Tuesday 30 December 2014

Christmas Tunes in Liscannor, Count Clare

Traditional Irish Music Session recorded recently in Joe McHugh's, Liscannor, County Clare. Musicians include Kirsten Allstaff, Eoin O'Neill, Adam Shapiro, Dáire Mulhern, Paul O'Brien and Declan Hunt. Posted on Youtube on the 26th of December by irishmusicacademy.

Tuesday 23 December 2014

Hush Little Baby, Christmas Song

Hush Little Baby, a new Christmas song, composed by Ballyvaughan artist Manus Walsh, and performed in the beautiful setting of the 16th Century Newtown Castle, Ballyvaughan, by "Clochini" (Ella, Julie, Sean and Dermot). Posted on Youtube on the 21st of November 2014 by Manus Walsh.

Around The Floor & Mind The Dresser, County Clare 1967

"The Caledonian Set danced at the Kilrush Fleadh Cheoil in 1967. Lots of famous musicians in the background including Junior Crehan, Michael Falsey, Jimmy Ward, Seamus Connolly and members of the Laichtín Naofa Ceili Band, which came from Miltown/Quilty area of west Clare. One can feel the excitement and atmosphere from watching this clip from so many years ago..." Posted on Youtube on the 8th of April 2008 by clarebannerman.

Christmas Shopping, Ennistymon, 1960

Customers shopping at Christmas in Terence Haran's shop in Ennistymon c.1960. For more Christmas photos from the Michael John Glynne Collection photo collection, please click here...

Polar Plunge Killaloe, December 2014, for Special Olympics

"The annual charity Polar Plunge in Killaloe for Special Olympics took place on Sunday December 7 2014. Participants, including members of the Gardai and the Army, took the leap of faith into Lough Derg at the University of Limerick Adventure Centre in Killaloe, County Clare, to raise funds for the organisation." Posted on Youtube on the 8th of December 2014 by I Love Limerick.

Ennistymon Falls White Water Kayak Race December 2014

"A Fantastic day of racing on the Ennistymon Falls finishing with a 42 man Boater X." Posted on Youtube on the 21st of December 2014 by ardmoreadventures.

Shannon Airport Santa Flight 2014

"Ryanair and Shannon Airport team up with Santa and his elves to make the magic of Christmas come alive in the skies over West Ireland." Posted on Youtube on the 17th of December by TheOneillp.

Clare Bikers Xmas Run, Ennis

Posted on Youtube on the 18th of December 2014 by Declan Vaughan.

Cliffs Of Moher In The Mist

Posted on Youtube on the 20th of December 2014 by Laura Petry.

Monday 22 December 2014

Christmas Books For Children

Christmas is an ideal time for sharing books with children. Here’s a sample of the latest and very best titles (some with a Christmas theme) available for children aged 8 and under from Clare County Library. A very Merry Christmas to all our young readers.

THE SNOWMAN AND THE SNOWDOG by Raymond Briggs
MAISY’S CHRISTMAS DAY by Lucy Cousins
THE SCARECROWS’ WEDDING by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
PRINCESS MIRROR-BELLE AND THE DRAGON POX by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks
THE FAIRYTALE HAIRDRESSER AND FATHER CHRISTMAS by Abie Longstaff
YOU MAKE ME SMILE by Layn Marlow
KATIE’S LONDON CHRISTMAS by James Mayhew
THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS by Jane Ray
THE SNOW MERCHANT by Sam Gayton, Illustrated by Chris Riddell
THE POLAR EXPRESS by Chris Van Allsburg
WINTER’S CHILD by AngelaMcallister
A CHILD’S CHRISTMAS IN WALES by Dylan Thomas
THE WINTER WOLF by Holly Webb
BARRY LOSER AND THE HOLIDAY OF DOOM by Jim Smith
FORTUNATELY, THE MILK… by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Chris Riddell
BUCKLE & SQUASH AND THE MURDEROUS MOAT-DRAGON by Sarah Courtauld
THE SCARECROWS’ WEDDING by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler

Friday 12 December 2014

A Little Bit Of Summer - Irish (and French) Traditional Music at the Willie Clancy Summer School

A selection of musical sessions from the Willy Clancy Summer School 2013 - a little bit of summer in this chilly winter. Posted on Youtube on the 10th of December 2014 by kemicass.

Clare author Kim Hood shortlisted for YA Book Award 2015

A debut novel by Kim Hood from Kilshanny, County Clare, has been shortlisted for the YA (Young Adult) Book Award 2015. Growing up in British Columbia, Canada, and later studying psychology, history and education, she wandered through a few countries before making the west coast of Ireland her home. Her debut novel for teenagers, Finding A Voice, has universal appeal covering themes of adventure, bullying, school life, friendships, personal change, relationships and prejudice.

The Bookseller, the publishing industry’s weekly magazine, launched the first ever prize for Young Adult books in the UK and Ireland in September 2014. Any Young Adult title written by an author living in the UK or Ireland, and published between 1st January 2014 and 31st December 2014, is eligible for the 2015 prize. It will be judged by a group of teenage readers alongside leading industry experts, including World Book Day director Kirsten Grant. RTE’s radio presenter Rick O’Shea is also one of the judging panel of ten people from the world of writing, journalism and booksellers. The winning author will receive £2,000. The shortlist has just been announced and reflects the wide breadth of YA literature that is available - from dystopia and fantasy to comedy, drama, horror and real-life stories. The winning title will be announced at a ceremony at Foyles Charing Cross Road Bookstore, Central London, on 19th March 2015.

Thursday 11 December 2014

Christmas Stockings in Scariff Library

On Wednesday the 10th of December, Scariff Public Library welcomed children between the ages of 4 and 7 to a Christmas Arts and Crafts Session where the children got to make festive stockings to place on their Christmas Trees at home. Using cardboard, crepe paper, cotton wool and some sparkly stickers and ribbon, all in seasonal colours, the children set to work eager to create their very own masterpiece. Much fun was had by all and the children returned to their homes with glittering Christmas mementos to place on their trees!

Scariff Youth Arts Exhibition 2014, Animations and 'Black '47'

This video features Animation Workshops in Scariff Public Library on Tackling Bullying and Reflecting On Prejudice, and Bodyke National School's 'Black 47' film, which was a finalist in the FÍS Film Festival. Posted on Youtube on the 3rd of December 2014 by Emma Sams.

Getting ready for Christmas in Ennistymon Library

Staff and eager helpers paint windows in Ennistymon Public Library in preparation for the holiday season.

Wednesday 10 December 2014

Children's Book Festival 2014 at Clare County Library

Children’s Book Festival 2014 ended on the 23rd of October with the last event of the month presented by David Lyons of the National Parks and Wildlife Service in deValera Public Library, Ennis. David was just one of the many visitors to our branches over the four-week festival that saw thousands of children join in this year’s celebrations.

Children’s authors who visited included Nicola Pierce, Debbie Thomas, Alan Early and Paula Leyden. All were well received, the children and teachers attending their talks appreciative of the added dimension that each author brought to the exploration of their books in the classroom.

