Monday, 30 June 2008
Read library website in twenty different languages
Thanks to Google, much of this website may now be read in a variety of different languages. On the home page and some other pages, select your desired language from the list of icons representing flags of countries (and Arabic). See image above. Once a page has been translated follow the links on that page, and subsequent pages will also be translated in the selected language. Languages included are Arabic, Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hindi, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish and Swedish.
This service will also work on the Online Forums and the Library Blog, and is an aid to using the online library catalogue (OPAC). Just follow the links from the home page in the desired language. Please note that it may take a few minutes to translate some pages - and it is 'automatic translation'.
County Clare Arts Facilities Audit
The Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism is completing a national audit of arts facilities in order to identify the existing levels of provision and to assess future needs in each county. The Audit for County Clare will be completed by the Arts Office of Clare County Council. The Definition of an Arts Facility for the purpose of this research is: ‘Any premises purpose built for, or adapted for the use of the arts and which has been fully or partially publicly funded.’ Full details and audit forms are available from The Arts Office, Clare County Library, Mill Road, Ennis, Co.Clare. Tel: 065 6846267. Fax: 065 6842462 Email:arts@clarelibrary.ie. Closing date for return of completed audit forms is September 15th, 2008.
Friday, 27 June 2008
'How-To' books on Driving and Cookery most popular
In the list of the ten most popular non-fiction books borrowed from the library for the first half of 2008, books on cooking and passing the driving test dominate. Reflecting the rush to exchange those provisional driving licences for the real thing, books on passing the driving test occupy the 1st, 2nd and 10th place on the list. Rachel Allen’s Food For Living and Favourite Food at Home hold the 3rd and 4th place on the top ten list with Neven Maguire’s Real Food For Families in 5th place. Further reflecting the impact of TV and radio exposure on people’s reading interests, Clare’s own David Coleman’s book entitled Parenting is Child’s Play and Derek Mooney’s Complete Irish Wildlife both make the top ten. Following her recent death, there has been a resurgence of interest in Nuala O’Faolain’s biography Are You Somebody? The final book to make the list of the top ten most borrowed books from the library in the first half of 2008 is the Guinness Book of Records – always a favourite with both adults and children. This is the first year since 2001 that a book of house plans has not made the top ten list – a sign of the times.
Award for Derek Landy
Dublin Author Derek Landy, who toured Clare Library branches during Children’s Book Festival 2007, has been chosen as the overall winner of the Red House Children’s Book Award - the only children’s book award voted for by children - for his book Skulduggery Pleasant. Warner Bros own the film rights for Skulduggery Pleasant which is expected to be released in 2010. The second book in the sequel Skulduggery Pleasant: Playing with Fire from the author who has been hailed as the successor to JK Rowling, is proving equally popular among young readers.
The Orange Prize
Rose Tremain has won the 13th Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction for her novel The Road Home. The Orange Prize was set up in 1996 to celebrate and promote fiction written by women. The prize is now second only to the Booker in terms of the influence it has on UK book sales, more so than the Costa, the Pulitzer or the Nobel.
Devil May Care
Devil May Care – the new James Bond book by Sebastian Faulks – is fourth in the Irish bestseller charts and tops the UK bestseller charts having sold over 100,000 copies since its publication last month. 2008 marks the centenary of the birth of the writer, Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond. To mark this event, the complete set of all 14 of Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels have been republished by Penguin under the Penguin 007 imprint. More than 100 million James Bond books have been sold and more than half the world's population has seen a Bond film.
Speaking Volumes
The Summer 2008 edition of the Clare County Library newsletter has just been published. It is available in all public libraries and other locations throughout the county and contains information on Library and Arts events that will take place over the summer months.
Thursday, 26 June 2008
TRADING SPACE – art in Ennistymon shop windows 17th to 31st July
Trading Space features an exhibition of work by artists in various window fronts throughout Ennistymon.
