Arts awards honour county's finest

GALWAY’S arts fraternity were out in force at the Connemara Coast Hotel last week to honour the cream of the county’s highest achievers at the announcement of the County Arts Award winners.The Overall Award went to star of television and stage, actor and writer Jo Steve O’ Neachtain, and a Lifetime Achievement Award to renowned Connemara artist Margaret Irwin West. The Arts Awards aim to celebrate the achievements of County Galway’s artists, individuals and community organisations who have worked throughout 2007 to celebrate and develop the Arts in County Galway.In addition to the overall and lifetime achievement awards, there was one award presented for each of the following County Electoral Areas; Ballinasloe, Connemara, Loughrea, Oranmore, Tuam.The Arts Awards ceremony was a resounding success with people from all over the County coming together to celebrate their artistic achievements in 2007. The evening was hosted by Arts Officer Marilyn Gaughan and the awards were presented by Cllr Sean Canney, Mayor of the County of Galway.The Awards themselves are specially commissioned bronze cast sculptures by the renowned Artist John Behan RHA.The lifetime achievement award was presented to Connemara Artist Margaret Irwin West. Born in India of Irish parents, Margaret lives in Connemara where she has a modern print studio and an etching press.Using........................