Thursday 26 April 2012

Theresa Larkin, Eoin O Neill, Ger Hoyne, Quentin Cooper, Marco Pollier and friends in Brogans, Ennis

"A taste of what a normal session is like in our little part of da world..." Posted on Youtube on the 11th of April 2012 by TheTownieontour.

Tony Mac Mahon & Barney McKenna - My Love Is In America

"Tony MacMahon & Barney McKenna of the Dubliners play an impromptu street session in Freiburg, Germany. The name of the reel is My Love Is In America." Posted on Youtube on the 10th of February 2008 by clarebannerman.

Garry Shannon, Sharon Shannon and family, and Kilfenora Céilí Band

"Craolfar clár na seachtaine seo as Teach Tábhairne Bofey Quinn's i gCora Finne i gCo. an Chláir a bheidh á chur i láthair ag Garry Shannon duine de bhaill an Banna Ceoil Céilí Kilfenora agus cloisfear ceol ó mhuintir Shannon. Geantraí, TG4, (6-2-10)." Posted on Youtube on the 30th of April 2010 by TG4gaeilge.

Irish House Dance, 1987

"Two hornpipes played by Tony MacMahon - Accordian, Paul McGrattan - Flute, and Kevin Glackin - Fiddle. Clip from 1987.Quite different from step dancing is set dancing, which is the type of traditional social dancing done strictly for pleasure in rural communities in Ireland for a couple hundred years or more. 'Sets' came from quadrilles, the eighteenth and nineteenth century court dances of France which spread across Europe. Irish peasants learned the quadrilles from British landlords and soldiers and took them home to their cottages where they became the uniquely Irish sets when traditional music and steps were applied to them." Posted on Youtube on the 14th of March 2008 by clarebannerman.

Clare Surfer for Big Wave Award

"Ollie O'Flaherty from Lahinch in Co. Clare is one of five surfers shortlisted for the International Billabong XXL Big Wave award. He was nominated after riding a monster wave off Mullaghmore Head, Co. Sligo in March." Posted on Youtube on the 24th of april 2012 by RTENewsNow.

Ennistymon Cascades after the storm

Posted on Youtube on the 20th of April 2012 by blath19.

Wednesday 25 April 2012

Irish Noir making an impact at home and abroad

According to figures released by Nielsen BookScan, printed sales of crime and thriller books accounted for 31% of the fiction market in 2011. 43 of the top 100 Kindle bestsellers in March are also from this genre. Although crime has always been a popular genre with readers, Stieg Larsson’s Millennium trilogy has lead to a surge in the popularity of crime fiction since its publication. Fellow Scandinavians Camilla Lackberg and Jo Nesbø both saw huge increases in sales in 2011. Irish crime writing, known as Emerald Noir or Green Noir or Irish Noir, is also making an impact both at home and internationally. "In the past few years, Irish-set crime writing has not merely begun to blossom but has become arguably the nearest thing we have to a realist literature adequate to capturing the nature of contemporary society," wrote Irish Times journalist Fintan O’Toole. Eoin Colfer’s Plugged, his debut adult crime novel, is currently shortlisted for the LA Times Crime/Mystery Book of the Year. In 2011, two of that category’s five shortlisted novels were written by Irish authors, Tana French’s Faithful Place and Stuart Neville’s Collusion. In 2010, Neville won the award for his debut novel The Twelve which also won literary awards in France. The Ghosts of Belfast, the American edition of The Twelve, was selected by both the New York Times and the LA Times as one of 2009's best crime novels. French’s Faithful Place was chosen by Time Magazine among their top ten fiction books of 2010. French’s previous novels, also Dublin-based psychological thrillers, In the Woods and The Likeness, were both New York Times bestsellers. Gene Kerrigan’s Dark Times in the City was shortlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger 2009 awards. Booker Prize winner John Banville now writes crime under the name of Benjamin Black. Other Irish crime writers of note include John Connolly, Ken Bruen Alan Glynn, Alex Barclay, Declan Hughes, Arlene Hunt, Jane Casey, Colin Bateman, Declan Burke, Niamh O’Connor, William Ryan and Brian McGilloway. Down These Green Streets: Irish Crime Writing in the 21st Century edited by Declan Burke is a compendium of essays, interviews and short fiction by Irish crime writers including John Connolly, Ken Bruen and Tana French.

