Harmony and Heritage: A Milltown Tribute

To mark heritage week 2024, a commemorative Mass in honour of Fr Liam O’Beirn, a noted Gaelic scholar and writer from Carrownageeha will be celebrated in Milltown Church on the 25th August at 10am. A chalice presented to Fr O'Beirn will be displayed during the Mass. Following this Mass, you are invited to attend the official launch of the opening of Milltown Community Museum taking place at 11am in Milltown Community Centre. There will also be two presentations on the day:

From Milltown to Brooklyn: Mícheál Ó Lócháin and An Gaodhal, the world's first Irish language newspaper by Deirdre Ni Chonghaile: This talk remembers Milltown native Mícheál Ó Lócháin (Curraghderry) and celebrates his achievements in establishing, editing, and printing An Gaodhal from 1881 to 1898 in Brooklyn, USA. An Gaodhal reflected the cultural interests of Irish speakers in New York, Ireland, and the wider diaspora; Irish American life; New York history; and the development of the Irish language during the Celtic Revival period.

Milltown Musicscape by Áine Ni Shioradain: Áine explores aspects of the Conlon family members’ musical and life journeys, with particular attention to the Conlon Box displayed in the museum at Milltown. She will present some local songs which were in vogue 130 years ago, at the time of Fr O Beirn’s ordination-songs collected for The Maigh Seola collection by Tuam woman Eileen Costello and sung by local women, Mrs McGagh, Kilgevrin and Mrs Dolan, Milltown.

The Conlon Family Exhibition will be on display. Refreshments provided. All welcome.