Friday 31 May 2013

Sé Mo Laoch - Bobby Gardiner

Bobby Gardiner featured on the TG4 TV show 'Sé Mo Laoch'. Bobby Gardiner's website... Posted on Youtube on the 29th of April 2013 by Liam McKeogh.

Mike Hanrahan - Beautiful Affair

Mike Hanrahan sings his song Beautiful Affairon the TG4 TV show Geantraí in 2012. "Mike's early music work began in Ennis, County Clare withTumbleweed, a duo with acclaimed Irish vocalist and Grammy nominee Maura O Connell who now works out of Nashville U.S.A. He then spent 15 years with the world renowned Irish music group Stocktons Wing, writing songs, recording several albums and performing across the globe." Posted on Youtube on the 22nd of May 2013 by tg4amhran.

Full Flight - Stockton's Wing

Clare based Stockton's Wing: "Recorded in the Gaiety Theatre Dublin in Jan 1987. Mike Hanrahan - guitar, Maurice Lennon - fiddle, KIeran Hanrahan - Banjo, Paul Roche - Flute / whistle, Robbie Casserly - Drums, John Walsh - Bass, Peter Keenan - keyboards". Posted on Youtube on the 1st of May 2013 by stocktonswinglive.

The Teetotallers - Live at The Burren, Massachusetts

"It's a rare treat, indeed, to see three Celtic superstars perform together on stage in an intimate space like the warm Backroom of The Burren in Somerville, Massachusetts. Pull up a seat and witness Kevin Crawford (Lúnasa flautist and whistle player), Martin Hayes (Clare fiddle genius), and John Doyle (world renowned Celtic guitarist) perform a foot-stomping medley of tunes in front of a lively sold-out crowd. Hayes has been the All Ireland Fiddle Champion six times, and has won a National Entertainment Award, and the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2000 award for Instrumentalist of the Year. Doyle has collaborated with the likes of Kate Rusby, Susan McKeown, Karan Casey and Heidi Talbot. Crawford joined Moving Cloud in 1993 and then Lúnasa in 1997, replacing Michael McGoldrick. Crawford became the 'frontman' for Lúnasa during their live performances." Posted on Youtube on the 9th of May 2013 by WGBHMusic.

Riches Of Clare Concert - Seamus Hynes, Joe Rynne, Donie Nolan, and Jack Talty

Riches Of Clare Concert in the Clare Museum, Ennis. "On Day 2 part of our 'Home Team' performed. Seamus Hynes, Joe Rynne, Donie Nolan, and Jack Talty were up. All are from Clare but Donie (a West Limerickman who did nobly hold his own). Seamus and Joe are part of the Four Courts Ceili Band who we have danced to twice a week in Vaughan's Dance Barn, Kilfenora for many years." Posted on Youtube on the 26th of May 2013 by Niamhaines.

Local Heroes: Killaloe & Ballina, Clare & Tipperary

RTE TV show featuring the twin towns of Killaloe in County Clare and Ballina in County Tipperary. Posted online onn the 8th of May 2013 by Liam McKeogh.

Kildysart Community College

"Introduction to St John Bosco Community College in Kildysart, County Clare." Posted on Youtube on the 20th of February 2013 by Kildysart CC.

Ennis, County Clare

Ennis, County Clare. Posted on Youtube on the 21st of June 2012 by celticknot226.

Tuesday 28 May 2013

Africa Day celebrations at deValera Library

The children of first class from the Holy Family Scoil na nÓg Ennis visited deValera Public Library, Ennis, on the morning of May 21st to celebrate Africa Day. During an hour long visit the children were entertained by stories about the continent chosen from the library’s picture book collection and delivered by Library Assistant Seamus Ryan. Shola Kogbodoku, originally from Nigeria and now living in Ennis, joined the celebrations to tell the children the names of African animals in her native language, Yoruba. Shola brought a display of the most amazing, colourful clothes from her home in Nigeria and explained to the children how they were made and decorated. The children also got a chance to dress in an array of African kangas made from stunning, vibrant, printed fabrics and they very much enjoyed experimenting with African gourd percussion instruments, all expertly demonstrated by Shola to whom the library is very grateful for her enthusiasm in helping with this event.

