Galway will play host to a wide variety of events during Heritage Week, which runs from August 15 to 23.
National Heritage Week is one of Ireland’s largest cultural events. It brings together communities and cultural institutions, academics and enthusiasts, to build awareness about the value of heritage and support its conservation.
Among the events in Galway city is an afternoon of talks on Ireland’s culture and landscape, taking place at ATU on Tuesday, August 18 from 2pm to 5pm.
These engaging talks will examine diverse themes including the route of the legendary Táin Bó Cúailnge, the ancient native woodlands of Lough Corrib, folk memories of landlord oppression and resistance in Galway and Clare, and the remarkable survival of a traditional Donegal-Fermanagh song repertoire across more than two centuries.
The presentations include Paul Gosling on ‘Re-tracing the route of Ireland’s greatest medieval saga: Táin Bó Cúailnge (The Cattle Raid of Cooley ).’ For over 100 years, scholars have attempted to piece together the route taken by Queen Medb of Connacht on her raid into Ulster to steal the Brown Bull of Cooley. This lecture reviews their work and presents new ‘route-lore’ evidence from field and library research.
Cilian Roden will also give a presentation on ‘Ancient forests on our doorstep?’ exploring the forested islands of Lough Corrib.
Lough Corrib has many islands. Many are grazed or farmed, but some are covered in native woodland. How old are these woods? Are they typical of mainland woods or special island ecosystems? This talk reports on recent research on Lough Corrib and explores the heritage value of the Corrib woodland.
Cian Marnell will explore 19th-century oppression and resistance in ‘Spitting in the eye of tyranny: memories of landlord oppression and folk resistance in South Galway and adjoining areas of Clare.’
In the late 1930s the Irish Folklore Commission employed a young local man, Seán Ó Flannagáin, to collect stories, songs and memories in Irish and English from the Slieve Aughty area of counties Galway and Clare. Marnell will discuss the recurring themes of folk resistance to, and supernatural punishment of, landlord wickedness seen in Ó Flannagáin’s collection.
‘Where the linnets still sing: The transmission of a localised traditional song repertoire over two hundred years and its impact’ by John Tunney will explore the thread that connects Dolores Keane, Planxty, Paul Brady, Steeleye Span, The Chieftains and Elvis Costello, all of whom have performed or been influenced by a Donegal-Fermanagh song repertoire that has survived since before the Great Famine and been transmitted orally across six generations. This talk will explore the origins, evolution and influence of this repertoire as a case study in intangible heritage.
The talks will take place in the library training room, Atlantic Technological University (ATU ), Dublin Road, Galway.
This event is accessible. Light refreshments will be provided.
Tour of Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa Museum
Built by the British military in the late 19th century, Renmore Barracks, officially named Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa (Mellows Barracks ), is an active Irish Defence Forces military base. The tour includes the Church, Memorial Garden, and Military Museum, covering the Connaught Rangers, War of Independence, The Emergency, Liam Mellows, the Irish Defence Forces’ UN service in Congo and Lebanon, and the history of the unit. Military clothing and weapons are also on display in the museum.
Tours take place from St Patrick’s Garrison Church, Renmore, next Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1pm to 2:30pm. This event is free and accessible.
The tour is recommended for children aged from 10 years. Children must be supervised at all times. Limited parking is available and the use of public transport is advised.
Tour of University of Galway’s Quadrangle
University of Galway’s Quadrangle building first opened its doors to students in 1849. This tour, led by Dr John Caulfield of the university’s President’s Office, includes the Aula Maxima, President’s rooms and the James Mitchell Geology Museum. Learn about the origins of the university, the Quadrangle’s architectural features and some of the characters who passed through its halls.
This tour takes place from the Quadrangle on Wednesday, August 19 from 1pm to 2pm. While some areas are accessible, this tour will include steps and stairs in other places.
Visitors are advised to use the pay and display parking facilities at Galway Cathedral and walk onto campus from there or use public transport.
For booking and information on these and many other events taking place in the city during Heritage Week, visit https://outlook.office.com/book/[email protected]
