{"id":2730,"date":"2026-07-31T14:11:01","date_gmt":"2026-07-31T14:11:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/galwaycivictrust.ie\/?p=2730"},"modified":"2026-07-31T14:32:35","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T14:32:35","slug":"galway-civic-trust-a-celebration-of-heritage-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/galwaycivictrust.ie\/index.php\/2026\/07\/31\/galway-civic-trust-a-celebration-of-heritage-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Galway Civic Trust: A Celebration of Heritage 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Galway Civic Trust: A Celebration of Heritage 2026<\/h3>\n

Saturday 22 August 2026 | 9:00 AM \u2013 9:30 PM<\/h4>\n

Mick Lally Theatre, Hall of the Red Earl & Peadar O’Dowd Gallery, Druid Lane, Galway<\/h4>\n

Join Galway Civic Trust \/ D\u00fachas na Gaillimhe for a day-long celebration of Galway’s rich and diverse heritage as part of National Heritage Week 2026<\/strong>. Taking place across the Mick Lally Theatre, the Hall of the Red Earl, and the newly named Peadar O’Dowd Gallery, this special programme brings together historians, archaeologists, storytellers, musicians, and heritage professionals for a full day of talks, exhibitions, living history displays, film, music, and community engagement.<\/p>\n

Reflecting this year’s Heritage Week theme, “Heritage at Risk,”<\/strong> the event will explore the importance of protecting and preserving the places, stories, traditions, archives, monuments, and cultural practices that shape our understanding of Galway’s past. Whether your interest lies in archaeology, local history, folklore, architecture, genealogy, music, or community heritage, there will be something for everyone to discover.<\/p>\n

The day begins with an informal welcome session hosted by Declan O’Shea<\/strong>, introducing the theme of Heritage at Risk and providing an opportunity for visitors to meet members of Galway Civic Trust, learn about the organisation’s work, ask questions, and receive advice on local heritage matters.<\/p>\n

Throughout the day, visitors can enjoy a fascinating programme of presentations including John Jennings<\/strong> on the Religious Orders of Galway; Ian Brophy<\/strong> on the Great Famine in Galway; Ronan Harvey<\/strong> on the remarkable history of the Hall of the Red Earl; William Henry<\/strong> on ‘The Famine: Galway’s Darkest Days’, and the history and achievements of Galway Civic Trust; award-winning storyteller M\u00e1ir\u00edn Mhic Lochlainn<\/strong> sharing traditional Irish tales and folklore; Kieran Hoare<\/strong> discussing the preservation of personal and community archives; and archaeologist John Olney<\/strong> of the National Monuments Service exploring the challenges of balancing development with the protection of Galway’s archaeological heritage.<\/p>\n

A special afternoon screening of the acclaimed documentary Ag Trasn\u00fa An Atlantaigh Dhuibh \/ Crossing the Black Atlantic<\/strong><\/em> will tell the extraordinary story of Tom Molineaux, a former slave who rose to international fame as a bare-knuckle boxing champion before spending his final days in Galway.<\/p>\n

Across the laneway at the Hall of the Red Earl, visitors can experience the Red Earl’s Hall Galway Medieval Show<\/strong>, featuring living history displays, talks, demonstrations, and costumed interpreters who will bring aspects of medieval Galway to life through public interaction and storytelling. The adjacent Peadar O’Dowd Gallery<\/strong> will host exhibitions celebrating Galway’s history, heritage, and community memory.<\/p>\n

The celebration concludes with a lively Evening Music Concert<\/strong> featuring traditional and contemporary performances by The Kelly Family<\/strong>, The Vibe Tones<\/strong>, Mick Brown<\/strong>, Dogz Bol Ukes<\/strong>, and C\u00f3r na dTreabh<\/strong>. Finger food and refreshments will be available, providing an opportunity to relax and enjoy an evening of music and community spirit in the heart of Galway’s Latin Quarter.<\/p>\n

Programme Highlights<\/h3>\n

9:00 AM \u2013 10:00 AM<\/strong>
\nDeclan O’Shea
\nHeritage at Risk: Opening Session & Meet the Trust<\/em><\/p>\n

10:00 AM \u2013 11:00 AM<\/strong>
\nJohn Jennings
\nReligious Orders of Galway<\/em><\/p>\n

11:00 AM \u2013 12:00 PM<\/strong>
\nIan Brophy
\nAn Introduction to the Famine in Galway<\/em><\/p>\n

12:00 PM \u2013 1:00 PM<\/strong>
\nRonan Harvey
\nThe Hall of the Red Earl<\/em><\/p>\n

1:00 PM \u2013 2:00 PM<\/strong>
\nFilm Screening
\nAg Trasn\u00fa An Atlantaigh Dhuibh \/ Crossing the Black Atlantic<\/em><\/p>\n

2:00 PM \u2013 3:00 PM<\/strong>
\nWilliam Henry
\nThe Famine: Galway’s Darkest Days<\/em><\/p>\n

3:00 PM \u2013 4:00 PM<\/strong>
\nM\u00e1ir\u00edn Mhic Lochlainn
\nSc\u00e9alta Fianna\u00edochta, Folklore and Storytelling Traditions<\/em><\/p>\n

4:00 PM \u2013 5:00 PM<\/strong>
\nKieran Hoare
\nPreserving Personal Archives: Photographs, Recordings and Family History<\/em><\/p>\n

5:00 PM \u2013 6:00 PM<\/strong>
\nJohn Olney
\nBalancing Progress with Protection: Planning & the Preservation of Galway’s Archaeological Heritage<\/em><\/p>\n

11:00 AM \u2013 4:00 PM<\/strong>
\nRed Earl’s Hall Galway Medieval Show
\nHall of the Red Earl<\/p>\n

7:00 PM \u2013 9:30 PM<\/strong>
\nEvening Music Concert
\nFeaturing The Kelly Family, The Vibe Tones, Mick Brown, Dogz Bol Ukes and C\u00f3r na dTreabh<\/p>\n

Visitors are welcome to attend individual sessions or spend the entire day exploring Galway’s heritage in all its forms.<\/p>\n

For programme updates and booking information, visit https:\/\/www.tickettailor.com\/events\/galwaycivictrustdchasnagaillimhe<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Galway Civic Trust \/ D\u00fachas na Gaillimhe<\/strong>
\nHall of the Red Earl, Druid Lane, Galway
\n\u260e 091 564946<\/p>\n

This event is supported by Kavanagh’s SuperValu, Druid Theatre and Galway City Council through the Local Community Festival Grants Scheme.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Location<\/h3>\n

The Mick Lally Theatre, H91 N5X9<\/p>\n