Galway City's Best
Upcoming Festivals and Events in Galway 2010
Galway is a vibrant and exiting place to visit any time of the year but there are times when things get especially interesting. If you're looking for culture, music, watersports or even horse racing then you might want to mark some of the following dates in your calendar. Thousands of people arrive in Galway to attend some of the most popular festivals so remember to book your accommodation early to avoid disappointment.
Trad on the Prom
Tuesday 18th of May – Thursday 30th of September 2010
Established as the number one show in Ireland, Trad on the Prom returns for another season to the Salthill Hotel Galway. This spectacular celebration of Irish culture at its best transcends language barriers with its unique blend of world class Irish Music, Song and Dance. Show starts at 9pm and finishes at 11pm. Dinner and show is also an option Click here to book your accommodation for Trad on the Prom now.
Official Website: www.salthillhotel.com
Galway Early Music Festival
Friday 28th of May – Sunday 30th of May 2010
Music & Madness. Galway's Early music celebration is a celebration of the variety of “mad” music and dance crazes of the medieval, renaissance and baroque periods. With free events and music throughout the Latin Quarter of the city it promises to be an exciting weekend. Click here to book your accommodation for the Galway Early Music Fest now.
Official Website: www.galwayearlymusic.com
Around Ireland
Offshore Powerboat Race
Saturday 5th of June – Saturday 12th of June 2010
The streets of Galway will leap into life this June Bank Holiday weekend, with the arrival of the Galway Power Boat Festival. A host of extreme racing events, with live commentary, will keep viewers on the edge of their seats, as Salthill provides a perfect viewing point for the P1 Superstock Championships, P750 racing and Jet Ski time trials which will undoubtedly be highlights of the on-water activity. Click here to book your accommodation for the Around Ireland Race now.
Official Website: www.aroundireland.org
The Galway Sessions
Monday 14th of June – Sunday 20th of June 2010
The music sessions take place in multiple venues in Galway City, including the Crane Bar, Róisín Dubh, Monroe's Tavern, The Quays, Tigh Neachtáin, Tigh Cóilí, Taffees, Massimo's, and Áras na Gael. Among the many highlights include Eddi Reader with Noelie McDonnell, Kinlochard & Tulla Céilí Bands, Juliet Turner, Dick Gaughan with Sean Tyrell and John Faulkner, Dordan adn Rachel Hair, Julie Fowlis and Róisín Elsafty, The Girls of Letterfrack, Tommy Keane, Jacqueline McCarthy and Arthur Jones, Feargal Scahill CD Launch, Fonnadóirí Singers Club, and the Alan Kelly Band with Kris Drever – a feast of talent ! Click here to book your accommodation for the Galway Sessions now.
Official website: www.galwaysessions.com
Galway International
Film Festival
Tuesday 6th July – Sunday 11th July 2010
Ireland’s leading film festival, is a six day international film event held every July and welcomes a mad diversity of filmmaking from around the world. The Fleadh is very much a film lovers’ festival, and attracts directors, actors, cinematographers and artists of all generations and cultural backgrounds, who present their work before their peers. Now in it’s 22nd year, the central goal of the Galway Film Fleadh remains unchanged: to bring together audiences and filmmakers within an intimate environment, and share a common experience – the wonder of cinema. The Fleadh’s diverse audience is made up of the general cinema going public, film buffs, student filmmakers, industry professionals and invited guests. Click here to book your accommodation for the Galway Film Fest now.
Official website: www.galwayfilmfleadh.com
Galway Arts Festival
Monday 12th of July – Sunday 25th of July 2010
Over its 32 year history the Festival has become a vital showcase for Irish arts and international arts and is now firmly established as Ireland’s leading arts festival. The Festival collaborates with artists and companies throughout the world to initiate, commission and produce new work.
Regarded as one of Europe’s key cultural events Galway Arts Festival is an international celebration of the performing and visual arts. Over 150,000 people attend the Festival annually with hundreds of writers, artists, performers and musicians creating theatre, spectacle, street art, music, comedy, literature and music to produce a stunning fortnight of cultural activity and celebration. Click here to book your accommodation for Galway Arts Festival now.
Official website: www.galwayartsfestival.com
Galway Race Week
Monday 26th July – Sunday 1st August 2010
Adrenalin-pumping action, heart-stopping finishes and breath-taking fashion; you are at the Galway Races. Situated on the outskirts of Galway city, in the West of Ireland, the Galway Racecourse is the place to be. Veteran race goers, and indeed those who simply love the atmosphere, travel from around the world for the unique experience that is, the Galway Races.
The Galway Races is certainly a festival for everyone. The Festival runs for seven consecutive days at Galway Racecourse starting from the last Monday in July each year. It is one of the busiest weeks of the year in Galway so we recommend you book as early as possible. Click here to book your acccommodation for Galway Race Week now.
Official website: www.galwayraces.com
Galway International
Oyster Festival
Thursday 23rd September – Sunday 26th September 2010
The Galway Oyster Festival has evolved from very modest beginnings. In September 1954, 34 guests attended the very first Oyster Festival Banquet. The idea presented itself when in 1953, Brian Collins, manager of the Great Southern Hotel was facing a bleak September with a deserted hotel.
Brian was mulling over the challenge of filling his hotel by extending the tourist season into September when the head chef recommended that oysters be included on their menu as they had just come into season. Eureka! Therein born the idea of celebrating the opening of the oyster season with a festival and the creation of what is now regarded as one of the most celebrated and longest running festivals in the world. Click here to book your accommodation for the Galway Oyster Festival now.
Official website: www.galwayoysterfest.com
Galway Comedy Festival
Thursday 21st October – Monday 25th October 2010
Galway's only comedy festival is often host to some of Irelands latest and greatest comedians. Although this years line up has not been announced we will probably see a few familiar faces such as Des Bishop and Jason Byrne. Click here to book your accommodation for the Galway Comedy Festival now.
Official Website: www.galwaycomedyfestival.com
Tulca – Season of Arts
Friday 5th November – Saturday 20th November
Tulca is an annual season of contemporary visual art in Galway. Featuring local and international exhibitions, unexpected live-art performances and discussions & talks with artists with admission free to all events.
Established in 2002, TULCA’s vision is to be accessible to a wide-ranging audience. The Festival engages and challenges audiences with new and fresh ideas, and art that audiences want to see. Attention is given to the finer details, such as programming work in interesting venues and ensuring the invigilators are well informed and enthusiastic. Click here to book your accommodation now.
Official website: www.tulca.ie
