10 things to do in Galway this week

As you enjoy the events for the festival, don’t miss out on the local restaurants, pubs, and shops that bring this seaside city to life.

1. 126 Gallery, 15 St. Bridget’s Pl

Get to know the local artists of Ireland in the not for profit organisation 126 Artist-Run Gallery. The gallery includes visual arts ecology and the cultural landscape of Galway. Open from Wednesday to Sunday, 12 to 6 p.m. make your tour or viewing appointment today. 

More info available here: https://126gallery.com/

2. Charlie Byrne’s

We have a very special place in our heart for our festival bookseller Charlie Byrne’s. Find them in the lobby of our venues with their pop up bookshop after each event. Give yourself a few hours to visit the flagship bookshop and browse their multiple rooms.

3. Farmer’s Market

Get yourself going on Saturday + Sunday with a visit to the Farmer’s Market which runs in the square by St Nicholas’ Church from the morning to the afternoon. Stalls include fresh fruit and veg, olives, juices, excellent Indian snacks and loads more.

4. Poetry Trail Walking Tour

Now spanning over 25 locations, the Galway Poetry Trail is a celebration of the literary roots and heritage of our vibrant cultural city. Join Tom Kenny of Kenny’s Bookshop for a guided tour of some of the highlights of the Galway Poetry Trail. This is a drop-in event so there is no need to book. Please wear weather appropriate clothing as this will take place outside. More info and times available here – https://www.cuirt.ie/whats-on/poetry-trail-walking-tour/

5. Galway City Museum, Spanish Parade

Get to know Galway better by visiting the Galway City Museum located just through the Spanish Arch. Check out what exhibitions they have on here – galwaycitymuseum.ie 

Make sure to book a free ticket in advance of your visit. 

6. Cuirt Zine Fair

The inaugural Cúirt Zine Fair will take place on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the festival from 12:00 – 16:30 Friday and Saturday and 12:30 – 16:30 on Sunday. Find selections of the best zines and publications that Ireland has to offer.

7. Salthill Promenade 

Take a stroll out to the seaside area of Salthill and walk the Prom (make sure you kick the wall at Blackrock!). If sea swimming is your thing there are multiple spots to get in including Ladies Beach and the Blackrock Diving Tower. We’d recommend heading at high tide. Check out daily times here – https://www.tidetimes.org.uk/galway-tide-times

8. Palás Cinema

This year Palás will be running three screenings as part of their Cinema Book Club series in partnership with Cúirt. They will be running at the following times:

10 Things I Hate About You – Thursday 7th April – 18:30

Brokeback Mountain – Friday 8th April – 18:30

Matilda – Saturday 9th April – 14:00

Palás also has a full programme of events you can see here – https://palas.ie/now-showing/

9. Galway Arts Centre

Galway Arts Centre is the home to Cúirt Festival and is the host to brilliant visual arts exhibitions. Entry is free and you can check out details of the exhibitions here – https://www.galwayartscentre.ie/exhibitions/

10. Galway Walking Tour

Get to know Galway city yourself with a walking tour! There are great led tours available but there is great information here if you want to get to know the place yourself. https://www.galwaytourism.ie/walking-tours-galway-city/

Cúirt is delighted to be partnered with some of the best accommodation and businesses in the West of Ireland. Have a look at the best the greater Galway area has to offer, for every kind of holiday:

Burgerstory, 56 Central Restaurant Cafe, High Cafe Restaurant, Caprice Cafe, Java’s Cafe, Roots Cafe, Temple Cafe, Little Lane Coffee, The Gourmet Offensive, Kirby’s Restaurant, Da Roberta’s Ristorante and Pizza, Birdhouse, The Hardiman, The House Hotel