Galway is recognised as the cultural heart of Ireland and with more festivals than you can imagine. Your experience outside the classroom is guaranteed to be as full as your experience inside the classroom. While in GCI why not get involved? We encourage students to actively take part in festivals and have volunteer arrangements with the Galway Arts Festival, Macnas Parade and Salthill Community Arts Festival. GCI 07 Month Festival Website Feb Tedfest on the Aran Islands www. tedfest. org Galway International Rally www. irish- rallying. com Muscailt www. muscailt. nuigalway. ie March St Patrick's Day Festival www. stpatrickgalway. com Connemara Pony Show www. cpbs. ie Connemarathon www. connemarathon. com April Cuirt International Poetry Festival www. galwayartscentre. ie/ cuirt Half Marathon - Aran Islands www. aerarannislands. ie The Cuckoo Festival www. kinvara. com/ cuckoo May Early Music Festival www. galwayearlymusic. com June National Five- a- Side Football www. salthilldevon. ie/ fives. asp Galway Sessions www. galwaysessions. com Bloomsday Joycean Celebration www. norabarnacle. com Galway County Show www. discoverirelandwest. com July Galway Film Fleadh www. galwayfilmfleadh. com Galway Arts Festival www. galwayartsfestival. com Macnas Parade www. macnas. com Galway Races www. galwayraces. com August Galway Umbro Cup www. galwaycup. com Criunniu na mBad www. cruinniunamabad. com Galway Races www. galwayraces. com Galway City Marathon www. galwaycitymarathon. com Galway Races Autumn www. galwayraces. com September Clarenbridge Oyster Festival www. clarenbridge. com Clifden Community Arts Festival www. clifdenartsweek. ie Salthill Community Arts Festival www. failtesalthill. ie Galway International Oyster Festival www. galwayoysterfest. ie Lady Gregory Autumn Gathering www. coolepark. ie Connemara Walking Festival www. walkwest@ indigo. ie October Ballinasloe International Horse Fair www. ballinasloeoctoberfair. com Galway Bay Mini- Marathon www. volunteergalway. ie Baboro International Arts Festival www. baboro. ie Galway Comedy Festival www. thegalwaycomedyfestival. com Halloween Festival www. macnas. ie November Tulca Festival of Visual Arts www. tulca. ie December Christmas Carol Services Christmas Markets Ice Skating Living: Festivals

GCI 08 Living: Accomodation / Homestay A Place to call home Galway Cultural Institute wants to make sure that you feel happy and at home while you study with us. We offer different options - homestay or residential accommodation year round. Homestay maximises opportunities for language practice and is a great way to get to know local culture, people and customs. You are always welcome in a GCI host family. Homestay . Friendly, welcoming, hospitable . Carefully selected by our accommodation officer . A great way to get to know the local culture, people and customs . Breakfast and dinner every day and full board at weekends . Single or shared room options . Executive host family an option - en suite shower . Many hosts within walking distance of the school Host Family Profile Liz & Cormac are a lovely caring couple. who live in a 4 bedroom house approximately 5 minute walk from the school. Liz is a housewife and Cormac is a taxi driver. They are friendly and outgoing and one of Liz's favourite pastimes is baking.