Events Guide
April to June 2017
A - AGED 9 JEN Colour tinted postcard of the Fishmarket, Galway, c. 1910
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↗ Look out for our new object labels designed by kids from the Claddagh National School
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April Saturday 1 April, 11am – 11.50am WORKSHOP: A Sailing We Will Go … Using the museum's waterside location and sea science and maritime exhibitions as inspiration, join artist Jane Hayes for this creative hands-on workshop, during which parent and toddler will undertake an inspirational sea journey. Age 1–4 Saturday 8 April, 12pm – 1pm GUIDED TOUR: Museum Highlights Beginning with an overview – literally – of the City, Corrib and Claddagh, discover the fascinating history and folklore behind a selection of objects at Galway City Museum, including the rare Penfold postbox, the controversial statue of Ó Conaire and the well-travelled Galway civic sword and mace. Age 8+
Wednesday 12 April, 12pm – 12.45pm GUIDED TOUR: Bring your own Questions! Does the Claddagh really have its own King? Who built the Spanish Arch? How did you get a Galway Hooker into the museum? Is that a skull or an ostrich egg? Why not join our special guided tour for families to learn about the museum and its fascinating objects. Family Thursday 13 April, 10.30am – 11.30am WORKSHOP: Egg in the Sky Can you build a great big tower that's stable enough to hold an egg? Brought to you by Toodlelou ScienceEducator Lindsay Deely, this hands-on STEM workshop is an hour of fun and learning for little ones and their families. Ages 2–4 Thursday 13 April, 12pm – 1pm WORKSHOP: Amazing Flying Eggs Think you can build a vessel to launch an egg in flight without it cracking? Brought to you by Toodlelou Science-Educator Lindsay Deely, this hands-on STEM challenge workshop promises to be an hour of problem-solving, planning, experimentation and fun for kids and their families. Ages 5–8
Claddagh women selling the catch. Courtesy of NLI
Saturday 15 April, 11am – 12pm WORKSHOP: Preparing for Easter As in Ireland, Easter is traditionally an important time in the Polish calendar. In Poland, lavishly decorated branches – called Easter palms – are blessed, as are painted eggs. Sound familiar? Join the Bardzo Ladnie Foundation to learn about some Polish Easter traditions to have a go at making colourful Easter Palms and painting Easter eggs. Age 7–12
Saturday 8 April, 2.30pm – 3.30pm TALK: Harvesting the Western Seas and Strands As an island nation, Ireland has access to some of the best fish in the world. Traditionally, however, shellfish called cnuasach mara (‘sea pickings’) was known as bia bocht or ‘poor man's food’! Join writer Margaret Hickey, author of Irish Days: Oral Histories of the 20th Century, as she draws on her researches for her forthcoming book Ireland's Green Larder. She will be discussing the west of Ireland’s relationship with the sea and its bounty. Age 12+
Saturday 15 April, 2pm – 4pm WORKSHOP: Famous Galway Faces Why not join us on this drop-in workshop and learn about some famous Galwegians and screen print your own unique cotton bag – to carry your Galway Food Festival produce – by choosing from a selection of famous faces. Please leave a donation for the bag! All Ages Wednesday 19 April, 11am – 12.30pm WORKSHOP: Irish Marine Wonders Ever wanted to know more about Ireland's marine diversity? Join team members from Galway Atlantaquaria to learn about some of the animals and plants that live in the ocean around Ireland. Examine a range of biofacts and seaweeds, carry out a squid dissection and design your own camouflaged animal. Age 7–12
Wednesday 19 April 2pm – 3.30pm WORKSHOP: Caring for our Oceans Join team members from Galway Atlantaquaria to learn about marine litter, over-fishing and how the ocean’s water quality is being affected by people. Explore what you can do to help protect our ocean, make water filters, examine the effects of ocean acidification and design a Save our Ocean poster. Age 7–12
Saturday 29 April, 10.30am – 1pm WORKSHOP: Movement for Well-Being Celebrate International Dance Day by joining choreographer and dance movement therapist Bernadette Divilly for this drop-in mindful movement workshop in the courtyard of Galway City Museum (in the event of bad weather, this event will take place indoors). All movement levels welcome. Age 15+ (no booking required)
Thursday 20 April, 12pm – 12.45pm GUIDED TOUR: Bring your own Questions! Does the Claddagh really have its own King? Who built the Spanish Arch? How did you get a Galway Hooker into the museum? Is that a skull or an ostrich egg? Why not join our special guided tour for families to learn about the museum and its fascinating objects. Family
Saturday 29 April, 2.30pm – 4pm TALK/SCREENING: Dance, Place & Cultural Navigations To mark International Dance Day, Bernadette Divilly and the Galway Dance Project present screenings of short films followed by panel discussions with guest choreographers. The films include Ciúnas, directed by Bernadette Divilly, which explores the place, power and presence of women at NUI, Galway. Age 15+
May Lance Corporal Bernard Fahy of Claregalway
Saturday 22 April, 2.30pm – 3.30pm ILLUSTRATED TALK: Bernie Fahy & the Great War Born on 26 September 1890 at Claregalway, Bernard ‘Bernie’ Fahy emigrated to New Zealand around 1912. Following the outbreak of the Great War, he travelled to France with the New Zealand Tunnelling Company, a tunnel warfare unit, and was killed in action by German shell fire on 20 April 1917. Join William Henry, local historian and author of Galway and the Great War, as he remembers Bernie Fahy and other fallen Galwaymen. Age 12+
Robert O'Hara Burke. Courtesy of National Portrait Gallery (Australia)
