Building on the incredible success of 2024, Tonnta, Galway’s one-of-a-kind festival celebrating the Irish language and Galway as a bilingual city, is back! Running from January 30th to February 2nd, the festival promises an eventful lineup of events to inspire, entertain, and involve the whole community!
As Ireland’s only bilingual city, Galway invites you to embrace whatever level of Irish you have in a fun, welcoming atmosphere. Whether it's joining the free Céilí Mór and fire shows in Eyre Square or exploring bilingual concerts, workshops, food tours, and family events in Galway's much-loved venues like the Town Hall Theatre, An Taibhdhearc, The Mick Lally Theatre and PorterShed a Dó, there’s something for everyone. All events are bilingual, accessible, and inclusive.
This year’s festival features some hugely anticipated headliners such as Máirtín O’Connor Trio supported by Padraig Jack at the Town Hall Theatre on Sunday, February 2nd. Ríoghnach Connolly will be joined by An Chéad Ghlúin Eile in An Taibhdhearc on Saturday 1st celebrating Brigid's day. Jiggy live at the Róisín Dubh on Friday, January 31st. Galway Food Tours hosts a unique bilingual food and whiskey tour. With tickets selling fast, now is the time to secure your spot. Visit www.tonnta.eu for tickets and the full programme.
Tonnta also showcases the best of Irish creativity and culture, including the premiere of a new Irish language commission by James Riordan of Brú Theatre Company, presented at An Taibhdhearc on Friday, January 31st, with the support of Creative Ireland.
A free programme of engaging events will take place at the PorterShed a Dó, Market Street, on Saturday, February 1st, including bilingual yoga, Brigid's cross-weaving, Irish language conversational sessions in partnership with the Claddagh Credit Union and much more.
The popular Cosy Club hosted by Kayte O’Malley will take place in the HYDE on Saturday the 1st. Film lovers won’t want to miss the special screening of the award-winning bilingual film Froggie at Pálás, followed by a panel discussion.
On Sunday, February 2nd, the festival’s Lá na bPáistí moves to Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh, Knocknacarra, one of Galway’s two designated Gaeltacht areas, with the support of Údarás na Gaeltachta. Families can enjoy, workshops, games, circus skills, face painting, and a kids’ disco. Furthermore, and with special support from TG4, the young people will be able to meet presenters from the TV channel Cúla4, have fun learning and exploring television skills, as well as practising in front of the camera!
Meanwhile, Eyre Square will come alive on Saturday, February 1st, with a free Céilí Mór (2pm to 5pm) and spectacular fire performances at 5 pm and 7 pm, celebrating the beauty of the Irish language. Closing out the festival, back by demand, will be the Dirty Circus as Gaeilge on Sunday, February 2nd.
The festival is co-funded by Galway City Council, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Plean Teanga Chathair na Gaillimhe and Creative Ireland. Cúla4, Claddagh Credit Union, Fáilte Ireland, RTÉ Supporting the Arts, and TG4 also support this bilingual initiative.
Gaillimh le Gaeilge would like to thank their hospitality partners on board so far, Clayton Hotel Galway, Galway Bay Hotel, The Ardilaun Hotel and The Kings Head.
On Thursday, January 30th the Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr. Peter Keane will officially launch Tonnta 2025 at 12pm in The Kings Head, a local Galway business that is sponsoring the event.
Bríd Ní Chonghóile, CEO of Gaillimh le Gaeilge, shares her excitement for the festival; "Táimid ríméadach go bhfuil Tonnta 2025 ag tarlú arís, a bhuíochas sin dár n-urraitheoirí dílse chomh maith le tacaíocht phobal na Gaillimhe. The bilingual festival has taken on a whole new level of excitement with the addition of new sponsors as well as the return of previous sponsors. In this year's programme, we aim to create lasting memories through a dynamic mixture of bilingual events that encourage everyone to connect with the Irish language and culture."
For more information visit www.tonnta.eu
