Sáile Ocean Festival 2026
🌊 Sáile — Galway’s Ocean Festival
Sáile is the Irish word for seawater, this is non-profit and community-led festival is a celebration of Galway’s deep connection with the Atlantic.
From 11–13 September, the Rowing Club and University of Galway will come alive with film, art, science, storytelling, workshops and conversations, bringing together local communities, scientists, artists and ocean lovers of all ages.
From curious kids to passionate ocean advocates, Sáile invites everyone to discover, connect with and take action for our ocean to turn ocean awareness into community action.
Come be part of Galway’s ocean story 🌊
👉 Explore our events | 💙 Support Sáile
Temporary Programme (no times or events will change but some information might be added):
FRIDAY
👉 Opening Ceremony and Expert Discussion Panel
Join us for the opening of Saile and a discussion panel looking at the main threats facing our oceans today, focusing on three major areas: noise pollution, plastic/microplastic pollution, and chemical pollution. We want to show the audience how these issues damage coastal habitats and harm marine wildlife, how these changes ultimately affect human health and coastal communities, and—most importantly—what practical steps we can take to stop the damage!
Opening drinks and snacks will be available after the event at SULT college bar!
SATURDAY
Join Luana Jungmann, organiser of Sáile and Climate Action Officer with An Taisce, and John Rogers, actor and filmmaker, for an inspiring, hands-on workshop where theatre, art and nature-based climate solutions come together.
Together, we’ll imagine and create a Climate Canvas - a shared vision of the future coastline we want for Galway. Through creativity, conversation and play, you’ll have the chance to explore what a thriving, resilient and climate-friendly coastline could look like for you and for our community.
And there’s a twist: we’ll create it entirely using recycled materials!
This is workshop for children aged 6 to 12, inviting them to explore their natural curiosity. Young creators will experiment with mixed-media techniques, including wax-resist oil pastels and bubble painting, to craft their own vibrant underwater ecosystems. It is a warm, unhurried space designed to spark imagination while raising awareness about protecting our marine life.
Parents will be asked to leave their child/children with Lara and a Garda vetted volunteer for the time of the workshop. Enjoy this time to go for a coffee, tea in town while your kid(s) have an amazing time putting their creative minds to work!
👉 Meitheal Mara - Workers of the Sea
Taking place at the Galway Rowing Club on Woodquay, Meitheal Mara is a central feature of the Sáile Festival 2026. Inspired by the Irish tradition of collective community work, this waterside gathering brings together marine conservationists, local eco-innovators, and ocean advocates to highlight environmental stewardship and sustainable living along Ireland's Atlantic coast.
Visitors can explore interactive stalls featuring organisations like GreenImpact Consulting and the Galway Aquarium, offering expert insights into local marine biodiversity and green business practices. The event also showcases food vendors serving responsibly sourced seafood and eco-friendly eats, celebrating Galway's coastal heritage through sustainable culinary choices.
Featuring music by Roo Elizabeth from 14:30 onwards!
A beach cleanup being hosted in collaboration with the Galway Beach Cleaners, on one of the beaches around Galway City.
An incredibly rewarding experience with a group of lovely, like-minded people that care about the environmental and want to improve it through direct, hands-on action.
Be the change you want to see in the world!
👉 Expert Discussion Panel: Restoration and Resilience - Healing our Coastlines
This session shifts the focus from the damage being done to how we can actively fix it. We will explore how we can heal our shores using nature itself—like planting beach grass to protect sand dunes or rebuilding native oyster and mussel reefs. The panel will discuss how these natural defences protect wildlife, shield coastal towns from extreme weather, and how we can get local communities and students directly involved in saving their own shores.
👉 Sáile Documentary and a Q&A with producer Ciara NicChormaic
In this 45 minute one-off authored documentary actor and passionate sea swimmer Carrie Crowley goes on a personal journey exploring our deep-rooted connection with salt water.
Q&A after the screening with Ciara NicChormaic, documentary producer and director.
SUNDAY
👉 Marine Mammal Workshop for Kids
In this hour long workshop we will be teaching kids the fundamentals of Whale and Dolphin biology and showcasing some of their behaviour!
Have you ever wondered how marine mammals like whales, dolphins, and seals came to live in the ocean instead of on land? Or why they look the way they do? Or how they can see underwater WITHOUT using their eyes? Then this workshop is right for you!
All these questions and more will be answered by our resident Marine Biologist and host Michael Sliwinski!
👉 Art from Plastic Workshop: Voices of the Seashore
Art, Ecology and the Seashore. This will be a workshop using materials found along the sea shore. Assemble your own Sculpture using the found materials provided or gather and bring along your own found materials to use on the day.ALSO I will bring along a life size character named Polly Carbonate who is made from found materials and who is in need of a makeover which you can assist with. Polly will then be exhibited in the afternoon at the Trasna na dTonnta - Art Gallery.
NB: Age 12 and upwards
👉 The Sáile Art Gallery - Trasna na dTonnta
An amazing collection of 10 artists from around Galway, displaying their work in the Galway Rowing club. These artists display their artworks through many different mediums, be it painting, sculptures, or photography, but all themed around our connection with the Oceans.
Featuring music by SambaWave from 16:30 onwards!
👉 Explore our events | 💙 Support Sáile