Tuam's heritage showcased in new walking trail

Ideas sought for use of old mill

A NEW map guiding locals and visitors along a walking heritage trail of Tuam was launched at the weekend.

The looped trail will begin and end at the Town Hall and will feature the miniature red Tuam chairs originally installed as part of a public art project in 2015. The leaflet featuring original artwork by Tuam artist Jennifer Cunningham was developed by Tuam Heritage group and aims to promote the town’s main heritage sites along the five-kilometre route while celebrating the iconic Tuam chair.

Eight small sculptural metal chairs have been installed in public places throughout the town. They are visible, but not accessible and are modelled on the three-legged chair, which has become an unofficial emblem of Tuam.

The trail was launched at the Tuam Mill for Heritage Week by local artist and member of the Friends of Tuam Heritage group, Midie Corcoran. Midie is also a descendent of the original millers in the town.

“The one good thing about not being able to meet inside the mill is that we are all gathered outside this historic building, admiring the magnificent red chair that is now placed upon one of its windows,” stated Midie.

“I’d like to think my ancestors are looking down upon it too, happy to see people enjoying the building. These replica chairs will showcase significant places around the town. We plan to create more in the future.”

The five-kilometre route takes people to some of the town’s many historic landmarks such as the Cathedral of the Assumption, St Mary’s Cathedral, Temple Jarlath, the Town Hall and the Little Mill.

The project came about after interest in the chair increased last year following a film produced by James Ryan and co-ordinated by the local heritage group. The three-legged chair has been manufactured in the town since the 1960s, but its design in Connacht is thought to date back to the 18th century.

It is still in production in Tuam, courtesy of John and Gabriel Blake of Corrib Crafts. The Friends of Tuam Heritage used this extra interest as a launching pad to create their new walking trail.

“I’d like to thank Galway County Council, especially Marie Mannion, the Heritage Officer, whose team offered us so much support. It was grants from them and the West Midlands Credit Union that made all this possible,” stated Helen Gillard from Friends of Tuam Heritage.

“I need to also pay tribute to the contributions of the members of the Tuam Men’s Shed, who created the replica chairs, and Jennifer Cunningham for the wonderful artwork in the leaflet. This is a great publication, which will be enjoyed by all who use it.”

The launch was preceded by a tree-planting ceremony organised by members of the Mill Museum Trust, honouring the life of the late Tuam historian Dr Tony Claffey, a member of the Trust since its creation in the 1970s.

Members of his family planted the tree in the corner of Rory O’Connor Park, a place that may been lost to redevelopment only for his interventions to preserve the area over the past few decades. Former Tuam Herald editor David Burke and Dr Riana O’Dwyer of the Mill Trust were among those to pay tribute to the late teacher and historian.

The event also saw Cllr Shaun Cunniffe, a member of the Mill Museum Trust, and Paul Mannion, an architect in charge of the conservation plan for the mill building, give updates on the future refurbishments of the mill and miller’s cottage.

Future challenge

“Our challenge is to see what we can use the mill for in the future. I could see it being partly opened for milling, alongside facilitating community events when refurbished,” Paul Mannion told The Tuam Herald.

“We visited a similar mill in Wales, where a woman was able to make products with just a fraction of the milling facilities being operational. We could easily replicate that should we get enough funding.

“It’s important that the decision on the building’s future is not just made by those working on the plan. Members of the community need to be consulted too. That’s what's great about events like today. I’ve already spoken to so many people here, who gave me their ideas,” he concluded.