Our Theme Exhibition

Mediaeval Wall, Eyre Square Shopping Centre

Exhibiton – Free Entry

It’s that time of year again. Shadows grow so long they can reach behind you and tap your shoulder. Yes, Samhain is coming. When trees get naked, winds skitter and skirl, and the dead take their holidays in the land of the living.

It is time to embrace the otherworld. We bring, from all corners of this benighted planet, a gathering of the most horrific humour.

Artists Selected

Countless thanks to all who sent us their work.

The Whole Exhibition

Freestyle Exhibition

Town Hall Theatre, Courthouse Square

Free Entry

The “Show Me What You Got” of Galway Cartoon Festival events. The rules go out the window on this one. We just want artists around the world to send us their own favourite work. We don’t care if it’s only really topical in Venezuela, or if it’s weirder than that time Gary Larson allegedly took acid. If we think it’s funny then it’s in.

And Our Chosen Artists Are…

A big thank you to each of these cartoonists, and to all who went to the trouble of sending us their work. You make the Festival possible.

FREAK OUT!

PorterShed a Dó, Market Street

2.00pm, Saturday 4th October. Free Entry

We are honoured to introduce you to one of the true masters of the Underground Comix movement, Gilbert Shelton.

Breaking onto the scene in the early ’60s with superhero parody Wonder Wart-Hog, Gilbert really made it big with characters that fondly but honestly lampooned the archetypes of the very hippie counterculture he was part of: The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers and its equally famous spin-off, Fat Freddy’s Cat. Their social satire and druggie humour left little doubt that these were a new kind of comic, definitely intended for an adult readership.

Gilbert will regale us with memories of wild times in conversation with another great of the under-ground comic scene, Hunt Emerson

Featured Irish Cartoonist

Exhibition: Town Hall Theatre, Courthouse Square

Opening 11.30am, Saturday 4th October

Talk: Portershed a Dó

2.00-3.00pm, Sunday 5th October. Free Entry

This year we point the spotlight at Ian Knox, who has had – and indeed is still having – one of the most extraordinary careers in Irish cartooning. Born in Belfast, by the early ‘70s he was working in animation in London and then Canada. From there he went on to cartoon politically for left-wing periodicals Red Weekly and Socialist Challenge, while simultaneously drawing for various UK children’s comics.

He signed much of his political work Blotski, and he and Republican News cartoonist Cormac worked together as Kormski on the anti-clerical strip “Dog Collars” for Fortnight Magazine.

Beginning in 1996 he contributed the “As I See It” feature to Hearts and Minds on BBC2 Northern Ireland, and from 1997-98 he was political cartoonist for Ireland on Sunday. He is now the editorial cartoonist for Northern daily The Irish News.

AND IT IS A TRIP!

PorterShed a Dó, Market Street

4.00pm, Sunday 5th October. Free Entry

Brendan McCarthy is an artist/writer who has been published widely, with over 10 graphic novels to his credit such as Dream Gang, Rogan Gosh and Strange Days.

He has designed or written for Hollywood movies, including the Oscar-winning Mad Max Fury Road. He has also worked as a production designer in animation and on lots of pop videos – though comic books still remain his favourite medium.

He will take us on a vivid journey through highlights of his career.

Exhibition

Mediaeval Wall, Eyre Square Shopping Centre

Created During the Festival. Free Entry

Andy Leuenberger is a Berlin comic artist, producing and self-publishing the retro-SciFi comic Dead Time Data since 2021. He also regularly self-publishes satirical cartoon/comic/art/zine/whatever books.

His drawings, screen-prints and books have been presented in exhibitions and festivals for micropublishing, screen printing and comic art around Europe and beyond.

Self-publishing Comics Workshop

Galway Mechanics Institute, Middle Street

7.30pm, Tuesday 7th October. Free Entry

As well as an exhibition, Andy will give us a workshop on creating and publishing your own comics. Work created in the workshop will become another exhibition!

This is an evening event for adults, including young adults. Materials will be provided but you can bring your own.

A Conference

Among the factors that brought the Galway Cartoon Festival into being, perhaps most catalytic was the murder of twelve people – five of them cartoonists – at the offices of the Charlie Hebdo satirical newspaper in Paris. A thing like that can change a when to a now.

