By Darragh McDonagh
 

The Mayor of Galway is to discuss with City Hall proposals to commemorate the historical journey of a Galway-born explorer in Australia with an annual festival in the city.

The 150th anniversary of the pioneering expedition led by Robert O’Hara Burke was marked at Galway City Hall last Friday with a flag-raising ceremony attended by Australian Ambassador Bruce Davis and Mayor Michael Crowe.

Burke, born in Dominick Street around 1821, is celebrated in Australian history for leading the first expedition to traverse the vast continent from south to north in 1860.

Now Mayor Crowe is proposing that an annual festival be organised in the city to celebrate the Galway man’s historic voyage in August each year.

“Last Friday was the 150th anniversary of the Burke and Wills expedition and a number of businesses throughout the city adopted an Australian theme in their shop windows on the day, which demonstrated enthusiasm and support for the occasion,” he said.

“I think the development of the anniversary into a wider festival, possibly over a weekend, merits great consideration.”

The occasion is celebrated in Australia, and the 150th anniversary was commemorated there by issuing a number of postage stamps and two special edition coins adorned with Burke’s image.
 

“A festival to mark the occasion would create a great buzz around the city and generate business for traders who are struggling in the current economic circumstances. I think anything that could provide a commercial boost at this time is to be welcomed,” the Mayor added.

For more on this story, see the Galway City Tribune.