Help shape County Clare’s Age-Friendly Plan

Are you 55 years or over? Have your say. Help shape County Clare’s Age-Friendly Plan at public consultations at Ennis, Kilrush, Ennistymon, Shannon or Killaloe. We look forward to meeting you. The Clare Age Friendly Programme was launched at a public meeting in Clare in September 2011. The Chair of the programme, Mr Tom Coughlan, County Manager, Clare County Council, committed to carrying out a county wide consultation process, to ensure that the Age Friendly Plan for Clare is informed by the views and priorities of older people and their own organisations. How to get involved: You are invited to attend a Public Consultation Meeting in an area near you. We want to hear your views on any or all of the following key areas which affect you - 1: Housing and Home 2: Transport 3: Social Participation 4: Respect and Social Inclusion 5: Civic Participation and Employment 6: Physical Environment & Outdoor Spaces 7: Community Support and Health Services 8: Communication and Information Dates, times and venues for Public Consultation meetings: Ennis – Templegate Hote, Thursday, May 3rd, 11am – 1pm; Kilrush – Kilrush Golf Club, Thursday, May 10th, 2 – 4pm; Ennistymon – The Falls Hotel,Tuesday May 15th, 3 – 5pm; Shannon – Oakwood Arms Hotel, Thursday, May 17th, 11am – 1pm; Killaloe – Lakeside Hotel,Thursday, May 24th, 2 – 4 pm. If you cannot attend a workshop you can still send us your views or observations regarding the development of the Clare Age Friendly Plan. You can post your submission to: Clare Age Friendly Programme,C/o Clare County Council,Tourism and Community Department, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare.Email: agefriendly@clarecoco.ie. For further information please contact Catherine O Hara, Clare County Council, Ph:065 6846475, Email: cohara@clarecoco.ie. The deadline for receiving submissions is Thursday May 31st, 2012.

Tuesday 24 April 2012

Burren in Bloom Festival May 2012

The Burren in May hosts one of Ireland’s best kept treasures – the arrival of a range of wildflowers that paint the landscape and is unrivalled in the rest of the country. The ‘Burren in Bloom’ festival is a celebration of this, opening the magic of this landscape to all. Running throughout the month of May, Burren in Bloom will hold over 40 talks, walks and events for all age groups which are sure to enhance your appreciation for the unique Burren landscape. The events cover a wide range of topics from birds at dawn to coastal flowers, the geology of railways to a trip down set-dancing lane. For the outdoor enthusiasts there are twelve walks throughout the month, covering history, wildflowers, bumblebees and butterflies, while the early risers can enjoy a champagne breakfast after a dawn chorus walk led by Gordon D’Arcy on the 6th of May. The talks schedule is equally full and includes the story of the X-PO community project in Kilnaboy, a discussion on children’s diminishing link with nature and the intriguingly titled ‘The Burren: saviour of the planet and civilisation?’ delivered by Ray Woods, of Plantlife, Wales. Families that want to get out and discover the natural world will not be disappointed by the selection of activities on offer. With everyone being encouraged to get active and spend more time outdoors, the festival provides the perfect opportunity to do so with nature games and exciting bug hunts. No festival is complete without a book launch, and Zoë Devlin’s new book, ‘A Personal Record: Wildflowers of Ireland’ is very apt. This beautiful book is Zoë’s own record of wildflowers in Ireland and is filled with striking photos and interesting facts. The launch takes place on the 27th May and the book will be available to purchase throughout the festival. The Clare Burren Marathon Challenge on Saturday, May 26th is hosted by the Ballyvaughan Fanore Walking Club and will cater for those of a competitive nature, while also being open to families to take a leisurely stroll through the landscape. The Burren in Bloom Festival is run in association with the Ballyvaughan Community Development Group, Burren College of Art and the Burrenbeo Trust. The festival runs from the 4th of May to the 1st of June. To download the festival brochure click here and for more information contact trust@burrenbeo.com or 091 638096.

