Up to 40 boats are to gather in the city this evening [May 26] as part of final preparations for the Volvo Ocean Race finale.

The Galway Afloat parade will rehearse its course from 7 this evening just off Salthill along the prom, around Mutton Island and onto Galway Docks.

City Mayor Hildegarde Naughton will fire a welcoming shot from the Docks at around 8 off a conventional canon.

An estimated 150 such boats are set to participate in the finale parade.

The Galway stopover- an 8 day festival of sport, culture, entertainment and the arts takes place from June 30th to July 8th.

Pierce Purcell is the Cruising Co-ordinator of Galway Bay Sailing Club and also the recently appointed Director of the Irish Sailing Association.

He says this evening's rehearsal parade will see the largest number of local boats ever to converge at one event from Galway Bay Sailing Club.