Heritage and history collide in South Galway

Gort Family and Community Resource Centre is hosting a series of events in the coming weeks including a walking tour of Gort’s historical and heritage highlights and a men’s Burren walk.

In celebration of Bealtaine Festival 2012, Gort FRC is hosting a guided walk of some of the town’s highlights using its intergenerational project book Gort Through The Ages.
“This came from an intergenerational project we held here in the centre. We had input from the schools and older people and really we just listened to people.
“From that, we did a booklet of places of historical interest in the area, of folklore and of local remedies and things.
“We made a booklet of it and we are now using the booklet as the basis for this walk to show people what is here in the town.
“We are keen for people of all ages to be able to take part and one of our board members is working on making this walk accessible and manageable,” explained Trish Thompson, development worker.
This walk takes place next Wednesday starting at 2pm from the Gort FRC on Church Street. Refreshments will follow in the centre.
The centre is also organising a men’s Burren walk on Thursday. This will be a guided walk of the Burren led by local historian and expert Patrick McCormack and will be followed by a light lunch provided by his wife Cheryl in their home at the Fr Ted house. Lunch and transport is provided free of charge but places are limited.
“The development worker here before me, Frank, really set the ball rolling in this area, trying to organise events for men.
“One thing we did before was we set up a wood-turning course and had a great response to that.
“We have found a lot of men enjoy this type of thing because it gives them a chance to talk shoulder to shoulder.
“These events are great for meeting people and just getting out and about and feeling part of a community,” Trish explained.
“The reason we have arranged this particular event is because Frank knows Patrick and he told us that his knowledge of the history of the area is beyond comparison. He is a fantastic. His wife, Cheryl is also very generously offering lunch so this is really a targeted event.
Numbers are limited and we want to fill the bus so if people think this might be something they would be interested in doing, just get in touch.
“This is tailor made for men and is something that is geared to their interests,” she continued.
The centre is also holding a new five-week computer course specifically aimed at people seeking employment. It starts on Thursday, May 31.
Topics covered include email, web searching, Government services, digital photography and Skype.
For further information contact the Gort Family and Community Resource Centre on 091 630902.