Galway’s best loved boutique festival, the Galway Early Music Festival explores how several long-lasting and wide-ranging empires and dynasties gave rise to some of the most stunning music across nearly six centuries of history.

Through unique cross-pollinations and points of conflict and contact, we explore the Edges of Empires.

Our journeys begin in the Eastern realms of Europe: late medieval music from Polish and Bohemian sources with their variety and eclectic richness. These sumptuous sounds are played and sung with the crystalline combination of clavicimbalum, countertenor and recorder by acclaimed international artists Corina Marti and Doron Schleifer.

Our second headline act, From Siege to Siege, features Resurgam Choir and The English Cornett & Sackbut Ensemble. This bombastic concert demonstrates the lavish sounds that the Habsburg courts developed in their pursuit of arts patronage, even as they lived in a century bookended by sieges and other armed conflicts.

The June Bank Monday features two events presented in collaboration with Headfest, Headford’s community festival. In the evening, acclaimed Irish ensemble The Gregory Walkers take to the HeadFest Marquee to share Dances and Songs from the Old Gaelic Order.

And to culminate the festival, together with National Forum of Music (Poland) we are delighted to present the Wroclaw Baroque Ensemble in their premiere Irish tour on Sunday 9 June.

And that’s not all! There will be music on the streets, dancing in the Church, and music for babies. Join us for a music festival like no other.