If you happen to be in Galway city on the 20th of July this year, then you won’t want to miss the Macnas Parade. This year’s Macnas Parade is entitled “Apocolopolis” and starts at 10pm, so it’s sure to make for a spectacular night time event.

The Macnas Parade is the highlight of the Galway Arts Festival which runs from Monday 14th of July to Sunday 27th of July. The parade takes place at 10pm on Sunday 20th of July and is a free outdoor event. Get out early to catch a good viewing spot as the parade leaves Eyre’s Square, continues down Merchants Road and will finish in the Claddagh with a fantastic fireworks display at roughly 11.30pm.

This night-time themed event is the first to hit Galway in years and Macnas have told spectators to expect ” a non stop party that spins, flashes, pumps and thrives!”. There will be “flashing flames, pounding drums and growling creatures”, so this is a parade not to be missed.

Macnas are one of the leading performance companies in Ireland and are based in the Black Box Theatre in Galway city. They have been organising performances in Galway for over 18 years. The name ‘Macnas’ means ‘joyful abandonment’ and this really sums up this group when you see them performing on the streets of Galway each Summer, St. Patrick’s Day and Halloween. Macnas also perform at other events around Ireland and tour internationally.

Macnas is very much community orientated and depends a lot on community groups and volunteers. This year’s parade will see up to 300 - 400 people taking part from different community groups throughout Galway and beyond.

The Macnas parade will draw thousands of spectators to Galway city and accommodation will be in high demand. The parade is fast approaching so book your hotel in Galway city centre Ireland now.

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