Claregalway Historical & Cultural Society Membership

Claregalway Historical & Cultural Society was founded in 1991 with the aim of encouraging and improving the appreciation, knowledge and preservation of the area’s rich historical, cultural and archaeological heritage. In 2022 we are seeking to expand our membership in the community. If you are interested in becoming a member, email us here with your name, address, mobile number, and email address.

Out enjoying the sunshine

Like so many other charities and clubs, our society has been severely affected by the pandemic. The museum has been closed for long periods and our income has been wiped out in the past two years. We have paid our bills thanks to a small reserve of cash built up over the previous years. With no guarantee of any fundraising activities in 2022 we are hoping for an increase in membership numbers to help pay the bills.

Despite the pandemic we embarked on an exciting new project in 2021 entitled Minor Placenames of the Parish of Claregalway in conjunction with Dr. Enda O Flaherty, a Cork based archaeologist who is a native of Cloon.

New members will be welcome to attend our monthly meetings and our A.G.M. and will have free admission to the museum/forge (Guided tours can be arranged through any committee member). If you are interested in becoming a member, email us here with your name, address, mobile number, and email address.

About us

The main achievements of the Society to date are:

• Publication of Claregalway Parish History 750 Years (1999)
• Publication of Claregalway Parish History Pictorial (2002)
• Restoration of the old blacksmith’s forge (2007)
• Construction of Claregalway Museum (2014)

Our museum, which was opened in 2014, was built at a cost of €140,000 and thanks to a grant from Comhar na nOileáin, local sponsorship, public donations and parish fundraising it is completely debt free. The museum is open to the public Wednesday to Friday 10.00 –16.00 Members of CH&CS are admitted free of charge to the museum/forge. The Society is a Registered Charity (RCN 20104214) and submits accounts annually to the Charities Regulator

The committee members (2021) of CH&CS are:
Pat Coen, Cregboy (Chairperson); Brendan Noonan, Lakeview (Secretary/Treasurer); Seamus O Connell, Cloonbiggeen; Sean Concannon, Montiagh; Michael Hession, Cahergowan; Seoirse Morris, Cregboy; Niall Devitt, Lakeview; P. J. Duggan, Montiagh; Annie Hession, Claregalway; Marie Dempsey, Cregboy.

If you are interested in becoming a member, email us here with your name, address, mobile number, and email address.