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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. For Galway’s full events calendar, visit thisisgalway.ie.
Music: Undercover Martians
When: December 19th, from 11.59pm
Where: Róisín Dubh
More information here
Undercover Martians are an indie rock band based in Galway. They are comprised of Dáithí McGloin as the frontman and guitarist, Michael McGloin on drums, Oisín McGloin on bass, and Killian Fox and Donnacha O’Dwyer, both on guitars. They have relentlessly gigged around Ireland for the past several years. Their Influences include The Strokes, Wallows, Arctic Monkeys, and The Academic. In 2022 they released their debut EP ‘Jigsaw’ which led to a sling of gigs across Ireland, including The Roisín Dubh (Galway), The Sound House (Dublin), and Fred Zeppelins (Cork). Their latest EP ‘I Don’t Want to Mention It’ (Produced by Dave Skelton) sees the band’s songwriting evolve to be more dynamic and heavy-hitting, whilst the lyricism delicately traverses the difficult phases of a romantic relationship. The band continues to perform across Ireland and is gearing up to release more music soon.
Film: Ireland's Coast - Future Coasts
When: December 20th, at 1pm
Where: Galway City Museum
More information here
Join Galway City Museum for the free screening of the third episode Future Coasts of the Ireland’s Coast documentary series in the Museum Education room. The third episode, Future Coasts, delves deeper into the subject of climate change and sea level rise, while exploring some solutions for the future. It presents the hard work of some communities to protect the marine environment and explains how technology along with imaginative thinking can be powerful and help us to reach a more sustainable future.
Music: 3 Part Harmonies from 'KaRoSal' - Fully Booked
When: December 21st, at 1.30pm
Where: Galway City Museum
More information here
KaRoSal are a Galway based, three-part harmony trio who sing both acapella and with guitar accompaniment, covering a mix of bluegrass, gospel, contemporary and folk songs. KaRoSal’s name is derived from their own names: Kara Donohoe, Róna O’Riordan and Sarah Toomey. Their repertoire includes three-part harmony arrangements of bluegrass and gospel songs such as, “Didn’t leave nobody but the baby”, “I’ll fly away” and the gospel song “Hush, somebody’s calling my name”. Other well-known covers include Crossby Stills and Nash’s “Helplessly Hoping”, Fleetwood Mac’s “Gold dust woman” and “Landslide” and Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m on fire”.
Illustrated Talk: Galway and the Night of the Big Wind
When: January 6th, at 10.45am
Where: Westside Resource Centre
More information here
As part of its outreach programme, Galway City Museum has curated a special series of educational talks and events to be held at Westside Resource Centre, Seamus Quirke Road, during the darker months from November 2025 and March 2026. Developed in response to the interests of the local community, the programme spans a wide range of engaging topics – from folklore to built heritage and natural disasters. On the night of 6 January 1839, a storm of unprecedented ferocity swept across Ireland, remembered ever after as the Night of the Big Wind. The Dublin Evening Post reported: ‘Ireland has been the chief victim of the hurricane – every part of Ireland – every field, every town, every village in Ireland have felt dire effects, from Galway to Dublin – from the Giant’s Causeway to Valentia.’ Join historian and author William Henry as he explores the impact of this legendary storm on Galway and its people. These events are free of charge, and all are welcome, but please book in advance by contacting Westside Resource Centre at (091) 528325.
Festival: Torann - Document
When: January 9th, from 6pm
Where: Róisín Dubh
More information here
This January, the walls of Galway shake. As TORANN brings together the raw power of punk and the relentless force of metal for a weekend long onslaught of riffs, noise and pure DIY spirit. Torann's document night run by the Hope Collective, in association with the Irish Pop Archive is a night of storytelling and inspiration. They will ask people how they got involved in their creativity and document their stories. These stories will then be archived and made available as pieces of history rather than anecdotes over time.
Festival: Torann - Okus & The Hungry Buzzards
When: January 10th, from 11.59pm
Where: Róisín Dubh
More information here
This January, the walls of Galway shake. As TORANN brings together the raw power of punk and the relentless force of metal for a weekend long onslaught of riffs, noise and pure DIY spirit. For an epic midnight show they are bringing Okus & The Hungry Buzzards to the stage! Okus are a 4 piece band from Drogheda playing fast aggressive grinding punk metal! And, The Hungry Buzzards are a hard rock band emerging from Ireland’s west coast.
Music: Sessions from Oblivion
When: January 21st, from 8pm
Where: Róisín Dubh
More information here
2FM launches 2026 with live recording in Dublin and Galway’s Róisín Dubh. 12 cracking Irish acts playing over 3 days in January in 2 cities and all to be recorded for 2fm as part of the new series of Sessions from Oblivion. 2fm’s Beta Da Silva hosts all the live shows. The Galway show is in the epic Róisín Dubh on Wed January 21, 2026, with local heroes Aimee Carty and Shark School, with Limerick’s hottest act in years, Theatre, and punksters Adore, with roots in Galway, Dublin and Donegal. And admission is free!
Literature: Ryan Dennis in Conversation with Tomás Kenny
When: January 23rd, from 6pm
Where: Kennys Bookshop
More information here
Award-winning writer Ryan Dennis will be at Kennys Bookshop on January 23rd, joining Tomás Kenny in conversation about his new political memoir Barn Gothic. Tickets for this event are free but are limited, so get yours asap! Barn Gothic is an elegy for family farmers and an intimate portrait of three generations laboring to be fathers and sons while their livelihood falls apart. Beautifully told with a farmer’s restraint and a poet’s grace, it is a story of personal loss amid corporate corruption and of finding a way forward when everything you know disappears. Signed copies of the book will be available on the night.
