Total indulgence this January: Music for Galway unveils its 2026 Midwinter Festival

Thu, Jan 08, 2026

Galway’s winter cultural calendar is set for a major highlight this January as Music for Galway announces details of its much-anticipated Midwinter Festival 2026, titled The Quartet Extends. Running from Friday, January 23, until Sunday, January 25, at the Town Hall Theatre, the festival promises a rich celebration of chamber music, creativity and collaboration, and, in the words of its organisers, “total indulgence”.

GUMS presents Follies by Sondheim

Thu, Jan 08, 2026

Galway University Musical Society (GUMS) presents Follies by Stephen Sondheim, running from February 3-7 in the Black Box Theatre.

Film review: Chalamet is undeniably charming and charismatic as a ping-pong player desperate to achieve greatness in Marty Supreme

Thu, Jan 08, 2026

In an early scene from Josh Safdie’s solo directorial debut, Marty Supreme, the titular character encounters a problem. Although the store where he works has the shoe size his customer is looking for, Marty isn’t satisfied and strives to sell a smaller size, or possibly a more expensive shoe. Unmoved by his customer’s discomfort, he happily lies to satisfy his sense of self-importance. This is the first of many lies which Marty utilises as stepping stones to getting what he wants. The ease with which he bends the truth and manipulates people without hesitation is a fascinating aspect of this relentlessly driven and reckless character.

Subtitle Film Festival returns with a magical mix of premieres and modern classics

Thu, Jan 08, 2026

Enjoy a magical weekend of popular comedies, thrillers, and dramas at the Subtitle Film Festival, which returns after a six-year absence to Town Hall Theatre Galway from Friday January 16 until Sunday January 18.

Joint exhibition explores patterns and place in Connemara

Thu, Jan 08, 2026

Following the success of Connected, a joint exhibition by Elaine Cunningham and Siobhán Moore which took place in Salthill last November, the exhibition is now on tour and can be seen in the visitor centre at Connemara National Park, Letterfrack throughout this month.

Looking forward to Big Top summer nights

Thu, Jan 01, 2026

Every July, something remarkable happens in Galway — already a city steeped in music, storytelling and artistic rebellion, it transforms into a living, breathing celebration of creativity. Streets hum with anticipation, conversations spill late into the night, and for a few precious weeks the ordinary rules of time seem suspended. At the heart of this annual transformation sits the Heineken Big Top at Galway International Arts Festival – a venue that has become synonymous with unforgettable nights, world-class performances and moments of collective exhilaration that linger long after the lights go down.

Next summer, the Big Top’s musical programme promises to be one of the most compelling in the Festival’s history. Spanning generations, genres and emotional registers, it brings together global icons, beloved Irish acts and boundary-pushing performers whose live shows are experiences rather than mere concerts. From punk poetry and psychedelic spectacle to dancefloor abandon, soul-stirring balladry and full-throttle Irish singalongs, the Big Top will once again be the place where music fans from near and far converge, united by a shared hunger for something extraordinary.

Iconic venue enters fourth decade with exciting programme

Thu, Jan 01, 2026

As the Town Hall Theatre enters its fourth decade, it is worth pausing to reflect on just how fortunate Galway is to have such a remarkable cultural home at the heart of the city. Few buildings anywhere can claim a history as layered, or a present as vibrant.

Since the 1820s, the stately building on Court House Square has served as a court, a seat of local government, a cinema, a dance hall, a conference venue, and even, in darker times, a stockade for internees. Yet perhaps its most extraordinary chapter began just thirty years ago, when it was reborn as a theatre — and in doing so became one of the great engines of cultural life in Ireland.

Looking forward to Big Top summer nights

Wed, Dec 31, 2025

Every July, something remarkable happens in Galway — already a city steeped in music, storytelling and artistic rebellion, it transforms into a living, breathing celebration of creativity. Streets hum with anticipation, conversations spill late into the night, and for a few precious weeks the ordinary rules of time seem suspended. At the heart of this annual transformation sits the Heineken Big Top at Galway International Arts Festival – a venue that has become synonymous with unforgettable nights, world-class performances and moments of collective exhilaration that linger long after the lights go down.

Iconic venue enters fourth decade with exciting programme

Wed, Dec 31, 2025

As the Town Hall Theatre enters its fourth decade, it is worth pausing to reflect on just how fortunate Galway is to have such a remarkable cultural home at the heart of the city. Few buildings anywhere can claim a history as layered, or a present as vibrant.

Hot Press announces "History In The Making: The Concert" to kickstart 50th Anniversary activities

Thu, Dec 25, 2025

Hot Press has announced a major event, History In The Making: The Concert, featuring many of the leading lights in Irish music, to take place at 3Arena, Dublin on Friday, 6 February.

Dunmore lad with a sign jams with heroes

Thu, Dec 25, 2025

Aspiring musician Cillian Coleman from Dunmore, Co Galway, got an early Christmas present when played backstage with his heroes, Kingfishr, earlier this month in Castlebar.

Galway's favourite Christmas movie is Love Actually

Thu, Dec 25, 2025

New research from Virgin Media Ireland has revealed Galway’s favourite Christmas movie.

According to the study, Love Actually is the most popular Christmas film in Galway, based on average Google search volumes each December since 2021

Year of free gigs for competition winner

Thu, Dec 25, 2025

A competition for a ‘golden ticket’ of free entries to one of the west of Ireland’s premier entertainment venues has been won in a nail-biting finish.

Renmore Pantomime returns to Town Hall with pantomime classic Jack and the Beanstalk

Thu, Dec 25, 2025

In the enchanting kingdom of Renmore Fairy Land, life is anything but ordinary for young Jack Wiggles (Dumebi Asiegbu) and his best friend, Milky Moo the Cow (Vanessa Walsh). With the kingdom watched over by the ever-sparkly Fairy Flowers (Cat Ryan) and ruled by the wonderfully regal Queen Apricot (Ellen Hession) and Princess Rosebud (Emily Egan), the valley is bursting with magic, mischief, and music.

Momentum builds for new music festival

Thu, Dec 18, 2025

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.

Thirty years of The Town Hall Theatre this winter season

Thu, Dec 18, 2025

Since the 1820s it has been a court, a seat of city government, a cinema, a conference room, dance hall and even a stockade for internees, but next year the old Town Hall building on Court House Square will celebrate 30 years as a thoroughly successful theatre.

Carnival performance

Thu, Dec 18, 2025

Indie entertainer Jerry Fish will bring his theatrical style of performance to Monroe’s Live on Tuesday, December 30, with doors open at 9pm for this seated show.

Tribal beats to ring in New Year

Thu, Dec 18, 2025

The thumping beats of Kíla will pound from Monroe’s main stage on Wednesday, December 31, to ring in 2026.

December line-up at Monroe’s

Thu, Dec 18, 2025

Monroe’s Live has revealed a busy Christmas line-up for the remainder of December.

Irish Folk meets rock n’ roll with George Murphy and The Rising Sons

Thu, Dec 18, 2025

Hailed as one of the most exciting vocalists in Ireland, singer-songwriter George Murphy returns to Monroe’s Live with The Rising Sons on Monday, December 29, with doors at 7.30pm.

E-paper

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