Ireland Reaching out
Come Home to an unforgettable WEEKof WELCOMES in South East Galway
June 26 to July 2, 2011
www.IrelandXO.org GoWestIreland.com South East Galway and its Parishes
Abbey Fahy Kiltormer Ardrahan Fohenagh Kiltullagh Aughrim Gort Labane Belfast Ballinakill Gortanumera Laurencetown Ballymacward Gurteen Leitrim Ireland West Knock Beagh Kilbeacanty Loughrea Galway Loughrea Dublin Boula Kilchreest Meelick '!,7!9 Bullaun Kilconieron Mullagh Shannon Cappataggle Kilconnell New Inn Gort Portumna Limerick Castledaly Killnadeema Peterswell Rosslare
Clonfert Killimor Portumna Cork Clontuskert Killimordaly Quansborough Clostoken Killoran Tiranascragh Derrybrien Killure Tynagh Duniry Kilrickle Woodford Eyrecourt Kiltartan You are from South East Galway, Ireland Come home for a wonderful Week of Welcomes June 26 to July 2, 2011
If you are reading this it probably means that either you, or your ancestors, are from South East Galway in the magical West of Ireland. Like most of the Irish who left over the centuries to set up home in another country, you are probably making a difference within your sphere of influence – your business, your profession, your community, your friendship circle. Have you ever wondered exactly where your people have come from and what has made you who you are?
If you come home to South East Galway for our ‘Week of Welcomes’, we will give you a sense of self; introduce and reconnect you to your ancestral parish and, in the process, provide an unforgettable holiday experience for you and any travelling companions – friends or family. We are inviting you, along with other members of the Irish Diaspora, to meet the Irish in their local communities, in a place of common ancestry, with which you share a deep and real connection. It is an opportunity for cultural renewal and discovery with an emphasis on enjoyment and fun. This special week is organised by the entire community of South East Galway, supported by IrelandXO. It is an important event in the history of Irish emigration and the Irish Diaspora. Typically the Irish across the world try, at some time in their lives, to reconnect with their homeland to discover who they are. This South East Galway initiative is part of a national pilot project and reverses this process. It involves the people of the parishes identifying those who once left and reconnecting with them – as friends who perhaps have yet to meet. Coming to South East Galway in June 2011 is an opportunity to become part of an extraordinary programme. Come and join us. We are looking forward to welcoming you home!
Page | 1 The Week of Welcomes Day by Day
Our day-by-day guide is a summary of the great week we have planned for you. Once you confirm your interest in the week, we will provide you with much more detail on the programme and your accommodation choices. And, of course, we’ll stay in touch with you all the way until we meet up in Co. Galway on June 26, 2011.
Sunday, June 26 Arrivals Day – A Céad Míle Fáilte - A Welcome to all our Friends
Sunday is arrivals day. It’s the day when all our new friends, from all over the world, return home to South East Galway to meet up. You can either make you own way (we’ll give you the meeting place details) or, if you are arriving into Dublin, Shannon or Galway airports, we will collect you and bring you to the accommodation you will have selected. That evening we will all come together. We will introduce you to your parish, go through the plan for the week, have a light bite to eat, and return you to your accommodation. It will be an early night, conscious that most of you will have been travelling considerable distances... and because you need to rest up for the great week ahead!
Page | 2 Monday, June 27 The “This is who you are” Day Monday is the “this is who you are” day. During the morning, we will tell you about the history of Ireland and specifically about the area your ancestors came from. In the afternoon you’ll enjoy a detailed tour of the parish, visiting many of the points of interest highlighted during the morning presentations. Where we have details of your ancestors we will be delighted to freely share this information. If you wish, you can also meet local genealogists, for free consultations and a greater understanding of how you can find out more. That evening, we’ll meet up in the parishes to enjoy what’s happening in the local pubs.
Tuesday, June 28 “This is my part of Ireland!”
Tuesday is a day you will spend in and around the parish of your ancestors. You’ll meet some of the locals and later you will enjoy a tour of some of the scenic and historical highlights of South East Galway, accompanied by local guides. Expect some surprises along the way! (tours include Portumna, Gort, Loughrea and Ballinasloe Regions).
Page | 3 Wednesday, June 29 Visit Galway City and the Cliffs of Moher
Wednesday you’ll have the opportunity to visit the capital of the region – Galway City, the City of the Tribes. Galway is famous for festivals, fun and great shopping. This city visit will form part of a full day tour which includes a trip to the world-famous Cliffs of Moher. The cliffs overlook the Atlantic Ocean and are one of the highlights of any Ireland visit.
Thursday, June 30 Exploring the Region
Thursday provides another opportunity for touring or activities. The tour will cover more of the scenic and historical highlights of South East Galway, again with locals as your guides and surprises along the way (the Portumna, Gort, Loughrea and Ballinasloe Regions). You’ll also have the opportunity to experience activities of your choice, from the table overleaf.
Page | 4 Friday, July 1 Go Active Day & attend Patrick and Siobhan’s Fun Wedding Celebrations
Friday is activities day and it can be as active or as leisurely as you wish, the choices are yours. The same activity programme takes place both in the morning and afternoon so that you can participate in a number of activities during the day. Your choices include: s 4HE 3OUTH 'ALWAY 'OLF #HALLENGE you can play on your parish team, playing on one of our excellent golf courses. Nice prizes! s 7ALK OUR 7AY you can join us on a guided walk. Choose either a very leisurely trail walk – suited to all fitness levels, or enjoy a longer trail walk with a little more challenge. s 4AKE TO THE 7ATER you can either go fishing (we’ll teach you) or take a riverbus tour on the Shannon and Lough Derg. s -EET THE !NIMALS choose a horse riding lesson or to visit a pet farm. s /THER !CTIVITIES AND @,EARN TO OPTIONS You can choose from the table below.