Monday 27 May 2013

Loop Head peninsula - “Best Place to Holiday in Ireland”

The Loop Head peninsula in County Clare has been named the “Best Place to Holiday in Ireland” in an Irish Times competition. The competition reflects the fact that Irish people have holidayed at home in large numbers in recent years. In 2011, 57 per cent of Irish holidays were taken domestically. Visitors to Loop Head can take part in a range of water-based activities, including kayaking, paddle boarding and windsurfing. In 2010, the area won an Eden award, which recognises sustainable tourism in Europe, for its aquatic activities. Since then, a number of new tourism businesses, including walking and cycling companies, eco-camping, and driving tours have been established, and most are members of the Loop Head Tourism business network. More...

Friday 24 May 2013

Clare Reel, East Clare Reel, Sporting Nell - The Teetotalers

"The Clare Reel, The East Clare Reel, Sporting Nell - The Teetotalers (Martin Hayes, Kevin Crawford, & John Doyle) at The Front Hall April 28, 2013." Posted on Youtube on the 19th of May 2013 by John Boatman.

Cliffs of Moher to Doolin Cliff Walk

The Doolin to the Cliffs of Moher Walk is a wonderful new path that hugs the dramatic coastline between the village of Doolin and the Cliffs. Starting in Doolin, walkers gradually climb over 200 metres, the Cliffs unfurling themselves majestically as the walk progresses. The path can also be walked from south to north, of course, as it is in this video. Not to be attempted when a strong east wind is blowing! Posted on Youtube on the 23rd of May 2013 by Brian Mullahey.

Clare vs Offaly 1995, All Ireland hurling victory

Clare's famous All Ireland Hurling victory in 1995. Posted on Youtube on the 5th of April 2013 by Conor Ryan.

Clare Motor Club, Corkscrew Hill 2013

"4 runs on the Corkscrew hill in County Clare in changeable conditions." Posted on Youtube on the 21st of May 2013 by Gerard O'Connor.

P.J. Murrihy - West Clare Famine Song

"P.J. has written a song commemorating the Great Famine in West Clare. He will be honoured to be performing this song in the presence of President Higgins on Sunday 12th May 2013 at the Famine Commemorating event in Kilrush open air. Full album available by post and will be available for download on iTunes shortly. From P.J's latest album, Keep Me In Mind. Photo: David Olsthoorn. Photo is of Mutton Island off the coast of Quilty, County Clare." Posted on Youtube on the 9th of May 2013 by PJMurrihyMusic.

The Burren Food Forum 2013

"Slow Food Clare hosts a spring festival every year, which features a market, cookery demonstrations and, this year, a forum about what its like to live and work in food in this coastal, limestone Geo Park." posted on Youtube on the 20th of May 2013 by IrishFoodChannel.

Ennistymon Falls

"Ennistymon is famous for featuring as the town used in Father Ted. There is a Falls Hotel where the cast stayed during filming." Posted on Youtube on the 21st of May 2013 by Karen Dunn.

St Mary's Band from Phoenix visit Ennis

"Slideshow of St Mary's Highschool Band from Phoenix City in Arizona from their recent visit to Ennis in County Clare. The town of Ennis was celebrating the 25th Anniversary of it's twinning with Phoenix City. The band performed at numerous venues during their stay and this clip covers their performances the Civic Reception hosted by the Town Council along with their visit to Bunratty Folk Park. It also includes their visit to Barefield National School and Scoil Chríost Rí, Cloughleigh." Posted on Youtube on the 8th of May 2013 by Eddie Corry.

