Tuesday 31 January 2012

Beginner Internet classes in Scariff Library











The first class of the beginner internet and email classes started this last Wednesday in Scariff Public Library. The classes start at 10.30am and will be on every Wednesday for five weeks. The first block of classes is booked out but we are taking names for the next session. Classes cover eveything from how to set up an email, learning to use a mouse and progress to searching the Internet, Youtube, Twitter and Facebook. Classes are led by library assistant Samantha Morrissey. Contact the library at Tel: (061) 922893.

Friday 27 January 2012

Clare Gmaps - new map system











Our new Clare GMaps are based on the Google Map system, allowing Google Maps and satellite views to be overlaid with historical maps of Clare from 1842. This new system uses many of the same controls as Google Maps, and we have linked it to the thousands of pages on the library website dealing with the archaeology, history and administrative divisions of County Clare. Before using the maps please read the Gmaps help page.

As a small example of what can be done with this new system, the first image below shows a satellite view of a part of Clare, while the second image shows the same area with the 1842 Ordnance Survey 6" map overlayed on it - and the slider control in the system allows you to regulate the opacity of the overlay.












The new system has already produced results for one researcher on the Clare Past Forum...
Click here for the maps:
www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/maps

Sweet Ballyvaughan (a Burren Love Song) by Judi Mc Keown



"This song was written by Judi Mc Keown in 1995. Judi lived in Ballyvaughan when she wrote this song. The Burren is, perhaps, the most hauntingly beautiful place on Earth and where ever Judi travels to on this wee planet she takes a piece of the Burren with her. True Love never fades." Posted on Youtube on the 27th of January 2008 by Kelticbuzz4u.

Sean Tyrrell - Sweet Ballyvaughan (live) & more...



"Written by Judi Mc Keown. Recorded live at the Shelter in Dublin at the launch of the Belladonna CD And released as live Video 'Last Night In Babylon" filmed by Ben Gibney of Amber productions sound recorded by Colin Boland. Seán Tyrrell (vocals & mandocello), Fergus Feely (mandola), Johnny Mulhern (guitar), Mick McNally (keyboards), Robbie Walshe (bodhrán)." Posted on Youtube on the 27th of November 2010 by seantyrrell43.

Paddy O'Donoghue plays two reels in Tulla



"Paddy O'Donoghue plays two reels composed by himself on the silver flute at Minogue's bar in Tulla Co Clare." Posted on Youtube on the 10th of january 2011 by 700c1.

Moycullen and Kilfenora Sets with Star of Munster in Cois na hAbhna, Ennis



"Mike Mahony called the Moycullen Set at his class Christmas ceili with Star of Munster Ceili Band in Cois na hAbhna, Ennis, Co Clare. This was followed by the Kilfenora Set, only three figures of which are included here." Posted on Youtube on the 1st of January 2012 by SetDancingNews.

Poulnagollum Cave bolting trip



"Gaelan Elliffe and Quentin Cooper visited the half bolted wall started with Al Kennedy [in Poulnagolllum Cave], and got (23m) to the top. This is how it went." Posted on Youtube on the 23rd of January 2012 by burrencrawler.

Miltown Malbay Library's Junior Book Club craft session












Members of the junior book club in the Hillery Public Library, Miltown Malbay, finished up their final meeting of 2011 by making some Christmas decorations for their homes. Some of the group made Christmas wreaths and others made letter holders with a calendar for 2012 attached. All decorations were made using paper plates. Refreshments and goodies were enjoyed by everyone after the craft session.

Thursday 26 January 2012

Leading UK authors for Ennis Book Club Festival










This is the 6th Ennis Book Club Festival, organised in association with Clare County Library. The 2012 line-up includes two influential English novelists who will discuss their writing in the County Clare town from the 2nd to the 4th of March. Lynne Reid Banks is a bestselling author for children and adults. Her first novel, The L-Shaped Room, was published in 1960 and caused outrage in more conservative quarters for its portrayal of an unmarried mother-to-be who is thrown out by her father and has to live in the L-shaped room of the title. The novel was later adapted for cinema by the legendary Bryan Forbes to great critical acclaim.

