The summer social and sporting calendar’s crown jewel, the Galway Festival, is back, running for seven spectacular days from Monday July 27 to Sunday August 2.
As one of the longest and most celebrated race meetings in Ireland, the festival is expected to welcome over 130,000 racegoers to experience a unique blend of sporting excellence, cultural heritage, and entertainment. From July 27 to August 2, the festival will deliver an action-packed, seven-day programme of top-tier Flat and National Hunt racing boasting a massive prize fund of €2.19 million. Beyond the track, the festival has evolved into a premier lifestyle destination and promises an unmatched combination of standout style, vibrant live entertainment from 50 live music acts, 60 lively bars and restaurants to choose from, and high-energy family-friendly fun.
A week of unrivalled festivities, each day of the festival, brings its own special highlight:
Monday July 27: The festival kicks off with electric energy, traditional local pride and a special performance by the Galway Tenors in the parade ring. The Connacht Hotel (Qualified Riders) Handicap is the highlight on the opening night. Known as the Derby for amateur jockeys, the race offers €110,000 in prizemoney and is the most valuable race for amateur riders in Ireland.
Tuesday July 28: Tribes Tuesday sees local Galway clubs All-Ireland Club Camogie Champions Athenry GAA, Annaghdown GAA, Tuam AC and Sarsfields GAA compete in the "Five Grand Challenge." Teams tackle four gruelling trials - hang tough, wall squat, horse rodeo, and a sprint up the home straight—with €5,000 going to the winning club.
Tuesday’s racing highlight is the Colm Quinn BMW Mile Handicap - the biggest flat race of the week, boasting a prize fund of €120,000 and standing tall as one of the most exciting races on the Irish racing calendar.
Wednesday, July 29: Wednesday is €270,000 Tote Galway Plate Day - one of Ireland's most prestigious and historic horse races. The high stakes jumps race sees the best horses and jockeys line-up for the sporting highlight of the week. Country Music Day, headlined by Michael English who will bring racegoers on a musical journey of Ireland’s most loved country and Irish songs, will bring day three to a close.
Thursday, July 30: Ireland’s most glamorous day out where the fashion is as hot at the racing. Ladies Day, sponsored by multi-award-winning Irish skincare brand Ella & Jo, will showcase show-stopping sustainable style and elegance, featuring incredible prizes for the best dressed and best headpiece and always generates a huge buzz in the enclosure while the Guinness Galway Hurdle, the most valuable hurdle race run in Ireland, boasts a massive prize fund of €270,000, will be the centre piece of the day on the track.
Friday July 31: Friday brings a fresh burst of energy with the Athlone Towncentre most stylish competition which offers fashion-forward racegoers another chance to impress in the style stakes. On the track, the spotlight turns to the prestigious €110,000 Guinness Handicap over a mile and a half.
Saturday, August 1 & Sunday, August 2: The Bank Holiday weekend sees high-energy racing combine with family-friendly entertainment. Saturday afternoon’s feature race is the €110,000 BOYLESPORTS Handicap Hurdle. The curtain comes down on the Festival on Sunday afternoon with the seven-furlong Irish Stallion Farms EBF Ahonoora Handicap the focal point on an eight-race card. While the entertainment culminates on Sunday with the wildly colourful and entertaining Mad Hatters Family Fun Day, supported by Ireland West Airport.
A festival of fashion and glamour
In addition to elite racing, the Galway Festival is renowned for high stakes fashion and sees Ballybrit turns into a massive outdoor runway. The festival features two major fashion events that celebrate Irish style, where thousands of racegoers show off bold colours, elegant looks, and creative hats.
On Thursday Irish broadcaster Laura Fox will join joins Ella & Jo co-founder Charlene Flanagan as the guest judges while entrepreneur and stylist Mandy Maher will assume the mantle as head judge for the Ella & Jo best dressed extravaganza.
The Ella & Jo best dressed lady will walk away with a €10,000 cash prize. In addition, the best hat winner receives a €3,000 cash prize.
The popular Athlone Towncentre most stylish event on Friday event encourages attendees showcase their individuality, confidence, and creativity and vibrant flair. The effortlessly stylish fashion and lifestyle content creator, Sarah Battle will join head judge Marietta Doran to seek out the exceptional style winner. The lucky winner will win a €3,000 Athlone Towncentre gift card, a luxury two-night break in the four-star Sheraton Athlone Hotel in a deluxe tower room with dinner and spa treatments.
Entertainment
Beyond the racing, Ballybrit transforms into a vibrant entertainment hub. Performances from the Galway Tenors, Irish country legend Michael English, Spring Break, and the Bentley Boys are among the 50 live music performances that are scheduled to perform across 60 bars, restaurants, including in the Rockshore Marquee, the Guinness Cube and the Champagne Bar.
Mad Hatter's Family Fun Day is a huge Ballybrit tradition and brings the week-long festival to a close on Sunday. Sponsored by Ireland West Airport, the final day is tailored specifically for families, offering activities for all ages alongside the creative and colourful Mad Hatter's competition.
Michael Moloney, CEO of Galway Racecourse, said: "We are very proud that the Galway Festival is a major tradition of the Irish summer that unites locals and visitors alike for seven days of unique sporting and social activities. So, with one week to go, we can’t wait to open the gates and welcome everyone for what promises to be an incredible, action-packed week of competitive racing and top-class entertainment.”
Galway Festival facts and figures
- 54 races 800 horses
- €2.19 million in prize money 130,000 racegoers expected 50 live music acts
- 60 bars and restaurants 70,000 meals served
- 5 tonnes of Irish beef 171,000 pints served
- 5,000+ bottles of wine and champagne 1,000s of reunions and meet-ups
- 160 solar panels 2,700 native Irish trees 0% waste to landfill
- 150 hours of grass cutting 1,600 festival staff
- 10 full-time staff members
