Festivals

To explore with children the wonder of their world through the magic of creative expression. 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. One week every October is devoted to presenting high quality national and international arts for children.

The Ballinasloe October Horse Fair is one of the oldest fairs in Ireland. Referred to as the “Great Cattle Fair” of Ballinasloe, at one stage it was renowned as the largest and greatest in all of Europe. The Ballinasloe Horse Fair & Festival takes place in October in Ballinasloe, Co. Galway. Known as the gateway to the West, Ballinasloe is situated on the N6, main Galway - Dublin route.

The Burren Slow Food Festival is a showcase of all that is good about food from County Clare in one of the best possible settings - the Burren. Enjoy cookery demonstrations, farmers market, food talks and cookin' for kids workshops. The festival is about Community spirit and involves local & national chefs in Cookery demonstrations. Friday starts with a workshop involving local Producers and other stakeholders. Saturday and Sunday will have Cookery demonstrations, Food Talks, Childrens Workshops & a Farmer's Market. Expect top local and celebrity chefs, TV personalities and famous foodies to be involved throughout.

Clarenbridge's Oyster Festival is a celebration of its native oyster - a delicacy and some say an aphrodisiac - eaten locally for thousands of years and now enjoyed by people from around the world. Thousands of people from all over the world come to Clarenbridge each year to enjoy the oysterfest.

Clifden Arts Festival is a popular festival with an eclectic programme ranging from comedy to music and drama to literature. There are field trips, workshops, book and album launches, street theatre, dance, comedy, and much else besides. Takes place annually during September.

The Connemara Marahon comprises of a Half Marathon, a Full Marathon and is Ireland's only on-road Ultra Marathon (39.3 miles). Taking place in March/April every year, the event regularly attracts a sell out field with representatives from over 30 Countries.

Cruinniu na mBád, meaning "Gathering of the Boats", is a festival held in August each year, which brings us back in time, to when the majestic Galway Hookers used to transport turf/peat to Kinvara. Up to 100 unique Irish boats, the Galway Hookers, once the workhorses of the coast of Connemara and North Clare, gather for a weekend of racing and celebration at Cruinniú na mBád (Gathering of the Boats) festival in Kinvara, Co. Galway. Saturday evening features some lively Gleoteoig (small hooker) racing and, on Sunday, the Hooker and Leath Bhad (half hooker) races will take place, against the backdrop of Dunguaire Castle and the Burren landscape of South Galway Bay. Gaelic is the language of the bádóirí (boat people) and sean nós (old style) singing, dancing and music will feature prominently.

The Cuirt International Festival of Literature is a significant literary festival which incorporates a wide range of Irish and international writers, poets and artists, who converge on Galway for six days of readings and discussion every year. The festival also features writing workshops and the Irish Times debate.

Galway Arts Festival is Ireland's leading arts festival, first held in 1978 this two week spectacular showcases the best in dancing, street performance, music, literary and children's events and art exhibitions. Over 150,000 people attend Festival annually with hundreds of writers, artists, performers and musicians creating theatre, spectacle, street art, music, comedy, literature and music producing a wonderful fortnight of cultural activity and celebration. <br><br>Theatre and dance companies including Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Chicago, the Royal National Theatre, London, The Royal Court, James Thierree, Stephen Petronio Dance Company, Hubbard Street Dance, The Abbey Theatre and Galway’s world famous Druid Theatre have all performed at the Festival. Artists and musicians including Bill Viola, Joni Mitchell, Hughie O’Donoghue, Walker Evans, David Byrne, Blondie, David Gray, Brodsky String Quartet, Stephen Isserlis and Philip Glass have all recently participated at the Festival.

The Galway Beer Festival in association with Great Irish Beer Festival is an annual event in Salthill Galway over the last weeknd in October! Beer lovers and connoisseurs are expected to once again flock to the biggest beer festival in Ireland. There will be over 100 different beers, ciders and ales from all over the world on offer. Throughout the event, you will have the opportunity to taste and purchase an array of products from the very best of Ireland's and the world's innovative and unique drinks companies and meet some of the brewers, distillers and cider makers behind the high-quality range of products on offer. From Galway Hooker and Hersbrucker to Svyturys Ekstra Draught, Chimay Blue and Hoegaarden, and flavours like chocolate and banana, as well as a selection of non-alcoholic beers, there's something to wet every whistle.