Library Development Plan

Clare County Library Service is in the process of preparing a Library Development Plan to cover the period 2010-2015. As part of the process, we are actively seeking consultation with the public on the development and future priorities for the service. The services of the public library are provided on the basis of equality of access for all. Submissions are welcome from individuals, groups and organizations as to how they wish to see the Library Service develop. Submissions should be emailed to mailbox@clarelibrary.ie or sent by post to County Librarian, Development Plan Submission, County Library HQ, Mill Road, Ennis, County Clare. Closing date for submissions is 26th March, 2010.

Irish Times Online Bookclub

The Irish Times has launched an online bookclub which features a weekly column, a blog and interaction with the club host, Rosita Boland, via Twitter. The idea is that a book will be chosen each month which will be announced in the books page of the printed newspaper at the end of each month. Initially, the focus will be on novels, mostly newish Irish and international contemporary fiction, including popular novels, but down the line this will be broadened to include non-fiction and suggestions by participants. Rosita Boland will write the blog and hopes that readers will contribute to the discussion over the course of the month. In addition, from time to time she will post links to interesting sites, or audio, or articles about the book being discussed, and also news from the literary world in general. The first book chosen by the bookclub is Brooklyn by Colm Toibin. The blog provides links to an interview with Colm Toibin and photographs of Brooklyn in the 1950s, all of which should enrich the reader’s experience. Later, in February, there will be an opportunity to ask Toibin questions about Brooklyn . Later still, some Irish Times Book Club events are planned at which readers get to meet the author in person, whether at a film screening, a talk or a social gathering. See http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/thebookclub/


(In an exclusive interview for Warwick TV, Yaena Kwon talked to the Irish author Colm Tóibín about his latest novel "Brooklyn" and his personal experiences. Posted on Youtube by WarwickTV)

Quin Abbey in Winter

Posted on Youtube by jratt2 who says: "This is a sepia toned clip of Quin Abbey, or Quin Friary, in the depths of winter at the village of Quin, County Clare. It was filmed on the very cold and frosty afternoon of 1st December, 2008. The low, bright winter sunshine and the sepia effects produced some interesting shadows in parts of this old building..." For more info on Quin Abbey click here...

The West Clare Wrenboys

The West Clare Wren, Kilbaha, County Clare, 12th December 1979. Hornpipe: The Harvest Home; Reel: The Duke of Leinster. Posted on Youtube by clarebannerman who says: "On the 26th December each year the Wrenboys take to the road. They visit each house in the locality playing music, dancing, singing and reciting poems. The style of set dancing in Clare is symbolised by the 'battering' or foot tapping that goes on in time with the music. In Ireland, St. Stephen's Day is the day for 'Hunting the Wren' or 'Going on the Wren'. Originally, groups of small boys would hunt for a wren, and then chase the bird until they either have caught it or it has died from exhaustion. The dead bird was tied to the top of a pole or holly bush, which was decorated with ribbons or colored paper. Early in the morning of St. Stephen's Day, the wren was carried from house to house by the boys, who wore straw masks or blackened their faces with burnt cork, and dressed in old clothes."

Corcomroe Abbey

Posted on Youtube by superbonanza who says: "It starts with Corcomroe Abbey south of Galway near the Burren. This beautiful abbey was founded in 1194. We had the place to ourselves and we wandered around the grounds for a long time... Then we headed towards the coast driving through Spanish Point and Kilkee before heading down to Killimer to take the ferry over the Shannon on our way to Tralee." For more info on Corcomroe Abbey click here...

Draft Clare County Development Plan 2011-2017

[From the foreword:) The Draft Clare County Development Plan 2011-2017 is an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of County Clare and, when adopted, will set out the vision and objectives for the six year period 2011-2017. The Plan will guide development within the County during the period 2011-2017 and it is therefore imperative that the people of the County have the opportunity to influence and to participate in the preparation of the Plan. In this regard, all interested individuals and organisations, at local, regional and national levels are encouraged to avail of the opportunity over the next 10 weeks to comment or make submissions on the Draft Clare County Development Plan 2011-2017 The objectives included in the Draft Plan provide for the economic, social and cultural development of the County while protecting the natural and built environment. This Draft Plan recognises and proactively responds to the recent changes in the economic climate and has the potential to be a catalyst for positive change and growth. It builds on the unique strengths which County Clare has to offer and contains chapters on Employment and Economic Development; Social Inclusion and Cultural Development; Tourism; and Housing and Sustainable Communities. The Wind Energy Strategy which is incorporated into the Draft Plan provides a blueprint for the potential development of the County’s renewable energy resources. It is worth noting that this is the first Draft County Development Plan which has been subjected to Strategic Environmental Assessment and the provisions of Habitats Directive Assessment, as now required by EU Directives. Furthermore, the Draft Development Plan responds to the issues of climate change and flooding with the preparation of a strategic flood risk assessment. Following an extensive early public consultation process throughout the County, this Draft Clare County Development Plan 2011-2017 was prepared taking into account the views of communities, individuals and statutory bodies. The elected members, management and staff of Clare County Council have listened to the views of the public and a Draft Development Plan has now been agreed which sets out a shared vision for the future development of the County. The inclusive approach to the preparation of the draft Clare County Development Plan 2011-2017 is reflected in the accessible user-friendly language and high quality of mapping throughout the document. The process of making development plans must be open, transparent and most importantly, inclusive. It must reflect the wishes and aspirations of the people of the County. Please make YOUR views, opinions and aspirations known by engaging in the public consultation process...

