A Hub for Galway’s Vibrant Literary Events

Galway is buzzing with literary events, and now you can easily stay in the loop! Find all the exciting literary gatherings, book launches, and poetry readings in one convenient place.

Embrace a thriving literary scene and immerse yourself.

What we list

Galway City and County Literary Events.
Events outside of Galway that feature Galway Poets and Writers.
Galway Festivals featuring Literary Events.
Open Mic and Readings
Book Launches.
Any other artistic event in a Galway Bookshop or Library

Stay in the Loop with Our Literary Events Updates!

Discover the most exciting and current events with our extensive listing.

Date	Event Summary
Saturday, October 25th 2025, 8pm.	There will be a great series of events coming up for the Autumn, and Galway Literary Events is getting the machinery cranked up again. First off, an event that will be of great interest to students of poetry, and local history. Through a series of coincidences in early 2017, Jim Fahy, the renowned RTE broadcaster and journalist, discovered that Michael McGovern, born in Williamstown in 1847, had become a very well known Labour Poet in the US. He enlisted the aid of Eileen and Leo Finnegan of Williamstown Heritage Society in researching McGovern’s life and an extremely interesting story emerged. Unfortunately, ill health was to strike Jim, and he passed away on January 14, 2022, having just completed the draft of the book. The final editing of the book has just been carried out by Eileen and Leo. The book is called The Puddler Poet: The Life, Times and Poetry of Michael McGovern. This biography, which is a fascinating read, involves two immensely talented literary figures, McGovern the poet from an earlier time, and Fahy the journalist from more recent times, two outstanding wordsmiths from different eras. The book is being launched in the Sports Complex, Williamstown (F45DT73) on Saturday, October 25 at 8pm. All are welcome.
Sunday, October 19th, 2025, 3 – 5pm.	We are delighted to announce that the brilliant Poetry Lobby is making its long awaited returm! Hosted by celebrated Clare poet Anne Donnellan, the inauguaral reading for Autumn will take place in the Menlo Court Hotel, Galway, on Sunday the 19th of October, from 3pm to 5pm. There’s an excellent and varied lineup, with readings from poets Aideen Henry, Colm Scully, D’or Seifer and Attracta Fahy. There will also be an Open Mic afterwards, so bring your poems and your words! Admission is free. Donations are also more than welcome. Get your poetry hats on!
October 17th, 2025, 6pm.	Readers and appreciators of poetry will have a nice event to open Autumn, with American – Irish poet Jamie O’ Halloran will be launching her debut collection, Ballast, in Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop, Middle Street, Galway. Jamie is a fine poet, and her work has appeared in Banshee, Poetry Ireland Review, Southword, Skylight 47 and The Honest Ulsterman. Ballast will be launched by celebrated Galway poet Rachel Coventry, whose most recent collection is The Detachable Heart. The launch will begin at 6pm. Admission is free, and all are welcome.
22nd April.	***An important update – Art O’ Suileabhain’s launch for Idar na Clocha/Between the Stones has been cancelled indefinitely. Art would like to extend his sincerest apologies.*****
19th September 2025, 7.30pm.	Literary satirist David Sedaris will be coming to Ireland in September 2025. One of America’s pre – eminent humour writers, he is a sardonic reporter of the human condition and one of today’s most observant writers. Loved for his personal essays and short stories, he is the author of bestselling works like Barrel Fever, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls and Calypso. His books have sold over 16 million copies in print and have been translated into 32 languages. He’ll be appearing in The Town Hall Theatre, Galway, on the 19th of September, the show will be 90 mins and includes a post show Q&A. Tickets are priced at 36 Euro.
Tuesday 27th May, 2025, 6pm.	Award-winning Galway poet and novelist Elaine Feeney will be launching her new novel, *Let Me Go Mad in My Own Way* at Kennys on May 27^th via an in conversation event with Sarah Kenny. Her new book follows Claire, who returns home to the West of Ireland to care for her dying father. Grappling with haunting family memories and past secrets, Claire must confront a life she thought she’d left behind. Elaine Feeney is the award winning author of two novels and four poetry collections. Her last novel How to Build a Boat was longlisted for the 2023 Booker Prize. The event starts at 6pm. Tickets for the event are free and are available on kennys.ie. You can also contact Kennys Bookshop in Liosbán (091-709350).
Sunday, 18th May, 2025, 3 – 5pm.	Poets! Budding writers! Curious onlookers! The brilliant Poetry Lobby returns on the 18th of May at the Menlo Park Hotel, Galway, for another afternoon of great readings. Hosted by Anne Donnellan, there will be readings by poets Tony O’ Dwyer, Mary Madec, Nocola Geddes and Mary Lee followed by an Open Mic. So if you’d like to read that poem you’ve been working on, or would just like to listen to some talented poets doing their thing, you know where to go. It’s always packed , so get down there on time. Admission is free, 3pm to 5pm.
Friday 23rd May, 2025, 6pm.	Poetry lovers have another treat in store on the 23rd of May. The celebrated and gregarious Galway poet Luke Morgan launches his new collection *Blood Atlas* in Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop. Luke is a fine poet, searching and playful in his lines, and this forthcoming collection doubtless will not disappoint. Published by Arlen House, it will be launched by acclaimed poet Molly Twomey. It promises to be a lovely event. It starts at 6pm. Admission is free.
Thursday, 15th May, 2025, 6pm.	On May 15^th, Marita Conlon-McKenna – author of one of the most beloved Irish children’s books of all time Under the Hawthorn Tree – will be launching her Children of The Famine Trilogy of novels (Under the Hawthorn Tree, Wildflower Girl and Fields of Home) at Kennys, published in one volume for the very first time! She will be joined in conversation by bookseller and author Gráinne O’Brien. This volume is in the form of a Signed Limited Edition exclusive to Kennys, hardback and limited to 600 copies only. First published in the 90s, these classics of children’s literature follow siblings Eily, Peggy and Michael in stories of courage, danger, adventure and survival. The event starts at 6pm. Tickets for the event are free and are available on kennys.ie. You can also contact Kennys Bookshop in Liosbán (091-709350).
Saturday 10th May, 2025, 7.30 – 10.30pm.	The good people at The Oil Slick have an exciting venture for you to attend, be you a reader or listener! They will be part of an upcoming collaboration between poetry organisations Poetry Kiln and the Ploughed Field Collective from across the country. They will be performing together in the historic Yeats Tower in Thoor, Ballylee, for an evening event that focuses on the immeadiacy of the spoken word. The aim is to connect to tthe audience in the here and now, rather than through the page. Run time is 7.30 – 10.30pm. Tickets for the event are priced at 15 Euro.
Friday, 9th May, 2025, 6pm.	Join us in Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop on Friday 9th May at 6pm for the launch of Clinging VInes, the new collection of poetry by Galway poet Katherine Noone. A talented and distinctive poet, Katherine’s work is always a treat for the reader and listener. Published by Revival Press, Clinging Vines continues Katherine’s brilliant explorations of quiet observation and gentle perception. The collection will be launched by acclaimed Galway poet Rachel Coventry. Admission is free.