Tonnta 2026: Trad Seisiún
When: January 30th, from 5pm
Where: Plámás
More information here
Settle into the warm, easy buzz of Plámás for an intimate Trad Session that celebrates the heart of Galway’s musical soul. Local musicians gather for an evening of reels, jigs, and shared tunes, creating a cosy, communal atmosphere where everyone’s welcome. Drop in, grab a cup, and let the music carry you—this is a Galway tradition at its most authentic and alive.
Tonnta 2026: Scéalta do Pháistí
When: January 31st, from 11am
Where: Charlie Byrne's Bookshop
More information here
A magical morning of bi-lingual storytelling (Gaeilge agus Bearla) in Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop Galway. Stories for children – and their adults are also welcome too.
Tonnta 2026: Telling the Story of Naomh Bríd
When: January 31st, from 12pm
Where: The Mick Lally Theatre
More information here
Join in the fun of Tonnta this St Brigid’s Day in the heart of Galway for a vibrant celebration of Ireland’s matriarchal spirit and creative fire. Set within the beautiful surroundings of the Mick Lally Theatre, this day-long event will bring together traditional craft workshops, tribal drumming, and folklore storytelling in a joyful, communal gathering. Learn an old skill, share a new story, and connect with others through hands-on creativity and rhythm. Together, we’ll honour Brigid — goddess, saint, and symbol of renewal — and the many feminist goddesses who inspire Ireland’s enduring traditions. A day of rhythm, ritual, and community — open to all.
Tonnta 2026: Mórshiúl Beoga san Oíche /Spectacle Procession
When: January 31st, from 6pm
Where: Location tbc
More information here
After a full day of storytelling, craft-making, and song, join Tonnta as they bring Brigid’s spirit to life in a vibrant nightly procession. Participants will gather with the pieces they’ve created — straw hats, songs, rhythms, and stories — to walk together in a moving celebration of Brigid and her mystics. This illuminated spectacle invites everyone to take part, honouring creativity, community, and the powerful legacy of Brigid as part of Tonnta 2026.
Tonnta 2026: Seisiún Ceoil na mBan
When: February 1st, from 6pm
Where: The Crane Bar
More information here
Join Tonnta Festival in The Crane for Seisiún na mBan. It's going to be a celebration of Irish music and song held in one of Galway’s most historic venues.
Interactive Talk: Beyond Sushi - The Importance and Uses of Seaweeds
When: February 3rd, at 10.45am
Where: Westside Resource Centre
More information here
As part of its outreach programme, Galway City Museum has curated a special series of educational talks and events to be held at Westside Resource Centre, Seamus Quirke Road, during the darker months from November 2025 and March 2026. Developed in response to the interests of the local community, the programme spans a wide range of engaging topics – from folklore to built heritage and natural disasters. Traditionally in Ireland, seaweed was used for a variety of purposes, ranging from food and fertiliser to folk medicine. Join Julie Grivotte, a PhD researcher at the University of Galway, as she explores the importance and wide variety of uses of seaweed, both past and present, in this hands-on talk. These events are free of charge, and all are welcome, but please book in advance by contacting Westside Resource Centre at (091) 528325.
Music: Canned Pineapple
When: February 19th, from 11.59pm
Where: Róisín Dubh
More information here
Canned Pineapple is a 5-piece scuzz-pop and slacker rock group based in Brighton. The quintet consists of the songwriting partnership of Seán Drury and Oakley Gardiner alongside multi-instrumentalist and recording engineer Jude Allenby, guitarchitect visionary Gabe Rice and master of the rhythm stick Charlie Pringle. A band of brothers waggin out. Canned Pineapple is the result of interplanetary telekinesis between the great beyond and the great norm. Having released their self-titled debut EP online and on vinyl, via Goo Records, the awesome fivesome have toured across the UK and Ireland in their Nissan Micra, conquering some of England and Irelands most important grassroots venues. Including tireless performances at The Edge of the Sea Festival at Concorde 2 in Brighton supporting The Wedding Present and Cyprus Avenue in Cork supporting The Love Buzz, the band continue to energise audiences worldwide and supplant todays music scene.
Illustrated Talk: Old Galway in Photographs
When: March 3rd, at 10.45am
Where: Westside Resource Centre
More information here
As part of its outreach programme, Galway City Museum has curated a special series of educational talks and events to be held at Westside Resource Centre, Seamus Quirke Road, during the darker months from November 2025 and March 2026. Developed in response to the interests of the local community, the programme spans a wide range of engaging topics – from folklore to built heritage and natural disasters. The story of photography began in 1839, and by the 1870s this new medium had reached Galway. From that point on, the town and county were captured through the lens, offering a fascinating a window into late-Victorian life in the West. Join Prof. John Breslin, avid collector of historical photographs and curator of the acclaimed Old Ireland in Colour book series, as he presents a rich selection of Galway images from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries from his and other collections. These events are free of charge, and all are welcome, but please book in advance by contacting Westside Resource Centre at (091) 528325.
Feature photo by Chaosheng Zhang
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