This is Galway July 2018 Edition - Issue #10

JULY 2018 // FREE // THISISGALWAY.IE

ISSUE # 10

WHAT’S INSIDE

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BAOITE // An Taibhdhearc & Abbey Theatre in association with Galway International Arts Festival Present a major new Abbey Theatre commission DISCOVER // Explore West Galway with these tips

GALWAY RACES // Celebrate summer in Galway with horse racing, fashion, and all the right events!

NEW FACES, FRESH PLACES // Galway welcomes new beauty destinations, burger joints and cafés GALWAY MARKET // On Saturdays, St Nicholas churchyard is transformed into a community of food and craft WHAT’S ON // The festivals are rolling into town this month, and that’s not all GALWAY INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL // Some of these brilliant music acts will play their only Irish gig this year at the Big Top!

WHO WE ARE...

Art Direction & Design Martin Browne info@thisisgalway.ie

Photography Boyd Challenger

Editor Caitlin Foley caitlin@thisisgalway.ie

Advertising Queries Maxi Browne maxi@thisisgalway.ie Image by Boyd Challenger

BAOITE An Taibhdhearc & The Abbey Theatre’s major new show BAOITE tells the story of a fishing family and their desperate fight to defend their coastal community from the threat of offshore fracking. Performed in Irish with English surtitles, BAOITE is Irish theatre for the modern age.

BAOITE is written and directed by Darach Mac Con Iomaire, whose credits include the hit TV crime series Corp + Anam, which won IFTA awards in 2011 and 2015. He was also the Artistic Director of An Taibhdhearc from 2000 to 2005, where his show BAOITE will premiere this summer.

BAOITE is a co-production of An Taibhdhearc and the Abbey Theatre, presented in association with the Galway International Arts Festival.

Siobhan O’Kelly as Cáit in BAOITE

Photo by: Colm Hogan

FEATURE SOCIAL WHITE:

Writer & Director Darach Mac Con Iomaire with Actor Diarmuid De Faoite as Tom in BAOITE Photo by: Seán T. Ó Meallaigh

Tell me about your fabled writing shed on the side of the mountain in Conamara…

My dad bought an old prefab classroom in Dublin in 1981, put it on the back of a lorry and brought it to his home place of Casla in Conamara. Born and bred in Dublin, our family used to holiday there when we were children – 3 months in Conamara with no running water or electricity – it was great!

Now it’s where I write – it’s perfect – quiet and totally out of the way. (It has sanitation now!)

John Cleese has a great take on creativity and the ‘how to be creative’ conundrum. Reassuringly, he reckons creativity is not a talent, but a way of working – all about getting your head into the open mode. The key to this is dedicated time and space to create. I can attest to this. With four young children at home, having a studio away from the house is a must to get any work done.

What’s your research process?

There’s a fine line between research and procrastination. The internet is a game-changer in terms of reading up on relevant material, but it can easily become the enemy. It’s many a day that I’ve spent trying to justify 8 hours surfing the net as work related! Part of getting the head into the open mode is

silencing the din inside – the voices telling you that there’s loads more important things to be done at this moment than writing. A key to a successful day’s work though is shutting out all access to the web, turning off your phone, and sitting quietly for 15 uncomfortable minutes – until your head finally manages to start focusing on the work at hand. The most important research tools I reckon you have as a writer are discipline, life experience, curiosity, and empathy.

New work by its nature is always a leap in the dark – it’s never been done before – but that makes the whole process really exhilarating – there’s a real edge to it...

BAOITE has a big cast and crew. Does it come naturally to you to work collaboratively?

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Writing is solitary work – I could spend 2 years working on my own on a project. This isolation does have its effects on your social and parenting ability, but as I direct my own work, the balance comes once the work goes into production. Suddenly you find yourself working with designers, artists and musicians, which is a welcome release from the blinking cursor staring up at you from the screen. The buzz is amazing. A total mix of wonder and fear – everyone experiencing that adrenaline rush as the show begins to take shape and new discoveries are made.

The style of this production features interesting choices: the set design, musical arrangements, and staging. Is there anything else you can say at this point?

BAOITE is definitely up there among the most challenging projects I’ve worked on to date. Live music accompanies an ensemble cast of fabulous actors including Siobhan O’Kelly, Diarmuid De Faoite, Macdara Ó Fátharta and Seán T. Ó Meallaigh. It’s a wonderful cast and crew and a total privilege for me to collaborate with such talented

artists and musicians to realize this new play. New work by its nature is always a leap in the dark – it’s never been done before – but that makes the whole process really exhilarating – there’s a real edge to it...

Ethics seems to be a theme of yours…

Secrets and lies fascinate and infuriate me. Especially the secrets of official Ireland. We have a sorry history of church and state hypocrisy and the collusion of vested interests on an industrial scale. We haven’t broken all of these shackles yet. BAOITE addresses these themes of lies and omertà to the backdrop of one of the biggest conflicts in the West of Ireland since the foundation of the State – The Corrib Gas project.