Saturday, 3rd May, 2025, 1 – 8.30pm. Sunday, May 4th, 2025, 1 – 5pm.	Join us on May 3, 2025 to Launch “Idir na Clocha / Between the Stones” by noted poet Art Ó Súilleabháin. Experience the soul of the West of Ireland through words and watercolour at the launch of “Idir na Clocha / Between the Stones” by Art Ó Súilleabháin, with illustrations by MaryBeth Lee. Hear in Art’s own unique voice, poetry that brings to life the rhythms of nature, love, and longing. Enjoy the striking watercolor illustrations of MaryBeth Lee, capturing the light and essence of Corr na Móna and the West of Ireland. Bring home the magic with books, prints, and original artwork available for purchase. Book Launch and Reception: Saturday, May 3, 7:30-8:30 PM Launch by Éamon Ó Cuív Exhibit: Saturday , 3 May 1-8:30 PM, Sunday 4 May 1 – 5 pm Corr na Móna Community Centre/ An Seanscoil / F12 E183 Let poetry and art transport you. Will you be there?
Thursday, 1st May 2025, 6pm.	Bestselling author John Connolly will be coming to Kennys Bookstore & Art Gallery on May 1st, so book your tickets! It will be a launch event for The Children of Eve, his latest book, which will be published on April 28th. Signed copies are available in Kennys on the night of the launch. John Connolly’s books have sold more than 8 million copies in the English language alone. He was the first non – American writer to win the prestigious US Shamus Award and the first Irish writer to win an Edgar Award. Tickets for the event are available to bbok now at www.kennys.ie/events.
Sunday, 27th April, 2025, 3pm.	Salmon Poetry invites all poetry lovers to come celebrate the launch of a new and vibrant poetry collection. *Life Itself* is the final posthumous collection by the late, great, and utterly distinctive Kevin Higgins. Kevin was central to the literary life of Galway; always involved in its literary life, full of encouragement, good ideas, and a great promoter of writing through Over the Edge with his wife Susan Millar DuMars. He is sorely missed. Life Itself promises to be another fine demonstration of Kevin’s ranging, caustic wit and idiosyncratic voice. Guest speakers will be Susan Millar DuMars, Jessie Lendennie, Alan O’ Brien and Eamonn Wall. Admission is free. The launch takes place in the Menlo Park Hotel, Headford Road Galway, on Sunday, 17th April at 3pm.
Friday, 25th April, 2025, 6pm.	Galway friends, *A Bloodless Field, the new poetry vcollection by Galway poet Aideen Henry will be launched on Friday 25th April* in Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop at 6pm. A Bloodless Field is published by Salmon Poetry and will be launched on the night by Barbara Geraghty. All are welcome, and admission is free.
Sunday, 13th April 2025, 8.30pm.	Poets, players, performers, practitioners, dancers, musicians, storyterrers, listen up! The lovely folk at The Oil Slick, in partnership with the equally lovely folks at Cúirt, are organising a showcase for the upcoming Cúirt Literary Festival 2025. The theme is transition, change, sunrise, sunset, and celebration. If you’d like to be involved, please contact the Oil Slick with your details, any previous experience and either a word document or short video of your performance. This is a paid opportunity and the deadline is Friday, March 14th, at 23.59pm. All enquiries or questions can be sent to theoilslickgalway@gmail.com. You can also reach out to them via The Oil Slick Instagram page. Get cracking!
Friday 11th April 2025, 1 – 2pm.	A nice event during Cuirt Festival 2025. University of Galway’s Masters of Literature and Publishing class will be launching the 33rd edition of Ropes Literary Journal. The launch takes place in Nun’s Island Theatre, Galway on Friday 11th April at 1pm. As always, the latest issue is a lovely combination of poetry and short stories, and several of the contributors will be reading their work. Admission is free. Go give them your support!
Thursday, April 10th 2025, 11.00am.	The launch of Poems for Patience will take place on Thursday 10 April at 11:00 a.m. on the Art Corridor in University Hospital Galway. Each year, a poet curates a selection of poetry for display in the waiting areas of hospitals across the West and Northwest of Ireland. “Poems for Patience” features a diverse collection of reflective and inspiring poems by renowned Irish and international poets. Saolta Arts hopes that these poems will offer moments of reflection and hope to patients, visitors, and staff during both joyful and challenging times. This year, the poems will be selected and introduced by the poet Alanna Offield, a Chicana from New Mexico who is now living in the North of Ireland. Her poetry has appeared in Howl, Cyphers, Abridged, and other publications. Additionally, the winning poem from the 2025 Saolta Arts Poetry Competition will be included in the Poems for Patience collection. The winning entry The Last Gift by Jessamine O’Connor will be introduced by the competition judge, poet Susan Millar DuMars. This will be followed by the reading of the runner up poems. Join us for a heart-warming event that celebrates the power of poetry to uplift and comfort.
Sunday, April 6th, 2025, 1.00pm.	Award-winning and bestselling author of the Skulduggery Pleasant series, Derek Landy, will be in Kennys Bookshop for a signing event on Sunday, April 6th! He will be signing copies of A Heart Full of Hatred, the latest release in the Skulduggery series, and more of his books on the day. Tickets are free but booking is required. Derek Landy’s books have been published in 35 languages and he has won several awards, including the Red House Children’s Book Award and the Irish Book of the Decade. He is the bestselling Irish author of the Skulduggery Pleasant and Demon Road series, and has also written screenplays and comic books for Marvel Comics. In his new bookA Heart Full of Hatred being published at the end of March, a killer stalks an island full of sorcerers gathered for a very special ceremony, and it is up to Skulduggery and Valkyrie to thwart their evil plot. Copies of A Heart Full of Hatred will be available to purchase in Kennys on the day along with other books by the author. Attendees are also welcome to bring along any Derek Landy books for signing on the day. To book a free ticket/s for the Derek Landy signing event in Kennys, on April 6th from 1pm, visit www.kennys.ie/events or contact Kennys Bookshop in Liosbán (091-709350). All are welcome!
Saturday, 5th April 2025, 2.30pm.	Fans of new poetry are in for a treat in Ballybane Library, Galway for a special event as author Lorcán Mannion reads from his debut collection of poetry, Those Left Behind. The collection is being launched in support of HopeSpace Galway. Admission is free, and all are welcome. Copies of Lorcán’s book will be available to buty on the day. The launch kicks off at 2.30pm.
Friday, March 28th 2025, 6pm.	Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop has another great launch event on Friday, March 28th at 6pm, Take Six: Six Irish Women Writers published by Dedalus Press. This anthology includes new short fiction which explores what it means to be a woman navigating life in 21st century Ireland. Ranging from dark to playful, and often imbued with a mischievous humour, these stories never shy away from conflict. Whether dealing with loss or inflicting it, traversing from lockdown to war zone, communing with the living or the dead, or navigating a dystopian future, the characters who populate these pages rise to meet their challenges head on. Appearing on the night are local authors Geraldine Mills, Nuala O’ Connor and the book’s editor, Tanya Farrelly. Admission is free. All are welcome.
