Dozens of landmarks in Galway and around Ireland will be lighting up Atlantic Blue this weekend to mark World Oceans Day.
World Oceans Day on Saturday, June 8 connects people worldwide in celebrating the ocean, its importance in our lives and how each of us can protect it, no matter where we live.
In its inaugural year, the ‘Go Atlantic Blue’ campaign has had an incredible response with more than 50 landmarks and buildings coming on board.
In Galway NUIG, GMIT, Galway Bay Boat Tours, Dunguaire Castle in Kinvara, Galway Atlantaquaria, the Port of Galway, the Marine Institute, and Údarás na Gaeltachta will be lighting up for the event.
Businesses, schools and homes across the island are also joining in by putting up blue decorations, wearing blue clothing, painting their faces blue, sharing their love for the oceans online and much more.
Everyone’s participation will highlight the strong connection that people in Ireland have with the Atlantic Ocean and the multiple ways that it affects and enriches our daily lives.
“Our ocean is our greatest natural resource and we see that most directly in Ireland with the vital importance that the Atlantic Ocean plays in our daily lives; from influencing the weather to facilitating our trade industry and from seafood to surfing off the coast.” said Dr Peter Heffernan, CEO of the Marine Institute.
He added that the Marine Institute was proud to support the ‘Go Atlantic Blue’ initiative from June 7 – 10, and pleased to see so many landmarks, businesses, schools and more taking part.
‘Go Atlantic Blue’ is being spearheaded in Ireland by the Marine Institute-led AORA-CSA (Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance Co-ordination & Support Action) during SeaFest 2019 and Our Ocean Wealth Summit in Cork this weekend.
SeaFest is Ireland’s national maritime festival and Our Ocean Wealth Summit is Ireland’s flagship event for the marine sector.
“In Ireland, the Atlantic Ocean means so much to us,” said Dr Margaret Rae Director of AORA-CSA.
“It’s our largest natural resource and we draw so much from it; our livelihoods, food, bounty, beauty, imagination, inspiration, song, poetry, health and wellbeing and much much more,” she said.
“Going Atlantic Blue is a way to draw attention to how each and every one of us experiences the Atlantic, what we love about our Ocean and how we can be that generation that makes a difference.”
