Enjoy a Visual Arts Trail through Galway city at Baboró

Baboró presents a free city arts trail as part of the 26th festival which kicks off in Galway on Friday 14 October, encouraging families and schools to enjoy these three different free art offerings around Galway city.

Beginning in Galway’s Westend at Galway Arts Centre on Dominick St, Widden Ar Geels (The Community Speaks) will run from Saturday 15 to Saturday 29 October. This exhibition will showcase two of Ireland’s leading artists, Leanne McDonagh and Oein DeBhairduin, as they celebrate the stories and oral traditions of the Irish Traveller community by creating an inclusive space for all to enjoy the magic and wisdom imbued in the craft and stories of the Mincéirí. Immerse yourself in Traveller stories of vixens, owls and horses who live alongside humans as guides, protectors, friends and foes, while spirits, giants and fairies blur the lines between this world and the otherworld.

Widden Ar Geels - Art by Leanne McDonagh

At Engage Art Studios in Salthill, Lucy Hill presents FOLD, an exhibition for children 8 years and under that explores ideas of openness, relationships, colour, form and line. Inspired and informed by Early Childhood Education and Care philosophies, the show explores the relationship between art and early childhood learning elements including colour, shape, form, line and texture. Visitors to the gallery are encouraged to create their own art with prompts and materials from the artist. Enjoy FOLD from Saturday 15 to Saturday 23 October (gallery closed Monday 17 and Wednesday 19).

On Quay Lane in Galway City, Street artist Emmalene Blake created Our City Walls, a large mural that is inspired by the insights and drawings of Galway children as part of Baboró’s 25th celebrations in 2021. Granted an extension by Galway City Council for inclusion in this year’s festival, Our City Walls shines a light on the right of EVERY child to enjoy and participate in a rich cultural life. As part of the development of the mural, school children were invited by Creative Associate Phillida Eves, to share how they feel about their rights, what they like to do in their free time and to try to imagine what life would be like without art and culture. Emmalene responded to their reflections as she designed Our City Walls.

Children enjoying the launch of Baboró's 26th festival

"We hope that thousands more children will enjoy the colourful and inspiring mural when they visit the festival this year," said Director of Baboró, Aislinn Ó hEocha.

For more information check out www.baboro.ie. These are free, family-friendly events.

Feature photo of 'Our City Walls' by Anita Murphy