Timeline of Key Events
September 10, 2018 After being redesigned four times and submitted to Galway County Council, planning permission for our community services and leisure building was granted in June 2016. After grants and tendering processes building works finally began early this month and are underway. The centre will include both home and away changing rooms, public toilets, a gym and general amenities space among other things. When the project is completed, the community will have…
July 10, 2018 This year, Seisiún took place in the Teach Ceoil for the 45th summer with a group of talented local musicians, singers and dancers. The group were extremely happy to present a token of their appreciation to Michael O’Neill who was the producer and organiser of Seisiún for 44 years in the Teach Ceoil and prior to that in the Marian Hall in Tullycross. Michael’s wife May was presented with a…
November 10, 2017 The Áras an Uachtaráin, President Michael D Higgins, visited the GMIT Letterfrack on Friday 10th November to mark the 30th anniversary of the partnership between GMIT (Official) and Connemara West Plc. This partnership has been responsible for the establishment of Ireland’s leading education and training facility for furniture design, wood technology and teacher education. Over that time more than 1,300 graduates have emerged from the campus which was designated The…
July 1, 2017 It was summer time in 1977 when The Teach Ceoil opened its doors for the first time. Now in 2017, it celebrates its 40th year of welcoming guests from all over the world to experience all that is Traditional Irish Music and Culture. As the home of Seisiún, the Teach Ceoil has provided it’s visitors with countless nights of entertainment and fun!
November 29, 2016 In June 2016, planning permission was granted to build a new education centre in Tullycross that will contain a 50-seat auditorium; a wifi-enabled learning hub/library; group study/breakout rooms; video conferencing facilities; conference room and a coffee dock. The development also includes a major refurbishment and renovation of the nine thatched cottages in Tullycross to provide residential accommodation for the education centre.
November 28, 2016 Diamond Hill Housing Association had campaigned since 1999 for the housing scheme, the first 13 units of which were completed in 2016.
November 29, 2014 President Michael D Higgins and Sabina Higgins visited GMIT Letterfrack, Connemara West and Connemara Sea week for a wonderful day of celebration.
November 28, 2014 GMIT Letterfrack first third level green campus in Co Galway awarded a green flag for its approach to environmental education, management and action.
November 28, 2013 Aquinas College, Grand Rapids celebrates 40 years of its Study Abroad Programme in Tullycross.
November 30, 2012 Connemara West celebrates 40 years in community development with a visit from President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins and his wife, Sabina. The President addressed the Irish Rural Link Conference in Ellis Hall and met with the directors of Connemara West.
November 28, 2012 The Letterfrack astro turf pitch opens in September 2012 with the support of Connemara West. Measuring 60m x 35m floodlit pitch is the first community amenity of its type in the Connemara West area.
November 28, 2011 Letterfrack hosts the IAU (International Association of Ultrarunners)World Trail Championships. Having the resources and skills in place to be able to host an international event of this kind was a major achievement for a small community.
November 29, 2008 Copies of this pictorial history of 50 years of community development in the Parish of Ballinakill 1957-2007 can be purchased from the Publications section of the website.
November 28, 2007 The Renvyle Comhaltas group, in partnership with Connemara West plc, organised this highly successful event for two years in a row.
November 28, 2006 President McAleese visited The Furniture College – GMIT Letterfrack, Forum Connemara and Connemara West in June 2016.
May 19, 2006 Tigh na nÓg provides full day-care, pre-school and after-school services to children from the North Connemara area throughout the year. Opened in 2006, it now provides a childcare solution for more than 50 families from the local community. Contact Caroline Heanue on 095-41908 for further information on the services provided at Tigh na nÓg.
November 28, 2005 Put a bit of context here – how many students signed up, what was the benefit for Letterfrack and the wider area?
November 28, 2002 O’Donnell & Tuomey Architects win the RIAI and RIBA awards for the design of the new buildings in the Connemara West Centre.
November 28, 2001 The newly designed buildings commissioned by Connemara west win the Premier Award for Excellence in Architectural Design 2001.
May 19, 1999 Established in 1999, Conservation Letterfrack provides a conservation and restoration service throughout Ireland for furniture, wooden artefacts and architectural woodwork. It also acts as advisors for conservation or restoration projects and counts the National Museum, the Courts Service, Limerick Civic Trust and Castletown House Foundation among its clients. It also offers short courses in all aspects of furniture conservation / restoration.
November 28, 1998 Connemara west founds this community/statutory managed community development project for the Connemara region.
November 28, 1995 Connemara Community Radio takes to the airwaves
January 1, 1987 Since 1987, Connemara West plc has partnered with GMIT Letterfrack to deliver honours degree programmes specialising in Furniture Design and Manufacture; Furniture and Wood Technology; Teacher Education. GMIT Letterfrack is the National Centre of Excellence for Furniture Design and Wood Technology.
January 1, 1980 Since 1980, Connemara West has provided a range of office services to the public such as colour printing up to and including A3; photocopying; faxing; ring/slide binding; laminating; e-mailing; scanning.
May 19, 1978 Connemara West plc purchased St Joseph’s Industrial School, Letterfrack in 1978. The complex now accommodates a range of community and public service facilities, which promote the development of the region. It is also home to a number of Connemara West plc partners, including GMIT Letterfrack Furniture College, Connemara Community Radio, Foscadh / Diamond Hill Housing Association Ltd., Tigh na nÓg Community Creche and Conservation Letterfrack. The former industrial school building…
May 19, 1977 Established in 1977, the Teach Ceoil in Tully village is a centre for Irish culture, particularly traditional music, song and dance. It hosts music, song and dance classes throughout the year. Each Tuesday evening during July and August, the cream of local Irish musicians, singers and dancers perform as part of Seisiún.
May 19, 1971 The holiday accommodation scheme of nine traditional thatched cottages was the first Connemara West plc project. Built in 1971, the cottages are located in the village of Tullycross and are rented to tourists visiting the picturesque Connemara area during the summer season.
Work begins on Community Services and Leisure Centre in Letterfrack
Michael O’Neill retires as producer of Seisiún
Connemara West & GMIT Letterfrack’s 30th Anniversary
Teach Ceoil Celebrates its 40th Birthday!
Launch of Residential International Education Centre inTullycross
13 Social Houses completed in Letterfrack
Visit by President Michael D Higgins and Mrs Higgins to Letterfrack
Green Campus GMIT Letterfrack awarded green flag
Aquinas celebrates 40 years in Tullycross
Connemara West celebrates 40 years in Community Development
Letterfrack astro turf pitch opens
Letterfrack hosts the IAU World Trail Championships
‘A Patchwork of Dreams’ published
Letterfrack hosts Galway County Fleadh
Visit by President Mary McAleese to Letterfrack
Tigh na nÓg Community Creche
GMIT Letterfrack launches B.Sc. Hons in Design and Technology Education
National Award for Connemara West Centre
O’Donnell & Tuomey win Downes Medal AAI (Premier Award)
Conservation Letterfrack
Forum Connemara Ltd launched
Connemara Community Radio
GMIT Letterfrack
Office Services
Connemara West Centre
Teach Ceoil
Renvyle Thatched Cottages
