Corrib Beo hosted a range of events during Heritage Week 2024. Historical talks, guided tours, and community activities were aimed at highlighting the cultural and ecological significance of Lough Corrib and its surrounding areas.
Summary of Events
- Mill Heritage Walk 19th August: Starting in the Kings Head, Phil James delivered a talk on the mill heritage of Galway and then took the group on a guided tour exploring Galway’s industrial heritage, focusing on the mills and canals that once powered the city.
- Forthill History Talk 20th August: In the Galway City Museum, historian William Henry presented an illustrated talk on the historical significance of Forthill Cemetery.
- Stone Portals Lecture 20th August: Historian Brian Nolan gave an insightful lecture on Galway’s medieval architecture examining the city’s stone portals.
- Medieval Church Heritage 21st August: A joint lecture by Dr Jessica Cooke and Prof. Máirín Ní Dhonnchadha on the ecclesiastical heritage of Galway, held at St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church.
- History Of Galway Fisheries 23rd August: Focusing on the history of Galway’s fishing industry, Seamas Hartigan led a walk along the city’s river Corrib, finishing with a visit to Galway County Club.
- Monastic Tour 24th August: In collaboration with Moycullen Heritage, Eugene Jordan lead a bus tour to several monastic sites around Lough Corrib including Claregalway, Cong, Headford, Kilcoona and Annaghdown.
A selection of images from these events are available here.
Hands Across the Corrib Event
The plan was to conclude Heritage week with Hands Across the Corrib, a family-friendly afternoon scheduled for Sunday 25th August with activities on both Knockferry and Kilbeg piers. Due to weather conditions, and in the interest of safety, the event was rescheduled to Sunday 8th September. Complimentary return boat trips ensured people could enjoy the music, crafts, dancing and environmental/educational stands on both sides of the lake.
Philp Comer (Kilbeg) and Gerry Lydon (Knockferry) performed the role of master of ceremonies on the day and the event was stewarded by members of Corrib Beo. Some photographs of the event can be seen here.
Continuing its heritage programme for 2024, Corrib Beo launched Corrib Shores: This is Our Place, on the 12th October in the Education Room of Galway City Museum. This is a community centric exhibition showcasing the richness of sites of interest around Lough Corrib, many of which are hidden in plain sight. The exhibition runs to the end of November 2024.
Conclusion
Corrib Beo acknowledges the contribution and support of the individuals who contributed to the programme – LAWPRO, Galway County and City councils, Galway City Museum, St Nicholas Church, Galway County Club, Claregalway Castle, Moycullen Heritage and the Irish language coordinators in the Corrib Gaeltacht regions.
The support of Galway City Tribune and Galway Advertiser in promoting the events was much appreciated.
Registration of events on the Heritage office website and Eventbrite ensured the events were well attended.