Thursday 20 December 2012

Ennis Town 2012 - Come Home for Christmas

"Ennis Town 2012 - Share The Dream." Posted on Youtube on the 13th of December 2012 by lahinchdreamcatcher.

Happy Christmas from Miltown Malbay

Happy Christmas from Miltown Malbay, County Clare. Posted on Youtube on the 22nd of December 2010 by VisitMiltownMalbay.

Happy Christmas To The Irish - sung by Brendan Keane

"A song written by Paddy Commane of the Clare Celts and sung by Brendan Keane from County Clare." Posted on Youtube on the 16th of december 2012 by Patricia Keane.

Walt Disney's Silly Symphony - The Night Before Christmas

"One of the true classics of Christmas this old Silly Symphony shows Santa delivering presents and decorating the tree for one house on Christmas Eve." Posted on Youtube on the 29th of october 2012 by SirChristmasCartoons.

The Night Before Christmas- Childrens Christmas Animation

Posted on Youtube on the 7th of November 2008 by annshelann.

Twas the Night Before Christmas- Peeka Productions

Posted on Youtube on the 6th of August 2008 by PeekaProductions.

Santa's Little Helper - a Christmas Story

Posted on Youtube on the 17th of December 2011 by Jari Huomo.

Christmas Unwrapped - The History of Christmas

Christmas Unwrapped: The History of Christmas - a 1997 documentary from the History Channel. Posted on Youtube on the 8th of December 2012 by HistoryFeed.

Niamh Sharkey's Christmas Window

In December 2012, Laureate na nÓg Niamh Sharkey along with students from Griffeen Valley Educate Together worked collaboratively to create a Christmas Window for Hodges Figgis Bookstore in Dublin. You can find out more about Laureate na na nOg on childrenslaureate.ie or childrensbooksireland.ie.

The Toys That Made Christmas

The Toys That Made Christmas from the BBC. Posted on Youtube on the 2nd of December 2012 by HistoryFeed.

Friday 14 December 2012

Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill live at Copenhagen Folk Club

"Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill live at Copenhagen Folk Club September 15th 2012." Posted on Youtube on the 16th of September 2012 by HerrBlackwood.

Kitty O'Shea's - Edel Fox & Niall Byrne

"Kitty O'Shea's, barndance / Edel Fox, concertina & Niall Byrne, fiddle. Recorded in the Community Hall, Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare, at the 40th Willie Clancy Summer School, July 2012." Posted on Youtube on the 30th of November 2012 by ITMAVideos.

Cliffs of Moher - walk to Hag's Head

Posted on Youtube on the 1st of January 2009 by wwwcleticvideocom.

Journey to the Cliffs of Moher

Journey to the Cliffs of Moher (by train to Galway and bus down the west coast). Posted on Youtube on the 12th of December 2012 by funnyvidguy2.

Specsavers Book Awards 2012

EL James's Fifty Shades of Grey has been named Popular Fiction Book of the Year at the Specsavers National Book Awards in London. The erotic novel is the first of a trilogy which has sold over 60 million copies worldwide.  Lee Child won the Crime Book of the Year award for his novel A Wanted Man, the 17th Jack Reacher novel. Comedian Miranda Hart was awarded the non-fiction prize for Is It Just Me, in which she shares embarrassing stories from her life and provide a Miran-ual for life.  Sports broadcaster Claire Balding took home the Biography of the Year award for her book My Animals and Other Family, a sensitive and humourous memoir about growing up amid animals and an eccentric family. The newly trim Hairy Bikers, Si King and Dave Myers, won the Food and Drink Book of the Year award for The Hairy Dieters: How to Love Food and Lose Weight a book of  tasty recipes that are low in calories and big on flavour.  Little Britain star David Walliams won the Children's Book of the Year category for his book Ratburger, a hilarious, action-packed and touching novel about a little girl called Zoe. The New Writer of the Year award went to the Booker-nominated Rachel Joyce, for The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. This year's Booker Prize winner, Hilary Mantel, was chosen as the UK author of the year for a second time.  US author Eowyn Ivey was named International Author of the Year for her book, The Snow Child, about an Alaskan couple who sculpt a child out of snow. The Outstanding Achievement award went to crime writer Ian Rankin for his contribution to literature.  The public are now invited to vote online for the Specsavers Book of the Year, the nominees of which comprise the winners of all ten categories.  Click on http://www.nationalbookawards.co.uk/book-of-the-year-vote/ to vote. The final result will be announced on 26th December. Previous winners have included One Day by David Nicholls and Caitlin Moran’s How To Be A Woman.

