Galway Advertiser 2007/2007_06_09/GA_0906_E1_007R.pdf 

Extracted text

JUNE 14 2007

www.galwayadvertiser.ie

in summer

7R

Galway east - the place to be for summer '07
As summer approaches, Galway east is set to come alive with a variety of festivals and events taking place throughout the region. Highly anticipated is the launch of Galway east wayfinding: an exciting new project funded by Failte Ireland and Galway County Council and produced by Galway East Tourism. This project will feature architectural walking tours and ecclesiastical driving tours throughout Galway east. The six main towns in east Galway; Tuam, Ballinasloe, Athenry, Loughrea, Gort, and Portumna will each be the focus of its own architectural walking tour, where visitors and locals will be able to download from the web free audio narrations describing the architecture and history of the towns, and follow an architectural trail of the respective towns using a free map. The ecclesiastical tours will feature CD and web audio of the main churches, priories, and friaries in the region, including Kilmacduagh and Ross Errilly Friary. Galway east is known to be home to some of the richest and most diverse natural habitats in the country, and this is being celebrated throughout the summer with a series of nature walks, talks, and events being run through the People & Nature Biodiversity Project. Events will include with a bat walk at Thoor Ballylee - once home of WB Yeats - on July 5 and a family nature day at Portumna Castle on August 26. Also on August 26, Athenry is holding its Walled Town Festival to celebrate the unique medieval features of Athenry. This will be reflected in a day of family fun involving medieval reenactments, falconry, and traditional arts and crafts.