January to June 2015
Events Guide
January Saturday 17 January, 2pm – 3pm TALK: The Story of the Merry Joyces One of the Tribes of Galway, the ‘Merry Joyces’ were a family of Welsh mercenaries who became more Gaelic than the Irish themselves. First settling in Craughwell, then Athenry and Galway, the family gave their name to Joyce Country. Join local historian and author, Adrian Martyn, to learn more. Age 12+ Saturday 24 January, 3pm – 4pm ILLUSTRATED TALK: Into the Abyss Irish waters encompass one of the largest seabed territories in Europe, with more than 22 million underwater acres. Join Dr Louise Allcock, Lecturer in Zoology, NUI Galway, as she discusses Ireland’s deepsea canyon habitats and shares some of their secrets. Age 12+ Saturday 31 January, 11am – 12pm TALK & WORKSHOP: St. Brigid’s Crosses Join Brendan McGowan, Education & Outreach Officer, to learn about some of the folklore and traditions associated with St. Brigid and her feast day, and afterwards have a go at making the various types of Brigid’s crosses. Family / Age 8+ Saturday 31 January, 2pm – 3pm TALK & WORKSHOP: St. Brigid’s Crosses Join Brendan McGowan, Education & Outreach Officer, to learn about some of the folklore and traditions associated with St. Brigid and her feast day, and afterwards have a go at making the various types of Brigid’s crosses. Adult
February Saturday 7 February, 2pm – 3pm WORKSHOP: Recruitment Posters of the Great War More than 200,000 Irishmen served in the British army during the Great War of 1914 to 1918 of whom more than 30,000 were killed. Join Brendan McGowan, Education & Outreach Officer, to learn about the techniques used in recruitment posters to persuade Irishmen to enlist. Afterwards design your own poster. Age 14 – 18
Call to Arms Poster. Courtesy of TCD
Saturday 14 February, 11am – 1pm PERFORMANCE: Music for All #1 Galway Music Residency presents a 3-part concert series – “Music for All” featuring performances from classical string quartets to wind soloists to traditional musicians throughout the museum. The first concert features the Galway Ensemble in Residence: ConTempo Quartet and pan-flutist Iulian Pusca, winner of the prestigious Irish Freemasons’ Young Musician of the Year 2012. All Ages (no booking required) Thursday 19 February, 11am – 12.30pm ARCHAEOLOGY WORKSHOP: Get to know ... Neolithic Farmers How did Ireland’s first farmers live? Local archaeologist Anne Carey tells the story of life in Neolithic Ireland with activities including pottery production and grain grinding. Age 7 – 12 Friday 20 February, 11am – 12.30pm ARCHAEOLOGY WORKSHOP: Get to know ... Early Christian Monks Local archaeologist Anne Carey tells the story of the earliest monasteries in Ireland, showing how the monks lived and the beautifully illustrated manuscripts they produced, with activities including calligraphy and a closer look at the amazing goldwork of the period. Age 7 – 12
Friday 20 February, 2pm – 3pm STORYTELLING: Stories from the Sub Join acclaimed storyteller Rab Fulton aboard the SeaScience submarine as he tells stories of the sea and of its magical sea-creatures. Age 5+
LUNCHTIME TALKS Friday 6 February to Friday 27 March, 1.10pm – 1.50pm LUNCHTIME TALKS: Natural & Human Heritages The School of Geography & Archaeology, NUI Galway, presents a 8-week series of Friday lunchtime talks at Galway City Musuem which will explore the relationship between archaeology, geography and the natural world. For further details visit www.nuigalway. ie/geography_archaeology Age 12+
ConTempo Quartet
EVENING LECTURES SERIES
Saturday 21 February, 11am – 1pm PERFORMANCE: Music for All #2 Galway Music Residency presents the second concert of its 3-part series – “Music for All” featuring performances from classical string quartets to wind soloists to traditional musicians throughout the museum. The concert features the Galway Ensemble in Residence: ConTempo Quartet with harpist-singer Róisín Donohoe, Feis Maitiú silver medallist and saxophonist Gavin Brennan, winner of the Michael McNamara Gold Medal for Excellence in Performance. All Ages (no booking required) Saturday 28 February, 11am – 1pm PERFORMANCE: Music for All #3 Galway Music Residency presents the last concert of its 3-part series – “Music for All” featuring performances from classical string quartets to wind soloists to traditional musicians throughout the museum. The concert features the Galway Ensemble in Residence: ConTempo Quartet with oboist Conor Cavanagh, multiple prize-winner at Feis Ceoil. All Ages (no booking required) Saturday 28 February, 2.30pm – 3.30pm PERFORMANCE: Damhsa na nGael Sean Nós (Old Style) is an old-style step dance which is particularly associated with the Irish-speaking district of Connemara. To mark the start of Seachtain na Gaeilge 2015, join the renowned Devane Brothers – Gearóid, Pádraic and Colm Ó Dubháin – from Connemara for a master display of sean nós. All Ages (no booking required)