Liscannor Stone on Nationwide

"RTE TV series 'Nationwide' feature on Liscannor Stone. This feature includes footage of our Quarries, Flagstone products, Staff and interviews with members of our Family run business. Geologist Dr. Eamon Doyle from Clare County Council was also on site and gave a very insightful interview on the geographical history of Liscannor Stone." Posted on Youtube on the 12th of November 2012 by Shane O Connor.

Set dancing, Feakle 2011

Set dancing in Feakle, County Clare in 2011.Posted on Youtube on the 21st of August 2011 by TostGitta.

Mullaghmore & Aileens Big Wave Surfing Ireland

"Mullaghmore and Aileens Big Wave Surfing, Ireland." Posted on Youtube on the 29th of January 2011 by Peter Clyne.

Burren Hike

"This video was filmed during my month long Dialogue program in Ballyvaughan, Ireland while attending Northeastern University. It shows my group and I hiking up the Burren area of Ballyvaughan with our tour guide Shane." Shot and edited by Anthony Gentles. Posted on Youtube on the 14th of November 2012 by Antknee729.

What Is the World Made of? - The Story of Science, Episode 2

Part 2 of a 6 part series BBC series on the Story of Science. Posted on Youtube on the 22nd of April 2012 by TheDocumentarySite.

Friday 7 December 2012

The Brock McGuire Band in Tuamgraney, County Clare

The Brock McGuire Band playing Chase Me Charlie, Dance Boatman Dance, Poor Aul' Liza Jane and Miss Monaghan's Reel at St. Cronin's Church in Tuamgraney, County Clare, on October 22nd 2012, as part of the Celtic Traditions Concert Series. Posted on Youtube on the 2nd of December 2012 by therapyfortheheart.

Rick Epping at the Willie Clancy Festival, Miltown Malbay, 2012

"Spailpín a Rún; The blackbird, air & set-dance/Rick Epping. Recorded at the harmonica recital, GAA grounds, Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare, at the 40th Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy, July 2012." Posted on Youtube on the 30th of November 2012 by ITMAVideos.

Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill on Jools Holland

Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill on the Later With Jools Holland TV show. Posted on Youtube on the 25th of September 2012 by LWJHFan.

Ripples on the Water by Sean Hogan

"Ripples on the Water by Whitegate , Clare based Musician Sean Hogan." Posted on Youtube on the 29th of November 2012 by aveire.

Doolin to Kinvara - Atlantic Coast road trip

Video time-lapse of a road trip from Doolin, County Clare, north to Kinvara, County Galway. Music: Rob Duggan's, Clubbed to Death. Posted on Youtube on the 5th of December 2012 by B.M.C. Timelapse.

Burren Birds of Prey

"This video was filmed during my month long Dialogue program in Ballyvaughan, Ireland while attending Northeastern University. It shows the Burren Birds of Prey bird show that we attended in Ballyvaughan. The audio in the video is 'Bridge 2' by Toju Ometoruwa." Posted on Youtube onthe 13th of November 2012 by Antknee729.

What Is Out There? The Story of Science, Episode 1

"Michael Mosley embarks on an informative and ambitious journey exploring how the evolution of scientific understanding is intimately interwoven with society's historical path. Michael begins with the story of one of the great upheavals in human history - how we came to understand that our planet was not at the centre of everything in the cosmos, but just one of billions of bodies in a vast and expanding universe." Posted on Youtube on the 22nd of April 2012 by TheDocumentarySite.

Chris and Aisling on Cullaun Lake County Clare

"Chris and Aisling Caher on board their Laser 2000 22/October 2012 at Cullaun Lake, Co Clare." Posted on Youtube on the 22nd of October 2012 by tmbourke1.

Cliffs of Moher, County Clare

Posted on Youtube on the 5th of November 2012 by GoKillarney.

Tuesday 4 December 2012

Book award for Katie Taylor – The Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Awards

Olympic star Katie Taylor was one of the winners of the recent Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Awards. Katie won the Lifestyle Sports Sports Book of the Year for her book My Olympic Dream which tells how she got into boxing and how she prepared for the Olympics and looks back on the triumph that changed her life forever.  The late Maeve Binchy’s last novel A Week inWinter was named The Eason Popular Fiction Book of the Year. Just Mary by Mary O’Rourke won the RTÉ Radio 1’s John Murray Show Listeners’ Choice Award. Clare born Edna O’ Brien’s autobiography Country Girl was named The Argosy Non-Fiction Book of the Year.