Patrick Gale, from a new generation of prolific British novelists, has written fourteen novels, including the bestselling Rough Music and Notes from an Exhibition. His latest novel, A Perfectly Good Man, will be published in March, coinciding with the Ennis Festival. Mr Gale will read from his new novel on Friday 2nd March when the Ennis Book Club Festival is officially opened by the distinguished poet, playwright and broadcaster Vincent Woods.

Lynne Reid Banks and new Irish author Kevin Barry will give public interviews at a major event in Glór theatre on Saturday 3rd March. Short story writer and novelist Kevin Barry was awarded the 2007 Rooney Prise for Literature. Ms Banks will talk about a long and hugely successful writing career including her classic children’s novel The Indian in the Cupboard which has sold nearly six million copies worldwide. Buen Camino tells the story of an Irish father and his 18 year old daughter and their extraordinary 900 kilometre walk across northern Spain along the ancient pilgrim route to the shrine of St. James at Compostella. Irish Times journalist Peter Murtagh & his daughter Natasha are guaranteed to attract huge interest when they relate their story at the Ennis Festival which attracts Book Club members from all over the country. Maureen Gaffney, one of Ireland’s most respected, trusted and well-liked commentators is sure to enthral her audience when she talks about the state we’re in. She has written Flourishing, a gripping, stimulating and inspiring manifesto on how to flourish and why we need to.

The annual Sunday Symposium packs a huge early morning crowd when media consultant Caimin Jones chairs an often noisy, sometimes enlightening and always entertaining debate. This year, the guest panel will discuss the influence of People & Place on the written word. The best part is when the audience mixes it with the panellists who this year include Catriona Crowe from the National Achieves, playwright Michael Harding and award winning novelist and short story writer Cristine Dwyer Hickey.
The 10 Best Books You Should Read recommendation is a festival favourite. This year’s choices are made by Barnardos Director Fergus Finlay and Dr. Pat Donlon former Director of the National Library. The ever popular Shelia Flanagan is doing a public interview, there are several poetry readings, Wonderland Productions present a dramatization of Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, the Clare Champion short story winners will read from their work and the 2012 Book Club of the Year award will be presented. Tickets for the Ennis Book Club Festival are now available. Booking for all festival events in all venues is through Glor Box Office. To book, ring 065 6843103 or email boxfoffice@glor.ie Further festival information at www.ennisbookclubfestival.com

Wednesday 25 January 2012

“1971 – a bad year for libraries” – Seinfeld’s Library Cop



“The Library is the 22nd episode of the American NBC sitcom Seinfeld. Bookman and Jerry argue in his apartment about whether Jerry returned the book or not”. Posted on Youtube on the 15th of July 2011 by codyxwx.

Women’s Night at Banner Books, Ennistymon

As part of its regular series of readings of poetry and prose, Banner Books is extremely delighted to welcome Vivienne McKechnie to Ennistymon at 7.30 pm on Friday 3 February. The series, which has, since the shop’s opening last May, held these readings on the last Friday of the month, will now switch, from February, to the first Friday of each month. Friday 3 February will be the first occasion when the principal guest is a woman, and so it is proposed that on this particular evening it will be “open house” to women poets and writers, who are welcome to support Vivienne in this venture with readings from their own work.

