Galway International Arts Festival 2016

The Galway International Festival takes place from 11-24 July and features an international programme of theatre, dance, music, visual art, discussion and debate, alongside a strong focus on home produced work.

Four world premiere productions, including a major new play Arlington [a love story] by Enda Walsh; an array of world-class Olivier and Tony Award-winning playwrights and directors including Ivo van Hove, Lee Hall, Jim Culleton and Garry Hynes; an amazing line-up of Irish and international musicians from Elvis Costello to The Gloaming live at the Absolut Big Top; a major new exhibition, a Festival commission from the internationally acclaimed Hughie O’Donoghue; First Thought Talks, a series of conversations on identity; and a sensational Street Art Programme featuring Francisco de Pájaro’s Art is Trash amongst others: these are just some of the highlights of the 39th Galway International Arts Festival.

Artists and companies from Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Iceland, Italy, the Netherlands, Scotland, Spain and the U.S.A. join forces with artists from Ireland to create what promises to be an unforgettable Festival of Extraordinary Experiences this July.

Be prepared to be dazzled, as one of Europe’s most exciting outdoor theatre companies, the world famous Sarruga from Barcelona, invades the city streets.

Fire–breathing insects, beautiful butterflies and giant dragons, accompanied by a pulsating electronic musical score, travel from Eyre Square through the heart of the city to the Latin Quarter and the Spanish Arch (10-11 July) Border Crossings exhibition at Galway Arts Centre (11-24 July) brings together curators and contemporary artists from Ireland and Australia to investigate cross–cultural issues surrounding ethnic conflict, the legacy of colonialism and the challenges of reconciliation that are relevant to both countries. Border Crossings features Australian artists Sue Kneebone, Julie Gough and Yhonnie Scarce, and Irish artists Michelle Browne, Sandra Johnston and Dominic Thorpe. Live performances by Sandra Johnston, Michelle Browne and Dominic Thorpe on Saturday 16 July. Curated by Michelle Browne & Mary Knights