Other winners were:
Eason Novel of the Year:
Ancient Light by John Banville
Ireland AM Crime Fiction Book of the Year:
Broken Harbour by Tana French
Avonmore Cookbook of the Year:
Eat like an Italian by Catherine Fulvio 
Lifestyle Sports Sports Book of the Year:
My Olympic Dream by Katie Taylor 
Sunday Independent Newcomer of the Year:
The Spinning Heart by Donal Ryan
International Education Services Best Irish Published Book of the Year:
Atlas of the Great Irish Famine by John Crowley, William J. Smyth and Mike Murphy 
Specsavers Children’s Book of the Year: Junior
This Moose Belongs to Me by Oliver Jeffers
Specsavers Children’s Book of the Year:  Senior
Artemis Fowl: The Last Guardian by Eoin Colfer
Bord Gáis Energy Bookshop of the Year:
Bridge Street Books, Wicklow Town

The Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Awards took place in the RDS where over 50 Irish authors gathered with 350 guests to celebrate the best of Irish literature published in the last year. Among those in attendance were Senator David Norris, hurling star Lar Corbett, comedian Maeve Higgins, novelists Joseph O’ Connor and Cecelia Ahern and children’s author Derek Landy. This is the seventh year of the Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Awards, which are dedicated to honouring Irish writers across the entire publishing spectrum. The public were asked to vote for their favourite titles in the shortlist for each category and over 42, 000 votes were cast this year. The public can now vote for their overall Bord Gáis Energy Book of the Year by going to www.irishbookawards.ie. Voting is open until December 14th and the winner will be announced on Monday 16th December. Last year’s winner was Belinda McKeown for her debut novel, Solace.

Friday 30 November 2012

Martin Hayes and The Gloaming

The Gloaming including Martin Hayes from Clare on fiddle. Posted on Youtube on the 19th of November 2012 by PavilionTheatreDL.

Pádraig Rynne & Ryan McGiver live in Boston

"Pádraig Rynne (Concertina) and Ryan McGiver play a set of reels recorded like in The Back Room in The Burren, Boston in July 2012. Tunes: Lunchtime Boredom (Composer. P.Rynne), The Pigeon On The Gate, and Jimmy's return." Posted on Youtube on the 8th of November 2012 by maspeth46thstreet.

Nora Cleary sings ‘Mac and Shanahan’ & ‘Little ball of yarn’

"Two songs by Nora Cleary from Miltown Malbay (County of Clare, Ireland), both recorded in July 1976. In December 1920, two young republicans, Michael MacNamara and Willie Shanahan were arrested in Doonbeg, South West Clare, by a group of Black and Tans, members of the auxiliary force that had been brough to Ireland to assist in suppressing the growing opposition to British rule. They were tortured and eventually murdered in the prison of Kilrush." Posted on Youtube on the 10th of August 2012 by krisberwouts.

The Burren Centre Kilfenora

"The Burren Centre in Kilfenora was the first Interpretive centre in Ireland. It is at the gateway to the Burren and is a tourist information point also. All the staff are very helpful and can direct you to some hidden places. There is a major exhibit of the Burrens Flora, Fauna and History which the visitor can tour. In the café the toasted salmon sandwiches are a particular favourite of visitors. So a visit to County Clare's and Ireland's first interpretive centre is a must." Posted on Youtube on the 17th of November 2012 by clare virtually.

Burren Sky & Cloud

"Burren Sky and Cloud a short film by Dermott Petty using an overture to a piece of music composed by Barry Dillon titled Rock Music The Antithesis." Posted on Youtube on the 27th of November 2012 by StoneCrackeder.

Killaloe Moon Rise

"Full Moon rising over Killaloe/Ballina Ireland." Time lapse sequenced by Dave O'Sullivan. Posted on Youtube on the 27th of November 2012 by dosfromclare.

Ryan Tubridy Show Greet on the Street in Ennis

"With thanks to The Gathering, Ireland 2013, Ryan Tubridy and his team hit the road again, and this time head for the banner county! Tubridy Greet on the Street visits Ennis, Co. Clare where he broadcasts his RTE Radio 2fm show." Posted on Youtube on the 21st of November 2012 by RTE2fm.

Surfing in Lahinch

Posted on Youtube on the 10th of November 2012 by Eoghan Hynes.

Bhangra on the Cliffs of Moher

"Bhangra on the Cliffs of Moher, Ireland. Song: Chan Mere Makhana." Posted on Youtube on the 6th of November sangha88.

