Coisír Thí and the future of alcohol-free events in Galway City

By Kinga Neumann

This Autumn, Plámás Cafe in Galway’s West End lured patrons in not just with the delicious aroma of coffee but also with the melodic sounds of its incredible Cóisir Thí performers. 

Cóisir Thí, or house party in Irish, was what the team at Plámás decided to name their autumnal series of laid-back, alcohol-free musical performances.

All of these events were held after 6pm and were accompanied by a cosy, intimate atmosphere as well as plenty of warm coffee. 

Áine Keaveney, manager of Plámás explained “I’ve always loved the idea of keeping Plámás open later into the evening, because why should a sense of community end in Galway City after 5pm unless you have a drink in your hand!”

The Plámás team experimented with extending their opening hours throughout the summer, while this was successful, they knew they would not be able to sustain these hours over the autumn and winter months. 

“We knew we wouldn’t have the numbers to continue doing so during the winter, arguably when people would need that sense of community without alcohol most.” 

When the Café Lates initiative was launched by Galway City Council, Plámás saw an opportunity to host events and extend their opening hours once again.

This led them to launch Coisír Thí, a series of performances inspired by NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts and Sofar Sessions.

The series of performances allowed them not only to support the thriving Galway music scene but also to provide a new alcohol-free performance space for all musicians, something that the team felt was really needed in the city.

“The music scene in Galway is thriving with so much local talent, but only with opportunities in alcoholic spaces.”

“The link between drink and live music is so strong when it really doesn’t need to be.” 

Café Lates Programme 

Plámás is one of six cafés which received funding from Galway City Council and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media as part of the Café Lates programme. 

This programme was designed by Galway City Council to allow cafés to trial extending their opening hours into the evening while also diversifying the night-time offerings available in the city. 

This pilot as well as other programmes such as Youth Lates and TABÚ Club Night are all part of the new Night-Time Economy Action Plan 2024-2025, an innovative plan which hopes to support the city’s economic growth, cultural vibrancy and social well-being not just by day but also by night. 

Night-Time Economy Action Plan

Leonard Cleary, the Chief Executive of Galway City Council was present at the launch of the Night-Time Economy Action Plan and believes this plan “will be instrumental in shaping a positive future for Galway’s night-time economy.” 

“The inter-organisation and inter-sector cooperation will be transformational for the city after six in the evening.” 

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin who also played a part in the creation of this plan, expressed the importance of its implementation for Galway City.

“Galway is famous for its vibrancy and its cultural community, this plan will help to support the city in creating even more opportunities for a diverse and innovative night-life.”

Galway City Council’s dedicated Night-Time Economy Advisor Kate Howard explains that “at the heart of the Night-Time Economy Action Plan is the vision to build and maintain Galway’s vibrant, welcoming and inclusive night-time experience for residents, workers and visitors.” 

A welcoming and inclusive experience for all 

This welcoming and inclusive night-time experience cannot be achieved without alcohol-free event spaces says Eoin Dolan, a Galway-based musician, youth worker and long-time champion of inclusive alcohol-free music events. 

“The main benefit of having alcohol-free events is that by its nature it is far more inclusive, it allows more young people to be involved and gives you a lot more options.” 

“Statistically, there’s less and less young people going to the pub and drinking alcohol, there needs to be a response to that.” 

Music and Wellbeing

Eoin goes on to emphasise the importance of facilities for musicians and its impact on mental health and wellbeing.  

“It’s perfectly accepted to have astro pitches for people playing football, that’s just seen as part of peoples wellbeing, why aren’t the same facilities being provided for music?” 

Eoin believes that events such as Coisír Thí provide people who don’t like the pub atmosphere an avenue to attend and enjoy music in a social space which fosters connection and socialisation. 

“Having alcohol-free nights lends itself well from the social point of view that sometimes, when alcohol is in the mix, it’s not necessarily the most conducive thing for people to be going out and socialising.” 

“Having that space where there is no alcohol can actually be better for building relationships and giving people the chance to chat properly.” 

The future of alcohol-free events in Galway 

Eoin argues that music events in Galway should be diversified, “people should be a given a choice, I would just be in favour of more choices and options.” 

Áine and the team at Plámás also see a bright future for programmes such as Café Lates.

“Based on the reactions and feedback we’ve gotten from our Coisír Thí, with more alcohol-free events I can see Galway night-life becoming much more diverse and attracting a wider audience of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy a sense of community in Galway City at night.” 

“Café Lates majorly helped us in adapting our space to be more evening-event friendly and allowing us to stay open later in the evenings in the future. It would be great to see this scheme extended in 2025.” 

“We’ve really only had a massive positive reception from it! It’s been a very rewarding project to work on.” 

Information on the next Coisír Thí event, which takes places on 30 November, can be found on the Plámás Instagram page.