Events

National Walled Towns Day 2008

Athenry Castle Full programme details available here

Athenry Heritage Centre celebrates National Walled Towns Day 2008 with a family fun day in Athenry Castle and Athenry Heritage Centre. The programme will be launched by Cllr Peter Feeney at 1:00pm in the castle and this will be followed by music performed by the Galway Early Music Society.

Other events include battle re-enactments by the Leinster Re-Enactment Society, falconry displays with Animal Magic, storytelling by Clare Murphy and Moonfish Theatre company present a medieval drama 'NOAH'S ARK'. This year's Walled Towns Festival also includes the unique performances of 'Sounds Ancient' presented by Simon O'Dywer in the Great Hall of the castle. Simon will provide a demonstration of Celtic & Bronze Age horns from these times and be prepared to have your ears tested by their amazing sounds.

The other performer is Nemo the Magician who specialises in medieval conjuring tricks and illusions. this is a show not to be missed!

Please note that all performances in the Great Hall are restricted to 50 people at one time.

Archery The programme of events also includes have-a-go archery in the grounds of the Heritage Centre and hourly walking tours of Athenry provided by Seamus Lynch.Face-painting in the grounds of the heritage centre

Arts and Crafts Many of the activities will be held on the grounds of the Heritage Centre, weather permitting and the centre will also have a open day where visitors can enjoy the interactive exhibits, storyboards and audio visual presentations. The centre will also exhibit the entrants of the National Walled Towns Photographic Competition 2007.

This year's live demonstration will be presented by Charlie Gallagher of Blacklion Crafts and it will be a manned medieval Norman forge complete with real fire, anvil, bellows and historically accurate clothing. There will be live demonstrations of weapon forging technics including the making of arrow heads, rivets, blade cross section, hardening and tempering, filing and sword handle production.

Nemo Magician Falconry Arts and Crafts

Athenry's Walled Towns Celebration is co-sponsored by

Failte Ireland and Galway County Council

Full programme details available here

Halloween Spectacular 2008

Saturday November 1st and
Sunday 2nd November 2008

Halloween comes to the Athenry Heritage Centre on the 1st and 2nd November. This year's event will include the acclaimed storyteller Rab Swannock Fulton whose Scary Tales enthralled audiences at the recent Babaro Children's Festival. His stories are a unique collection of folktale's, myths and urban legends from Ireland and Scotland. There will be three performances each day with a special show for the under 7's commencing at 1:15pm. The shows for the over 7's begin at 2:30pm and 3:45pm and each performance lasts about 60 minutes. The centre has been transformed into a spectacular Halloween setting with ghosts,ghouls and spiders galore. There's gruesome games, magic workshops and prizes for the scariest costume. Places are limited for each show so early booking is highly recommended for this popular event. Admission for each show is €7 per child

Reserve a ticket by contacting This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact the centre on 091 844661

Dracula Devil Halloween at the heritage centre Costumes Halloween Costume In Costume

Christmas Winter Wonderland 2008

Child in costume Pobol Logo

Come and celebrate the festive season in the unique surroundings of Athenry's Arts & Heritage Centre.

The centre has been transformed into a Christmas Winter Wonderland which enhances this special time of year. Children and parents alike will be thrilled with the activities which include craft making, face-painting, quiet areas to read a book or play with some toys. The centre's objective is to offer a non commercial activity which is unique to Athenry and its surrounding environs.

Face Painting Christams Costumes Santas little helper

If you are a community group or a child centred organisation the centre can be hired out by your group at any time during the week. This event maintains the centre's policies to support community groups in the Galway region. Further details can be obtained by calling Alan Burgess on 091 844661 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Santas Grotto

Poetry with Michael Cody

FRIDAY 8TH MAY 8:00pm

An evening of Poetry with Michael Cody and singing with Claire McLoughlin

The Athenry Heritage Centre in association with Poetry Ireland is pleased to announce an evening of poetry with the Tipperary poet Michael Cody. He will be joined on the night by the superb singer Claire McLoughlin in the unique setting of the Athenry Heritage Centre. The event commences at 8:00pm and numbers are restricted. So early booking and arrival is highly recommended for this popular event.Admission is €5 per person with wine and refreshments included. Further details are available on 091 844661.

For all poetry events please contact Poetry Ireland on 01 478994 or see their website for all listings.

Halloween Spectacular 2009

HALLOWEEN Spectacular

31st October 2009

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL THE HALLOWEEN SPECTACULAR SHOWS ARE NOW SOLD OUT

The Athenry Heritage Centre presents its Halloween Spectacular on the 31st October with a show that will thrill and scare all the family.
The centre will be transformed into a cavern of delight with spooks and ghosts and things that go bump in the night.
Enjoy making wands and spells, experience the creepy crawly exhibits and watch the enchanting Hansel & Gretel puppet show with the Hobgoblin Puppet Company.
Be part of “The Scary Factor” and win a prize. We have face-painting and there are prizes for the scariest costume too
The spooky fun commences with the first show at 10:30am and then at 1:30pm and 3:00pm.

Please note that our 12 noon show is sold out.

Admission is €5 per child and €2 per adult. All adult tickets will be entered into our Halloween raffle.

Places are limited so early booking is essential.

Contact 091 844661

Dracula Devil Costume Halloween Costumes