Galway City Council is thrilled to unveil Gaillimh Ah-Boo!, a bold new Halloween celebration that brings the ancient magic of Samhain roaring back to life. This city-wide festival reclaims Ireland’s Celtic roots with a spellbinding mix of myth, music, mischief, and community spirit. Find out more here..
Part of Fáilte Ireland’s Home of Halloween Pilot Destination Development Scheme, Gaillimh Ah-Boo! proudly positions Ireland as the true home of Halloween (where the story first began!)
Explore the full programme on – www.GaillimhAhBoo.ie – to discover what’s haunting the streets of Galway this October and November; from spine-tingling spectacles and fiery feasts to immersive storytelling and family-friendly fun. This is Halloween as it was meant to be: ancient, alive, and absolutely wicked.
Highlights of the Samhain Season in Galway City include:
Amharc | to look, to see: Five art installations in shop fronts across Galway City by renowned Irish artist Rita Duffy.
Samhain Community Dance Spectacle - A Thriller in Eyre Square: On Thursday October 30th, the Genevieve Ryan Dance Academy is taking over Eyre Square with a spine-tingling community dance spectacle! In partnership with Galway City Council's Night-Time Economy, this event will bring Samhain to life with a spectacular reimagining of Michael Jackson’s legendary "Thriller" dance. This performance is a community ritual, weaving modern pop culture with the powerful magic of ancient Celtic folklore.
Samhain Procession | Día de los Muertos: On Sunday November 2nd, join us on the streets of Galway for a special procession that celebrates our ancestors! This vibrant event brings together three traditions: Samhain, Día de los Muertos, and All Souls' Day.
The Macnas Parade: Galway’s legendary parade-makers bring myth and magic back to the streets with a spectacular procession on 26 October.
Féasta Fómhair: A celebration of food and flame with chef JP McMahon, honouring the Celtic tradition of gathering and storytelling around the time of the harvest in St Nic’s Church on Halloween night.
Folklore Trails & Tours: Participation experiences that explore the spirits, legends, and rituals of the West through Dark History Tours and an arts trail across the city.
Speaking in relation to the programme launch, Mayor of Galway City, Cllr. Mike Cubbard, added; "Halloween has deep roots in Irish culture, and Galway is proud to honour those traditions through Gaillimh Ah-Boo! This programme brings together the best of our creativity, community, and heritage. I encourage everyone to take part and experience the magic of Samhain in Galway."
Leonard Cleary, Chief Executive of Galway City Council, added; "Gaillimh Ah-Boo! is a powerful opportunity to celebrate our heritage and showcase Galway’s creative spirit. We’re thrilled to be part of Fáilte Ireland’s Home of Halloween initiative and look forward to working with our communities, businesses, and artists to deliver an unforgettable programme. We invite everyone to explore the website and get involved in this magical season."
The Gaillimh Ah-Boo! programme is supported by annual funding of up to €100,000 through the Home of Halloween scheme, which will run from 2025 to 2028 as well as direct funding and delivery by Galway City Council. The programme is bolstered by project festival partners Galway Comedy Festival, Blás Food Network, Baboró Children’s Festival, and Food on the Edge, as well as community initiatives, Eastside Arts Festival and Galway City’s Night-time Economy programmes. The initiative is expected to attract thousands of visitors to Galway, boosting the local economy and extending the tourism season into the autumn months.
For more information and to view the full programme, visit www.GaillimhAhBoo.ie
Banner Image: The Mexican Community in Galway group with the Mayor of the City of Galway, Mike Cubbard; Margaret Jenkins of Fáilte Ireland and Louise Osborne of Galway City Council.
Image 2: The Mexican Community in Galway group with Chef JP McMahon.
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