Galway has been named as the European Capital of Culture for 2020.
The award is designed to celebrate the cultural diversity of Europe’s cities.
Galway, Limerick and Waterford had all competed for the right to be named Europe’s Capital of Culture.
Dublin had also made a bid but failed to make it on the shortlist. The last Irish city to hold the honour was Cork in 2005.
This was the scene on Mainguard Street in the city before the announcement was made.
Tense scenes at Mainguard Street as we await the result #Galway2020 #ECoC2020 pic.twitter.com/dyqNqJbBHC
— Galway Bay fm News (@Galwaybayfmnews) July 15, 2016
The Tribal County will receive €1.5m from the European Union and the event will be held in tandem with Rijeka in Croatia.
Before the announcement, Heather Humphreys paid tribute to those in Nice who had lost their lives on Thursday night.
.@HHumphreysFG says we will not stop celebrating what is great about living in Ireland, France and Europe and says 1/2
— Sinéad Crowley (@SineadCrowley) July 15, 2016
2/2 we stand in solidarity with our French neighbours #culture2020
— Sinéad Crowley (@SineadCrowley) July 15, 2016
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