Trojan restoration work is showcased at historic garden
Volunteers are bringing history to life in Mountbellew
VISITORS to Mountbellew enjoyed a great day of exploring the local history and heritage with a trip to the Living Bog and a walk around the historic Walled Garden.
Three local groups including Mountbellew Vintage Club, Mountbellew Heritage & Tourism Network and Galway’s Living Bog came together to mark National Heritage Day while offering a unique insight into the remnants of Mountbellew’s past.
Visitors took part in a guided walk of Carrownagappul Bog (Galway’s Living Bog) where they were introduced to “one of Ireland’s most precious and endangered landscapes”.
Galway’s Living Bog is one of the 12 sites which has been restored under Ireland’s Living Bog Project and designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
One of the participants, Patricia Mitchell told The Tuam Herald that the walk was really insightful, as they got to witness and understand “the history and the complicated ecosystem of these landscapes”.
She felt it was a great experience for her and the other visitors who joined the walk.
“There were a lot of other people from UK and America, who were really interested in these landscapes,” she remarked.
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JIMMY Noone talks at the Heritage day in Mountbellew Photo by RAY RYANImage 2 of 6
EUGENE Crehan and Michael Joe Cunningham members Mountbellew Vintage Cl;ub with a steam roller Photo by RAY RYANImage 3 of 6
THE restored bell at the top of the entrance gates to the walled garden. Photo by RAY RYANImage 4 of 6
CHRISTINA Higgins, Pauline Gavin, Mary Burke, Geraldine Noone, Kathleen Gavin and Lucy Wallace, at the Heritage day in Mountbellew Photo by RAY RYANImage 5 of 6
JOAN and Denis McHugh with their daughter Denise at the Heritage day in Mountbellew Photo by RAY RYANImage 6 of 6
PARTICIPANTS enjoyed the restored walkway around the walled garden. Photo by RAY RYANThe Bog Walk was followed by an informative talk and visit to Mountbellew’s historic Walled Garden, parts of which have been restored by the volunteers of Mountbellew Heritage & Tourism Network.
President of the group Jimmy Noone addressed the crowd informing them about the conservation works carried out on the 4.2 acres of garden, which was originally used as a vegetable garden by the Bellew family.
The group has successfully refurbished the high walls surrounding the garden and most of the original pathways - now making a 700 meter walking trail.
“The garden consisted of vegetable patches along with a glass house with furnace and heating system,” stated Mr Noone.
They have also restored the bell hanging over the main iron gate. “The bell was used to tell the workers to hide when special guests were visiting,” he explained.
The visitors were also brought around to see some of the old fruit trees including a peach tree that has been in the garden for over 100 years.
Along with the walks, a special display of vintage tractors, cars and a 1924 Porter F-Type steam roller were put together right outside the Walled Garden by the Mountbellew Vintage Club.
Decommissioned in 1955, the steam roller has been preserved by the group and is currently undergoing a restoration process too.
“We have most of the restoration done, just a few more bits and bobs and it will be fit to go,” explained Eugene Crehan.
It was fascinating to see the machinery up close and understand the mechanism behind steam engines and how the steering was controlled by thick iron chains.
Another visitor John Hansberry from Tuam believes that events like these are a great way to reconnect with the local history.
“I am interested in the heritage and it’s great to see the work they have done on the garden,” he said.