Situated on the west coast of Ireland by the Atlantic Ocean, Galway has long been considered a centre of cultural excellence. The fastest growing city in Europe, Galway is a vibrant university city with its city centre, a labyrinth of winding medieval streets, squares and waterways. With a population of 75,000 Galway sits on the edge of the River Corrib surrounded by Galway Bay facing the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean.

Galway Arts Festival is the defining cultural expression of Galway and is at the heart of all aspects life in the city. The Festival’s contribution to the economic, social and cultural life of the west of Ireland is immeasurable and while the Festival celebrates Galway in July each year, Galway itself is a city in celebration during the Festival.

Over its 30 year history the Festival has become a vital showcase for Irish arts and international arts and is now firmly established as Ireland’s leading arts festival. The Festival collaborates with artists and companies throughout the world to initiate, commission and produce new work.

Regarded as one of Europe’s key cultural events Galway Arts Festival is an international celebration of the performing and visual arts. Over 100,000 people attend the Festival annually with hundreds of writers, artists, performers and musicians creating theatre, spectacle, street art, music, comedy, literature and music to produce a stunning fortnight of cultural activity and celebration.
The biggest, most exciting, most imaginative explosion of arts activity this country has...
The Irish Times
…a glorious kaleidoscopic fortnight of events…
The Irish Examiner

...this year’s Galway fortnight made you look at life anew…
The Irish Times

One of Europe’s most important cultural events.
BBC TV

The spirit of Galway Arts Festival is all-inclusive, accessible and always open to suggestion. Contemporary festivals fall over themselves to state their commitment to both street and “high art”. The difference in Galway is that ambition is realised.
The Observer

It’s festival season, one event triumphs them all – Galway Arts Festival.
The Irish Independent

Galway…one of the most significant arts festivals anywhere.

The Irish Independent

At the heart of the city’s cultural and tourist life…
The Irish Examiner

Visitors will be dazzled by the stunning theatre performances, exhibitions, music concerts and street parades.
News of the World

Provocative, challenging, diverse and inclusive.
The Sunday Tribune

Pivotal in the international arts calendar.
The Irish Independent