Submissions or observations (2 copies) regarding the Draft Clare County Development Plan 2011 – 2017 may be made in writing to the Forward Planning unit, Planning Land Use and Transportation, Clare County Council, Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare from Monday 25th January 2010 to Tuesday 6th April, 2010. Alternatively, submissions or observations may also be emailed to forwardplan@clarecoco.ie or may be faxed to (065) 6892071. Submissions made via email must include the full name and address of the person making the submission. (Maximum document size by e-mail: 5MB). Please make your submission by one medium only i.e. hard copy, email or fax. The closing date for receipt for submissions is 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday 6th April, 2010. Written submissions or observations with respect to the Draft Development Plan made to the Planning Authority within the stated period will be taken into consideration before the making of the plan.

http://www.clarecoco.ie/Planning/Draft_County_Development_Plan_2011_2017.html

"Ennistymon Inside Out" - at Courthouse Gallery Ennistymon

Clare County Library presents an exhibition of photographs of Ennistymon taken in 1988 by Alex Browne and Anthony Edwards, recording the interiors of some of the houses and shops in Ennistymon − including the famous murals in the Falls hotel, which have since disappeared, as indeed have many of the scenes depicted in this exhibition. The exhibition runs from Tuesday 2nd to Friday 26th February. Admission free. The photos can be viewed online and downloaded freely by clicking here...

Irish Authors on 2009 UK Bestseller List

Books by four Irish authors were among the 50 bestselling books in the UK in 2009. Marian Keyes’ book This Charming Man was in 7th place on the overall list and secured the top place on the list of bestselling paperback books of 2009. Sebastian Barry’s The Secret Scripture, Maeve Binchy’s Heart and Soul and Cecelia Ahern’s The Gift were the other books by Irish authors that secured a place on the bestseller chart.

According to Nielsen’s Bookscan, the bestseller list in 2009 was topped in the UK, as expected, by Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol. Brown’s book smashed the previous record (held by Thomas Harris’ Hannibal) for the most books sold in the initial five days after publication by selling 550,900 copies. But it was Stephenie Meyer who dominated the list with 6 titles in the top 50 list. The four books in Meyer’s Twilight series have proved popular with both adults and children. Her first novel specifically aimed at adults , a sci-fi novel entitled The Host, published in 2008, secured 22nd place on the list. The first two books from Stieg Larsson’s Millennium trilogy also featured on the list. The eagerly awaited finale to the series, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest, was published in English in October 2009 and failed to make the top 50 list despite selling an impressive 152,000 copies in three months. Noticeably absent from the 2009 bestselling list was the 'Mis Lit' category – books describing a miserable childhood - which has been very popular in recent years. Celebrity biographies failed to attract anticipated sales figures but still were the most popular books in the non-fiction category. Barack Obama’s Dreams from my Father was the bestseller in this category.

The Building of the Shannon Hydro-Electric Scheme

"Footage of the construction of a hydroelectric power plant on the river Shannon, Ireland" posted on Youtube by siemens

In August 1925 one of the most important under-takings for the economic and social life of the country was begun when the first sod was cut at Ardnacrusha, Co. Clare, for the construction of the Shannon Hydro-Electric Scheme. The scheme was the beginning of the electrification of the country and led to the establishment of the Electricity Supply Board (ESB). The Shannon Scheme was one of the largest civil engineering projects of its type in the world at the time it was built, and was regarded by many Irish people as ‘The Eighth Wonder of the World.’ More information...

Asterix and Tintin celebrate significant birthdays.

2009 marked the 80th birthday and 50th birthdays respectively of two of the most well-known and well-loved comics Tintin and Asterix the Gaul. Asterix and Obelix’s Birthday: The Golden Book was published to mark the occasion with a print run of three million copies. The first in a trilogy of motion-capture 3D Tintin films from Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson is due for release in 2011.