GIAF further embeds accessibility into its programming

Scorched Earth – a play by Luke Murphy on Thursday 17 July at 7pm

Why the Moon Travels - a play based on the book by Oein DeBhairduin on Friday 18 July at 6pm

ISL-interpreted performances of:

The Cave – a play by Kevin Barrey produced by the Abbey Theatre on Thursday 24 July at 2pm

Why The Moon Travels - a play based on the book by Oein DeBhairduin on Saturday 9 July at 1pm

Story of a Day – Scéal Lae – theatre and music by Branar and Galway Music Residency (Ages 4+) on Saturday 19 July at 3.30pm. This performance will also be relaxed and a quiet room with sensory equipment will be available for those who may wish to avail of it.

Burning Down the House by David Mach, in the Festival Gallery, An Post, William Street on Thursday 17 July at 10 am (free but booking required, please email Elena at etoniato@giaf.ie or call 087 7688206)

The Baby’s Room - the world premiere of a new work, the twelfth in an ongoing series of immersive theatre installations, by Enda Walsh with design by Paul Fahy. Friday 18 July. Visually impaired tour at 10am, followed by tour for neurodivergent audience at 10.30am (free but booking required, please email Elena at etoniato@giaf.ie or call 087 7688206)

GIAF will again create an audio guide of the Festival Gallery, which will be accessible via a QR code on the wall of the Festival Gallery.

For the first time this year, there will be relaxed hours in the Festival Gallery on 16 and 23 July from 11am to 1pm. Relaxed hours will feature dimmed lights and low sounds for people who may have additional sensory needs.

The First Thought Talks programme will also include a talk on Autism and Talent on Saturday 19 July at 10.30am with Professor Francesca Happé in conversation with Jody O’Neill, a writer, actor and autism advocate and Lorraine Tuck, an artist whose work explores neurodiversity and family life. The talk will be ISL-interpreted and a quiet room will be available for those who may wish to avail of it.

GIAF is also delighted to announce that the Laughter Loft will also offer a family-friendly accessible comedy show in The King’s Head on Saturday 19th July at 11am.

Sensory backpacks will again be available to borrow for those members of the audience who may have additional sensory needs. The backpacks include ear defenders and fidget toys and will be available at key venues and at the Festival Box Office.

Inclusion is a key pillar of GIAF’s strategy. The Festival now provides 30% of its programming free of charge, has a progressive ticketing policy, has a best practice Volunteer Programme and looks to drive inclusion in its various artist development programmes, all with a view to increasing engagement with the communities in which it operates.

Participation opportunities are offered via both the volunteer programme and Festival programming, while GIAF’s ticketing policy offers concession prices on shows for senior citizens, the unwaged, full-time students, persons on disability allowance, refugees and asylum seekers. The festival has also invested significant resources in updating its website to ensure that it is accessible to all.

GIAF endeavours to ensure that all Festival venues are accessible and has compiled a list of its Festival venues with detailed information on accessible entrances, seats, toilets and nearby accessible parking spots. Attendees can access that information here. GIAF’s accessible area will continue to be operational at the Heineken Big Top.

GIAF has also this year partnered with Bus Éireann, as Travel Partner. All of Bus Éireann’s city and town services (401, 402, 404, 405, 407, 409) have low-floor buses and are 100% wheelchair accessible. Access to the vehicle is via a fold out ramp, and each bus has a designated wheelchair space. The wheelchair space is subject to availability, therefore to reserve accessible transport on Bus Éireann’s commuter routes (Galway/Ennis, Galway/Ballinastack, Galway/Clifden, Clifden/Westport, Galway/Lettermullen/Carna, Galway/Longford, Galway/Mountbellew, Galway/Ballaghaderreen, Galway/Gort), passengers who wish to travel in their chair must contact Bus Éireann on LoCall: 0818 294 015 (or +353 1 575 6110 if calling from outside of the Republic of Ireland) at least 24 hours in advance of travel, in order to ensure that Bus Éireann are able to accommodate customers and best support their needs during their journey.

On the Galway/Ennis route, there are accessible stops at Galway Station, Oranmore, Cliffs of Moher (Coach Park) and Ennis Bus Station, while all stops are accessible on the other routes. Further information on this and other accessibility issues can be found on the Bus Éireann website.

Galway International Arts Festival is also a member of Hidden Disabilities Ireland and the sunflower symbol will be displayed at the GIAF Box Office and in the Volunteer Hub. The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is a globally recognised symbol used in Ireland and elsewhere to discreetly indicate that a person has a hidden disability and may require additional support, understanding or time. Members of staff will be wearing a sunflower pin or lanyard and a number of sunflower lanyards will be available for the public.

These initiatives reflect GIAF's ongoing commitment to accessibility and inclusion, ensuring that all attendees can engage with and enjoy the diverse array of artistic experiences on offer. By embedding accessibility into its programming, GIAF aims to set a standard for cultural events and inspire others to prioritize inclusivity in their practices.

John Crumlish, Galway International Arts Festival, CEO, said: “It is very important to us in GIAF that we include as many people as we can in what we do and, this year, with the help of Claddagh Credit Union and the Arts Council, we will further build on the 2024 suite of measures designed to promote accessibility, encourage engagement with, and participation in, Galway International Arts Festival. We look forward to welcoming all those audience members and artists who may benefit from these measures, which we hope helps support a very enjoyable and memorable festival experience for them.”