Wednesday 22 May 2013

The Clare Museum awarded 2013 Certificate of Excellence from Tripadvisor

The Clare Museum has been awarded a 2013 Certificate of Excellence from Tripadvisor. According to Tripadvisor, "This prestigious award, which places Clare Museum in the top-performing 10% of all businesses worldwide on TripAdvisor, is given to businesses that consistently earn high ratings from TripAdvisor travellers." The accolade is given only to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveller reviews on TripAdvisor.com, the world's largest travel site.

To qualify for the Certificate of Excellence, businesses must maintain an overall rating of four or higher, out of a possible five, as reviewed by travellers on TripAdvisor. Additional criteria include the volume of reviews received within the last 12 months. "TripAdvisor is pleased to honor exceptional businesses for consistent excellence, as reviewed by travellers on the site," said Christine Petersen, President, TripAdvisor for Business. "The Certificate of Excellence Award gives highly rated establishments around the world the recognition they deserve. From exceptional accommodations in Beijing to remarkable restaurants in Boston, we want to applaud these businesses for offering TripAdvisor travelers a great customer experience."

Card-making Workshop in Kilrush Library


On Thursday 16th May, Kilrush Public Library hosted a Card-making Workshop by Mary Reynolds. Mary provided a great variety of craft material and demonstrated various techniques such as decoupage and spiral designs. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon and created some beautiful cards.

Friday 17 May 2013

Knute Skinner recites "A Useful Bench" in his own house

"Knute Skinner is a renowned poet who moved from Missouri to Killaspuglonane in Lahinch in the early 1960s. He has had a lifetime of poems published, his first poetry book "Stranger with a Watch" published in 1965. He continues to live here with his amazing wife Edna who has a smile for everyone..." Knute was a founder member of the North Clare Writers Workshop which was based in Ennistymon Library. Posted on Youtube on the 12th of May 2013 by burrencrawler.

Russell Memorial Weekend, Doolin, 2013

"One day at Gus O'Conner's pub in Doolin, County Clare," during the Russell Memorial Weekend 2013. Posted on Youtube on the 25th of April 2013 by IsMiseKey.

Hat-trick for Mantel?

Hilary Mantel is on track to add the 2013 Woman’s Prize for Fiction to her collection of awards for Bring Up the Bodies, the second in her Thomas Cromwell trilogy, having already become the first author to win the Man Booker and Costa book prizes in the same year. But Mantel faces strong competition from what has been described as a 'staggeringly stron' shortlist which includes books by two previous winners of the award - Zadie Smith (NW) and Barbara Kingsolver (Flight Behaviour). Completing the shortlist for the award are books by well established authors Kate Atkinson and AM Homes, and writer of TV shows Arrested Development and Ellen - Maria Semple. The winner of the 2013 Women’s Prize for Fiction will be announced at an awards ceremony in London on June 5th. The shortlist: Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel; Flight Behaviour by Barbara Kingsolver; Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple; Life After Life by Kate Atkinson; May We Be Forgiven by A M Homes and NW by Zadie Smith.

Anon is Anall exhibition in Glor 2013

"Short Film of the exhibition Anon is Anall III which was opened by Councilman Michael Johnston, Phoenix in Glor, Ennis, County Clare, on St Patricks Day 2013. Exhibiting artists were Carmel Doherty, Mick O'Dea, Lorraine Wall, John Gibbons, Jean Regan, Brian McMahon, Bernard Dowd, Will Gillchrist and Richard Sharp. All of these artists used Traditional Irish tunes created by County Clare musicians as the inspiration point. The participating musicians are Padraig Rynne, Tola Custy, Kevin Crawford, PJ King, The Pecker Dunne, Karol Lynch, Kevin O'Connor and Siobhan Peoples." Posted on Youtube on the 14th of May 2013 by Carmel Doherty.

Cliffs of Moher Documentary

"Video by Robin Wallace http://www.celticvideo.com. Also included is information of the Burren and the Doolin Cave." posted on Youtube on the 13th of May 2013 by wwwcelticvideocom.