After graduating in English, History and Psychology from Trinity College, Dublin, Vivienne spent some years as a teacher in Ireland and overseas. Now living in Limerick, her poetry has been published in “Revival”, “Stony Thursday” and “The Limerick Leader”. She has also read her poems, which are about memory, love and loss, on Lyric-FM and at the Cuisle International Poetry Festival in the Limerick City Gallery of Art. Having been a guest poet at the White House in Limerick, she is now looking forward to reaching into the heart of County Clare. For four years she has been on the committee of the Kate O’Brien Weekend, and responsible for inviting its speakers. This year’s guest will be Seamus Heaney. The event will take place on 24, 25 and 26 February, and further information can be gained by visiting www.kateobrienweekend.com. Vivienne discovered Banner Books by chance one Saturday, and has said that to read here will be a “wonderful opportunity”. Admission is free and refreshments are provided, but seating is very limited. A lively evening, with women taking centre stage, is promised.

Nominate your favourite local library for Children’s Books Ireland

Children’s Books Ireland are asking you to nominate your favourite local library on their facebook page. They want you to nominate your local or favourite Irish public library by ‘liking’ the CBI facebook page, sharing a photo of the library in question and telling them why it's so special. At the end of each month each nominated library will go head to head in a vote for the eventual winner! CBI will be delighted to donate a special book to each winning library. Tell your friends! So far De Valera Public Library, Ennis and Kilfinaghty Public Library, Sixmilebridge have been nominated for Clare County Library. If you need a picture of your local branch to go with your nomination you can visit the branch library pages on our website to copy and paste one.

Springtime - Poetry Competition for Family Carers

Calling budding poets! Following the success of last year’s poetry competition as part of a partnership involving Caring for Carers, Clare County Library and the Ennis Book Club Festival, a new nationwide Poetry Competition for 2012 has recently been launched. The theme of this year’s competition is Springtime – a theme of renewal and new life that may inspire the many Family Carers around the country to put pen to paper and bring a little cheer to our lives. Poems should be no longer than 3 verses and entries should be submitted by Friday, 17th February 2012 to Brigid Barron, Caring for Carers Ireland, National Office, 2 Carmody Street Business Park, Ennis, Co Clare. Email bbarron@caringforcarers.org

The winner will receive a weekend stay for two in an Ennis Hotel during this year’s Ennis Book Club Festival, which takes place from 2nd-4th March, with a weekend pass to all of the Festival Events. Four runners-up will receive 2 tickets to the Joseph Woods and Paula Meehan poetry event as well as 2 tickets to the Maureen Gaffney reading. Both of these events will take place at the Ennis Book Club Festival on Saturday, 3rd March 2012. Further details on the festival are at www.ennisbookclubfestival.com. Speaking at the launch, Helen Walsh, County Librarian, said ‘the library is delighted to be involved in this poetry competition. I see it as a very worthwhile community project. Caring for Carers carry out invaluable work throughout the country and the library has a particular interest in socially inclusive events such as this’. Brigid Barron, Research & Program Manager with Caring for Carers Ireland, is deeply aware of the significant contribution made by Family Carers. According to Brigid, recognising the role of Family Carers in the home is crucial. ‘This form of care is the foundation of formal health and social care systems. Family Carers are a distinct group who provide care and also, very importantly, require care themselves. We hope they will get involved in this poetry competition and we greatly look forward to receiving their entries.’ For further information contact 065-6866515.

Friday 20 January 2012

Guidewires play on BBC's Horo Gheallaidh, Jan 2010, in Glasgow



"Guidewires play Homers Reel and Lunchtime Boredom on BBC's Horo Gheallaidh as part of Celtic Connections 2010. Ed Body filling in for Paul McSherry on guitar. Pádraig Rynne - Concertina; Tóla Custy - Fiddle; Sylvain Barou - Flute; Karol Lynch - Bouzouki and Ed Boyd - Guitar." Posted on Youtube on the 22nd of October 2010 by Guidewires.

Kieran Hanrahan and The Banjo Heads



"Kieran Hanrahan and The Banjo Heads perform live in the Rathmines Theatre, 2011." Posted on Youtube on the 28th of January 2011 by ditconservatory.

John Naughton's & The Cliffs of Moher, jigs - Mary MacNamara



"John Naughton's ; the cliffs of Moher, jigs / Mary MacNamara. Recorded in the Irish Traditional Music Archive, Dublin, 28 January 1993. REFNO: 2-ITMA-VHS". Posted on Youtube on the 21st of November 2011 by ITMAVideos.