Thursday, March 27th, 2025, 6pm.	There’ll be a nice evening for poetry lovers in Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop, Middle Street Galway, on Thursday March 27th. The wonderful Mary Lee will be launching her collection, The Stranger, the Dream, the Bird. An accomplished poet, Mary Lee’s poetry is deeply spiritual and contemplative, offering hope and grace to her readers amid life’s challenges. Her work is gentle, inquisitive and moving. The book will be launched by celebrated Galway poet Susan Millar Dumars. Admission is free.
Monday, March 24th, 2025, 7pm.	Join the March Book Club at Teach Solas LGBT+ Resource Centre, Courthouse Square, Galway, where they’ll be discussing Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin. Everyone is welcome, and even if you haven’t managed to read the book, come along for a chat and a nice cup of tea. 7pm, all welcome.
Friday 21st March, 2025, 4pm.	Acclaimed Irish writer and poet Nuala O’ Connor will be reading from her novel, ‘Nora’ on International Nora Barnacle Day, Friday March 21st at 4pm in the Town Hall Theatre as part of Grá Fest 2025. Nora is a bold reimagining of the life of Nora Barnacle, the wife, muse, and inspiration behind Molly Bloom in ‘Ulysses’. Charlie Byrne’s Pop – Up will have copies of Nora available for purchase. The reading is free, so all are welcome.
Thursday, 20th March 2025, 7pm.	Storytellers of Ireland! Celebrate World Storytelling Day with the Moth and Butterfly. Storytellers of Ireland presentan online evening of story & song at this free online Zoom event, taking place on Thursday, March 20th, at 7pm. To attend, please register at the link storytellersofireland.org
Saturday, March 15th, 2025, 7.30pm.	If you’re at a loose end coming into St. Patrick’s Weekend, pop on down to Electric Nightclub. The good people at Scéalarious are returning for an evening of poetry, comedy, myths and more on the 15th of April in the glasshouse of Electric Nightclub. It’s a fun night for all, so give them your support! Doors open at 7.30pm, and the event runs from 8 – 10pm. Tickets are available at the door, priced at 5 Euro.
Programme Launch: Friday 14th February. Festival Events Thursday 20th – Sunday 23rd March 2025	Literary Romantics will have a great three days on their hands, with the launch of the Grá Festival in Galway. Dedicated to love in all its forms, and inspired by the legendary Nora Barnacle, the festival launch takes place on Friday 14th March in the Mechanics Institute. As part of the festival, the 21st of March will be officially announced as International Nora Barnacle Day. There is a full schedule of events for the festival available online at www.grafestival.com. The festival runs From the 20th to the 23rd of March.
Friday, March 7th, 2025, 6pm.	Bestselling Irish author Colum McCann will be in Kenny’s Bookshop to discuss his new novel, Twist, on Friday March 7th. The event is ticketed,and tickets are free but limited. You can book on www.kennys.ie/events.
Thursday, 6th March, 2025, 11am. Thursday, 20th March, 2025, 11am.	Are you interested in creative writing? Do words and the possibilities of language fascinate you? Would you like to meet like minded people who can help you develop your work? Ballybane Library’s Creative Writing group is a peer – led group with a passion for poetry, short stories, novel writing and playwriting. If you’d like to take part, please email ballybane@galwaylibrary.ie or phone 091 509244. The group meets every 2 weeks, and the next group meetings are on Thursday, 6th March, and Thursday 20th Maarch at 11am.
Monday, 3rd March 2025, 7 – 9pm.	Queer Verse, the LGBT+ Writing Group, returns on Monday the 3rd of March, running from 7pm to 9pm. All are welcome to come along for the first meetup of the year. There will be free writing space and writing prompts provided, and there is no pressure to share your work. It takes place in the Community Room, Floor 1, Teach Solais LGBT+ Resource Centre, 12 Courthouse Square, Galway. Ring the buzzer for the community room and somebody will buzz you in!
Deadline: Sunday, 2nd March, 2025.	Budding Writers! Are you looking for guidance and encouragement? The Irish Writers Centre is accepting entries for the National Mentoring Programme 2025. You can receive sustained and professional mentoring from an acclaimed Irish Writer of your choosing. The opportunity is available to writers of Fiction, Creative non-fiction Children’s / Young Adult fiction, and Poetry. Writers from all thirty-two counties are eligible to apply. Selected mentees get the opportunity to choose the writer they work with from our growing panel of experienced, professional writers, subject to availability. Applicants can submit their work on the Irish Writers Centre website, via Submittable.
Sunday, March 2nd, 2025, 3pm	The brilliant Poetry Lobby will be having it’s third event in the Menlo Park Hotel, on Sunday March 2nd, from 3 to 5 pm. Once again it will be hosted by the brilliant Clare poet Anne Donnellan. They have assembled a fantastic lineup, with readings from acclaimed poets Noelle Lynskey, Bernie Crawford, Sacha Hutchinson and Luke Morgan. There will also be an Open Mic after the main readings for anyone who’d like to read. Get down there and give them the support and applause that they deserve. We’ll see ye there! Admission is Free.
Saturday, 22nd February, 10.30am – 1.00pm & 2.00pm – 5pm.	Book readers! Drop into Westside Library for the Silent Book Club. Enjoy a nice, cosy atmosphere with a good book, a nice cup of tea and peaceful reading in great company! Stay as long as you like.
Saturday, 22nd February, 2025, 3 – 3.45pm	Poetry lovers are aadvised to get themselves over to Ballybane Library, Galway, on February 22nd. As part of Ireland Reads Day, celebrated Galway poet Rita Ann Higgins will share her personal experience of books and what reading means to her. She will read from her own work and will invite audience members to read their own work, or read work that has a personal significance for them. The event runs from 3 to 3.45pm. Admission is free. Further information can be found on www.irelandreads.ie
Thursday, 20th February, 2025, 6pm.	The brilliant Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop on Middle Street, Galway are hosting a double book launch, ‘Assembling Ailish’ by Sharon Guard, and ‘The Lighthouse Keeper’s Wife’ by June O’ Sullivan. Both books are published this month by Poolbeg Press. Sharon and June are friends and both are graduates of the Creative Writing course at the University of Limerick. Guest speaker is Galway writer Sean Coffey. Admission is free.
Friday, January 24th, 2025, 2.30pm	A special event for poetry lovers. This Friday marks the launch of the poetry and artwork created during the Library Lore Workshops. Acclaimed Galway poet Gerry Hanberry and local artist Hilary Morley worked with groups in Westside and Ballybane libraries to capture the libraries’ centenary. They have created two library poems over the course of the workshops with Gerry’s guidance. Hilary’s interpretation of their ideas has helped to create two bespoke paintings. The end results of these workshops promises to be very exciting. We’ll see you there! The event begins at 2.30pm
Sunday, January 19th, 2025 – 3pm – 4.30pm.	A belated Happy New Year, everyone! 2025 is off to a great start with the second meeting of The Poetry Lobby, Galway’s newest reading and open mic event. Hosted by celebrated poet Anne Donnellan,it take s place in the Menlo Park Hotel on Sunday January 19th, from 3 to 4.30pm. It’s a stellar lineup, with readings by Rachel Coventry, Vinny Steed, Anne Irwin, and Susan Lindsay. There will also be an Open Mic for anybody who’d like to read. The first event drew a great crowd, so get down there, give them your support and applause. We’ll see you there!

