Who we are:
The CEECC (Conamara Environmental Educational & Cultural Centre) was established in 1984 in Letterfrack National School by 3 local teachers with the objectives:
(1) to give the environment a high profile in our community
(2) to encourage people to get involved with the Arts
(3) to explore & conserve what is special about Connemara
(4) to explore a 'sense of place' and underpin the cultural richness and unique aspects of Conamara.
The CEECC runs a necklace of annual events starting with Bog Week in May/Jun, the Conamara Summer School in July, Conamara Sea Week in October culminating in the Mol an Oige Concerts on Dec 21st, which showcases the best of young talent throughout Connemara.
What we do:
Conamara Bog Week - 22nd May to June 1st 2015
Conamara Sea Week – 16th Oct to Oct 26th 2015
Both festivals have many aspects - a family fun day with great food and music, pub gigs, concerts in the Kylemore Abbey, art exhibition in Connemara National Park, a vibrant schools programme, demonstrations & workshops, guided daily treks across the landscape/seascape. Letterfrack becomes a pulsating village at festival time, where some of the finest poets, painters, musicians and scientists rub shoulders and make magic. Our 'After the Light' parade in Sea week is a spectacular family night time event involving hundreds of people. Come dressed up.
See last years programme
Some of our contributors to the festivals include– Luka Bloom, Mairtin O Connor, Sean Tyrrell, Sharon Shannon, Dorothy Cross, J Murphy, John Coll, Theo Dorgan, Mary O Malley, Paula Meehan.
We have also produced a number of music albums featuring the best of Connemara music in the company of friends who feature at the festivals such as Mairtin O Connor, Conor Keane, Mary Bergin & Josephine Marsh. Our latest CD – Connamara Magic, features Connemara Suite specially commissioned from Conor Keane. The album features over 40 young talented traditional musicians, singers & their music teachers. Launch date April 12th.
Last year we were delighted to celebrate our 30th anniversary and had the pleasure of President Micheal D Higgins officially opening our new Letterfrack Poetry Trail.
“I am delighted to be associated with the pioneering work of Conamara Environmental Educational & Cultural Centre. I congratulate them on their inspiring work”
President Michael D. Higgins Oct 2014
Why we need your support:
We have received funding from Leader & Arts Council. Unfortunately Leader will not be up and running until later in the year and the Arts Council is unable to fund us. So we enter the Fundit trail for the first time. Ours is a fragile, beautiful area with high unemployment & tiny business base, so without outside funding community non profit festivals like ours would not exist.
Awards we have won:
Taisce50, Better Ireland Award, Local Heroes Award, ESB Conservation Award, Iarnrod Eireann Award, Galway County Council Premier Arts Award, Galway County Council Heritage Award (Premier Award).