Culture Night, Galway offers free Arts events in theatres, museums, music venues and many more unusual venues. Spend a wonderful night wandering through the streets of Galway, dipping into events that span visual arts, music, theatre, dance, museum activities, and more.
In 2022 Galway Early Music partners with Galway Civic Trust to present medieval music in Red Earl's Hall, Druid Lane.
This is one of the more unusual culture night venues. It is, in fact, the archeological remains of one of the earliest buildings in Galway. The remains of the original de Burgo Hall were uncovered in 1997 when work began on a proposed extension to The Custom House. The hall was originally a church like structure with large, round headed windows and opposing entrances in its south-eastern end. In essence, it acted as medieval equivalent of a tax-office, courthouse and town-hall rolled into one. It is thought the hall was probably abandoned towards the end of the 15th century when the 14 ‘tribe’ families of Galway usurped the De Burgo’s influence over the town. The hall was reported to be in a ruinous state by the middle of the 16th century while the famous 1651 map of Galway certainly shows it as that. Galway Civic Trust has presented the Hall to the public since moving to its new offices in 2009.
Galway Early Music musicians will be playing in the hall for short 15 minute segments thoughout the evening, interspersed with a short history of the hall and a guide to the archeological remains.