Tuam faces are among Galway’s Local Heroes
A NUMBER of Tuam faces are among this year’s Galway Positive Ageing Local Heroes who will feature in an exhibition touring the county this month.
The heroes are being recognised for their ongoing contributions to their communities as part of Positive Ageing Week.
Louise McLaughlin, Head of COPE Galway’s Senior Support Service said this year’s heroes are truly young at heart. “We were thrilled to meet 27 remarkable individuals from across Galway city and county, who see age as only a number and believe in staying young at heart. They are prime examples of the benefits of keeping active and socially connected,” remarked Louise.
From Tuam, former public representative Martin Ward worked for many years in Brú Bhríde in the town and has led and managed an array of community initiatives from health care and early childhood education to youth outreach and adult education.
In 2000, he was appointed Mayor of Tuam — the first Traveller to hold that position.
“Age is just a number. You’re only as old as you think you are and I’m 20,” remarked Martin.
Well-known shop owner Eamonn Geraghty is another Tuam man on the Local Heroes’ list. The 76-year-old started working in his family’s clothes shop in 1967 and continues to work from 7am to 6pm, six days a week.
A lifelong pioneer, Eamonn never drank, enjoys fishing, is passionate about the GAA, and values community connections, helping set up Tuam’s first youth club in 1965.
Eamonn finds joy in family, travel, and simple pleasures, believing good health is most important.
“As long as I can get out of bed in the morning and walk, I will keep going. I love meeting people. I love meeting the country people,” shared Eamon.
Another of the heroes from Tuam is 87-year-old Owen Durkan, a master craftsman who was a founding member of Tuam Men’s Shed in 2013, which he attends every day. He is a self-taught woodturner and recently made a specially crafted model of the Tuam Broken Wheel that will be presented to Pope Leo XIV.
During his years in the Garda Síochána, he was involved in many community projects, including the setting up of a youth centre in Tuam and the building of the Scout Hall. He has a wonderful memory and loves to regale his fellow members with stories about people and places.
Owen remarked: “I learned wood turning at aged 75, I do crosswords and play 25. An old man once told me ‘All you can do about the past is learn from it, all you can do about the present is your best and all you can do about the future is hope’.”
Michael Owens, Director of Services, Galway County Council, commented, “Older people bring so much experience, wisdom, and energy, and it’s important we recognise that. Galway County Council is proud to support this initiative and to help highlight the ways people of all ages make our communities stronger and more connected.”
The local heroes exhibition will tour Galway city and county over the next few weeks, starting with Galway City Library this week.
For dates/venues for the exhibition, visit www.copegalway.ie/positiveageingweek.