Autumn day trip to Kylemore Abbey enjoyed by Mayo Genealogy Group

Members and friends of Mayo Genealogy Group went on an autumn outing to the historic Kylemore Abbey in Co. Galway on September 15 last.

The group enjoyed a presentation on the history of the area, the story of Margaret and Mitchell Henry and later the coming of the Benedictine Sisters.

The party also visited the Neo Gothic church and the Victorian walled garden. Afterwards they enjoyed a light lunch at the Kylemore Restaurant.

As part of the return journey, the group visited Letterfrack Parish Church and made a poignant visit to the cemetery of the boys who died in Letterfrack Industrial School.

Later they enjoyed their evening dinner at Leenane Hotel before returning home.

All who travelled would like to thank Mary Corrigan for organising the trip, the staff at Kylemore and Leenane Hotel, and David, the bus driver. Overall it was a very enjoyable day.

Meanwhile, seanfhocails and pishogues were the theme of the Culture Night event held by Mayo Genealogy Group at the Social Services Centre in Castlebar this year. In addition there was music, storytelling, sean nos singing and loads of food and treats for all involved.

Many thanks to the BataFada Pipe Band and the Four and Nines Group for the music, and also to traditional singers Aoife and Caoimhe Halligan, story tellers Ken Lyons and Pat Naughton, and Paddy Walsh and Sean Leach. Sharing the seanfhocails and pishogues were Ann Cresham and Mary Corrigan.

The only downside was that the night was too short as everybody really enjoyed themselves.

Mayo Genealogy Group would like to thank the Social Services Centre for providing the room, all the musicians, singers, storytellers and reciters, and all the members of the group who provided the food and treats. Everyone is looking forward to next year already.