Galway is all set for a festival that showcases the cream of traditional culture when the Connacht Fleadh comes to Ballinasloe for a week that’s about so much more than the music and dancing.

With a packed and inclusive programme, Ballinasloe is ready to welcome visitors from across Ireland to a celebration of music, heritage, and community.

Over the course of eight days, more than 40 events will take place throughout the town, creating a Community Fleadh for All alongside the official competitions.

Highlights of the Community Fleadh include the Céilí Mór on Saturday week, July 5, with previous All-Ireland Champions, the Pipers Cross Céilí Band, at 9pm in the Shearwater Hotel.

There is a Step Dancing Workshop with acclaimed dancer Noel Devery; Traditional Singing Sessions, music performances, and late-night sessions across the town; family-friendly activities such as a Vintage Car Display, historical walks, and kayaking on the River Suck.

There is a Country Market, a Knitting and Art Exhibition – not to mention a busking competition, Best Window Display, GAA, soccer, tennis and cricket matches, camogie, tennis tasters, and much more.

The actual Connacht Fleadh competitions will take place over three days — on Friday, Saturday and Sunday week, July 4, 5 and 6 — with over 1,000 competitors from across the province hoping to qualify for the All-Ireland Fleadh in Wexford later this summer.

Caption: Jack Ryan and Fionnán Seale at the recent launch of the Connacht Fleadh in Ballinasloe.

Get the full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune, on sale in shops now, or you can download the digital edition from www.connachttribune.ie. You can also download our Connacht Tribune App from Apple’s App Store or get the Android Version from Google Play.