Music and Festivals

South and East Galway have a strong tradition of traditional music and festivals.

The Cooley-Collins Festival

Location : Peterswell and Gort
When : Last Weekend in October

http://www.cooleycollinstradfest.com/index.php/home

Joe Cooley was born in Peterswell. County Galway in 1924. He learned to play the button accordion from his mother, who played the concertina, and later from a well known local music teacher, Jack Mulkere. There were twelve children in the Cooley household, most of them were musicians and singers. Joe played with the Peterswell band in the 1940’s, and with The Galway Rovers Céilí Band in Dublin, where he met musicians Sonny Brogan and Johnny Doran, both of whom were to influence Cooley’s musical style. He worked and played music with Joe Leary, Charlie, Johnny and Kevin Doyle and Joe Howley in Clare, Galway and Dublin.

Kieran Collins was born in Gort, Co. Galway on the 23rd of September, 1938. His parents were Packie Collins from Peterswell and Maggie Gallagher from Derrybrien. Both were keenly interested in music and had a discerning ear for a good musician or singer.

Cruinnu Na mBad

Location : Kinvara
Time : August Bank Holiday weekend

Cruinniú na mBád Festival

Fleadh no Guach

Location : Kinvara:

Time : May Bank-holiday Weekend

Fleadh na gCuach Festival

Clarinbridge Oyster Festival

This 65 year old festival takes place in September and is dedicated to the renowned native oyster. Join us in the oyster marquee to celebrate food, fashion, music and embrace this iconic festival.