Participating artists and their selected venues include:
Jackie Askew/ drawing, photography - Dalys;
Maria Connole/ painting - Gilnas' Optometrist;
Maeve Collins/ installation, performance - The Square;
Sarah Fuller, Maria Kerin, Vanessa Earl Maguire/ performance, video - Griffins & another venue yet to be selected;
Tabatha Gravener/drawing - The Medical Centre;
Rob Henderson/ sculpture installation – Haran’s Pub;
Josie O'Connor/print - Chinese Take Away;
Fiona O'Dwyer/ print;
Judy O'Sullivan/ photography - The Courthouse Studios;
Patsy Ricks/ painting – Cooley’s;
Fergus Tighe/ film - McCaws (window between Eugene’s and Cooley’s Pubs).
Participating artists and their selected venues include:
Jackie Askew/ drawing, photography - Dalys;
Maria Connole/ painting - Gilnas' Optometrist;
Maeve Collins/ installation, performance - The Square;
Sarah Fuller, Maria Kerin, Vanessa Earl Maguire/ performance, video - Griffins & another venue yet to be selected;
Tabatha Gravener/drawing - The Medical Centre;
Rob Henderson/ sculpture installation – Haran’s Pub;
Josie O'Connor/print - Chinese Take Away;
Fiona O'Dwyer/ print;
Judy O'Sullivan/ photography - The Courthouse Studios;
Patsy Ricks/ painting – Cooley’s;
Fergus Tighe/ film - McCaws (window between Eugene’s and Cooley’s Pubs).
Wednesday, 25 June 2008
Genealogy searching on library website
A very helpful example of how to use the Clare Library website in searching for family history is given by Paddy Casey in a recent post to the Clare Past forum in response to a query regarding John Kane (born 1810) and his wife Ann Kane (born 1815). If you’re new to the website and are searching for ancestors then take a look at Paddy’s post and follow his advice. And don’t forget to take a look at the website’s Visitors Book also. This contains a wealth of helpful hints on using the website for genealogical research.
The Magnetic Music Café’s "Best for the West" concert series
In Doolin, The Magnetic Music Café’s "Best for the West" concert series starts in July and runs until early September, with doors opening each night at 9.30pm. As The Magnetic Music Café is a small, intimate venue, it would be advisable to book tickets in advance by phoning 065 707 4988.
20 July: – ‘The Long Notes’ Collette O'Leary (piano accordion) Brian Kelly (banjo, mandolin) with Jamie Smith (fiddle) & Ewan Robertson
27 July: – Winifred Horan (fiddle) & Mick McAuley (accordion) from the US Irish traditional band group SOLAS.
01 August – featuring Irish traditional band TEADA.
07 August – featuring Catriona McKay (harp - Scotland) Chris Stout (fiddle – Shetland Island) Tommy O’Sullivan (vocals+guitar - Ireland)
10 August 2008 – featuring Siobhán O’Brien Trio Singer/Songwriter
16 August 2008, 9.30pm – featuring Christy McNamara Trio (accordion)
23 August 2008, 9.30pm – featuring Sarah McQuaid (singer/guitarist and songwriter)
29 August 2008, 9.30pm – featuring The Kane Sisters (fiddles) & John Blake (guitar, piano, flute)
20 July: – ‘The Long Notes’ Collette O'Leary (piano accordion) Brian Kelly (banjo, mandolin) with Jamie Smith (fiddle) & Ewan Robertson
27 July: – Winifred Horan (fiddle) & Mick McAuley (accordion) from the US Irish traditional band group SOLAS.
01 August – featuring Irish traditional band TEADA.
07 August – featuring Catriona McKay (harp - Scotland) Chris Stout (fiddle – Shetland Island) Tommy O’Sullivan (vocals+guitar - Ireland)
10 August 2008 – featuring Siobhán O’Brien Trio Singer/Songwriter
16 August 2008, 9.30pm – featuring Christy McNamara Trio (accordion)
23 August 2008, 9.30pm – featuring Sarah McQuaid (singer/guitarist and songwriter)
29 August 2008, 9.30pm – featuring The Kane Sisters (fiddles) & John Blake (guitar, piano, flute)
Summer Storytime Sessions
Weekly storytime sessions for young children will run in many branches of Clare County Library during the Summer months. Lasting on average three quarters of an hour, these sessions may also include colouring, jig-saws, nursery rhymes and song.
