celebrity chefs and free sailing, the festival offers a host of fun, free activities for all ages.
Speaking about the award, Sinéad Coyne, Communications Manager for the Marine Institute and SeaFest 2018 said they were “delighted and honoured” to have won the ‘Best Cultural Event’ award.
“SeaFest is now regarded as one of the biggest and most successful festivals of its kind in Europe,” she said.
“This would not have been possible without the huge support from a wide range of local, regional and national agencies who came together to plan and stage this large scale event.”
“Thanks also to our festival organiser Arcana, our suppliers and to the media who have shown great support for SeaFest, year on year.”
“Also a big thanks to our volunteers, and the people and businesses of Galway – we couldn’t have done it without you.”
SeaFest 2018 was held in Galway Harbour, and attracted 103,416 festival-goers and generated €6.5 million for the city’s tourism industry.
Global event specialists, Arcana, were appointed event managers and worked with the Marine Institute and 16 local, regional and national organisations and agencies to stage the three-day festival.
This year saw SeaFest migrate south, taking place in Cork from June 7 – 9.
Cork will play host to SeaFest again in 2020 and 2021.