Ten years on we look back in sadness, but also celebration. We embrace the artists lost that day and the spirit of satire that inspired them with a conference for cartoonists and set of related events.

We wish to thank Lyon-based media education group Ça Presse for joining us in this project, the Embassy of France in Ireland and the Galway French Consular Agency, and the city of Galway for substantial support via the CAIRDE fund.

Exhibition

PorterShed a Dó, Market Street

Free Entry

As a backdrop to our conference, we are holding a special exhibition of work by leading cartoonists from France, Ireland, and many other countries.

Some of the works on display were created in immediate response to the tragedy. Others were drawn recently, with the benefit of a decade’s reflection on the issues of freedom, expression and tolerance that were raised.

Reflection

In January 2025, Charlie Hebdo marked the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attack that claimed twelve lives and profoundly marked French history. On January 7th, 2015, eight members of the editorial team were shot down in the newsroom and included the celebrated cartoonists Cabu, Charb, Honoré, Tignous, and Wolinski. Those tragic days shocked the world and raised urgent questions about freedom of expression, secularism, and the role of satire.

A decade later, commemorations across France and abroad paid tribute to the victims and reflected on the legacy of Charlie Hebdo. Exhibitions celebrated the work of the cartoonists who lost their lives, underscoring satire’s unique power to challenge intolerance and authority. International initiatives, from Cartooning for Peace to major newspapers, joined in remembrance, highlighting the attack’s global impact.

At the Galway Cartoon Festival, the anniversary will be marked with an exhibition and round table discussion titled Are We Still Charlie? Led by The Irish Times journalist Frank McNally, the talk will include cartoonists, some from Charlie Hebdo, and Chloé the widow of Tignous. The programme also features a screening of the moving film Je Ne Veux Plus Y Aller Maman and the participation of journalist Antonio Fischetti, a longtime contributor to Charlie Hebdo. Ten years on, the newspaper continues to publish every week, defying fanaticism with humor and resilience. The freedom to draw, to think, and to laugh endure – fragile, hard-won, yet unbroken.

Catherine Gagneux

French Honorary Consul Galway

Our Friends in Lyon

Ça Presse is an association dedicated to media education with a particular focus on editorial cartooning, and works with both adult and school audiences to teach media literacy and sharpen critical thinking tools. They organise the Rencontres Internationales du Dessin de Presse in Lyon, and in March this year a special edition marking the tenth anniversary of the Charlie Hebdo attacks attracted more than 16,500 visitors.

Ça Presse cartoonists Thibaut Soulcié and Camille Besse will give press cartooning masterclasses, contribute (along with other artists in the group) to our Charlie Hebdo memorial exhibition, and join their founder Coralina Picos for our round table discussion about the state and future of satire as an artform.

Classes de Maîtres

We are fortunate to be joined by two excellent French Press cartoonists who will show us the reality of their artistic process – all the way from coming up with a new idea to delivering a finished drawing by the deadline.

Thibaut Soulcié Masterclass

PorterShed a Dó, Market Street

2.30-4.00pm, Friday, 3rd October.

Thibaut Soulcié was born in Loir-et-Cher in France and now calls Bordeaux home. Perpetually young at heart and in good spirits, he’s known for his wonderfully irreverent take on just about anything. His cartoons appear in L’Équipe, Marianne, Télérama, La Revue Dessinée, Fakir, Arte 28’, Fluide Glacial… and pretty much anywhere else that’s willing to join in the fun.

To book see: galwaycartoonfestival.ie/eventbrite

Camille Besse Masterclass

PorterShed a Dó, Market Street

1.00-2.00pm, Saturday 4th October.

Camille Besse honed her artistic skills at ENSAAMA (Applied Arts), the Gobelins School, and ESAD (Decorative Arts). After collecting yet another diploma, she was welcomed into the newsroom of Charlie Hebdo, where she truly found her calling: editorial cartooning. Her first cartoon appeared in 2018, marking the start of a five-year collaboration with the magazine.

Today, Camille’s work can be seen in a wide range of publications, including Marianne, Reporterre, L’Humanité, Le Pèlerin, Phosphore, and Les Cahiers Pédagogiques. Beyond the press, she creates comic books and animated films, and occasionally runs workshops in both schools and prisons—sharing her passion for drawing and storytelling with audiences far and wide.

