Connemara Sea Week 2023

Festival Highlights

– An education programme will run throughout the week in local primary and secondary schools, involving the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, Fair Seas Campaign, and the Marine Institute’s Explorers’ Education Programme. Students of Youthreach and the Atlantic Technological University Connemara will be involved in the Sea Light’s project, creating a magical display of lights throughout the village. Award-winning cameraman Doug Allan, whose work featured in David Attenborough’s Blue Planet series, is on board to enthral students with his Artic experiences and will formally launch this year’s festival. A Climate Seminar, with expert speakers, takes place in Connemara National Park, with music provided by the award winning Séamus and Caoimhe Ui Fhlatharta.

Renowned for its musical programmes, this year festival doesn’t disappoint with both weekends bookended 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

For lovers of art and creativity, the small works art exhibition provides a platform for emerging artists, alongside some of Connemara’s well-established artistic community.

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, who will also be reaching out to the local Ukrainian community. The ANAM workshop will be led by designer Peter Sheehan in collaboration with furniture design students from ATU Connemara.

For those wishing to get out and about, Connemara National Park will offer a series of guided biodiversity walks and ecologist Marie Louise Heffernan will lead a shore walk on the beautiful White Strand in Renvyle. Other highlights of this fun-packed festival include a mini boat regatta for young children and an Active Age Club lunch at Rosleague Manor House
Hotel.

With such a variety of events, there really is something for everyone, so be sure to join in the fun!