Saturday 6 May, 11am – 1pm PERFORMANCE: 3 Saturdays: 3 Kinds of Music The Galway Music Residency in collaboration with the Galway City Museum presents 3 Saturdays: 3 Kinds of Music. This series sees the Galway’s ConTempo Quartet join forces with some of Ireland’s young classical, contemporary and Irish traditional artists on the rise. The musicians will fill the museum with beautiful sounds for music lovers of all ages to enjoy. All Ages
Kathleen Loughnane. Courtesy of www.kathleenloughnane.com
Sunday 14 May, 1pm – 2pm RECITAL: Celebrate the Irish Harp In association with Cruit Éireann, celebrate Ireland’s national instrument with this lunchtime recital featuring acclaimed harpist Kathleen Loughnane and a gathering of fellow harpers. All Ages (no booking required)
Claddagh Ring. From Samuel Carter Hall (1843) Ireland
Saturday 13 May, 2.30pm – 3.30pm ILLUSTRATED TALK: The Claddagh Ring and other love tokens Finger rings, such as fede (‘faith’) rings or posey/posie rings, have long been given as tokens of love and affection. Join Phyllis McNamara of Cobwebs antique shop as she discusses love tokens with a particular focus on the world-famous Claddagh Ring, which first appeared in Galway from the early 1700s. Age 10+
Saturday 20 May, 12pm – 4pm DROP-IN: Drop-in & Draw Drawing Day is a National Gallery of Ireland initiative which encourages people of all ages to try their hand at drawing. To mark the day, the museum will set up art stations throughout the galleries with drawing supplies so why not drop in and draw. All Ages (no booking required)
Drawing Day. Courtesy of Jane Hayes
Saturday 6 May, 2.30pm – 3.30pm ILLUSTRATED TALK: The Life & Times of Robert O’Hara Burke Born in Galway on 6 May 1821, Robert O’Hara Burke was a soldier and, later, policeman who migrated to Australia. He led the ill-fated Burke and Wills expedition, the first to cross the Australian continent from south to north, in 1860. Join William Henry, local historian and author of The Shimmering Waste – The Life and Times of Robert O’Hara Burke, as he remembers this Galway adventurer. Age 12+
Saturday 20 May, 11am – 11.50am WORKSHOP: 'Little Lines' Drawing for Early Years Explore fun and unexpected ways of "drawing" with your child during this creative, hands-on workshop with artist Jane Hayes. Visually explore the museum, its objects, exhibitions and location through ageappropriate activities that encourage wonder and excitement. Age 1–4
Saturday 10 June, 2.30pm – 3.30pm TALK: The Ferocious O'Flahertys Before the arrival of the Anglo-Normans, the 'Ferocious' O'Flahertys clan was the most powerful dynasty in South Connacht. Join author Adrian Martyn, author of The Tribes of Galway: 1124-1642 (2016), to hear about this family of kings and king-slayers, admirals and pirates, landlords and rebels. Age 12+
Ireland's Trees by Niall McCoitir
Saturday 17 June, 11am – 12.30pm WORKSHOP: Ocean Pressure & Shrinking Heads Explore what life is like in the deep sea around Ireland. Investigate what pressure is, how it changes with depth and what it means for ocean exploration. Join the Explorer Education team to examine the Polystyrene Shrinking Heads which have felt the pressure of the deep sea. Age 7–12
Saturday 27 May, 12pm – 3pm LECTURES: Mystic Gatherings As well as having a range of practical uses, trees and woodlands were sacred to the ancient Celts and Slavs. In conjunction with the Bardzo Ladnie Foundation, join author Niall McCoitir (Ireland's Trees: Myths, Legends & Folklore), ethnologist Marcin Piotrowsk (University of Lodz), archeologist Derry Townsend plus other guest speakers as they discuss Celtic and Slavic folk beliefs as part of the Forest Days Festival. Age 12+
Saturday 24 June, 2.30pm – 3.30pm ILLUSTRATED TALK: The Dominicans in Galway In 1488, 'at the request of the citizens of Galway', the Dominicans took possession of the Church of St. Marys on the Hill, an abandoned chapel in the Claddagh outside the city walls, and thus began a relationship that has lasted until the present day. Join Ultan Lally as he discusses the foundation of the order, their spread into Ireland and their long connection with Galway. Age 12+
June Saturday 3 June, 2.30pm – 3.30pm ILLUSTRATED TALK: Synge & the Aran Islands John Millington Synge (1871-1909) first travelled to the Aran Islands in 1898, after which he returned every summer until 1902. In 1907, two years before his untimely death, he published The Aran Islands, which describes a way of life that has since disappeared. Join Dr. Ian R. Walsh, NUIG as he discusses Synge and what he called his 'first serious piece of work'. Age 12+ John Millington Synge. Courtesy of the Abbey Theatre Digital Archive, NUIG
How to Book:
Contact:
For further information or to make a booking please contact Galway City Museum on (091) 532460. Please note the following: • Events are FREE of charge unless otherwise stated and all materials are supplied. • Events must be booked in advance (except where stated). • Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment. • Please ensure you arrive in advance of the start time, otherwise your place may be reallocated. • If you have booked and are unable to attend please contact the museum as soon as possible so that your place may be reallocated.
Tel: (091) 532460 Email: museum@galwaycity.ie Website: www.galwaycitymuseum.ie
Galway City Museum, Spanish Parade, Galway City.
Mailing List: If you wish to join our mailing list please contact the museum on (091) 532460 or email: museum@galwaycity.ie
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm Sunday (summer only), 12pm to 5pm Admission Free.
Children’s Activity Sheet: Activity sheets for children in English and Irish - My Favourite Object / An Rud Is Fearr Liom - are available from Reception.