This evening, you will be a guest at “the wedding” celebrations of Patrick and Siobhan. Like all Irish weddings we have no idea what to expect... except great food and craic. Dress is casual and no need to bring presents... they tell us they have more than enough in each other. It’s all a bit of fun!
More Activity and ‘Learn to’ Options Thursday and Friday, June 30 & July 1
Music Literature Experience & Learning
Learn the Tin Whistle Irish Language Irish Genealogy
Learn the Bodhrán Local Poetry Irish Folklore
Sean-nós Singing Local Heroes of Local History Irish Literature Research
Irish Dancing Irish Literature Old Graveyard Visit
Irish Folk Music Irish Creative Writing Turf Cutting
Activities and ‘learn to’ options may be subject to change, based on interest levels
Page | 5 Saturday, July 2 The Reunion Games, the Clash of the Ash and Farewell Event
Fun and the Irish are synonymous. Saturday features a morning of fun and madness as you “compete” in the “reunion games”. It doesn’t matter what age you are or how fit you are... you will be on the parish team! You can be an active team member... or be refreshments manager, lead supporter or “official commiserator”. Events include turf stacking, horse-show throwing, water bucket runs, an Puc Fada (long strike of a ball with a hurley) and more. It’s fun and madness, but watch out for the parish rivalries and the determination never to be “bested”. It’s the streak in the Irish that has seen them rise to leadership positions around the world!
In the afternoon you will watch a specially organised hurling match – the fastest ball game in the world. When local parishes play, the intensity moves up a level – the clash of the ash!
This evening we’ll all meet up for a farewell event. The week, the inaugural ‘Week of Welcomes’, will be an important event in the history of the Irish Diaspora and you will be presented with a special scroll - a certificate of attendance. Be prepared to smile for the camera – as the event will be covered by the Irish and International media, including TV and Press. At the end of the evening we’ll say goodbye... but just for now!
Sunday, July 3 Departure Day Sunday is your departure day. Some of you may have plans to stay on to visit other parts of Ireland. For those leaving from Galway, Shannon or Dublin Airports we will have a courtesy coach going to each airport. Once we know all flight times, we’ll advise of coach departure times.
Page | 6 Accommodation, price and other things you need to know
If you confirm that you may be interested in returning for the ‘Week of Welcomes’ we will send you on more details. However, here are some of the GENERAL POINTS TO NOTE
Getting to and from Ireland Ireland is well serviced by sea and air, so getting here is very easy. If you are not making your own way to South East Galway we will have a courtesy coach pick you up and leave you back to Galway, Dublin or Shannon Airports (pick up will be on Sunday, June 26 and drop back to the airport on Sunday, July 3).
Accommodation We have reserved rooms in several hotels and B&Bs and have agreed extra- special bed and breakfast rates for all our guests. We will be happy to provide you with the details of your accommodation options, rates and booking details. We will email these once you confirm your interest.
The Programme There is a cost associated with the week’s programme. This will cover all coach transport costs, activities, lunches and evening entertainment and/or dining on the Sunday, Friday and Saturday. It does not include accommodation (you book directly) or any other costs. There is a small supplementary cost for those opting for horse-riding or fishing. Please note that aspects of the programme may change based on numbers joining us and their preferences.
Attending all-week or part of week We strongly encourage you to book for the week to get the full benefit of the programme... and to maximise your enjoyment. If you cannot join us for the full week, you can opt for a shorter 3-nights stay arriving Thursday and departing Sunday.
Page | 7 Are you interested?
If you are interested in joining us for the ‘Week of Welcomes’, just let us know and we will email you the additional details. We understand this may only be an expression of interest until you have all those details.
You can let us know if you are interested by contacting us:
Dolores O’Shea Ireland Reaching Out 25, Dunkellin Street, Loughrea Co. Galway, Ireland
4EL +353 (0)91 842013 -OBILE +353 (0)85 1925466 %MAIL [email protected]
Ireland Reaching Out www.IrelandXO.org25, Dunkellin Street, Loughrea Co. Galway, Ireland
MEDIA ENQUIRIES: If you are a journalist and are seeking to cover this exciting inaugural national Diaspora event, or are seeking more information on the event and the IrelandXO programme, please contact us at [email protected]
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About IrelandXO and the ‘Ireland Reaching Out’ Programme
IrelandXO is a voluntary not-for-profit organisation, supported by the Irish Government. Its ‘Ireland Reaching Out’ programme is an economic, social and cultural development initiative that aims to enrich the lives of Irish people at home and abroad through contact. The project is based on a simple idea. Instead of waiting for people of Irish Heritage to come to Ireland to trace their roots, we are supporting Irish parish-based communities to go the other way – to identify who left the parish, tracing them and their descendants worldwide, proactively engaging with them and inviting them to reconnect with their homeland either by visiting or by becoming part of an extended “virtual” community – linking them to their place of origin.
The Ireland Reaching Out programme is sponsored by the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, The Heritage Council, Galway County Council and Fáilte Ireland with the support of the Gaelic Athletic Association. www.IrelandXO.org
Photo credits: photo images were provided courtesy of the communities of South East Galway, the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (including its National Parks and Wildlife Service Division) and Coillte.