Explore Galway

With its tangled lanes lined with colorful shopfronts curving around Galway Bay, compact Galway is one of Ireland’s most picturesque cities. Galway is one of the brightest and most intriguing jewels in the West of Ireland.  The city is wild and bohemian, and at the same time full of culture, artistry, exceptional food and music. As well as being a popular seaside destination with long sandy beaches, Galway is also a thriving and cosmopolitan city centre. It is always a joy to explore with its wonderful cobbled streets, colourful shop facades, and its offbeat café/bar culture.

Galway Races Summer Vibes – Where the city meets the track for a week of unbeatable fun! Race week 24 kicks off in style with a full city centre entertainment program

Galway City is set to come alive with a full free entertainment program as the Galway Races Summer Vibes campaign kicks off on Monday, July 29th, running through Wednesday, July 31st. This campaign aim is kick start the race week festival in the city centre before and after the main business of the day, the racing! From Monday free live entertainment, fashion showcases, and a variety of family-friendly activities will be happening throughout the city.

Eyre Square, the Latin Quarter, and Galway’s westend will transform into hubs of activity, buzzing with live performances from local bands, traditional music sessions, and acoustic sets. Each evening from 8pm, the city’s neighbourhoods will resonate with the sounds of summer, offering a perfect backdrop for the festive atmosphere.

What is happening:

• Live Music and Performances: Eyre Square, The Latin Quarter, and Galway’s Westend will host from 7pm on-street live performances from local bands, traditional music sessions, and acoustic sets.
• Eat + Drink at the city’s award-winning restaurants and pubs to be enjoyed pre-race and post-race dining + drinks
• Pop up fashion showcases: Hosted by Mandy Maher: Pop-up fashion showcases will take place from 12pm to 3pm on Monday and Tuesday in Eyre Square, Cross Street, and the Spanish Arch highlighting local retail: These showcases will feature the latest trends and styles, spotlighting local retail businesses.
• Galway Races themed procession through the streets from Eyre Square to the Latin Quarter on Monday lunch time.
• Evening on-street entertainment includes drummers, festival face painters and more!

Galway is a city that knows how to entertain, and this year’s race week is no exception. Families can explore award-winning restaurants, enjoy drinks in some of the best pubs in Ireland, and partake in the city’s renowned craic. To make the experience even more convenient, Bus Éireann shuttle buses will provide easy transportation, dropping racegoers in the heart of the city and directly at the Ballybrit racecourse.

Galway’s reputation for exceptional food and drinks will be on full display, with Diageo partnering with local public houses to ensure every pub offers a top-tier experience. Galways award winning restaurants are ready to welcome you for a pre races lunch to talk through the plan and then back into the city to enjoy innovative culinary creations whilst you chat through the fun of the day.

This race week, Galway is undeniably the place to be. Embrace the #GalwaySummerVibes and stay connected through social media accounts: Galway Races Official, Galway’s westend, The Latin Quarter, and Eyre Square Galway. Plan your Galway Races fun and immerse yourself in all the free, exciting activities the city has to offer.

Thanks to declancolohan.com for the use of his photography show casing our gorgeous city, Galway.