Big screen to be installed in Eyre Square for All-Ireland hurling final
Hurling followers in the city who don’t get tickets for Galway’s All-Ireland hurling final clash with Waterford on Sunday in Croke Park will have a ‘big screen’ option available to them in Eyre Square.
The Galway City Business Association have applied to the City Council for a permit to put the big screen in place on the Meyrick Hotel side of the Square, with coverage starting from 1pm.
A crowd of about 5,000 people is expected for the big screen viewing that is being supported by a number of sponsors including Supermac’s, Advance Security and Mulryan-O’Gorman Insurance Ltd.
Brendan Holland of the Galway City Business Association told the Galway City Tribune that the last big screen showing of an All-Ireland hurling final in 2015 (v. Kilkenny) brought a huge crowd to the Square.
“It should be a lovely occasion and especially for families. We are obviously hoping for a fine day and of course a Galway victory – if we get those two things, it should be a brilliant day in the city centre,” said Brendan Holland.
The application to Galway City Council for a permit to erect the big screen has been submitted a few weeks back and is expected to be approved early next week.
Fine Gael councillor, Padráig Conneely, said that he had discussed the permit application for the big screen with City Council Chief Executive, Brendan McGrath, who was very positive about the idea.
“If we get a good day – and hopefully a Galway win – we’re hoping that this will be a lovely occasion in Eyre Square. It should bring thousands of people into the city centre for a free outdoor event.
“Bringing people into the city centre is what we are all striving to do and I commend the City Centre Business Association and their sponsors for their efforts in this regard,” said Cllr. Conneely.
The cost of erecting the big screen – in addition to insurance and safety expenses – is understood to run into several thousand euro.
The big screen will switch on from 1pm, 15 minutes before the start of the Galway/Cork All-Ireland minor hurling final (1.15). The senior final between Galway and Waterford throws in at 3.30.