[1] In 2022, a MovieMaker magazine panel of U.S. filmmakers, critics and industry executives included the Galway Film Fleadh on its list of the "50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee".

[2] The festival was founded in 1989,[3] as part of the Galway Arts Festival and was held at the Claddagh Palace until that venue closed in 1995.

[4] The festival has become known as a venue for the premiere of domestic Irish films, but as an international festival, it also exhibits foreign film works.

[5][6] The festival includes the Galway Film Fair, a focused film market which allows filmmakers with projects in development to meet with a large number of potential producers, financiers, and distributors.

[7] Since 1995 the Fleadh has also conducted the Junior Film Fleadh, held in November and oriented to youth films and student audiences.