Contact your local library at:
Miltown Malbay (065 7084822)
Newmarket on Fergus (061 368411)
Killaloe (061 376062)
Tulla (065 6835919)
Shannon (061 364266)
Sixmilebridge (061 368411)
Kilrush (065 9051504)
Contact your local library at:
Miltown Malbay (065 7084822)
Newmarket on Fergus (061 368411)
Killaloe (061 376062)
Tulla (065 6835919)
Shannon (061 364266)
Sixmilebridge (061 368411)
Kilrush (065 9051504)
Alfie Green and the Conker King by Joe O’Brien
In Alfie Green and the Conker King, Alfie and his arch rival Whacker Walsh are at loggerheads again. This time they’re on opposing teams in the school conker championships. Alfie’s mission is to find a super strong conker to help him win, because with Conor Houlihan on his team and Whacker cheating as usual, he’s at a definite disadvantage. He must travel to the home of the last great king of the conker warriors and persuade him to part with his prized possession.
This is Joe O’Brien’s sixth book in the popular Alfie Green series. These are ideal stories for newly independent readers who are making the transition from having stories read to them, to reading for themselves. They will especially appeal to boys aged six and upwards. Alfie Green and the Conker King is action-packed, full of fantasy and fun and will strike a chord with all boys who have ever played conkers with their friends.
This is Joe O’Brien’s sixth book in the popular Alfie Green series. These are ideal stories for newly independent readers who are making the transition from having stories read to them, to reading for themselves. They will especially appeal to boys aged six and upwards. Alfie Green and the Conker King is action-packed, full of fantasy and fun and will strike a chord with all boys who have ever played conkers with their friends.
IMPAC Prize 2008
De Niro's Game by Rawi Hage has scooped the world’s richest literary prize of €100,000 by being awarded the 13th annual International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. Previous winners include The Master by Colm Toibin and Out Stealing Horses by Per Pettersen. The Award is presented annually with the objective of promoting excellence in world literature. It is open to novels written in any language and by authors of any nationality, provided the work has been published in English or English translation in the specified time period. Nominations are submitted by library systems in major cities throughout the world. Cork, Dublin, Galway and Limerick City libraries and Waterford County library are nominating libraries for the award.
In “De Niro’s Game”, Bassam and George are childhood best friends who have grown to adulthood in war torn Beirut. Now they must choose their futures: to stay in the city and consolidate power through crime; or to go into exile abroad, alienated from the only existence they have known. Bassam chooses one path - obsessed with leaving Beirut, he embarks on a series of petty crimes to finance his departure. Meanwhile, George builds his power in the underworld of the city and embraces a life of military service, crime for profit, killing, and drugs. Told in the voice of Bassam, De Niro's Game is a beautiful, explosive portrait of a contemporary young man shaped by a lifelong experience of war. The book powerfully conveys the brutality of war and its dehumanizing effects on those caught up in it.
In “De Niro’s Game”, Bassam and George are childhood best friends who have grown to adulthood in war torn Beirut. Now they must choose their futures: to stay in the city and consolidate power through crime; or to go into exile abroad, alienated from the only existence they have known. Bassam chooses one path - obsessed with leaving Beirut, he embarks on a series of petty crimes to finance his departure. Meanwhile, George builds his power in the underworld of the city and embraces a life of military service, crime for profit, killing, and drugs. Told in the voice of Bassam, De Niro's Game is a beautiful, explosive portrait of a contemporary young man shaped by a lifelong experience of war. The book powerfully conveys the brutality of war and its dehumanizing effects on those caught up in it.
E-book Reader
Amazon’s Kindle e-book reader is estimated to have sold around 30,000 devices since its launch last year. More than 125,000 titles are available for the device, selling at around €6.40 each. Amazon is understood to be planning a 2009 UK release date for the Kindle. Fans of the electronic book in Ireland may not have to wait too much longer either.
