Galway County Arts Office presents Eight Tonnes
A Culture Works production
1 Sept 2026 – This September, Ballinasloe Square will host Eight Tonnes, an after-dark performance, installation and tractor parade. Drawing on the much-loved tradition of tractor parades and vintage tractor runs in rural Ireland, Eight Tonnes brings tractors, artists and performers together for a unique Culture Night Late event.
The event takes place as part of Galway County Council’s programme this Culture Night in Ballinasloe on Friday, 18 September 2026 from 9pm at St. Michael’s Square.
Eight Tonnes brings together an eclectic mix of artistic voices to celebrate Ballinasloe’s agricultural heritage in a new light. Ballinasloe based performers Breda Larkin (comedian and performer) and Ultan Conlon (musician and composer) join Clifden-based dancer and choreographer Linda Schirmer, Dublin-based digital artist Kev Freeney and Limerick native and new media artist Scott Robinson to turn the familiar sight of a tractor parade into a striking night-time experience — part performance, part celebration, part tribute to the machinery and rhythms that shape rural life. The project is proud to have the support of Macra Galway whose links to young farmers reflect the community and agricultural spirit at the heart of Eight Tonnes. Dancers from In-Step Stage School Ballinasloe are also joining the project, working alongside dancer Linda Schirmer.
“Come and join in the wonder of Culture Night with Galway County Council and this brilliant lineup of local and national artists. It’s with pride that we welcome everyone in our community to witness this spectacle of tractors, light and performance.” Cllr. Andrew Reddington, Cathaoirleach, Galway County Council.
Eight Tonnes invites audiences to see something every day and essential to Ballinasloe’s identity as the tractor, through an entirely new artistic lens, blending comedy, music, dance and digital art against the backdrop of the town’s historic Square.
“This is a wonderful example of how creativity can draw its inspiration from Ballinasloe’s rich agricultural heritage. Galway County Council is proud to support ambitious cultural projects that celebrate local identity while creating unique opportunities to bring communities together.” Liam Conneally, Chief Executive, Galway County Council.
The event is free and family friendly, and audiences from all walks of life are welcome. Performances start at 9pm and will finish no later than 10pm.
“As a farmer from Ballinasloe, I know how central the tractor is to a farmer’s life, and I am delighted that it’s our main focus for ‘Eight Tonnes’. It’s a history of the ‘culture’ in agriculture, told through a reimagined tractor parade with light, dance and music. A fun way to look at how we work the land, and how that’s changed over generations.” Breda Larkin, comedian and performer.
“What makes Eight Tonnes such an exciting performance is the combination of artists from very different practices. They are creating an ambitious and playful event with tractors that reflects the richness of contemporary live performance in Ireland. It brings a whole new level of fun and creativity to the iconic tractor.” Sharon O’Grady, Arts Officer, Galway County Council.
Before attending Eight Tonnes explore other exciting Culture Night events in Ballinasloe. This is Me – a junk journaling workshop at Ballinasloe Library with Group 8 (4-5:30pm) and Culture Night at Hymany Park – celebrating Traveller traditions with Misleór Festival of Nomadic Cultures and Ballinasloe Traveller Women’s Group (4-7pm).
Follow Galway County Culture Night social media channels for updates.
Instagram: @culture_galway Facebook: @galwaycountyculturenight
Galway County Council Arts Office presents Eight Tonnes, a Culture Night Late event with artists Breda Larkin, Kev Freeney, Linda Schirmer, Scott Robinson and Ultan Conlon. Funded by the Arts Council, Department of Culture, Communications and Sport and Galway County Council. In partnership with Ballinasloe Town Hall Theatre and Macra Galway. Produced by Culture Works.
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Galway County Council Arts Office
Galway County Council is the leading agency engaged in local arts development in County Galway. Through its Arts Office, it is committed to working collaboratively and in partnership with others to provide excellence and leadership in the development and delivery of the arts throughout the County.
The Arts Office team are dedicated to supporting and promoting the arts throughout the county. Our programme offers a wide range of opportunities for artists and communities, including grants, workshops, and events. We aim to nurture local talent and provide platforms for artistic collaboration and innovation.
Ballinasloe Town Hall Theatre
Ballinasloe Town Hall is operated by the local community and run by a voluntary committee. The hall is one of Ireland’s finest theatres, boasting a 400-seat raked auditorium divided between balcony and stalls. The theatre hosts local groups including Ballinasloe Musical Society’s week long run in March, Ballinasloe Panto’s week long Christmas Panto, as well as local drama groups, theatre schools and conference groups.
The building itself is a detached former agricultural hall. It was built in 1845 by Lord Clancarty of the Garbally estate to be used by the Farmers’ Society at the time. It was later developed into a cinema/theatre and again refurbished in 1990 into a theatre. The Town Hall is now leased from the church by the Ballinasloe Town Hall CLG, which has overseen the latest refurbishment, including a new roof and Foyer. These works received funding from Ballinasloe Council. The company is currently putting together a new programme of events for the coming year and is available for all bookings including TV production and travelling groups.
Culture Night Late
Culture Night Late is designed to support events that will begin after 9 pm and continue late into the night on Culture Night, Friday 18 September 2026. The award is offered in partnership with the Arts Council and the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport under the Night-Time Economy Taskforce to offer audiences a greater diversity in their Culture Night experience late into the night, and to encourage more inclusive and innovative late-night arts events suitable for a range of audience types into the future. Culture Night is a national moment, celebrating all that makes up the richness and diversity of Culture in Ireland today, connecting people to cultural activities locally and nationally and aims to open pathways to ongoing engagement.
