Singing Workshop

With Anna Jurkiewicz

Sat 22 Oct, 14:00–16:00, Interface Inagh

Interface Inagh, known for its dynamic exploration of science and art, will open its doors to the public with a singing workshop with visiting musician Anna Jurkiewicz.

Kindly sponsored by Interface Inagh.

Music in Pubs

Oct 22-31, Veldons Seafarer, Letterfrack

Renowned for its musical programmes, this year’s Sea Week festival doesn’t disappoint with both weekends book-ended with great traditional music in Veldon’s Seafarer Pub Letterfrack, as well as an exciting Open Mic session mid-week. Some of Ireland’s finest musicians will be playing including Johnny O’Halloran & Gerry Whelan, The Josephine March Band, The Brennan Sisters, The Tiernan Family, Katie Nee, Jack O’Reilly, Paul Egan, David Slevin & Michael Casey, plus a host of local musicians and guests.

Go to www.veldons.ie to find out more.

Woodland Symposium – Open Day

Sat 29 Oct, 14:00–16:00, Interface Inagh

Five artists have been invited to reflect on the planned restoration of Sitka Spruce to native woodland. They are being led by ecologist Marie Louise Heffernan and archaeologist Michael Gibbons. The intention of the project is to initiate a slow-art response with longevity, which will evolve with the slowly changing ecology of the site.

School / Youth Events

Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG)
Tue 25 Oct – Youthreach, morning /  Lettergesh NS, afternoon
Wed 26 Oct – Letterfrack NS, all day
Thu 27 Oct – Eagles Nest NS, morning / Tully NS, afternoon
Fri 28 Oct – Clifden Community School, 10:20

Marine Institute’s Explorers Education Programme
Thu 27 Oct – Letterfrack N.S., 9:30-11:00
Fri 28 – TBC, 9:30-11:00

Seashore Safari
Thu 27 Oct – Lettergesh NS, 11:30 onwards
Fri 28 Oct – Leenane NS, 11:30 onwards

An education programme will run throughout the week in local primary and secondary schools and in Youthreach. The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group will raise awareness of our marine environment and the Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises that inhabit them, aiming to ignite a passion within young people for our oceans and their inhabitants in the hope that they will prosper into the future. The Marine Institute’s Explorers Education Programme offers a range of marine themed modules for primary school students and teachers in the classroom, through blended learning as well as out-door education. The Seashore Safari module provides classroom activities and an amazing fieldtrip to the seashore, where the children will learn about marine animals, seaweeds and environmental care.

Small Works Art Exhibition

Exhibition opening by by Des Lally, with music performed by Katie Nee and friends.

Sat 29 Oct, 19:00, Connemara National Park Visitor Centre

Conamara Sea Week Small Works Exhibition invites established and emerging artists to submit works which reflect on the themes of our interdependence with nature and our commonality as people. Each art work is no larger than A3 size and is presented anonymously, only signed on the back. The exhibition attempts to allow art to be accessible to everyone with all works sold at a fixed price: €90 unframed and €130 for framed works.

The exhibition will be officially opened at 7pm, Saturday 29th October by Des Lally, with music performed by Katie Nee and friends. The exhibition will run until 13th November.

Connecting to the Climate Challenge – in Connemara and Beyond

With Doug Allan, Wildlife and Documentary Cameraman

Wed 26 Oct, 18:15, Oakroom ATU

Award-winning and world-renowned cameraman Doug Allan, whose work featured in David Attenborough’s Blue Planet series, presents Connecting to the Climate Challenge – in Connemara and beyond. Doug will discuss the need to ‘act local to change global’ and will look to inspire young people to become better caretakers of the environment and to become agents of change for a sustainable future.

All welcome – this event is free of charge.

Kindly supported by Galway County Council, Atlantic Technological University and Youthreach.

Sea Week Official Launch

Doug Allan to light the Youthreach and ATU Connemara students Sea Lights.

Wed 26 Oct, 19:15, Connemara West Centre

Doug Allan will formally launch the 2022 Conamara Sea Week Festival by switching on the Sea Lights. This is a series of lights and lanterns made by students from Youthreach and Atlantic Technological University Connemara found objects and waste materials, located around the village of Letterfrack and Connemara West Centre.

