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📣 ILLUSTRATED TALK: The Lifting Stone Tradition 🗓️ Saturday 6 September, 2pm-3pm
📌 Galway City Museum Education Room
Like Scotland, Iceland, and the Basque region, Ireland has a strong tradition of lifting large, cumbersome stones as a rite of passage to manhood. The tradition was particularly strong in Co. Galway and is recalled in Liam O’Flaherty’s 1937 short story ‘The Stone’ in which an old Aran islander perishes striving to lift the stone he once raised in the vigour of his youth. O’Flaherty wrote:
"It was a great day in each young man's life when he raised the stone from the ground and 'gave it wind’ as they said. And if he raised it to his knees, he was a champion, the equal of the best. And if he raised it to his chest, he was a hero, a phenomenon of strength and the men talked of him. Whereas, he who failed to lift it from the ground became the butt of everybody’s scorn. It had always been so, from the time of the most remote ancestors of the people."
Many lifting stones have survived along the Galway coast and those who lifted them are well remembered in local folklore.
🗣️ About the Speaker:
David Keohan - who hails from Waterford city and holds a kettlebell-lifting world record – has been on a mission to locate, lift and document lifting stones across Ireland and bring back this lost element of Irish culture. This talk will have a particular focus on Galway where the tradition appears strongest.
Here is David Keohan chatting to Tommy Tiernan about the Lifting Stone tradition:
Have you a story about the Lifting Tradition❓
David is eager to hear from people with any knowledge of lifting stones or lifting traditions in their locality. Come join David to learn more.
🎟️BOOK NOW!
The event is FREE, but advance booking is essential as places are limited. To book:
📞(091) 532460 / 📩[email protected]
Suitable for adults and young people aged 12+
Galway History with a View. Local Stories with Soul. Bígí linn!
#LiftingStone #LiftingTradition #galwaycitymuseum #galwayfolklore
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Spanish Parade, Galway, Ireland H91 CX5P, Ireland
Tickets
