Following its huge success in 2024, Tonnta will return from January 30 to February 2, 2025 celebrating Galway as Ireland's only bilingual city.
Tonnta invites everyone to use however much or little Irish you have in a fun and exciting environment. All events will be bilingual, accessible and welcoming.
Headlining the Festival will be the Máirtín O’Connor Trio with special guest Padraig Jack at the Town Hall Theatre on Sunday, February 2, plus Jiggy in the Róisín Dubh on Friday, January 31, and Ríoghnach Connolly in An Taibhdhearc on Saturday, February 1. With the support of Creative Ireland, Tonnta will present the development of a new Irish language commission with James Riordan of Brú Theatre Company at An Taibhdhearc on Friday, January 31.
A big part of the Tonnta Festival programme is free, including talks and workshops taking place in the PorterShed a Dó, including bilingual yoga and the cosy crafting club hosted by Kayte O’Malley. There will be a special screening of the awarding-winning bilingual film Froggie at Pálás followed by a panel discussion.
This year, with the support of Údarás na Gaeltachta, Lá na bPáistí will be moving to Knocknacarra, one of the two designated Gaeltacht areas in Galway city.
Tonnta will once again take over Eyre Square with a free Céilí Mór and a fire spectacle, and The Dirty Circus will be back by popular demand to close the festival.
Tonnta is an initiative of Gaillimh le Gaeilge, which works to enhance the visibility and audibility of the Irish language in Gaillimh. It is co-funded by Galway City Council, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Creative Ireland, Foras na Gaeilge through Galway city’s Irish language plan and with special support from Fáilte Ireland, and TG4.
Bríd Ní Chonghóile, CEO of Gaillimh le Gaeilge is looking forward to the second edition of Tonnta: “Táimid ríméadach go bhfuil Tonnta 2025 ag tarlú arís an bhliain seo chugainn, a bhuíochas sin don tacaíocht atá muid ag fáil ónár n-urraitheoirí flaithiúla, ó Chairde Tonnta chomh maith leis an tóir agus leis an meas atá ag muintir na Gaillimhe ar a leithéid d’fhéile a bheith ag tarlú sa chathair," a deir sí.
For more information see www.tonnta.eu
