Oughterard Courthouse Emerging from the recent Covid pandemic, and the resulting lockdowns , Oughterard Courthouse is ready to bounce back into action and is hoping to fill its calendar and open its doors to a variety of groups, artists events and activities.
Oughterard Courthouse was built in the 1840s and operated as a courthouse until 2008. Major restoration works were undertaken on the building between 2012 and 14, with the support of the local community and assistance of LEADER funding. This resulted in the development of an attractive, contemporary, open space suitable for the purpose of promoting cultural, heritage, arts, performing arts and educational opportunities. It has just finished a successful summer arts programme – a series of back-to-back art exhibitions organised by the Oughterard Courthhouse Arts Programme group.
Now Áine Doherty, a local art teacher, is kicking off the autumn season with her art classes for children, teens and adults. In addition she will also run three exhibitions of her students’ works over three consecutive weekends in September, culminating with an exhibition of the work of her adult students – the launch of this exhibition takes place on Culture night September 23.
The String Quartet, Con Tempo, Galway Music Residency’s Ensemble in Residence, rehearse regularly in the courthouse, and during the lockdown, when no public performances were allowed, they recorded and broadcast performances from the courthouse.
For the past six years evening study sessions ran daily for Leaving Cert students in the courthouse hall, and now this business has ceased operating, the hall is once again free for a range of activities, such as dance, drama, language, music, or yoga classes.
It is a perfect venue for film shows, audio-visual presentations, lectures, music recitals, conducting seminars, workshops, adult education classes, or student group grinds.
The hall with adjoining facilities (seating for 75 people, large screen, AV and speakers, kitchen ) is available for rental at an hourly or daily rate and all details are available on the website https://www.oughterardcourthouse.com/ or email [email protected].
For more details on what’s going at the courthouse this autumn check out the website, Facebook page and Instagram.
