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CONAMARA SEA WEEK – 40 YEARS A GROWING!

PRESS RELEASE 29.09.24

The 40th annual Conamara Sea Week Festival takes place in the picturesque village of Letterfrack in north-west Connemara from the 19th to 28th of October. The festival celebrates the unique and rich environment, marine life and cultural heritage of the north-west Connemara region. This year’s programme is bursting with events and activities to suit all ages, with workshops, art, music, talks, walks and much more. The festival also shines a light on the climate and biodiversity crises and the importance of local actions to combat these global challenges. A special tribute with musicians and friends of the festival will also take place to acknowledge the contribution of Leo and Clare Hallissey, founders of Conamara Sea Week.

An education programme forms a central element of the festival and local students from primary and secondary schools, Youthreach, GRETB and Atlantic Technological University (ATU) will all be involved. Clean Coast, which works with communities to help protect and care for Ireland’s waterways, coastline and ocean life, will carry out a micro plastic analysis on local beaches, while Sibéal Regan from Galway Atlantaquaria will bring children on an exploratory journey under the sea. The education outreach team from Connemara National Park will join local artists and designers to work with students for the spectacular Night Light’s Parade, a magical display of lights and creativity throughout the village. Maria Hitchcox will run art classes on the weekend, using only found and natural materials, and there will be a Hula Hoop workshop with Dizzy Elf!

A Climate and Biodiversity Seminar brings together researchers, artists and activists, highlighting actions being taken to reduce the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss. Connemara National Park will offer a series of guided walks and biodiversity workshops. There’s also a guided shore walk, bird identification and sustainable gardening workshops available to book. Documentary film maker, Ken O’Sullivan will join this year’s programme for a dive into the deep oceans.

Renowned for its musical programmes, this year’s festival doesn’t disappoint. Local and visiting musicians will perform on the long weekend, in Veldon’s Seafarer Pub. This year’s line-up includes Paul Gunning, Jimmy Fitzgerald and Nuala Ní Channáin; the Hernon family with Kevin Homes; The Hog, Kieran Coyne, Conor Keane; Anders and Mayo Yanachi; Tommy Carew and Friends and much more. A special music performance of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Renvyle will take place in the newly refurbished Letterfrack Church.

For lovers of art, the small works art exhibition provides a platform for emerging artists to exhibit alongside some of Connemara’s most well-known and established artistic community. Interface Inagh, renowned for its dynamic exploration of art and science, will host ecologist Marie Louise Heffernan and archaeologist Michael Gibbons in collaboration with artists Helena Doyle, Lelia Ní Chathmhaoil, Órla Mc Govern and Aoife Carry. In Books at One Letterfrack, there will be readings by author Donal Ryan, and playwright Paul Soyes who will be accompanied by musician Sharon Murphy.

Renvyle Cat and Dog Rescue will hold a fundraiser, while the annual Active Age Club gathering will take place in Rosleague Manor House Hotel with music, songs and mischief. Finally, after all that fun, there will be a day of recovery for the body and mind with a guided archaeological walk with Leo Morahan, a yoga and meditation session, and an open water sea swim and sauna! The final music session will bring together some of Ireland’s finest musicians in a tribute to Clare and Leo Hallissey.

Dermot O’Donovan, Chairperson of Conamara Sea Week, says “For the 40th anniversary festival, we have brought together a truly diverse and inclusive programme. As usual, we are focusing on climate action and environmental education, but we blend that with art, music, creativity and a hint of madness! The support we receive from Galway County Council and local businesses is invaluable and means that most events are free. Keep an eye out on our website www.connemaraseaweek.ie for the full schedule of events, and be sure to head west this October to join in the fun.”

The full programme of events can be downloaded at www.connemaraseaweek.ie or find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/culturalconnemara/ and on Instagram @conamaraseaweek.

For further information contact Conamaraseaweek@gmail.com or Dermot O’Donovan on 086 0565865.