A new digital storymap showcasing the history and heritage of the Creggs area will be launched at an event in Creggs NS on Friday evening, March 14th, at 8 pm.
The event will feature material from the podcasts and films created as part of the digital storymap, as well as traditional music and song to celebrate St Patrick’s Day.
The creation of the digital storymap was made possible through funding from the Heritage Council Community Grants Scheme and support from Galway County Council Heritage Office and Heritage Officer Marie Mannion.
The project was overseen by Zena Hoctor, who also worked on the Creggs Heritage Audit launched in 2018. Christy Cunniffe was also involved in the Heritage Audit in 2018 and features on two of the videos, one on the Streetscape of the Village and the other on Ironworks in the Creggs Area. The third video focuses on biodiversity in the Creggs area and the great work that is ongoing in the village and surrounding areas in this regard.
Three podcasts were recorded on a Sunday morning in June 2024. One explores the connection between Parnell and Creggs, and another looks at the epic march of Donal Cam O’Sullivan Beare and how he and his band of followers came across Mount Mary in the winter of 1603. The third podcast featured a ‘Kilbegnet Rambling House’, which brought together some stories and reminiscences of the Kilbegnet area.
Sadly, two of those who contributed on that Sunday morning last year, Seamus Keane and Paddy Lohan, have since passed on to their eternal reward, and their contributions to the podcast and to the wider community will also be remembered and celebrated on the night.
Chairperson of Creggs Rural Development Seán Beirne said, “This event on Friday night, March 14th, will be an opportunity to celebrate the history and heritage of the area and bring people together for a celebration of our national holiday. It will also be an opportunity to celebrate those who have contributed so much to the heritage of our local area, including Seamus Keane and Paddy Lohan, and introduce people to the new digital storymap, which outlines 15 points of historical interest in the locality, and brings these to life through podcasts and short films. Admission is free and all are welcome.
“We look forward to meeting you in the school hall for this get-together.”