Lay There Little Baby - by Paddy Mulcahy



"Lay There Little Baby is a tribute to/translation of the South American folk song Duerme Negrito performed by Victor Jara amongst others... Paddy Mulcahy [from Lahinch, County Clare] recorded it for his album Trouble Instigator. This video features Paddy telling the story of the song and how he came to record it before his trip to Argentina and Bolivia." Posted on Youtube on the 8th of January 2012 by fergustighe.

Beauty of The Burren - Wild Tracks



"The word Burren comes from the Irish word boireann which means rock land. Burren lies in the north west of county Clare. The land is rich in contrast. Green meadows on one side and bare rocks on the other. Although you would not notice at first glance Burren is unique for its lush vegetation. Orchids, wild geraniums and even plants from alpine and Mediterranean areas thrive. It seems too strange for words. Even the pocket-sized perfume industry is doing well here. This is Ireland's oldest perfume factory still in operation. Who would have ever thought of Burren's flowers in a bottle?" Posted on Youtube on the 15th of January 2012 by dreamshot.

Family Album - Madigan family and Ryan family, Limerick and Clare



Part 2:


Posted on Youtube on the 13th of January 2012 by swansignature.

Paddling the river Caher, Fanore, in high water, November 2011



The river Caher, Fanore, in high water November 2011. Paddlers Barry Loughnane, Andrew Regan & Toby Fischer. Posted on Youtube on the 16th of January 2012 by baz9000.

The Most Popular Books and Films for Children in County Clare

Given the popularity of Jacqueline Wilson, Jeff Kinney and Francesca Simon among young readers worldwide, it’s no surprise that books by these authors were among the top issuing books for children in Clare County Library during 2011. Diary writing has never been more avidly read by young people with Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 5: The Ugly Truth topping the table. Jacqueline Wilson holds a consistent place at the top, year on year. Her book Little Darlings was in second place in 2011, indicating that children want to read about emotional issues if they are uniquely presented in a light hearted and amusing way. The theory that boys are not as keen on reading as girls is debatable if we acknowledge that the third most popular book issued in the past year was The Guinness World Records which is mainly borrowed by boys. A greater range of engaging fiction has become available for boys in recent years with heroes of the page and screen such as Percy Jackson and Greg Heffley sure to generate interest. Horrid Henry, the ultimate comic book bad boy of the 21st century does the bold things most kids only ever get to dream of. In Horrid Henry Rocks, number 6 in the library top ten list, he’s up to his usual mischief. He continues to make life hell for his younger brother, ruins Moody Margaret’s sleepover, drives his teacher, Mrs. Battleaxe crazy, and invents the most amazing schemes to go to a concert by his favorite band, the Killer Boy Rats.

Clare County Library staff are delighted that Judi Curtin, who has been described as Ireland’s Jacqueline Wilson, has two books in the Top Ten Titles for Children, All About Alice and Alice and Megan. Judi visited Killaloe, Scariff, Newmarket on Fergus and Shannon libraries during Children’s Book Festival in October 2011 where she met with hundreds of her fans from primary schools in the area. Shrek Forever After – The Final Chapter and Shrek The Third were the two top issuing children’s films, followed by six new releases based on books by popular authors including Rick Riordan, Kate DiCamillo, J.K. Rowling, Roald Dahl and Neil Gaiman.

The children’s top ten film list reads as follows:
Shrek Forever After – The Final Chapter
Shrek The Third
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
The Tale of Despereaux
Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Toy Story 3
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Coraline and
Shrek.

St. Brigid's Festival at Clare Museum

Friday 13 January 2012

The Teetotallers - Kevin Crawford, Martin Hayes, and John Doyle at O'Flaherty's 2011 (Parts 1 & 2)





"The Teetotallers - Kevin Crawford (flute), Martin Hayes (fiddle), and John Doyle (guitar) - perform at the O'Flaherty Irish Music Retreat 2011." Posted on Youtube on the 16th of November 2011 by WayfFromOYAN.

