History and Heritage of the parish
Aille and Killnadeema, Loughrea

October 2009

This book was recently published with the support of Foras na Gaeilge. Articles include history, culture, music, heritage, customs, geneology, stories of placenames, folklore, archaeology and the Irish language in the parish. There is a special chapter devoted to the Irish language. One study discusses the Irish language in regards to the census of 1901. A study on the meaning of placenames, Irish language words still in use, Irish words that describe various types of people and some of the folklore collected in Irish in the area. Included also is a number of interviews with some charachters from the parish and interesting articles on the Night of the Bid Wind and on the Famine.
As well as the above, there are old articles republished that the local branch of Conradh na Gaeilge first published during World War II. Not only that but there are interesting articles by Ciaran Ó Coigligh, Pádraig Ó Luanaigh, Máirtín Ó Fathaigh and Séamus Ó Grádaigh.
This book is the product of three years work put together by a diligent committee that has worked hard in it’s research since it began in August 2006. With almost 700 pages between the covers, Gaeilge Locha Riach would like to congratulate all of those connected to the project.

Importance of our Heritage.

The were plenty of events organized nationally as part of Heritage Week and East Galway was no exception. Gaeilge Locha Riach co-operated with Naomh Breandan Credit Union in organising a few events in the area.
A Heritage Evening was organized that focused on celebrating the heritage of the lake. Guest speakers discussed topics covering environmental, historical and cultural matters. Dr. Janice Fuller gave a great presentation on the biodiversity of the lough outlining the various animals, fish, trees, plants and insects that depend on the liveforce of the lough. Kevin McDonald, local archaelogist, gave an outline of archaelogical developments of Ireland with a particular note to thecrannógs of the lake.
A Mountain Walk & Treasure Hunt was organized for the Slieve Aughty area in Kylebrack Woods on Sunday 30 August. Dermot Moran, local historian, guided the walk through the woods with a particular emphasis to the rich environment. Of course, it was important to listen as the answers to many of the questions were to learned from his talk. This family event proved to be very enjoyable and a lot was to be learned about the natural heritage of the area. The event finished with drinks and snacks and commemorative plaques were presented  to those who provided accurate answers to the questions.

Togra ar Logainmneacha
 ... Placenames project!

Spring 2009

Gaeilge Locha Riach and www.aughty.org began a placenames project in the Sliabh Eachtaí region recently. The main aim of this project is to clarify an understanding of placenames in a number of parishes in the district and to give local people the opportunity to get to know their own area better.

The project started with a public workshop in The Village Inn, Cill Chríost at the end of February. A presentation using ‘Powerpoint’ clarified the meaning of placenames in the parish. These placenames were presented under various themes; e.g. heights / waterways / bogland / dwellings / nature / personal names / holy sites etc. 
Further discussion and group work followed the presentation. Groups discussed the understanding of placenames, the origin and folklore of these names and there was be further investigation into the names of fields, islands (on rivers and lakes), rocks and others still in folk memory.
Certainly there was a renewed understanding and interest awakened as a result of the workshop and the local group wish to build on this interest. A number of possibilities for further research in each area are being discussed along with opportunity to publish local books and maps based on the material collected.
Anyone interested in this subject are invited to contact Gaeilge Locha Riach: 091 870718 nó prua@lochariach.com

Cillín a Díoma (New Book on the way)
History of the Parish

Spring 2009
This book is to be published soon with support of Foras na Gaeilge.
Articles include history, culture, music, heritage, customs, geneology, stories of placenames, folklore, archaeology and the Irish language in the parish. There is a special study of the Irish language in regards to the census of 1901. A study on the meaning of placenames, Irish language words still in use, Irish words that describe various types of people and some of the folklore collected in Irish in the area. Included also is a number of interviews with some charachters from the parish and interesting articles on the Night of the Bid Wind and on the Famine.
Among the documents used in the research of this book are:

• Galway Castles and Owners, J.P. Nolan M.P. 1574
• Book of Survey and Distribution 1636
• Pett’s Map 1683; Larkins Map 1819; Tithe Applotments 1821
• Ordinance Survey Map 1838; Griffith’s Valuation 1856
• Census 1901  
• Many other references

Carachtair Áitiúla, Tionchar Náisiunta
Na Clocha Beo - (December 2008)

This book is published by Gaeilge Locha Riach and Glór na nGael with the support of Galway County Council. The subject matter of the book is based on a series of lectures organized in Loughrea under the theme ‘Na Clocha Beo’. The commemorative stones of the town were celebrated by organizing lectures in order to bring to life these locally recognized charachters.
These essays discuss the history and folklore of East Galway from the time of the poet Raifteirí onwards. There is also an outline of Antaine Ó Dálaigh, ribbonman, who was also an acquaintance of Raifteirí. The spirit of celtic revival is also discussed and the part that Michael Cussack played in organizing a committee meeting in Loughrea before the official foundation of the GAA. During the same period, Patsy Tuohy, piper, was involved in music matters and later made his fame in America. There is an outline of the troublesome times at the start of the 20th century involving playwrite Séamas Ó Ceallaigh and Fr. Mícheál Ó Gríofa who was murdered by the Black & Tans 1920. As well as the above, the stories of famous local musicians Paddy Carty, Peter & Vincent Broderick who charmed the people of Ireland from the 50’s onwards are also included.
The title of the book explains that these stories are not confined to the west of Ireland as each charachter had a great influence on the culture, society and history of the country in various ways.
Eoghan Mac Cormaic and Pádraig Ó Baoill edited this book but particular credit should go to the special guests that provided the lectures namely Pat Mitchell, Nollaig Ó Muraíle, Míchael Mac Donncha, Seosamh Mac Donncha, Cormac Ó Comhraí and Séamas Mac Mathúna.
The book was launched by the President of Conradh na Gaeilge at the celebration of ‘Gradaim Locha Riach’ December 2008.

Tribute to the heritage
August 2008
A few occasions were organised recently with the aim of raising attention to the importance of heritage in East Galway.
A heritage night was held on Thursday in order to discuss environmental, historical and cultural aspects of our heritage.  The guest speakers involved Tamás Péterváry, archaeologist, Dr Anita Donaghy from Birdwatch Ireland and Monica Hynes representing Woodford Heritage Centre.  Tamás gave a special insight into the importance of place names of the area combined with some archaeological aspects.  Anita described the case of corncrakes in Ireland and the sad fact that these birds are going into total extinction in East Galway.  Monica explained genealogical matters of the location and described historical projects that are asoociated with the Heritage centre in East Galway.
A hill walk was organised in Slieve Aughty in the Woodford area.  Dermot Moran local historian was the leader of the walk.  He shared his great knowledge on history, culture and customs of the area.  Around 40 people walked the Sarsfield Way.  After the Battle of Aughrim, it is thought that some of Sarsfield’s army fled this way, stopped in Cathair na Garraí in Bullaun, turned the horseshoes backwards on their horses and followed their way through Slieve Aughty towards Limerick.  This made the opposing forces think that they travelled the other direction.  Another trick of Sarsfield’s army was to put military garments in the stone circle near Loughrea arranged in a way that the enemies thought some of their solders were still fighting there.  While on this occasion the walk did continue to Limerick, everybody got a rich cultural insight into the surrounding area.