WATCH: Vibrant Galway City Night-Time Culture at Gaillimh Ah-Boo! festival
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WATCH: Vibrant Galway City Night-Time Culture at Gaillimh Ah-Boo! festival

Galway City Council Showcases Vibrant Night-Time Culture at Gaillimh Ah-Boo, Home of Halloween Programme.

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As part of Galway City’s inaugural Gaillimh Ah-Boo programme, the Galway City Council Night-Time Economy developed and commissioned three creative, participatory projects designed to celebrate Samhain and enhance the city’s vibrant night-time experience.

Amharc – To Look, To See

Irish artist Rita Duffy transformed shopfronts across Galway into miniature stage sets. Windows became surreal theatres featuring reanimated furniture, magical installations, and animated digital artworks. These illuminated displays invited passersby to pause, explore, and celebrate the beauty of darkness during the winter season.

Special thanks to local businesses for their support, including AIB Lynch’s Castle, Claddagh Credit Union, Murphy’s Ice Cream, An Poblacht, and KAI Restaurant.

Samhain Community Dance Spectacle – A Thriller in Eyre Square
Over 40 dancers from the Genevieve Ryan Dance Academy led a spine-tingling reimagining of Michael Jackson’s iconic Thriller routine. This inclusive street performance blended pop culture with Celtic folklore, inviting residents and visitors to dress up, join in, and experience the magic of Samhain together.

Samhain Procession | Día de Muertos
A vibrant, multicultural procession celebrated shared traditions of honouring ancestors, weaving together Samhain, Día de Muertos, and All Souls’ Day. Led by Galway’s Mexican community, over 80 participants brought music, dance, and colour to the streets of Galway City, creating a joyful tribute to heritage and connection.

These projects were commissioned by Galway City Council Night-Time Economy, with support from Creative Ireland, the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, Fáilte Ireland, and local partners. Together, they showcased Galway as a city alive after dark—creative, inclusive, and full of festive spirit.

WATCH HIGHLIGHTS HERE:

Video by Bulabosca - check out their website and social media for more.

Feature photo by Joseph Padfield.

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