Thursday 5 February, 7pm – 8pm EVENING LECTURE: Spirits of Galway Galway is a city filled with fascinating tales and legends. Join local historian and author, Peadar O’Dowd, as he relates some from his latest book, The Spirits of Galway. These include “The Glumock in Shantalla”, “Menlo Fire”; “County Jail Encounters”; and another regarding a rather strange meeting in An Taibhdhearc. Adult Thursday 12 February, 7pm – 8pm EVENING LECTURE: A Brief History of Eyre Square In 1712, Mayor Edward Eyre of Galway gifted a plot of land, situated outside of the town’s walls, to Galway Corporation. Some 300 years later this important civic space still bears his family name. Join Brendan McGowan, Education & Outreach Officer, for an illustrated history of Eyre Square, its buildings and monuments. Adult Thursday 19 February, 7pm – 8pm EVENING LECTURE: The Brutal Truth, The Slaughter Of The Poor During the Great War, the Aran-born writer Liam O’Flaherty served on the Western Front with the Irish Guards. Poet, writer and editor, Theo Dorgan takes a polemical view of the horrors experienced in the killing fields of the War, as exemplified in O’Flaherty’s searing 1929 novel The Return of the Brute. Adult Thursday 26 February, 7pm – 8pm EVENING LECTURE: Impact of the Great War on Galway During the period of 1914 to 1918, the people of Galway were very much involved in both the Great War and the Easter Rising. Join Cormac Ó Comhraí, author of Revolution in Connacht (2013) and Ireland & the First World War (2014), for an illustrated talk detailing the impact of the Great War on Galway city and county. Adult
March EVENING LECTURES SERIES
Enda Colleran, Gaelic Sport, July 1967. Courtesy of Michael O’Donohue
Tommy & Jacqueline. Courtesy of Tommy Keane
Thursday 5 March, 7pm – 8pm The Carrot & the Stick: Recruitment in Galway More than 150,000 Irishmen enlisted in the British army during the Great War of 1914 to 1918. Join local historian and author William Henry as he discusses the various reasons that Galwaymen enlisted and some of the techniques and rhetoric used in local recruitment campaigns. Adult
Saturday 14 March, 2pm – 3pm PERFORMANCE: Ceol na nGael Join Tommy Keane on uilleann pipes and Jacqueline McCarthy on concertina for a special afternoon’s performance of Irish traditional music to celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge. All Ages (no booking required) Saturday 21 March, 2pm – 3.30pm ILLUSTRATED TALK: Galwaymen in the Great War Join local historian and author, William Henry, as he recounts four fascinating stories of Galwaymen who fought in the Great War. Afterwards, why not take the time to share your own Great War story. Age 12+
Saturday 7 March, 2pm – 3pm TALK: A Brief History of the Irish Language It is thought that the Irish language arrived in Ireland some 2,500 years ago. Join Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuigh, Irish language-poet, as she discuss the history of the language and her hopes for its future. Age 12+
Claddagh. Courtesy of the National Library of Ireland
Saturday 7 March, 12pm – 12.30pm FILM SCREENING: Lochra Gael, Enda Colleran A special screening of the Irish-language sports programme Laochra Gael (‘Gaelic heroes’ in the Irish language) dedicated to Enda Colleran (1942-2004), who captained Galway to back-to-back All-Ireland football titles in 1965 and 1966 and was named on the GAA’s football “Team of the Millennium”. Courtesy of Nemeton TV and TG4. Age 12+
Saturday 28 March, 2pm – 3pm TALK: The Long History of the Claddagh Join local historian and author Adrian Martyn as he discusses the long history of the Claddagh fishing village from the visit of St Enda of Aran to the selfgoverned settlement that flourished into the early modern era. Age 12+