Thursday 16 May 2013

Africa Day (25th May) Celebrations in County Clare


Africa Day, designated by the African Union as an annual celebration of the continent’s unity, falls on 25th May each year. Africa Day provides an opportunity to acknowledge the achievements of the peoples and governments of Africa; and their host country’s government for Africans in Diaspora, to reaffirm a combined and continued support to build a better future. Africa is a dynamic continent undergoing fundamental transformation. 2013 marks the 50th anniversary of Africa Day. Celebrations to mark the day occur across the globe and in some African states it is a designated national holiday.

Events are taking place throughout County Clare during the week 19th-26th May as part of these celebrations. For its part, Clare County Library will showcase a selection of African books and books by African authors by having book displays in many of our branches. On Tuesday 21st May the De Valera Public Library in Ennis will play host to children from the Holy Family National School and entertain them with an African story time. Also to mark Africa Day Irish Aid has invited book clubs nationwide to take part in the Africa Day Book Club event. ‘How to Read the Air’ by Dinaw Mengestu has been chosen as the Africa Day 2013 Book Club book. Some copies of this book are available in branches of Clare County Library. For more information you can visit the library website at www.clarelibrary.ie or phone 065-6821616.

Clare County Council will also take part in the celebrations by hosting a “Taste of Africa” event in the foyer of Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis on Wednesday, 22nd May. Celebrations will include samples of African food and entertainment with African music. For more information phone 065-6821616.


Africa Day 25th May

Bealtaine Knitting Celebration - Sixmilebridge Library


As part of the Bealtaine Festival, Kilfinaghty Public Library, Sixmilebridge, hosted a 'knitting celebration' on Wednesday, 15th May. A knitting group meets in the library every week and on this special day they displayed their work and celebrated it with some light refreshments and chat.

Wednesday 15 May 2013

The London Illustrated News Kilrush 1849 – A Raidio Corca Baiscinn programme

The London Illustrated News Kilrush 1849 is a radio programme going out on Friday 17 May 2013 at 5pm on Raidio Corca Baiscinn on 92.5 and 94.8fm or online at www.rcb.ie. It will feature 5 newspaper reports from the Poor Law Union of Kilrush in December 1849 when the artist and reporter James Mahoney visited the area. The reports will now go out in radio format so that listeners can experience the reports as if they were happening today.

See also:
Remembering the Great Irish Famine on RTE Nationwide, featuring the National Famine Commemoration in Kilrush, County Clare http://www.rte.ie/player/ie/show/10148486/

The National Famine Memorial Day Commemoration in Kilrush, as attended by President Michael D. Higgins, diplomatic corps, Defence Forces, religious leaders and members of the public. RTE live coverage of the event. http://www.rte.ie/player/ie/show/10148303/

and the extensive information on the Kilrush Poor Law Union at http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/history/intro.htm

Tuesday 14 May 2013

Sit and knit/crochet workshop - Bealtaine Event at Kilrush Library


Kilrush Public Library hosted a sit and knit/crochet workshop on Monday 13th May. 11 adults and 2 children took part and some people brought along their beautiful handmade creations, which were admired by all. This group of adults meets every Monday afternoon at the Family Resource Centre, Kilrush from 2.30 – 4pm and newcomers are always welcome.

‘Being an Archaeologist for a Day’ workshop at Clare Museum


Transition Year students from Colaiste Mhuire, Ennis, engaged in ‘Being an Archaeologist for a day’ activities at Clare Museum. At this workshop students learn to excavate, record and describe their finds under the supervision of a professional archaeologist. This experience informs the students about the profession at a time when they are still deciding the academic route they will take at university or other third level college. The final workshop for this term will take place on Thursday, 16th May, and is already fully subscribed. However, Transition Year co-ordinators interested in booking their TY classes into future workshops should contact John Rattigan, Museum Curator at 065-6823382.

