Mayor to open new maritime exhibition at museum
By Declan Varley
'Uisce agus Beatha', an exhibition of old photographs and maritime objects, which will officially be launched by the new Mayor of Galway, Cllr Terry O'Flaherty at Galway City Museum on Thursday, July 5 at 3pm, is open to the public from this Saturday, June 30 to coincide with the Volvo Ocean Race Finalé Festival.
The exhibition, which has been jointly funded by the Heritage Council and Galway City Council, is curated by the City's Heritage Officer, Dr Jim Higgins, with the assistance of the Museum staff, following a public call-out for photographs that may have been left in old family albums for years.
The response from the public was exceptional, so much so that the exhibition team had over four hundred images to chose from at the end! Most of the images are in black and white and depict characters and a way of living that has long since passed.
The launch itself will be preceded by a display of sean-nós dancing in the Museum Courtyard from 1pm - led by the legendary Seosamh Ó Neachtain, with music by Johnny Óg Connolly. As well as marking the opening of the Maritime exhibition, the events will also be part of the Ocean Race's Lá Gaelach.
Galway City Museum will be extending its usual opening hours which are Tuesday to Saturday 10.00 am to 5.00pm for the Volvo Ocean Race, to include Sunday 1st July (1pm-5pm), Monday 2nd July (10am-5pm) and Sunday 8th July (1pm-5pm).
