“There’s the Headford we can see around us, and another that’s harder to see – but it’s still there: the Headford of the past, waiting for us, in the spaces between things.”

***WINNER, SOUND WALK SEPTEMBER AWARDS 2023***

***RUNNER-UP, DIGITAL TOURISM CATEGORY, .IE DIGITAL TOWN AWARDS 2024***

Take a journey into an almost-forgotten chapter of local history – through the quiet power of lace.

Headford Lace Trail was commissioned by the Headford Lace Project and made with the support of Galway County Arts Office. Incorporating interviews, drama, and specially recorded music, the walk plays with visitors’ expectations of a heritage tour, to immerse them in a story they feel a part of.

Early visitors described the walk as “absolutely brilliant” and “mesmerising”.

We are hugely proud that it won the international 2023 Sound Walk September Awards, and the runner-up spot in the Digital Tourism category at the 2024 .ie Digital Town Awards.

Visit the Headford Lace Project website to find instructions on how to access the walk, or pick up a leaflet in the Angler’s Rest Hotel, Headford, Co. Galway.

Although the walk is designed to be experienced on location, where you can see the buildings and landmarks referred to in the story, it is possible to listen to it remotely – just tap the figurine icon on the map screen and drag it to each zone in turn along the route. More details on the instruction sheet (PDF).

Cast, in order of appearance: Emma O’Grady, Eilís Nic Dhonncha, Ed Coulson, Mary McHugh, Sophie Morrow. Appearing as themselves: Matthew Berrill, Teresa Eagleton, Pat Monaghan, Margie McNamara, and Norma Owens. Music specially arranged and performed for the walk by Matthew Berrill.