FORUM Connemara CLG

15/10/2026

Thinking about retirement or recently retired? Join us for a free and informative Retirement Planning Seminar in Clifden Town Hall on Tuesday 20th October from 9.30am to 3.00pm. Whether you're planning for retirement, have recently retired, or retired within the last 2 to 3 years, this event offers practical information, advice and support to help you make the most of this new chapter.
The seminar will cover: ✅ Pensions and financial planning
✅ Keeping active in retirement
✅ Nutrition and healthy ageing
✅ Mental wellbeing and wellbeing supports
✅ Opportunities and challenges in retirement
✅ Library services and community resources
✅ Social welfare entitlements

Expert speakers from financial services, healthcare, community organisations and public services will be on hand throughout the day. Lunch and refreshments provided. No booking necessary.

📅 Tuesday 20th October
🕤 9.30am to 3.00pm
📍 Clifden Town Hall, H71 AE09
🎟 Free Event

Please share with family members, friends, neighbours and colleagues who are approaching retirement or who have retired in the last few years. Everyone is welcome.

14/10/2026

FORUM Connemara is one of 49 Local Development Companies in Ireland. This is a short piece of film from our recent Local Development Companies Network conference "Bridging Policy, People and Place".

Ireland is experiencing profound change. Communities are facing challenges linked to inequality, climate transition, economic change, demographic shifts and social cohesion. We are uniquely positioned to connect national policy with local solutions, ensuring no community is left behind. Sincere thanks to filmmaker John Shanagher for his great work see www.johnshanagher.com

Tá FORUM ar cheann de 49 Cuideachta Forbartha Áitiúla in Éirinn. Is píosa gearr scannáin é seo ónár Líonra Cuideachtaí Forbartha Áitiúla le déanaí "Bridging Policy, People and Place". Tá athrú mór ag tarlú in Éirinn. Tá dúshláin roimh phobail a bhaineann le neamhionannas, aistriú aeráide, athrú eacnamaíoch, athruithe déimeagrafacha agus comhtháthú sóisialta. Táimid i riocht uathúil chun beartas náisiúnta a nascadh le réitigh áitiúla, ag cinntiú nach bhfágtar aon phobal ar gcúl. Buíochas ó chroí leis an scannánóir John Shanagher as a chuid oibre iontach féach www.johnshanagher.com

SICAP Connemara, Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme Dúlra Wild Goat Café Connemara Community Radio Connacht Tribune - Galway City Tribune Galway Bay FM Raidió na Gaeltachta (Oifigiúil) TG4

14/10/2026

Opportunity for artists at the Clifden Tourist Office 💡
SICAP Connemara, Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme Clifden Arts Festival Connemara Community Radio Connemara Chamber

Fáilte Ireland is pleased to invite applications for the temporary use of selected Tourist Information Office premises as creative workspace, exhibition space

14/10/2026

INTREO employers event on 20 October 2026 at Clifden Station House Hotel from 11.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.

13/10/2026

Join us for a Stitch & Chat Get Together every Friday morning from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM at Cloverfox, Letterfrack.

Whether you love crochet, knitting, or other crafts, come along for a relaxing morning of making while enjoying a cup of tea and a friendly chat.

Join us for a Stitch & Chat Get Together every Friday morning from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM at Cloverfox, Letterfrack.
Whether you love crochet, knitting, or other crafts, come along for a relaxing morning of making while enjoying a cup of tea and a friendly chat.
Event Details:
• Who it is for: Open to everyone. Beginners and non-stitchers are very welcome.
• What to bring: Bring your own materials if you have them. A small supply of free wool and needles will be available for beginners.
• Contact: To find out more, reach out to Mary at 085 8278947.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Connemara #

12/10/2026

📅 Thinking about retirement or recently retired?

Join us for a FREE Retirement Planning Seminar in Clifden Town Hall and learn how to plan for a healthy, active and financially secure retirement. Topics covered include pensions, nutrition, physical activity, wellbeing, social welfare entitlements and community resources.

📍 Clifden Town Hall, H71 AE09
📅 Tuesday 20th October
⏰ 9.30am to 3.00pm
🎟️ Free Event
☕ Tea, coffee, refreshments and lunch provided
📌 No booking necessary

The seminar features expert speakers from financial services, healthcare, mental wellbeing, community supports, Galway Sports Partnership, Galway Libraries, Citizens Information, and other organisations, providing practical information and advice for those approaching or enjoying retirement.

Supported by Healthy Ireland, this event is a great opportunity to connect with others, discover local services, and gain the knowledge needed to make the most of the years ahead.

Please share with family, friends and neighbours who may be interested.

09/10/2026

We're delighted to announce a win! In the National Age Friendly Award in the Community Innovation category! 🎉

This prestigious award recognises the positive impact of our Memory Cafés in supporting people living with dementia, their families, friends and carers across Connemara.

Our Memory Cafés bring information, friendship and peer support into the heart of local communities, helping to reduce social isolation, break down the stigma surrounding dementia and promote positive brain health. 💜

We are particularly proud that this award recognises the difference these initiatives are making to the lives of vulnerable people and those who support them.

