First Thought

Welcome to the official podcast of The Galway International Festival 2022. On the show we’ll have interviews  with guests, take a look behind the scenes of this year’s festival and give all the recommendations and  information you need to enjoy the best of the arts in Galway. Hosted by Andy Gaffney and Orla Higgins. 

Episode three is all about spectacle and some other great events you can look forward to at this year’s  festival.  

Lifeline by Galway Community Circus on July 16th will be Europe’s largest high wire spectacle over the River  Corrib and Claddagh Basin. Andy popped down to the guys to chat all things funambulism. 

The Brazilian born sculptor Ana Maria Pacheco brings her new show Remember to the festival gallery from  the 11th of July. Ana Maria joined Andy and Orla to talk about how this will be her final large scale project, the  themes of power and memory and how the eyes can be the key to telling a story.  

Also in this episode 

We take a look back at some festival memories with James Harold and a chat with artistic director of The  Galway International Arts festival Paul Fahy. 

Information for all shows can be found at www.giaf.ie.  

This podcast was produced by Andy Gaffney and Orla Higgins. 

Special thanks to Flirt FM at NUI Galway. 

Welcome to the official podcast of The Galway International Festival 2022. On the show we’ll have interviews  with guests, take a look behind the scenes of this year’s festival and give all the recommendations and  information you need to enjoy the best of the arts in Galway. Hosted by Andy Gaffney and Orla Higgins. 

Episode two is all about theatre -  

Founder of Landmark Productions Anne Clarke joins Orla to talk about their new production at this year’s  festival The First Child. The First Child is a stunning new opera from Enda Walsh and Donnacha Dennehy  which runs from the 18th to the 24th of July.  

Orla is also joined by Sonya Kelly who brings her new show The Last Return to the Druid Theatre from the 8th to the 23rd of July. Sonya chats about bringing her own unique style of writing to an audience as well as  her own beginnings in stand up comedy. 

Also in this episode -  

We take a look back at some festival memories with Judy Murphy and Andy joins some GIAF volunteers for  a bit of speed interviewing.  

Information for all shows can be found at www.giaf.ie.  

This podcast was produced by Andy Gaffney and Orla Higgins. 

Special thanks to Flirt FM at NUI Galway.

Welcome to the official podcast of The Galway International Festival 2022. On the show we’ll have interviews  with guests, take a look behind the scenes of this year’s festival and give all the recommendations and  information you need to enjoy the best of the arts in Galway. Hosted by Andy Gaffney and Orla Higgins.  

Episode one is all about music -  

Galway musician and composer Anna Mullarkey joins us to talk about playing in this year’s festival,  launching her debut album Falling and taking inspiration while in the Himalayas. Anna also plays her new  single Falling Apart. 

The Grammy-nominated DJ Jon Hopkins chats to Andy about his much anticipated show at this year’s Big  Top. Jon also talks about how he first fell in love with electronic music and cave diving to make his last  album. Jon brings his mix of electronic, ambient and classical music to the Big Top on July 16th.  

Also in this episode -  

We take a look back at some festival memories with Tiernan Henry and a look behind the curtain with music  programmer Gugai McNamara.  

Information for all shows can be found at www.giaf.ie.  

This podcast was produced by Andy Gaffney and Orla Higgins. 

Special thanks to Flirt FM at NUI Galway.

How do you stage a large-scale artwork during a global pandemic? Galway International Arts Festival, in association with its education partner NUI Galway, lifts the lid on the making and staging of John Gerrard’s stunning large-scale artwork Mirror Pavilion, Corn Work and Leaf Work, during the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic in this new podcast documentary.

Vinyl Hours host Tiernan Henry is joined by award–winning and critically acclaimed musician and composer Philip King for a special live recording of Vinyl Hours, which took place during Galway International Arts Festival 2021. In the episode, Philip shares the songs that have stuck with him throughout his remarkable music and entertainment journey! (available to enjoy on Galway International Arts Festival's Spotify page).

Vinyl Hours is Galway International Arts Festival's music discussion series which takes place live at the festival and here on the First Thought podcast. 

Vinyl Hours host Tiernan Henry is joined by Galway singer-songwriter Niamh Regan for a special live recording of Vinyl Hours, which took place during Galway International Arts Festival 2021. In the episode, Niamh shares the "soundtrack of her life" (available to enjoy on Galway International Arts Festival's Spotify page).

Vinyl Hours is Galway International Arts Festival's music discussion series which takes place live at the festival and here on the First Thought podcast. 

On this episode, former Republic of Ireland football manager Brian Kerr sits down with Tiernan Henry for a Vinyl Hours session. Listen to Brian's playlist on Galway International Arts Festival's Spotify page.

Diversity advocate, writer, and fashion influencer Sinéad Burke joins host Tiernan Henry to share the soundtrack of her life, from Spice Girls to Pet Shop Boys, George Michael, Diana Ross, The Cranberries, Denise Chaila and more. Listen to Sinéad's playlist on Galway International Arts Festival's Spotify page.

Vinyl Hours host Tiernan Henry is joined by our August guest, Artistic Director of the Abbey Theatre Caitríona McLaughlin. In the episode, Caitríona shares the "soundtrack of his life" (available to enjoy on Galway International Arts Festival's Spotify page).

Vinyl Hours is Galway International Arts Festival's music discussion series which takes place live at the festival and here on the First Thought podcast. 

Vinyl Hours host Tiernan Henry is joined by our July guest, Stephen Murtagh of the Academic. In the episode, Stephen shares the "soundtrack of his life" (available to enjoy on Galway International Arts Festival's Spotify page):

Vinyl Hours is Galway International Arts Festival's music discussion series which takes place live at the festival and here on the First Thought podcast.