1911 Census of Population of Ireland now online

An index of the names, including age and gender, of every resident of every townland in Ireland in 1911, including County Clare, has been released online by the National Archives of Ireland. The Archives plans to add a full transcription of all of the data on the household forms for 1911, including religion, occupation, relationship to head of family, literacy status, marital status, county or country of origin, Irish language proficiency, specified illnesses, and child survival information in the coming weeks. The records can be searched or browsed, and will be a huge aid for all those searching for their Irish ancestry. The online 1911 census records complement the 1901 census records for County Clare which have been available on the Clare Library website for many years. To search the 1911 records click here... To browse the 1911 records for County Clare click here.... For the 1901 Census of County Clare see our Genealogy page.

Buzzbee #4

Obama’s Summer Reading List

As President Obama headed off for his week-long holiday in Martha’s Vineyard, his summer reading list was announced by the White House. Containing two heavyweight works of non-fiction and three novels, Obama would have to read more than 300 pages each day to finish the five books. For fiction reading, the President choose two crime thrillers. Lush Life by Richard Price is set in New York City and shows us the hidden cracks beneath the shiny veneer of the city. Price also writes for The Wire, Mr Obama’s favourite television show. The Way Home by George Pelecanos, another writer for The Wire, is set in Washington, DC, and explores the often difficult relationship between fathers and sons. The third novel on Obama’s list was Plainsong by Kent Haruf, which tells a powerful tale of seven lonely lives set on the stark but beautiful High Plains of Colorado. It is described as a moving meditation on the true nature of community. For more political reading the President chose Hot, flat, and crowded: why the world needs a green revolution by Thomas L Friedman. The New York Times guru argues that embracing clean energy is the best way to revitalise the American economy – and save the planet. The final book on the list was John Adams by David McCullough, a biography of America’s second president. Publishers are keeping a close eye on these titles to see whether the “Obama effect” will result in a surge of sales as they have on the sales of other books that have been endorsed by Mr Obama. Between playing tennis and golf and spending quality time with the family, one wonders how many of the 2,300 pages Obama managed to get through.

Google adds Irish language to its translation service

Google has added Irish to its list of languages in its translation service. So we now have the whole of the library website (including the online forums and this blog) as Gaeilge! We've placed a link on the library website homepage (top right) and by clicking on that visitors can read the whole website in the Irish language. While the translation is not always perfect, it does seem to be pretty good. There is also a facility for people to offer corrections to the translation by placing the mouse on any part of a page - a pop-up box appears giving the original version in English and asking for a better translation of that word or sentence. So, if there are any gaelgóirí out there who would like to help in correcting the translation we would certainly appreciate such assistance. The Irish translation service from Google now joins the other languages we have already enabled. See our Website Translation page for more details. Click here for the Irish version of the website...

Ennistymon Courthouse Gallery - call to artists for 2010

Ennistymon Courthouse Gallery is seeking submissions for the forthcoming year, 2010. The gallery is interested in exhibiting a wide range of visual art, including collaborations and multi-media projects for exhibition in its two gallery spaces. The Courthouse also welcome proposals that are participatory led or involve some engagement with the community. The deadline for submission is 5pm on Friday 2nd of October 2009. Ennistymon Courthouse Gallery curator and coordinator, Trudi van der Elsen, says “We wish to focus on exhibiting emerging artists based locally and nationwide. 2009 has been a very exciting year with a lot of variety in the exhibitions. This year there has been a particularly good mix of media including, paintings, installation work, sculpture, drawing, film, and workshops from local and national artists”. The newly renovated Ennistymon Courthouse building features a main art gallery, the smaller Red Couch gallery space, five artists’ studios, and a sound recording studio. The Courthouse Gallery seeks to attract local and national audiences by exhibiting work of the highest standard by local, national, and international artists. Artists interested in applying should include the following with their submissions:biography/ CV; artist statement; brief description of proposed show; and 6-8 images on CD or hard-copy photos. The gallery charges 25% commission. Submissions should be sent to:Trudi van der Elsen - Coordinator, Ennistymon Courthouse Gallery, Parliament Street, Ennistymon, County Clare. For more information please contact: Trudi van der Elsen, Coordinator, Ennistymon Courthouse Gallery: (065) 7071630 or ennistymoncourthousegallery@gmail.com.
Ennistymon Courthouse Gallery is supported by Clare County Council.

