Greetings from Under the Arch
Galway Comedy Festival 2026 opens on Tuesday 20 October, so we hope you've a few evenings to spare.
Tommy Tiernan: World Tour of Galway is a brand-new stand-up show at Róisín Dubh that night. On Friday 23 October, Jack Dee: Jack's Joke Show marks 40 years in comedy at the Black Box Theatre, while Rhys Darby and Friends brings Andrew Maxwell, Steve Wrigley and Terry Alderton back to Róisín Dubh.
Over the bank holiday weekend, Whiplash cover Metallica's Master of Puppets and Enter Sandman at Monroe's, Big Bag of Sticks bring Irish trad, punk and dub reggae to the same stage, and HAAi has an October Bank Holiday set at Electric. Families can carve a turnip lantern at Galway City Museum on Tuesday 27 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 · Venues across Galway
A week of stand-up with Tommy Tiernan, Jack Dee, Rhys Darby, Andrew Maxwell, Mike Wozniak, The Kavanaghs, Emma Doran, Emer Maguire, Spencer Jones, Georgie Carroll and David McSavage. There's also improv, theatre, mime, table quizzes, photography and hip hop on the programme.
Tommy Tiernan: World Tour of Galway
Tuesday 20 October · 20:00 · Róisín Dubh
A brand-new stand-up show from Tommy Tiernan, who was named Irish Comedian of the Year for the second year running in the Hot Press Readers Poll 2026. His RTÉ chat show is also in its tenth season.
Rhys Darby and Friends
Friday 23 October · 20:00 · Róisín Dubh
Rhys Darby, the New Zealander from Flight of the Conchords and Our Flag Means Death, headlines a stand-up night with Andrew Maxwell, Steve Wrigley and Terry Alderton.
Whiplash: Metallica Tribute
Saturday 24 October · 14:30 · Monroe's Live
Galway band Whiplash stay close to Metallica's originals, with Master of Puppets, Enter Sandman and One in the set. It's an afternoon show.
Big Bag of Sticks
Saturday 24 October · Monroe's Live
Irish traditional music, punk, ska and dub reggae all go into the mix from this Galway band, who formed around 1990.
Heineken Greenlight: HAAi at Electric
Saturday 24 October · 23:00 · Electric
HAAi takes over the main floor for a one-off October Bank Holiday set, with Diebyveg and Hannah Hession also on the lineup.
Daft Punk Experience
Sunday 25 October · Monroe's Live
An audiovisual tribute that follows Daft Punk from their early-90s classics to the later hits, with special guests still to be named.
Galway Tales After Dark at the Hole in the Wall
Wednesday 21 October · 19:00 to 20:00 · Hole in the Wall
An hour of dark history, spooky stories and secrets from Galway's past, timed for Halloween, with nibbles throughout.
Jack Dee: Jack's Joke Show
Friday 23 October · 20:00 · Black Box Theatre
Forty years into his comedy career, Jack Dee is back with the deadpan he's known for. You might know him from Have I Got News for You, QI and The Apprentice.
David McSavage: Pig Ignorant
Friday 23 October · 20:30 · Pálás, Screen 1
One mic, one hour, zero apologies: that's the pitch for David McSavage's solo show, part of Galway Comedy Festival over the bank holiday weekend.
Tommy Tiernan, Sharon Mannion, Deirdre O'Kane, Bernard O'Shea & Barry Murphy
Date to be confirmed · Leisureland
A mixed comedy bill with Tommy Tiernan and Deirdre O'Kane, moved from the Black Box Theatre to Leisureland.
Conamara Sea Week Seafood Trail
Friday 23 October · 18:00 to 21:00 · Letterfrack
Walk between four Letterfrack venues, Clover Fox, Veldon's Seafarer Restaurant, The Old Monastery Hostel and Letterfrack Lodge, for local, sustainable seafood. A guide called the Pied Piper leads the way, and the evening raises funds for Sea Week.
Féile Bia Chois Fharraige 2026
Friday 23 to Monday 26 October · An Spidéal
A food festival from Comhlacht Forbartha an Spidéil, with a food tour and market on Saturday and workshops on fire cider, fermentation and seaweed. Two long-table dinners, An Bord Fada on Saturday and An Féasta Mór on Sunday, are held in An Spidéal.
Abba Disco Brunch
Sunday 25 October · 13:00 to 16:00 · HYDE Bar
A sit-down brunch with a main course and cocktails, a DJ playing ABBA all afternoon, and a room that's encouraged to sing and dance.
Family Workshop: Make a Traditional Jack-o'-Lantern
Tuesday 27 October · 11:00 to 13:00 · Galway City Museum
Museum educator Brendan McGowan tells the story of the turnip lantern, a Halloween tradition once common across Ireland and Britain. Then artist Vicky Smith helps you carve your own.
Clothes Swap
Date to be confirmed · Top Shelf Coffee Bar, Fairgreen Road
A clothes swap in collaboration with Planet Retro Vintage.
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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