Paula Leyden, whose book The Butterfly Heart endorsed by Amnesty International in 2011 won the Eilis Dillon Award in 2012, talked to classes about her homeland of Africa. She had a particularly engaging group from St. Tola’s National School in Seán Lemass Public Library, Shannon, where children in her audience came from a variety of countries and could speak a variety of languages including Bangladeshi, Arabic, Spanish, Polish and Afrikaans.

Nicola Pierce brought the story of the Battle of Stalingrad during the Second World War in pictures and words to eager learners inspiring them to read or re-read her latest book, City of Fate.

Sadie Cramer hosted four amazing workshops on story creation keeping each and every one of her listeners busy from the start to the end of her sessions doing lots of different activities. Drawing, creating and listening to stories and exploring the amazing world that lies between the pages of every book occupied and delighted her audiences from beginning to end.

Wayne O’Connor was the success story of 2013’s Children’s Book Festival and so just had to be part of this year’s line-up also. All six of his story and drawing workshops had children jumping out of their seats with suggestions for his hilarious illustrations or for the zaniest reconstructions of the well-loved Roald Dahl stories that he told, with a difference!

Storytelling events came courtesy of Simone Schuemmelfeder and Michael Phelan of Storygate, and Pat Ryan.

Terence Finnegan of Learn Differently brought hands-on science experiments into libraries. He demonstrated force, gravity, energy, flight etc. using everyday objects to the fascination of his young audiences many of whom got a chance to assist. Hovercrafts, rocket and explosions were all part of the show which was simply but very effectively presented.

Senior classes from four schools explored poetry creation under the stewardship of award-winning poet Stephen Murray. The hour-long sessions produced some memorable creations that were performed and shared with everyone present at the end of each workshop.

The signature event for this year’s festival was Niall de Burca’s one-man World War 1 show at Glór Theatre in Ennis on the 9th of October. In his hour-long presentation called “Where the Poppies Grow” he held over five hundred adults and children mesmerized from beginning to end.

Close on sixty events took place celebrating books and reading for children in Clare during the month of October. Library staff members look forward to welcoming the audiences that attended these events back to our branches in the months and hopefully, years ahead.

The Library gratefully acknowledges assistance with funding Children’s Book Festival from local organizations and businesses from within the community. A list of this year’s contributors is on the library website.

Burren Geopark LIFE conservation project at Black Head

"Burren Eco Tourism, Burren & Cliffs of Moher Geopark and Burrenbeo Conservation Volunteers combine to do a conservation project high on the Burren above Black Head." Posted on Youtube on the 3rd of December 2014 by Fergus Tighe.

Most Borrowed Authors and Titles in Irish Public Libraries

The popularity of libraries among children and their families continues to escalate, as highlighted by figures for 2013 released by Libraries Development, Local Government Management Agency. In the top 100 ‘most borrowed from the library’, children’s authors dominated this list in Ireland’s 336 public libraries in 2013. Nine children’s authors made it into the top ten, with Roderick Hunt, creator of over 400 titles in the Oxford Reading Tree series, the most popular author for the fifth successive year with almost 160,000 library loans.

Classic stories remain among children’s favourites with renowned authors such as Enid Blyton, Roger Hargreaves and Roald Dahl in the top ten list of children’s authors, alongside Daisy Meadows, Francesca Simon, and Jacqueline Wilson. Another world classic, Anne Frank’s Diary of a Young Girl, continues to engage young readers sixty-seven years after the first publication of the diary, through poignant account of life during the Holocaust.

The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by American author Jeff Kinney is overwhelmingly popular and takes the top six places on the most borrowed titles list. This series of books which highlights the adventures of school boy Greg Heffley, has become even more popular following the series of films based on the books. A new entry to the top ten of children’s author’s in 2013 was Michael Morpurgo, a multi-prize winning author and former Children’s Laureate who has published over 100 books.

The figures for adult loans show that crime thrillers remain in high demand among library users. For the fourth successive year, prolific US writer James Patterson is the most popular adult fiction author with over 68,000 library loans. In total, six authors writing in the crime and thriller genres appear in the list of top 10 most borrowed adult fiction authors. Another American favourite, Nora Roberts, who also writes as J.D. Robb, is the second most-borrowed general fiction author with over 61,000 loans. The much acclaimed Norwegian crime writer, Jo Nesbø, also featured in the top ten. Nesbø’s popularity among Irish readers was also reflected during his visit to the Mountains To Sea Book Festival in Dun Laoghaire last year when many fans turned out to chat with the writer about his main protagonist, Inspector Harry Hole.

Irish writers and illustrators, both children’s and adult, are also attracting a steady following, with 14 featuring in the top 100. Irish children’s author Judi Curtin, creator of the Alice and Megan and Evaseries, was the most borrowed Irish author for the second year running. Irish fiction remains dominant in the lists for Irish writers; with 22 Irish fiction titles making it into the top 100.

The influence of the Dublin City Library’s initiative, Dublin: One City, One Book, is reflected in James Plunkett’s Strumpet City making first place as the most borrowed adult fiction title by an Irish author. The second most borrowed adult fiction title by an Irish writer was A Week in Winter, the last novel written by the much loved author, Maeve Binchy. The winner of the prestigious International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award in 2013 also attracted the attention of many readers, with Kevin Barry’s winning debut novel, City of Bohane, the fourth most borrowed adult fiction title last year.

The most borrowed non-fiction book was based on a more pragmatic choice by Irish readers; the Official Driver Theory Test was the most popular in this category.

There are over 17.04 million visits to Irish public libraries each year, resulting in over 19 million loans of books and non-book materials. Under the Public Lending Remuneration (PLR) scheme, payment is made to authors, illustrators, etc. whose books are borrowed from the country’s 336 public libraries. The loan lists are compiled by Libraries Development, Local Government Management Agency, from information supplied to the Public Lending Remuneration (PLR) Scheme by all public libraries in Ireland. 16,334 authors resident in 43 countries were registered for Irish PLR in 2013. €240,000 was paid out to 5,483 authors in respect of their total library loans. 17 authors received the maximum payment of €1,000, and the rate-per-loan was 5.06 cent. PLR is funded by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.

Tuesday 9 December 2014

Snowmen, Rudolphs and Santas at Ennistymon & Lisdoonvarna Libraries

This months Arts and Crafts sessions in Ennistymon and Lisdoonvarna Public Libraries featured Santas, Rudolphs and Snowmen. Children created their own Christmas figures using toilet roll holders, newspaper, scrap fabric, coloured paper and cotton wool.

Monday 8 December 2014

Christmas card-making workshop at Kilrush Library

Library staff at Kilrush Public Library recently showed 13 Primary School children how to make Christmas cards. The children thoroughly enjoyed the workshop and created a selection of beautiful cards, using a combination of card and felt.