'When We Were Kings' at Glor - free public screening

On September 1st 2009, Muhammad Ali will visit Ennis, in a bid to trace his Irish roots. Since being diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, Ali's relentless courage and fight against the illness has been a huge source of inspiration to all Parkinson's sufferers - especially here in Ireland. So, in honour of his visit, the Parkinson's Association of Ireland (PAI) are delighted to be awarding Muhammad Ali the Honorary Presidency of their organisation. The award certificate will be presented to Ali by the Lord Mayor of Ennis, Frankie Nealon. Also, to celebrate this PAI award going to Muhammad Ali, there will be a free public screening of the Oscar-Winning documentary 'When We Were Kings' at Glór Theatre at 8pm on September 1st. This superb documentary shows Muhammad Ali at his peak, in the period around his legendary 'Rumble In the Jungle' 1974 World Title Fight against George Foreman in Zaire. The documentary screening is free of charge, however seats for the event must be booked through the Glór box office at 065 6843103 (also www.glor.ie). As there are only a limited number of seats available, bookings should be made as soon as possible - and any donations to the Parkinson's Association of Ireland will be welcomed afterwards. For more information and booking details, visit www.glor.ie. More information on Parkinsons disease and the Parkinson's Association of Ireland at this link www.parkinsons.ie

Mountshannon, April 2007

A view of Mountshannon Village in East Clare by Aveire

Eagerly Awaited Publication of Larsson’s Third Book

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest, the English language version of the third book in Stieg Larrson’s Millennium Series, is due for release later this year. With more than twelve million copies sold before all the translations from the Swedish are even complete, the Millennium trilogy is a worldwide publishing sensation. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was published in English in January 2008 and The Girl Who Played with Fire published in January 2009. Readers have been gripped by the exploits of its heroes, investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist and tattooed computer hacker Lisbeth Salander, described by one reviewer as “the coolest crime-fighting sidekick to come along in many years”. Shortly before his death of a heart attack in November 2004, Stieg Larrson, an unknown journalist, delivered the manuscripts of three completed but unpublished novels in a series to his publishers in Stockholm. He was about 100 pages into a fourth book, and according to friends, had a further six in the Millennium series planned in his head. He had written them as a hobby in the evenings after work. The three books went on to sell more than 3 million copies in Sweden alone. The film version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo opened in Sweden last February and there is much talk about the possibility of an English-language version. The second and third films were originally made for TV, but the first movie has been so successful that both are now being adapted for the cinema.

An Evening with Great Irish Writers - Scariff Library

“An Evening with Great Irish Writers” - a One-Man Performance by Neil O’Shea. Neil O’Shea is an actor who has performed his one-man show “An Evening with Great Irish Writers” (and its shorter sister “The Irish Writers Entertain”) in numerous venues and countries in recent years. Clare County Library, with the County Arts Office, is pleased to announce his appearance at Scariff Public Library on Tuesday 25th August in an event organised to mark Heritage Week 2009. Given the range of literary prowess exhibited by Ireland over the centuries this event is a very appropriate way for the library to mark our cultural heritage. The show has a great emphasis on humour (and a sprinkling of the more serious and lyrical) with short extracts by many of the older internationally known writers such as Jonathan Swift, Oscar Wilde, George Bernard Shaw, W.B. Yeats, J.M. Synge, Sean O'Casey, Percy French and more. Some extracts will be very familiar but others less so. These short extracts are performed in a simple stylish presentation without the need for either specific costume or set – rather like a stand up routine but with material by some of the best ever writers! Neil O'Shea has performed his shows in Dublin at the Dublin Writers Museum, Andrew's Lane Studio and Bewley's Cafe Theatre among other venues. He has toured extensively in the USA and has also done a number of residencies at American universities. In the last four years he has performed “An Evening with Great Irish Writers” for two separate runs at different theatrical venues in Los Angeles and has received excellent reviews for the shows. Neil has had a career in Radio and Television having presented numerous shows on RTE 1 Radio (such as "Late Date", "Morning Call/Risin'Time" and many more) and has appeared in comic sketches on Network Two in “The End” and “Nightshift.” Reviews for the show include comments such as “O'Shea is enraptured by the characters........It is an evening of enjoyment and education; an engaging intermingling of laughter and heightened poetry. O'Shea has a real command of both the work and the stage. His love for the literature is evident, as is his passion for performance” (Los Angeles Metro) and “the final offering – arrives too soon, a testament to O’Shea’s unassuming expertise” (Los Angeles Times) and “...a superior salon piece...” (The Irish Times). “An Evening with Great Irish Writers” takes place at Scariff Public Library at 8.00 pm on Tuesday 25th August. Admission is free but advance booking is advised. To reserve your place contact Scariff library at 061 922893.

