Four heritage experts will deliver separate lectures on aspects of Mayo’s heritage each Wednesday at 8pm. The events are open to the public and admission is free.

The first lecture takes place on Wednesday 4th February, delivered by Professor Seamus Caulfield, former Professor of Archaeology, University College Dublin. His lecture is titled Belderrig 70 Years On.

Wednesday 11th February, Nature and Tradition as a Source of Inspiration, A Talk on Baskets will be delivered by Joe Hogan, Loch na Fooey, award-winning basket maker and author of Basket Making in Ireland.

Wednesday 18th  February, The Natural Heritage of Ballycroy National Park will be delivered by Sue Callaghan, District Conservation Officer,  Ballycroy National Park.

And Wednesday 25th February, Críostóir Mac Carthaigh, Archivist/ Collector in the UCD Centre for Irish Folklore, will speak about Boats, Fishing and Mayo’s Cultural Heritage.

GMIT lecturer Margaret O’Riordan says “Heritage Season at GMIT Castlebar will appeal to anyone with a general interest in heritage.  The lecture series reflects the diversity of heritage, both natural and cultural, from the earliest times right up to the present day. Everyone is most welcome, all events are free, and there is no requirement to book in advance.”

The GMIT lecture series will be formally launched by Mayo County Heritage Officer Deirdre Cunningham on Thursday 29th January at 5 pm in Seminar Room 1 in the Castlebar campus.

The launch will include a performance of poetry and piping and poet Sean Lysaght will read selections from his own poetry interspersed with traditional selections and compositions by uilleann piper Diarmaid Moynihan. 

Sean Lysaght, a lecturer in Heritage at GMIT, has published five collections of poetry. His most recent collection is The Mouth of a River (2007) published by The Gallery Press and his translation of some of Goethe’s work Venetian Epigrams was published in 2008.  Renowned uilleann piper, Diarmaid Moynihan has written music for many of the folk world’s leading artists including Lunasa, Flook and Mike McGoldrick. 

For further details, contact the college at 094-9025700 or email margaret.oriordan@gmit.ie