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”.

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.

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.

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.

Big brass to jazz up carols in Salthill

Thu, Dec 18, 2025

St Patrick’s Brass Band will team up with choirs and vocalists from across Galway for an unforgettable Christmas Jubilee this Sunday, December 21, at the Salthill Hotel.

For this concert St Patrick’s is privileged to team up with local choirs and vocalists for what promises to be a special Christmas concert. The performance, in addition to a number of brass band classic Christmas numbers, will feature Galway Choral Association Choir, TLC Choir and Loughrea vocalists Padraig Connaughton and Madeleine Fleming.

Winter music season will ‘extend’ the quartet

Thu, Dec 18, 2025

If there is a music lover in your life in need of a Christmas gift, tickets are now available for Music for Galway’s 22nd Midwinter Festival at the Town Hall Theatre from Friday, January 23, to Sunday, January 25.

Kelleher home for ‘Songs & Stories’

Thu, Dec 18, 2025

Now based in Texas, likes to talk about growing up in Galway in the 60s and 70s. From the highs of opening for Thin Lizzy at the Hanger, to being admitted to St Patrick’s psychiatric hospital at age 20 after suffering a nervous breakdown, Kelleher takes his audience on his “wild journey”.

Dub with a rub of the West

Thu, Dec 11, 2025

Singer Damien Dempsey was formed by his north side Dublin roots, but he has reverberating west of Ireland connections too.

Emotionally hollow whole fails to live up to sum of its parts

Thu, Dec 11, 2025

Jay Kelly is an impressive convergence of Hollywood titans.

Sharon Shannon brings Big Band to Monroe’s Live

Thu, Dec 11, 2025

Following the success of their recent tribute to Shane MacGowan, the Sharon Shannon Big Band will play at Monroe’s Live on Thursday, December 18, with a new production celebrating Ireland’s song tradition.

Aslan bring four decades of music to Galway

Thu, Dec 11, 2025

To honour the music they built together over forty years, members of iconic rock band Aslan have embarked on a new chapter, following the passing of their much-loved singer, Christy Dignam.

Saturday night double bill at Monroe’s

Thu, Dec 11, 2025

Monroe’s Live will be rocking this Saturday night, December 13, with a double bill of two powerhouse bands, back-to-back: Glory Days and The Amazing Apples.

Chance for 12 months of free gigs

Thu, Dec 11, 2025

The TF Royal Theatre in Castlebar will hand one lucky fan a €12,000 golden ticket this month, guaranteeing access to every show next year for them and a friend.

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