If you’re in need of a cheer up then Galway has you covered. From record breaking runways to icy swims, film festivals to playground dreams, here's a whistle stop tour of the good vibes taking Galway by storm. Keep reading for more!
UP, Up and Away at Ireland West Airport
For Ireland West Airport 2025 has officially gone down as their busiest year yet! With a whopping 946,381 passengers passing through its doors. That's a 13.5% jump on 2024 and makes it the fastest growing airport in Ireland. The airport now connects the west to 21 international destinations, through Aer Lingus, Lauda Europe and Ryanair. August was absolute madness (the good kind), clocking a total of 106,361 passengers and even setting a new single day record on Sunday, August 17th when over 4,600 people travelled through.
Over 1,000 Brave the Cold for COPE Galway Christmas Swim
Galway people love a good challenge, especially when it's for a good cause. Over 1,000 simmers and dippers took to the chilly waters for the COPE Galway Christmas Swim, continuing a tradition that's now 31 years strong. COPE Galway Fundraising Manager Lynia O'Brien summed it up perfectly, in saying that the event is a reminder of the “extraordinary community spirit that defines Galway”. The swim helps fund vital services that support over 3,000 people each year, including those affected by homelessness, domestic abuse and older people in need of care.
Subtitle Film Festival Returns to Galway!
After a six year break, the much loved Subtitle European Film Festival is making a very welcome return to Town Hall Theatre Galway next week! Grab tickets here before they are all sold out! The festival runs from January 16th Friday to January 18th Sunday. Watchers can expect a cosy, cinematic weekend packed with five Irish premieres showcasing exciting new European talent, alongside five modern classics we all know and love, including Amélie and The Intouchables.
Thursday Lates at Galway Arts Centre
If you like your art with a side of atmosphere, Thursday Lates at the Galway Arts Centre might be your new favourite thing! Every Thursday from 5pm to 9pm, the galleries stay open late with free events including curator talks, tours and family-friendly workshops. Tonight's exhibition features an artist talk and clay workshop with Claire McLaughlin, bringing ancient Galway Bay shell middens back to life in clay as part of the Still, We Gather exhibition. Click here for more!
The Sunflower Project Gala has Big Heart
A story that really sums Galway up. The Sunflower Sessions held a tinselled gala at The Rowing Club last week. The event sold out and raised €1,200 on the night, bringing the total to €4,000 funds raised in support of Bodywhys, the eating disorder charity. The event spotlighted acts like Jody Collins, Metanoia, Copernicus II and The Rosecaps. A community effort, wonderfully led by the tireless Siobhán Kelleher. The Sunflower Sessions started back in 2022 as a simple idea to make a Christmas hamper for hospital patients turned into something extraordinary. Siobhán's achievements are proof that compassion, once sparked, can grow into something influential.
Main photo by Chaosheng Zhang.
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