To book see: galwaycartoonfestival.ie/eventbrite

ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION

PorterShed a Dó, Market Street

4.00pm, Saturday 4th October

The heart of our conference will be a round-table discussion, where cartoonists will voice their reflections on the past, their concerns for the present, and their hopes.

The Ça Presse team from Lyon will take part, as will several of our guest artists from around the world including festival favourite Cristina Sampaio and leading American press cartoonist Jeff Danziger.

This event will be chaired by The Irish Times journalist Frank McNally.

Exhibition and Talk

PorterShed a Dó, Market Street

Talk: 5.30pm, Saturday 4th October

Tignous (Bernard Verlhac) was a much-loved star of French cartooning, who began to contribute to Charlie Hebdo, Fluide Glaciale, Marianne and other major comic and satirical publications at the age of 23. While his work covered about any social or political issue you could name, he was most associated in the public mind with environmental causes – the plight of the panda particularly.

We are grateful to his widow Chloé for allowing us to exhibit his work, and for speaking to us about the artist she knew.

A Film By Someone Who Was There, Almost

Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop, Middle Street

6:30pm, Saturday 4th October

Antonio Fischetti was a journalist at Charlie Hebdo. On January 7th, 2015 he escaped the attack thanks to a series of bizarre circumstances.

Once the shock had passed, he was forced to do some soul-searching to give meaning to a life fragmented by tragedy. His film – Je Ne Veux Plus Y Aller Maman (I Don’t Want To Go Anymore, Mom) – is a quest, both sensitive and offbeat, exploring the power of images and the meaning of the word freedom.

After the showing the filmmaker will be available to take questions at the Festival Club in the Galway Mechanics Institute, just down the road. 

The Galway Cartoon Festival has a close relationship with the Aran island of Inis Oírr (Inisheer), in particular its Áras Éanna Arts Centre. Here we show our Irish language cartoon exhibition Tarraing É I nGaeilge, as well as work created by artists who take up our residency there. We also organise cartoon workshops in Irish for the two schools, and some pub drawing sessions. Once the “quiet back room” of our festival, the Aran excursion is now full of fun events.

You can get to Inis Oírr with Aran Island Ferries. Buses leave Galway city at 9.30am and 4.45pm. If you’re nearer to Clare, there are also ferries from Doolin.

Artists In Residence on Inis Oírr

Lucie Arnoux

Born in Marseille but moving to London more than a decade ago, Lucie has been published in both countries, and writes, draws and colours for the comics series Enola Holmes – now in 15 languages.

The autobiographical Je Ne Sais Quoi (Random House) was awarded graphic novel of the month by The Guardian.

Lucie will give another comic art workshop in Galway city, draw with visitors to the island, and display work created on the island at the Áras Éanna art centre.

Comic Workshop

Sub-City Comics, Corbett Court SC

12.30pm, Friday 3rd October

To book see: galwaycartoonfestival.ie/eventbrite

Drawing Session

Tigh Ruairí, Inis Oírr

12.30pm, Monday 6th October

Exhibition Opening

Áras Éanna, Inis Oírr

6.30pm, Monday 6th October

Malak Mattar

Born in Gaza in 1999, Malak Mattar started painting at 14 and went on to study Fine Art at Central Saint Martin’s London. She is best known for her monumental painting No Words and as the creator of Sitti’s Bird, A Gaza Story, a children’s book based on her own life.

Malak was to be our guest last year, but visa issues meant she could only join us by video. Now she takes up an artist residency at Áras Éanna on the island of Inis Oírr.

Draw it in Irish Exhibition

Áras Éanna, Inis Oírr

Eyre Square Center, Galway

Free Entry

Mar chuid den fhéile, beidh taispeántas de chartúin as Gaeilge ar siúl i gCathair na Gaillimhe agus ar Inis Oírr. Seo é an séú taispeántas bliantúil de Tarraing é i nGaeilge, agus seolfar é in Áras Éanna (Inis Oírr) ar Dé Luain, 6in Deireadh Fómhair. Cuirfidh an taispeántas raon leathan de stíleanna agus éagsúlacht ábhair ó chartúnaithe ar fud na hÉireann agus fiú amháin thar lear os comhair an phobail. Tá súil againn go mbeidh an taispeántas suimiúil agus spreagúil – agus thar aon rud eile, go bhfuil sé greannmhar.

