Beidh Tonnta ar siúl arís! Tonnta is Back!

Taylor Swift as Gaeilge and Padraig Jack to Headline Tonnta 2026 – A Bilingual Celebration of Music and Language.  For full details and to book online, visit www.tonnta.eu.

The Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Mike Cubbard, has officially announced that the box office is now open for Tonnta 2026 at the Cairde Gaillimh le Gaeilge Autumn Lón Gnó, held in the Park House Hotel, Forster Street, Galway.

After two sold-out editions, Tonnta, Galway’s festival celebrating the Irish language and Galway as Ireland’s bilingual city, is back! The 2026 edition will take place from January 29th to February 1st, and the first Tonnta headliners has just been revealed. The full festival programme will be announced on December 15th, promising another unforgettable celebration of language, music, and creativity on St Brigid’s weekend.

Tionscadal Taylor Swift: Sreang Dhofheicthe in association with IMRAM will perform at the Town Hall Theatre on Saturday, January 31st at 7.30pm.
This striking new production reimagines songs from Taylor Swift’s folklore and evermore in Irish, performed by Róisín Seoighe x IMLÉ with special guest Jessie Dingle. The lyrics, beautifully translated by Gabriel Rosenstock and Róisín Seoighe, are accompanied by evocative visuals from artist Margaret Lonergan, creating a powerful fusion of song, poetry, and art.

Also taking centre stage is Padraig Jack and Friends at An Taibhdhearc on Thursday, January 29th at 8pm, where the acclaimed Aran Islands singer-songwriter brings his soulful bilingual folk to life with a full band and special guests. Fusing contemporary sound with the lyrical beauty of the Irish language, Padraig Jack’s music captures the spirit and storytelling heart of the west.

Tonnta will once again fill Galway’s venues, streets, and creative spaces with a vibrant mix of music, art, workshops, talks, and family fun — all delivered bilingually. Expect a weekend brimming with creative energy, from art and craft experiences and storytelling inspired by Brigid to late-night trad sessions, bilingual performances, and events for children.

You can also join us this St Brigid’s Day in the heart of Galway for an exciting celebration of Ireland’s matriarchal spirit and creative fire. Set within the beautiful surroundings of St Nicholas’s Church, this day-long event will bring together traditional craft workshops, tribal drumming, and folklore storytelling in a joyful, communal gathering.

Learn an old skill, share a new story, and connect with others through hands-on creativity and rhythm. Together, we’ll honour Brigid — goddess, saint, and symbol of renewal — and the many feminist goddesses who inspire Ireland’s enduring traditions. A day of rhythm, ritual, and community — open to all.

Alongside these headline performances, Tonnta’s 2026 programme promises an inspiring mix of art, creativity and community. Let’s Print will invite audiences to make, learn and celebrate through hands-on workshops and storytelling, while Mnásome Geeze will celebrate St Brigid through a live comedy show filled with moving poetry, rap, burlesque and music. Seisiún Ceoil na mBan will take place in The Crane and Lá na bPáistí featuring Cúla4 returns with a packed line-up of family-friendly fun. To top it all off, The Dirty Circus will close out the festival in a glittering bilingual night of unforgettable cabaret, comedy and celebration.

Tonnta—created by Gaillimh le Gaeilge—invites everyone—fluent speakers, learners, and first-timers alike—to engage with the Irish language in a fun, inclusive, and welcoming way.

“Déannann muid ceiliúradh i Tonnta ar an bpobal agus ar a gcaidreamh leis an nGaeilge, agus Gaillimh dhátheangach. Tonnta celebrates the community, their connection to the Irish language, and a bilingual Galway. Whether you’re fluent, learning, or simply curious – this bilingual festival invites everyone to connect, to celebrate, and to enjoy the Irish language in the most colourful way possible.”

Bríd Ní Chonghóile, CEO of Gaillimh le Gaeilge,

Tonnta 2026 is made possible through the valued support of our sponsors and is co-funded by Galway City Council, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Foras na Gaeilge through Plean Teanga Chathair na Gaillimhe.  Claddagh Credit Union, Cúla4, RTÉ Supporting the Arts, and TG4 also support this bilingual initiative. 

The full Tonnta 2026 line-up will be announced on December 15th, with events taking place across the city from January 29th to February 1st. For further details and to book online, please visit www.tonnta.eu and follow tonnta26 on Instagram and Facebook.