Galway & The West

Get ready to indulge in a weekend of fun and mouth-watering seafood where the oyster takes centre stage at the Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival. Held annually on the last weekend of September in the heart of Galway City, this festival features the freshest seafood that your taste buds have ever experienced, live music, oyster opening competitions, as well as cookery demos by both national and local chefs, making sure that there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Since 1978, the Galway International Arts Festival has been a highlight of Ireland's cultural calendar. For two weeks every July, Galway becomes a hub of artistic expression, as the festival presents a diverse range of programmes across theatre, music, visual arts, opera, street spectacle, dance, discussion, and comedy. So mark your calendar and get ready for an unforgettable experience!

Regarded as Ireland's largest horse racing festival, the Galway Races is an exciting event featuring thrilling horse racing, fashionable outfits, live bands and DJs, and an unforgettable atmosphere that draws crowds from far and wide. Starting on the last Monday of July every year, the festival lasts for over seven days, making it an extended celebration of sport, entertainment, and style.

Held in mid-June, in the Connemara region, Gaelforce West stands as the world's largest one-day adventure race of its kind. This multi-sport event combines cycling, running, hiking, and kayaking, offering competitors a one-of-a-kind test of endurance. Spanning approximately 66km, the course winds its way from the breathtaking Lough Inagh Valley in Connemara all the way to Westport. Participants will encounter notable challenges along the route, including crossing the majestic Killary Fjord and conquering the renowned holy mountain of Croagh Patrick.