Attend all the best events in Galway at no cost to your pocket.. get ready for the This is Galway ultimate budget-friendly Galway Events Guide.
Please note: This article will be updated as events take place meaning that this article can be your go-to no matter the day of week or time of year.
Theatre: Two Truths of Thomas the Rhymer
When: January 30th, from 1pm
Where: O'Donoghue Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance
Registration link here
Arts in Action are delighted to partner with Moth & Butterfly Festival to bring you The Two Truths of Thomas the Rhymer is inspired by a piece of masters research conducted by Daniel Serridge in August 2015. Having followed the Scottish independence referendum and 2015 General election Daniel was interested in the current political relationship between England and Scotland, in particular for the people living close to each other, close to the border. For a piece of field research he decided to try and walk along the exact line of the border between England and Scotland, from Gretna in the west to Berwick-Upon-Tweed in the east. Each evening, he would attempt to tell the old border folktale Thomas the Rhymer to instigate conversations about nationalism and unionism. During this walk he discovered a significant moment from his own life that was entwined with the narrative of Thomas, this became a solo performance. What appeared was a piece that dealt with notions of loss, grief and childish perceptions on the adult world.
Music: XIII Doors - Album Launch Tour
When: January 31st, from 8pm
Where: Sally Longs
More information here
Sally Longs Rock Bar are delighted to welcome ‘XIII Doors’ this January 31st- Hailing from Co. Clare, frontman & visionary DJ O’Sullivan conceived XIII Doors with a purpose: to ‘ignite inspiration in others, and encourage them to pursue their dreams’. The musical essence of XIII Doors draws from a diverse spectrum of influences, melding the sounds of Alter Bridge, Tremonti, Alice in Chains, Daughtry, and Five Finger Death Punch to name a few. This fusion of hard rock and heavy metal is further enriched by DJ’s affinity for traditional music, notably Irish, Arabic, and Hindustani traditions. With special guest MINE ROAD and Psychotic Outsider.
Coffee Cupping: Bailies x Plámás
When: February 2nd, from 4pm
Where: Plámás
More information here
Bailies Coffee are kicking off February co-hosting a Cupping Event in Galway with the wonderful folks at Plámás. Join these two teams to cup and explore their current range of coffees and amongst the first to sample Bailies' new Fresh Roast release for February.
Workshop & Demo: Living History - Butter & Butter-making
When: February 4th, from 10.45am
Where: Westside Resource Centre
Registration link here
Butter has long been an important feature of the Irish diet. One hundred pounds of butter was discovered in a bog in Co. Offaly in 2013, which was estimated to be around 5,000 years old – a Guinness record! Join culinary historian Anna O’Donnell as she discusses butter and butter-making traditions, while demonstrating the process. As was the custom, those in the room will be expected to give a hand to the churn to ward off bad luck, but they will be rewarded with the incomparable taste of freshly made butter.
Music: Skinner
When: February 6th, from midnight
Where: Róisín Dubh
Registration link here
Skinner is a DIY slouch rock musician based in Dublin who writes, records and produces songs about growing up and overcoming a dirt-flecked 21st century existence. The DNA of no wave and post-punk acts like The B52s, James Chance and the Contortions and ESG through to alt-rock touchstones Pixies and Morphine combined with a talent for grunge-nodding self-production and pockets of elevated instrumentation is oozing from Skinner’s music.
Music: Delush
When: February 7th, from midnight
Where: Róisín Dubh
Registration link here
Scott Leigh and Seán Corcoran, a couple of kids from Tallaght, got together in a garden shed and began writing songs. Always with a driving ambition to be full time musicians and mix it with their heroes. In 2023 they began to working with Aaron Walsh. Soon after drummer Keegan Farrell joined and Delush were formed. Their fresh, energetic guitar led sound has quickly made them impossible to ignore. Among an impressive array of current Irish talent they stand out. Their early live shows have audiences chanting in the ailes already. On their recent London debut for legendary indie label Fierce Panda they were immediately offered a publishing deal by Polar Patrol CEO and former Snow patrol drummer Jonny Quinn. With the EP due to drop in spring and a host of live shows planned it’s going to be a hectic year ahead for Delush.