Past Events – 2024

Date	Event Summary
Friday, 19^th Jan 2024 at 10pm	A special experimental event featuring musician Anna Mullarkey, spoken word artist Felispeaks and dancer Stephanie Dufresne in Nuns Island Theatre, Nuns Island, Galway City. Disquiet Nights is curated by Megs Morley. More info here
Wednesday, 24^th Jan 2024 at 6.30pm	Rachel Coventry’s new book ‘Heidegger and Poetry in the Digital Age’, a Bloomsbury Studies in Philosophy and Poetry Publication will be Launched by Felix O’Murchadha in University of Galway. This is a free event.
Monday, 5^th Feb 2024 at 7pm	Brian Kelly hosts a poetry open mic event Poetic Pints in The Ol’55 Bar on Prospect Hill, Galway City. All are welcome and can sign up on the night. This is a free event.
Friday, 16th Feb 2024 at 6pm.	James O’Toole’s latest collection of poetry ‘Don’t Buy This Book, its Poetry’ will be launched by Ray Burke in Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop, Middle St, Galway. This is a free event.
Monday, 26th Feb 2024, 6.30pm.	The OilSlick presents IMBOLC open mic at the Salt House Bar, Raven’s Terrence. Poetry, Music and a Celebration of the coming of Spring. This is a free event.
Thursday, 29^th Feb 2024 at 6pm.	Issue 18 of Skylight 47 (Possibly Ireland’s Most Interesting Poetry Publication) will be launched by Orla Fay in Galway City Library, St Augustine St, Galway City. This is a free event.
Friday, 8th Mar 2024, 6pm.	Issue 2 of New Isle Press will be launched by Christoph Thackaberry in Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop, Middle St, Galway, Issue 2 of New Isle Press. Featured authors are Welsh Poet Laureate Ifor ph Glyn and Dublin Poet Mark Ward in addition to the winners of the Thomas Carnduff “Shipyard Poet” competition 2023 Daniel Wade, Georgina Milen and Alan Millar. More info here. This is a free event.
Wednesday, 20th Mar 2024, 8pm (Doors open 19:30)	Town Hall Theatre presents An Evening Celebrating the Work of Rita Ann Higgins. Tickets €10. More info here.
Thursday, 21st Mar 2024, 7pm	Anthony Daly hosts a Spoken Word Celebration at the Galway Mechanics Institute, Middle St. All are welcome to read a poem, short fiction piece, monologue etc. This is a free event.
Monday 25th Mar 2024, 7pm	The next monthly OilSlick Open Mic event (for Poetry and Music) will held at the Salt House Bar, Raven’s Terrence. This is a free event.
Thursday 28th Mar 2024, 6pm	Méabh McDonnell will launch her long awaited and much anticipated debut novel, Into the Witchwood, published by O’Brien Press in Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop, Middle St. Guest speaker to launch Méabh’s engrossing and captivating fairytale adventure will be another local legend, the current Laureate na nÓg, Patricia Forde. All are welcome to the celebration of this great occasion. This is a free event.
Saturday 30th Mar 2024, 7pm	A creative writing event hosted by Eva’s Echo team will be held at Súil Eile in Bearna. Bring the dog, and a notebook! The Eva’s Echo team will provide writing prompts, but feel free to write your own thing. At the end of the evening you can share your work or just sit back and listen.
Wednesday, 3 Apr 2024. 6.10pm	Vox Galvia’s First Wednesday readings, hosted by James O’Toole, will take place in Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop. This poetry and prose open mic is open to all and first time readers are especially welcome – You are the future! Please email voxgalvia@gmail.com if you plan to attend.
Thursday, 4th Apr 2024, 6pm	Over The Edge Literary Events presents a reading by poets Felicia McCarthy, Sandy Yannone and Kim Ports Parsons in the Galway City Library. An open mic will follow This reading is to celebrate the April birthday of the much loved and much missed Poet Kevin Higgins. This is a free event.
Friday, 5th April 2024, 6.30pm	Crannóg 60 will be launched at The Crane, Sea Rd Galway with readings of poetry and fiction from contributors and the inaugural Crannóg Bursary award will be announced. This is a free event.
Monday, 8th Apr 2024, 7pm	Brian Kelly hosts a poetry open mic event Poetic Pints in The Ol’55 Bar on Prospect Hill, Galway City. All are welcome and can sign up on the night. This is a free event.
Friday, 12th April 2024, 6pm	Poets Patrick Deeley and John Chambers will read from their new collections at Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop in the Cornstore Mall, Middle Street, Galway on Friday 12th April at 6pm. Keepsake is the title of Patrick Deeley’s eighth collection with Dedalus Press, and John Chambers’ new work is a translation of Homer’s The Odyssey in sonnet form. All are welcome to this free event.
Friday, 19th April 2024, 6pm.	Bobbie Sparrow’s debut collection of poetry ‘The Weight of Blood’ will be launched on Friday 19th April in Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop, Middle St, Galway. This is a free event.
Saturday, 20th April 2024, 8.30pm	An evening of Art, Poetry and Jazz at Club De Burgos with local poets and the Pocket Jazz Orchestra. A donation of €10 is suggested.
April 23rd to 28th, 2024.	39th Cúirt International Festival of Literature. Six days packed with literary events. Tickets and more info here
Friday 26th April, 12 noon	Ballinasloe Library Crime Book Club welcomes special guest, crime writer Sheila Bugler, the author of the novel Black Valley Farm published by Canelo. No booking is required for this free event. For more information please contact 091 509551.
Wednesday 1st May2024, 6pm	Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop will be launching ‘Spirit of Revolution: Ireland from Below, 1917 – 23′, edited by John Cunningham and Terry Dunne. Published by Four Courts Press, this essay collection demonstrates that there was a widespread movement of mass mobilization that was an important aspect of the Irish Revolution. This was eclipsed by subsequent histories of the period with a focus on militarism and the struggle for independence. Guest speaker is Sarah Anne Buckley of University of Galway and there will also be interviews with some of the contributors. Admission is free and all are welcome.
Monday 13th May 2024, 8pm (Doors open 19:30)	Muldoon’s Picnic is a cabaret-style evening of poetry, prose, and music hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Paul Muldoon in the Town Hall Theatre, Galway. Tickets €20. More info here
Thursday, 16th May 2024, 6pm	Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop will be hosting the launch of Fiona Neary’s book Parcels in the Post: Growing up with Fifty Siblings. It tells the story of Fiona’s Co. Mayo family, returned from England in the 1980s, whose big hearted mother began taking in foster children. Warm and funny, this is a life affirming and inspirational book. Guest speaker is Carol Coulter, Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Galway. Admission is free and all are welcome.
Thursday, 16th May 2024, 8pm.	Literary phenomenon John Cooper Clarke is a British cult hero. Known as the ‘Godfather of Punk Poetry” and the original people’s poet, John’s cultural influence spans literature, music and fashion. Tickets €35. More info here