Friday 5 December 2014

Almost 20,000 links added to library website

There are over 6,500 monuments in County Clare as recorded by the Archaeological Survey of Ireland, and Clare County Library has a page dedicated to each one of them on our website. We have recently added three links to each of these web pages, linking from each web page to a Bing satellite view of each monument, the monument’s position on the 1842 Ordnance Survey maps, and a Bing satellite view with an 1842 OS overlay showing all monuments and enclosures in the locality.

On the library website homepage click on the link to ‘Archaeology’ and select a monument type from the list on the left. As an example, select ‘Tower Houses’. Between the 15th and 17th centuries the custom of building castles gave way to the building of structures whose main function was as a residence, rather than a solely defensive site. These buildings were called tower houses. There are c.80 tower houses surviving in County Clare, many of them in a very good state of preservation.

Click on the link to ‘Carrigaholt Castle’ and this will bring you to a page dedicated to this monument. On this page you will see additional links for the castle On 1842 Ordnance Survey Map (using GenMaps); On Bing maps satellite view (using GenMaps); and On Bing maps satellite view with OS Map overlay showing all monuments and enclosures (using GenMaps). There are links from the Clare Genmaps system back to each monument also, of course.

Friday 28 November 2014

Martin Hayes - We Need to Talk About Ireland

County Clare's Martin Hayes speaks & performs to a live audience at We Need to Talk About Ireland. This event was produced by The Trailblazery at The Round Room, The Mansion House, Dublin, Ireland on March 17 2014. Posted on Youtube on the 11th of November 2014 by The Trailblazery Ireland.

Kirsten Allstaff, John Joe Kelly & Eoin O'Neill play tunes from Gallowglas

County Clare based Kirsten Allstaff plays some music from her new album Galloglass with John Joe kelly and Eoin O'Neill. "The album is a blend of Irish and Scottish music played on the wooden flute featuring some of the finest musicians in the tradition - John Joe Kelly, Eoin O'Neill, Mhairi Hall, Jean Damei and others." Posted on Youtube on the 23rd of November 2014 by irishmusicacademy.

Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Awards

The Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Awards were presented recently at a ceremony at the Hilton Hotel, Dublin. Highlights from the night will be broadcast on RTÉ One on Saturday 29th November 2014. Debut novelists fared well in the awards with Mary Costello winning the Novel of the Year award for Academy Street. Liz Nugent was awarded the Ireland AM Crime Book of the Year award for her psychological thriller Unravelling Oliver with Louise O’Neill being awarded the Sunday Independent Newcomer of the Year for her novel Only Ever Yours. Cecelia Ahern’s The Year I Met You was chosen as the Popular Fiction Book of the Year.

The Life and Loves of a He Devil by Graham Norton was named the National Book Tokens Non-Fiction Book of the Year. Rugby legend Brian O’Driscoll’s autobiography The Test scooped the Bord Gáis Energy Sports Book of the Year, beating Roy Keane’s The Second Half. The RTÉ Radio 1’s John Murray Show Listeners’ Choice Award was won by Majella O’Donnell for her autobiography It’s All in the Head. Other non-fiction award winners were Neven Maguire and Thomas Morris. The Specsavers Children’s Book of the Year junior award was won by Shh! We Have a Plan by Chris Haughton. The senior award was won by Moone Boy by Chris O’Dowd and Nick Vincent Murphy.

All of the winning books are now entered into a competition to decide the Bord Gáis Energy Book of the Year. The public are asked to vote for their favourite by going to www.bgeirishbookawards.ie and the winner will be announced on December 5th.

Children’s Books of the Year

The Specsavers Children’s Books of the Year were announced recently at the Irish Book Awards.

Chris Haughton’s Shh! We Have A Plan won the Junior Children’s Book of the Year and Moone Boy by Chris O’Dowd and Nick Vincent Murphy won the Senior Category.

Shh! We Have A Plan is instantly recognisable to fans of this picture book creator whose previous two titles are also award-winners. The words are spare and simple and the illustrations combining collage and silhouette combine to produce a book that should be compulsory for all toddlers and their parents.

Moone Boy is the book on which the sitcom of the same name is based. Chris O’Dowd’s book is semi-autobiographical and focuses on a young boy's life growing up in Boyle, Co. Roscommon in the late 1980s and the early 1990s. A fun read for older children and young teens.

Sur les chemins de Burren

"Dans le cadre d'un voyage linguistique et culturel qui a eu lieu du 15 avril au 21 avril 2014, des classes de 3e du Collège Jules Simon sont allés en Irlande. Direction Burren, un plateau karstique désertique situé au nord-ouest du Comté de Clare et dont la visite avait pour objectif pédagogique d'observer et de comprendre la mise en place de ces figures d'érosion et leurs conséquences en profondeur." Posted on Youtube on the 20th of November 2014 by College Jules Simon.

The first European Skatewave skatepark opens in Ennis, County Clare, in 2007

"The first European Skatewave skatepark opens in Ireland in Ennis, County Clare [in 2007]. The problem of skateboarders skating on the streets and car parks has disappeared since opening and it continues to draw in riders from outside Ennis and across County Clare." Posted on Youtube on the 17th of November 2014 by Lanscape Structures Inc. Se also http://bit.ly/1zZXeLT

Wednesday 26 November 2014

Shortlist for the 2014 Costa Children’s Book Award

The Costa Book Awards is one of the UK's most prestigious and popular literary prizes and recognises some of the most enjoyable books of the year, written by authors based in the UK and Ireland. The prize has five categories - First Novel, Novel, Biography, Poetry and Children's Book - with one of the five winning books selected as the overall Costa Book of the Year. It is the only prize which places children’s books alongside adult books in this way.

The books shortlisted for the Children’s Award are:
Running Girl
by Simon Mason (David Fickling Books)
Listen to the Moon
by Michael Morpurgo (Harper Collins Children’s Books)
Five Children on the Western Front
by Kate Saunders (Faber & Faber)
The Ghosts of Heaven
by Marcus Sedgwick (Indigo)

The winners will be announced in January 2015.

Patrick O'Brien, "The Limerick Piper" (1844)

Joseph Patrick Haverty (1794-1854) was an Irish figure painter, portraitist and illustrator from Co. Galway best known for his lithograph ‘The Limerick Piper’ which now hangs in the National Gallery of Ireland. The picture actually portrays Patrick O'Brien, a blind piper from a prosperous farming family in Labasheeda, County Clare. Read more about the picture and its subject in our People of Clare section here...

Goosebumps – The Movie

The first ever Goosebumps film will be released in August 2015. Goosebumps is the second best selling series of all time surpassed only by Harry Potter. 21 Goosebumps titles will be re-issued next year and the new covers will be updated versions of the originals.

Costa Book Awards 2014

20 books have been shortlisted for the 2014 Costa Book Awards. There are 5 award categories - biography, novel, first novel, poetry and children’s books - the winners of which will be announced on January 5th. On January 27th an overall winner will be chosen from the five category award winners. Last year's top prize went to The Shock of the Fall by debut novelist Nathan Filer.

