- Tonnta Irish-Language Festival (29 January–1 February 2026): A bilingual celebration of the Irish language with music, poetry, talks, and community events across multiple venues in Galway City, promoting creativity and inclusivity in the living language.
- Cúirt International Festival of Literature (21–26 April 2026): One of Europe’s oldest literary festivals, featuring readings, discussions, workshops, masterclasses, and launches with acclaimed Irish and international authors in Galway City.
- Fleadh na gCuach (typically early May): A traditional music, song, and dance festival in Kinvara, known for its lively sessions, competitions, and community arts events celebrating Irish heritage.
- Galway Folk Festival (3–7 June 2026): A five-day event spotlighting traditional Irish folk, roots, and contemporary music with headline concerts, workshops, sessions, and free pop-up performances across Galway City venues.
- Galway Theatre Festival (typically May/June): A nine-day showcase of bold independent theatre, circus, spectacle, and storytelling, highlighting innovative performances across Galway.
- Galway Film Fleadh (7–12 July 2026): Ireland’s premier film festival, screening new Irish and international features, documentaries, shorts, and hosting industry events in Galway City.
- Galway International Arts Festival (13–26 July 2026): A world-class two-week multidisciplinary festival with theatre, music, visual arts, street spectacles, dance, comedy, and talks featuring global and local artists.
- Galway Races Summer Festival (27 July–2 August 2026): Ireland’s iconic seven-day horse racing event at Ballybrit, blending thrilling races, fashion (including Ladies Day), live music, and vibrant social atmosphere.
- Connemara Pony Show (typically mid-August): The premier international showcase for Connemara ponies in Clifden, with competitions, breeding classes, and family-friendly events celebrating this native breed.
- Clifden Arts Festival (16–27 September 2026): Ireland’s longest-running community arts festival, offering high-quality poetry, music, visual arts, theatre, and workshops in Clifden and surrounding areas.
- Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival (25–27 September 2026): The world’s longest-running oyster festival, featuring championship shucking, seafood trails, gala events, live music, and family activities in Galway City.
- Baboró International Arts Festival for Children (typically October): Ireland’s flagship children’s arts festival in Galway City, with inspiring performances, exhibitions, and workshops for young audiences.
- Galway Comedy Festival (typically October): Ireland’s biggest comedy event, with top Irish and international comedians performing across venues in Galway City.
- Joe Heaney Festival of Traditional Irish Singing (typically spring): A celebration of sean-nós singing and traditional arts in Carna, honouring the legacy of renowned singer Joe Heaney.
- Clifden Traditional Music Festival (typically April): A weekend of top-quality traditional music, sessions, concerts, and workshops in Clifden, featuring musicians from across Ireland.
- Galway Early Music Festival (typically May): Performances of medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque music in historic Galway venues, with concerts, exhibitions, and interactive elements.
- Kinvara Farmers Market & Festival Events (ongoing, with peaks): Regular markets and tied events celebrating local produce and crafts in the picturesque village of Kinvara.
- Architecture at the Edge (dates TBC): A festival exploring innovative design and architecture through talks, tours, and exhibitions across Galway.
- Galway Pride Festival (typically August): A colourful celebration of LGBTQ+ community with parades, performances, workshops, and events throughout Galway City.
- Ballinasloe Horse Fair (early October): One of Europe’s oldest horse fairs, with parades, trading, and cultural events attracting visitors to the east Galway area.
Festivals
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary– Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Galway:
Introduction – 1837 – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells –Hotels – Hotels8 – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Musicians – Name – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Saints – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers
Related posts:
FOOTSTEPPING – Saint Ciara of Tipperary: Places associated with the saint and her feast day (January 5)
‘In the BUSH that I love best’ – St Stephen’s day in Ireland and the wren boys
‘Belief in Santa Claus seems to be dying out’ – a letter from the children of Ireland of 1938
A solstice tale: How Newgrange became a rocks star (ahem) of archaeology
