Galway County Heritage Office

Barbara Nic Dhonnacha spoke with Pádraig Dunworth, Eilín Peircín and Caoimhe Ní Chualáin about their involvement in the holy wells Audit that was recently undertaken in South Connemara by Galway County Council.  As part of that project an outdoor photographic exhibition and bi-lingual film was launched at Ionad Oidreachta Leitir Mullain during National Heritage Week 2025.  This work was recognised nationally when it won the Irish Language National Heritage Week Award.  In this podcast Padraig, Eilín and Caoimhne  talk about their involvement in the project and the impact it has had locally.  This podcast was completed as part of the Audit of the Holy Wells of the County of Galway which is funded by the Heritage Council and Galway County Council. Interviewer and Recorder: Barbara Nic DhonnachaPodchraolodh 8: Ceantar na nOileán, Comhar Chuigéal - Tionscadal na Toibreacha Beannaithe   Labhair Barbara Nic Dhonnacha le Pádraig Dunworth, Eilín Peircín agus Caoimhe Ní Chualáin faoin baint a bhí acu le iniúchadh na toibreacha beannaithe a rinne Comhairle Chondae na Gaillimhe le gairid i gConamara Theas.  Seoladh taispeántas grianghrafanna lasmuigh agus scannáin dhá-theangach ag Ionad Oidhreachta Leitir Mealláin i rithSeachtain Náisiúnta na hOidhreachta 2025. Tugadh aitheantas náisiúnta don obair agus bronnadh gradam Seachtain Náisiúnta na hOidhreachta air. San eagrán podchraoladh seo labhair Padraig, Eilín and Caoimhe faoin baint a bhí acu leis an tionscnamh agus a thionchar go áitiúil.  Déanadh an podchraoladh seo mar chuid den iniúchadh ar toibreacha beannaithe Contae na Gaillimhe maoinithe ag an Chomhairle Oidhreachta agus Comhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe. Agallóir agus Taifeadóir: Barbara Nic Dhonnacha

Máirtín Davey visited the Tobar of Saint Ciaráin in Cill Chiaráin Connemara on the Pattern Day 9th of September 2025, where he spoke with a number of locals and the parish priest about the tradition of the pattern day, the annual Mass at the site, the importance of the holy well of St Ciaráin and the cures associated with it.  This podcast was completed as part of the Audit of the Holy Wells of the County of Galway which is funded by the Heritage Council and Galway County Council. Interviewer: Máirtín Davy          Recorder: Barbara Nic DhonnachaPodchraoladh 7: Tobar Chiaráin, Cill Chiaráin, Co. na Gaillimhe  Thug Máirtín Davey cuairt ar Tobar Chiaráin i gCill Chiaráin ar Lá an bPátrún 9ú lá Meán Fómhar 2025, áit a labhair sé le daoine áitiúla agus an sagart paróiste faoi traidisiún an lá pátrún, an taifreann bhliaintúil ar an suíomh, tábhacht tobar beannaithe Naomh Chiarán agus na leighseanna a bhaineann leis.Déanadh an podchraoladh seo mar chuid den iniúchadh ar toibreacha beannaithe Contae na Gaillimhe maoinithe ag an Chomhairle Oidhreachta agus Comhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe.Agallóir: Máirtín Davy    Taifeadóir: Barbara Nic Dhonnacha

Part 1 of a 2 part documentary exploring and celebrating the rich history of iron and metalwork in Ballinasloe and its hinterland. Narrated by Sally-Ann Barrett and produced by Freeway Media and Communications. 'Forged in Fire: Ballinasloe's history of iron and metalwork' is a collaboration between Galway County Heritage Office, Ballinasloe & District Heritage Society and the artist collective Group 8. It is funded by Creative Ireland. Project Leads: Conor Johnston, Chairperson of Ballinasloe & District Heritage Society, Zara Little-Campbell, Chairperson of Group 8 and Marie Mannion, Galway County Heritage Officer Steering Group: Zara Little-Campbell, Conor Johnston, Marie Mannion - Galway County Heritage Officer,  Bernie Doherty - Galway Community Archaeologist, Dr. Christy Cunniffe, Padraic Kilduff, Cathal Lucas, Evelyn Donnellan, Oliver Donnellan, Emma Laffey, Joyce Little 'Forged in Fire: Ballinasloe's history of iron and metalwork' is a collaboration between Galway County Heritage Office, Ballinasloe & District Heritage Society and the artist collective Group 8. It is funded by Creative Ireland. Thanks to all the contributors in the meitheal.

At a kitchen table in Roscahill, Co. Galway locals gather to remember the contributions of the local blacksmiths through stories and song.    This project was developed by the Heritage Office, Galway County Council in partnership with Oughterard Heritage Group. Project Managers: Marie Mannion, Heritage Officer, Galway County Council and Antoinette Lydon, Oughterard Heritage Group. Project Steering Group: Antoinette Lydon, Pat McDonagh, Oughterard Heritage Group and Marie Mannion, Heritage Officer, Galway County Council, Executive Producer and Editor: The series was produced, presented and edited by Sally-Ann Barrett of Freeway Media and published by GK Media Limited. Contributors: Peter Tierney, Frank Osbourne, Pat Joyce, Member of Rosscahill Community. Administrative Support: Valerie M Kelly, Creative Ireland Manager, Galway County Council, Gina O’ Shaughnessy, ASO, Galway County Council, Martina Creaven, SSO, Galway County Council, Ita Gordon, Clerical Officer, Galway County Council, and Anne Power, SSO Galway County Council. Funding and Support: This project was funded by Creative Ireland and Galway County Council. 

From Camp Street in Oughterard to nearby Moycullen, Co.Galway Frank Osbourne and Pat Joyce share their memories of the blacksmiths Patrick Walsh and John Lydon.  This project was developed by the Heritage Office, Galway County Council in partnership with Oughterard Heritage Group. Project Managers: Marie Mannion, Heritage Officer, Galway County Council and Antoinette Lydon, Oughterard Heritage Group. Project Steering Group: Antoinette Lydon, Pat McDonagh, Oughterard Heritage Group and Marie Mannion, Heritage Officer, Galway County Council, Executive Producer and Editor: The series was produced, presented and edited by Sally-Ann Barrett of Freeway Media and published by GK Media Limited. Contributors: Peter Tierney, Frank Osbourne, Pat Joyce, Member of Rosscahill Community. Administrative Support: Valerie M Kelly, Creative Ireland Manager, Galway County Council, Gina O’ Shaughnessy, ASO, Galway County Council, Martina Creaven, SSO, Galway County Council, Ita Gordon, Clerical Officer, Galway County Council, and Anne Power, SSO Galway County Council. Funding and Support: This project was funded by Creative Ireland and Galway County Council.