Colm Tóibín’s Nora Webster is one of the shortlisted books in the Novel category. Toibin’s Brooklyn won the 2009 award. Academy Street by Mary Costello from Galway has been shortlisted for the First Novel category. It follows Tess from her childhood in the west of Ireland through her relocation to America and her life there, concluding with a moving re-encounter with her Irish family after forty years of exile.

For the full listing of shortlisted books see: http://www.costa.co.uk/media/280251/CBA2014FullShortlist.pdf

Friday 21 November 2014

Newmarket-on-Fergus Parish graveyard transcriptions online

Five graveyards in the Catholic Parish of Newmarket-on-Fergus have been added to our online Graveyard Inscriptions recently. The graveyards were originally transcribed in the late 1990s by Pat Carrig for OBAIR Newmarket-on-Fergus. Canon Reuben Butler of that parish kindly lent the original notebooks to Clare County Library for transcribing. The graveyards are Clonloghan, Drumline, Fenloe, Kilconry, and Kilmaleery. Transcriptions of headstones in Bunratty Graveyard, also in Newmarket-on Fergus Parish, were posted earlier, and was donated by the Clare Roots Society. The image above is of Fenloe Graveyard.

Thursday 20 November 2014

Launch of Safe Ireland’s Man Up Campaign & Exhibition at De Valera Library, Ennis

Senator Tony Mulcahy will launch Safe Ireland’s Man Up Campaign on behalf of the Clare Local Area Network on Violence against Women in the De Valera Public Library, Ennis at 6pm on Tuesday 25th November. Men in particular are being asked to attend the launch to show their support to women and children who experience domestic abuse and to the services that support them directly. Women of course are very welcome and encouraged to attend also! The Man Up Campaign was launched nationally on 22nd October by Lyn Rosenthal (White House Advisor on Violence against Women) and Ryan Tubridy. The Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice have both given their support to this campaign. The campaign aims to raise awareness that domestic and sexual abuse is not just a women’s issue but one that both women and men need to address. More information is available at www.manup.ie. The exhibition will be on display and available for viewing during opening hours in the De Valera Public Library from the 24th-28th November 2014.

Wednesday 19 November 2014

Diversity - Creating Community Well-Being Conference, Ennis

To celebrate the International Human Rights day 2014, Intercultural and Diversity Education Centre - Ireland (IDEC-Ireland) will host its fifth conference in the 'Humanising Rights and Responsibilities Series' on Wednesday the 10th December 2014 in Cois na hAbhna, Gort Rd, Ennis, County Clare. 10am to 3.30pm.

The theme of the 2014 IDEC-Ireland Conference, Diversity - Creating Community Well-Being, highlights the importance of diversity within society, recognising its value, its potential to influence everyone's life in a positive way and its capacity to create well-being in communities.

IDEC - Ireland members are: Clare Intercultural Network; Clare Women's Network; Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission; Ennis Community Development Project; University of Limerick; Educational Disadvantage Centre, St Patrick's College; Community Knowledge Initiative, National University of Ireland, Galway; Galway County Intercultural Forum; Galway County Council.

To register, please go to the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1_oiWxaneAHVjaE_1d_g4TFQJiYr15brsP2qjBJJsaX8/viewform?c=0&w=1

Monday 17 November 2014

Be a Champion for Clare County Library!
























Clare County Library is launching a ‘Library Champions’ project. Clare Library Champions are people who love their libraries and want to be in the know about library events and activities. Anyone can become a library champion… you just have to love and use libraries! We are hoping over the next few months to build a list of people who are willing to share with us, and with the public, how important libraries are to us all. We will be inviting applications from our patrons, and their families and friends, to become library champions.

Becoming a Library Champion is very straightforward! All you need to do is write a short paragraph on what it is you love about libraries, or how libraries have helped you in your life. We would also invite you to provide us with a photograph of yourself in one of our library branches or with a literary theme, e.g. enjoying a book in your favourite reading place. We then plan to put the short piece you have written on our website, along with your photo if you submit one. We may also use this material in the local press or as part of a library exhibition. You can submit your piece at your local branch library or email it to mailbox@clarelibrary.ie using the subject “Library Champions”.

The aim of this project is to champion libraries and promote them as a place for all; a place where everyone is welcome and can avail of equal opportunities, regardless of age, gender, race, class or education. We want people to be aware of the library as being their resource and their gateway to knowledge, leisure and pleasure. We hope you will join us in spreading that message.

'Move It' Science Show at Shannon Library

The children fron St. Aidan's National School and Gaelscoil Donncha Rua were enthralled by the 'Move It' Science Show at Seán Lemass Public Library, Shannon. Scientist Paul had no shortage of volunteers including Muinteoir Muireann! The fast moving show explored the forces that are so important in allowing us to move. One girl was hoovercrafted across the floor to the amazement of her class friends while another boy inflated marshmallows using the pressure of air. The library was a hive of activity during the 60 minute science interactive event. It may well have inspired some future scientists...

Friday 14 November 2014

The Trí-Tones at Ennis Trad 21 Festival

"The Trí-Tones at Ennis Trad 21 Festival at The Old Ground Hotel, Ennis, County Clare on the 9th of November 2014. This was filmed at the CD launch of the self titled album "The Trí-Tones". The Trí-Tones are: Conor Moriarty - button accordion; Tara Breen - fiddle; Stephen Rooney - Guitar and vocals. They have been All Ireland champions at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann over the years. Also guesting: Ciara McCrickard - Vocals; Eamon Rooney - Bodhran." Posted on Youtube on the 11th of November 2014 by PRAK14.

Farewell to Miltown Malbay sung by Tom Lenihan

Farewell to Miltown Malbay sung by the late Tom Lenihan from Knockbrack, Miltown Malbay, County Clare. Posted on Youtube on the 5th of November 2014 by Tom Lenihan - Topic.

Mad Professor Science Show at Miltown Malbay Library

An educational and fun filled show dealing with various aspects of science using everyday household objects and products was enjoyed by local schoolchildren attending the Dr. Patrick J. Hillery Public Library, Miltown Malbay ,on the 12th of November to celebrate Science Week. 39 children from 3rd class upwards revelled in a lively show hosted by an enthusiastic Mad Scientist, aka Niall O’Dwyer. The children were totally amazed by all the experiments that were performed and were extremely willing participants. Niall had maximum audience attention and participation and took care to choose a different child to help with each task. The show was very educational, yet was delivered in a fun filled way that was appealing to children. Teachers attending were delighted to be invited to such a worthwhile event at their local library.

Noel O'Donoghue, Hugh Healy & Damien O'Reilly - Riches of Clare CD launch

"Noel O'Donoghue, Hugh Healy & Damien O'Reilly perform at the launch of Riches of Clare CD Volume 2, Ennis Trad 21, 2014." Posted on Youtube on the 11th of November 2014 by bflatflute.

2014 Science Book Prize

Mark Miodownik’s Stuff Matters has won the 2014 Royal Society Winton Prize for Science Books. This prestigious prize celebrates outstanding popular science books from around the world and is open to authors of science books written for a non-specialist audience.

