Tonnta will kickstart Galway’s 2027 festival season, with more than 20 Irish-language/bilingual events taking place across 15 venues from January 28, to January 31.
Created by Gaillimh le Gaeilge, which celebrates its 40th birthday in 2027, Tonnta celebrates Irish as a living, creative and welcoming part of life in Galway. The festival promises to offer something for everyone — from fluent Irish speakers to Irish learners, or simply those keen to discover more about the language and culture.
“This is a particularly special year for us, as Gaillimh le Gaeilge celebrates 40 years and the Tonnta Festival returns for its fourth year,” says Bríd Ní Chonghóile, CEO of Gaillimh le Gaeilge.
“Bí linn agus muid ag ceiliúradh na Gaeilge, oidhreacht Naomh Bríde agus féiniúlacht dhátheangach na Gaillimhe!
“Tonnta is about helping people reconnect with Irish, enjoy the language and bring more of it into their everyday lives. We want to see Irish thriving across Galway city, as part of our ambition to have Galway recognised as a Gaeltacht Service Town.
“Tá muid thar a bheith buíoch to all of our sponsors and supporters, whose generosity and commitment make Tonnta possible. Le chéile, we are celebrating Galway’s bilingual identity and the rich Irish-language culture of the Gaeltacht on our doorstep – go raibh míle maith agaibh.”
With free bilingual events throughout the programme, Tonnta invites everyone to experience Irish in a relaxed, lively and inclusive way.
An Taibhdhearc, Róisín Dubh and The Mick Lally Theatre, and other venues across the city and beyond will host events for Tonnta’s fourth offering.
Line-up
The Tonnta weekend gets underway on Thursday, January 28, when Plámás Café hosts a lively traditional music session.
Imram an 424: an bus go dtí an ghealchathair, featuring music from Trá Pháidín, comes to The Mick Lally Theatre on Friday, January 29.
On Saturday, January 30, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, joined by Aniar, performs at An Taibhdhearc, while SexyTadhg brings the party to the Róisín Dubh.
Galway’s own Breda Larkin will host Níl aon Seó! Mar Sheó Sheosaimh! - a bilingual night of comedy at The Mick Lally Theatre on Saturday, January 30.
Family events
On Friday, January 29, Cúla4 takes over Galway City Library for an afternoon of creative, after-school activities. Then, on Saturday, January 30, The Mick Lally Theatre hosts a full programme of free bilingual events, with activities including Brigid’s cross-weaving, storytelling and more.
Families can keep the fun going on Sunday, January 31, when Lá na bPáistí returns to Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh in Knocknacarra, one of Galway’s two designated Gaeltacht areas. Expect workshops, games, circus skills, creative play and a kids’ disco.
And there’s no missing the spectacle in Eyre Square on Saturday, January 30, when the free VolkidÁna Procession takes to the streets in a colourful celebration of the Irish language.
Tonnta 2027 also celebrates Galway’s unique connection with the Gaeltacht, and Connemara, with Turas Folláine ar Chonamara taking festival-goers beyond the city on Sunday, January 31.
Full programme and tickets at www.tonnta.eu