Set in that context, BAOITE is a story about one woman’s need to have children and how she takes a stand against her whole community to try and make her attempts at IVF finally work. The fracking ties it all together, from the IVF process and the effects it has on relationships, and then ultimately the prize at the end – be it the gas or the family – if you’re lucky – but at what price...?

BAOITE premieres at An Taibhdhearc as part of this year’s Galway International Arts Festival from Thursday 12 – Sunday 22 July. Nightly @ 7.30pm. Matinees on Sat 14th & Sunday 22nd @ 2pm.

No show Sunday 15th. Tickets €25/€20 from www.antaibhdhearc.com or 091 562024 Performed in Irish with English surtitles

Macdara Ó Fátharta as Pat in BAOITE Photo by: Colm Hogan Seán T. Ó Meallaigh as Simon in BAOITE Photo by: Colm Hogan

DISCOVER GALWAY WEST GALWAY - KILLARY/CLIFDEN...

Head to Connemara for a relaxing weekend retreat, or an adventure-filled escape from reality.

From the wide panorama of Killary Fjord to the picturesque town of Clifden nestled in among the mountains, Connemara gets more beautiful at every turn, and has something to do for everyone.

Image by: Boyd Challenger

DISCOVER: SLEEP

DISCOVER SOCIAL WHITE:

Clifden Station House Hotel Centrally located in Clifden town, this modern hotel is perfect for a family trip to Connemara.

They have a variety of warm, cosy family rooms, as well as four-star self catering apartments, a swimming pool, and a great in-house restaurant.

Then you’ll have all of Clifden at your fingertips for shopping, dining and exploring!

Galway Road, Clifden // +353(0)95 21699

Inn to the West This fun hotel will inject a bit of colour into your Connemara retreat. It’s full of holiday vibes, from the rooftop ‘Sky Room’ with tons of light and hammocks, to the buffet breakfasts and super-comfy rooms. Soak up the relaxation of staying in the country, and then take full advantage of Clifden’s pubs, restaurants and beaches — Clifden town is only a five minute walk away!

Westport Road, Clfiden // +353(0)85 881 0899

Renvyle House Hotel Heading further north into Connemara, this beautiful hotel is set along the shores of the WIld Atlantic Way, just a stone’s throw from the rugged coastline. On the hotel grounds you’ll find a private freshwater lake, a heated outdoor swimming pool, gardens, and lots of outdoor activities to enjoy. Their award-winning Rusheenduff Restaurant on-site will please everyone in your group.

Renvyle, Connemara // +353(0)95 46100

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DISCOVER: DO

Killary Sheep Farm Just up the road from the Adventure Centre is this sheep farm, run by Farmer Tom. You’ll first notice the stunning views of the Killary Fjord and the mountains beyond, but the farm has a lot more to offer! Watch a sheep dog demonstration from Farmer Tom and his super-intelligent sheep dogs, bottle-feed the lambs, take a walk while appreciating some gorgeous scenery, and even try your hand at the age-old practice of cutting turf if you’d like! Call ahead to book.

Leenane, Connemara // +353(0)87 298 8051

Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Garden This is always a popular spot for tourists from all over the world. The Abbey itself is stunning, and in the summer when the gardens are in bloom, you could spend an entire afternoon wandering through and admiring. It’s been run by Benedictine nuns since the 1920’s, and you can shop their handmade products in the gift shop! For families, there are hands-on activities for children and enough beauty and history to make it well worth the visit.

Kylemore Abbey, Connemara // +353(0)95 41146

Killary Adventure Centre If the word ‘holiday’ is synonymous with ‘adventure’ in your book, you’ve come to the right place.

Killary Adventure Centre offer paintball and waterskiing, rock climbing and kayaking, and tons of other fun activities for groups and families. They have over 20 activities appropriate for children ages 8+ so the whole family can get in on the fun.

Take it easy with an exploratory hill walk, or amp up the adrenalin with gorge walking! They also offer accommodation on-site.

Leenane, Connemara // +353(0)95 43411

Pic by: Big Smoke Studio

DISCOVER

DISCOVER: EAT & DRINK

SOCIAL WHITE:

O’Dowd’s Seafood Restaurant & Bar Enjoy the best of local seafood in a traditional pub-style restaurant, while taking in the views of Roundstone Bay and harbour. A cosy, intimate bar offers Irish craft beer and whiskey, and the restaurant offers a wide menu to suit all tastes — although, of course, seafood is where they really shine!

Main Street, Roundstone, Connemara // +353(0)95 35809

Ballynahinch Castle Hotel Here is one of Galway’s fine-dining destinations, for its stunning views and unique location as well as its gorgeous food. Set in the heart of Connemara among woodland, lakes and mountains, the Castle Hotel makes a luxurious weekend stay or afternoon stopover. Dine at the Owenmore Restaurant, overlooking the Salmon River, or enjoy a traditional Afternoon Tea which showcases the produce of Connemara. Their signature loose-leaf tea uses foraged herbs from the nearby Twelve Ben Mountains!