Subtitled The Strange Stories of the Marvellous Materials that Shape Our Man-made World, Miodownik entertainingly examines the materials he encounters in a typical morning, from the steel in his razor and the graphite in his pencil to the foam in his sneakers and the concrete in a nearby skyscraper.

Sean Carroll's story of the hunt for the Higgs, The Particle at the End of the Universe, won the award in 2013.

The Shady Groves of Piedmont & The Humours of Ennistymon

Two jigs, The Shady Groves of Piedmont and The Humours of Ennistymon played by Bernard O'Sullivan and Tommy McMahon from County Clare. Posted on Youtube on the 8th of November 2014 by Tommy McMahon - Topic.

Twin Headed Wolf at Ennistymon Courthouse Gallery

"Twin Headed Wolf short promo shot at the Courthouse Gallery and Studios in Ennistymon, County Clare." Posted on Youtube on the 11th of November 2014 by Fergus Tighe.

Memories of St. Martin's Day by Teresa Flynn

"St Martin’s Day, Teresa Flynn, Mountshannon and Miltown Malbay, County Clare." A Cuimhneamh an Chláir project. Posted on Youtube on the 9th of November 2014 by Cormac McCarthy.

Rumble on the Burren

"Wild goats fighting it out for superiority on the Burren in County Clare, Ireland." Posted on Youtube on the 20th of October 2014 by Sherry Ott.

Wednesday 12 November 2014

Clare Museum acquires 1916 journal

A journal and autograph book that provides a unique insight into life and conditions at Frongoch prisoner of war camp, where an estimated 1,800 Irish participants of The Easter Rising were interned between June and December 1916, has been acquired at auction by Clare Museum.

Belonging to IRA Volunteer and future Clare T.D. Patrick Brennan, from Meelick, the album features accounts of life in the North Wales camp, poetry in Irish and English, and coloured illustrations of the camp and its inhabitants. The journal is also autographed by many of the camp’s prisoners including Michael Collins and Richard Mulcahy, who would later become instrumental figures in the ensuing Irish War of Independence and the establishment of the Irish Free State.

“Outside of the author’s historic connections with County Clare, this journal and autograph book is hugely important considering the upcoming centenary of the 1916 Rising and the significant influence of the Frongoch camp experience on the future leaders of the Irish War of Independence,” commented Cllr. John Crowe, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council. The Cathaoirleach added: “As a native of Sixmilebridge in East Clare, I have long known about the contribution of Patrick Brennan from nearby Meelick during the struggle for Irish freedom and subsequently as a politician, including as a TD for Clare (1921-22, 1922-23). I warmly welcome the acquisition of this book which serves as a timely and poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by Irish men and women for their country.”

The book, which is expected to go on public display before Christmas, was successfully acquired at Whyte’s auction house on Saturday for €5,000 by Clare County Librarian Helen Walsh, acting on behalf of Clare Museum. Ms. Walsh explained: “I viewed the book in Whytes ahead of the weekend auction and deemed it of great value and significance for County Clare. It is beautifully illustrated in parts with water colour drawings of the camp, poetry in Irish and English, and numerous signatures of note. It also contains an artwork by Cathal Mac Dubhgall featuring the words “Fianna Fáil”, which was an alternative Irish language translation for the title of the rebel Irish Volunteers. The name was later adopted by Eamon de Valera’s political party some ten years later.”

“We anticipate that the journal and autograph book will be placed on public display at Clare Museum in Ennis before Christmas. We are also arranging to have the document digitised so as to allow people to view its contents online at www.clarelibrary.ie,” added Ms. Walsh. Meanwhile, Ms. Walsh acknowledged Cratloe-based Councillor Cathal Crowe who informed Clare County Council that the book was being auctioned at Whytes, and would be a historically significant acquisition for Clare Museum.

Patrick Brennan was one of the Irish Volunteer leaders in Clare at the time of the 1916 Rising and was interned at Frongoch in June 1916 by the British Army because of his Republican activities. On his release shortly before Christmas 1916, Brennan became leader of the 1917 Volunteer campaign in Clare which ultimately led to the Mountjoy Hunger Strike of September 1917, the martyrdom of Tomás Ashe and the consolidation of Republican sentiment across the country. Brennan took part in the Cratloe Ambush of January 1921 and some other military actions but became more important as a political figure from the Anglo-Irish Truce of July 11, 1921. He was later elected TD (pro-treaty) for East Clare and was central to the development of the Civic Guard (later An Garda Síochána).

See also: Art O'Donnell Manuscript from Frongoch at
http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/archives/art_odonnell_manuscript.htm
and http://bit.ly/1wFy4lM

Thursday 6 November 2014

A Stór mo Chroí, sung by Ollie Conway

Ollie Conway (1922-2009) was a noted set dancer, singer and storyteller from Mullagh, County Clare, where he ran Conway’s pub. The pub was a well known spot for musicians and dancers for many years, and was famous for its sessions during the Willie Clancy Week.

"A Stór Mo Chroí is Irish and means approximately 'Treasure of my heart' and was written by Brian O'Higgins, an Irish patriot who took part in the 1916 Rising and was an active Republican for the rest of his life. He wrote a large number of patriotic songs and poems, many under the pen name of Brian na Banban." This 1973 recording by Ollie Conway is taken from ‘Around the Hills of Clare: Songs and Recitations from the Jim Carroll and Pat Mackenzie Collection’ (2004) Musical Traditions Records MTCD331-2/Góilín Records 005-6. Posted on Youtube on the 10th of January 2013 by kris berwouts.

Matty Talty, 91, Playing the Concertina

"Matty Talty, 91, first learned to play the concertina by ear as a child, growing up in a farmhouse in County Clare, Ireland. After 60 years of not playing he resumed in his mid-80s and still plays the Monday night sessions of traditional Irish music at the Landmark Tavern in Hell's Kitchen, New YOrk City. Here he plays a bit at home in the Bronx, and talks about being a wee lad in County Clare learning to play the concertina. 'We had no flat TVs, we had no radio. We had nothing, only people coming in to play...'". The New York Times story... Posted on Youtube on the 25th of October 2014 by Corey Kilgannon.

Ireland: A Nation's Memory (1973)

"This is the first documentary of a series for the French 3rd National Channel, which follows the history of a country according to the local music, produced by Claude Fleouter and Roviros Manthoulis in 1973." It features Patrick McCarthy, a farmer in North Clare; Doolin, County Clare, with Willie Clancy and Packie Russell; Seán O Riada; Tony MacMahon; Planxty; hedge schoolmasters, emigration and the Cliffs of Moher. Posted on Youtube on the 9th of March 2012 by arzearvar.

Lough Gar, County Clare, from the air

"This is a video of Lough Gar near the village of Broadford in County Clare. It was filmed in August 2014 using a DJI Phantom V2 quadcopter. The nearby lake is called Doon Lough and the mountains in the background are the Slieve Bearnaghs..." Posted on the 25th of October 2014 by Skymount Aerial.