Thursday, 23rd May 2024, 6pm.	Come to Galway City Library on Thursday the 23rd of May at 6pm to celebrate #biodiversity week2024 with the Moth & Butterfly Storytellers, partaking in storytelling and musical events for adults based around Ireland’s natural world. Tickets are free but booking is required. Go to bit.ly/GCL-WildAreTheWoods for your free tickets.
Friday, 24th May 2024, 6.30pm	Join us in the Portershed, Market Street Galway for the launch of the debut issue of Ragaire Literary Magazine! It promises to be a lovely evening of great readings and friendly chat. There will be readings of poems and story excerpts from some of the magazine’s contributors, as well as some nice finger food and wine. The event is currently sold out, but anyone wishing to attend may be able to enquire about entry on the night. Admission is free.
Saturday, 25th May 2024, 4pm	Late May in Galway brings a special event to the Pálás Cinema in Galway. Internationally celebrated Irish author Colm Tóibin will read from and discuss his forthcoming novel, Long Island, the sequel to the celebrated and award winning Brooklyn. Advance reviews suggest it is an exquisite and emotionally involving novel, that explores the passing of time and the chances that love, both new and old, offers. The event sold out very quickly, and any potential attendees must of avail of a wait list for the moment.
Monday, 27th May 2024, 8pm	It will be a lovely open mic for a warm summer night in Galway, as the Oil Slick return with a brilliant night of poetry and music in the Salt House, Ravens Terrace, Galway. Admission is free, and interested readers can sign up at 7.30pm. The open mic starts at 8pm.
Tuesday 28th May 2024, 6pm	Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop will be launching Katie Donovan’s new collection, ‘May Swim’. Published by Bloodaxe Books, this collection touches upon themes of loss, widowhood, ageing and observations of the natural world. Donovan is a poet of many voices. The book will be launched by poet Rita Ann Higgins. Admission is free and all are welcome.
Tuesday 28th May 2024, 7pm	If you’re in the Oranmore area next week, there will be a nice evening of readings. The Oranmore Creative Writing Group are having an evening of Poetry and Prose in the lovely Armorica Restaurant & Wine Bar on Tuesday, May 28th at 7 pm. Guest reader is poet and short story writer Susan Millar DuMars. Susan has published five collections of poetry as well as Lights in the Distance, a collection of short stories. Her most recent collection of poetry is Naked: New and Selected Poems.
Wednesday 29th May 2024, 6.10pm	James O’ Toole of Vox Galvia will be staging an evening of poetry after 6pm in Charlie Byrne’s bookshop on Wednesday the 29th of May. It’s always a fun and interesting evening for new and established writers, in a friendly and convivial atmosphere. New voices are always welcome and admission is free. Please register for reading with James through voxgalvia@gmail.com
Thursday, May 30th, 2024, 6pm	There will be a very special event at Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop on Thursday, May 30th at 6pm, the launch of Patrick Joyce’s groundbreaking book of historical memorialization, ‘Remembering Peasants: A Personal History of a Vanished World.’ Joyce is Emeritus Professor of History at Manchester University and is one of the leading social historians of his generation. The evening will consist of 3 speakers, social documentary film – maker Donal Haughey, Niall O’ Dochartaigh, Professor of Political Science and Sociology at the University of Galway, and Professor Joyce himself. All are welcome to this fascinating look at a forgotten part of our own recent and unacknowledged history. Admission is free.
Thursday, May 30th, 2024, 6pm.	Bestselling and award winning Irish author Kevin Barry will be at Kennys Bookshop in Liosbán on Thursday, May 30^th for an event to celebrate the launch of his new novel, The Heart in Winter. The event is at 6pm, and he will join Tomás Kenny in conversation. Tickets, which are available to book on kennys.ie now, are free but are limited. Kevin Barry is the author of the novels Beatlebone, City of Bohane and Night Boat to Tangier and the story collections Dark Lies the Island and There Are Little Kingdoms. His awards include the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, the Goldsmiths Prize, the Sunday Times EFG Short Story Prize and the Lannan Foundation Literary Award. His new novel The Heart in Winter is a tale of young lovers, Tom and Polly, set in 1890s Montana. Tom Rourke is a young poet and ballad-maker, but also a doper, a drinker, and a fearsome degenerate. As he feels his life is heading nowhere fast, Polly Gillespie arrives in town as the new bride of the extremely devout mine captain Long Anthony Harrington. A love affair takes spark between Tom and Polly and they strike out west on a stolen horse, through the badlands of Montana and Idaho. But a posse of deranged Cornish gunmen are soon in hot pursuit of them. Kennys Bookshop are doing an Exclusive Signed Limited Edition of The Heart in Winter. Copies will be available to buy in the bookshop on the night and are also available to pre-order on kennys.ie. This edition is signed and numbered by the author, and has exclusive endpapers and sprayed edges. To book your ticket for the Kevin Barry event in Kennys on May 30^th at 6pm, visit www.kennys.ie or call into Kennys Bookshop in Liosbán.
Saturday, 1st June, 2024, 8pm	Enjoy an evening of Art, Poetry and Jazz at Club De Burgos, St Augustine Street, with a great line up of local poets and the uplifting music of the Pocket Jazz Orchestra. Your host will be Brian Kelly. Donations will be taken at the door.
Friday, June 7th 2024, 2pm	Fantasy fans are in for a treat in Charlie Byrnes Bookshop on Friday 7th of June at 2pm, when author Gary J. Martin will be signing copies of his debut book, Knight of Gaelgara. It is a soaring medieval fantasy of impending war and intrigue. Admission is free.
Friday, June 14th 2024, 6pm	Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop will be hosting a launch of three poets, Geraldine Mitchell, Ted Deppe, and Annie Deppe with their latest collections, published by Arlen House. Poet Eva Bourke will be guest speaker on the night. Admission is free.
Saturday 15th June 2024, 5pm	In honour of Bloomsday, Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop will be hosting Professor Brian Arkins’ very popular annual Bloomsday lecture entitled ‘Analysing Finnegans Wake’. Admission is free.
Thursday 20th June 2024, 11am – 1pm or 2pm – 4pm.	Galway City Library is joining forces with Fighting Words Galway to hold a Free Creative Writing workshop for teens on Thursday 20th of June, taking place in the City Library, St. Augustine Street Galway. There will be two classes, from 11am to 1pm and from 2 – 4pm. To book, call 091 509094 or email city@galwaylibrary.ie
Wednesday, July 3rd, 2024, 6pm	There’s a great evening in store for readers and appreciators of poetry on Wednesday, July 3rd. Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop hosts the monthly Vox Galvia series of readings, overseen by guest host Cormac Culkeen. This poetry & prose open mic is open to all and first time readers are especially welcome. The readings will begin after 6pm. Admission is free. email: cormacculkeen77@gmail.com if planning to attend.
