2026 PROGRAMME
Thursday 19th March – Opening Day of Festival
6.30 – 8pm Launch Party with Mouse and The Traps and Opening Speeches, in The Quay’s Bar….Kick off the festival with a hooley!
Friday 20th March
From 12pm; Street Spectacle – #HugHere/#BarógAnseo Heart Mural and “Hopscotch here” bilingual pop-up in The Latin Quarter.
1.00pm – 2.00pm; Caricatures with Jim Cogan and Dial-A-Poem (Poetry Hotline) with Caoimhe Lavelle, Tigh Neachtain…. Get drawn by Jim and be woo’d with a poem composed live for you by Caoimhe on the phone!
From 4.00pm Food Tours Apero Tour. Book via Galway Food Tours and mention #GráFest2026 for a discounted rate. Easy sips and flirt flavours!
THE BOOK OF LOVE
6.30pm-7.15pm The Book Lovers’ Bloc in Charlie Byrne's Bookshop.
An evening of literary readings on the theme of love, with Alan McMonagle, Tom Mathews, Caoimhe Lavelle, and Ricky O’Neill, with nibbles from Cava Bodega.
7.30-8.00pm Open Mic Poetry – MC’d by Caoimhe Lavelle Charlie Byrne's Bookshop. Do you have a poem you yearn to share? Sign up for our Open Mic!
8.30 – 10.30pm; Disco in The Bookshop – Pioneering Galway DJ Manniooo (Aran Mannion) spinning at the most bookish boogie in town!
Saturday 21st March: International Nora Barnacle Day
10.30am - 11.30am Claddagh Ring-Making Workshop, Thomas Dillon Jewellers. Learn how the iconic Claddagh Ring is made!
From 10.30 am Food Tours focused on Galway’s love of food. Book via Galway Food Tours and mention #GráFest2026 for a discounted rate.
11.30am – 1.00pm “Felt like a Kiss” Workshop with Livv Vintage. Learn how to craft felt artworks inspired by the human body. Lead by Margaret Nolan. Materials provided. Tickets €10 via Eventbrite. Materials Provided. BOOK HERE
2.00pm-3.30pm Nora Barnacle Historical Walking Tour with Jonathan Hannon meeting outside Tigh Neachtain. Walk the streets Nora Barnacle and James Joyce did with Jonathan Hannon’s informative and insightful walking tour.
3.30-4.30pm Rock the Kasbah Bombay Sapphire Reception with special guests, in The Kasbah above Tigh Neachtain.
4.00pm - 5pm Food Tours and Apero Tour by Galway Food Tours - Meet outside McCambridges, Book via Galway Food Tours and mention GráFest for a special rate.
Headline Event: 5.00-6.00pm Launch of Art Exhibition “Nora Spills The Milk” in The Town Hall Theatre, with Special Guest Speaker, award-winning novelist Nuala O’Connor. With drinks sponsored by Galway Cider Co.
8.00pm Mystery Screening: Silent Film with live musical score, Silent Cinema Galway. Tickets via Silent Cinema.
9.30pm – 10.30pm Smutty Tales After Dark, in Liv Vintage.
Join Smutsy La Roux and Spooky Beore players for an evening of toe-curling erotic storytelling with a paranormal flavour. Drinks from Galway Cider Co.
Sunday
Doors 1pm - 3.00pm, Cheesy Laughs, Sheridan’s Wine Bar. Stand-up comedy and nibbles. With John Moynes, Nicole Rourke and Mars Duigan. Tickets via Eventbrite. BOOK HERE!
3.30pm – 5.00pm Speed Date Drawing lead by Margaret Nolan in Kinlay Hostel. Meet new friends while practicing drawing! It’s the best way to break the ice! Materials provided and drinks from Galway Cider Co.
7.00pm Festival Finale: Fireside Sessions; Nora Spills The Milk in TJ Clarke’s cellar. An evening of saucy letters and spoken word with Nicole Rourke and Jackie Roantree, and live music from SailHymn.
Throughout The Festival: Match-making, Galway Food Tours, Art Trails, Hopscotch and Street Spectacles in the Latin Quarter.
Special Grá Discounts:
Visiting Galway? Mention #GráFest2026 while booking with Radisson Red to get a special Discounted Rate of €190 for a room with B&B.
20% Discount with Kinlay Hostels.
Thank you to our sponsors:
Galway City Council, The Latin Quarter, Tigh Neachtain, The Town Hall Theatre, The Quays Bar, Cava Bodega, Radisson Red, Kinlay Hostel, Claddagh and Celtic Jewellery, Sheridans Cheesemongers, Tigh Nora, Seven Bridgestreet, Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop, The Seafood Bar @ Kirwan’s, Bombay Sapphire, Galway Cider Co, Liv Vintage, Silent Cinema Galway, TJ Clarke's, Thomas Dillon.