The Legend of Hag's Head (near Cliffs of Moher)



The legend of Hag's Head, County Clare, as told by Katherine Webster, the Director of the Cliffs of Moher visitor centre. Posted on Youtube on the 4th of January 2012 by richardbangs.

Wide variety of music borrowed by members of Clare County Library

Mayhem, by Irish Rockabilly singer Imelda May, was the most popular music CD borrowed by members of Clare County Library in 2011. Her debut album Love Tattoo released in 2007 also proved very popular with borrowers. Second in popularity among library members was the highly anticipated fifth album from American rock band The Kings of Leon. Their album Come Around Sundown has been nominated in the Best Rock Album category of the 54th Grammy awards. The third most popular music CD among County Clare library members was The Witmark Demos by Bob Dylan. This collection features forty seven songs recorded by the artist between 1962-1964 – accompanied only by his acoustic guitar, harmonica and occasionally piano. Fifteen of the songs were recorded by Dylan especially for these sessions, and have never been officially released to the public until now.

Sharon Shannon’s album Galway Girl continues to be popular since its release in 2008. The album has gone Platinum in Ireland four times and the title track has won the Meteor Award for most downloaded song for the last two years. This is the fourth year in a row that Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon has appeared in the list of the top ten most borrowed music CDs by members of Clare County Library. Sixth on the most popular list was The Suburbs by Canadian indie rock band Arcade Fire. The album won Album of the Year at the 2011 Grammy Awards and Best International Album at the 2011 BRIT Awards.

Three places on the ten most popular music CD list were claimed by traditional music. An Traidisiún Beo by Angelina Carberry and Martin Quinn is a collection of traditional Irish music tunes played on button accordion and tenor banjo. Seanchas is the first album in five years by County Waterford based band Danú. It features vocals by Muireann nic Amhlaoibh and has received wide critical acclaim. Dance Sean Nós by Tom Doherty features a section of lively, old style melodion tunes recorded at various tempos for sean-nós dancing. Number ten on the most popular list was Station to Station by David Bowie. Bowie’s highly influential 1976 album was released as a 3-CD Special Edition by EMI in 2010. A 5-CD, DVD and heavyweight vinyl Deluxe Edition of the album was released at the same time.

Clare - Land of legends and dreams



Doolin, Bunratty, Lahinch, The Burren, the Cliffs of Moher and more are featured in this clip from hagitttt86, posted on Youtube on the 26th of December 2011.

The Doonagore and The Coalminer's Reels - Kitty Hayes & Peter Laban



"Two reels played in the late Kitty Hayes's kitchen in Shanaway West, Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare. Recorded February 13, 2008". Posted on Youtube on the 3rd of March 2010 by Kilfarboy2.

Cliffs of Moher and The Burren - Wild Tracks



"The Moher cliffs are more than two hundred metres high and stretch more than eight kilometres. There are fantastic walks here and rich bird life. The most common birds here are puffins, guillemots and those hungry gulls. From O'Briens tower you can take a three hour walk. The purists among us walk our feet off. The Moher cliffs are breathtaking, even when shrouded in fog. For those who are interested the rocks are of sandstone alternated with layers of black shale. The word Burren comes from the Irish word boireann which means rock land. Burren lies in the north west of county Clare. The land is rich in contrast. Green meadows on one side and bare rocks on the other. Over the centuries each generation built a life for themselves from the tough environment." Posted on Youtube on the 10th of January by dreamshot.

Four Men And A Dog - Spanish Point, 2009



"Back in August 2009 Spanish Point on the west coast of Clare was awoken to the sounds and beats of 'Four Men and a Dog'. This traditional Irish band who emerged from the 1990 Belfast Folk Festival add in blues, rock, jazz, swing, salsa and more to their tunes." Posted on Youtube on the 17th of March 2011 by geofflyons.