Thursday, July 4th 2024, 6pm.	Celebrating the launch of her new poetry collection The Shark Nursery, Mary O’Malley will be in conversation with playwright Marina Carr at Kennys Bookshop on July 4^th. Tickets are free but limited! Mary O’Malley was born in Connamara and launched her poetry career in 1990 with her collection A Consideration of Silk. She has since published six other books and her poems have been translated into several languages. Marina Carr is an Irish playwright who has written nearly 30 plays and is known for writing intense and often dark plays. The poems of The Shark Nursery respond to a disturbed world – the experience of lockdown, of lives lived in an online reality, and of the animal world. The animal poems draw on the tradition of animals in Irish poetry and myth. Link to book: Click Here
Wednesday, July 10th, 2024, 6.30 – 9pm	A great evening for lovers of writing on July 10th. The Over the Edge Open Mic is back! Come and read your original poetry or fiction in a welcoming, family friendly environment. Everyone who signs up gets five minutes at the microphone. Bring a friend and cheer each other on! The event is 6:30-9 on Wednesday, July 10 at the Westside Resource Centre. Sign-up for reading slots begins at 6:15. Your host is Susan Millar DuMars. Readers will include: Denise Garvey, Aelmuire Mulranney, Ieska Poppers, Audrey Dineen, Patricia Hamilton, Austin McGreal and Bern Butler. Also participating will be members of the Mechanics’ Institute and Wednesday Poetry writing groups. Hope to see you there! Admission is free.
Monday July 27th 2024, 8pm	The brilliant Oil Slick are staging their latest Open Mic of Poetry and Music in the Salt House, Raven’s Terrace, Galway, on Monday 27th July at 8pm. It’s always a lovely evening and attracts a good crowd, so get down there early. Anyone wishing to read or perform can sign up beforehand. Admission is free.
Saturday, August 3rd 2024, 6.00pm	An unexpected but welcome event at Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop. Jeremy Corbyn, Independent MP for Islington and ex – leader of the British Labour Party, and Len McCluskey, former leader of the Unite Union, will be in Charlie Byrne’s this Saturday, August 3rd at 6pm to read from and discuss their book ‘Poetry for the Many’, an anthology of their favourite poems, selected by two of the most prominent figures of the British Labour movement of recent times. They will be signing copies of the book and all are welcome to a fascinating evening of poetry that reflects the rich political and cultural heritage of the British left. Admission is free, so get there early.
Wednesday, August 7th, 2024, 6.30pm	Join us in Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop for the latest Vox Galvia reading. Hosted by Bernie Crawford of Skylight 47 Magazine, the event will have American poet Michael Martin as the night’s featured reader, followed by an open mic. Michael Martin is a poet, editor and filmmaker. Poems from his first collection, Extended Remark (Portals Press) and from his new manuscript appear in journals such as American Journal of Poetry, Poetry International, Denver Quarterly, EPOCH, Poetry Ireland, the Moth, Southward, Orbis, Skylight 47, Salamander, and New Orleans Review among others. In 2020 he was a finalist in the Cavafy Poetry Prize and has been placed and short-listed in a number of international competitions. Martin has worked on a number of poetry-film collaborations with Galway’s Morgan Brothers Film Co. These have been placed and won awards at international film festivals such as Buenos Aires International Festival and NYC’s northern film Festival. Admission is free.
Friday, August 9th 2024, 6.00pm	A great evening for book lovers! On Friday August 9th Kenny’s Bookshop & Art Gallery host bestselling author Donal Ryan. His latest novel, Heart Be at Peace will be published August 8th. It is a follow up to the bestselling The Spinning Heart, reuniting readers with the same characters ten years later. Donal will be interviewed by Tomás Kenny on the night. Attendees are advised to book quickly, as admission is free but limited.
Friday, August 16th 2024, 7pm	The good folks at the Oil Slick have a great night in store for lovers of poetry, music and performance. The Summer Lovin’ event takes place in Unit 8, the Cornstore, Middle Street, Galway, on Friday August 16th at 7pm. There will be readings of poetry, and great music from the Pocket Jazz Orchestra, who will be bringing the joy with a pre – release of their new album. It’s a ticketed event, so get down early. Tickets are available on Eventbrite or at the door, priced at 8 euro.
Monday, 26th August 2024, 8pm	The brilliant Oil Slick are staging their latest Open Mic of Poetry and Music in the Salt House, Raven’s Terrace, Galway, on Monday 26th July at 8pm. It’s always a lovely evening and attracts a good crowd, so get down there early. Anyone wishing to read or perform can sign up beforehand. Admission is free.
Thursday, 29th August 2024, 6.00pm	To celebrate the launch of her new poetry collection The Long Weekend, Rita Ann Higgins is in conversation with Elaine Feeney at Kenny’s Bookshop & Art Gallery, Thursday 29th August at 6pm. Tickets are free but limited. To book visit www.kennys.ie/events
Thursday, September 5th, 2024, 5.30pm	Graham Norton in conversation with Pauline McLynn BLACK BOX THEATRE, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5TH AT 5.30PM and 8PM. (8pm event is sold out!) Kennys Bookshop are delighted to be hosting a very special event with Graham Norton in Galway’s Black Box Theatre on Thursday, September 5th at 5.30pm. Graham will be in conversation with actress and author Pauline McLynn about his new novel Frankie. Event Tickets: €28 each (Includes a signed copy of the book)
Wednesday, September 11th, 2024, 6.10pm.	Join us in Charlie Byrne’s on Wednesday evening at 6.10pm for a great night of poetry and prose, as the first Vox Galvia Open Mic of the autumn gets underway. Hosted by the inimitable James O’ Toole, it’ll be a night of great poetry, laughter, and love of language. Interested readers can sign up on the night. Bring your voice and your poems. Admission is free. Please email voxgalvia@gmail.com or contact James if you plan to attend.
Friday, September 13th, 6pm.	There will be another unmissable event in Charlie Byrne’s on Friday night with the launch of the Palestine A – Z, written by Kate Thompson. Kate has published over 20 books for adults and younger readers, and has won the Whitbread Children’s Book of the Year Award and is a 4 times winner of the CBI Book of the Year. It is an explainer, a collection of entries in alphabetical order that covers the key legal, political and strategic issues that are lost behind the headlines. It is distributed by Kinvara Palestine Solidarity, and will be launched on the night by Catherine Connolly TD. This is an important work, and needs to get to as many readers as possible. The book is priced at only 5 Euro. Admission is free.