Monday 23 April 2012

DEPTH: Ennistymon FETAC Exhibition at The Courthouse Gallery, Ennistymon














The annual end of year Art show by the FETAC Level 5 and 6 students of Ennistymon Vocational School. This exhibition is a culmination of the years work. The title and theme of the exhibition is 'Depth' which represents the many ways the students looked at their art this year. The collection demonstrates the self expression and skills development of the course participants and this is clearly seen in the variety and exploration of media and subject matter. Ceramics, sculpture, textiles, painting and drawing unite to make an eclectic, bold and exciting body of work. The FETAC Level 5 and 6 Art course in Ennistymon is a full time course running from September to May each year. It is open to anyone who has an interest in, and wishes to expand their knowledge and skills in art. The course is always well subscribed and appeals to both mature students and school leavers who wish to explore their creativity or embark on art as a career. If you are interested in joining the group this September contact Ennistymon Vocational School on 065 7071375 http://www.artroomennistymonvs.blogspot.com/.
Official opening of the exhibition is on Thursday April 26th at 7pm at the Courthouse Gallery, Parliament Street, Ennistymon, County Clare.

Thursday 19 April 2012

Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill - Mellor Brook Community Centre



"Saturday 4th June 2011 Mellor Brook Community Centre hosted an inspiring performance by the duo. The excellent acoustic properties of the hall led them to chose to play without amplification. It was also staged in the round creating a rich intimacy for both players and spectators. A world class set." Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill playing a set of tunes including The Wheels of The World and The New Custom House. Posted on Youtube on the 5th of June 2011 by Brigantae.

The Walls - Bird in A Cage, Live at Sea Sessions 2011



"The Walls play their hit single 'Bird In A Cage' live at Sea Sessions in Bundoran, Donegal. The song chronicles their childhood as they moved from Dublin to a small town in Clare (Ennistymon)." Posted on Youtube on the 15th of April 2012 by STIGMCL16.
See also http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtLCC3Ff8Ms (acoustic version)

John Lyons at Brogans monthly singers session



John Lyons, from Newmarket-on-Fergus, singing a song with Noirin Lynch, in Brogan's, Ennis. Posted on Youtube on the 28th of March 2012 by TheTownieontour.

The Kilfenora Ceili Band in Lens, Pas-de-Calais, France



Posted on Youtube on the 26th of March 2012 by madfortrad07.

Learn how to dance simple sean-nos steps



"Learn how to do 3 simple Irish sean-nos steps. Lovely music from Mary MacNamara from her album Blackberry Blossom - great for this style of dance. Let me know if you like this." Posted on Youtube on the 10th of March 2012 by BywongQueen.

Lough Derg, County Clare



"What is on, around and near the lough. There are many attractions for the tourist and visitor. www.clarevirtually.ie - Look Then Book". Posted on Youtube on the 8th of April 2012 by clarevirtually.

Vincent soars serenely above the Burren



"During a brief visit,Vincent traversed the island of Ireland and took to the sky above the Burren, Co. Clare, tasting free-flight amidst golden sunshine." Music was Górecki's Symphony of Sorrowful Songs, #3. Posted on Youtube on the 15th of April 2012 by markfreely.

Spring Gentian in The Burren



"On the way home from Connemara we had the crazy idea of heading down to The Burren in County Clare to look for the first spring gentian. A man in a Ballyvaughan cafe pointed us in the general direction. Then we just followed Baxter's nose!" Posted on Youtube on the 11th of April 2012 by petesalisbury.

Tuesday 17 April 2012

The 7th Earth Day Aughty Gathering













Mickey Cunningham ploughing in the 1950s. From Killeenadeema-Aille: History and Heritage / Stair agus Oidhreacht. Pat O’Looney (Editor) 2009 ISBN 978 0 9561736 0 7
Preparations are underway for the 7th Aughty Earth Day Gathering. Slógadh Eachtaí 2012: Cillíní Díoma is Liathdrom will take place at Leitrim Hall, Leitrim, Loughrea. The date is Saturday 21st April and registration is at 9.15. The Aughty Earth Day Gathering is organised each year in a different location by a local group. The event was previously held in Crusheen, Kilchreest /Castledaly, Woodford, Tuamgraney, Gort and at Lough Graney in 2011. The day is informal and is dedicated to hospitality. Everyone is welcome to attend and to share their knowledge and interest in the heritage of the Sliabh Aughty.
Contact: Ruth Ní Shiadhail / Pádraig Ó Luanaigh
Email: slogadheachtai@gmail.com
Web: www.aughty.org

Friday 13 April 2012

Noel Hill & Tony MacMahon - The Concertina, Come West Along the Road, The New Mown Meadow



"Noel Hill and Tony MacMahon play a selection of reels in December 1988 reminiscent of their album I gCnoc na Graí (In Knocknagree) recorded years earlier." Posted on Youtube on the 27th of February 2012 by CeiliPaul.

