The selection panel for the European Capital of Culture is in the south east today.
They are starting their tour in Wexford this morning before travelling to Waterford and Kilkenny.
The Three Sisters bid book, which was on display in the three counties last week has been evaluated by the ECoC selection panel, ahead of its hugely anticipated visit to the south-east region today.
The judges will experience a walk through Wexford town and on to National Opera House – after short tour of front and back stage the panel will meet 20 invited artists/performers/playwrights from three counties.
In Waterford the panel will meet Cultural and Business sector representatives from Wexford, Waterford and Kilkenny, take a short walk through the city to lunch with youth, community and artisan food providers from the three counties followed by a visit to the Spraoi workshop.
In Kilkenny they'll visit Callan, the KCAT studios and the National Craft Gallery. They'll also visit graduate show of the Design Crafts Council of Ireland Ceramics Skills and Design course and meet 20-30 craft, design and creative industries from the three counties.
As a Farewell to the selection panel they'll be treated to a performance by 35 members of Presentation choir Kilkenny with conductor Veronica McCarron, who recently featured on Britain's Got Talent, in the Castle Yard.
Emma Haran is from the Three Sisters bid team in Waterford:
"We just want to everyone to support us. This is a massive opportunity for us. There's nobody in this region that 31million won't affect.
We really want people to get behind us now, if you haven't liked us on facebook yet do it today. The presentation is tomorrow and it would be lovely to bring the numbers up up to 15,000, we're currently at 13,500.
If you're out on the streets give the panel a wave. Show them that we want this. We want this, we don't want it to go West."
Irishbeats Rob O'Connor is featured in the Three Sisters Bid Book.
You can read the 104 page book here:
http://threesisters2020.ie/re-imagining-region-three-sisters-2020-bid-book/
The rival bids come from Limerick and Galway.