Children’s Summer Activities at deValera Library Ennis
Monday 30th June: Crafts with Ana and Joann 3pm to 4pm Ages 5 - 7
Tuesday 1st July: Visit to Ennis Abbey 11am to 12noon Ages 8 – 12
Art Session with Brendan 3pm to 4pm Ages 5 - 8
Wednesday 2nd July: Wool Spinning Workshop with Suzanna 11.30am to 12.45pm Ages 7 – 12 and Children’s Storytime 3.15pm to 4pm Ages 3-5
Thursday 3rd July Mask Making with Edel 11am to 12.30pm Ages 7-12
Paper Sculpture with Edel 3pm to 4.30pm Ages 7-12
Friday 4th July Fire Station Visit 11am -12 noon Ages 8-12
Monday 7th July Visit to Clare Museum 3pm to 4pm Ages 7-12
Tuesday 8th July Visit to Ennis Abbey 11am to 12.00 noon Ages 8-12
Art Session with Brendan 3pm to 4pm Ages 9-12
Wednesday 9th July Fire Station Visit 11am to12 noon Ages 5-7
Children’s Storytime 3.15pm - 4pm Ages 3-5
Thursday 10th July Face Painting with Tembre 3pm to 4pm Ages 3-8
Friday 11th July Sculpture Trail Walk 3pm to 4pm Ages 8-12
Further details can be obtained by calling in to de Valera Public Library, Harmony Row, Ennis or by phoning 065-6846353
Tuesday 1st July: Visit to Ennis Abbey 11am to 12noon Ages 8 – 12
Art Session with Brendan 3pm to 4pm Ages 5 - 8
Wednesday 2nd July: Wool Spinning Workshop with Suzanna 11.30am to 12.45pm Ages 7 – 12 and Children’s Storytime 3.15pm to 4pm Ages 3-5
Thursday 3rd July Mask Making with Edel 11am to 12.30pm Ages 7-12
Paper Sculpture with Edel 3pm to 4.30pm Ages 7-12
Friday 4th July Fire Station Visit 11am -12 noon Ages 8-12
Monday 7th July Visit to Clare Museum 3pm to 4pm Ages 7-12
Tuesday 8th July Visit to Ennis Abbey 11am to 12.00 noon Ages 8-12
Art Session with Brendan 3pm to 4pm Ages 9-12
Wednesday 9th July Fire Station Visit 11am to12 noon Ages 5-7
Children’s Storytime 3.15pm - 4pm Ages 3-5
Thursday 10th July Face Painting with Tembre 3pm to 4pm Ages 3-8
Friday 11th July Sculpture Trail Walk 3pm to 4pm Ages 8-12
Further details can be obtained by calling in to de Valera Public Library, Harmony Row, Ennis or by phoning 065-6846353
Children’s Summer Activities at Sean Lemass Public Library Shannon
Tuesday 1st July 4pm: Children’s Storytime Ages 4 – 7
Wednesday 2nd July 4pm: Children's Book Club Ages 8 - 12. The chosen book for this meeting is Siobhan Parkinson’s The Moon King.
Thursday 3rd July 4pm: Children’s Crafts Ages 7 - 12
Monday 7th July 4pm: 'Happy Hour'. Chris Bekman teaches children to relax.
Tuesday 8th July 4pm: Children’s Storytime Ages 4 - 7.
Wednesday 9th July 4pm: Monday 7th BURREN Talk, by Emma Glenville, a Burren Conservation Ranger.
Thursday 10th July 4pm: Children’s Crafts Ages 7 – 12.
Monday 14th July 4pm: 'Happy Hour'. Chris Beekman teaches children to relax.
Tuesday 15th July 4pm: Children’s Storytime Ages 4 - 7
Wednesday 16th July 4pm: 'BATS Hour'. Wildlife Ranger, David Lyons gives illustrated talk.
Thursday 17th July 4pm: Children’s Crafts Ages 7 - 12.
The August Children’s Book Club meets in Shannon Library at 4pm on Wednesday 6th August and the chosen book is Mister Monday by Garth Nix.
For any further details contact Sean Lemass Public Library, Shannon 061 364266.
Wednesday 2nd July 4pm: Children's Book Club Ages 8 - 12. The chosen book for this meeting is Siobhan Parkinson’s The Moon King.
Thursday 3rd July 4pm: Children’s Crafts Ages 7 - 12
Monday 7th July 4pm: 'Happy Hour'. Chris Bekman teaches children to relax.
Tuesday 8th July 4pm: Children’s Storytime Ages 4 - 7.
Wednesday 9th July 4pm: Monday 7th BURREN Talk, by Emma Glenville, a Burren Conservation Ranger.