Traditional Ecological Knowledge - An informal evening with Dr. Patricia Monaghan

On Wednesday 16th September at 8.15pm, "Cúirt sa Cistin" Heritage Inchicronan, Community Centre, Crusheen, presents "Traditional Ecological Knowledge" - An informal evening with Dr. Patricia Monaghan. Dr. Monaghan will discuss the concept of Traditional Ecological Knowledge, also known as "native science," and how folk traditions sometimes contain scientific information. She will especially focus on the nettle and hawthorn in terms of their nutritious and poisonous aspects, respectively. Patricia Monaghan is Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies at DePaul University in Chicago, where she teaches literature and environmental studies. This event is free and a cup of tea/coffee and a chat guaranteed.
Contact Anne - Tel: 065-6827172,
Email: heritageinchicronan@gmail.com,
Website: www.aughty.org

Roald Dahl Day at Clare County Library

13th September is officially Roald Dahl Day across the world. It's a fantastic opportunity to visit your local library in Clare to discover, or re-discover, his amazing stories. This year September 13th falls on a Sunday so why not drop in to the library on Friday 11th or Saturday 12th and prepare for the day by borrowing and reading a Roald Dahl book. To celebrate, activity and quiz sheets will be distributed in all branches of Clare County Library – pick one up and test your knowledge on the well-loved characters created by Roald Dahl. Who isn’t familiar with his book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? Linking in with that makes a perfect excuse to eat chocolate for breakfast, lunch and supper - it is Roald Dahl Day after all. If you’re lucky, you may even find some chocolate hidden amongst the shelves of your local library on Friday September 11th.

For those unlucky people who have never heard of Roald Dahl here are some facts - he was born on 13 September 1916 and died in 1990. He was a novelist, short story writer, and screenwriter, born in Wales of Norwegian parents. He served in the Royal Air Force during World War 2 and then rose to prominence in the 1940s with works for both children and adults, and became one of the world's bestselling authors. His short stories are known for their unexpected endings, and his children's books for their unsentimental, often very dark humour. Some of his most popular books include The Twits, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Matilda, The Witches, and The BFG. During his years at school, a nearby chocolate company would occasionally send boxes of new chocolates to the school to be tested by the pupils. Dahl himself apparently used to dream of inventing a new chocolate bar and this proved the inspiration for him to write his third book for children, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, released in 1963.

Fittingly, a special “Invent a Chocolate Bar Competition” will run in all Clare libraries, very generously sponsored by Tuamgraney-based Wilde Irish Chocolates. This award-winning chocolate factory opened in 1997 and words like scrumptious and luscious are commonly used to describe just how delicious their chocolates are. To enter the competition, all you have to do is invent a chocolate bar for Willy Wonka and you’re in with a chance to win lots of Wilde Irish Chocolate goodies. Wilde Irish Chocolates will also create a limited edition chocolate bar inspired by the winning entry. The closing date is 11th September 2009. Pick up an entry form from your local branch of Clare County Library or online at www.clarelibrary.ie

You could also have a go at the Roald Dahl Day Challenge – and keep your eyes peeled for other Roald Dahl fans marking the Big Day! For those aged under 10, the target is to complete as many challenges as your age. If you’re 10 or older, try to complete all ten!! All you need to do is -
• Wear something yellow – it was Roald's favourite colour!
• Wear one or more items of clothing backwards.
• Drop "gobblefunk" into your conversations
(the unique language created by Roald and most commonly used by
the BFG).
• Swap a Roald Dahl book with a friend.
• Talk backwards.
• Tell a silly joke – Roald loved swapping these with his kids.
• Play an "unexpected" prank.
• Give someone a treat – Roald was a great believer in treats, whether it was a bar of chocolate or a lovely surprise.
• Write your own revolting rhyme.
• Make up an Oompa Loompa dance and get all your friends to join in!

And don’t forget - find out more about Roald Dahl and borrow his books at your local Clare library. See you there!

Arthritis Ireland Helpline 1890 252 846

Arthritis Ireland is adding another dimension to its support services for people with arthritis, their families and carers. The Arthritis Ireland Helpline is a confidential service, which is open to anyone affected by arthritis. Arthritis Ireland provides emotional and practical support, and information by phone, by letter and email. Anyone can get in touch - from people who have just been diagnosed; family members who want to know how to support a loved one; people who have had arthritis for some time and are looking for help; and health professionals who want information.
Contacts:
By phone: Lo-call 1890 252 846 (10am-4pm weekdays)
By email: helpline@arthritisireland.ie
By letter: Arthritis Ireland Helpline, Arthritis Ireland, 1 Clanwilliam Square, Grand Canal Quay, Dublin 2. More info at http://www.arthritisireland.ie/

SILENCE - Buzzbee strikes again

Text on the Beach - 50 best summer reads ever

The Observer recently carried a list of the 50 best summer reads ever under the heading Text on the Beach. Saying that choosing holiday reading doesn't have to be about stuffing the latest blockbuster into your suitcase, they have selected the timeless novels that will turn the most restful holiday into an exotic adventure. The list includes old favourites such as Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile in addition to recent titles such as Something is Going to Fall Like Rain by Ros Wynne-Jones. While the weather may mean that the couch rather than the beach will be the most likely reading location for many this summer, a selection of books from this list will ensure many a restful hour. Click here for more info...

