Greetings from Under the Arch
We hope you've a few evenings spare, because Thursday and Friday are full of live music and the Galway Comedy Festival 2026 opens on Tuesday 20 October.
Fontaines C.D. and Arctic Monkeyz share a bill at Monroe's Live on Thursday, and on Friday the ConTempo String Quartet play Hans Zimmer and Fleetwood Mac by candlelight at St Nicholas' Collegiate Church.
Comedy fans can start the festival with Tommy Tiernan's World Tour of Galway at Róisín Dubh, or with the opening gala at the Black Box. Or head out to Inis Mór for Irish Ted Weekend, which starts on Friday 16 October.
This is our pick of what's on in Galway this week. As always for a full event list check out the link at the bottom of the email.
Let's dive in 👇
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK
Galway Comedy Festival 2026
Tuesday 20 to Monday 26 October · Various venues, Galway city and county
Seven nights of comedy in the city's pubs and theatres, with more than 70 Irish and international performers across 70 shows.
Irish Ted Weekend 2026
Friday 16 to Monday 19 October · Inis Mór, Aran Islands
From the team behind Tedfest, a new weekend on Inis Mór that teaches you Irish through the world of Father Ted. There are Irish workshops for beginner to intermediate learners, plus Father Dougal's Breakfast Charades, a Father Ted Olympics and a Father Ted quiz in Irish. No exams, and complete beginners are welcome.
Saturday night ends with a céilí and traditional music session.
Galway Comedy Festival 2026 Opening Gala
Tuesday 20 October · 20:00 · Black Box Theatre
Tommy Tiernan, Al Porter, John Colleary, Enya Martin and Karl Spain share one mixed bill to open the festival.
Fontaines C.D. + Arctic Monkeyz
Thursday 15 October · Monroe's Live
Fontaines C.D. recreate the live show of Dublin post-punk band Fontaines D.C., with fan favourites such as Big, Boys in the Better Land and Starburster. Arctic Monkeyz cover Sheffield's finest in support.
Candlelight: Hans Zimmer's Best Works
Friday 16 October · 18:30 · St Nicholas' Collegiate Church
The ConTempo String Quartet play Hans Zimmer by candlelight, with music from Inception, Interstellar, The Lion King, Gladiator and Dune.
Candlelight: Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
Friday 16 October · 20:30 · St Nicholas' Collegiate Church
Later that night the quartet move on to Fleetwood Mac, with Landslide, Rhiannon, Go Your Own Way and The Chain in the programme.
Mick Flannery
Saturday 17 October · 20:00 · The CornerStone Gormans, Woodford
Mick Flannery, the singer-songwriter from Blarney, is known for soulful vocals and heartfelt folk-rock songs.
Paddy Casey
Saturday 17 October · 20:00 · Lady Gregory Hotel, Gort
Gort gets a night of Paddy Casey's hits and newer songs, including his latest single, Won't Take Much.
The Seattle Grunge Experience
Saturday 17 October · Monroe's Live
A tribute to Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and Alice in Chains, playing the biggest songs of Seattle grunge.
Gay Halloween!
Sunday 18 October · 19:00 to 21:00 · Massimo Bar
Batty Wingding hosts a Halloween party and variety show with lip sync battles, games, a raffle and a costume contest with prizes. Alexis Carey, Memento Maurice and Katheryn Obvious perform, and the proceeds support On The Precipice, Galway's queer theatre collective.
Tommy Tiernan: World Tour Of Galway #GCF26
Tuesday 20 October · 20:00 · Róisín Dubh
Unusual storytelling and philosophical tangents make up Tommy Tiernan's new stand-up show. He won Irish Comedian of the Year for a second year in the Hot Press Readers Poll 2026.
Autumnal Candle Making & Cocktails!
Thursday 15 October · 19:00 to 21:00 · Tom Sheridan's, Clybaun Road
Blackthorn Candles show you how to make your own custom candle over cocktails, with sweet treats and giveaways along the way.
Oktoberfest at Carroll's on Dominick St
Monday 19 to Sunday 25 October · 17:00 · Carroll's on Dominick Street
The beer garden is done up Oktoberfest-style, with long tables, oversized steins, pretzels and a food menu built for big meals. Join in the German toast, "Prost!", all night.
Antarctica!
Tuesday 13 October · 17:30 · Black Box Theatre
A sensory adventure inspired by Shackleton's Antarctic expedition. The ship is trapped in the ice, and the crew need teamwork, friendship and hope to get home, told through music, movement and minimal language. This is a relaxed performance.
Not Falling
Tuesday 13 to Wednesday 14 October · 10:00 and 12:00 · Black Box Theatre
Three dancers try to escape gravity, flying, soaring and gently returning to the ground, alongside slow-motion film of children leaping and seeming to float. It's non-verbal and comes from Belgian dance company tout petit.
Make a Samhain Wreath
Saturday 17 October · 10:00 and 13:00 · Áras na nGael
You and your adult decorate a willow wreath with dried flowers to take home, led by Áine, who grows the flowers organically at Flós Farm in An Spidéal. The workshop is bilingual and all materials are supplied.
For a full overview of all events on this week in Galway check out our event listings page
UNTIL NEXT WEEK
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