Galway really is booming with fabulous events each month! In order to give you the chance to attend the best festival and events, we have decided to put together a guide which highlights 10 of the best events taking place in the month ahead. Enjoy!
Please note; Below is just a snippet of everything Galway has to offer event-wise in the month ahead. If you would like a full and inclusive look at everything Galway has going on, please check out our website at; https://thisisgalway.ie/events/.
Galway Climate Festival
September 12-15th / Galway City / more here
Opening on September 12th, Climate Inspirations - Communities in Action is a new innovative, creative and collaborative festival which aims to change the narrative around climate action to one of positivity. The festival will feature both ticketed and free open air events across its action packed programme, highlights of Galway Climate Festival include; Mary Robinson in conversation with Philip Boucher Hayes, Féasta - A Long Table Pop-Up, John Spillane’s bilingual show at An Taibhdhearc, a ‘Playful Streets’ takeover on Middle Street, and loads more!
Galway International Oyster Festival
September 27-29th / Nimmo’s Pier / more here
The award-winning Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival will celebrate its 70th birthday in 2024, which will also mark the 10th year that Galway-based creative production company Milestone Inventive has produced the event, so there is a lot to celebrate! Enthusiasts from every corner of the world descend to the city of Galway during the last weekend of September to immerse in an action-packed 3-day event, based in the established festival marquee on Nimmo’s Pier. Overlooking the iconic Long Walk, the festival will include the annual National and World Oyster Opening Championships, The Party of Champions, as well as Féile Bia Na Mara – Wild Atlantic Tastes – a free family day of live music, cooking demonstrations, environmental talks and childrens’ workshops.
Architecture at the Edge
September 20th - October 6th / Across Galway / more here
The leading voice for excellence in the built environment in the West of Ireland, Architecture at the Edge is a festival that investigates the role and impact of architecture in our lives and the world we live in, demonstrating how design enhances the quality of life, while addressing important issues of society through responsible architecture. This year will feature the exhibition; ‘In Search of Hy-Brasil – Ireland’s national pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2023’. The project examines the relationship between the islands of Ireland and their natural environment and puts our islands’ diverse communities, culture, and experiences right at the centre of the discourse surrounding our shared future. To check out the full programme please hit the link above.
above: photo by Ste Murray
Ireland West Airport Fun Run
September 14th / Ireland West Airport / more here
Ireland West Airport are delighted to announce, in partnership with Portwest, their 7th annual charity 5k runway fun run on the runway at Ireland West Airport. All are welcome to attend on the evening as all proceeds from the event are going to their charity partners for 2024, ACT for Meningitis, BUMBLEance, Down Syndrome Ireland (Mayo Branch), Irish Red Cross, Mayo Mountain Rescue, and Western Care Association. All participants will also receive a free commemorative runway run t-shirt which can be collected at the airport on the day of the event.
Shoreline Arts Festival
September 12-15th / Portumna / more here
Come along this September and join in a feast of craic, music, drama, film, exhibitions, workshops, children/school events and more, all on the shores of Lough Derg. This year’s festival headlines include; Tulla Céilí Band, Duke Special in Concert, The Lyric’s The Thing live show, and the one man show I Hear You and Rejoice. Alongside a stellar music lineup the festival will feature visual arts exhibitions at the Workhouse and Portumna Castle as well as its usual wide range of workshops, street and family entertainment, Shorelines film shorts and documentaries and a schools programme.
Culture Night 2024
September 20th / Across Galway / more here
The 19th edition of Culture Night will captivate audiences across Ireland. As a national moment celebrating culture, creativity and the Arts, in Galway it will bring our rich culture and diversity to the forefront and make the Arts in all its forms accessible to everyone. This year's programme reflects diversity and will be delivered across a range of locations in the City from 6pm. There will be a huge amount of special late-night events so let’s discuss some highlights: Let’s Draw will turn the Spanish Arch into an interactive canvas where the public becomes the artist, at Outset Gallery they will be hosting OTHERWORLD a night of music and art, Echoes of the Ocean at Galway Atlantaquaria, a pop-up spray-painting street art demonstration in Galway's Millennium Park, pop-up céilí and artist talks.
WOMP presents… The Great Big Big Screen Quiz
September 18th / Pálás Cinema / get your tickets here
WOMP Events are taking their Big Small Screen Quiz to the big screen at Pálás Cinema for a night that is a celebration of the silver screen, cult classics and fan favourite films. With trivia, photo, music, video & quote rounds – this will be a multimedia mish-mash of dozens of the most popular movies of all time – with each round focusing on a different movie genre. There will be prizes for the top three scoring teams plus spot prizes throughout. For this event, WOMP will be going all-out: glitz, glam and fancy dress are highly encouraged and rewarded – with a Red Carpet Competition to decide the Best Dressed. There will also be prizes for the top three scoring teams plus spot prizes throughout.
Clifden Arts Festival
September 18-29th / Clifden / more here
The longest-running community arts festival in Ireland, Clifden Community Arts Festival, now heading into its 47th year, and yet again promises to have something to excite everyone in the 2024 programme, with a diverse events lineup of literature, poetry, visual arts, talks, music, exhibitions and tons more. As part of the festival there will be events such as; Fidget Feet presents House, Paul Lynch in conversation with Paula Shields, Hermitage Green, The Picture Palace, and The Mysterious Case of Kitsy Rainey.
above: photo by Andrew Downes
Féile Cheoil Larry Reynolds
September 5-8th / Ballinasloe / more here
Féile Cheoil Larry Reynolds is a weekend festival which was established to commemorate the life of Larry Reynolds but also to promote the East Galway Style of Music and to encourage and develop Irish Music, Heritage and Culture in the region. Now in its 11th year, there is an eclectic programme of music, singing and dancing workshops, and other live entertainment events to keep you and your entire family entertained.
Galway Yoga Festival
September 8th / Knocknacarra Community Centre / more here
Offering something for all levels, Galway Yoga Festival is ran by a team of experienced teachers who demonstrate to all festival goers a wide range of yoga styles such as; Hatha, Dynamic Flow, Partner Yoga, Ashtanga, Yin, Yoga Nidra, Bhagavad Gita, Somatic Yoga, Mindfulness, Vinyasa & Breathing Techniques. On the day, as well as enjoying all the benefits from practising these poses, guests can snack on lovely food, cakes and teas by The Secret Garden in Galway’s Westend.
Feature photo by Kerry Kissane - All Around Ireland courtesy Destination Lough Derg via Ireland's Content Pool
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