Thursday 10th July 4pm: Children’s Crafts Ages 7 – 12.
Monday 14th July 4pm: 'Happy Hour'. Chris Beekman teaches children to relax.
Tuesday 15th July 4pm: Children’s Storytime Ages 4 - 7
Wednesday 16th July 4pm: 'BATS Hour'. Wildlife Ranger, David Lyons gives illustrated talk.
Thursday 17th July 4pm: Children’s Crafts Ages 7 - 12.
The August Children’s Book Club meets in Shannon Library at 4pm on Wednesday 6th August and the chosen book is Mister Monday by Garth Nix.
For any further details contact Sean Lemass Public Library, Shannon 061 364266.
Thursday, 19 June 2008
Eye 2 Eye looking for young readers
Are you a real book worm, addicted to reading the latest publications or in the know when it comes to Irish authors? If you are aged between 12 and 16 would like to spend one day in RTE during the first week in July as an audience member in a programme featuring Ruth Gilligan, Darren Shan or John Boyne, please contact Siobhan Kilroy Tel. 01 2083424 or email eye2eye@rte.ie. RTE’s Young People’s Programme, Eye 2 Eye, is back for a fourth season, and is looking for audience members. This time the series gives a lucky few the chance to get up close and personal with stars from the worlds of sport, literature, film, TV, comedy and music, to ask their burning questions, get some career advice and even dig for dirt!
Tuesday, 17 June 2008
Indian Classical Concert in Ennistymon
The Courthouse Studios & Gallery, Ennistymon, presents an Indian Classical Concert featuring Sougata Roy Chouhury (on sarod) and Debojyoti Sangal (tabla), accompanied by Mattu. Thursday, 19th June, at 8pm. Tickets 10€/1€ available at the Courthouse and Bridge to Health shop, Ennistymon. For more information, please contact the Courthouse Studios & Gallery, Parliament Street, Ennistymon. Tel 065 - 7071630. Gallery open Tuesdays to Saturdays, Noon to 5pm.
Firefox aims for download record
"Version 3 of the popular Firefox web browser is going on general release on 17 June. Wide take-up of the new version would further boost the market share of the browser which is currently used by about 15% of net users. With the release, Firefox developer Mozilla is attempting to set a record for the most downloads over 24 hours. 'It's a global effort to make history,' said Paul Kim, head of marketing at Mozilla..." For more click here
Friday, 13 June 2008
Clare County Library’s Annual Summer Reading Scheme
Clare County Library’s Annual Summer Reading Scheme for children kicks off on Tuesday July 1st 2008. Get Active – Get Reading is the advice being issued this Summer by your local library to all children in your area.
Would you like to help your children
• become more enthusiastic about reading?
• maintain their reading level in the term ahead?
• return to school feeling confident about their reading and ready to learn more?
Clare County Library will kick off the long holidays for thousands of children in Clare by inviting them to join in this year’s Summer Reading Scheme, Team Read. For the seventh successive year, Library staff hope to build on the love of reading that has been fostered through schools during term time and to continue the promotion of books and libraries as an enjoyable and worthwhile activity throughout the summer. In association with the Reading Agency in the UK, Clare County Library will supply promotional packs to each child who joins the scheme in their local library and undertakes to read a minimum of six books during July and August. Children signing up to take part in Team Read will receive specially designed membership cards, and various incentives along the way to encourage them to complete the scheme. Children who complete the Summer Reading Scheme will receive a special certificate of merit celebrating their achievement at an awards evening in September. The Summer Reading Scheme is an example of parents, teachers and librarians working together. Parents can encourage their children to join the scheme; teachers can encourage children to visit their local library and join the Summer Reading Scheme before they leave school in June for summer holidays and library staff will be on hand in all branches to advise on suitable material for all Team Readers. The Summer Reading Scheme gives children a great chance to have fun with books and to feel rewarded for reading. It is not about children reading as many books as they can; it’s about children enjoying what they read, finding out more about books; and knowing how to find the books they’re interested in – and sharing reading time with you. The good news is that the Summer Reading Scheme is keeping children in the race over the summer when it comes to reading, improving their reading range, confidence and enjoyment.
Would you like to help your children
• become more enthusiastic about reading?
