CONAMARA SEA WEEK 2009

 

"Looking Back on 25 Years"

Over the years the Conamara Sea Week ‘Conference’ (more a gathering) has thrown up an extraordinary eclectic mix of speakers from many disciplines and many parts of the world. This birthday celebration presents a representative sample of the various gatherings which took place over the last 25years.

 

 

CONTRIBUTORS

 

Dr. Simon Berrow

Dr. Simon Berrow has been working on whales and dolphins in Ireland since 1989 and is co-ordinator of the Irish Whale & Dolphin Group.  He has considerable knowledge on the conservation issues facing Ireland and works towards assisting the Irish government fulfil its obligations.

 

Title of talk: ‘Irish Whale and Dolphin Group - the story so far.’

 

 

Doug Allen

Doug Allan is a world famous wildlife camera man who has filmed all over the world from poles to the tropics – well known for his work on the BBC series ‘Planet Earth’. Doug and his partner Sue have a house in Conamara and their warm generous presence is a great addition to our area.

 

Title of talk: ‘A life behind the camera.’

 

 

Dawson Stellfox

On May 27, 1993, J. Dawson Stellfox became the first Irish man
to reach the summit of Mount Everest and is past president and current Board Member of Mountaineering Ireland. When Dawson is not climbing mountains he works as an outstanding architect with a special interests in vernacular architecture.

 

Title of talk: ‘A view from on high’.   

 

 

Tom Lawlor

Tom Lawlor is an amazing Irish Photographer with an international reputation. Hugely impressive CV, well known broadcaster, guest speaker and a regular on Newstalk and Marian Finnucan show, worked as a photojournalist with the Irish Times for 17 years.

 

Title of talk: ‘Reeling in the years’.

 

 

Marguerite McCurtain

The reclusive Marguerite McCurtain is an inveterate traveller and outstanding broadcaster. Her insatiable curiosity has led her to many exotic locations on the planet but she remains firmly connected to her Island roots on Inishbofin where she is proud to be a member of the Day Clann.

 

Title of talk: ‘Still travelling after all these years’.

 

 

Faith Wilson, Fiona O’Farrell & Eithne Griffin

 

Faith Wilson (ecologist) will bring you on a whirlwind tour of
some of the best whale watching destinations in the world including Ireland, South Africa, Iceland, Costa Rica and Baja Mexico where she encountered the largest living animal on earth – the blue whale.

 

Fiona O’Farrell (artist and special needs teacher) will inspire you with a sense of South East Asia and it’s beautiful people, landscape and crafts following her travels through Burma, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.

 

Eithne Griffin (artist) will share some of her recent travels in South Africa where she made a documentary on the traditional Sangoma healers, which inspired her latest works on cloth.

 

Title of talk: ‘Women and travel’.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael Gorman

Elusive Sligo born award winning poet. Has been director of the
International Writers Summer School at NUIG for many years.
Also editor of various collections and author of ‘Postcards from
Galway’, ‘Waiting for the Sky to Fall’ and ‘Up She Flew’. Casts a
sharp eye on life.

 

Eva Bourke

Originally from Germany but has long since lived in Galway. Her
poetry is full of magic and possibility. A number of collections
under her belt, ‘The Latitude of Naples’ is her latest collection.
Eva can be heard on our latest CD.

 

Moya Cannon

Donegal born award winning poet lives in Galway. Her works include
‘Oar’, ‘The Parchment Boat’ and ‘Carrying the Songs’.  Moya was editor of Poetry Ireland and is a member of Aosdána.

 

Mary O’Malley

Conamara born award winning poet.  Mary has produced a significant body of work and has five books published.  Mary’s latest collection is A Perfect V.  A member of Aosdána. 

 

Deirdre Herbert

Singer/actress and a regular guest at our various festivals in Letterfrack.  Deirdre’s fine singing can be heard on the album ‘Between the Jigs and Reels’.  A consummate performer.

 

Conor Keane

A Co. Clare box player and one of the finest trad players in the
country.  Has a number of albums under his belt – ‘Cooleys
House’, ‘Oidhreacht’ and ‘Joao de Deus’.  He has also played with
‘Arcady’ and ‘Four Men and a Dog’.  As well as being a great
player he is also a fine composer and his work can be heard on
our new CD.

  

Venue: Letterfrack National School

Time: 10.30am

Date: 24th – 25th – 26th October

Cost: €50.00