Advocating for the rights of those in need is a goal for many students at University of Galway. This is why the Students’ Union is bringing back RAG Week for 2025. All proceeds will go to the Galway Rape Crisis Centre and Galway Autism Partnership, both of which provide resources for people in need.
RAG Week is, therefore, a means of giving back to the city, county, and community that is Galway. Students’ Union Executive Committee members Faye Ní Dhomhnaill, Chloe Anderson, Tom Forde, and Julieanne Ní Mhullaiodh launched the event’s fundraiser campaign on 4 February. However, the festivities begin on 9 February.
RAG week will begin with a 5K fun run on Sunday, 9 February. This event is done, fittingly, in partnership with the Galway Bay Brewery Running Club. As for participants, the early bird entrance fee is €10, which goes to the previously mentioned Students’ Union charities. All participants in the race will receive a free T-shirt and goodie bag. Costumes are optional, but encouraged, and it’s recommended that those who dress up follow the theme of ‘Heroes and Villains’. Prizes will be rewarded for the best ‘Heroes and Villains’-themed costumes. On the day of the race, runners will meet at 12:15pm in front of the Alice Perry Engineering Building, on University of Galway’s campus. The event will begin with a 15-minute warmup and a briefing of the event. At 12:30pm, racers will embark on the five kilometre route, which goes up and around Dangan before circling back to the starting point.
Parking and water refill stations will be available outside the Kingfisher Sports Centre and the Alice Perry Building. The run will not be timed, and racers are welcome to walk, jog, run or sprint as fast or as slow as they choose. Also on Sunday, Flirt FM will be hosting a twenty-four-hour radiothon. Monday, 10 February will be an eventful day. From 11am to 3pm, the Cube in Áras na Mac Leinn will play host to the RAG Sale.
Said sale is a popup charity clothes shop done with Galway Simon Community, a homeless service. From 6pm to 10pm, the Students’ Union will host a firewalk and firewalking workshop, led by an instructor with decades of experience walking across flames. In order to partake, prospective firewalkers needed to raise €150.
The performance of Jack Reilly and the Tumbling Paddies, will take place in Sult at 8pm on Monday, 10 February. Tickets to their performance will cost €22.40. All shots at the bar will be €5. Sult’s doors will open at six in the evening to students aged 18+.
Tuesday’s festivities will begin with a shave-off at 2pm. Peter O’Neill will be emceeing the event, during which volunteers can have their heads or faces shaved. Donations for the event can be made via the iDonate website, and a prize will be awarded to the fundraiser who raises the most money.
Later on Tuesday night, from 7pm to midnight, RAG week’s largest event will take place in Áras na Mac Leinn. 2,000 guests are able to attend, with 10 acts set to perform. On the Electronic Stage in Bailey Allen Hall, musicians Black Traffic, Fish56Octagon, GJ504B b2b Nicole Reaney, CamrinWatsin, and Parfait are set to perform. Echo Chamber, Telebox, and The Love Buzz are the acts booked for Sult’s Main Stage. General admission costs €22.50. Combo tickets that include admission to the afterparty at Monroe’s in the West End cost €27.50. Reboot Events and Bümblê are the proud hosts of this event.
The Students’ Union Charity Cup, a football tournament, will be held on Wednesday from 11am to 4pm. Registration closed on 4 February, with 16 teams of eight players being the maximum amount. It cost €40 for the teams to enter the Cup, which will take place in the Corrib Village cages.
Back on the University of Galway’s campus, the Writers’ Society will host Blind Date With a Book, a popup bookstore. Described as a unique and charming way to discover new genres and authors, Blind Date With a Book proved to be immensely popular when the event was last put on in autumn of 2024. Books can cost as little as €5.
Thursday is the day before Valentine’s Day, and RAG Week will incorporate a celebration. From 11am to noon, Galentine’s Day Prosecco and Pancake Brunch will take place in the Corrib Room at Sult. Tickets cost €8 plus booking, and include a glass of Prosecco and two pancakes with a choice of toppings. At 7pm the same night, a Speed Quiz will be held at Sult in Áras na Mac Leinn.
Friday, the 14 February will be the last day of RAG week. To end the festivities, a charity auction will take place in Sult Bar from 1pm to 2pm. Tickets to the auction cost €5 and include lunch. Among the sixteen items up for bidding are a three-course lunch for two at Dillisk in Harbour Hotel, Town Hall Theatre tickets, and Afternoon Tea for Two at Ashford Castle. Following the auction, Sult will host an Akumakon Takeover for fans of manga and anime.
The goal of the University of Galway’s Students’ Union is to represent all students and promote their interests, ideas, and needs. RAG Week aims to do this by providing ways for students to give to charity while enjoying themselves. Bringing friends and informing peers of RAG week and its events is one way to raise awareness and make it a more enjoyable time. However, this is about more than spending time with other students. It’s about helping marginalised members of the community, with all proceeds going to the Galway Rape Crisis Centre and Galway Autism Partnership. That is why showing up and participating is important.
If you or a loved one is in need, contact the Galway Rape Crisis Centre at 1800 355 355.
