Introducing Airneánach | Nightbird, a new series of performances taking place at Galway's oldest building, St Nicholas' Collegiate Church. Find out more here...
A city is a living thing, built on the foundations of its past while dreaming of its future. In Galway, no single place better embodies this than St. Nicholas' Collegiate Church. The oldest standing building in the city, its stones whisper tales of over 700 years—from its origins on a possible ancient pagan site, through the arrival of the Anglo-Normans, to surviving invasions, plagues, and revolutions. It has been a spiritual home for countless generations and a central gathering place for the community, where history was not just witnessed but made.
Airneánach is a creative dialogue between the ancient fabric of the church and the city's contemporary soul. A curated series of live performances that weaves together the past, present, and future of Galway. We are uniting sound and visuals to showcase the incredible talent of Galway and Ireland, honouring the building's deep history while placing it firmly within modern-day life.
Join Airneánach for three nights in 2025...
tessio
Friday 7th of November, 8pm
tickets here
A performance that will resonate through the nave and aisles, honouring the timeless spirit of the church.
tessio is a singer-songwriter duo from Derry, made up of Callum Feeney and Jude McCandless. They write, record, and produce their own songs, which feature acoustic guitars and close harmonies.
Described by Chordblossom as having "a skill for songwriting way beyond their years," tessio has supported well-known acts such as Billy Ocean, Hothouse Flowers, and The 4 Of Us. In 2024, the duo performed at both Other Voices and the RTE Folk Awards. tessio released their self-titled debut album in December 2024 to much praise, receiving consistent airplay on BBC and RTE Radio in the UK and Ireland. They are currently working on their second album. Their latest single, “Handle With Care,” was released on June 13, 2025 to critical acclaim.
Cathedral aka Shampain
Thursday 27th of November, 8pm
tickets here
Experience a dynamic fusion of history and rhythm as the ancient stones of St. Nicholas' meet the pulse of the city's nightlife.
Cóilí Collins aka Shampain is a Galway-born DJ and Producer known for his eclectic mix of ambient, bass-driven, club and cinematic electronic sounds. With a decade of experience curating deep, atmospheric sets he blends experimental textures with dancefloor energy. Now a key figure in Ireland’s underground scene, Shampain continues to push boundaries with his unique sonic style.
Having spent years toying with ambient and ominous sounds, Cathedral is the new experimental alias from Shampain. Having already soundtracked silent classics such as Man Of Aran, Nos Feratu, Faust and Irish Destiny in celebrated venues such as The Pepper Canister Church, The Complex, An Taibhdhearc, The Galway Town Hall & The Sugar Club, he is now soundtracking a whole new experience within St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church. Sounds, images and lights will all be woven together to help bring the City’s remarkable story to life, from pre-history to present. Expect the unexpected.
The Altered Hours
Saturday 13th of December, 8pm
tickets here
A performance that reimagines the relationship between space and sound, promising a truly transcendent experience.
The Altered Hours are a rock group based in Cork City, Ireland. Their music explores vast psychedelic spaces, immediate post-punk tones, repetitive rhythms and propelling structures. The lyrics bind this wall of noise together, comfortably connecting the escapism of the abstract with the honesty of realism. This duality is played out in song and on stage by the lead singers Elaine Howley & Cathal MacGabhann alongside Patrick Cullen on bass guitar/effects, Nora Lewon on drums & Jack Horgan on guitar.
Over the past few years, the 5-piece have been headlining tours in the UK & Europe, creating what some journalists have described as a ‘cult-like’ status. Playing everywhere from ex-government buildings, deconsecrated churches, sheds, parties & anywhere else that will have them. The years ahead are set to be as exciting & energetic as ever for The Altered Hours, with the group continuously carving out their own path in rock ‘n’ roll.
About Airneánach
The name for the series takes inspiration from an old Irish word Airneánach, (Arr-nen-ech) roughly translates as 'night owl/nightbird' or 'one who is fond of night-visiting'. Night visiting, or 'airneán', is a long-standing Irish tradition of nighttime social house visits where tunes, songs, and stories are shared.
The Airneánach pilot series is developed in collaboration with the Galway City Night-Time Economy Advisor. This iteration is funded by Galway City Council Night-Time Economy and the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.
Performances are non-alcoholic; guests are invited to explore Galway's vibrant nightlife and dining scene before performances or afterward to continue their evening.
If you are an artist, programmer, or agent interested in presenting as part of Airneánach in 2026, please get in touch: airneanachseries@gmail.com
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