Recess, Connemara // +353(0)95 31006

Mitchell’s Seafood Restaurant Located in the seaside town of Clifden, this restaurant is spread across two floors, with open fires and a warm, cosy atmosphere. Their menu puts an emphasis on local seafood, with fisherman bringing daily deliveries of the local catch to their doorstep!

Market St, Clifden // +353(0)95 21867

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FESTIVALS Do it in Style...

Image by: Tourism Ireland

FESTIVALS SOCIAL WHITE:

GALWAY RACES The Galway Races have been taking place in Galway for centuries under different names. The races came to Ballybrit for the first time in 1869, when 40,000 people turned out in town and camped in Eyre Square for the two-day meet.

Today, the Galway Races are a highlight of the summer in the City of Tribes. Over 137,000 people turned out in 2017 for the entertainment, fashion and celebration (and of course the horse racing)!

You can try to camp in Eyre Square if you like, but Galway these days offers much more luxurious offerings. The Galway Races done right includes tipster lunches, tailored suits and feathered fascinators, big bets and big winnings, bestdressed competitions, and roaring after parties in some of Galway’s best venues.

Race week highlights include the historical and prestigious Galway Plate fixture on Wednesday, 1 August. Thursday at the Races (2 August), otherwise known as Ladies Day, is well-known for its show of Irish fashion and Best-Dressed competitions. The g Hotel and Spa famously offers €12,000 in prizes to Ireand’s best-dressed ladies!

And the feature race of the day, the Guinness Galway Hurdle Handicap, has an impressive prize fund of €300,000. Saturday and Sunday at the Races (4 and 5 August) are fun, family-friendly days with activities and competitions for children.

Whether you’re visiting Galway and want to get in on the Races buzz or are planning another year at one of Galway’s biggest and longest-running events, here are your best bets for the week!

The Galway Races take place at the Galway Racecourse in Ballybrit, from Monday, 30 July to Sunday, 5 August. Racing fixtures, dress codes, travel information and more can be found at GalwayRaces.com.

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EVERYONE’S FAVOURITE FOR ST YLE,GL AMOUR & ENTERTAINMENT

This Race Week at The Galmont Hotel, we have pamper packages to get you race-track ready, exclusive prizes to the value of €2500 for the most stylish #GalwayGirlSquad, as judged by the fabulous James Patrice and all the live entertainment you could wish for!

Bain sult as Rásaí na Gaillimhe linn. Enjoy the Galway Races with us.

DAT E

TI ME

ENTERTAI NMENT

Monday 30th July

From 8.00pm

Treble & Bass Live and a Special Guest DJ

Tuesday 31st July

From 8.00pm

The Luna Boys Live and House DJ

Wednesday 1st August

From 8.00pm

Most Stylish Ladies Event, The Luna Boys and House DJ

Thursday 2nd August

10.00am to late

The Rascals, The Luna Boys Live, Maurice Piano Man, The Big Generator, DJ James Sexton and Terrace Party with Live DJ

Friday 3rd August

From 8.00pm

Special Guest, Maurice Piano Man, That 80’s Band, DJ James Sexton and Terrace Party with Live DJ

Saturday 4th August

From 7.00pm

Special Guest, Maurice Piano Man and DJ James Sexton

GALWAY GIRL SQUAD #GalmontRaceWeek

THE ULTIMATE FASHION EVENT 1ST AUGUST

FREE ENTRY But Come Early

THE GALMONT HOTEL & SPA, LOUGH ATALIA ROAD, GALWAY 091 538 300 | info@thegalmont.com | thegalmont.com

FESTIVALS

Everyone’s favourite for Race Week The 4* Galmont Hotel & Spa, formerly the Radisson Blu, is set to be everyone’s favourite for style, glamour and entertainment with the launch of its exciting programme of activity for Galway race week. From spot prizes for sartorial flair, to going in search of the ultimate ‘Galway Girl Squad’, to exclusive pamper packages and live entertainment, The Galmont Hotel & Spa is tipped to be one of the must-attend hotspots for the Galway racing festival.

Personality, James Patrice will be on hand on Wednesday 1st August to pay homage to the famous fashion and style of the festival’s female friends by going in search of the ultimate #GalwayGirlSquad. The most stylish squad on the evening will receive an exclusive prize worth almost €2,500. For those looking to get race-track ready, The Galmont Hotel & Spa has launched the ultimate pamper package, including mineral make-up application, false eyelashes and hand file & polish for only €60.

Throughout race week, The Galmont Hotel & Spa will play host to a range of live entertainment and music acts. Free entry will be offered to all to ensure that everyone has a winning night. An unparalleled dining experience will be on the menu every night throughout race week in the hotel’s newly renovated Coopers Bar & Lounge and Marina’s Grill, serving delicious local food and bespoke cocktails.

