Cúirt International Festival of Literature: 20th
- 25th April 2010
The 25th edition of the Cúirt International Festival
will combine poetry, prose, memoir, debate and film with many of the
world’s most accomplished writers visiting Galway to read from their
work. The festival mix of established writers alongside emerging voices
will ensure a treasure chest of discovery for its audience. Younger
readers are also catered for and the friendly backdrop of Galway makes
for a warm and convivial host. This year we will unveil a number of
special celebratory events and will also introduce a new festival club.
E: info@galwayartscentre.ie
W: www.cuirt.ie
T: 091 565886
Galway Early Music Festival: 28-30 May 2010
Since its inception in 1996, Galway Early Music has produced annual
festivals which celebrated the culture of Europe from
the 12th to the 18th century in music, dance, costume and colour. The
aim of the festival is to create an audience for the
music and dance of the medieval, renaissance and baroque periods
through concerts and participation in workshops and
masterclasses. The festival also encourages interaction of professional
and amateur musicians and the development of
historically informed performance in Galway and in Ireland as a whole.
Galway Early Music Festival takes place in May each year.
E: info@galwayearlymusic.com
W: www.galwayearlymusic.com
T: 087 9305506
Galway Arts Festival: 12-25 July 2010
Founded in 1978, the Galway Arts Festival collaborates with artists and
companies throughout the world to produce and
present an international programme of theatre, spectacle, dance, visual
arts, music, literature & comedy involving hundreds of artists
and performers. Galway Arts Festival is at the heart of all aspects of
life in Galway City contributing
immeasurably to the economic, social and cultural life of the west of
Ireland. Over its 29-year history the Festival has
become a vital showcase for Irish arts internationally and
international arts in Ireland and is now firmly established as
Ireland's leading arts festival. The festival takes place every year
during the last two weeks in July.
E: info@galwayartsfestival.ie
W: www.galwayartsfestival.com
T: 091 509700
Galway Races: 26 July - 1 Aug 2010
Galway Bay Hotel are proud sponsors of the Galway Races 2010.
Adrenaline-pumping action, heart-stopping finishes and
breath-taking fashion are all to be found at the Galway Races. Situated
on the outskirts of Galway City, the Galway Race
Festival is world renowned. Veteran race goers, and those who simply
love the atmosphere, travel from around the world for the unique
experience. The Summer Festival Race Meeting is famous for its electric
atmosphere, excellent racing and
infectious sense of fun. Celebrities can be seen sipping champagne by
the Champagne Tent and the more conservative can be heard above the
crowd as the horses round the bend into the home stretch. The Festival
runs for seven consecutive days starting from the last Monday in July
each year.
E: information@galwayraces.com
W: www.galwayraces.com
T: 091 753870
Salthill Community Arts Festival: 18-20 Sept 2010
There is no reason for anyone to be bored this weekend.
Some events include live music, art trails, exhibitions, FREE fun
for kids and much much more! Don't miss the Book Chat with Des Kenny in
Galway Bay Hotel on 18th September from 6pm! Check out the programme
here on www.failtesalthill.com
Galway Oyster Festival: 23-26 Sept 2010.
The first Oyster Festival in Galway took place in 1954.
A local hotelier came up with the idea of celebrating the opening
of the oyster season with a festival. With help from local businessmen
and Guinness, the first festival took place the
following September with 34 guests attending the first Oyster Festival
Banquet and from such humble beginnings grew what is now regarded as
one of the most celebrated and longest running festivals in the world.
For the best in gourmet seafood, live music and the best Guinness in
town, it is well worth making the trip to the Galway Oyster Festival.
For four days and nights on the last weekend in September, Galway City
comes alive as thousands of people travel from the four corners of the
world to enjoy a remarkable festival celebrating the oyster, a food
known for it’s mysterious luxury and passion.
E: info@galwayoysterfest.com
W: www.galwayoysterfest.com
T: 091 522066
Babóro International Arts Festival for Children:
11-17 Oct 2010
Baboró International Arts Festival for Children is recognised as the
leading Irish arts festival devoted exclusively to children with an
attendance record of over 72,000 since its foundation in 1997. For the
last ten years, one week in October has been devoted to presenting high
quality national and international arts performances and workshops for
children in and out of schools and families. Venues in and around
Galway are used for the presentation of this festival with selected
artists travelling out to county schools, youth centres and community
centres.
E: admin@baboro.ie
W: www.baboro.ie
T: 091 562667
Galway Town Hall Theatre
The building which houses the Town Hall Theatre was erected in the
1820's and served first as a Courthouse and later as a conventional
Town Hall. In the 1950's, the building was converted into a cinema and
was used for film screenings until it
fell into disrepair in the 1990's. Galway Corporation, with the
assistance of a grant from the Department of Arts, Culture
and the Gaeltacht, undertook a major refurbishment of the building
between 1993 and 1995 and it re-opened as a state of the art, 393 seat
Municipal Theatre in October, 1995. The Theatre is situated in the
centre of Galway and features a fine
portico overlooking the newly renovated Courthouse Square and a
bar/cafe in the upper foyer.
E: tht@galwaycity.ie
W: www.tht.ie
T: 091 569777
Kennys Bookshop and Art Gallery
Situated in the heart of Galway, Kennys was established in 1940 by Des
& Maureen Kenny. Web folklore has it that Kennys Bookshop was
the second bookshop in the world to have its own website. Only a sci-fi
shop in San Francisco beat them to it. As pioneers of bookselling
online, Kennys have continually redeveloped their site over the years
to keep up-to-date on the changing trends and needs of our customers.
Kennys has a renowned stock of books on Irish history, culture,
literature and language, as well as a comprehensive selection of
non-Irish material that covers all aspects of the human experience.
E: art@kennys.ie
W: www.kennys.ie
T: 091 709350
Theatre
Theatre plays a large role in Galway with three theatres; The
Taibhearc, The Druid and The Town Hall Theatre.
The Taibhearc, situated Middle Street, is mainly an Irish language
theatre. The Druid has played host to some of the best
theatrical productions in the country and the Town Hall is Galway's
Municipal Theatre.
Nightlife
The nightlife in Galway is buzzing. There are numerous
pubs to suit different people. Quay Street is very good for those
interested in traditional music and Galway also has a number of
nightclubs to cater for the younger age group.
Check out these links for more information on
Events in Galway:
www.discoverireland.ie
www.galwayfestivals.com
