An Tóstal Salthill Festival 2027
Traditional Irish Boat Festival in Galway ⛵
If you’re looking for something to do in mid-May, why not take up a spot on the Salthill Promenade to watch the wonderful sight of dozens of racing currachs as they take to the water for the An Tóstal Salthill Festival. Following a very successful event last year, the An Tóstal Salthill is expected to return on 22nd and 23rd May 2027, and promises to be better than ever.
📷 Ashley Cort Photography
Salthill Kite Festival
In 2027, the Salthill Kite Festival is expected to be included in the wider An Tóstal programme, adding a colourful seaside dimension to the celebrations. Its vibrant displays and family-friendly activities complement An Tóstal’s maritime heritage theme, enhancing the festive atmosphere along Galway Bay.
All about An Tóstal ⚓
A celebration of Galway’s maritime traditions
When the event returns in 2027, the traditional racing currachs and rowers will gather at Ladies Beach in Salthill. The foundation for this gathering was laid out in the early 1950s, and Tóstal na Gaillimhe of 1953 marked the beginning of the All-Ireland Currach Racing Championships. Dignitaries and thousands of spectators gathered to witness the rowers compete for championship titles and glory.
The event features male, female, and junior traditional currach racing rowers alongside sliding seat rowers. The currachaí will be provided by Cóiste Lár na gCurrachaí for the duration of the festival and we are delighted to have the support of the previous festival director of 2011-2013, who is working closely with us to ensure the success of An Tóstal.
The event is a revival of a national celebration of maritime life and customs that was initiated in 1953 by Bord Fáilte and continued till 1959. An Tóstal was revived in 2011 after a long wait of 57 years, and the winning crew of 1955 officiated at the opening ceremony before races began. In 2012, new trophies were presented for the senior men’s race and junior category, and racing continued with different crews winning in each category. The weather conditions were perfect for racing, with boats of different sizes out on the water.
In the expectation of similarly good weather conditions, the Gráinne Mhaol Rowing Club will be hosting ‘Try Rowing’ sessions and the Galway Hooker Sailing Club will be hosting ‘Try Sailing’ sessions for those curious about getting started. Galway Bay promises a spectacle of red sails as the iconic Galway Hooker fleet – along with other local sailing clubs – take to the water.
In addition to the thrilling races taking place on the water, there will be plenty of family-friendly activities and entertainment on shore throughout the weekend. Visitors can enjoy a variety of food and drink options from local vendors, and kids can take part in crafts, sandcastle building competitions and other fun activities. Live music performances by local artists will also be featured, adding to the festive atmosphere. With something for everyone, An Tóstal is a free event that promises to be a fun-filled weekend for the whole family.
The revival of An Tóstal promises to be an exciting event, one that will bring the tradition and customs of Galway life alive.
What to expect at An Tóstal Festival
Maritime history enthusiasts can enjoy witnessing the tough racing of currachs by crews from all around Ireland and as the day progresses, bilingual live commentary will keep spectators informed and engaged. Bádóirí an Chladaigh (The Claddagh Boatmen) will display a parade of sail to the public on the Salthill Promenade during the day, and the renowned Galway hookers will once more champion the waves of Galway Bay.
A look back to previous An Tóstal events
An Tóstal is a significant national celebration of Irish customs and traditions that was first conceptualized in 1953 by Bord Fáilte, making it the first “Gathering.” An Tóstal returned to Salthill in 2011 after an absence of more than 57 years. Since then, the festival has increased in size yearly and has become one of the most well-attended occasions on Galway’s summer calendar.
An Tóstal in a 1957 film about Salthill
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Fun for all the family
An Tóstal Salthill is a family-friendly event, and those of you who prefer to stay on dry land can enjoy a kids’ sandcastle competition, family fun events by Galway City Council and a tiny traders market. All of these activities will take place at Salthill’s Ladies Beach, where barbecues and refreshments will keep the people fed throughout the day. Far into the night, live music will keep partygoers entertained in the Galway Bay Hotel, which looks out over Ladies Beach.
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