Galway students explore their names in Sloinne

Two current and former Galway students discover the interesting history behind their surnames in Sloinne this month.

This TG4 series delves into the fascinating stories behind Ireland’s most common surnames, bringing history to life in a way that’s accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

Sloinne paints a colourful picture of how our local areas and surnames are deeply intertwined.

The rugged landscapes of West Cork, where the O’Sullivans have left their mark, the historic tales of the O’Donnells echoing through the hills of Donegal, and the ancient lineage of the Joyces of Galway.

The sixth episode in the Sloinne series airs on Sunday, February 25, and follows Máirtín Seoighe, Galway native and former NUIG student, as he finds out all about the Seoighe or Joyce surname.

His journey takes him out to Maam, Co.Galway, where he ventures out on the Lough Corrib by boat with Seán Seoighe to visit Castlekirk. Máirtín visits Galway City Museum where Eoin O’Neill explains the history of the Claddagh Ring and tells him of it’s creator, Richard Joyce.

He also visits Galway Courthouse to meet lawyer Seán Ó Cearbhaill, to learn about the shocking death of Myles Joyce and the Maam Trasna Murders and then Nora Barnacle’s house, where Ray Burke (author) discusses with him the influence Nora had on her husband’s (James Joyce) writing.

The episode also features conversations with Paul MacCotter (series genealogist) at University College Galway and with Mary Kenny (author), Liam O’Connor (Director of Folk Music Ireland) and Breda Joyce.

Before that, in this Sunday’s episode of Sloinne, the programme follows Hannah Ní Dhomhnaill, a Donegal student studying at the University of Galway, as she goes on a journey back in time to trace the history of her surname and to find out about others with the same Ó Domhnaill surname.

Hannah’s journey takes her to the beautiful Franciscan Friary (Rossnowlagh) and to Donegal Castle (Donegal Town).

Donegal is well-known for its wealth of musical talent and on her adventure, Hannah meets Finbarr Clancy to discuss the history of ‘O’Donnell Abú’, famously sung by the Clancy Brothers and also singer Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill who tells her all about her famous aunt Neilí Ní Dhomhnaill.