Architecture at the Edge Festival is known for its inspired cultural experiences and this year is no different as the festival once again presents a compelling programme, offering exclusive building tours, and featuring film screenings, exhibitions, workshops, talks and much more this autumn. Discover all about it right here...
The 2025 edition of the Architecture at the Edge festival will include the presentation of Rún – Ireland’s (In)visible Buildings Project, an ongoing research project mapping the condition and extent of former residential carceral ‘welfare’ institutional sites across the island of Ireland. The research for this project is being conducted by CoLab, a group of architects who have worked in conjunction with Justice for Magdalenes Research since 2019, with an initial focus on the site of the former Magdalene Laundry at Sean McDermott St in Dublin. This work explored the question “how do we act in this place?” and drew plans for how the site might be redeveloped in consultation with survivors, neighbours of the site, and other interested stakeholders. This exhibition will display some of the research undertaken, with a panel discussion taking place in the Mick Lally Theatre on Sunday 28th September.
above: photo by TAKA Architects
Cloud Studies by Forensic Architecture – on show at the Festival Printworks Gallery, Market Street until 12th October – demonstrates the power of collective resistance. Forensic Architecture is a multidisciplinary research group based at Goldsmiths, University of London that investigates human rights violations including violence committed by states, police forces, militaries, and corporations. Collecting years of research, scientific findings, architectural mapping and on-the-ground reportage, Cloud Studies is a vital part of a global investigation. From Palestine to Beirut, London and the US-Mexico Border, FA investigates, explores and exposes how power reshapes the very air we breathe in this urgent and compelling exhibition.
Architecture at the Edge Festival Director, Frank Monahan says about this year's festival, “We are delighted to present and commission such a varied programme of work as part of this year’s Festival. From the community at the Benedictine Monastery at Kylemore Abbey, the Filipino-Irish community, to our friends and collaborators in Galway City Council and Galway Chamber the challenge for this year was to find a way of reading architecture in terms of the invisible. To illuminate the often-invisible forces and resources that shape our built environment. We have an excellent selection of talks, workshops and exhibitions running throughout the Festival. I would like to thank all the artists, architects, filmmakers and others for all their amazing work this year.”
One such project supported by Galway City Council is Tithe ón Seansaol. Lost Houses offers Galwegians to chance to be part of a unique celebration of local architectural history. Through a hands-on workshop, the team behind the exhibition will unveil their design research and creative investigations into sites of lost buildings, forgotten homes, and overlooked architectural fragments scattered across Galway City’s rich cultural and social landscape. Join them on Saturday 11th October for an afternoon of conversation, debate, and discovery. Together, we will recall and reimagine Galway City’s architectural heritage - lost or unseen, but not forgotten.
above: photo courtesy Lost Houses_Fish Market, Galway
Other highlights include a new short film by Irish artist Laura Gannon, lectures by architect Jesscia Reynolds of women led practise VPPR, architect Andrew Clancy, and Irish Artist Yvonnne McGuinness in conversation with DJ and presenter Dónal Dineen at the Mick Lally Theatre and a Filipino Feast in the Printworks Gallery, showcasing the award-winning work of Design Lab ambassadors Eduard Valenzuela & Brian Ó Curnáin, advocates for more accessible, youth-focused public spaces in Ireland.
A Space In-Between will transform part of Kilcolgan’s Old Road into a vibrant, car- free community space. Central to the project are local children, who will take part in fieldwork with artists and architects and a creative workshops in school. Their findings will form a temporary installation, giving voice to how they see Kilcolgan today, and how its public spaces might support play, safety and connection in the future.
Architecture at the Edge strives to be an accessible and enjoyable festival for everyone. The majority of Festival events are FREE TO ATTEND. Architecture at the Edge Festival would like to acknowledge the support of its principal funder the Arts Council; its corporate sponsors; and supporting partners in making this possible. Architecture at the Edge Festival will run from Friday 26th September – with Seán Mahon President of the RIAI opening the Festival Printworks Gallery on Market Street - through to Sunday 12th October, 2025. Full details are available at www.architectureattheedge.com.
All photos courtesy of Architecture at the Edge.
Feature photo of Rún – Ireland’s (In)visible Buildings Project, Photo by Ste Murray.
above: photo of Arklow Waste Water Treatment Plant / Clancy Moore Architects, Image by Johan Dehlin
