Westside Arts Festival

14/07/2026

The ‘Cultural Exchange for Climate Stories’ project at Westside Arts Festival 2026.

‘Cultural Exchange for Climate Stories’ is a project designed by Porooshat Sabeti and funded through Creative Ireland. The project brought together community participants from diverse cultural backgrounds in Galway to work alongside local artists in exploring how climate change is experienced across different countries. By grounding climate conversations in real stories and lived experiences from five countries, the project helped people connect with climate change in a more personal and meaningful way, recognising how it shapes everyday life in different parts of the world.

The projects brought together climate action, culture, storytelling, and community participation, creating an inclusive space for dialogue, learning, and meaningful connections across communities. During the project the participants created a collection of imaginative three dimensional ‘stands’ which featured at the recent Galway Climate Inspirations Festival and also at Westside Arts Festival. Congratulation to all who took part in the project.

14/07/2026

Westside Arts Festival - Flying High

The Organising Committee of Westside Arts Festival would like to thank the Mayor of The City of Galway Cllr Helen Ogbu for officially opening our Art Exhibition on Tuesday evening. The Mayor expressed her strong support for Westside Arts Festival's long-standing contribution to the community… and thanked all involved for their creativity and community spirit. Over forty different artists participated in this year’s art exhibition and we are always delighted to have the opportunity to showcase the skills and talent which abound in the local area. The Official Opening was followed by a great session of traditional Irish music, song and dance and the whole event was very successful and enjoyable.

James Coyne, Chairperson of Westside Arts Festival, took the opportunity to thank the Galway City Council Arts Office for supporting the festival through the Cultural Partnership Programme. James said that the festival is made possible each year through a unique ‘coming together’ of many local organisations working in concert to deliver a creative project that benefits the community. James thanked all who have contributed to the festival this year and in years past – artist, volunteers, facilitators, committee members and members of staff at all of our festival venues – for keeping the festival flying high for over two decades. Westside Arts Festival generates a very positive atmosphere where all abilities are appreciated and new creative ideas are welcomed and encouraged.

11/07/2026

A packed programme for the final day of Westside Arts Festival 2026

There's something for everyone at Westside Arts Festival today - Saturday 11th July 2026. Workshops, activities, talks, dance, music... you name it!

Some additions to the printed programme include: Bernardo The Magician , who is back by popular demand with a magic show.

Children can also look forward to Balloon Creations and Face Painting.

All events at Westside Arts Festival are free of charge. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please see https://www.westsideresourcecentre.ie/waf.html for the full festival programme.

10/07/2026

Final Day of Westside Arts Festival Tomorrow

Tomorrow, Saturday 11th July, marks the final day of Westside Arts Festival 2026. The weather is promised sunny, so wear sun protection and stay hydrated while you enjoy the many events taking place in Westside! We are happy to announce a few last-minute additions to the programme.

10:30am to 12:30pm - Garden Open Day with art activities, and games for kids hosted by the Volunteers of Westside Community Organic Garden.

10:30am to 2:30pm - A Bow Top Traditional Gypsy Wagon will be situated outside Westside Resource Centre. All are welcome to come and take a look at Joe Casey's beautifully-preserved example of Irish heritage.

11:00am to 12:00pm - 'Deep Time Galway' geology talk by Gordon Bromley in Westside Resource Centre. Delve into the history of the ground on which we tread every day.

11:00am to 12:00pm - Bernardo The Magician on the Westside Public Library Plaza. Always a favourite at the arts festival.

11:30am to 1:30pm - Traveller Arts & Crafts with Letty How near the Bow Top Traditional Gypsy Wagon outside Westside Resource Centre

11:30am to 12:30pm - 'Art of Bicycle Maintenance' an informative talk by An Mheitheal Rothar (Galway's Bike Workshop) at Westside Resource Centre

11:30am to 12:30pm - Afro Beats Dance Class in Westside Community Centre. Suitable for all levels. Come along and try it out!

12:30pm to 2:00pm - Music and dance from all around the world on the Westside Library Plaza.

2:00pm to 3:00pm - Speckled Egg Dance Group present a film and a performance, followed by a Q&A session in Westside Public Library

2:00pm to 4:00pm - 'Art,Tunes, and Coffee' with Arthur Ricardo & DJ Shine On Time in Westside Resource Centre. This event is suitable for adults. Booking required: 091-528325

2:30pm to 4:00pm - Family Fun Disco with Kidisco in Westside Community Centre. This event is suitable for ages 12 years and under.

09/07/2026

Westside Arts Festival Events on Friday 10th July

10:00am - A Cultural Exchange event in Westside Resource Centre (eircode H91 C1KX) organised by Galway City Partnership and Galway Traveller Movement. All welcome.

11:00am - Hip Hop & Contemporary Dance Workshop with TADA Dance at Westside Public Library (eircode H91 Y067). Booking in person required. Suitable for ages 6 to 9 years.

11:00am - Interactive Family Storytime with Wayne O'Connor at Westside Public Library (eircode H91 Y067). All welcome.

