Welcome to the 8th Athenry MAD Community Arts Festival 2024  We would to acknowledge the following support for this years event by: The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and Galway County Council Community Support Scheme-Economic Development Grant.            Saturday 21st September  Our festival programme commences with the amazing Gliondar community Arts Group.  Come join us at the Athenry Community Hall for a free fun-filled 2 hour workshop of learning how to walk on stilts!  Gliondar will teach you the basics of stilt walking in a safe and supportive environment. Whether you're a beginner or have some experience   this wor...

Enjoy an evening of music and storytelling with Little John Nee on Thursday 16th September 2021. The event will be performed in the Athenry Handball Alley on Abbey Row and commences at 7:00pm. The Bouncing Off The Walls project is supported by Creative Ireland and Galway County Council. Little John Nee is a writer and performer based in Co. Galway. His style of storytelling theatre with music has won him international recognition. Throughout lockdown he has been prolific creating over 50 livestreams, a radio play “The Jumpin Inn”, outdoor theatre “Tilt of the Sky”, and film, including an award winning collaboration with Laura Sheeran “Drone Bone Jetty”. Currently an Arts Co...

Athenry Walled Towns Day 2022 Come and enjoy Athenry's Walled Towns Day on Sunday 14th August from 1:00pm-5:00pm. The main festival will be held in Athenry Park  with archery and free guided tours in the Athenry Heritage Centre. This years event has lots of fun activities for all ages to enjoy. There's medieval music, crafts, children's puppet shows, demonstrations of  medieval weapons and battle reenactments.  Take a walking tour of the Anglo-Norman town and discover the history of the Dominican Priory with Dr. Jeff Dann. Maddens Forge will hold blacksmithing demonstrations and become an  archeologist for the day with Dr. Christy Cunniffe.   Athenry's Walled To...

Culture Night 23rd September 2022 Join the Athenry Arts & Heritage Centre as we celebrate Culture Night 2022. This years programme is diverse and accessible for all to enjoy.

Nollaig Beo This event is now sold out Join us this Christmas as the Athenry Arts & Heritage Centre welcomes you back to its popular Winter Wonderland located in the ambient setting of St. Mary's Church, Athenry. Meet Santa's Elves as they guide you around the enchanted Nollaig Beo and enjoy the festive cheer in this specially designed event for all the family to enjoy. Children and their parents will be thrilled when they arrive for Nollaig Beo as they discover a magical enchanted world. Meet the elves of Nollaig Beo and experience the festive fun as you make reindeer food, plant your spring bulbs and create your Christmas crackers and puppets. Santa is waiting with...

Welcome to the programme of the Athenry MAD Festival. We kindly acknowledge the support of: This years event is also supported by and is proud to be associated with Galway County Council Creative Ireland Programme. Now in its 6th year, the Athenry MAD Festival is designed to be inclusive and accessible for all ages to enjoy. Many of the events are free to attend or ticket prices are discounted with support from our sponsors, the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and funding through the Creative Ireland Programme. Enjoy our progamme for 2023, its gonna be a MAD weekend.                   Friday 15th September: Athenry Choir 6:00pm Venue A...

  This year's Culture Night is a very special night for the Athenry Arts & Heritage Centre as Macnas in partnership with Galway County Arts Office bring Crom to the medieval streets of Athenry. Enjoy a programme of events which commences at 5:00pm in the heritage centre, with Crom walking the streets from 9:00pm.  There's drummers, sun gods and stilt walkers complete the night. In Athenry Park, Steve Scott will exhibit his photographs commissioned especially for Culture Night.    The Athenry Heritage Centre has a performance by the Athenry guitar orchestra at 6:30pm At 7:30pm, Gliondar present another session of Travellers Tales.          The evening will close wi...

Athenry Heritage Centre Christmas Winter Wonderland Nollaig Beo 2023 Welcome to the Athenry Arts & Heritage Centre Nollaig Beo event.Enjoy a one hour festive treat for all the family to enjoy and discover a magical Winter Wonderland in the award winning Athenry Arts & Heritage Centre. This event has been designed for maximum festive cheer so children of all ages can enjoy this magical time of year. Meet the Elves of Nollaig Beo and enjoy arts & crafts activities, planting bulbs with our Eco Elf and make reindeer food for Rudolph and his friends.Santa is waiting with a gift for all the boys and girls and there’s gender neutral presents too.Don’t forget to br...