Miltown Malbay from the air

"Miltown Malbay and its environs seen from the air in this stunning aerial video filmed by Neil Hynes." Posted on Youtube on the 27th of October 2014 by HyneSight TV.

Doonagore Castle, Doolin

"Doonagore Castle, Doolin, County Clare. The music is by Christy Barry, a legendary musician living in Doolin. I shot the video in October 2014 and the picture in the Fall of 2013." Posted on Youtube on the 4th of November 2014 by Craig Considine.

Armistice Day, November 11

Armistice Day will be celebrated next Tuesday, November 11. The photo above shows Private Patrick Halloran leaving Ennistymon for the Front in 1914 where he was killed the following year. The story of the Hallorans and Connoles of Ennistymon can be read at http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/history/soldiers/connoles_hallorans_ennistymon.htm.

There are other records relating to Clare men and women who fought and died in the World War I on the Clare library website including a list of Kilrush men at http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/history/krmen_ww1/krmen_ww1.htm and soldiers from North Clare at http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/history/soldiers/north_clare_soldiers.htm, Claremen and women who served in the Australian Imperial Forces at http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/genealogy/don_tran/mil_rec/claremen_australian_forces_ww1.htm, Claremen who served in the Canadian Forces at http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/genealogy/don_tran/mil_rec/claremen_canadian_forces_ww1.htm and Clarewomen who served in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps at http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/genealogy/don_tran/mil_rec/clarewomen_waac_ww1.htm.

There is also a list of British Army WWI Pension Records for Claremen in service at http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/genealogy/don_tran/mil_rec/british_army_ww1_claremens_pension_records.htm and the Commonwealth War Grave Commission Burials in County Clare Graveyards at http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/genealogy/don_tran/mil_rec/commonwealth_war_burials.htm gives the burial places in Clare of soldiers who died in both World Wars.

All 49,000 Irish soldiers who died during the First World War or as a result of wounds sustained during battle can be searched in Ireland’s Memorial Records in Flanders Fields Museum at http://imr.inflandersfields.be/ and, for soldiers buried abroad, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission records details of Commonwealth war dead so that graves or names on memorials can be located at http://www.cwgc.org/. Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.co.uk/cs/uk/world-war-1) provides access to millions of WWI records and South Dublin Libraries have recently launched a site – Our Heroes (http://ourheroes.southdublinlibraries.ie/) - which makes available photographs and short biographies of Irish officers and men in the British Army who were either killed in action or were mentioned in dispatches for acts of bravery during the war.

New Irish Times book club launched

The Irish Times has launched a new book club. A book will be chosen each month and over the course of the month a stream of material that will enrich the reading experience will be published. This will include a review of the book, along with the reviewer’s suggestions for themes to explore and questions to reflect on; an article by the author, explaining the inspiration for their book and addressing its themes; a quiz, testing your knowledge of the author or the theme of the work; an author interview; and archive material, such as reviews of previous works. These articles will all be open to comments from readers, to encourage discussion around the book. The book club will climax with a podcast, in which the author will discuss his book with three readers, followed by an online discussion forum, in which every book club member will have the opportunity to pose their own question.

John Boyne's new book A History of Loneliness has been chosen as the book club’s book for November. It tells the story of abuse in the Catholic Church seen through the eyes of a good priest. An article by John Boyne himself will be published in The Irish Times this week , in which he opens up about his own experience of abuse at the hands of priests. They will also publish a reflection by a priest on the theme of loneliness in the priesthood. On a lighter note, the weekly book quiz will be devoted for one week to the works of John Boyne and for another to the theme of priests in literature.

To join the bookclub see http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/the-book-club

Wednesday 5 November 2014

Crochet workshop at Kilrush Library

Twelve people took part in a crochet workshop with Mary Flanagan on Tuesday 4th November 2014 in Kilrush Public Library. Mary gave instruction on various stitches from beginners to advanced and a most enjoyable evening was had by all.

Tuesday 4 November 2014

Children’s Book Festival 2014 in Scariff Library

Children’s Book Festival 2014 was a great success in Scariff Public Library with hundreds of children participating in a jam-packed programme designed to encourage children to enjoy the experience and the magic of reading. Storytellers Niall de Burca and Pat Ryan held audiences spellbound with shows full of energy, wit and humour. Two award winning children’s authors, Nicola Pierce and Paula Leyden, attended the festival this year and brought with them stories from Zambia and Stalingrad. Both spoke enthusiastically about their lives as writers and have no doubt inspired a new generation of storytellers and writers. With a mixture of pictures, sounds and videos, David Lyons, wildlife ranger with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, brought to life the amazing wildlife to be found in County Clare and two hands-on events, a Halloween Arts and Craft session for younger children and an Introduction to Animation Workshop for older children and teenagers, brought Children’s Book Festival 2014 to a close.

Thursday 30 October 2014

Jewellery making workshops at Kilrush Library

24 Primary School children attended a jewellery making workshop in Kilrush Public Library on Tuesday 28th October 2014, which was given by library staff. The children created an assortment of beautiful bracelets, necklaces and rings. A fun time was had by all.

Thursday 23 October 2014

Crag Road session in Kilshanny, County Clare

"Crag Road played in Kilshanny House, Kilshanny, County Clare, 4th Oct 2014. A few friends joined us after a while. Thierry Masure (fiddle), Luka Bloom (guitar), Robert Crosby (box), John Harrison (reso guitar), and Pamela Queally (fiddle)." Posted on Youtube on the 7th of October 2014 by burrencrawler.

Steve Wall sings My Town - Bosca Ceoil TG4 Promo

Ennistymon's Steve Wall, of The Stunning and The Walls fame, sings his song My Town in a TG4 promotion for its new programme Bosca Ceoil. Posted on Youtube on the 27th of September 2014 by Bosca CeoilTG4.

Between All Things - A retrospective of the work of Dermot Twohigk

"Between All Things - A retrospective of the work of the late Clare artist Dermot Twohigk in an exhibition at the Courthouse Gallery & Studios, Ennistymon, County Clare Sept-Oct 2014. Music by Arvo Part." Posted on Youtube on the 13th of October 2014 by Fergus Tighe.

Cliffs of Moher - one millionth visitor in 2014

Rita Shaw, from Niceville, Florida, USA, became the one millionth visitor to the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience in 2014 when she arrived at the centre with her husband Stephen on Monday 20 October at 11.01am. Posted on Youtube on the 20th of October 2014 by Nackaer Pasolcer.

The Wild Atlantic Way at Fanore, County Clare

The Wild Atlantic Way at Fanore, County Clare. Posted on Youtube on the 16th of October 2014 by Phoenix Rizing.

A brief history of Clare Castle and the Port of Clare

"A brief history of Clare Castle and the Port of Clare." Posted on Youtube on the 3rd of July 2014 by Clarecastle Community Development Ltd.

