Lough Gur goes virtual for unique online Webinar

RTE presenter Kathryn Thomas, pictured here with Kate Harrold, was enchanted by the beauty of Lough Gur when she recorded a programme segment there earlier this year

By John Barrett
You may not be in a position to visit Lough Gur just right now due to the current restrictions but a panel of special guest speakers will bring Lough Gur to you through a unique online webinar event on Monday night, 16th November.
Guest speakers including Dr Billy Mag Fhloinn, John Moran, Dr Matthew Potter and Rose Cleary will extol the history and beauty of the famous County Limerick lake in the webinar, enhanced by a stunning backdrop of rolling imagery and videos of Lough Gur.
So wherever you may live – Australia, London, Japan or Bruff, you will able join from the comfort of home.
Simply purchase an event ticket for €10, sit back, relax and listen to expert speakers for an hour and a half, from 7pm to 8.30pm on the 16th November.

The speakers
Rose Cleary is former head of archaeology in University College Cork and author of The Archaeology of Lough Gur, a publication covering over 150 years of research and information relating to the lake and its wonderful history. Rose comes from long line of archaeology professors from UCC, including Seán P. O’Riordáin and M. J. O’Kelly, who spent a lifetime studying Lough Gur to unearth its past.
Rose will lay foundations to open this event and summarise the true importance of Lough Gur, a Limerick site that is often overlooked.

Lough Gur finds
Matthew Potter is Curator of Limerick Museum and Honorary Fellow of the Department of History of the University of Limerick. He has published sixteen books and numerous articles with a primary focus on the history and heritage of Limerick and the history of local government. Matthew has spent considerable time delving into the Limerick Museum collections to uncover Lough Gur finds that will be revealed on during the webinar.

The Hunt connection
As chairman of the Hunt Museum, John Moran, will join the online event to consider the multiple values of our heritage with particular reference to the connection between John Hunt and Lough Gur. John is perhaps best known for his role as Secretary General at the Department of Finance during the bailout years and for establishing a road map for a post-crisis Ireland. He is currently chair of Ireland’s Land Development Agency – set up to ensure the provision of affordable homes and better management of state-owned land.
John is also a trained lawyer and banker.

Questions answered
Billy Mag Fhloinn will act as compere. A native of Limerick, he holds a PhD in Irish folklore, and a B.A. in archaeology, from University College Dublin. Billy is a university lecturer specialising in folklore and folk belief, archaeology and religion.
Kate Harrold, manager of Lough Gur Heritage Centre and Lakeshore Park, will also be online to answer any questions that you may have relating to Lough Gur. Kate has a BA in Heritage Studies, MBA from the University of Limerick and Advanced Diploma in Environmental and Planning Law from King’s Inns.

First in a series
This initiative is organised by Lough Gur Development, a not for profit community organisation with assistance from the Department of Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht.
This is the first of three online events culminating in a Lough Gur Summit next March. Guest speakers in December will include Mark Patrick Hedderman and Manchán Magan, with a third and final episode in February featuring Norah Patten, Dr Niall Smith and Dr Frank Prendergast. Travel expert Eoghan Corry will launch a new range of online interactive tours in March featuring the Lough Gur tour guides.

Ticket information
Tickets for the Archaeology & History Online Webinar on Monday night 16th November is just €10.
And all you have to do to book is log on to loughgur.com or direct via Eventbrite www.eventbrite.ie/e/lough-gur-virtual-experience-online-webinar-tickets-127529539285? aff=ebdssbeac
A link to join this event will be emailed directly to patrons three days prior to the event.
For further information go to www.loughgur.com, phone 061-385186 or email info@loughgur.com.
For direct enquires contact: Kate Harrold, manager, Lough Gur Heritage Centre & Lakeshore Park by emailing kate@loughgur.com.