Kindly supported by Sweeney Oil.

Active Age Dinner in Rosleague Hotel

Thu 27 Oct, 13:30, Roseague Hotel

Mark Foyle and his team at Rosleague Manor House Hotel will welcome members of the Ballinakill Active Age to a Sea Week sumptuous meal with a strong focus on the finest and freshest locally sourced ingredients and produce. Music and entertainment is provided by the legendary singer-songwriter Don Stiffe and flute player Marcus Herron, accompanied by Polish musician Anna Jurkiewicz.

Kindly supported by Rosleague Manor House Hotel, Ballinakill Active Age and Interface Inagh.

Sea Week Climate Action Seminar

Climate Seminar, with expert speakers, and accomplished musicians.

Sat 29 Oct, 9:30–13:00, Connemara National Park

Conamara Sea Week is a celebration of the wonderful marine and cultural heritage of Connemara and this year’s festival has a particular focus on climate action and aims to engage young people to empower them to become agents of positive change. The Climate Action Seminar will bring a range of expert speakers who will address issues of climate change and biodiversity loss, its impact on our seas and bogs, and offer solutions and hope for a better future. Speakers include Sibeál O’Regan from the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, Margaret Flaherty from Connemara National Park and Dr Katie O’Dwyer, from the Atlantic Technological University, Galway. The conference takes place in Connemara National Park, and will include music by the award winning Séamus and Caoimhe Ui Fhlatharta.
Tea/coffee and a light lunch are included for attendees. Booking essential. Donations at the door, free for students.

Kindly supported by Galway County Council, Connemara National Park and Forum Connnemara.

SIGN UP HERE:
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/440789331757

Guided Sea Shore Walk

With Marie Louise Heffernan, ecologist.

Sun 30 Oct, 12:30, White Strand, Renvyle

Join Marie Louise Heffernan, ecologist for an exploration of the Connemara shore at Renvyle. We will find out why the shore and surrounding mountains and islands are of international conservation importance we will explore geology and dip our toes into archaeology. But mainly we will discover a host of seaweeds and learn how to identify them. We will look for dillisk, carrageen pepper dulse, sea grass, and serrated wrack. Some are chewy, others are bitter, some are sweet and others are spicy. Find out how you can use them for soups, salads, crisps and even desserts.
Meet at Renvyle Beach (White Strand) at 12.30pm and bring wellies! This event is free of charge.

Kindly sponsored by Connemara Chamber of Commerce.

Guided Farm and Bird Walks

Sat 29 Oct – 10:30 Bird Watching Walk / 14:30 Farm Walk
Sun 30 Oct – 10:30 Farm Walk / 14:30 Bird Watching Walk
Mon 31 Oct – 10:30 Bird Watching Walk / 14:30 Farm Walk

Connemara National Park covers some 2,000 hectares of scenic mountains, expanses of bogs, heaths, grasslands and woodlands. Some of the park’s mountains, namely Benbaun, Bencullagh, Benbrack and Muckanaght, are part of the famous Twelve Bens or Beanna Beola range. On the Farm Walk you will learn about our heritage breeds and some of the work being undertaken in the National Park to conserve this important part of our cultural heritage. The Farm Walk will take place at 10.30am on Saturday, 2.30pm on Sunday and 10.30am on Monday.
The Bird Walk will take you through the Ellis woodland trail where you will learn to identify our native birds and their habitats. Bring binoculars and a bird book if you have one! The bird walk will take place at 2.30pm on Saturday, 10.30am on Sunday and 2.30pm on Monday. Meet outside the visitor centre at Connemara National Park. Waterproof footwear and clothing are essential. Walks last approximate 1.5 hours.
Weather permitting. Event is free of charge.

Mini Boat Regatta

Sun 30 Oct, 15:00, Connemara National Park

A regatta like you’ve never witnessed before! Vessels must be made from upcycled materials, no more than 30cm long. The winner will be the first vessel to navigate the perilous and dragon-infested waters of the upper pond in Connemara National Park!

Peter Sheehan ATU Interface

Thu 27 Oct, 10:00-16:00, Interface Inagh

ANAM – Peter Sheehan works with students of ATU Connemara in response to Woodland Restoration at Interface.