• maintain their reading level in the term ahead?
• return to school feeling confident about their reading and ready to learn more?
Clare County Library will kick off the long holidays for thousands of children in Clare by inviting them to join in this year’s Summer Reading Scheme, Team Read. For the seventh successive year, Library staff hope to build on the love of reading that has been fostered through schools during term time and to continue the promotion of books and libraries as an enjoyable and worthwhile activity throughout the summer. In association with the Reading Agency in the UK, Clare County Library will supply promotional packs to each child who joins the scheme in their local library and undertakes to read a minimum of six books during July and August. Children signing up to take part in Team Read will receive specially designed membership cards, and various incentives along the way to encourage them to complete the scheme. Children who complete the Summer Reading Scheme will receive a special certificate of merit celebrating their achievement at an awards evening in September. The Summer Reading Scheme is an example of parents, teachers and librarians working together. Parents can encourage their children to join the scheme; teachers can encourage children to visit their local library and join the Summer Reading Scheme before they leave school in June for summer holidays and library staff will be on hand in all branches to advise on suitable material for all Team Readers. The Summer Reading Scheme gives children a great chance to have fun with books and to feel rewarded for reading. It is not about children reading as many books as they can; it’s about children enjoying what they read, finding out more about books; and knowing how to find the books they’re interested in – and sharing reading time with you. The good news is that the Summer Reading Scheme is keeping children in the race over the summer when it comes to reading, improving their reading range, confidence and enjoyment.
Benefits of Bedtime Reading
Researchers at the Department of Paediatrics at Boston University School of Medicine have proved conclusively that reading to young children stimulates their development and gives them a head start when they reach school. The research published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood found that apart from helping their reading, sharing a bedtime story with a child promotes their motor skills, through learning to turn the pages, and their memory. It also improves their emotional and social development. Studies show that children who are read to from an earlier age have better language development and tend to have better language scores later in life. Getting children to grip pages with their thumb and forefinger improves their motor skills. Most important though, said Dr Zuckerman who lead the research, is that reading aloud is a period of shared attention and emotion between parent and child. This reinforces reading as a pleasurable activity
£5,000 for Jane Austen’s Hair?
It is widely known that Jane Austen’s sister, Cassandra, cut off several locks of hair to keep as a memento before Jane’s coffin was closed. A locket containing the strands of hair that have been woven into the shape of a weeping willow is expected to reach more than £5,000 at auction. The auctioneers admit that the hair may never be confirmed as having come from the novelist's head.
The Living Farmland – a guide to farming with nature in Clare
This book, published by Rural Resource Development Ltd and Clare County Council in 2008 and produced in association with Clare IFA and Teagasc, could be highly recommended based solely on the hundreds of beautiful photographs of the Clare landscape contained within. However it is much more than that. It is aimed primarily at farmers providing simple advice on nature conservation and the protection of important habitats in the context. Containing chapters on such subjects as archaeology, geology, habitats and nature conservation, it will also be of value to those interested in any aspect of the landscape or nature of the County. There is a lot of information here suitable for school projects. A valuable addition to the bookshelves of County Clare homes.
Thursday, 12 June 2008
Clare Tourism Forum 'SHOOT THE MOOD' Photography Competition
Entries are invited for the first Clare Tourism Forum Calendar Photography Competition. The Clare Tourism Forum is currently designing a calendar for 2009 and 2010, which will be used to promote County Clare within the five circles: Things to do; Things to see; Heritage and Culture; Places to stay; Where to eat. Images will be selected which portray the different moods within County Clare and are as unique to County Clare as possible. Winning entries should inspire people to visit County Clare. Log onto www.clare.ie/photo-comp.htm for full details.
