Five Brilliant Events Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Galway
From a beginner-friendly céilí to trad sessions and a very special storytelling night with one of Ireland’s last-remaining seanchaithe, here are five ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Galway.
Beginner-friendly céilí
Get in the spirit of things early with a Paddy’s Day eve céilí on Monday, March 16th. Beginners are advised to sign up for the workshop at 7pm where expert Joe will teach you the basic moves you need to know to take part. The real fun begins at 8pm, when you’ll get a change to put your new skills to the test.
No partner or experience is needed as all dances will be demonstrated on the night with live music to come courtesy of The Hidden Maple. Tickets cost €15 and include refreshments and the “mightiest of craic” in the heart of Galway.
Storytelling night
If the thoughts of lacing up your dancing shoes sends a shiver down your spine, then maybe a storytelling night with Eddie Lenihan will be more appealing.
Taking place at Electric, on Monday, March 16th at 7pm, Eddie will treat attendees to some of his famed tales. An Irish author, storyteller, lecturer, and broadcaster, he’s one of the few practising seanchaithe (traditional Irish lore-keepers and tale-spinners) remaining in Ireland. Often described as one of the country’s greatest storytellers, he’s been sharing Irish heritage and history for 50 years. He’s also a published poet, dedicated cultural preservationist, and he holds the largest private collection of folklore in Ireland.
Tickets start at €15 and you can get yours here.
Galway City parade
No Paddy’s Day celebration would be complete without a parade to mark the occasion and this year’s offering promises to be one of the city’s biggest yet.
Kicking off at 11am on March 17th, the theme for this year’s parade is ‘Legends and Rising Stars’. The route will follow the same one as years gone by with approximately 3,000 participants expected to march from University Road, over the Salmon Weir Bridge, to the finish point in the Claddagh. A popular event with spectators of all ages, it gets busy fast so make sure to head in early—the best vantage points are usually around the cathedral or Eyre Square but if you have little ones in tow, Father Griffin road tends to be slightly less crowded.
Former President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins will make an appearance as the Guest of Honour, alongside Macnas who will be accompanied by some of their mystical creations.
The highlight of a four-day celebration of Irish culture, there will be a number of different events running over the course of the bank holiday weekend including free outdoor concerts, circus performances and the return of the Galway Head of the River rowing race. Find more information on everything in store here.
Paddy’s Day rave
For electronic music lovers, Basement Project’s St. Patrick’s rave is not to be missed. A collective of Galway-based DJs, this is one of their biggest events of the year. What can attendees expect? “A night that’s a little wilder, where people can switch off and lose themselves on the floor.”
Bringing together two of Ireland’s most respected DJs for a very special set, this year they’ll welcome Cailín and Jamie Behan to Electric with support from local talents Jimmy and Lana Hayes who will warm up the floor and set the tone for the night. Get your tickets here.
Trad session
Going to a trad sessions is always a good idea, but especially on Paddy’s Day when Galway city really comes into its own. Barr an Chaladh, Blake’s Bar, The Skeff, and The Quays all have live entertainment organised.
There’s also a brilliant line-up of acts set to perform at the Festival Village in Eyre Square with Those Empty Vessels, Sulk Hogan, Housecats, and Los Wachos taking to the stage throughout the day on Saturday, March 14th.
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