59 Host Towns On behalf of the Galway West Committee, I would like to welcome Barley House Wolves-Allentown Hibernians, Europe (Non-Irish), Buenos Aires and Denver Gaels/Indianapolis to the Galway International Hurling Festival. While Naturally, hurling is the primary focus of the festival, we have a full schedule of events planned off the field which will include trips to Connemara, to Portumna, to see Galway hurler Joe Canning at work making hurleys. There will be various other activities which we hope our visitors will enjoy. We would like to thank our host teams for their great efforts, Barna-Furbo and Spiddal, Castlegar, SalthillKnocknacarra, Rahoon-Newcastle and Liam Mellows. Finally a huge thank you to Aer Lingus and Ethiad Airways for their generous sponsorship of this event. This festival represents the very best of Irish culture and without such sponsorship it would not be possible so our sponsors are owed a huge debt of gratitude. Finally I thank my own committee for their sterling work and Galway GAA for their continued efforts and promotion of the Festival. The City & The Scenic West – Among the Best The picturesque town of Loughrea is located in east County Galway, approximately 30km southeast of Galway City. Situated along the northern shore of Lough Rea, the thriving ‘town of the grey lake’, has a rich medieval history and is regarded to date back to the 13th century, when the Anglo-Norman, Richard de Burgo, is reputed to have built Loughrea Castle. Loughrea is perfect walking and cycling country and a a great place for nature lovers. For sporting aficionados there are challenging golf courses, horse riding and karting in nearby Tynagh. The Long Point swimming area on the Lake Road, a popular venue with locals and visitors, is equipped with changing rooms, ample parking and picnic areas. Lough Rea is one of the few inland lakes to receive European Blue Flag Status. Those who would prefer to stay on the water, rather than in it, can hire boats, while angling enthusiasts can avail of permits and fish for trout, perch and pike, stocked by the local Angling Association. GAA has a long history in Loughrea, dating back to the Association’s conception on August 15th 1884 when Michael Cusack, the founder of the GAA, met with a group of nationalists in John Sweeney’s house on Dunkellin Street, Loughrea (now the Ireland Reaching Out HQ) to discuss the foundation of a sporting and cultural organisation to protect and nurture Gaelic games and traditions. The town of Loughrea will host four of the travelling teams including, Milwaukee, Canada, Middle East and a European Irish Team. The teams will arrive in Loughrea on Wednesday 18th September and throughout the five days, there will be activities in the town to welcome the travelling visitors. Loughrea – Thriving ‘Town of The Grey lake’
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