Tuesday, 10 June 2008
Cumbrian Stone Axe on display at Clare Museum
Clare Museum and the Irish Stone Axe Project (ISAP) at University College Dublin have uncovered evidence of a 6000-year-old trade link between Ireland and Great Britain. A stone axe uncovered in Doolin, County Clare in 2000 was recently confirmed as having likely originated in the Great Langdale and Scafell areas of Cumbria. The Neolithic or ‘New Stone Age’ (4000-2500BC) is generally regarded as the period in which Ireland became a predominantly agricultural-based society. As well as being the first Irish farmers, the people of this period were the creators of field systems and the builders of great tombs such as those found in the Burren in County Clare. Tools, usually in the form of stone axes, were used to clear great tracts of oak and elm woodland, which covered most of the country. Studies on the finely polished implement have found that it is different to the typical dark grey shale axes produced at a site close to the cobble beach at Doolin. More significantly, petrological analysis indicates that the pale green axe was of a type of stone known as tuff, which is typical of the tools produced in Cumbria. This discovery reinforces suggestions that trade links existed between the west of Ireland and western Britain during the Neolithic era. The stone axe has been on display since Tuesday, May 20 and will remain on display at Clare Museum in Ennis over the summer months. Also included for display will be a recently conserved bronze axehead acquired by the museum in 2004. This socketed and looped axehead was discovered at Knockloskeraun in Kilmurry-Ibrickane, County Clare. Although badly damaged by time and weathering the metal has been conserved and stabilised, thus ensuring its survival into the future.
Arts of the Book Exhibition at Chester Beatty Library
Arts of the Book, a new permanent exhibition of the Chester Beatty Library’s collections, opened on 17 May 2008. On display are books from the ancient world including the world famous Chester Beatty Love Poems (c.1160 BC), Egyptian Books of the Dead, beautifully illuminated medieval European manuscripts and fine European printed books, as well as Old Master prints. The exhibition also explores the richness of the Islamic manuscript tradition - illustrations and illuminations, calligraphy, and exquisite bindings from across the Middle East and India are exhibited. Highlights from East Asia include one of the finest collections of Chinese jade books in the world, Japanese picture-scrolls depicting fables and legends, and deluxe woodblock prints. Audio-visual programmes complement the exhibition, helping the visitor to learn more about the arts of the book throughout the world. Chester Beatty Library, Dublin Castle, Dublin 2 Phone + 353 1 4070750 www.cbl.ie
Monday, 9 June 2008
'Styles', paintings by Catriona O'Connor, Laura Vecchi, Catherine Corcoran & Cormac O'Neill
This new exhibition at the Russell Gallery is now online! Click here to see 'Styles', paintings by Catriona O'Connor, Laura Vecchi, Catherine Corcoran and Cormac O'Neill. 'Styles' is a new exhibition of paintings which is running at the Russell Gallery, New Quay, Burrin, County Clare during the month of June and showcases the work of 4 artists based in the West of Ireland that have shared a piece of their artistic life around the figure of Laura Vecchi, artist, mentor and art collector.
Friday, 6 June 2008
Castles, Tower Houses and Bawns of County Clare
Castles are fortified structures which usually contained a garrison. A small number of castles are thought to have been built in Ireland in the earlier part of the 12th century. However, it was the Anglo-Normans who introduced the technique of stone castle building after 1169 AD. Typically, these castles had strong round or rectangular towers inside a stout wall. Wooden houses were also constructed inside the walls. Castles in this Norman style continued to be built up to the 15th century, when fortified tower houses became the fashion. There are over 100 surviving castles in County Clare. Click for Castles of Clare.
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 for Tower Houses of Clare.
Some of these tower houses were enclosed within fortified enclosures called bawns. There are 7 such tower houses with bawns surviving in County Clare. Click for Tower Houses with Bawns in Clare.
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 for Tower Houses of Clare.
Some of these tower houses were enclosed within fortified enclosures called bawns. There are 7 such tower houses with bawns surviving in County Clare. Click for Tower Houses with Bawns in Clare.
Fifty Years: Poems 1957-2007 by Knute Skinner
This book collects fifty years of published work by the American poet Knute Skinner who has had a home in Killaspuglonane, County Clare since 1964. Most of the poems were taken from 13 books that were published at two-to-three-year intervals from 1965-2005 and are divided into categories entitled “Early”, “Later”, “Fictions” and “Recent”. Reading through this collection, one is struck by his strong sense of place – particularly a sense of the North Clare landscape and community. One meets Knute's neighbours and family, learns things such as how long it takes to draw a pint of ale, and contemplates with the poet what it is like to suddenly catch oneself getting older. Highly recommended! Knute was a founding member of the North Clare Writers Workshop and edited many of its publications. He also edited a selection of writings from the workshop which we have published on the library website (including some of his own writings).
