1. MEDIEVAL MARVEL: Like your arts festivals with a large dose of history? Galway is packed with tales from its past as a walled medieval city. Check out the Spanish Arch, once a 15th century bastion, and the 13th century St Nicholas’s church (don’t miss the gargoyle waterspouts).
2. AWARD-WINNING FOOD: Dine out on fresh seafood at Oscar’s Seafood Bistro, sweet treats in the Secret Garden Café, Burren Smokehouse mackerel salad in Ard Bia , and culinary masterpieces in the city’s two Michelin-starred restaurants – Aniar and Loam . As always in Ireland, toasted cheese and ham sandwiches in the nearest pub is a quick and tasty fix.
Relaxing at Ti Neachtain
3. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION: Bang on the Wild Atlantic Way, away from the urban buzz are sleepy seaside villages, hidden coves and rugged landscapes. Take a beachside canter on a Connemara pony in Clifden or go-island hopping around the Aran Islands. Skip over to County Clare for a gander at the giant Cliffs of Moher and the lunar-like landscape of the Burren .
4. VENUES & VARIETY: This festival packs in over 200 shows in 25+ locations over 14 days. As for the venues, no space is left untouched: buzzing galleries, intimate theatres, outdoor performances and, of course, the blue and beautiful Big Top tent.
Enjoying the view
5. THE ARTISTS: Expect an eclectic mix of artists coming together to put on a show of the traditional, the contemporary and the controversial. Previous years welcomed the likes of Amy Conroy and Hofesh Shechter.
6. THE SPECIAL SPECTACLES: Death-defying stilt walking stunts, surreal giant puppets, and monsters in the sky: you don’t know what you’ll stumble across walking through the city’s cobbled streets during the Arts Festival.
Macnas street parade
7. DRAMATIC TALES: Galway goes all in for drama with powerful plays from some of Ireland (and the world)’s most renowned playwrights. Expect humorous and compelling performances.
8. THE PEOPLE: Fact: people make the place. Galway is a lively, buzzing city all year round – and so are its people. Friendly, laid-back and charming, pull up a stool at any local bar and in no time you’ll be chatting with locals over a pint.
Juuuust in case you need more reasons than that to visit, here’s a big one: the Wild Atlantic Way .
The Galway International Arts Festival runs annually every July. Get the lowdown on the festival here .
