Action-packed Week of Welcomes for diaspora

SOUTH-East Galway is preparing to welcome in the region of 30 people of Irish heritage back to the area as part of this year’s 2012 Week of Welcomes.
People from around the world, who have family or ancestral links to the area, will take part in a number of events organised by the South-East Galway Chapter of the Ireland Reaching Out programme between this Sunday and Saturday, June 30.
The Week of Welcomes is an integral part of the Ireland XO programme and provides an opportunity for people of Irish heritage to explore their past and connect with the people and places of their forefathers.
While last year the week was organised by Ireland XO officials, this week is organised by the parishes for their own diaspora and affords an opportunity to meet in a place of common ancestry, with which a deep and real connection is shared.
This year’s event kicks off with a welcome reception in the Lady Gregory in Gort on Sunday, where the newly-elected Lord Mayor of County Galway, Tom Welby, will greet the guests who this year are travelling from as far away as USA and New Zealand.
The event continues next Monday with a This Is Who You Are day, where guests will tour the parishes from which their forebears emigrated and visit ancestral graveyards, churches, schools and maybe even find a long-lost cousin or two.
Organisers have planned an action-packed week of tours, events and activities for the visitors, showcasing the best that South-East Galway has to offer. Among the highlights of the week are tours of Aughrim, Coole Park, Woodville House in Kilchreest, Kilmacduagh Monastery, Kiltartan Gregory Museum, Portumna Workhouse and Castle and Rathbawn Farm.
It will also include a tour and historical lecture in Galway City and a reception at the civic offices, a River Shannon Cruise and visit to Clonmacnoise, special events such as the opening of the Great Outdoors Festival in Portumna Castle, a Pig ‘n’ Porter night in Kilconnell and a Country Market in Eyrecourt.
The week will culminate with a visit to Killimor for a hurley-making demonstration, followed by the Inaugural Patrick Larkin Memorial Hurling Tournament between teams from Kiltormer and Killimor and a farewell dinner in the Loughrea Spa Hotel.
“The Week of Welcomes is an absolutely unique, personal and intimate experience for all involved and everyone is welcome to join in the fun. Full details of the week, including venues and times, can be found on the website under www.irelandxo.com/wow2012/schedule.
“Anyone interested in attending any of the events or activities, can get in touch with the Ireland XO office in Loughrea for full details on 091 842013,” said Dolores O’Shea from Ireland XO.