Science Week Events at Clare County Library

Science Week Events 12th and 13th November: Educational and fun science shows in four branches of Clare County Library.

Science can help us answer the what, the why and the how, while also revealing new questions. It is a problem solver, helping us crack everyday challenges and children in Clare will have the opportunity to see this theory in practice in November.

Two educational and fun science shows will be hosted by four libraries on the 12th and 13th of November. Move It! a fast-moving show exploring the forces that are so important in allowing us to move and The Mad Professor Science Show will be offered to primary schools at Sixmilebridge, Shannon, Miltown Malbay and Ennistymon libraries. Both interactive shows will involve lots of audience participation and will cover a number of different science disciplines ideally suited to primary school children.

The Mad Professor Science Show will visit Miltown Malbay Library on the 12th of November at 10.30am and Ennistymon Library at 1.30pm. Sixmilebridge Library will host the Move It! Show on the 13th of November at 10.30am from where it will travel to Shannon Library to begin at 1.15pm. Both shows will run for approximately one hour. These events are taking part to celebrate Science Week Ireland and come to Clare County Library courtesy of the Science Federation of Ireland.

Wildlife Ranger visits Killaloe Library

David Lyons, Wildlife Ranger, National Parks and Wildlife Service, brought a mix of images, sounds and videos detailing the amazing wildlife to be found in Killaloe and its environs when he recently visited Killaloe Public Library and enthralled pupils from 5th and 6th classes in local schools.

Mick O'Dea elected as president of Royal Hibernian Academy

Ennis artist Mick O'Dea was elected the 23rd President of the Royal Hibernian Academy at its Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 14th October, 2014.

Born in Ennis, County Clare, in 1958, O’Dea studied at the National College of Art & Design, Dublin and the University of Massachusetts from 1976 to 1981. In 1997, he received an M.A. in European Fine Art from the Winchester School of Art in Barcelona and Winchester. He taught at NCAD from 1981 to 1999, and has also taught at universities in England and the U.S. O’Dea served as the first principal of the newly revived RHA School, 2006–2011. He has also worked extensively with art and education programmes in prisons and rehabilitation centres, including Portlaoise Prison, St. Patrick’s Institution, Wheatfield Prison and Youthreach, Kilrush, while establishing a successful painting career which has included many solo exhibitions. He has received numerous national and international awards and his work is held in many national collections. Upcoming exhibition...

Monday 20 October 2014

Laureate for Irish Fiction - three Clare authors nominated

The Arts Council has just announced the full list of nominees for the Laureate for Irish Fiction, with County Clare's Edna O'Brien, Niall Williams and Ré O’Laighleis joining the likes of John Banville, Sebastian Barry, Emma Donoghue, Anne Enright, Eimear McBride, and Joseph O'Connor among the 34 authors nominated. Nominations were made by 119 organisations and individuals, including book clubs, bookshops, poets, playwrights, arts organisations (including the Ennis Book Club Festival) and public libraries.

In December 2013 the Arts Council announced the establishment of a new award which will honour an outstanding Irish fiction writer and encourage the next generation of Irish fiction writers. The Laureate for Irish Fiction will be awarded by the Arts Council to an Irish writer of national and international distinction. The honour will be used to promote Irish literature nationally and internationally and to encourage the public to engage with high quality Irish fiction. The video above offers an introduction to the Laureate and outlines the nomination process via interviews with Orlaith McBride, Arts Council Director, Sheila Pratsche, Arts Council Chair, and Denis Staunton, Deputy Editor of the Irish Times.

Click here for the full list of nominees: http://www.artscouncil.ie/laureate/list-of-nominees/

Friday 17 October 2014

Sharon Shannon & Alan Connor - 'Mickey Joe Mikes'

County Clare's Sharon Shannon with Alan Connor on TG4's Bosca Ceoil. Posted on Youtube on the 5th of October 2014 by Bosca CeoilTG4.

The Famine in Kilrush, County Clare

An 1851 Report on Kilrush Workhouse published in the memoirs of Dr Robert Madden was recently added to the library website. In February of that year Dr Madden witnessed “ a multitude of human beings, exceeding a thousand, congregated round the building, men, women and children, in every state of famine debility and disease, arising from want of food, want of sufficient raiment, and in many cases want of shelter fit for human beings in that inclement season.” A number of other articles on the website throw light on the tragic situation in Kilrush Union during this period including the Minute Books for the workhouse for 1849; a return of deaths in the workhouse for 1950-51 and a report on evictions in Kilrush Union, 1847-49 by Captain Kennedy. Reports and drawings in the Illustrated London News vividly convey the dire circumstances as they unfolded and more local newspaper reports are collected in the History of Kilrush by Senan Scanlan who also addresses the role of the Vandeleur family during the Famine.

2014 Samuel Johnson Prize Shortlist announced

Six titles have been shortlisted for the 2014 Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction. The winner of the award worth £20,000 will be announced on November 4th. There are two memoirs on the shortlist. Helen Macdonald’s H is for Hawk tells of how she trained a goshawk, and Marion Coutts’ humane account of her husband's loss of speech and death from a brain tumour is recounted in The Iceberg. Village of Secrets by Caroline Moorehead tells the story of how villagers in France’s Massif Central mountains saved thousands of people from concentration camps during the Nazi occupation. The Empire of Necessity is an account of how slaves on board a 19th-century ship rose up and slaughtered most of the crew. The final two books on the shortlist are John Campbell’s A Well-Rounded Life, a biography of politician Roy Jenkins, and Alison Light’s Common People, an exploration of her family through generations of obscurity and poverty.

Historian Ruth Scurr of the judging panel said “It has been a very uplifting experience to read these books. Even the straight historical narrative books on the list are as compelling as the best novels.” Lucy Hughes-Hallett won last year’s prize for her book The Pike, a portrait of the Italian Fascist poet Gabriele D’Annunzio.

Roald Dahl Live! at Miltown Malbay Library

The children attending Wayne O’Connor’s Children's Book Festival show at the Dr. Patrick J. Hillery Public Library, Miltown Malbay, laughed all the way back to class and so did their teachers. Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes were introduced and explored through Wayne’s hilarious banter and his quirky drawings. The Big Bad Wolf, Red Riding Hood, The Three Little Pigs, Jack and the Beanstalk all featured. By the end of the hour they had been re-created in Wayne’s drawings wearing tattoos, earrings and dressed like never before with lots of help from his audience. The children, teachers and library staff said that "Wayne was absolutely amazing. A fantastic, energetic performance!"

Discover Ireland - Discover Lough Derg

"Sitting cosily between the three counties of Galway, Tipperary and Clare, Lough Derg on the Shannon offers 32,000 twinkling acres – just waiting to be enjoyed. Lough Derg is a handsome inland sea set in an attractive blend of mountain and hillside, woodland and farm and has become a major area for waterborne sport and leisure. Yet at its southern end, the Shannon ceases to be a leisurely river moving gently southward across quiet countryside." Posted on Youtube on the 30th of September 2014 by discoverireland.ie.