Monday 13 May 2013

Sheena Wilkinson Wins Two Children’s Books Ireland Awards

Sheena Wilkinson is the second author ever to win both the Book of The Year Award and the Children’s Choice Award, an extraordinary achievement, only once before accomplished by Celine Kiernan. Set in a bleak, contemporary Belfast, Grounded is the story of a talented show-jumper from the wrong side of the tracks and his struggle to cope with his responsibilities as a boyfriend, son, employee and friend. Grounded is the sequel to Sheena’s debut novel Taking Flight, which won both the CBI Honour Award for Fiction and the Children’s Choice Award in 2011, as well as an International Youth Library White Raven Award and a 2012 IBBY Honour List place for Ireland. Little Island publisher Siobhán Parkinson who was herself shortlisted for this year’s awards, for her book Spellbound, said, “It’s great to have our opinion of Grounded as a truly outstanding novel affirmed by both the CBI adult judging panel and the young judges.” Sheena’s most recent novel, Too Many Ponies, will be published this week by Little Island, and is her first book for younger readers aged 9 plus. Inis magazine described it as ‘An exciting read for lovers of horses and underdog stories’ and the website ponymadbooklovers.co.uk rated it “5 horseshoes – excellent! One of the best pony stories of the year.” Clare County Library is delighted to announce that Sheena Wilkinson will be one of the authors who will tour our branches during Children’s Book Festival in October 2013.

Doolin Writers Weekend 24th-26th May


The weekend is tailored towards aspiring writers and lovers of literature everywhere. Many artists and writers spent time in Doolin, including J.M. Synge, George Bernard Shaw, Dylan Thomas, Augustus John and Oliver St. John Gogarty. The weekend kicks off with the entertaining Terri Hooley who will talk about his memoir ‘Good Vibrations.’ Terri Hooley is a prominent figure in the Belfast punk scene and founder of the Good Vibrations record shop and label, responsible for bands such as The Undertones, Rudi and The Outcasts making their mark on the national music scene in Ireland & Britain. After playing Teenage Kicks on BBC national radio John Peel then became a big supporter of the Good Vibrations record label. The label celebrated its thirty- year anniversary in April 2008. The film based on the book is currently in the cinemas and is receiving rave reviews. Other highlights of the weekend include a song writing workshop with Steve Wall of The Walls & The Stunning, local author Eddie Stack who will give a talk about Doolin’s own bohemian poet Francis McNamara and playwright and novelist Peter Sheridan will perform his one man show ‘Break a Leg'. There will also be workshops in novel writing, short story writing and poetry from Colette Caddle, Mike McCormack and Sarah Clancy.

Friday 10 May 2013

Masters of Tradition 3 - Martin Hayes and friends

"Masters of Tradition brought to Santa Cruz by the Celtic Society of Monterey Bay at the Rio Theatre with David Power, Martin Hayes, Cathal Hayden, Máirtín O'Connor, Seamie O'Dowd & Dennis Cahill." Posted on Youtube on the 3rd of May 2013 by Zahller.

In The Name Of Willie Clancy - Donal Dineen and Myles O'Reilly

"A unique perspective of Willie Clancy week in Miltown Malbay, Co Clare, through the eyes of Donal Dineen and Myles O'Reilly by invite of Caoimhin O'Raghallaigh and the St.Joseph's Fiddle School. 'Our inspiration for this documentary was a film Tony McMahon made of the Fleadh in Listowel, County Kerry in '73. It's a very powerful piece of work and it struck both of us like lightning. It really captures the spirit of the place, the people and the time. There are glorious performances throughout and really critical interviews with some giants of the age. As a Kerryman myself I love the way McMahon's camera interacts with the many faces of the Fleadh. We see so many of them in his film. It's a folk festival and the director introduces us to the people, the best a filmaker can do. I think seeing it woke us both up to the importance of trying to highlight the virtues of something really vital that might be get missed and lost in time otherwise. If you can capture the essence of what something stands for at a particular time then it becomes a valuable document just like 'Listowel 1973'. That's what took us to Milltown Mallbay.' Donal Dineen. Filmed by Donal Dineen and Myles O'Reilly. Edited by Myles O'Reilly." Posted on Youtube on the 28th of April 2013 by mylesoreilly.