For more information on The Galmont Hotel & Spa programme of activity throughout race week, please visit www.thegalmont.com

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SUMMER FESTIVAL EVENINGS GALWAY ARTS FESTIVAL • 16TH- 29TH JULY GALWAY RACES • 30TH JULY- 5TH AUGUST

Excellent Brunch, Lunch & Dinner Menus Cocktails, Premium Gins & Wine Right In the Heart of Galway City Book Brunch, Lunch, Dinner or Drinks by calling the team on 091 564 041 or email reshm@hotelmeyrick.ie overlooking eyre square at hotel meyrick

The Gaslight Bar & Brasserie at Hotel Meyrick, Eyre Square, Galway City. www.hotelmeyrick.ie

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Summer Festival Drinks & Dining at the Gaslight Bar & Brasserie Soak up the atmosphere of summer in Galway at the Gaslight Bar & Brasserie, at Hotel Meyrick. One of Galway’s most sought after venues open 7 days a week, the Gaslight is situated in the heart of the city with sweeping views over Eyre Square.

As summer stretches out before us, lots of fantastic festivals abound so start your evening at the Gaslight Bar & Brasserie. Whether it’s Dinner after catching a screening the Galway Film Fleadh from July 10th-15th, cocktails and sharing platters before the Big Top Concerts During the Galway International Arts Festival from the 16th-29th of July, or pre and post Ballybrit Celebrations during the Galway Races from July 30th to August 5th Book a pre theatre or pre gig dinner and conveniently stroll to your venue with the entire city centre within easy reach of the Gaslight Bar & Brasserie. Or take advantage of the Bus Service from Eyre Square right outside the Gaslight, to and from the Race Course to enjoy the full Race Week Festivities without having to worry about driving.

For late night weekends the resident DJ is on the decks filling the Gaslight with your favourite sounds of summer.

Open daily from 10.30am till late, with food served from 11am-10pm, The Gaslight Bar & Brasserie offers everything from after work drinks, evening meals, a leisurely brunch experience to lunch with friends or colleagues.

Image by: Julia Dunin

To make a booking or to enquire about group menus please contact The Gaslight on 091 564041 or email reshm@hotelmeyrick.ie. See www.hotelmeyrick.ie for more

FESTIVALS SOCIAL WHITE:

Galway Races Hospitality Packages at the g Hotel & Spa Galway’s most stylish hotel, the g Hotel & Spa has a jam packed line up of pre-racing hospitality events during the Galway Races summer festival this year. Their pre-racing lunches, complete with delicious food, a great atmosphere and impressive guest line-up, is the perfect way to start your day at the races.

On 2 August, their Bubbly Tipster Lunch offers prosecco on arrival, a two-course lunch, expert tips from Galway Bay FM’s George McDonagh, return transfer to the races and much more. The rest of the week at the g Hotel is filled with exciting racing events, including a pre-racing lunch on Tuesday, 1st August with Connacht Rugby, including interviews and entertainment, and a Friday lunch of the evening’s €100,000 Guinness Handicap, with coaches to the racecourse.

Pre-booking of all pre-racing lunches at the g Hotel is essential, as it’s a top destination during Race Week!

To book please contact the g hotel Events team on 091 865200 or email eat@theg.ie. Keep up to date on all of the g Hotel’s upcoming events on www.theghotel.ie/galway-races 0837 The g Ladies Day Party This is Gway 265x165.qxp_Layout 1 18/06/2018 10:49 Page 1

HOTEL & SPA

LADIES DAY BOLLINGER BASH MUSIC FROM 6PM PAUL HARRINGTON ON PIANO KEN KIRWAN, RED TAPE BAND & DJ TIL LATE

€4,000 PRIZES # BestHat €1,500 PHILIP TREACY HAT & €1,000 CASH # DapperGent €1,300 CANALI SUIT FROM LOUIS COPELAND BOLLINGER CHAMPAGNE

GUEST JUDGE LISA MCGOWAN – LISA’S LUST LIST

www.the hotel.ie PAGE.17.

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BRUNCH•LUNCH DINNER•DRINKS LATE BAR IRELAND’S LARGEST GIN COLLECTION FORSTER STREET, GALWAY 091 564111 | info@hydebargalway.ie | www.hydebargalway.ie HydeBarGalway HydeGalway

Galway Race Week Your Festival of Entertainment

Galway Race Week Pre-Racing Packages #claytonpartycentral

Free live race week line up includes: Raindance Weightless Astronauts Sean Slattery The Harleys Rhythm & Rhyme

The Gamblers DJ Derek Flaherty John Haugh Who Knows Oddity

THROW BACK TO THE 80’S & 90’S Superior Package

Premium Package

Ladies Day Special Bubbly Brunch

• Bus transfer to/from the hotel to racecourse • Prosecco & canapés reception • Entrance ticket to racecourse • €5 bookie voucher

• Bus transfer to/from the hotel to racecourse • Prosecco & 2 course lunch • Entrance ticket to racecourse • €5 bookie voucher

• Bus transfer to/from the hotel to racecourse • Entrance ticket to racecourse • Cocktails & canapés • €5 bookie voucher

Only €35 per person

Only €45 per person

Only €45 per person

*Pre-booking essential. Minimum number required.

