Greetings from Under the Arch
The Galway Early Music Festival opens for its 30th year this Friday, with concerts, workshops, and street music across St Nicholas Collegiate Church and historic city venues.
Colm Tóibín discusses The News from Dublin at Kennys Bookshop on Monday evening. Damo Clark brings his Australian stand-up to the Róisín Dubh on Friday. The Battle of the Brewers is a V60 competition at Ré on Thursday. Croíthe plays the Róisín at midnight on Tuesday.
This is our pick of what's on 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 Early Music Festival
Friday 22 May onwards · St Nicholas Collegiate Church and historic Galway city venues
Thirty years in, the Galway Early Music Festival is one of the most consistently excellent specialist music events in Ireland. The 2026 edition runs from Friday through the weekend with concerts, workshops, street performances of music and dance, and community ensemble events across St Nicholas Collegiate Church and other significant city venues. Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque programmes performed in rooms built for exactly this kind of acoustic. Check the full programme for individual event ticketing.
Colm Tóibín in Conversation with Tómas Kenny
Monday 25 May · 18:00 · Kennys Bookshop
Three times Booker Prize shortlisted, winner of the David Cohen Prize, Laureate for Irish Fiction 2022 to 2024: Tóibín is discussing The News from Dublin, his new collection of nine short stories set across Ireland, Spain, and America. Kennys has an exclusive signed limited edition of 1,000 copies. A Monday evening in a room with one of the finest Irish prose writers alive, talking about a new book.
Damo Clark: Get a Load of This
Friday 22 May · 20:00 · Róisín Dubh
Australian comedian Damo Clark is known for a physically committed, high-energy live show that works best in smaller rooms. He's built a reputation on the international circuit as a performer who is genuinely better live than on any recording. The Róisín Dubh is right for it.
The Makings of a Murderer: The Undercover Detective
Wednesday 20 May · 20:00 · Town Hall Theatre
Peter Bleksley spent years working undercover in murder investigations for UK law enforcement and has built a career telling those stories live on stage. Theatre-format storytelling from someone who actually did the job — Town Hall Theatre is the right venue for the scale of it.
Revolution in Galway
Ongoing · Galway City Museum
An exhibition on Galway's revolutionary period, using artefacts and primary sources to trace what actually happened in the city during the years of upheaval. The Galway City Museum is free to enter and this is one of the stronger exhibitions it's run in recent years.
Croíthe
Tuesday 19 May · 23:59 · Róisín Dubh
Dublin post-punk with a dark, emotive sound, very late on a Tuesday. Worth it if midnight gigs in the Róisín are your thing.
Whiplash: Tribute to Metallica
Friday 22 May · 21:00 · Monroe's Live
Metallica tribute at Monroe's. Doors at 9pm; the kind of night that doesn't disappoint if you know exactly why you're going.
The Battle of the Brewers
Thursday 21 May · 18:00 · Ré Coffee and Design
Eight competitors, three knockout rounds, prizes including a Comandante hand grinder and Acaia Pearl coffee scales. Ré on Middle Street is one of the best coffee spaces in the city and this is the kind of event that rewards being in the room rather than reading the result the next day.
National Biodiversity Week Galway
From Wednesday 20 May · Various locations across Galway
Family-friendly walks, talks, and activities running through the week as part of National Biodiversity Week. Check the Biodiversity Week site for Galway-specific events and times.
Surrounded by Stone
From Saturday 23 May · 10:00 · Galway City Museum
Exhibition exploring the significance of stone in Galway's architecture and culture. Limited detail from the listing — the Galway City Museum page should have the full scope.
Play and Create: Under the Sea (Toddler Workshop)
Saturday 23 May · 10:00 · Galway City Museum
Marine-themed sensory play and creative activity for toddlers at the City Museum. Check the museum listing for booking requirements and any additional charge for the workshop.
Galway Indoor Market
Saturday 23 May · 11:00 · Cornstore
Monthly indoor market at the Cornstore with vintage, retro, and handmade stalls and live music throughout. A good Saturday morning if you're in the West End and looking for something to browse before the day starts.§
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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