Indian Event at Circle of Life Garden
The last of the continental representational stones was unveiled by the Indian Ambassador to Ireland at a special event in the Circle of Life Commemorative Garden on Saturday, 29th August.
The Indian Ambassador to Ireland, Mrs. Radhika Lal Lokesh, spoke of the strong historic bonds between Ireland and India at the unveiling of the Indian stone in the Circle of Life Garden in Quincentennial Park, Salthill. This stone which was sourced from the ancient temple town of Madurai in South East India, a place of seminal importance in the political life of Mahatma Gandhi, completes the Global Heritage Walkway in Circle of Life Garden.
Stones from other global sites include Ellis Island, New York; The Irish College in Leuven, Belgium; Melbourne Cricket Grounds in Australia and the Christiaan Barnard Museum in the Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town where the first heart transplant took place in 1967. The incorporation of these stones in Circle of Life Garden is designed to reflect the universality of the life giving cause of organ donation and communicate a global message of inclusion and welcome to all.
The event which was organised in conjunction with Dúchas na Gaillimhe was also attended by the Mayor of Galway, Cllr. Frank Fahy who commended Strange Boat Donor Foundation for creating this very special garden and giving Galway this wonderful new public amenity. Mayor Fahy also referred to the fact that Circle of Life Garden is now ranked number 6 of 113 Things To Do in Galway.
One of the highlights of the event was the creative fusion of the classical Indian singing/playing of Fezin Edathadathil (on right) with a sean nós song, An Raibh Tú Ar An gCarraig sung by Connemara singer, Seosamh O Flaithearta (second from left). Many members of the Indian community in Galway joined Galway people and representatives of Dúchas na Gaillimhe for this very special global event at Circle of Life Garden. (Also in the photo (first on the left) - Denis Goggin of Strange Boat Donor Foundation.
