Groove Tube with Cian O’Connell

Following the success of its inaugural bow this time last year, the Galway Folk Festival is back this week with a bigger line-up and a host of free and ticketed events – showcasing the best that genre has to offer on a local, national and international front.  Running to Sunday, the festival boasts a rich blend of folk, roots and traditional music from Ireland and further afield. Establishing itself in its second year, it looks set to become a fixture in Galway’s summer music catalogue.

Among this year’s headliners are Steve Earle, Inhaler, Pa Sheehy, The Whileaways and the Sharon Shannon Trio.

Predominantly taking place across several stages in Monroe’s, the Folk Festival will be introducing a series of free events on the Saturday and Sunday to build on the community atmosphere of its first edition.

Festival booker and promoter Peter O’Sullivan explains the evolution of the project.

“We had a look at last year’s line-up to see who we wanted to bring back,” he recalls.

“We wanted to keep it as fresh as possible but there are a few standouts from last year which are returning. It’s a case of just putting a shortlist together, your wish list, and thankfully this year a good few of them were available. We ended up getting them in for the festival, so we’re delighted.

“We’re doing one show outside of Monroe’s in the Black Box, but the rest then is going to be in Monroe’s. There’s going to be five stages in total across the venue, including a free stage on Saturday and Sunday down the laneway. That’ll be done in connection with the Tiny Traders Village, so Saturday and Sunday, there’ll be free events from 11 to 7 along with a market.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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