Stories of Galway’s central role in the voluntary period from 1913 to 1923 make up part of the legacy of the County’s Decade of Commemoration programme, which draws to a close this week.
Previously unheard and unwritten tales from this time have been recorded and published on the award-winning website at www.galwaydecadeofcommemoration.org.
The website, which has become an important repository of County Galway’s role in achieving Irish independence and the foundation of the Irish State, is among the projects that will be celebrated during “Embracing the Past” at Claregalway Castle this Thursday, December 14 from 12pm to 5pm.
The event will see members of the public join with community organisations, historians, heritage experts and local authority officials to acknowledge the past ten years of remembering the momentous and defining period in Ireland’s and the county of Galway’s history.
The event will be launched by Councillor Dr. Evelyn Parsons, Leas Chathaoirleach of Galway County Council, and will feature a keynote address by Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh, Professor Emeritus in History and former Dean of Arts and Vice-President of NUI Galway.
Throughout the day reminders of various exhibitions researched and held during the decade will be on view, together with a craft display, various publications, and a showcase of videos and films. Tomás Mannion will also present an Aeraíocht of music and dance from 4pm – 5pm.
“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,” Cllr Parsons stated.
“It also allows us to recognise and pay tribute to all the people, young and old, who contributed in so many ways, often on a voluntary basis, to ensuring the aspirations of the Commemorative Strategy for the County of Galway, issued in October 2013, were fulfilled.”
According to Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council, “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, recognise 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.”
Mr. Conneally added, “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.”
These, he said, focused 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.”
Throughout the decade there were many history-based talks and activities, such as the in-person conference ‘Social and Political Change’, held in Loughrea in 2017, and the online seminar in 2021, titled ‘The War of Independence comes to North Connemara’.
There have been exhibitions, such as those marking 100 years of the Dáil in 2019 and of An Garda Síochána in 2023. There was also the hugely successful two-day Farming and County Life event held in Teagasc in June 2016.
Monuments were unveiled, gardens and trees were sown, and wreaths laid, while communities around the county embraced the commemorations and held their own events and projects.
Patria McWalter, Galway County Council Archivist stated, “Many of the wonderful and important archive collections held in Galway County Council Archives were digitized, thus ensuring global access to a treasure trove of historical records”.
Visit the award-winning Decade of Commemorations website at www.
