Festivals & Events
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.
Theatre
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.
Music
McTell’s Irish farewell to end in Galway
Thu, Jan 15, 2026
Legendary British singer-songwriter Ralph McTell has announced that tickets for his last-ever tour of Ireland go on sale next week.
Cinema
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.
Comedy
Comics seek Funny money in 2026
Thu, Jan 15, 2026
Ireland’s longest running comedy competition, Show Me The Funny, will return to the King’s Head Bar later this month to help banish those post-Christmas, January blues.
Arts & Exhibitions
Lily Hughes exhibition to open at Town Hall Theatre this weekend
Thu, Jan 15, 2026
A special exhibition by Galway artist Lily Hughes, still painting in her 80s, will be launched at the Town Hall Theatre this Saturday.
Performing Arts
Gentle, rebellious punk from John Nee
Thu, Jan 15, 2026
The Art of Gentle Punk is Little John Nee’s latest act of quiet rebellion.
Literature & Readings
Tell-all book on Ozempic gets Galway launch
Thu, Jan 15, 2026
The inside story of the pharmaceutical industry’s efforts to tackle and monetise obesity with Ozempic and other drugs will be revealed by a Galway-based journalist.
