Macnas promise ‘mystical’ spectacle at city parade

The Macnas Halloween Parade will take to the streets of Galway today (Sunday) at 5.30pm.

This year’s parade entitled ‘The Shadow Lighter’ celebrates the magical, mystical act of transformation. Macnas have invited people to dress up in costumes and get out on the streets to join the celebration of Samhain.

‘The Shadow Lighter’ will feature ‘Danu’, Goddess of the divine and dark, brutal and beautiful, warrior and mother. Danu will be joined by Macnas Mummers and Drummers, Youth Ballet West, the Macnas Brass Ensemble and over 200 performers and musicians from Galway City and County.

Press ▻ PLAY to watch the behind-the-scenes rehearsals for the Macnas parade

The street audience can be part of the magic; where man becomes god, fool becomes king, souls are sanctified, reptiles are rarified and the streets of Galway are transformed.

The parade will begin at Fisheries field, make its way across The Salmon Weir Bridge, down Eglinton Street, Shop Street, High Street, Quay Street and over Wolf Tone Bridge. People are urged to dress up either individually or as families.

Macnas is an acclaimed, award-winning international performance and spectacle company based in Fisheries Field.

They have been making magic and memories at festivals and celebrations for almost 30 years, celebrating storytelling on an epic scale by delighting the senses, energising the spectator and encouraging community and audience participation with stunning large-scale performances at home and around the globe.

In recent years, the parade has drawn crowds of over 50,000 people. Not only is this the largest free event in the West of Ireland but it is also a highlight on the Irish spectacle calendar.

Macnas are supported by their partners, The Arts Council, Galway City Council and Galway Latin Quarter.