Merging 3 & Lisdoonvarna FETAC at Ennistymon Courthouse Gallery

"Merging 3", an exhibition by three artists from the North Clare area in the Courthouse Gallery in Ennistymon, featuring works by Madeleine Irene Smith, Marianne Potterton and Mary Foudy O'Halloran, takes place from Saturday 15th August to Saturday 12th September in the main gallery, while Lisdoonvarna FETAC Students are featured in the Red Couch Space at the gallery from Friday 14th August to Saturday 12 September. Participating FETAC students include Stephen Benn, Rolf Fendler, Peter Garrihy, Audrey Huguet, Helen Jackson, Esther Kinnane, Christine Malsey, Josephine Quigley, Mary Reynolds, David Walsh, David Wheeler and Uta Wagner.

New Dan Brown Novel

Dan Brown’s new novel The Lost Symbol will be released on September 15th with an English language first print run of 6.5 million copies. Other best-selling authors are frantically rushing to get their latest titles on the bookshelves before its release. The release dates for new books by Nick Hornby, Sebastian Faulks and William Trevor have all been moved forward to give them a chance to reach the bestseller lists before Brown’s new novel dominates. Robert Langdon, last seen as the hero of The Da Vinci Code, is at the centre of a plot that unfolds over 12 hours. The book will be set in Washington, DC, where Langdon is again caught up in secret societies and hidden codes. The Da Vinci Code was the bestselling hardcover adult novel of all time with 81 million copies in print worldwide.

At the Old Librarian's Home - by Buzzbee

Man Booker Prize Longlist announced

The 2009 Man Booker Prize longlist was announced on the 28th of July.Three Irish authors are included this year. They are Ed O’Loughlin for his novel Not Untrue & Not Unkind, Colm Toibin for Brooklyn and William Trevor for Love and Summer. Books by both Toibin and Trevor have been previously nominated for the Man Booker Prize. Ed O’Loughlin’s Not Untrue & Not Unkind is his debut novel. The chair of judges, James Naughtie, said on the announcement of this year’s longlist:
"The five Man Booker judges have settled on thirteen novels as the longlist for this year's prize. We believe it to be one of the strongest lists in recent memory, with two former winners, four past-shortlisted writers, three first-time novelists and a span of styles and themes that make this an outstandingly rich fictional mix.”
The complete longlist is:
The Children's Book by AS Byatt
Summertime by JM Coetzee
The Quickening Maze by Adam Foulds
How to Paint a Dead Man by Sarah Hall
The Wilderness by Sarah Harvey
Me Cheeta by James Lever
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
The Glass Room by Simon Mawer
Not Untrue & Not Unkind by Ed O'Loughlin
Heliopolis by James Scudamore
Brooklyn by Colm Toibin
Love & Summer by William Trevor
The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters
The winner will be announced on the 6th of October 2009.

The Red House Children’s Book Award

The Red House Children's Book Award is the only British national book award voted for entirely by children. Each year hundreds of books are read, shortlisted and voted for by children from around the country. The overall winner for 2009 is Sophie McKenzie’s gripping thriller Blood Ties. Sophie McKenzie lives in London where she works as a journalist and an editor. Girl, Missing was her debut novel and it won the Richard and Judy Best Kids' Books 2007 award in the 12+ category as well as The Red House Book Award 2007 for Older Readers.

Rosie’s Walk

Rosie’s Walk, the iconic picture book by Pat Hutchins, is forty years old this year and its sharing with little ones is still an experience that no parent or grandparent should miss. The success of this classic is in its simplicity and the story has been reworked by many writers of children’s picture books over the years. Probably the most recent is the charming Look Out Suzy Goose by Petr Horáček. Little children will love the suspense as Rosie the hen enjoys her walk, totally oblivious to the stalking fox and the many hilarious traps he falls into as she leads him through the farmyard. The pictures say it all in this book which contains only thirty-two words in total, making it ideal for pre-schoolers and equally rewarding for early readers who can appreciate the hidden humour for themselves and read the short story. The most recent publication of Rosie’s Walk is a celebratory edition by Red Fox and comes sporting a gold badge announcing its 40th anniversary.