As part of the festival, there will be an exhibition of cartoons in Irish in Galway City and on Inis Oírr. This is the sixth annual exhibition of  Draw it in Irish, and it will be launched in Áras Éanna (Inis Oírr) on Monday, 6th October. The exhibition will showcase a wide range of styles and a diversity of subject matter from cartoonists all over Ireland and even abroad.

We hope the exhibition will be interesting and stimulating – and above all else, funny.

Ealaíontóirí Roghnaithe / Chosen Artists

Is féidir leat an chuid is mó de na saothair seo a fheiceáil mar phriontaí in Ionad Siopadóireachta Chearnóg an Fhaiche. Tá na bunsaothair ar taispeáint go heisiach in ionad ealaíon Áras Éanna ar Inis Oírr.

You can see most of these works as prints in the Eyre Square Shopping Centre. The originals are on display exclusively at the Áras Éanna arts centre on Inis Oírr.

Building A Wall To Break Down Barriers

It began as the shared dream of some NGOs – Europeans Without Borders, Cartooning for Peace, Reporters Without Borders – but soon found the hearts of young volunteers, many from underprivileged neighbourhoods outside Paris. Following their example, we will cover walls in cartoons to raise awareness of the importance of press freedom.

Contributors draw on paper or send us images, we print these and paste them up on two walls – one for professional cartoonists from many countries, the other local and visiting children.

This project is undertaken in cooperation with the Architecture At The Edge and Baboró festivals. Beginning on Culture Night with a chidren’s drawing workshop, it will continue through all three of our festivals and reach completion one month later.

Freedom Wall Paste-Up Events

Cartoonists Freedom Wall, Lower Merchants Road, near Pálás Cinema

1.00pm, Sunday 5th October.

Children’s Freedom Wall, Eyre Square Centre, opposite Mediaeval Wall

3.30pm, Wednesday 8th October.

Comic Workshop

Sub-City, Corbett Court

12.30-2.00pm, Friday 3rd October

Author of hit graphic novel Je Ne Sais Quoi and contributor to the bestselling Enola Holmes series, Lucie is a highly skilled comic creator.

She gave us a couple of very popular comic art workshops last year, and returns now as one of our Artists in Residence on Inis Oírr, where she will draw and exhibit.

She will also be visiting the city to give us another workshop. These were oversubscribed last year, so be sure to book in advance.

See: galwaycartoonfestival.ie/eventbrite

With Hunt Emerson

Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop. Middle Street

12.00-1.00pm, Friday 3rd October

We’re doing it for the kids once more, in Charlie Byrne’s bookshop. And this time the Festival team will be aided by the fabulous Hunt Emerson.

Hunt is one of Britain’s greatest comic artists, famous for his “underground” work since the 1970s, the strip Phenomenomix, and as a collaborator with people like Alan Moore. But he also draws for the much-loved children’s comic The Beano.

The workshop is for younger children accompanied by adults, and all materials will be provided. To book see: galwaycartoonfestival.ie/eventbrite

Radisson RED Galway (H91 H5PX)

10.30-11.30am, Sunday 5th October

Have your face ridiculed by some of the best in the business! You can join our cartoonist guests for a morning caricature session at Galway’s new Radisson Red hotel. And maybe take a pencil along and join in.

Bring your friends. Or better yet, enemies.

To book see: galwaycartoonfestival.ie/eventbrite

Centre of the Festival Universe

Tigh Neachtain, 17 Cross Street

7.00-8.30pm, Sunday 5th October

7.30-Late, Wednesday 8th October

And other times spontaneously

When we wanted to choose a place where cartoonists could just run into each other, have a pint and do a drawing, it had to be Tigh Neachtain. Not only is it very arguably the best pub in the entire country of Ireland, and our own local, it was our very first sponsor back when we started the Festival in 2017.

So among the dizzy rush of Festival events, we’ve set aside some time to get back to cartooning roots.

Where We Go Afterwards

Galway Mechanics Institute, Middle St

7.30pm – Late, 3rd – 5th October

Hang out with cartoonists at our official club, which takes place in the Galway Mechanics Institute (next to The Dough Bros), a genuine honest-to-goodness actual club that dates back to 1837.

