University of Galway is to host the world premiere of one of the flagship events of the 2026 Galway International Arts Festival – Irish National Opera’s production of Testament.

Adapted from author Colm Tóibín’s acclaimed novella, The Testament of Mary, the show runs for three nights at the University’s Bailey Allen Hall, Friday-Sunday, July 24-26.

The work offers a profoundly intimate portrait of Mary in the final years of her life. Moving between memory and immediate experience, Testament explores grief, exile and the contested nature of truth as Mary revisits the events surrounding her son’s death while confronting the narratives that have grown around it. 

The production is presented by Irish National Opera in association with Galway International Arts Festival.

Paul Fahy, Artistic Director of Galway International Arts Festival, commented: "We are delighted to present the world premiere of Testament by Irish National Opera at Bailey Allen Hall at the University of Galway as part of this year's Galway International Arts Festival. It's wonderful to have the support of University of Galway as we transform the Bailey Allen Hall into a theatre for this extraordinary new production, creating a unique Festival experience for audiences. Irish National Opera has earned an outstanding reputation both nationally and internationally for artistic excellence, and we're proud to partner with them to premiere this powerful new work by Tarik O'Regan and Colm Tóibín as part of the Festival.”

Professor David Burn, University of Galway President, said: “It’s a privilege for the University to be able to host the world premiere of Testament. It’s a great example of the pioneering creativity that has become so synonymous with the Galway International Arts Festival and something that brings enormous value to our Education Partnership.”

The archive of the Galway International Arts Festival is deposited at University of Galway Library. It includes material from the founding years of the festival, from 1978 through to present day, such as festival posters, production and event photographs, programmes, press, and other items.

With the University and Galway International Arts Festival marking 16 years of their Education Partnership, the archival work is expanding into a digital archive of festival artists and companies.

University of Galway archivist Dr Barry Houlihan said: “The Oral history project of the Galway International Arts Festival is creating a living archive of those who are at the heart of the festival annually – the artists. Conversations are recorded with artists every year, documenting their work, their craft and their experiences of the festival.

All oral histories from Galway International Arts Festival are freely available online from University of Galway Library https://digital.library.universityofgalway.ie/p/ms/categories/giaf

The acclaimed First Thought Talks series also continues this weekend on the University of Galway campus including Singing - Colm Tóibín in conversation with Iarla Ó Lionáird (25 July, 5.30pm); War, Tariffs, ICE and the Price of Gas - Fintan O’Toole and Marion McKeone in conversation (25 July, 4pm); What Were We Like - The Pope in Galway with Diarmaid Ferriter and Catriona Crowe (25 July, 2pm); AI: So What Happens Next? - Adrian Weckler in conversation Elaine Burke (26 July, 11am); The Wounds of Palestine and Love Stories of Conflict - Nick Maynard and Sally Hayden in conversation with Catriona Crowe (26 July, 12.30pm).

Vinyl Hours also brings Festival artists into conversation with music maestro Tiernan Henry for a series of lively, music-filled talks.

Galway International Arts Festival would like to acknowledge the support of its principal funding agencies the Arts Council and Fáilte Ireland; its Drinks Partner Heineken®; Education Partner University of Galway.

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