A New Bealtaine Festival Is Taking Over Galway This Weekend

Galway is no stranger to a festival, but this May Bank Holiday weekend brings something brand new to the city. Fleadh na Bealtaine, Galway’s Traditional Irish Music and Cultural Festival, will take over streets, pubs and venues from Thursday 30th April to Monday 4th May, marking the arrival of summer with music, dance, theatre, folklore and food.

Officially launched by presenter, podcaster and musician Doireann Ní Ghlacáin, the new festival draws on the ancient Celtic festival of Bealtaine, meaning “bright fire.” Expect traditional Irish music sessions across the city, family céilís, sean-nós dancing, storytelling, street spectacle, workshops and food events, with most of the programme free to attend.

Speaking about the festival, Edel O’Connell, Chairperson of The Latin Quarter, said: “Galway’s streets will come alive with music and tradition, as we celebrate the culture that has been passed down through generations in the only city on the Wild Atlantic Way.”

Here’s what to look out for across the long weekend.

The opening night

The festival begins on Thursday 30 April, with the city easing into the weekend through music, storytelling and outdoor performance. A Pop Up Gaeltacht takes place at McGinn’s Hop House from 6.30pm, followed by the official Festival Opening at Claddagh Basin at 7pm, with Trad Soc UG and the outdoor street performance Ó Dorchadas go Solas.

Storytelling is also on the opening night programme, with sessions at Taaffes Bar at 7.30pm and 8.30pm. Brokentalkers present Bellow at the Town Hall Theatre at 8pm, while The Hidden Maple, with set dancing, takes place at Monroe’s Tavern at 9.30pm. 

Some events are ticketed, with bookings handled directly by venues.

Music in the streets (and pubs)

Live traditional music sits at the heart of the festival, with sessions running throughout the weekend in pubs and venues across Galway city. 

On Thursday, music begins from 5pm in venues including The Front Door Pub, Sonny Molloy’s and The Skeff Late Bar & Kitchen, before continuing later into the evening at spots such as The Crane Bar, Taaffes, Busker Brownes, Bierhaus, Cooke’s Thatch Bar and Tig Cóilí.

The session trail continues across Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, with participating venues including Monroe’s Tavern, The Dáil Bar, The Dew Drop Inn, O’Connell’s, Tigh Neachtain, An Púcán, The Cellar Bar, M. Fitzgeralds, The Blue Note, The Salt House, O’Connor’s Bar and many more. For anyone hoping to wander through the city and follow the sound of a fiddle, flute or song spilling from a doorway, this is where Fleadh na Bealtaine will likely come into its own.

May Day spectacle

Friday 1st May brings one of the festival’s most distinctive moments: Paráid na Bó Beannaithe on Quay Street at 7pm. The parade of the blessed cow nods to older Bealtaine traditions, with the festival organisers also promising fire, ancient customs and city streets dressed in décor inspired by the season.

Theatre and performance continue on Friday too, with Seanchaí Story Telling with Páraic Breathnach at The Dew Drop Inn at 6pm, Ó Dorchadas go Solas at 7pm, Brokentalkers’ Bellow at the Town Hall Theatre at 8pm and a late-night Trad Rave at Seven at 11pm.

As a celebration rooted in Irish folklore, the festival leans into the storytelling traditions of May, from seanchaí sessions to street performances, all designed to bring a little theatre and mischief to the city.

Workshops, markets and family events

Saturday 2nd May brings plenty for families and daytime visitors. The Tiny Traders Market takes place at The Spanish Arch from 10am, while Wool Spinning Demonstrations with Joyce Country Wool run at Evergreen Corner at 12 noon and again at 2pm. There is also Traditional Tinsmithing with Terry McInerney at Evergreen Corner at 3pm.

For those interested in food and folklore, Food, Foraging and Folklore with Margaret Leahy takes place at The Ruby Room, The Kings Head at 1pm on Saturday. At the same time, Galway Céilí Club hosts a Family Céilí on Eyre Square, with another family céilí taking place on Sunday 3 May at 1pm.

Saturday also includes Sean-Nós Dancing with Becky Ní Éallaithe at Cross Street Junction at 6pm, followed by another sean-nós dancing event in Galway’s Westend at 8pm. Later that night, Ballad Singing at Taaffes Bar begins at 10pm.

Sunday 3 May keeps the atmosphere going with Ceoiltóirí Óg na hÉireann at Taaffes Bar at 3pm, Ó Dorchadas go Solas at 5pm, and Seanchaí Story Telling with Páraic Breathnach at The Crane Bar at 6pm.

Most events are free, though some are ticketed and should be booked directly through the relevant venue. 

Events and sessions may change, so check for the latest updates before heading out.

For the full programme, visit fleadhnabealtaine.ie.