Friday 23 November 2012

Clare County Library's Music of Clare Project on RTE TV News

The Music of Clare project featured on RTE TV News. The clip, recorded on the 12th of November 2012, features interviews with Senior Executive Librarian Anthony Edwards, musician and teacher Geraldine Cotter and Siobhán Mulcahy, County Arts Officer on the launch of the library's Music of Clare project. Posted on Youtube on the 20th of November 2012 by RTENewsNow. Click here for info about the project... See also The Music of Clare Project on RTE Radio's Morning Ireland.

Edel Fox, Ronan O'Flaherty, Johnny McDonagh, Dave Flynn – Reels

Edel Fox, Ronan O'Flaherty, Johnny McDonagh, Dave Flynn play some reels. Posted on Youtube on the 3rd of November 2009 by k4hx1.

Eamon Cotter, Kieran Hanrahan and Kathleen Boyle, Scoil Éigse 2012

Eamon Cotter, Kieran Hanrahan and Kathleen Boyle play at Scoil Éigse 2012 on the 14th of August 2012. Posted on Youtube on the 15th of August 2012 by micimccullagh.

Eight Irish Novels on 2013 IMPAC longlist


Eight novels by Irish authors are among the 154 books that have been nominated by 120 libraries worldwide for the €100,000 International IMPAC DUBLIN Literary Award, the world’s most valuable annual literary prize for a single work of fiction published in English.  ‘This is the highest number of Irish authors ever to be nominated in any one year by libraries around the world for the IMPAC DUBLIN Award’ said Margaret Hayes, Dublin City Librarian. ‘It says a lot for the high quality of writing coming from Irish writers currently and it reinforces Dublin’s status as UNESCO City of Literature’. The 154 nominations for the award come from 120 cities and 44 countries worldwide. 42 are titles in translation, spanning 19 languages and 47 are first novels’

The Irish titles are:
On Canaan’s Side by Sebastian Barry, nominated by San Diego Public Library, USA and by Dublin City Libraries.
City of Bohane by Kevin Barry, nominated by Cork City Libraries, Limerick City Library and Dublin City Public Libraries.
The Absolutist by John Boyne, nominated by Liverpool City Library and Tampere City Library, Finland.
The Dulang Washer by Paul Callan, nominated by The National Library of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpar.
Long Time, No See by Dermot Healy nominated by Bergen Offentlige Bibliotek, Norway and The Library for Foreign Literature, Moscow, Russia
The Cold Eye of Heaven by Christine Dwyer Hickey, nominated by Bergen Offentlige Bibliotek, Norway
Twice Born by author Margaret Mazzantini, nominated by Waterford County Library, Ireland and by Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale di Roma, Italy
Double Talk by Patrick Warner, nominated by The Provincial Resource Library, St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada

The most nominated book is The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes, which received fifteen nominations from libraries in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Ireland, The Netherlands, The UK and the USA. Other books nominated by multiple libraries are The Sisters Brothers by Canadian writer, Patrick de Witt, and two debut American novels, The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach, and TheTiger’s Wife by Téa Obreht.

Trevor Hansbury & Thomas Schied at Blues Alive Festival in the Czech Republic, 2008

Ennis native Trevor Hansbury and Thomas Schied from Germany playing at at Blues Alive Festival in Šumperk in the Czech Republic in 2008. This clip features the last 8 minutes of a 45 minutes long piece. Posted on Youtube on the 3rd of december 2008 by hankbutcher.

The Humours of Ennistymon, The Cliffs of Moher, & Out on the Ocean by ITMA staff

"The Humours of Ennistymon, The Cliffs of Moher, Out on the ocean, jigs played by ITMA staff (Jackie Small, accordion; Lisa Shields, concertina; Brian Doyle, banjo; Elaina Solon, fiddle; Nicholas Carolan, fiddle; Danny Diamond, fiddle). Recorded in the Irish Traditional Music Archive, Dublin, 13 June 2012 for National Music Day 2012." Posted on Youtube on the 21st of June 2012 by ITMAVideos.

BBC The Story of Maths - The Genius of the East

The 2nd of a 4 part BBC series on the history of mathematics. Posted on Youtube on the 24th of September 2012 by Anon00x2384723. See also The Story of Maths – Part 1 of 4 – the Language of the Universe.

Fishing time in Kilkee with friends, 2012

Posted on Youtube on the 19th of September 2012 by Lunatik583.