BISTO Book of the Year Awards
An eagerly anticipated event on the Irish literary calendar, the CBI Bisto Book of the Year Awards are presented annually in recognition of excellence in writing and/or illustration of books for young people. The awards are administered by CBI, the national organisation for children’s books and sponsored by Bisto (Premier Foods Ireland). The Bisto Book of the Year 07/08 is The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd. The Eilís Dillon Award went to Tom Kelly, for The Thing with Finn. Three Bisto Honour Awards were also presented to: FE Higgins, for The Black Book of Secrets, to Oliver Jeffers, author and illustrator of The Way Back Home, and to Roddy Doyle for Wilderness. Also shortlisted for this year’s awards were Michael Scott for The Alchemyst, Jessica O’Donnell for Discover Art, Caitríona Nic Sheáin and Andrew Whitson for Gaiscíoch na Beilte Uaine, Kate Thompson for The Last of the High Kings, and Colin Batemen for Titanic 2020.
Kate Thompson was a founding member of the North Clare Writers Workshop, and some of her writings are featured in a selection from the workshop on the library website.
Kate Thompson was a founding member of the North Clare Writers Workshop, and some of her writings are featured in a selection from the workshop on the library website.
Irish Authors top British Bestseller Chart
Following her recent death, Nuala O’Faolain’s Are You Somebody is back in the Irish bestseller charts and is being reprinted by its publisher New Island. Books by Irish authors also dominate the British bestseller charts with Marian Keyes’s This Charming Man at number three, Cecelia Ahern’s Thanks for the Memories at four and John Connolly’s The Reapers at five in the Original Fiction charts.
Harry Potter: a top cultural moment
A Sky Arts poll asked more than 2,000 people to choose the top 10 of the best cultural moments of the past 21 years from a list of 21 cultural events. The publications of J K Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in 1997 and Salman Rushdie’s The Satanic Verses in 1988 are the two literary events that made the top 10 list. The most popular choice was the “Three Tenors” singing together on the eve of the 1990 World Cup final. The launch of the iPod came in fourth, and the Riverdance performance at the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest in fifth.
Schools’ Folklore Scheme 1937-38
Clare County Library's Local Studies Centre is a reference library and research centre dedicated to the collection of material on any aspect of County Clare. Located at the Manse, beside the de Valera Library in Ennis, it is open to the public free of charge. One of the many interesting collections held here is the Schools’ Folklore Collection of County Clare. Widely used by researchers and students, it contains essays written by school children during the 1930s. The work was submitted by 188 National Schools in County Clare. It stands as one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken in the field of folklore collecting. The Schools’ Collection Scheme was voluntary but such was the response from schools around the country that it amassed about half a million manuscript pages of folklore. During the school year 1937-38, fifth and sixth class pupils in the twenty six counties were invited, as part of their school-work, to participate in the collection of folklore in their own communities. An explanatory booklet entitled ‘Irish Folklore and Tradition’ containing fifty-five subject headings, along with suggestions and guidelines, was given to the principal of each Primary School. Some of the subject headings included were The Community; Folk Medicine; Historical Tradition; Religious Tradition; Sports and Pastimes; Nature; Settlement and Dwelling; Mythological Tradition and Popular Oral Tradition. The Foreword to the booklet states that ‘the collection of the oral tradition of the Irish people is a work of national importance.’ The senior pupils – who were between the ages of eleven and fourteen years– were exempted from their usual weekly essay so as to allow time for written work on their folklore projects. The collecting from family and neighbours was done after school hours and the children wrote down the lore as told to them by the people around them. This collecting was undertaken ‘at a time when television was away in the future and the seanachie was still part of the furniture of the Co. Clare fireside.’ Each school was allocated a large standard notebook entitled ‘Bealoideas’ (Folklore), and either the teacher or pupils with good handwriting copied the best of the material from the school copybooks into the official notebook. The original manuscripts of the Schools Collection are housed in the Department of Irish Folklore at U.C.D., Dublin. The Local Studies Centre in Ennis has microfilm copies of the original manuscripts amounting to approximately 16,000 pages.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)