Greetings from Under the Arch
A festival full week!
The Clifden Arts Festival runs through its final days this week, and the Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival takes over the city centre from Friday, with the Irish Oyster Opening Championship at An Púcán and a guided tour out to Galway Bay.
Monroe's Live has two nights from The Scratch and a solo show from Laura Veirs, while Denise Chaila brings her first Irish solo tour to Róisín Dubh on Friday. The Black Box Theatre hosts the aerial hip-hop opera H.O.M.E. on Thursday, and Salthill prom turns into a 2km colour run on Saturday.
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
Clifden Arts Festival
Thursday 17 to Sunday 27 September · Various venues, Clifden
Now in its 49th year, the Clifden Arts Festival is Ireland's longest-running community arts festival, running eleven days of music, theatre, literature, visual art and film around the town. Highlights in its closing days include concerts from The Stunning and Lúnasa, a stage production of John B. Keane's The Love Hungry Farmer, walking tours, artist talks and the festival's Grand Parade.
H.O.M.E.
Thursday 24 September · 19:30 · Black Box Theatre
H.O.M.E. by Fidget Feet and Tobi Omoteso is Ireland's first aerial Hip H'Opera, staged in Galway as part of the Misleór Festival of Nomadic Cultures. A cast of nine explore identity, trust and gender expectations through aerial work, hip-hop, spoken word, music and opera, with narration from rapper Wilzee.
Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival 2026
Friday 25 to Sunday 27 September · Venues around Galway City
The 72nd Galway Oyster Festival opens a citywide weekend of oyster trails, seafood, live entertainment, farm tours and national and world shucking championships.
Laura Veirs
Tuesday 22 September · 20:00 · Monroe's Live
Portland singer-songwriter Laura Veirs brings intimate indie-folk songs from her self-produced album Temple Songs to Monroe's Live, accompanied by Karl Blau on electric guitar.
The Scratch
Thursday 24 & Friday 25 September · 20:00 · Monroe's Live
Dublin quartet The Scratch play two nights at Monroe's Live on the strength of new album Pull Like A Dog, with support from DUG.
Denise Chaila
Friday 25 September · 20:00 · Róisín Dubh
Denise Chaila's first Irish solo tour draws on jazz, Irish sessions, Brazilian influences and Zambian heritage across old and new material.
Paahto and the Bull
Tuesday 29 September · 20:00 · Róisín Dubh
Patrick Cummins and John Francis Flynn bring their two-guitar project to Galway ahead of a debut album, blending bluegrass flat-picking with traditional and progressive folk influences.
The Whileaways
Tuesday 29 September · 20:00 · Town Hall Theatre
Galway trio The Whileaways launch their fifth album, When You Are Falling, with a seven-piece band for the hometown show, built on the group's close vocal harmonies and original songwriting.
Cuan Beo Oyster Experience
Friday 25 September · 11:00 · Eyre Square, Galway
The festival's oyster experience combines return coach travel with a guided heritage and restoration tour of Galway Bay, an oyster-opening demonstration and a tasting of fresh oysters with local beer.
Irish Oyster Opening Championship
Friday 25 September · 20:00 · An Púcán
Ireland's fastest oyster openers compete for the national title and a place in Saturday's world championship, alongside seafood specials, an oyster bar and live music.
How to Cook the Perfect Steak (& Other Beef Dishes) at Aniar
Sunday 27 September · 10:00 · Aniar
Chef JP McMahon leads a full-day, hands-on workshop on cooking beef, covering cuts, ageing and marbling, pan-searing, resting and carving, plus braised beef cheeks, ribs, pies and sauces.
Movie Musical Disco Brunch at HYDE Bar
Sunday 27 September · 13:00 · HYDE Bar
HYDE's movie-musical brunch pairs a main course, dessert and two cocktails with live interactive performers, big-screen favourites and audience singalongs.
Be Active Night 2km Colour Run
Saturday 26 September · 18:00 · Ladies Beach, Salthill
Galway Sports Partnership's all-ages Colour Run invites participants to walk, jog or run through colour powder stations, with music and a finish celebration on Salthill prom.
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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