Top acts sell out but tickets available for most shows

By Judy Murphy

Several Arts Festival events, including Druid Theatre’s production of Penelope, the comedy show Après Match and musical act, Divine Comedy – both at the Radisson Live Lounge – had sold out before the Festival opened, but tickets are available for most shows, according to the event’s Managing Director John Crumlish. Punters are leaving it until the last minute to buy tickets, and “it’s too early to tell if it’ll pan out, but we’re reasonably happy about the way we are tracking on last year”.

The three Big Top shows – Rodrigo Y Gabriela on July 20, Josh Ritter/Damien Dempsey/Cathy Davy on July 23 and the Human League/Heaven 17 on July 24 – are about 50% sold, he says.

The importance of the Galway Arts Festival in showcasing Irish work to national and international audiences, and in bringing world-class shows to Ireland, was stressed by Minister for Tourism Culture and Sport Mary Hanafin as she launched the 33rd annual Festival last night.

"Over 150,000 people will enjoy the huge variety that is on offer at the Galway Arts Festival over the next two weeks, making it one of the highlights of Ireland’s festival and events calendar,” said Minister Hanafin.

Fáilte Ireland, one of the key sponsors of the event, estimates that the festival generates up to 30,000 bed-nights, with a €19m economic impact.

Read more in this week's Connacht Sentinel