April in Galway: The Best Things to Do This Spring
Spring settles in across Galway this April, bringing with it a mix of literature, live music, sport, and creative experiences. Whether you’re looking for a cultural deep dive, a scenic challenge, or something a little more relaxed, there’s plenty happening across the city and beyond.
Read
Cúirt International Festival of Literature
21–26 April 2026 | Galway City
The Cúirt International Festival of Literature returns to Galway this April, taking over venues across the city for a week-long celebration of storytelling. Bringing together Irish and international writers, the programme features readings, panel discussions, performances, and multidisciplinary events. Whether you’re a devoted reader or simply curious, it’s a chance to engage with ideas, discover new voices, and experience literature in a lively, social setting.
cuirt.ie
Listen
Clifden Trad Festival
23–26 April 2026 | Clifden, Connemara
Music lovers can head west for the Clifden Traditional Music Festival, one of Connemara’s most beloved trad weekends. Expect lively pub sessions, sean-nós singing, and dance workshops, with a mix of free and ticketed events. It’s great for anyone looking to experience authentic Irish music in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
clifdentradfest.ie
Move
Inis Oírr Wild Atlantic Island Run & Connemara International Marathon
For those seeking something more active, April offers two standout events. The Inis Oírr Wild Atlantic Island Run takes place on 18th April, offering a unique race experience on the Aran Islands, often accompanied by local music and community gatherings. The following day, the Connemara International Marathon brings runners through one of Ireland’s most scenic landscapes. Both events attract participants from across Ireland and beyond, combining sport with culture, tourism and community spirit.
inisoirrislandrun.ie; connemarathon.com
Connect
PorterShed Spark
Thursday, 23rd April | Dexcom Stadium
Some of the sharpest minds in tech from across the US and Europe will come together for PorterShed Spark, an invite-only one-day summit at Dexcom Stadium on 23rd April.
Speakers include Mark Little, founder of Storyful and Albane Bruyas, Chief Operating Officer of Scaleway, above, who has led deployment of one of Europe’s largest AI cloud infrastructures. The event is invite-only, but innovative female business founders are strongly encouraged to apply – find out more here.
Experience
Galway Theatre Festival, 30th April-9th May
Taking party across ten days, Galway Theatre Festival returns at the end of the month with its trademark mix of music, dance, circus, puppetry and spoken word, all grounded in live performance and storytelling.
With a programme designed to showcase the "energy and originality of Galway’s artistic community", a whopping 60 per cent of the line up is created by Galway-based performers and companies. From immersive, innovative storytelling (The Tightrope Walker ) to fast-based bilingual comedy (Connemarvellous) and playful and participatory shows (Gulliver in Love) there truly is something for all theatre and performance lovers.
Relax
Galway Garden Soirée Plant Pot Painting Workshop
18 April 2026 | The Connacht Hotel, Galway12 p.m. | €42
For something more relaxed, the Galway Garden Soirée by Blonde Canvas Co. offers a creative mid-day escape. Held in The Avery at The Connacht Hotel, this workshop invites guests to paint and personalise their own flower pot before taking home seeds to grow their creation. With tea, coffee, and sweet treats included, it’s a calm and social experience – perfect for unwinding, getting creative, and trying something fun and light.
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