Here we’ll gather in the evening to draw, celebrate and relax after our hard day of drawing, celebrating and relaxing. Open all weekend!

Meet Some Great Artists

Sub-City, Corbett Court

5.00-6.00pm, Sunday 5th October

Meet underground comic artists in an underground comic shop. Some of the biggest names in the genre will be available to say hi and sign things at Sub-City, including Gilbert Shelton, Hunt Emerson, Brendan McCarthy, Andy Leuenberger and more.

Comics available on the day, or bring your own collection.

Throughout the Festival

Not Open To The Public

As a way to bring cartoons to the community, the Festival organises cartooning workshops for schools. Many of these are through the medium of Irish.

These are led by Caoimhe Lavelle and members of the team, and take place throughout the Festival as well as at other times of the year.

Let us know if you’d like us to visit your school.

CHANGE OF PROGRAMME

PorterShed a Dó, Market Street

3:00pm, Sunday 5th October. Free Entry

Unfortunately, American political cartoonist Jeff Danziger had to cancel at short notice for medical reasons. We wish him a full and speedy recovery. In his place, we are very fortunate to be able to bring you one of the biggest names in comic art today, Belfast’s John McCrea.

It’s not easy to name someone who’s drawn for Marvel, DC, Judge Dredd and The Simpsons, but John McCrea is one of that rare breed.

Drawing the strip Troubled Souls, set in his home city of Belfast, brought sudden fame back in 1989, and his reputation has only grown since. Recently he has contributed to contemporary icons such as The Boys and Deadpool.

John will talk to us about his career at the cutting edge of comic art.

This year we thought we’d put some of our favourite cartoons from both main exhibitions out on the street where everyone can see them.

Follow our Cartoon Trail from Charlie Byrne’s to Portershed A Dó.

The 2025 Galway Cartoon Festival was an amazing experience…

Above all we want to thank the artists who gave us work to show here in Galway. You, and your work, are what we do this for.

Chosen Artists

• Cartoon Trail
• Danse Macabre
• General Mayhem
• Tarraing É I nGaeilge

Our Sponsors and Partners

We also want to thank everyone who got involved. Our wonderful guests especially, who taught us so much. But also the City of Galway, which gave us amazing support, and all our other sponsors both public and commercial.

Sponsors

Partners

• Radisson RED Galway
• PorterShed
• Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop
• Áras Éanna
• Town Hall Theatre
• Cava Bodega
• Sheridans Cheesemongers
• iSupply
• Sub-City Comics
• Baboró International Arts Festival for Children Architecture at the Edge
• Eyre Square Shopping Centre
• Ça Presse
• Galway Mechanics Institute
• Galway Cider Co.
• Kinlay Hostel

And Finally, a Personal Thank You to:

• Jimmy McGuire at Tigh Neachtain
• John Mannion and the Latin Quarter
• Declan Varley and Peadar Mac Fhlannchadha at the Galway Advertiser
• Anthony, Cadhla, Oonagh and Aoife at PorterShed
• Charlie, Vinny, Méabh and Noreen from Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop
• Fergal McGrath from the Town Hall Theatre
• Niall McNelis
• Donal Casey
• Frank Monaghan at Architecture at the Edge
• Aislinn at Barbaró International Arts Festival for Children
• Tigh Ned, Inis Oírr
• Olive and Áine at the primary and secondary schools on Inis Oírr respectively
• Áine at Claregalway secondary school
• Ciarán Tierney at Gaeltacht an Eachréidh
• JP from Cava Bodega
• Seamus from Sheridans
• Jenny at RTÉ Supporting the Arts
• Louis at iSupply
• Frank and Aisling from Kinlay Galway City Hostel
• Joe O’Shaughnessy
• Justin McCarthy
• Stéphanie Muchint at the French Embassy, Dublin
• Maura in Hillside B&B
• Frank McNally at The Irish Times
• Madeline and Alba at Galway Radisson RED
• Sub-City Comics Galway
• Gary at Galway Cider Co.
• Thomas Dillon Jewellers
• Nelly, Bernie Keogh Art, Geraghty’s Menswear
• Michael Belton at the Galway Mechanics Institute
• Allan Cavanagh
• Our amazing volunteers

Go Raibh Míle Maith Agaibh Go Léir