Oranmore is turning up the volume. The coastal town is stepping into the spotlight as a bold new outdoor entertainment hotspot, launching its very own multi-day music festival next year.
Titled Momentum, it will take place over the 2026 May bank holiday weekend, with early headliners already revealed hinting at a target market of over 30-year-olds.
The Stunning and special guests will play the ‘Crescendo’ 4,200-capacity tent for the opening night on May 1, while The Coronas plus special guests will close on Sunday, May 3. The line-up for the ‘Big Day Out’ on Saturday, May 2, is looking like B*Witched, D:Ream, Rednex and dance music icon Mark McCabe of ‘Maniac 2000’ fame.
Smaller ‘secret session-type’ events around the Oranmore area will be announced over coming months, but the main, big tent gigs will be held on the Ard na Mara pitches between Oranmore Church and Gaelscoil de Hide, right next to Oranmore town centre.
Momentum is the brainchild of BC Ventures, founded by Cian Burke and Trevor Cullinane, both established publican-restaurateurs in Oranmore. Burke has the Olde Brewery on Main Street, while Cullinane is co-owner of Gigas Dinergrill, directly across the road.
Oranmore-based Olivia Breene, of Lateralus B consultancy, is the project’s commercial director. She says the main stage will be much larger than the Galway International Arts Festival’s 1,100-capacity Big Top at Fisheries Field, but will also integrate into the smaller, more intimate townscape of Oranmore.
“Oranmore will never have seen anything like this, and we’re aiming to expand the idea of Momentum to other towns in the east, south and north of the country too,” she told the Advertiser.
Ms Breene says they have secured a venue licence for the event, which will include an outdoor bar sponsored by a major drinks brand, and food outlets. They are working on a traffic management plan with local authorities, and event management firm Peak Productions, which has experience of the Dublin Marathon and Electric Picnic.
“There are 75,000 people living within six miles of Oranmore, and we want to give them another option for music, culture and experience,” says Ms Breene. “We are bringing in experts, but also want to tap into the enormous arts and arts management expertise that already exists around Galway.”
Admitting there may be “some, temporary” disruption to Oranmore’s already busy town centre, Momentum is planning and encouraging sustainable modes of transport to Oranmore, and will be implementing a full traffic management and parking plan overseen by stewards and volunteers.
“As a proud Galwegian, and as someone who has spent my career in the hospitality sector, I’ve witnessed first-hand the area’s remarkable growth. It’s genuinely exciting to see Oranmore rising to meet that momentum, responding to a growing demand for culture, music and creative pursuits,” says Cian Burke.
“It’s amazing to be part of something that welcomes such incredible acts and kicks off with a real bang, with Momentum having the potential to evolve into a signature, annual event that creates moments that matter for artists, audiences and the wider community, while driving meaningful cultural impact and regional engagement.”
Day ticket prices for Momentum have been announced at between €50 and €65, plus booking fees.
More details available soon on www.MomentumFestival.ie and Ticketmaster.ie