Saturday 4 April, 1pm – 4pm WORKSHOP: Needle Felting the Claddagh Learn about traditional homes in the Claddagh. Afterwards join artist and crafter Aleksandra Kolek and learn to create your own Claddagh cottage using needle-felting techniques. Age 12+ Thursday 9 April, 12pm – 2.30pm WORKSHOP: Sea Science & Art Join environmental educator Sarah Knight to explore the wonders of the sea through the medium of art! Using the science of materials, sensory exploration, and imagination and reflection, the afternoon will be spent creating our own unique expressions of our individual connections to the sea. Ages 7 – 12
Saturday 11 April, 12pm – 2.30pm WORKSHOP: Sea Science & Art Join environmental educator Sarah Knight to explore the wonders of the sea through the medium of art! Using the science of materials, sensory exploration, and imagination and reflection, the afternoon will be spent creating our own unique expressions of our individual connections to the sea. Ages 7 – 12
Saturday 25 April, 2pm – 3pm ILLUSTRATED TALK: The Weird & Wonderful Story of Groundwater Groundwater is an important natural resource in Ireland providing between 20% and 25% of our drinking water. In some rural areas, groundwater is usually the only source of supply and at least 100,000 wells and springs are in use today. Join hydrogeologist, Tiernan Henry, NUIG, as he discusses the importance of groundwater and its impact on Galway Bay. Age 12+ Thursday 30 April, 6pm – 8pm ILLUSTRATED TALK: Remembering Walter Macken Walter Macken was born in Galway on 3 May 1915. Originally an actor, he became a full-time writer following the success of his third book, Rain on the Wind and became best known for his trilogy Seek the Fair Land, The Silent People and The Scorching Wind. Join Tom Kenny of Kenny’s Bookshop as he remembers the man and his works. Please note that this jointly-hosted event will take place at An Taibhdhearc, Middle Street. Age 12+ (no booking required)
Walter Macken, 1960s. Courtesy of waltermacken.com
Friday 10 April, 2pm – 3pm STORYTELLING WORKSHOP: Stories of the Sea Join acclaimed storyteller, Rab Fulton, on a journey to create your own fantastical and wondrous sea adventure story. Age 7+
Tulira Castle, Ardrahan. Courtesy of David Hicks
Claddagh Cottage by Aleksandra Kolek
April
Saturday 18 April, 2pm – 3.30pm ILLUSTRATED TALK: West of Ireland Country Houses Join David Hicks, author of Irish Country Houses Portraits & Painters, as he presents a selection of beautiful portraits of former residents of mansions in the west of Ireland, including Tulira Castle and Castle Taylor, Ardrahan, Co. Galway. Behind the portraits are tales of happiness and misfortune, of royalty, politicians, literary and artistic figures, of scandals and hunt balls. Age 12+
The Aran Fisherman’s Drowned Child by Frederic William Burton, 1841. Courtesy of the National Library of Ireland
May Saturday 2 May, 2pm – 3pm ILLUSTRATED TALK: West of Ireland Paintings In the 19th and 20th centuries artists were drawn to Ireland’s Atlantic seaboard to be inspired by its wild landscapes and the life of its rural communities. Join Marie Bourke, Keeper/Head of Education, National Gallery of Ireland, for this illustrated talk on the West of Ireland Paintings of the National Gallery. Age 12+ Saturday 9 May, 11am – 12.30pm ARCHAEOLOGY WORKSHOP: Get to know ... Vikings The Vikings were feared warriors, but they were also skilled sailors and traders. Join local archaeologist Anne Carey to learn about the Vikings and have a go at making a Norse shield and a post and wattle fence. Age 7 – 12 Saturday 16 May, 11am – 12.30pm GALLERY ART CLASS: Family Drawing Session Celebrate Drawing Day 2015 by taking part in our family drawing session led by artist Bernadine Burke. Drawing Day was initiated by the National Gallery of Ireland to provide an opportunity for people of all ages to try their hand at drawing under the guidance of professional tutors. Family Event