To book or for details call: +353 91 721900 or visit claytonhotelgalway.ie

On Wednesday 1st August The Good Hustle followed by DJ Phil Cawley #foronenightonly

D E T A C O L ON Y A QU T E E TS R

1520Bar

S ’ N O D 2 GOR ICS N O T & GIN €11

1520Bar

OPEN L ATE THURS FRI & SAT

DELICIOUS FOOD SERVED ALL DAY

R E N N I D � H C N U L � T S BREAKFA

LIVE MUSIC EVERY NIGHT

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GREAT ESCAPE ROOMS Great Escape Rooms: Bring the adventure to your doorstep Summer celebrations can only be made better by booking Ireland’s first and only mobile escape room for your party!

Escape Rooms are an immersive adventure game where teams are “locked” in a room, and have to use elements of the room to solve puzzles, find clues, and escape the room in a set time limit.

The Mobile Escape Room puts teams on a simulated, idyllic journey through the wilds of Connemara — except for the ticking bomb you’ll need to diffuse!

It’s perfect for festivals, hen & stag parties, weddings and corporate events. Bond your guests together in a (simulated) life-or-death experience, or build up the teamwork in your colleagues! The Mobile Escape Room is on wheels and can roll up to your office, curb or anywhere with a space to park.

For more info: www.greatescaperooms.ie/mobile-unit/

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FRESH PLACES NEW FACES Brand spanking new businesses to check out in Galway!

Find Your Food Adventure These two sisters created a unique way to discover and share Irish food! Their brand-new food & drink activity platform brings together the wealth of tastes and experiences available in Ireland for you to book online or buy as a gift. Find Your Food Adventure is an honest and genuine platform for foodlovers with offers from Wild Food Adventures, Tastings to Vegan and Well-being all the way to Seafood Adventures and many more! www.findyourfoodadventureireland.com

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OxyGeneration This new therapy clinic offers Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), which can be used to promote wellbeing and aid the healing of multiple health issues. The clinic administers almost 100% oxygen in pressurised chambers for a unique kind of healing therapy.

Merchant’s Road, Galway // +353(0)91 562 875

Curran Creatives Arlene and Nicola, Fermanagh natives, are back in Ireland after a very successful run in their London-based sister salon. Curran Creative offer gorgeous colours and cuts, whether you’re transforming your look or preparing for a big night. They’re already getting popular so give them a shout!

St Augustine Street, Galway City // +353(0)91 567 2662

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Micil Poitín They’ve been providing Galway with hand-crafted poitín, adapted from a family recipe, for several years. And now, they have a permanent residence in Salthill. Call into the distillery for a tasting or a guided tour. Micil Poitín serve Galway’s only craft poitín, and they’re now serving Galway’s own gin, too!

The Oslo Bar, 226 Upper Salthill // micilpoitin.ie

#THEGARDEN OPEN LATE FRIDAY & SATURDAY LIVE MUSIC 7 NIGHTS A WEEK FOOD SERVED DAILY

11 FORSTER STREET • 091-376561 • ANPUCAN.IE AnPucan

AnPucanGalway

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Stalls of hot food, handcrafted jewellery, locally-grown veg and fresh-cut flowers crowd together in a buzz of activity at Galway’s oldest outdoor market, in the square outside St. Nicholas’ Church.

It’s a popular destination for visitors as they make their way down Shop Street on Saturday afternoons. The market is full of beautiful trinkets to bring home and food to eat on the go. Among the tourists you’ll also hear plenty of local folk, picking up their vegetables, fresh fish and home-baked bread for the week.

But one of the most unique and magical aspects to the market -- besides the fresh donuts -- is what happens behind the scenes. There are few places in the world where a person can truly barter goods, but the St Nicholas Market is one of those places.

Around the Markeplace: Stall stories

Image by: Boyd Challenger

Many of the market vendors have been coming every Saturday for years and years -- sometimes after spending over a decade waiting for their chance at a stall. And they’ve created a special kind of community. They trade hot chips for fresh-squeezed orange-juice, or a batch of chocolate brownies for a pound of artisan pork sausages.

And while we love everything the market offers (did we mention donuts?), it’s really the people and the unique spirit they bring that has made the market such a long-lasting success. Here, we chat to some of the familiar faces and learn their market stories.

FEATURE SOCIAL WHITE:

Gannett Fishmongers When we meet Stefan, he’s hard at work slicing up – more like sawing -- an enormous tuna.

He’s a market regular, coming for over fifteen years, with one of the biggest stalls. Usually fishmongers need at least ten meters of counter space, but they make do with about a single meter, with crates of shellfish alongside.