Surfing at Barrtra, Lahinch, October 2014

"Short edit from place called Barrtra, few miles from Lahinch, County Clare, Ireland. Waves were pumping. What an incredible day..." Posted on Youtube on the 6th of October 2014 by Michal Púchy.

Cliffs Of Moher - Walking on the northern path to O´Brien´s Tower

"Northern path on Cliffs of Moher, near Liscannor, County Clare, Ireland." Posted on Youtube on the 12th of October 2014 by Daga Muten.

The unveiling of Brian Boru Shield at Killaloe Library

On Saturday 11th October 2014 a spectacular copper shield commemorating Brian Boru in his birthplace was unveiled outside Killaloe Public Library and Heritage Centre by local author, teacher, and historian Seán Kierse. Local Councillor and Deputy Mayor of Clare Tony O’Brien, representatives of Feile Brian Boru, the local 2014 Millenium Committee and St Anne’s Community College Kincora Call Group, local residents and visitors were present at the event.

The shield was commissioned by the Feile Brian Boru Committee and created by the adults and children who took part in copper-craft workshops in July with silver-smith Suzi Lewisohn at the CELT Traditional Craft Experience. The shield is a copper sculpture using different techniques, including stamp work, riveting and wirework. The artwork was created and finished by East Clare-based blacksmith Mark Wilson, and the design for the piece was taken from a woodcut created by artist and printmaker Suzannah O’Reilly with the assistance of Ballinahinch Primary School children. Both the staff in Killaloe Library and Tourist Office and the community in general are delighted with this fabulous artistic addition to the building.

The photograph above shows Sean Kierse, local historian; John Grimes, chairman of Feile Brian Boru; Tony O’Brien, Deputy Mayor of Clare; Una Kierse, 2014 Millenium Committee and Mark Wilson, blacksmith, under the Brian Boru Shield.

Tuesday 14 October 2014

Absence – An Adam Pomeroy exhibition in Glór

'Absence' is an exhibition of new works by the Clare-based figurative artist Adam Pomeroy. Inspired by the theme of loss, the collection includes figure painting, portraiture, still life painting, and drawings. Pomeroy is probably best known in local art circles for his ‘Annunciation’, which hangs in Ennis Cathedral. It was one of a series of large-scale biblical paintings on display in various cathedrals around the country. The exhibition will continue until Friday 31st October in Glór, Ennis.

The Architectural Heritage of County Clare – A talk at X-PO Kilnaboy by Dick Cronin

The first lecture in the X-PO Kilnaboy autumn/winter series is entitled “The Architectural Heritage of County Clare” - an illustrated overview of the architectural "jewels" hidden throughout the county. The guest speaker is Dick Cronin, the Architectural Conservation Officer with Clare County Council. Dick is responsible for the built heritage of the county including historic buildings, vernacular houses, protected structures and architectural conservation areas in towns and villages. Having studied in UCD and UCG, he has worked in the conservation and restoration of historic buildings since the 1980s. In 1986 using local skills he restored Dysert O'Dea Castle which has been open to the public since as The Clare Archaeology Centre and Trail. He has published widely on the local history, archaeology, built environment and place names of County Clare and gives regular lectures to interested groups and third level colleges. Dick has served on three occasions as editor of the county archaeological journal "The Other Clare". The talk takes place at the X-PO in Kilnaboy on Wednesday October 29th at 8.00 pm. All are welcome to the talk which is free of charge. More information 087 292 54 87.

Friday 10 October 2014

The Brock Maguire band in Albany - Because It's There & Coal Miner

The Brock Maguire Band from County Clare in Albany, New York, USA, playing an old time American tune called Because It's There, and Coal Miner from the Flanagan Brothers repertoire . Posted on Youtube on the 15th of August 2014 by irisheyz53.

The Shannonvale Céilí Band at Féile Cnoc na Gaoithe, Tulla

"The Shannonvale Céilí Band CD launch Concert at Féile Cnoc na Gaoithe in Tulla, County Clare, 28-06-2014 with dancers Mairead Casey, Gearoid Devane, Suzanne Leahy and Caitlin Nic Gabhann". Posted on Youtube onnthe 6th of October 2014 by enworb01.

Cliffs Of Moher & Ireland Road Trip

"RoadTrip d'une semaine en Irlande avec Max et Dmitri. Dublin, Galway, Cliffs of Moher, le Connemara etc.. tout n'est pas dans la vidéo malheureusement, mais de très belles images malgré tout!!!". Posted on Youtube on the 7th of October 2014 by TRIP DUCH.

Diving in Fanore, County Clare, September 2014

Diving in Fanore, County Clare, September 2014. Posted on Youtube on the 1st of October 2014 by Piotr G Irish.

Wednesday 8 October 2014

Burren Winterage Weekend, October 24th-26th

Looking for something original to do this October Bank holiday weekend? Why not join in a unique Burren celebration which honour’s the generations of Burren farmers, take part in re-enactments of ancient pastoral traditions and Samhain pursuits; enjoy the songs, stories, heritage and food of the Burren landscape and experience the Burren from the farmers perspective. For hundreds of years, Burren farmers have marked the end of summer by herding their cattle up onto winter pastures in the limestone uplands, in the tradition known as winterage and the Burren is one of the only places in the world where it still occurs. Winterage has been integral to shaping today’s familiar Burren landscape.

Along with the local community, the Burrenbeo Trust is coordinating the 2014 Burren Winterage Weekend (October 24th -26th) which celebrates this fascinating farming heritage and the broader significance of pastoral farming in the Burren and beyond. The weekend includes an intriguing range of events themed around 'people, food and nature' including Sharing @ Samhain (a community feast of local produce open to all), a Burren Winterage School (focusing on the theme of sustainable farming in Ireland) and a series of farmer-led Herdsman’s Walks across some of the finest winterages in the Burren. There is a choice of two Herdsman’s Walks – one beginning in Gortlecka and the other in Fanore. Booking is essential and places are filling up fast.

Interactive Talks, an Open Farm, Family Fun and an amazing Food Fayre of local produce will also take place. The weekend will culminate in the Winterage Cattle Drove, which will be held this year in Turlough, where you can join local farmers in herding their cattle onto the high Burren where the cattle will remain for the winter. The Winterage Weekend is a non-profit event which depends on the good will of a great many people. To cover the costs of running this event raffle tickets are available - which will give the holder entry to most of the events during the weekend, so you can’t lose! These will be on sale for €5 prior to the weekend in Kinvara (Burrenbeo Office) and during the weekend at the different events. Pick up a programme locally or visit the www.burrenwinterage.com website for details of all the events. For more information or bookings please contact trust@burrenbeo.com or 091-638096.

Summer Reading Challenge Presentation at Killaloe Library

At the presentation of the certificates for the 2014 Summer Reading Challenge Presentation at Killaloe Public Library, storyteller Ruth Marshall sang and played the ukulele and told the children folk tales for 45 minutes. All the children are looking forward to the next Summer Reading Challenge!