THE JOYOUS CHARACTERS from the Macnas performance group will perform on the streets of Galway next weekend, thanks to major fundraising efforts.

A Fund-it campaign this month raised €10,000 to stage the spectacle for the denizens of Galway. This funding from members of the public, when added to donations from local businesses and groups and support from Galway City Council, has meant that the show will go on.

The community fundraising is a boon to the group who traditionally would have shown their wildest colours at the summer Galway Arts Festival. However, as Macnas confirmed in April, the Galway Arts Festival decided not to programme the parade “due to financial reasons” – they elaborate on the funding row here.

Instead, the group debuted this year’s performance at Kilkenny Arts Festival, also taking it to the Dublin Fringe Fest and, in smaller shows, to other destinations around the country.

Next Sunday’s parade – called On The Night Journey, starting at 4.45pm – marks their return home.

This is some of what you can expect to see on the streets of Galway…