Stefan himself came to Galway from France 21 years ago. He worked at a fish farm in Carraroe, and through years of graft started growing Gannet’s Fishmonges organically. They’re unique in Galway in that all of their fish is naturally-sourced and fresh. Most of what they offer is wild, fresh Irish fish, caught off of Ireland’s coast. Some of their stall’s offerings are imported from Spain, to give a bit of variety -- but Stefan finds that as people learn where their food comes from, they’ll willingly forego the imported tastes to eat fresher, Irishcaught fish.

They’re very passionate about providing fresh Irish fish to the people of Ireland who, Stefan said, don’t take nearly enough advantage of all the gorgeous seafood available. They’ve just moved online, so restaurants or families can pre-order from their market stall and skip the queue. And if you’re living in a landlocked part of the country -- like, say, Offaly -- you can get fresh, wild fish delivered right to your door from eatmorefish.ie!

Coolfin Gardens Organic Bakery Layla bakes some of the best bread in Galway -- all the way out in Offaly!

She started off in the midlands with dreams of building an organic farm, especially organic lettuce. But it takes years to get an organic certification in Ireland and while the wheel was spinning on her lettuce farm, she started baking bread -- and loved it. Even more than lettuce.

After a few years applying for a market stall, she and her partner Jonas were allowed to open. Now, after eleven years, she’s still travelling from Offaly every weekend with her freshly-baked bread. It’s more than bread, too: she has brownies, scones, and all kinds of loaves which just smell gorgeous as you’re strolling by.

She supplies her bread to some local Galway cafés and now has a loyal bread-loving fan base in Galway of people who come every Saturday for their weekly supply.

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TGO Falafel One of Galway’s favourite vegan restaurants actually came from a stall at the Galway Market. Dutch-born Flo set up their market stall fifteen years ago, and they’ve been serving their amazing chips and falafel at the Galway Market ever since – with the addition of their restaurant two years ago! Falafel has become very popular and trendy in Galway, but Flo maintains that TGO Falafel was the original trendsetter, and home of Galway’s falafel buzz. Last year, they took their chips to Electric Picnic (“The Chipster”) and won best new food stall! They also cater weddings and parties… Just saying.

OceanMoonDesigns Maura has had a market stall for twelve years, and has focused on her handmade silver jewellery for the last eight. Many of her pieces incorporate elements of nature: her delicate silver pendants uniquely feature herbs and seedpods. Her most popular item is the shamrock pendant, each one made uniquely with a real shamrock! Everything you see is handmade by Maura in her studio in Galway’s Westend.

As a New York native, she loves that there are over 28 nationalities trading at the Galway market, creating a multi-cultural community.

Of course, this is only a taste of what you’ll find as you peruse the market. Piping hot Indian food, Japanese sushi, and freshlysqueezed orange juice (from the aptly named Stall for Juice) fit in among stalls of handcrafted pottery, organic vegetable traders, fine artists and of course hot donuts from Boychik. (How could we forget?!)

They trade every Saturday from 11-6pm, and every day for two weeks during the Galway International Arts Festival and over the Christmas season.

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WHAT’S going ON? Image by: Boyd Challenger

Galway International Arts Festival

One of the biggest calendar events of the year, the Galway International Arts Festival brings world class music acts to the Big Top every year along with their offerings of theatre, spectacle, comedy and visual art. Take a look at the shows we’re especially excited about this summer!

For ticketing and the full events list, head to giaf.ie and use the hashtag #GIAF18

Flaming Lips They’ve taken home three Grammy Awards, and have been named on Q magazine’s ‘50 Bands to See Before You Die’. The Flaming Lips have certainly carved out a reputation as one of the world’s most original bands.

From 1992’s Hit to Death in the Future Head to 2012’s The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends, featuring collaborations with artists such as Nick Cave and Erykah Badu, the Flaming Lips have a huge backcatalogue of critically-acclaimed albums.

They are currently touring the world, promoting their universally acclaimed album Oczy Mlody, featuring long-time fan Miley Cyrus, which Rolling Stone called ‘a kaleidoscopic, trippy sojourn into The Flaming Lips sonic world’.

The Flaming Lips are coming to Ireland for one show only, at the Heineken Big Top as part of the Galway International Arts Festival 2018 on Thursday, 26 July, with support from Le Galaxie.

Photo credit: George

Caribou Dan Snaith’s Canadian outfit Caribou is regarded as one of the most iconic and recognisable names on the contemporary electronic circuit.

In 2010, their album Swim was named ‘Album of the Year’ by multiple journals and on 2012, they joined Radiohead on tour. Caribou’s 2014 album ‘Our Love’, is the sound of connection, made with a love of Dan’s listeners, his collaborators and those closest to him. ‘Our Love’ was Grammy nominated, made the UK top-10 and was named ‘Album of the Week’ by NME, Independent on Sunday and Dummy in 2014.

In the years since, Caribou have toured the world with their energetic, immersive live shows, selling out stages across the world, from Sydney Opera House to Coachella.

With the promise of killer tunes Can’t Do Without You, Odessa, Silver, Our Love, Melody Day and Sun sure to set the Heineken Big Top sizzling this summer, Caribou’s only Irish performance in 2018 and first Galway gig in 10 years is one not to be missed this summer.

