The Area

The Woodvale Language Institute is located in the green Irish countryside. Just down a country road is Killimor - a small rural village situated on the N65 between Loughrea and Portumna, approximately 35 miles east of Galway City.

Killimor has a population of 1500 spread over a radius of 5 miles. The main livelihood of the area is farming, dairy and mixed, shops and pubs on the main street.

There are fine fishing areas at different locations, and two very attractive parks. Walks have been developed along the Kilcrow river bank and also bogland and wood area with all their flora and fauna.

A few miles from Woodvale is Portumna, one of the most popular holiday destinations in Ireland.

The warmth and friendliness of its 2000 inhabitants, the country's distinctive character, the beautiful clean environment and the charm of Lough Derg near which Portumna is built give it a quality of life which is unrivalled.

Woodvale Language Institute chose this area for its base because of the superb equestrian and outdoor activity centre located here. The area features Championship Golf courses, Europe's largest Karting Centre and a wide range of leisure activities, such as cycling, nature-trailing, hill and forest walking, around farms and historic spots, as well as sailing and cruising.

Among the many attractions to be found in the town are its 16th-century castle, a great semi-fortified mansion, built by Richard Burke 4th Earl of Clanricarde, the extensive ruins of the earlier Abbey, the 1500 acres of forest along the northern shore of the lake.

Portumna has a lively social scene and you will enjoy the traditional atmosphere of many pubs with live entertainment and Irish music sessions nightly.

Historical Talks and Guided Tours

South East Co. Galway is an area which has a wealth of sites of historical and archaeological interest. Due to its proximity to Lough Derg and River Shannon many of the earliest settlers inhabited this region and have left their mark on the landscape. The area stretches from the Sliabh Aughty Mountains near the County Clare border across to Clonfert near Ballinasloe.

Take a trip back in town and learn about the earliest settlers in this part of Ireland. Hear about the elaborate megalithic tombs of these pre-Christian people . Trace the evolution of the various monastic settlements on either side of Lough Derg and the River Shannon such as Clonmachois, Clonfert, Kilcorban, Portumna and Abbey. Find out about the old Irish Chieftain in the area, like the O'Maddens and the O'Kellys. See the various castles and towerhouses built by them.

We will also take you through the Normans conquest of this part of Connaught and Munster and their dominance for 700 years, and will guide you through the visit to Portumna. You will be taken through the various upheavals giving rise to new landed gentry in the area e.g.. The Eyres of Eyrecourt and the Nugents of Pallas. You will also be given an insight into the greatest disaster ever to befall the Irish people - The Great Famine of 1847 - and the effect it had on the population of the area.

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