The President of Ireland has confirmed he will visit Galway during the Volvo Ocean race finale.

Michael D. Higgins also attended the last stopover in Galway, which attracted thousands of people and created a welcome economic boost to the region.

Mayor of Galway Hildegarde Naughton is in Miami this weekend to promote and strengthen ties between the two Volvo ocean race cities.

Tomorrow, she will jump overboard a racing yacht to celebrate the beginning of the 7th leg of the race to Lisbon, where Galway-the final destination will be a closer reality.

The Galway stopover- an 8 day festival of sport, culture, entertainment and the arts and will embrace all cultures from each of the race stopovers.

It's expected to bring 50 thousand additional visitors here this year - generating 65 million euro into the Irish economy.

Speaking to Galway Bay FM, Michael D.Higgins says he looks forward to attending the event