“Mohammed went through seven heavens; big deal! I wanna see the eighth heaven, tenth heaven, thousandth heaven… One door isn't enough. A million doors aren't enough.” Long before seeing Patti Smith perform live, I had already heard her voice. Not through one of her records, but sampled at the end of Rosalía's 2025 song La Yugular, where the Spanish artist uses a … [Read more...] about Patti Smith reminds Galway why words and rock will always matter
Circus is for every body: Taking up space through film, performance and inclusion
A bouquet of flowers and a balloon waiting to congratulate someone on appearing on the big screen for the first time. Around 40 people gathered in Screen 5 of the EYE Cinema on the afternoon of 16 May for the screening of Circus is for Every Body; a documentary that carries that same warmth and sense of celebration throughout its 30-minute runtime. Directed by … [Read more...] about Circus is for every body: Taking up space through film, performance and inclusion
A job that demands empathy and faith: Charlene Lydon on programming the Galway Film Fleadh
Sharing a film you love is an act of trust; an instinct shaped by taste, experience, and the belief that something meaningful is worth passing on. For Charlene Lydon, that instinct is her job. As the newly appointed Festival Programmer of the Galway Film Fleadh, she is responsible for shaping what audiences will discover this July. Curation sits at the core of the Galway … [Read more...] about A job that demands empathy and faith: Charlene Lydon on programming the Galway Film Fleadh
Walking a tightrope between grief and gratitude: Jenny MacDonald brings illness and recovery to the stage
“You have cancer.” Three words with the power to change a life completely. Devastating, disorienting and, depending on circumstances, filled with uncertainty. A moment that forces a person to reconsider who they are, what they value, and what lies ahead. In that space, there are very few choices. The only real one is to keep going. Writer and performer Jenny MacDonald … [Read more...] about Walking a tightrope between grief and gratitude: Jenny MacDonald brings illness and recovery to the stage
How does freedom look?: Saoirse, University of Galway PhotoSoc exhibition offers visual interpretations on liberation
If you are looking for inspiration, starting with the meaning of a word can take you further than expected. We often use words without considering their essence and their roots. Saoirse, a popular Irish name, is one such word. According to the CSO, 176 girls were given the name in 2025. First registered in 1971, it gained wider recognition following the rise of Saoirse … [Read more...] about How does freedom look?: Saoirse, University of Galway PhotoSoc exhibition offers visual interpretations on liberation