Shop: Galway Record & CD Fair
When: February 8th, from 11am
Where: Sally Longs
More information here
The Irish Record Fair will be returning to Sally Longs Rock Bar on Saturday, Feb 8th with new stock for their first Galway Record Fair of the year. Professional traders and collectors offer a wide selection of music from across the genres on vinyl and cd. You can find bargains and ultra rare items, sell or exchange your records and CDs, add to, or “recycle” your collection.
Shop: Valentine's Market
When: February 9th, from 9am
Where: Súil Eile Space
More information here
Looking to find something cute for your significant other this Valentine’s Day? Look no further then Galway Gnó's special Valentine’s Market, which they will be hosting at Súil Eile Space on Sunday 9th February.
Family: Medieval Galway in LEGO® Workshop
When: February 12th, at 11am and 2pm
Where: Galway City Museum
More information here
Join brick artist Jessica Farrell for a medieval-themed LEGO® brick family workshop at Galway City Museum. The workshop, which is aimed at families with children aged between 7 and 13 years, is a fun, collaborative and creative learning experience that uses LEGO® bricks to construct and create as a team. Each family group (or ‘team’) can contain up to four people but must have a minimum of at least one adult and one child. This is important, as one of the aims of the workshop is to encourage families to build together as a shared experience. Groups will be given four exercises in the form of simple contests, each around 30-minutes in duration. These exercises will challenge creativity and imagination, building skills, communication, and teamwork. Along the way, families experience the joys, challenges, and rewards of playing together. All LEGO® bricks for the workshop are provided. This event is free of charge, but advance booking is essential as places are strictly limited. For further details or to make a booking, please email museum@galwaycity.ie.
Exhibition Launch: New Wave: A Graduate Showcase
When: February 14th, from 6pm
Where: Outset Gallery
Registration link here
Outset Gallery is excited to announce the opening of the first exhibition in the 2025 program, Next Wave: A Graduate Showcase, opening on Friday 14th February. Next Wave presents the work of eight graduates selected from Outset’s 2024 Graduate Open Call, representing Ireland’s leading art colleges. The exhibition showcases a diverse range of disciplines—including painting, sculpture, printmaking, and photography—exploring themes of identity, memory, environment, and the intersections of digital and physical spaces through varied techniques and materials. Highlighting the interplay between traditional and contemporary approaches, the works range from abstract interpretations to detailed representational works. The artists employ experimental processes, repurposed materials, and new media to challenge artistic boundaries and engage audiences in fresh perspectives. Join them on the night to celebrate with complimentary refreshments from sponsors and music from Outset’s resident DJ.
Guided Tour: The Claddagh - A Triumph of Unconscious Beauty
When: February 22nd, from 12pm
Where: Galway City Museum
More information here
The Claddagh village, which lends its name to the famous ring, developed on the western shore of the mouth of the River Corrib, outside the walls of medieval Galway. This village of small, thatched houses occupied by Irish-speaking fishermen and their families, and headed by an elected mayor or king, played an important role in the maritime culture of Galway. Join Damien Donnellan for a free guided tour of the exhibition and learn about the history of this former fishing village. No booking required. The tour starts at the Museum reception desk. Places allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Talk: Corrib Beo - The Hidden Archaeology of Lough Corrib
When: February 26th, from 1pm
Where: Galway City Museum
More information here
Archaeologist Paul Naessens will explore the relatively inaccessible eleventh-century, pre-Anglo-Norman, Gaelic stone fortress on Iniscremha Island on Lough Corrib. Booking is not required but, as seating is limited, early arrival is recommended. In 2025, Galway City Museum will host the inaugural Corrib Beo lunchtime talk series, which will explore and profile many of the Corrib’s lesser-known heritage riches. The initial series of eight scheduled talks, ranging across the lake’s natural, cultural and built heritage, are designed to inform, stimulate debate and inspire action towards creating greater public awareness and better preservation of these cultural gems.