Caribou will play Saturday, 28 July at 8pm with support from Blanck Mass.

WHAT’S ON SOCIAL WHITE:

Madness You remember the tunes: ‘One Step Beyond’, ‘Our House’, ‘It Must Be Love’. Madness brought 31 hits to the UK Top 40, and their live shows are a frenzy of those timeless anthems.

The Nutty Boys, as they’re commonly known, are one of Britian’s greatest and most enduring live acts. Their huge appeal continues across the generations and this GIAF 2018 concert in the Heineken Big Top promises to be one of the gigs of the year for young and old alike. See them on Friday, 27 July at 8pm with support from the Galway Street Club.

Photo credit: Kathrin Baumbach

The Stunning With hits such as Got to Get Away, Half Past Two, Romeo’s on Fire and Brewing up a Storm, The Stunning make a very welcome return to the Galway International Arts Festival this July. The legendary live performers, who have had a series of top ten hits and albums, have amassed a cult following nationally and internationally, providing the soundtrack to a generation of people brought up in Ireland during the 80s and 90s. See them on Sunday, 22 July at 8pm with support from The Academic.

Photo credit: Grace Pickering

Amadou & Mariam

Gavin James Since the release of his debut album Bitter Pill, Gavin James has sold over two million singles worldwide and performed over 500 shows to over 3 million people at festivals and sold out tours across the world. His 2018 single, ‘Always’ has been all over the airwaves this season.

James sold out the Festival Big Top in 2017 and his 2018 show promises to be just as popular. See him on Friday, 20 July at 8pm with support from Craig Gallagher.

A Nous Paris - ©Juliot Bandit

World music superstars, Amadou & Mariam bring their unique mix of Malian pop and Hendrix-flavoured blues-rock to the Galway International Arts Festival for their only Irish gig this year. Born in Bamako, the husband and wife duo have risen through the African and European music scenes to become one of the hottest world music acts today. They’ve shared the stage with U2, Coldplay, Red Hot Chili Peppers and other big names. Don’t miss them this summer! See them at the Heineken Big Top on Wednesday, 18 July at 8pm for a seated concert.

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Galway Fringe Festival This unique festival brings art, live music, theatre, and comedy to venues around Galway. The Galway Fringe brings international artists together with some of Galway’s best homegrown talent. Like every good Fringe Festival, it gives artists a chance to present new work and push boundaries!

Galway Fringe Festival will take place from 15 to 30 July in the City Centre.

Ticketing and events information can be had from GalwayFringe.ie.

Rufus Coates & Jess Smith

The Bold Bright Brigid Cleary

This Irish combo brings dark, atmospheric folk and blues, currently based in Berlin, Germany. Coates’ gravelly voice has been compared to Nick Cave, with bandmate Jess Smith’s gentle vocals bringing perfect contrast.

26 July // De Burgo’s // Live Music

This one-woman play focuses on Brigid Cleary, a young dressmaker infamously murdered by her husband in Tipperary in 1895. Written and performed by Eve O’Mahony, the character of Brigid narrates the story of events which shook Irish society to its core and gives insight into the life of this legendary Irish woman.

22 — 26 July // Kirwan’s Lane Theatre @ Busker Browne’s // Theatre

Knowing Nathan This new play by Tony Doyle and Laura O’Shea follows the journey of a young couple navigating heartbreak, college life, love and an unexpected pregnancy.

25 — 26 July // Kirwan’s Lane Theatre @ Busker Browne’s // Theatre

Buí Launched in June 2017, Buí is based around the music of Belfast-based singer-songwriter Josh Healy. The band’s debut album ‘Eugene’ was released in November 2017 with guest appearances from a number of rock, folk and traditional musicians from Belfast’s music scene.

17 July // De Burgos // Live Music

WHAT’S ON

Turn Around Bright Eyes

SOCIAL WHITE:

When a tourism initiative brings Irish diaspora back home to Ireland, one village looks to capitalise on a rich American visitor - and thinks the best way forward is by playing up Irish stereotypes.

23 — 26 July // Kirwan’s Lane Theatre @ Busker Browne’s // Theatre

Macushla This four person outfit comes with a unique sound, combining uilleann pipes with drums, bas guitar, acoustic guitar and vocals.

The Miller’s Story

19 July // De Burgos // Live Music

Take a fun-filled romp of Medieval naughtiness in this engaging adaption of Chaucer’s “MIller’s Tale from Canterbury Tales”. Using physical comedy, masks, music and song, the audience are invited to join the Miller for silliness and clog dancing.

19 — 21 July // The Mechanics Institute // Theatre

Happy Slapped A behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of a children’s television show, in a word co-inhabited by humans and puppets. This is a comedy/drama unlike anything you’ve ever seen.

15 — 19 July // Kirwan’s Lane Theatre @ Busker Browne’s // Theatre SOCIAL WHITE:

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JULY HIGHLIGHTS

Feile Traidphicnic Galway’s celebration of Irish traditional music takes place every year in the Gaeltacht village of Spiddal. All gigs are free to enter, with the hope that you donate what you can to support the festival.