Saturday 16 May, 2pm – 3.30pm GALLERY ART CLASS: Adult Drawing Session In conjunction with Drawing Day 2015, join artist Bernadine Burke for this drawing session and be inspired by the museum building, its collections and historic location. Adult Saturday 23 May, 2pm – 3pm TALK: The Kings of the Claddagh Who were the Kings of the Claddagh, where did they come from and what became of them? Join local historian and author, Adrian Martyn, to learn about the Folans, Kings, Concannons and other Claddagh royalty! Age 12+ Saturday 30 May, 2pm – 3pm TALK LECTURE: Yeats, Galway & the Great War Join award-winning poet and author Martin Dyar as he discusses Yeats and his 1919 book The Wild Swans at Coole, a collection which contains some of the poet’s most enduring evocations of the West of Ireland, along with many of his classic negotiations of the tensions between art and politics and the human cost of war. Age 12+
June
WB Yeats by George Charles Beresford, 1911
YEATS 2015 Saturday 13 June, 2pm – 4.30pm EVENTS: Yeats 2015 Born on 13 June 1865 William Butler Yeats would go onto lead an extraordinary life becoming one of the foremost figures in 20th century literature. To mark the 150th anniversary of his birth, the museum presents an afternoon of events, including a talk by award-winning poet and author, Martin Dyar, and a workshop by Cúirt Literary Festival Director, Dani Gill, celebrating his life and his Galway connections. Age 12+
SeaScience ‘Steam Punk’ Submarine. Courtesy of Aengus McMahon
Saturday 27 June, 12pm – 2.30pm WORKSHOP: Sea Science & Art Join environmental educator Sarah Knight to explore the wonders of the sea through the medium of art! Using the science of materials, sensory exploration, and imagination and reflection, the afternoon will be spent creating our own unique expressions of our individual connections to the sea. Ages 7 – 12
Johnny Doran (right) with Pat Cash & son. Courtesy of Oidhreacht an Chlair
Saturday 6 June, 11am – 12.30pm ARCHAEOLOGY WORKSHOP: Get to know ... AngloNormans Galway City was founded by the Anglo-Norman de Burgh family. Join local archaeologist Anne Carey to learn about the Anglo-Normans and have a go at making a coats-of-arms and a medieval map of Galway. Age 7 – 12
Saturday 20 June, 2pm – 3.30pm ILLUSTRATED TALK & PERFORMANCE: Ireland’s Travelling Pipers Traditionally, travelling uilleann pipers brought music to Irish villages and fairs, carrying tunes between isolated musicians and rural communities. Johnny Doran (d. 1950) was one of the last of these travelling pipers to ply his trade at fairs and sporting events. Join Tommy Keane to learn about these performers and their ‘travelling style’ and to hear a selection of tunes. All Ages
Guided Tours Guided tours of the museum can be arranged and are free of charge (although a contribution to our donations box is appreciated). Tours are subject to the availability of staff and should be booked at least two weeks in advance. Schools, please note the following: • Guided tours last approximately 45-60 minutes • You should bring at least one adult per fifteen students • Larger classes are split into smaller groups for guided tours (generally <20 per tour) • A teacher/leader must remain with each group at all times and are responsible for • We do not have a lunch room • Food is not permitted in the galleries • Photography is permitted, without flash For further details or to make a booking please contact the Education & Outreach Officer by calling (091) 532460 or by email at museum@galwaycity.ie.
DIY Tours Groups can also enjoy the museum without booking a tour but please do let us know you’re coming.
Guided Tours at Galway City Museum. Photo by Colm Hogan.
How to Book:
Contact:
For further information or to make a booking please contact Galway City Museum on (091) 532460. Please note the following: • Events are FREE of charge unless otherwise stated and all materials are supplied. • Events must be booked in advance (except where stated). • Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment. • Please ensure you arrive in advance of the start time, otherwise your place may be reallocated. • If you have booked and are unable to attend please contact the museum as soon as possible so that your place may be reallocated.
Tel: (091) 532460 Email: museum@galwaycity.ie Website: www.galwaycitymuseum.ie
Galway City Museum, Spanish Parade, Galway City.
Mailing List: If you wish to join our mailing list please contact the museum on (091) 532460 or email: museum@galwaycity.ie
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm Sunday (summer only), 12pm to 5pm Admission Free.
Children’s Activity Sheet: Activity sheets for children in English and Irish - My Favourite Object / An Rud Is Fearr Liom - are available from Reception.