The Laughter Loft at The King's Head - GIAF 2026

The Laughter Loft is one of those festival fixtures that has quietly become unmissable for anyone in Galway during the International Arts Festival. Hosted by Gerry Mallon in the intimate Ruby Room on the top floor of The King’s Head, it brings a tight lineup of Irish comedians into one of the city’s most characterful spaces - a medieval building with a fireplace dated 1612 and a history tied to the execution of King Charles I. The lineup for 2026 includes Emma Doran, Foil Arms and Hog, Chris Kent, and Enya Martin, all performing across the two-week festival window. If you like sharp stand-up in a room where everyone is close enough to see the comic sweat, this is the show for you.

What to expect

The Ruby Room holds around 100 people, so it is properly intimate - no distant back-row seats, no stadium PA. Gerry Mallon, a Galway festival comedy veteran, hosts each night and keeps the energy up between acts. The 2026 lineup mixes established names like Foil Arms and Hog (the sketch trio with millions of followers online) with strong solo performers like Emma Doran, known for her sharp observational style, and the rising Chris Kent and Enya Martin. Shows start at 8:00pm with multiple nights running across the two-week GIAF period from 13 to 26 July. Check the GIAF website for the specific date each act performs - different comedians appear on different nights.

The Laughter Loft has been a recurring GIAF event for years. The King’s Head Ruby Room is its original home and remains the right room for it: low ceilings, good sight lines, and a pub atmosphere that warms up a crowd before the first comic opens their mouth.

Getting there

The King’s Head is on High Street in Galway City centre, a short walk from Eyre Square. If you are coming by train, Galway station is about ten minutes on foot. Bus Eireann and CityLink services connect Galway to Dublin, Limerick, Cork, and the rest of Connacht, with most services stopping near Eyre Square. Driving from Dublin takes around two hours on the M6. City centre parking is limited during festival weeks - Jurys Inn car park on Headford Road and Eyre Square Shopping Centre car park are the closest options, though walking in from a further park-and-ride is often easier than hunting for a space.

While you’re in Galway

GIAF runs for a full two weeks so there is plenty to fill out a trip - street theatre, visual arts, big-tent concerts, and food all overlap with the comedy programme. The Latin Quarter, Shop Street, and the Spanish Arch are all within a few minutes of The King’s Head. There is more to see in Galway and across Co. Galway.

Good to know

• Festival runs 13 - 26 July 2026; individual Laughter Loft dates vary by comedian - check giaf.ie for the full schedule
• Tickets from €15, available through giaf.ie
• Venue: The King’s Head Ruby Room, High Street, Galway City
• Show time: 8:00pm
• The Ruby Room holds approximately 100 people - book early, especially for Foil Arms and Hog nights
• The King’s Head also hosts The Laughter Loft Early Edition, an all-ages accessible show in the main bar - worth checking if you are bringing older children or teenagers