Career: Jobs Expo Galway
When: March 1st, from 10am
Where: The Galmont
Registration link here
If you’re eager for new career opportunities in 2025 you’ll be happy to hear that Jobs Expo Galway will be returning to the Galmont Hotel & Spa on the 1st of March, 2025. It will be an day for recruitment, networking, career coaching and live seminars at the West’s largest careers fair. Meet employers face-to-face and hand in your CV between 10am and 4pm. Reserve your spot for FREE today! In addition to the line-up of exhibitors and guest speakers, Jobs Expo will also feature the Career Clinic. Here professional career coaches will offer free career guidance, CV evaluations and interview tips. Jobs Expo is the leading jobs and careers event in Ireland and is free-of-charge to the public. Jobs Expo is run by Careers Unlimited, an online and events company, and sponsored by Recruit.ie.
Guided Tour: Museum Highlights
When: March 15th, from 12pm
Where: Galway City Museum
More information here
Join Damien Donnellan for a free guided tour to learn about the fascinating stories behind some of the objects on display, including the oldest known Claddagh Ring, a medieval physician’s cup and more! No booking required. The tour starts at the Museum reception desk. Places allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Illustrated Talk: Grace O’Malley – the woman behind the legend at Galway City Museum
When: March 22nd, from 2pm
Where: Galway City Museum
Registration link here
Born on the shores of Clew Bay in Co. Mayo, Grace O’Malley (Gráinne ‘Mhaol’ Uí Mháille, c. 1530–1603) was a woman before her time. One contemporary commentator noted of the strong and confident noblewoman and fearless sea captain, who controlled the seas of Connacht: ‘Grany O’Maly thinketh herself to be no small lady’. About 1546, she married Domhnall ‘An Chogaidh’ O’Flaherty of Bunowen Castle, Ballynahinch in Connemara, thus uniting two prominent Gaelic families of the West, and one of her sons from this marriage (Murrough-ne-Maor O’Flaherty) was buried in the Franciscan Abbey in Galway in 1626. Join Anne Chambers as she discusses the life and times of Grace O’Malley with special reference to her many connections with Galway. Chambers is the author of the definitive, international bestselling book, Grace O’Malley: The Biography of Ireland’s Pirate Queen 1530-1603, which the Sunday Tribune hailed as ‘a historical reality which is equally if not more compelling than the legend.’
Guided Tour: Museum Tour for Families
When: March 29th, from 12pm
Where: Galway City Museum
More information here
Join Damien Donnellan for a free guided tour to learn about the origins of Galway and to hear fascinating stories behind some of the objects on display, including the oldest known Claddagh Ring and the statue of Pádraic Ó Conaire. No booking required. The tour starts at the Museum reception desk. Places allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Music: Canned Pineapple
When: April 17th, from midnight
Where: Róisín Dubh
Registration link here
Brighton quintet Canned Pineapple announce upcoming EP ‘Big Break’ (Spring 2025). Playing in Galway’s Róisín Dubh on April 17th. Fronted by Irish vocalist Seán Drury alongside Guitarists Oakley Gardiner and Gabe Rice, and drummer Charlie Pringle, Canned Pineapple continue to build on the feverish hype surrounding the band following a flying 2024: making their international festival debut at New Colossus Festival in New York City, playing multiple packed out shows at The Great Escape, and gaining widespread acclaim from the likes of So Young, Dork, Clash, BBC Introducing, BBC Radio 6 Music and Radio X (X-Posure). Named as 'ones to watch' in 2025 by Hot Press Magazine, a Canned Pineapple gig is not to be missed!
Feature photo by Ciarán MacChoncarraige
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