Tina Mulrooney, Cliffs of Moher musician

"Tina Mulrooney is a celtic harpist & singer who performs regularly at the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare Ireland. This video was shot at the Cliffs and shows both the wild beauty of the cliffs and the magical music that Tina creates. She holds one of the busking licences for the Cliffs of Moher." posted on Youtube on the 27th of April 2013 by CliffsofMoherClare

6,000th photo added to Graveyard Inscriptions Collection in Foto

The 6,000th photograph was added to the Graveyard Inscriptions Collection in Foto, our online photographic database, this week with the uploading of Bunratty Graveyard, donated by the Clare Roots Society.  Headstone inscriptions are a very useful tool for genealogists, listing names, dates of birth and death, relationships between family members and place of residence.  Several generations can be listed on a single headstone.  By its nature, this information can be difficult for people to access.  There are now photographs with transcriptions of 47 Clare graveyards in Foto.  The text of the transcriptions can be searched for surnames, placenames etc.  The transcriptions for each graveyard can be read as a whole in our Donated Materials Section . This section also includes transcriptions of graveyards without photographs, bringing the total numbers of graveyards covered to 125. All these transcriptions and photographs have been donated by individuals, historical and genealogical societies and community groups.  Thank you all.

Mullaghmore Mountain in County Clare - Trek Ireland Treadmill

"Described by John O'Donoghue, author of Anam Cara, a book of Celtic Wisdom, Mullaghmore mountain is a holy mountain, a 'tabernacle' situated in the very heart of the Burren 'whose twisted shapes evokes a poignancy that once glimpsed can never be forgotten'. On a glorious sunny day, with wild flowers of every description bursting out through the bare limestone rock Trek Ireland's treadmill video follows a Famine relief road before turning sharply off the road to walk roughshod over the glints and grikes of this wonderful landscape, passing dry stone walls and sheep pens, to the top of a hillock..." Posted on Youtube on the 29th of April 2013 by Jake Mac Manus.

CYS Ennis Music Project Incubator 2012

"This a video created by members of the Ennis Music Project showcasing the Incubator Project 2012 which ran from September to December 22nd with a gig in Glór Theatre, Ennis County Clare. This program would not have been possible if it was not for the continued support of the Mid West Regional Drugs Task Force (MWRDTF). The Ennis Music Project is a Clare Youth Service initiative if you require further information contact ennismusicproject@clareyouthservice.org & www.facebook.com/ennismusicproject & www.clareyouthservice.org." Posted on Youtube on the 25th of April 2013 by EnnisMusicProject.

Clare vs Wexford, Croke Park 2005

Highlights of the 2005 All Ireland hurling quarter final match played at Croke Park between Wexford and Clare. Clare won the game with one goal and twenty points to Wexford's twelve points. Posted on Youtube on the 7th of May 2013 by Conor Ryan.

Muhammad Ali honours his Irish ancestors in Ennis

Posted on Youtube on the 9th of May 2013 by karl hoffmannn.

Welcome to The Burren Tolkien Society Festival (May 9th - 16th)

"Peter Curtin the founder of the Burren Tolkien Society Festival welcomes people to the first ever festival taking place in the Burren College of Art in Ballyvaughen & The Roadside Tavern, Lisdoonvarna between May 9th to May 16th. For more information please visit http://www.burrentolkiensociety.ie/ or https://www.facebook.com/BurrenTolkien." Posted on Youtube on the 8th of May 2013 by StoneCrackeder.

David Skinner at Ennistymon Courthouse Gallery

"A recent exhibition of paintings by David Skinner at the the Red Couch Space in the the Courthouse Gallery, Ennistymon, Co. Clare, Ireland. David talks us through his current work." Posted on Youtube on the 7th of May 2013 by Fergus Tighe.