Gearóid O hAllmhuráin, Duane Andrews & Pierre Schryer



County Clare concertina player Gearoid O’hAllmhurain with Duane Andrews & Pierre Schryer. Posted on Youtube on the 1st of July 2007 by GuitarSlimJunior.

Jack Talty & Cormac Begley from The National Concert Hall



Jack Talty and Cormac Begley, Clíodhna Ní Bheaglaoich and Anna Kaszuba perform live on RTÉ Radio 1 from The National Concert Hall Dublin, St. Patrick's Day Festival 2012." Posted on Youtube on the 27th of March 2012 by RaelachRecords.

Kilfenora Céilí Band plays the Plain Set



"At the Gathering Festival in the INEC, Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney, Co Kerry, the Kilfenora Céilí Band finished the ceili with the Plain Set. Band leader John Lynch says a few words of thanks before the set. The video ends just after the start of the last figure." Posted on Youtube on the 22nd of March 2012 by SetDancingNews.

Siobhan Peoples "Na Ceithre Cúinne" - The Four Corners



"Siobhan Peoples, traditional Irish musician from County Clare, created this tune which will be part of a contemporary audio/visual exhibition called Anon is Anall. For this exhibition ten traditional Co Clare musicians create 10 new tunes and then hand these tunes over to 10 contemporary artists who use the tunes as inspiration to create art." Posted on Youtube on the 4th of August 2011 by carmeldoherty007. See also Anon is Anall - Contemporary Art Exhibition from County Clare.

International IMPAC DUBLIN Literary Award - Shortlist 2012

Ten novels have been shortlisted for the 2012 International IMPAC DUBLIN Literary Award, managed by Dublin City Libraries. The IMPAC DUBLIN Award is worth €100,000 and is the world’s most valuable annual literary award for a single work of fiction published in English. The ten novels have been shortlisted from a total of 147, nominated by 162 public library systems in 45 countries worldwide. At the recent announcement of the shortlist Margaret Hayes, Dublin City Librarian, said “All of these books have been warmly received and critically acclaimed. The issues they cover are serious and include war, the music industry, addiction, bereavement - loss of a son and of a limb, raising a Down Syndrome child, the devastating effect on children of neglect and perceived neglect, coming of age. There are however, plenty of moments of tenderness, humour and hope throughout.” The 2012 shortlist is a mix of well known writers such as Jennifer Egan and Jon McGregor, and new comers such as Jon Bauer and Karl Marlantes. Both Rocks in the Belly by Bauer and Matterhorn by Marlantes are first novels. The 2012 shortlist is truly international, including authors from Australia (Jon Bauer), Brazil (Cristovao Tezza), the USA (Jennifer Egan, Karl Marlantes and Willy Vlautin), Canada (David Bergen), Britain (Tim Pears, Animatta Forna and Jon McGregor) and Israel (Yishai Sarid). The two novels in translation are The Eternal Son by Cristavao Tezza, translated from Portuguese, and Limassol by Yishai Sarid, translated from Hebrew. Some of the shortlisted novels have already received awards. A Visit from the Goon Squad was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction 2011 and The Memory of Love received the 2011 Commonwealth Writers Prize. The winner which will be announced by the Lord Mayor of Dublin and Patron of the Award, Cllr. Andrew Montague on Wednesday, 13th June 2012.

The short listed titles are:
Rocks in the Belly by Jon Bauer
The Matter with Morris by David Bergen
A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
The Memory of Love by Animatta Forna
Even the Dogs by Jon McGregor
Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes
Landed by Tim Pears
Limassol by Yishai Sarid
The Eternal Son by Cristovão Tezza
Lean on Pete by Willy Vlautin

St Patrick's Day, Scariff, 2012



"A film of St Patrick's Day in Scariff March 17th 2012. It is dedicated to Denny Scanlon who has been Grand Marshall of the parade, but this year because of an accident he was unable to be there." Posted on Youtube on the 23rd of March 2012 by clarevirtually.

