The day before it all begins..........

 Got a chance to get out before work this evening, weather is still brutal but the work goes on all around the docks and South Park

 The Main Stage, now complete.....

 Inflatable Sanya Tent

 Recruiting for the Gathering 2013 - all of the Irish who have left the country to return next year, more information here http://www.thegatheringireland.com/Home.aspx

 The two floor Volvo store

 The main stage again, as seen from Hynes Yard multi story car park

 Predictable panorama :)

 The funfair on Nimmo's Pier can be seen in the distance

 Plenty of charcoal.........

Good to see local businesses getting involved

 One space left........

 Food stalls along Dock Road

The House Hotel

Taken from the Galway Independent Facebook page [I don't claim to own this photo] looks amazing already!

A few photos before work....

 The main stage coming together

 Hoping they will put the Volvo Ocean Race graffiti back?

 Port information

 The new bridge..........to halfway

Weather turning wet and windy today but the work carried on.....

 Big wheel located at the end of Nimmo's Pier

 The "Keep Oceans Clean" Dome located on the other side of the Harbour Hotel/Cé na Mara

 A few images of the huge 3D Cinema, partially completed.

Team Information which I presume will be dotted along the docks area

 The Volvo Store with a huge screen

 The Abu Dhabi truck

 Assembly of the Main Stage

 The Executive Club

 More Team Information

 TV Screen with the winning trophy stand underneath

 The trophy stand with the previous winners listed

Last stop.............Galway!

Now that the Festival map went live, I can start to understand what is going where. This map, viewable in PDF here.... 

http://www.volvooceanracegalway.ie/Portals/0/Festival%20Maps/Overall_Fesitval_Map.pdf

provides a detailed outline of what areas will be used for what purposes.

 The bridge at the Spanish Arch still being constructed

 The Carnies have arrived.....

 More tents in South Park, which will be occupied by Supermacs, Papa Johns, GMIT, NUIG, an ice rink, a stage, and a bar, among other things.

 Christ the Redeemer replica statue in Salthill who is hosting Brazil during the festivities

 View from Nimmos Pier of the Harbour area

 Hundreds of washed up jellyfish in Claddagh for some reason!?

 View of Claddagh Global Village from Long Walk