12:00pm - A second Hip Hop & Contemporary Dance Workshop with TADA Dance at Westside Public Library (eircode H91 Y067). Booking in person required. Suitable for ages 6 to 9 years.

2:00pm - Hip Hop & Contemporary Dance Workshops with TADA Dance at Westside Public Library (eircode H91 Y067). Booking in person required. Suitable for ages 9 to 12 years.

3:00pm - Interactive Family Storytime with Wayne O'Connor at Westside Public Library (eircode H91 Y067). All welcome.

4:00pm - A Waterways Documentary screening in Westside Resource Centre (eircode H91 C1KX). All welcome

09/07/2026

The ever-popular "Open Mic" is back again this year. The event takes place in Westside Resource Centre (eircode H91 C1KX) at 6:45pm. You're welcome to come and listen to the stories, poems and songs... or maybe present a short piece yourself!

Registrations for 5-minute presentation slots start at 6:45pm and the event proper begins at 7:00pm.

This event is suitable for adults.

Calling All Writers, Poets, and Singers!

The Open Mic with "Over The Edge" Literary Events and Susan Millar Dumars takes place this evening (Thursday 9th July) at 6:45pm here in the resource centre. Come along to hear talented people from the locality present their work. And perhaps you, too, would like to present a short piece!

This event is suitable for adults. Registrations for the 5-minute slots start at 6:45pm and the event gets underway at 7:00pm.

All events at Westside Arts Festival are free of charge. Please see https://www.westsideresourcecentre.ie/waf.html for the full festival programme.

09/07/2026

This workshop ties in very well with this year's theme: "In the Stream of Time".

"Ripples of Climate Change" at Westside Arts Festival

The hot weather that many countries have been experiencing has highlighted the fundamental importance for everyone of dependable access to water.

Self Help Africa's workshop this afternoon at 2:00pm in the resource centre will focus on how the changes in the climate or rising temperatures can be a threat to global water resources. Extreme drought, unpredictable rainfall patterns leading to intense floods, etc. These shifts cause severe disruption to our livelihoods, giving rise to risks to the quality of water supplies, and impacting agriculture, thus threatening food security in the future.

Come along to workshop what we can do together to help provide dependable water resources for everyone. This event is suitable for ages 12 years and older.

All events at Westside Arts Festival are free of charge. Please visit https://www.westsideresourcecentre.ie/waf.html for the full festival programme.

08/07/2026

Another exciting lineup of events tomorrow (Thursday) for Westside Arts Festival.

10:00am - Patchwork Workshop with Westside Patchers in Westside Resource Centre (eircode H91 C1KX). This event is suitable for ages 10 years and older, as there is needlework involved. There are still a few spaces available on the 10:00am workshop, so make sure to book your place on 091 528325. (The 11:00am workshop is already fully booked).

11:30am - Circus Skills workshop with Maria in Youth Work Ireland Westside in the Corrach Buí Centre (eircode H91 HDH6). This event is suitable for ages 10 to 12 years. Booking is required. Please call 087 2363021.

2:00pm - Bike Maintenance Workshop with An Mheitheal Rothar (Galway's Bike Workshop) in the Corrach Buí Centre (eircode H91 HDH6). This event is suitable for ages 13 to 18 years. Booking is required. Please call 087 9141522.

2:00pm - 'Ripples of Climate Change' workshop hosted by Self Help Africa in Westside Resource Centre (eircode H91 C1KX). This event is suitable for ages 12 years and older.

3:30pm - 'Lego Free Play' in Westside Public Library. This event is suitable for ages 6 to 10 years.

6:45pm - 'Open Mic' Poetry and Fiction Readings with Over The Edge in Westside Resource Centre (eircode H91 C1KX). This event is suitable for adults. You are invited to present a piece (maximum 5 minutes). Registration for 5-minute slots starts at 6:45pm. Readings start at 7:00pm.

08/07/2026

Many thanks to all who attended and made the evening such a success. Thank you to Mayor of the City of Galway Cllr Helen Ogbu for officiating at the Official Opening of the Westside Art Exhbition.

08/07/2026

Galway City Community Network is hosting an event this evening inspired by Galway City Council's WATERWAY project. The event takes place at 7:30pm in Westside Resource Centre and all are welcome to attend.

🌊 WATERWAY Project at Westside Arts Festival: "Music and Reflections" 🎶

Join us for an inspiring evening of live music, conversation, and community reflection inspired by the WATERWAY project!

🌍 This fantastic initiative explores how renewable micro-hydropower can support a more sustainable future for Galway. 🔋💧

✨ What to expect:
🎸 Original songs by talented Galway songwriter Sean McGrath.
🗣️ An open space to chat about climate change, energy transitions, and our connection to Galway's beautiful waterways.
💡 A chance to share your own thoughts, experiences, and ideas on how our people and places can adapt and thrive together!

📌 The Details:
📆 When: Wednesday, 8 July at 7.30pm
📍 Where: Westside Resource Centre
🎟️ Admission: Completely FREE and open to all! 🥳

This event is proudly part of the Westside Arts Festival . We hope to see you all there! 👋💙