The upcoming event, “Embracing the Past”, is set to take place on 14 December at Claregalway Castle and marks the finale of a decade-long commemoration in Co. Galway. This gathering will provide a platform for collective remembrance and exploration of the transformative period of 1913 to 1923.
“Embracing the Past”, the finale of Co. Galway’s Decade of Commemorations programme, will take place this Thursday, 14 December, at Claregalway Castle. It runs from midday to 5pm, is free to attend and all are welcome. It’s a wonderful opportunity to gather, to remember and to learn about the past.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
The event will see members of the public join with community organizations, historians, heritage experts and local authority officials to acknowledge the past ten years of commemorating the momentous political, social and economic events and changes that occurred in Ireland, and Galway specifically, during the period of 1913 to 1923. Throughout the day, the various exhibitions created over the past decade will be on show, together with a craft display, bookstalls and a showcase of videos and films.
You’ll have the opportunity to view some of the very many exhibitions held in the county during the decade-long commemoration, including those marking 100 years of the Dáil in 2019 and 100 years of An Garda Síochána in 2023. The closing event in Claregalway will also highlight the various publications produced locally over the past 10 years, such as Cumann na mBan: County Galway Dimensions edited by Jimmy Laffey and Marie Mannion (2015); Women of the West: Art, Citizenship & Literature published by Galway Public Libraries (2018); and The Independence Struggle in County Galway 1916–1923: A Research Guide by Dr Conor McNamara, Galway County Historian-in-Residence (2021).
The award-winning Galway Decade of Commemoration website – which is an important repository for photos, recordings, memories, stories and historical information relating to the role played by the people of Galway in achieving Irish independence and the foundation of our State – is among the projects that will be celebrated during the concluding event in Claregalway. The recording and publishing of what were largely unknown stories from the Revolutionary period will prove an enduring legacy of the county’s Decade of Commemoration programme.
Sign up to our newsletter
Other collections of records relating to the Revolutionary period (and beyond) can be explored on the Galway County Council Archives website. Patria McWalter, Galway County Council Archivist, stated:
“Many of the wonderful and important archive collections held in Galway County Council Archives were digitized [over the past decade], thus ensuring global access to a treasure trove of historical records.”
The Embracing the Past event this Thursday will feature a keynote address by Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh, Professor Emeritus in History, former Dean of Arts and Vice-President of NUI Galway, while Tomás Mannion will present an aeraíocht of music and dance from 4pm to 5pm. Councillor Dr Evelyn Parsons, Leas-Chathaoirleach of Galway County Council, will officially launch this event. She commented:
“This closing event gives us an opportunity to once again remember and reflect on the many historic events which took place throughout the country between 1913 and 1923. It also allows us to recognize and pay tribute to all the people, young and old, who contributed in so many ways, often on a voluntary basis, to ensure the aspirations of the Commemorative Strategy for the County of Galway, issued in October 2013, were fulfilled.”
Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council, had this to say about the Commemorative Strategy for Co. Galway:
“The ambitions of the Commemorative Strategy were to build on and complement the national commemorative programme, focusing on the role of our county and its people. It aimed to deliver a comprehensive and balanced programme of commemorations, recognize the totality of the historical period, ensuring mutual respect was central to all commemorative events and to ensure active engagement of all those interested in commemorating our history, in all its dimensions, with pride and respect.
During the past decade, including through the pandemic, Galway County Council hosted and facilitated numerous events in every corner of the county, including on the islands, focusing on remembering and honouring significant moments and people, as well as honouring the ordinary citizen, who continued to work, learn, live and love during this extraordinary period in Irish life.”
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
Throughout the past decade, there were many history-based talks and activities held within the county, such as the “Social and Political Change” conference in Loughrea in 2017 and the virtual conference, “The War of Independence comes to North Connemara”, hosted by Clifden and Connemara Heritage with Galway County Council in 2021. There was also the hugely successful two-day “Farming and County Life” event held by Teagasc in June 2016.
Significant anniversaries were marked, such as with the series of events titled “Pumps, Piers and Potholes: 120 years of local government”, which included talks, exhibitions and bespoke national school workshops. Its strong educational strand involved art educators working with 4th- and 5th-class school children, introducing them to the concept and history of local governance, and facilitating the creation of visual interpretations of various resolutions passed by Galway County Council at its inaugural meeting on 22 April 1899.
>>> READ MORE: New campaign to protect archaeological heritage encourages landowners to “check before you dig”
Recalling the various events of the past decade, Marie Mannion, Galway County Heritage Officer and Galway County Decade of Centenaries Co-ordinator, commented:
“Galway County Decade of Commemorations programme brought the community together to reflect on its past, learn from it, and appreciate the sacrifices made during a crucial period in Irish history.
Our community of wonderful artists, musicians, poets and creatives contributed with huge enthusiasm and originality throughout the decade. With great imagination, grace and wisdom they captured the spirit of our emerging nation of 100 years ago. With great insight, reverence, and accuracy they reflected the cultural consciousness, mood and tone of our contemporary reflections on the decade and truly helped us re-imagine a fairer more equitable and balanced reading of our history.”
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
Over the past ten years, several monuments have been unveiled across the county, gardens and trees have been planted, and wreaths have been laid. Acting County Librarian Josephine Vahey fondly remembers the memorable wreath-laying event in Athenry in March 2016, which formed part of the national commemorative events:
“It was the largest and the most significant commemorative event held in the county during the past ten years. It was both a solemn and joyous occasion.”
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
Communities around the county embraced the commemorations. They held their own events and created their own projects, such as the 1916 commemorative garden in Athenry, the Aleen Cust centenary conference in Mountbellew and the Loughnane brothers events in Beagh, while in Maigh Cuillinn, there was Scoil Mhuire’s award-winning project on John Geoghegan. Liam Hanrahan, Director of Services, Economic Development & Planning, Galway County Council, said,
“The widespread engagement from the citizens of the county of Galway and the whole country, together with the diaspora, helped to ensure that the events of a hundred years ago were well remembered. The Decade of Commemorations brought a wider and deeper understanding of the lives of the people of that time, and the impact the events of 1913 to 1923 had on them, and indeed the legacy of those events on our own lives today.”
The Embracing the Past event on 14 December is funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media along with Galway County Council. For more information, visit the Galway Decade of Commemoration website here.
Sign up to our newsletter
Subscribe to the Irish Heritage News newsletter and follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram for all the latest heritage stories.
READ NOW
➤ New campaign to protect archaeological heritage encourages landowners to “check before you dig”
➤ What the census tells us about Ireland’s first president, Douglas Hyde
➤ Pat Deasy: 16-year-old Kilmichael ambush casualty featured in school photo
➤ Maolra Seoighe: the hanging of an innocent Connacht man
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