Science week in Shannon Library










Almost 100 children from 1st year in St. Patrick’s Comprehensive School, Shannon attended a special event held in Sean Lemass Public Library, Shannon, to mark Science Week 2012. The students were treated to a ‘Supermarket Science’ show hosted by Scientific Sue. The show featured a whole host of science experiments that can be attempted with items easily found in your local supermarket. Sue engaged the audience in a number of experiments one of which featured a fire breathing dragon called Norbert and a toy cow whose head popped off! The experiments called for a lot of help from the audience members and Sue had no problem finding willing volunteers. The enthusiasm from the participants showed there is a real interest amongst young people in all things science!

European Commission presents new Rethinking Education strategy


The European Commission has launched a new strategy called Rethinking Education to encourage Member States to take immediate action to ensure that young people develop the skills and competences needed by the labour market and to achieve their targets for growth and jobs. Rethinking Education calls for a fundamental shift in education, with more focus on 'learning outcomes' - the knowledge, skills and competences that students acquire. Merely having spent time in education is no longer sufficient. In addition, basic literacy and numeracy still needs to be significantly improved, and entrepreneurial skills and a sense of initiative need to be developed or strengthened.

Rethinking Education in brief:
  • There needs to be a much stronger focus on developing transversal skills and basic skills at all levels. This applies especially to entrepreneurial and IT skills.
  • A new benchmark on foreign language learning: by 2020, at least 50% of 15 year olds should have knowledge of a first foreign language (up from 42% today) and at least 75% should study a second foreign language (61% today).
  • Investment is needed to build world-class vocational education and training systems and increase levels of work-based learning.
  • Member States need to improve the recognition of qualifications and skills, including those gained outside of the formal education and training system.
  • Technology, in particular the internet, must be fully exploited. Schools, universities and vocational and training institutions must increase access to education via open educational resources.
  • These reforms must be supported by well-trained, motivated and entrepreneurial teachers.
  • Funding needs to be targeted to maximise the return on investment. Debate at both national and EU level is needed on funding for education - especially in vocational education and higher education.
  • A partnership approach is critical. Both public and private funding is necessary to boost innovation and increase cross-fertilisation between academia and business.

Tuesday 13 November 2012

Science week in Clare libraries













On Thursday the 15th of November at 10am in Ennis Library, and at 1.30pm in Shannon Library, an exciting Science Week Roadshow will promote the relevance of science in our everyday lives. With the assistance of Scientific Sue, audiences will learn that we are all a part of science and that we are constantly experimenting. Join Scientific Sue back in her wacky lab after her shopping trip and find out how she combines goodies from each of the shopping zones to explore forces, energy and energy changes, properties of materials and much, much more. Be amazed by the flying toilet roll, bemused by the exploding pig and wowed by Norbert, Sue’s very own fire breathing Dragon! The objective of Science Week each year is to promote the relevance of science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) in our everyday lives and to demonstrate their importance to the future of Irish society and to the economy. This year’s theme, “Science Week 2012 – Everyday Experimenting” aims to demonstrate that you are a part of science. You are constantly experimenting. From tying your shoe lace, to attempting a new level on a game, trialling a new recipe and even embarking on a first date—these are everyday experiments. From the make-up we use, to the food that we eat, we make hundreds of choices each day in deciding how we will interact with the materials and people around us, shaping our own environment. Embrace and celebrate Science Week 2012 at Clare County Library and experience everyday experiments for yourself!

Monday 12 November 2012

The Music of Clare Project on RTE Radio's Morning Ireland


The interview, on the 12th of November 2012, featured interviews with Senior Executive Librarian Anthony Edwards, musician and teacher Geraldine Cotter and Siobhán Mulcahy, County Arts Officer on the launch of the library's Music of Clare project.

Friday 9 November 2012

Cérbh É - Willie Clancy, the illustrious piper

"Buaileann Peter Browne le Willie Clancy, duine de na daoine is aitheanta i gceol traidisiúnta na tíre seo. Willie Clancy is probably the best known name in traditional Irish music, but what do we know about the man himself?" Here he is featured by Peter Browne on TG4's 'Cérbh É' programme, broadcast on the 27th of November 2011. This video was posted on Youtube on the 5th of November 2012 by tg4amhran.

Under 12 All Ireland Champions Lily O'Connor and Rosa Carroll at Tulla Trad Festival

Tulla Comhaltas members Rosa Carroll on fiddle and Lilly O’Connor on concertina won gold in the under 12 duet category at the 2012 all Ireland fleadh Cheoil in Cavan. Here they are playing in Minogues Pub in Tulla, County Clare, during the Tulla Trad Festival. Posted on Youtube on the 26th of October 2012 by enjoyirishculture.

