Letterfrack Buzzing for Bog Week

The annual Conamara Bog Week May 22nd – June 1st opened in the Quaker Village of Letterfrack last Friday with large crowds and great excitement. The opening took place in Connemara National Park where artist Margaret Irwin West opened an exhibition from the Leinster Print Studio entitled ‘Bog lands’. Margaret was generous in her praise of the work and the large audience were delighted with the style and variety on view. The exhibition was wrapped up with the best of trad music with the mighty Kane Sisters and wonderful Nathan Pilatzke Canadian clog dancer.

The Oiche Chonamara which followed in Molly’s Bar sent minds and hearts racing with the mighty music of the Hernon Family and Matt Keane. The sense of excitement and large crowds were the tenor for the whole weekend and people enjoyed the primary schools soccer blitz, the fun run, the family sports, the cake sale and craft fair and the mighty music which attracted enthusiastic audiences all weekend.  As somebody remarked “it was heartening to see the large number of visitors who had dropped in to join in the fun”.

The schools programme runs throughout the week, ecologist Michael Jacob and American artist Pam Berry will be exploring landscape and enthusing children about the wonders of Connemara especially the peat lands. Road race Wednesday night 12km, starts in the village of Letterfrack at 7.00pm and the runners travel through Currywongaun, Tullycross and back to Letterfrack, a challenging but exciting course.

The weekend kicks off in style with Afternoon Tea for the Ballinakill Active Age Club members in Rosleague Manor courtesy of Mark Foyle and the team with music and song with Matt Keane and Marcus Hernon. Mighty music Friday night with Josephine Marsh, Mick Kinsella, Colm Gannon, Kelly Gannon and the Kane Sisters.  Saturday morning Mags Flaherty local ecologist leads a walk, meet at Connemara West Centre 11.00am. At 11.30 an art workshop with Pam Berry in the National Park. In the afternoon a talk by Sven Habermann at 3.00pm in the National Park also entitled ‘Magical Items met in Letterfrack’. The music starts at 5.00pm with the great Sean Tyrell, a concert in Kylemore Abbey at 8.00pm and finishes off with two great sessions in the village pubs with Mirella Murray, Geraldine McNamara, Noel O’Grady, Blackie O’Connell, Cyril O’Donoghue and friends.

A packed schedule for Sunday starting with Renvyle Animal Rescue Sale Of Work in Ellis Hall at 10.00am.  Herbalist and botanist Sinead Keane leads a walk at 11.00am.  Poetry in the Park at 3.00pm with Eva Bourke, Michael Gorman and Joan McBreen. This will be followed by a walk on the Letterfrack Poetry Trail lead by the three poets. This event is sponsored by Poetry Ireland.  Music stars at 5.00pm with Johnny O’Halloran and Gerry Whelan, a concert in Kylemore Abbey kicks off at 8.00 with the Molly Hicks a Galway based Bluegrass Old Timey five-piece band. The craic continues late into the night with great music from Tommy Keane, Jacqueline McCarthy, John Blake, Anders, the Kane Sisters and lots of friends.

Whether you want to walk, talk, listen to the best of music or pick up a bargain then Letterfrack at the foot of Diamond Hill will certainly be the place this weekend.

Download our brochure for the full line-up of events and see details of some of our featured events below:

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