Galway County Heritage Office

Larry Kilcummins shares his memories of the pattern day at St Brendan’s Holy Well, the stories he was told of cures that occurred there and he described the many connected features that are found around this holy well. Interviewee: Larry Kilcummins. Interviewer: Sally-Ann Barrett. Podchraoladh 10: Tobar Naomh Breandán, Creagán an Ghrogaí, Béal Átha Ghártha Roinneann Larry Kilcummins a chuimhní fao...

Noel Larkin recalls the stories told to him by his father about the traditions of Tobarmacduagh holy well and describes its location and features, which have been largely obscured over the years. Interviewee: Noel Larkin. Interviewer: Sally-Ann Barrett. Podchraoladh 9: Tobar Mhic Duach, An Creigín, Baile na Cille Déanann Noel Larkin athchuimhne ar na scéalta a d’inis a athair dó faoi na traidisiúi...

Sally Ann Barrett talks with St Grellans graveyard committee members and Bernie Doherty, Galway Community Archaeologist about this medieval parish church located on the outskirts of Ballinasloe.

Sally Ann Barrett meets Clare Besnoye and her niece Jessica Pavec Burke, owners of land surrounding Kilmeen, a medieval parish church and graveyard which is within the Ballydoogan Estate in East Galway.

Sally Ann Barrett meets Bernie Doherty, Lorraine Cooney, Mary Burke and Jarlath Canney at Temple Jarlath in the centre of Tuam Town. This recently conserved medieval church is greatly appreciated by locals and enthusiasts.

Sally Ann Barrett meets Dr. Christy Cunniffe, Freda Kenny and Reverend John Mc Ginty at St. Brendan's Cathedral,  Clonfert. A Monument beloved by archaeologists, historians and locals we hear about the many features that make this an extra special monument. 

Part 2 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 collec...

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...

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...

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 collec...

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 St...

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...

Who were the local blacksmiths of Oughterard and the surrounding areas? Members of Oughterard Heritage Group in Co. Galway hear the recollections of Peter Tierney who shares his memories of the local forges. 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 Counc...

Dr. Christy Cunniffe meets Sally Ann Barrett at Abbeygormican, a twelfth century Augustinian Abbey which got a new lease of life thanks to The Community Monuments Fund, provided by National Monuments Service, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and administered through Galway County Council.

Sally Ann Barrett meets Kilcreevanty Heritage Group members who were successful in funding a Conservation and Management Plan for Kilcreevanty Graveyard through the Community Monuments Fund.

Sally-Ann Barrett speaks to Martina Donnellan and Pat Roberts about recent conservation works at St. Kerrills Abbey, Cloonkeenkerrill. Local passion and tradition is evident for this iconic heritage site in East Galway, now stabilised thanks to the Community Monuments Funding, National Monuments Service, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Sally-Ann Barrett meets the people behind Kilboght Graveyard Restoration and Heritage Group. She also speaks to ecclesiastical expert Dr. Christy Cunniffe and Galway Community Archaeologist Bernie Doherty.

The double holy well in Baile an Tobar, Corr na Móna is dedicated to Muire and Feichín.  On a beautiful summers evening on August 15th 2024, the Feast of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven, Mass was celebrated at the well with the children from the local school providing music.  In this podcast Máirtín Davy interviews several of the people from the large crowd that were in attendance, about the im...

July 26th is pattern day at Tobar Naomh Anna in Tír an Fhia.  A number of pilgrims to the well are interviewed and they tell us about the devotion to the well, the pattern practiced here and cures which are said to have been obtained from the water.  Interviewer: Máirtín Davy          Recorder: Barbara Nic Dhonnacha Podchraoladh 5: Tobar Naomh Anna, Tír an Fhia, Ceantar na nOileán Is é an 26 Iúil...

The life of St Kerrill, his connections with St Patrick and the importance of St Kerrill’s Holy Well in the Christianisation of the ancient Kingdom of Sogáin are all detailed by Dr Joe Mannion.  John Corbett recounts the importance of St Kerrill’s Day in the locality, the annual pilgrimage to the Holy Well and the belief in the power of the water against lightning strikes. Martina Donnellan recite...

Peter Dolan describes the historic sites and landscape features that surround St Cronan’s Well in Mannin townland. He tells us about the St John’s Eve traditions, cures associated with the water and the devotional practices past and present at the well. Interviewee: Peter Dolan.  Interviewer: Sally-Ann Barrett   Podchraoladh 4: Tobar Chronáin, Manainn, Creachmhaoil Déanfaidh Peter Dolan cur síos a...

Hazel Morrison recounts how Moycullen Heritage Group explored eight holy wells in their parish and what they discovered.  Interviewee: Hazel Morrison.  Interviewer: Sally-Ann Barrett Podchraoladh 2: Toibreacha Beannaithe Mhaigh Cuilinn Tabharfaidh Hazel Morrison cuntas ar an gcaoi ar thug Grúpa Oidhreachta Mhaigh Cuilinn faoi ocht dtobar beannaithe a iniúchadh ina bparóiste agus ar an méid a d’fho...

Mary Ward Moriarty reminisces on her childhood visits to various holy wells in Galway and neighbouring counties and the cures, patterns and traditions associated with them.   Sr Agnes Curley tells us about a holy wells project in the Tuam region.  Interviewees: Mary Ward Moriarty and Sr Agnes Curley. Interviewer: Sally-Ann Barrett.  Podchraoladh 1: Toibreacha Beannaithe agus Traidisiúin an Lucht S...

Sadie has been a dedicated member of Gort Golf Club since the 1970s, serving as Captain in both 1978 and the millennium year, 2000. Over the years, she has been actively involved in various committees and held numerous positions within the club. In 2018, she was honoured to serve as club President, a role that reflected her deep commitment to Gort Golf Club. A true "club person," Sadie has always...

Niall is one of the few members who have played on all three of our golf courses: Rockfield, Loughtyshaughnessy, and Castlequarter. A Gort native, he joined the Club as a junior in 1973, served as Captain in 1989, and President in 2005. He has achieved success in both team and individual events, spanning several decades, including the Connacht Shield in 1978 and 2015. He was awarded the Connacht V...