Galway Arts Centre invites everyone - residents, families, visitors, and culture‑lovers - to join them every Thursday evening as they open their doors until 9pm for a vibrant and free programme of talks, workshops, tours, and after‑hours cultural experiences. Come explore, participate, and be part of Galway’s growing night‑time cultural community. Discover more here...
Galway Arts Centre is delighted to announce the continuation of Gallery Lates (formerly Thursday Lates) as part of Galway City Council’s Night-Time Economy Action Plan. This pilot initiative aims to support a more vibrant and inclusive evening cultural offering in Galway by extending opening hours and providing diverse arts programming for visitors, families and local residents.
As part of the initiative, the gallery will remain open every Thursday until 9pm, with an expanded series of talks, workshops, performances and tours running weekly from March through to December 2026.
The next phase of Gallery Lates coincides with the launch of the Centre’s new group exhibition usual and generous ways. Presented in partnership with the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) and curated by Padraig Regan, Galway Arts Centre’s inaugural Writer in Residence, usual and generous ways brings together works from IMMA’s collection, rock samples from the James Mitchell Geology Museum, historical maps and diagrams, and archival material from the Tim Robinson Collection at University of Galway. The exhibition explores how artists and scientists have attempted to visually express the forces and processes that have shaped our physical environment.
The exhibition features works by Richard Long, Barrie Cooke, Damien Hirst, Dorothy Cross, Seiha Kurosawa, David Beattie, Patrick Ireland/Brian O’Doherty, Patrick Hall, Anne Madden, Hilary Heron, Hamish Fulton and Brian King.
Full exhibition details can be found HERE.
Gallery Lates Calendar of Events for March & April 2026
March 5th | 6pm
Curator’s Tour & Poetry Workshop with Padraig Regan
An exhibition tour and poetry reading exploring the role of geology in Regan’s writing practice, interwoven with poems that resonate with the themes of usual and generous ways.
March 12th | 6pm
Artist Talk: David Beattie
An engaging talk by exhibiting artist David Beattie, discussing his artistic practice and the concepts shaping his contributions to the exhibition.
March 19th | 6pm
Talk: Dr Nessa Cronin – The Tim Robinson Archive
A presentation on the mapping, language and cultural significance within the Tim Robinson Archive, led by Dr Nessa Cronin, Director of the Centre for Irish Studies at University of Galway.
March 26th | 6pm
Talk with Christina Kennedy, IMMA Head of Collections
A talk offering insights into the development of the IMMA National Collection and its relationship to the works featured in usual and generous ways.
April 2nd | 6pm
Late Opening
Explore the exhibitions after hours in an informal setting, with complimentary refreshments.
April 9th | 6pm
Artists’ Gathering
An open gathering for artists, facilitated by Assistant Curator Tom McLean, fostering conversation, exchange and community among local creatives.
April 16th | 6pm
Late Opening
Another chance to enjoy the exhibitions at your own pace.
April 23rd | 6pm
Curator Talk & Poetry Reading with Padraig Regan
A curator’s talk and poetry reading at 19:00, preceded by a wine reception from 17:00.
Join us every Thursday until 9pm to experience Galway’s cultural life after dark.
Gallery Lates is funded by Galway City Council and the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport as part of the Galway City Night-Time Economy Action Plan.
