The opening ceremony to mark Galway's year as the European Capital of Culture has been cancelled due to Storm Ciara.
The organisers for Galway 2020 said the cancellation was in the interests of public safety.
President Michael D Higgins was due to launch the ceremony as part of a week of events to mark Galway's European Capital of Culture celebrations.
Galway holds the title jointly with the Croatian city of Rijeka.
Tonight's event had been planned as a fire and flame extravaganza in South Park that would see steel sculptures reflecting the ancient town's stories and traditions transformed into glittering orbs.
Galway's year had seen bumpy start with some well-publicised problems in the run-up, including funding difficulties and staff departures.
Organisers said they were "extremely disappointed" to announce the cancellation of the finale of the opening ceremony.
They said in a statement: "We have been in constant contact with the relevant authorities since the weather warnings were put in place earlier this week and, in the interests of the safety of the public the weather warnings currently in place mean that it has been deemed unsafe to go ahead.
"We are saddened for the community cast, our volunteers and the whole team who have worked so hard during the last weeks and months.
They added: "Today’s event would have marked the finale of what has been a hugely successful week-long series of events on the Fire Tour of lighting ceremonies that have lit up towns across the county."
Storm Ciara is expected to bring extremely windy and wet conditions this weekend as it tracks over Ireland from the Atlantic.
A Status Orange wind alert is in place for Galway from 1pm to 6pm today.
Meanwhile, a wind warning for the entire country has been upgraded to Status Orange level with gusts of up to 130km/h forecast for tomorrow.