Doonbeg St Patrick's Day Parade, 2012



"18th of March 2012, 57 years after the last St Patrick's Day Parade was held in Doonbeg village in the west coast of Clare, this small community once again comes together to celebrate the day of Ireland's Patron Saint." Posted on Youtube on the 22nd of March 2012 by comerfordsbubdoonbeg.

2012 Over The Edge New Writer of The Year Competition

In 2012, Over The Edge is continuing its exciting annual creative writing competition. The competition is open to both poets and fiction writers. The total prize money is €1,000. The best fiction entry will win €300. The best poetry entry will win €300. One of these will then be chosen as the overall winner and will receive an additional €400, giving the overall winner total prize money of €700 and the title 'Over The Edge New Writer of The Year 2012'. The winning poem and story will both be published in a special Over the Edge Tenth Birthday Anthology to be published during 2013. The closing date for entries is Wednesday, august 8th. For further details click here…

Thursday 5 April 2012

Dorothea Lange`s photos of County Clare



"The great Americian photographer Dorothea Lang came to Ireland in 1954.She took 2,400 photographs. She spent most of her stay in County Clare and recorded urban and rural life there. These pictures are from a book published (Roberts Rinehart) in 1998 with Gerry Mullins and Daniel Dixon. Music by Tony MacMahon." Posted on Youtube on the 7th of May 2010 by Coflun.

Dorothea’s eye on humanity

The Sharon Shannon Big Band at the New Zealand International Arts Festival



Posted on Youtube on the 9th of January 2012 by NZIAF.

Live Irish Music Session in Tesco Ennis for Clare FM appeal



Posted on Youtube 0n the 3rd of December 2011 by TheTownieontour.

A Glimpse of Perfection - surfing in West Clare



"This documentary was created by final year student Michelle Ryan in 2010 as her final year project for the Media and Communication Studies Department of Mary Immaculate College. It discusses people's love of surfing and how it can take over your life, in a good way," and features Lahinch and the history of surfing in Ireland. Posted on Youtube on the 30th of March 2012 by TVmisu.

Tola Custy, Padraig Rynne and Cillian Dohney in the Harcourt sessions



Tola Custy, Padraig Rynne and Cillian Dohney with a selection of reels including The Maple Leaf written by Darch de Brún. Posted on Youtube on the 21st of Jun2 2011 by daoiri1.

Peadar O'Loughlin & Breda Green Murphy - 'Sliabh Russell' and 'The Mug of Brown Ale'



Peadar O'Loughlin & Breda Green Murphy play 'Sliabh Russell' and 'The Mug of Brown Ale' on RTÉ's The High Reel. Posted on Youtube on the 11thof January 2011 by PepindeMunhalen.

Walking on Lough Doon, Broadford



"Walking on frozen Lough Doon in Broadford County Clare." Posted on Youtube on the 25th of December 2010 by 700c1.

Bunratty Village



"The Folk Park, Bunratty Village outside of the Bunratty Castle. We had so much fun exploring the beauty and history of this magical place in Ireland. If your ever there, make sure you stop at the Bunratty Castle and Folk Park!" Posted on Youtube on the 2nd of January 2012 by DimentiaMorte.

Killaloe Library Craft Club Appeal

Killaloe Public Library’s Craft Club is seeking knitters to assist in the provision of small items of clothing and blankets for the neo-natal units at Cork University Hospital and St Munchins Regional Maternity Hospital in Limerick. All donations of finished items or spare oddments of wool, buttons, needles and ribbon will be most gratefully accepted at Killaloe Library. Please contact Killaloe Library staff on 061 376062 regarding knitting requirements and patterns.

Free Entry to Vandeleur Gardens, Kilrush, in 2012

There is FREE ENTRY to the beautiful Vandeleur Walled Garden for 2012. Take a stroll through the magnificent gardens, have a game of chess, go down memory lane and take in a game of hop scotch, enjoy the beautiful woodland walks adjoining the gardens and round off your visit by a relaxing coffee in the cafe! Make the effort and visit these wonderful gardens and you will not be disappointed - and bring your friends.
http://www.vandeleurwalledgarden.ie/