Friday, September 13th, 2024, 9.30pm	The Galway Climate Inspirations Festival takes place from September 12th – 15th. As part of the Festival Club, there will be spoken word & storytelling from the lovely folks at the Moth & Butterfly. It takes place in An Taibhdhearc, 19 Middle Street, Galway, at 9.30pm.
Tuesday, September 17th, 2024, 8pm.	Acclaimed author and journalist John Robb brings his spoken word show ‘Do You Believe in the Power of Rock n’ Roll?’ to Monroe’s Live Backstage on Tuesday the 17th of September. He’ll be discussing an adventurous life in music, his bestselling book ‘The Art of Darkness: The History of Goth,’ as well as Britpop, the postpunk scene of the 1980s and much more. Tickets are priced at €13.20.
Thursday, September 19th, 2024, 7pm.	126 Artist Run Gallery and Studios will be staging a lovely event for readers and performers of poetry. They’ll be hosting a slam poetry/spoken word competition in the gallery, located at 15 St. Bridget’s Place, Galway. It’s a great opportunity to share your work and connect with fellow poetry enthusiasts. Tickets are priced at 8 Euro.
Friday, 20th September, 2024, 6pm.	Galway City Library has put together a great start to Culture Night 2024 with a wonderful hour of poetry to celebrate the ordinary and extraordinary with readings from Edel Hanley, John Ennis, Joan Hardiman and Christina Hennemann. Edel is a Cork based poet, and has published poetry and fiction in Crannóg, The Waxed Lemon, Howl, Skylight 47 and Drawn to the Light. She has been previously nominated for the 2023 Pushcart Prize and the 2023 Forward Prize. Admission is free.
Friday, September 20th, 2024, 8 – 10pm.	A great event for Culture Night 2024 in Galway. There’ll be a night of Poetry, Spoken Word, and Comedy in Electric at Scéalarious. Hosted by the brilliant Mars Duignan and Liam McBrearty, it promises to be a night of serious wordage and craic! Tickets are available through Eventbrite or on the door. Admission is free.
Wednesday, September 25th, 2024, 6pm	Rewilding expert and bestselling author Eoghan Daltun will be in Kennys Bookshop in September for an event to celebrate the launch of his second book, The Magic of aconn Irish Rainforest. Eoghan spent 15 years successfully rewilding 73 acres of farmland in the Beara Penninsula, which he documented in his bestselling, award-winning first book, An Irish Atlantic Rainforest. He is an advocate for rewilding and for restoring native forests that now cover just 1% of Ireland (one of the lowest rates in Europe) versus their previous 80%. His new book will document areas of temperate rainforest across Ireland, illustrating their beauty, value and in most cases, decline. Tickets for this event are €5 (which can be redeemed against a copy of the book at the event). All pre-orders of the new book with Kennys will also be signed. Link to book: Click Here
Wednesday, 2nd October, 2024, 6.10pm.	Join us in Charlie Byrne’s on Wednesday evening at 6.10pm for a great night of poetry and prose, as the October Vox Galvia Open Mic gets underway. Hosted by the inimitable James O’ Toole, it’ll be a night of great poetry, laughter, and love of language. Interested readers can sign up on the night. Bring your voice and your poems. Admission is free. Please email voxgalvia@gmail.com or contact James if you plan to attend.
Wednesday, 2nd October – Sunday, 6th October 2024.	Headford’s Arts Festival, Something In the Water, returns for its second year, with a rich and diverse bill of music, poetry and live events. For those of you of a writerly bent, the Homeplace Café in Headford on Thursday 3rd October, 7pm might tickle your fancy, with readings from widely published local poets Bobbie Slattery, Jimi McDonnell, Claire Loader, and Kathryn Slattery. The event will be hosted by poet Marie Maxwell. On Saturday, October 5th, 4.30pm poet and editor in chief of The Storms journal Damien B. Donnelly will host a workshop dedicated to the creation of Ekphrastic Poetry. This poetic technique is the description of a thing in vivid detail, and attendees will be able to craft their own poetic responses from paintings, collages and photograph’s that form this year’s festival art exhibition. Book quickly, as numbers are limited. Tickets are available through Eventbrite, priced at 10 Euro.
Thursday October 3rd 2024, 7.45pm.	There’ll be a local flavour to the brilliant Lime Square Poets Open Mic on Thursday, 3rd of October, 7.45pm. Galway poet Nithy Kasa will be reading her work, followed by an Open Mic. Nithy’s debut collection, Palm Wine Tapper and the Boy at Jericho was shortlisted for the 2023 PIggott Poetry Prize. It’s always a lovely event, ful of great poetry, so sign up for a reading or just to listen. Admission is free and open to all.
Thursdays, from September 5th to October 24th, 2024, 6 – 7.30pm.	Are you a writer or poet with chronic illnesses, a disability or are close to someone who is? The Masked Poetry Workshop could be the ideal place for them to showcase your talent, and is taking place in the Portershed, Market Street, Galway, each Thursday until the 24th of October. It is a writing group that is physically accessible, and encourages masking, participating via Zoom or any other accommodations. The workshop and N95 masks are free with the help of the City Council and the Creative Ireland Programme. Interested parties should contact marsduignanwrote on Instagram.
Thursday, 10th October 2024, 6.15pm	Make sure you’re free for Thursday evening! In Claddagh Hall, Galway on Thursday 10th of October, a new book of poetry will be launched, Think In Ink. The authors are poets Aoife Cunningham, Therese McCarthy, James O’ Toole and Grace Samson, and they’ll be reading from the collection. For any attending writers, you’ll be delighted to know that there’ll be an Open Mic after the readings. There will also be refreshments from the bar, and musical interludes. A bursary for a lucky University of Galway creative writing student will be presented on the night, in honour of Galway poet Rob Childers, who sadly passed away in Clifden last week. Admission is free and the poetry kicks off at 6.15pm approx.
Friday, October 11th – Saturday 12th October, 2024.	Friday the 11th of October will be the first edition of the Eastside Arts Festival, an exciting new community led festival for East Galway. It’s also the day for those of a writing mind; 11am – 2pm is an event for the youngsters, with Facetime activities across 8 schools, with Youth Ireland Galway. There’ll be storytelling from Curo Storytelling with Niall de Búrca and Storytime with Lucy Desmond Kelly. At 2 – 4pm acclaimed Irish author Elizabeth Reapy, whose debut novel *Red Dirt* won much praise and acclaim,will be hosting a Writing Workshop on Creating Memorable Characters. The workshop takes place in Ballybane Library. Also in Ballybane Library at 4- 5pm, writer Helen Flynn will launch Ciseach, a Collection of Stories. It promises to be a wonderful addition to the festival scene in Galway, so give it some support!
Thursday, 24th October, 2024, 6pm.	Make sure you’re about for Thursday, the 24th of October. The brilliant folks of Skylight 47(possibly Ireland’s most interesting poetry magazine) will be launching Issue Number 19 in the Galway City Library, the Hynes Building, St. Augustine Street, Galway. The launch will be hosted by the celebrated poet Susan Millar DuMars and will feature a reading by poet Michael Dooley. It promises to be a great evening of poetry! The event starts at 6pm, and admission is free.
