Galway opted to do it in American style last night with a spectacular late night fireworks display across Galway Bay to celebrate Independence Day.

Up to 800,000 people are expected to throng to the west this weekend and next week as the Volvo Ocean Race finishes in Galway.

IN what is being seen as a spectacular coup by Galway city, it has been chosen to be the finish port of the 2011-2012 Volvo Ocean Race.