Pride, heritage and community, Galway’s August calendar is jam-packed
Arty July gives way to a more relaxed pace in August, though a number of significant annual celebrations ensures the city and county has a unique mix of culture, community, activism, and tradition to sate every appetite.
Admire
Now in its 46th year, Cruinniú na mBád, meaning “gathering of the boats”, will bring 100 traditional wooden boats, called Galway Hookers, to Kinvara’s harbour.
Before bottled gas and an improved road network, these boats were once vital for hauling turf across the bay, and thanks to local man Tony Moylan, this tradition has been re-enacted since 1979.
Mark August 8th to 10th in your calendar, and prepare for a weekend of races, BBQs and ceremonies on the sea, while on dry land, you can expect live music, the KAVA exhibition, science, puppet and magic shows, a horse shoe throwing competition, a treasure hunt, and outdoor painting sessions for artists of all ages, and levels.
Rise, Resist & Rejoice
Galway Community Pride runs from August 10th to 16th this year, for its 36th annual celebration, and the all-volunteer organisation is now calling all community groups, queer collectives, allies, activists, businesses, bands, drag families, dance crews and fabulous humans to register for the parade and pop along to events like the fast-selling drag brunch in O'Reillys Salthill.
With a growing visibility of prejudiced rhetoric and policies targeting transgender individuals, public solidarity remains as crucial as ever.
galwaypride.ie
See
You have until August 12th to make it to Kennys for Joe O’Shaughnessy’s Druid, an exhibition of 50 striking photographs charting the fifty-year evolution of the Tony award-winning theatre company.
Founded by Garry Hynes, Mick Lally and Marie Mullen, Druid has reimagined classics, nurtured new talent, and toured widely, all with a firm base in Galway.
Across the exhibition, you’ll glean rare insight into the performances, people, venues, and creativity that have come to define this innovative company, especially as Galway photographer Joe O’Shaughnessy has worked in close collaboration with Druid from the beginning. Admission is free, and all photographs are for sale.
kennys.ie
Celebrate
It’s no mean feat to get to a 100th annual celebration, but that’s what the Connemara Pony Show has achieved, and this 19th to 22nd of August, Clifden will be bustling once more for a four-day event championing the indigenous Irish breed.
Of course, there’s equestrian classes, jumping, and the puissance, but beyond the competition ring, there’s also a dog show, a domestic arts section, and an Irish Step Dancing competition. The festivities conclude with the time-honoured Parade of Champions, as the winning ponies take to the streets of the town for applause, in a striking display of tradition, pride, and equestrian excellence. connemaraponyshow.ie
Discover
National Heritage Week rolls around again from August 16th to 24th and across the city and county, there’s tons of opportunities to explore Galway’s cultural, natural and built heritage.
Some 60 events are scheduled in the county, with everything from genealogy workshops and guided tours, to seashore safaris and insightful talks. This year’s theme is Exploring Our Foundations, and highlights include Wild Child Day, which offers outdoor adventures for families, and Water Heritage Day, which celebrates our lakes, rivers and coasts. Plan your week with galwaytourism.ie.
Delivered straight to your inbox every month.
