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arts · Wednesday 24 June 2026 · Various 
Galway Climate Inspirations Festival
At Multiple venues including Fr. Burke Park · Various locations, Galway City, Co. Galway
At Multiple venues including Fr. Burke Park · Various locations, Galway City, Co. Galway
Galway has been running this award-winning festival since it was launched by Galway City Council, and it has grown into one of the most unusual free events on the Irish summer calendar - a five-day programme that treats climate action not as a lecture series but as a cultural celebration. The Climate Inspirations Festival runs 24-28 June 2026, drawing together artists, scientists, musicians, architects and local community groups to explore what storytelling and creativity can do for the planet. If you care about sustainability but have had your fill of dry policy debates, this is the rare event that makes the conversation genuinely enjoyable.
The heart of the festival is Fr. Burke Park on Father Griffin Road, which transforms into an outdoor festival village for the week. Over thirty events are spread across the five days, ranging from interactive climate art installations and photography exhibitions to live music sets, workshops and keynote panels.
The 2026 programme has some notable highlights. Michael D Higgins is in conversation with Ruairi McKiernan on the role of the arts and education in climate action. Harrison Gardner, presenter of RTE’s Build Your Own Home, gives a Saturday afternoon talk. Sharon Shannon and Jiggy headline the music strand. A first-ever Choir Singing Competition takes place on Sunday 28 June, with six choirs from across Galway and beyond singing for the planet in the park. The Climate Cocktail Club - themed Wild Atlantic Impact - runs on Friday evening in the festival tent. Saturday night sees the West End Street Party take over the surrounding streets with live music and dancing until late.
Most events are free to attend. Some ticketed sessions have individual booking links through galwayclimatefestival.ie/events/ - worth checking in advance for the talks and evening events, as capacity in the festival tent is limited.
Fr. Burke Park sits on Father Griffin Road in the west end of Galway City, a short walk from Shop Street and Eyre Square. There is no on-site parking at the park itself, but city centre car parks - including the Jurys Inn multi-storey and the Cathedral car park - are within easy reach. Galway’s city centre is small enough that driving to the edge and walking in makes more sense than circling for a spot.
Bus Eireann operates regular services into Galway from Dublin, Limerick, Cork, Sligo and Athlone; all arrive at Ceannt Station on Station Road, which is about fifteen minutes on foot from Fr. Burke Park. Irish Rail runs frequent trains from Dublin Heuston (just under two hours) and Limerick Junction.
Late June is a fine time in Galway - the Aran Islands ferries are running, the Latin Quarter is lively in the evenings, and Salthill is just a twenty-minute walk along the prom. There is more to see in Galway and across Co. Galway.
Heading to Multiple venues including Fr. Burke Park in Galway? Galway has plenty more to see. Read the Galway area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.