A huge thank you to our dedicated staff, volunteers, our key partners Galway County Council, Healthy Galway County, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, HSE Ireland and SICAP Connemara, Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, most importantly, everyone who attends and supports our Memory Cafés. This award belongs to all of you! 👏

Featured from left to right: Liam Conneally (CEO Galway County Council), Kathleen Aspell (cafe facilitator), Adele Rankin (Galway County Council), Karen Mannion (CEO FORUM Connemara), Cllr Andrew Reddington (Cathaoirleach - Galway County Council), Michael Owens (Galway County Council) and Kieran Coyne (Galway County Council).

Together, we're building more inclusive, supportive and age-friendly communities across Connemara.



🎉 Tá an-áthas orainn a fhógairt go bhfuil gradam buaite againn! Gradam Náisiúnta Aoisbhá Éireann sa chatagóir Nuálaíocht Pobail! 🏆

Aithníonn an gradam mór le rá seo an tionchar dearfach atá ag ár gCaiféanna Cuimhne maidir le tacú le daoine atá ag maireachtáil le néaltrú, lena dteaghlaigh, lena gcairde agus lena gcúramóirí ar fud Chonamara.

Tugann ár gCaiféanna Cuimhne eolas, cairdeas agus tacaíocht ó dhaoine atá sa chás céanna isteach i gcroílár na bpobal áitiúil. Cuidíonn siad le haonrú sóisialta a laghdú, leis an stiogma a bhaineann le néaltrú a bhriseadh síos agus le dea-shláinte na hinchinne a chur chun cinn. 💜

Táimid thar a bheith bródúil go n-aithníonn an gradam seo an difríocht atá á déanamh ag na tionscnaimh seo i saol daoine leochaileacha agus na ndaoine a thugann aire agus tacaíocht dóibh.

Míle buíochas lenár bhfoireann dhíograiseach, lenár n-oibrithe deonacha agus lenár bpríomh-chomhpháirtithe: Comhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe, Contae na Gaillimhe Sláintiúil (Healthy Galway County), Cumann Alzheimer na hÉireann, FSS Éireann agus SICAP Chonamara (An Clár um Chuimsiú Sóisialta agus Gníomhachtú Pobail).

Thar aon ní eile, gabhaimid buíochas le gach duine a fhreastalaíonn ar ár gCaiféanna Cuimhne agus a thacaíonn leo. Is libhse go léir an gradam seo! 👏

Sa ghrianghraf, ó chlé go deas: Liam Conneally (Príomhfheidhmeannach Chomhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe), Kathleen Aspell (Éascaitheoir Caifé Cuimhne), Adele Rankin (Comhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe), Karen Mannion (Príomhfheidhmeannach FORUM Chonamara), an Comhairleoir Andrew Reddington (Cathaoirleach Chomhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe), Michael Owens (Comhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe) agus Kieran Coyne (Comhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe).

Le chéile, táimid ag tógáil pobail níos cuimsithí, níos tacúla agus níos aoisbháúla ar fud Chonamara.

09/10/2026

📸 LAST CALL FOR PHOTOS! 🗓️

We’re putting together the 2027 FORUM Youth in Action Calendar and need your help!
Do you have old photos capturing life in Connemara? Dig out those albums and shoeboxes and share your memories with us!

📅 Deadline: Monday, 12th October

Submit your photos by email to [email protected] or drop them into the FORUM office.

09/10/2026

🌾 FREE FARMER HEALTH CHECKS 🌾

FORUM Connemara and Croí invite farmers and members of the farming community to take advantage of free health checks and wellbeing advice at Clifden Mart.

📅 Sunday 11th October
📍 Clifden Mart
🕛 12:00pm - 3:00pm

✅ Blood Pressure Checks
✅ Heart Health Screening
✅ General Health Information
✅ Health & Wellbeing Advice
✅ Confidential and Free

Farmers are great at looking after their livestock, land, and machinery, but often put their own health last. Take a few minutes to prioritise your wellbeing and get a free health check from the experts.

No appointment necessary. Drop in anytime between 12:00pm and 3:00pm.

🚜 Mind your health. Stay fit for farming.

Hosted by FORUM Connemara in partnership with Croí.

💚🌾🚜❤️

08/10/2026

Café Evening: An Informal Space to Meet New Friends
Join us for a relaxed, over-18s evening at The Wild Goat Café in Letterfrack. Help us spread the word to anyone you know who could do with a fun evening out of the house! This free event is the perfect opportunity to grab a coffee, chat, and connect with people in the community.
We will have a selection of casual classic and Lets face it) daft but fun, icebreaker board games to help get the conversation started. Attendees can also design, pack, and take home their own custom Kilner jar filled with delicious homemade cookies.
Event Details:
• Date: Thursday, October 15th
• Time: 7:00 PM
• Location: The Wild Goat Café, Letterfrack, H91 CD45 (Across from Ellis Hall)
• Cost: Free
Places are strictly limited. To reserve your spot, please text Eithne at 085 179 79 59.
Supported by FORUM Connemara CLG and the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP).
FORUM Connemara CLG