6 — 8 July // Ceardlann Craft Village, Spiddal // Festival

Galway Film Fleadh This week of Irish and world film brings audiences, actors, producers, and filmmakers together over a love of cinema. Network with industry folks, take a workshop, or just come along for the world premieres and film screenings!

10 — 15 July // Town Hall Theatre // Festival

Mise Éire This show of traditional music and dance is a perfect way for visitors to Galway to get acquainted with Ireland’s past, from the days of myth all the way up to the 1916 Easter Rising.

2 — 25 July // The Galmont Hotel & Spa // Theatre

WHAT’S ON SOCIAL WHITE:

Paddy Hanna Since the release of his debut solo album Leafy Stiletto in 2014, Paddy Hanna has amassed a cult following at home and abroad as a purveyor of oddball melancholic pop music. Paddy Hanna has an authenticity other musicians strive towards for years. That realness, that melancholy, that dry sense of humour are all in abundance on this album.

22 July // Roisin Dubh // Live Music

We Are Scientists This New York based power pop troupe exploded onto the music scene with one of 2005’s iconic indie dance rock records With Love & Squalor. Years of touring followed, and a second album Brain Thrust Mastery, that spawned now–classic nightlife anthem After Hours. They have performed on Later with Jools Holland and have appeared on the main stage at festivals around the world including Reading Leeds, Glastonbury, T in the Park and across Europe.

24 July // Roisin Dubh // Live Music

Tracy Bruen Galway musician Tracy Bruen is something of a modern day Renaissance woman - singer, songwriter, pianist, guitarist, theatre director and actor. Her music blends and bends folk, prog and pop with classical and theatrical influences to create epic compositions of power and vulnerability.

25 July // Roisin Dubh // Live Music

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WHAT’S going ON? WE RECOMMEND

Steven Sharpe // Katie O’Connor // To Gaze Upon Us Steven Sharpe and Katie O’Connor will play a night of music in aid of The Galway Rape Crisis Centre. Enjoy some delicious wine and live music for a tenner and support a great cause!

12 July // Black Gate Cultural Centre // Live Music

The Dirty Circus Saucy Summer Show

Danny O’Brien: Lock-In

These long summer nights have us all worked up, just in time for the Dirty Circus’ famous summer show! They’ve bringing a huge lineup of circus, burlesque, great tunes and some sexy good times.

Award-winning Irish comedian Danny O’Brien went to prison. Three times to perform.

Again by accident. He’s performed relentlessly worldwide and took up a new religion through the medium of a hangry hangover. This is must see standup show with support from Richie Bree.

14 July // Roisin Dubh // Burlesque 17 July // Roisin Dubh // Comedy

Photo credit: Peter Fleming

GASH Collective Boat Party

Le Boom & LUMO

Terry Alderton: The Musical

GASH, a western institution for women in electronics, are hosting their first-ever Boat Party on the River Corrib with some brilliant Irish DJs before a big after-party in Electric Garden & Theatre!

Two of Ireland’s foremost partystarters play together at GIAF. Le Boom’s electro-house pop music has established itself as one of Ireland’s best new bands and energetic live shows. Lumo Club is a Dublin club night run by resident DJs Nialler9, Simon Roche and Gavin Elsted.

After last year’s award winning Edinburgh Fringe show, Terry is back to take you on another wild ride, seamlessly blending reality and fantasy.

There will be songs, jokes and impressions, though nothing will ever be quite as it seems.

With support from Canadian Daniel Tsonos.

28 July // Roisin Dubh // Clubbing

28 July // Roisin Dubh // Comedy

20 July // Electric Garden & Theatre // Clubbing

16-29 July 2018 G A LW AY I N T E R N AT I O N A L A R T S F E S T I VA L AND RÓISÍN DUBH PRESENT

J U LY 1 8

J U LY 1 9

AMADOU & MARIAM

KODALINE

J U LY 2 0

J U LY 2 1

T I C K E T S € 4 7. 5 0

TICKETS €27-€30

GAVIN JAMES

WALKING ON CARS

J U LY 2 2

J U LY 2 6

TICKETS €35

THE STUNNING

WITH SPECIAL GUESTS THE

ACADEMIC

T I C K E TS € 3 9. 5 0

THE FLAMING LIPS T I C K E TS € 4 9. 5 0

TICKETS €35

J U LY 2 7

MADNESS

J U LY 2 8

T I C K E TS € 5 9. 5 0

CARIBOU

J U LY 2 8

J U LY 2 9

RTÉ CO FESTIVAL PROMS TICKETS €25-€28

T I C K E TS € 4 9. 5 0

2FM LIVE WITH JENNY GREENE & RTÉ CO T I C K E TS € 4 9. 5 0

For full listings and bookings visit www.giaf.ie | +353 91 566 577

GIAF This is Galway FP ad BIG TOP.indd 1

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