Tuesday, 29th October, 2024	Why not write? Galway City Library is hosting two workshops with Fighting Words to help both teens and adults find their creative voices on Tuesday 29 October. The Adult session will focus on Collaborative Creative Writing and will be held from 11am – 1pm. The Teen session will tackle writing screenplays, and will be held from 2:30 – 4:30pm. This is a FREE workshop but booking is essential. Call 091 509094 or email city@galwaylibrary.ie to secure your place.
Wednesday, 30th October 2024, 8pm	Kennys Bookshop are delighted to host a very special event with John Creedon in Galway’s Town Hall Theatre on Wednesday, 30th October at 8pm. John will be joined in conversation with journalist and publican Billy Keane about his childhood memoir, This Boy’s Heart. Signed copies of John’s memoir will be available to buy on the night. Event Tickets: €16 each here.
Wednesday, 30th October 2024, 7pm	Halloween will be celebrated in earnest on Wednesday, 30th October at 7pm! The lovely folk at The Oil Slick will host the Samhain Showcase at Electric, 36 Upper Abbeygate Street, Galway. It marks the first anniversary of the Oilslick, so it’ll be a special occasion! As it’s Halloween, ttendees are encouraged to dress up and there’ll be a prize for best costume! It’ll be a great show of poetry, storytelling, dance and music. There will also be a marketshowcasing the work of some very talented local artists. Admission is 5 Euro via Eventbrite, and tickets will be available on the door, priced at 5 Euro.
Friday, November 1st, 6pm	Poetry lovers will have another evening of poetry to look forward to on Friday November 1st, as Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop hosts Irish poet Patrick Chapman. Patrick will be launching his latest collection of poetry, The Following Year, published by Salmon Press. It promises to be a reading full of dark humour, sparkling collisions of words, and quietly intelligent lines. Launching the collection is celebrated Galway poet Rachel Coventry. Admission is free, and the launch kicks off at 6pm approx.
Wednesday, November 6th, 2024, 6.10pm	Join us in Charlie Byrne’s on Wednesday evening at 6.10pm for a great night of poetry and prose, as the November Vox Galvia Open Mic gets underway. Hosted this month by Jim Ward, it’ll be a night of great poetry, laughter, and love of language. Interested readers can sign up on the night. Bring your voice and your poems. Admission is free. Please email voxgalvia@gmail.com or contact James O’Toole if you plan to attend.
Sunday, November 17th, 2024, 3 – 4.30pm	Another new avenue for lovers of poetry has revealed itself. Hosted by acclaimed Clare poet Anne Donnellan, the Poetry Lobby takes place in The Menlo Park Hotel, Menlo, Galway on Sunday November 17th at 3pm. The readers are celebrated Galway poets Brian Kelly, Ruth Quinlan, Bobbie Sparrow and Susan Millar DuMars, followed by an Open Mic. Entry is free, and all are welcome.
Wednesday, November 20th, 2024, 7.30 – 9pm	Hosted by Steven Sharpe in association with Amach! LGBT Galway Ltd., the Teach Solais Open Mic Session will take place on Wednesday the 20th of November. Located at 1 Courthouse Square, Galway, Teach Solais is a sober, queer, safe space for poets, musicians and singers to come make new friends and share their talent in a warm and welcome environment. The featured artist on the night will be To Gaze Upon Us, the musical creation of Steven Sharpe & Katie O’ Connor. Doors open at 7pm, the show runs from 7.30 – 9pm.
Friday, November 22nd, 2024, 6.30pm	Join us on Friday November 22nd at 6.30pm for the launch of Issue 2 of Ragaire Literary Magazine, Ireland’s most exciting new literary publication! Hosted by Galway writers Tara O’ Malley, Aileen McCarthy and Cormac Culkeen, the launch takes place in the Portershed, Market Street, Galway. There will be a series of readings from contributors, a wondrous mix of poetry, fiction and nonfiction. There might even be some wine. Admission is free. Do come down and buy a copy, we’d love to see you there!
Wednesday, November 27th 2024, 6pm	Join us in Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop on the evening of Wednesday 27th December, when Galway artist Joe Boske and local poet Michael Quinn will launch ‘Rathgar Odyssey’, a limited-edition booklet pairing Boske’s iconic prints with a book length evocative poem about a journey through Rathgar and memories of Galway. This unique publication, limited to 1,000 signed copies, has already seen strong demand, with over 250 copies pre-ordered. Interested readers are encouraged to reserve a copy now by pre-ordering through Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop in-store or online at www.charliebyrne.ie.
December 7th, 2024	Are you a poet? A writer? An artist or performer? Then we have the event for you! Voices of the Tribes, a day long multicultural festival, will take place on December 7th. There will be Music! Songs! Choirs! Drama! Poems! Culture! And even a Raffle! If you wish to take part, whether that’s in booking a festival stall, registering to participate, work as a sponsor or partner to the festival contact info@gocomradio.ie. Raffle tickets will be available to buy from November the 11th. Give it a go!
Wednesday, December 11th 2024, 11am.	If you’re around on the morning of Wednesday the 11th of December, there’s a perfect event for you to go to! Celebrated poet Aoife Cunningham will be launching her debut collection, Circus of Circles, in University Hospital Galway. Aoife is a fantastic poet and is a familiar face at the Vox Galvia Open Mic and the Over the Edge Open Mic. Her poetry has been published in the Galway Advertiser and Broadsheet .ie among other publications. She is a fearless poet and her work has documented her struggles with mental health, and her recovery, as well as interrogating her place, and ours, in the world with a clear and all seeing eye. The launch takes place at 11am. It is open to all, and admission is free.

Previews and Reviews :

April 2024 – Upcoming Literary Events

April 18, 2024

Here’s a preview of the vibrant literary events coming up in Galway over the next couple of weeks.
Read more: April 2024 – Upcoming Literary Events
06 April 2024 – Preview of Cúirt, Galway’s International Festival of Literature

April 6, 2024

It is always one of the most notable events on the city’s cultural calendar. The 39th annual Cúirt International Festival of Literature is taking place in Galway from April 23rd to 28th, 2024 and here is a list of some of the events taking place that caught our eye.
Read more: 06 April 2024 – Preview of Cúirt, Galway’s International Festival of Literature
March 2024 – Upcoming Literary Events

March 24, 2024

There is an abundance of choices available if you have an interest in books, writing, poetry, or are seeking an open mic event. Here is a round up of what’s coming up over the next two weeks in Galway’s rich literary scene.
Read more: March 2024 – Upcoming Literary Events

Submit your Literary Event NOW

Click here