Wednesday 11 January 2012

The Joy of Books



"After organizing our bookshelf almost a year ago (http://youtu.be/zhRT-PM7vpA), my wife and I decided to take it to the next level. We spent many sleepless nights moving, stacking, and animating books at Type bookstore in Toronto. Grayson Matthews (http://www.graysonmatthews.com/) generously composed the beautiful, custom music. But none of it could have been done without all the volunteer hands who shelved and reshelved books all night, every night." Posted on Youtube on the 9th of January 2012 by crazedadman.

Friday 6 January 2012

Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill at Willie Clancy Festival



Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill at the Willie Clancy Festival, Miltown Malbay, County Clare. Posted on Youtube on the 16th of May 2009 by clarebannerman.

Sharon Shannon, Maire Breatnach, Mary Custy & Siobhan Peoples



Sharon Shannon, Maire Breatnach, Mary Custy & Siobhan Peoples play in Toonagh, County Clare. Posted on Youtube on the 31st of October 2011 by gaeliccara.

Kirsten Alstaff & Eoin O'Neill at Joseph McHugh's, Liscannor



"Kirsten Alstaff, Flute, and Eoin O'Neill, Bouzouki, play a set of reels at Joseph McHugh's Pub in Liscannor, County Clare, Ireland on Sunday evening, 13 November, 2011." Posted on Youtube on the 27th of November 2011 by thissong4you.

Síomha Brock - Right From The Start



"Right From The Start from Síomha Brock's Debut EP © 2011 Siomha Brock. Síomha Brock - vocals / guitar; Eoghan Judge - guitar; Karl Clews - bass; Danny Byrt - drums. Audio recorded by Matt Purcell. Recorded in Queen's Hotel, Ennis in August 2011". Posted on Youtube on the 21st of Deecember 2011 by siomhabrock.

Irish Session, Lahinch, Co. Clare



"This video is from a session at The Spinaker in Lahinch, Ireland featuring Sara Cory on fiddle, Damain Werner on bouzouki and Dan Singer on a Laotian wind instrument. July 4, 2010." Posted on Youtube on the 28th of July 2010 by goodnaybor.

Paddy Murphy (Concertina) & Peadar O'Loughlin (Fiddle) play a set of reels 1991



"Paddy Murphy (Concertina) & Peadar O'Loughlin (Fiddle) play a set of reels including the Chattering Magpie. A concert recorded in 1991 at Cois Na hAbhanna, Ennis, Co. Clare." Posted on Youtube on the 15th of January 2010 by maspeth46thstreet.

Bears in Aillwee Cave



"Aillwee Cave is the most famous of the many thousands of ancient caves beneath the karst-landscape of the Burren in northwest County Clare, Ireland. It features an underground river and waterfall as well as large stalactites and stalagmites, and the remains of 1000-year-old bears." Posted on Youtube on the 4th of January 2012 by richardbangs.

Serious Mischief - Sonnys Seafood Chowder



"Serious Mischief (from Lahinch, County Clare) - original song Sonnys Seafood Chowder from the EP Relax with Serious Mischief ". Posted on Youtube on the 9th of February 2009 by fitztube.

Tuesday 3 January 2012

Junior bookclub at Miltown Malbay Library

Junior bookclub at Miltown Malbay Library










The junior bookclub at the Hillery Public Library, Miltown Malbay, has been up and running successfully for the past four years. During this time the number of children attending the bookclub has grown considerably with approximately 15 - 20 children in the group at present. The bookclub meets on the 4th Friday of every month during the winter season. Children attending the club range in age from 8 – 12 years with a good mix of both girls and boys in the group. A wide variety of books has been read and discussed and many new friends have been made at these social occasions that double as opportunities to try out new reading material. Celebrations are held at special times of the year such as Easter, Halloween and Christmas. New members are always welcome.