Joe Derrane (Boston) & Seamus Connolly (Killaloe)

Joe Derrane’s father emigrated to the US from Inis Mór, one of the the Aran Islands off the coast of Clare. Seamus Connolly comes from Killaloe but lives now in Maine, USA. This programme first appeared on 'Sé Mo Laoch on TG4. Posted on Youtube on the 27th of September 2012 by Liam McKeogh.

Cliffs of Moher - a Viator travel guide

"Visit one of Ireland's most stunning natural attractions - the Cliffs of Moher - where the gentle Irish landscape reaches a dramatic flourish as it meets the Atlantic coast. This mighty County Clare sight towers above the raging ocean for a scenic 5-mile (8-km) stretch." Posted on Youtube on the 8th of November 2012 by ViatorTravel.

Killaloe and Ballina on RTE's Nationwide

Featuring rugby, GAA, fishing and music. Posted on Youtube on the 3rd of November 2012 by Liam McKeogh.

Ar Dheis play Say You Love Me at Scariff Harbour Festival

"After the Ar Dheis tour of India, the band took on a new line up and decided to spice things up a bit! Our first gig with the new line up took place at the Scariff Harbour Festival in County Clare, August 2012. This song went down a bomb. Hope you enjoy!". Ar Dheis are an Irish Traditonal/Folk Group from County Clare. Video posted on Youtube on the 8th of November 2012 by Ardheismusic.

Poulnabrone Portal Tomb - animation of laser scan

"Animation of a laser scan survey of Poulnabrone Dolmen, Co. Clare. The portal tomb was surveyed using a Faro Focus 120 scanner by the Discovery Programme as part of the 3D-ICONS project. The animation, generated in Pointools shows the point cloud data rendered with the intensity values." Posted on Youtube on the 6th of November 2012 by DP3DICONS.

Golfing in Lahinch

Posted on Youtube on the 6th of November 2012 by Eanna de Buis.

Surfing at Cornish, Lahinch, County Clare

"Water Footage of Surfing and Bodyboarding in County Clare". Posted on Youtube on the 30th of October 2012 by Michael Rice.

The Story of Maths – Part 1 of 4 – the Language of the Universe

"The Language of the Universe" is the first of a four part series on mathematics produced by the BBC. Posted on Youtube on the 17th of August 2012 by nettledned.

Monday 5 November 2012

'Socks in the Frying Pan', to launch their debut album of Irish Traditional Music

'Socks in the Frying Pan', will launch their debut album of Irish Traditional Music on the 8th November, at 8pm, in the Temple Gate Hotel during the Ennis Trad Festival. “This young trad trio from County Clare blend Irish traditional melodies with an innovative rhythmic and melodic garnish, these socks are audibly palatable!” http://www.facebook.com/socksinthefryingpan

Vote for your favourite Irish books

The shortlists for the 12 awards in the 2012 Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Awards were announced on October 25th. The very best books published in Ireland across a vast range of genres in 2012 form the shortlists.

The categories are
The John Murray Show Listeners’ Choice
The Eason Popular Fiction Book of the Year
The Ireland AM Crime Fiction Book of the Year
The Sunday Independent Newcomer of the Year
The Eason Novel of the Year
The Specsavers Children’s Book of the Year - Senior
The Specsavers Children’s Book of the Year – Junior
The International Education Services Best Irish-Published Book of the Year
The Argosy Nonfiction Book of the Year
The Lifestyle Sports Sports Book of the Year
The Avonmore Cookbook of the year
The Bord Gáis Energy Bookshop of the Year

Winners in each category will be decided by your votes. The public are asked to vote for their favourite books on irishbookawards.ie and be in with a chance of winning €50 of National Book Tokens. Pick up a booklet giving further details about the shortlisted books at your local library and you can watch the award ceremony on RTE One on Saturday 24th November.

‘Remembering the stories’ at the Clare Museum

The Clare Museum will be hosting a number of public talks titled ‘Remembering the stories’, a series of free public talks in conjunction with the exhibition on WWI and II and to mark the start of the Decade of Commemoration during November 2012. The first talk on November 8 will be by Olive Carey and will be titled ‘An Officer and a Gentleman: Brigadier-General Cuthbert Lucas’. Brigadier General Cuthbert Henry Tindall Lucas was captured by the I.R.A. while on a fishing expedition near Fermoy on 26th June 1920. The month that followed saw the largest manhunt ever mounted on Irish soil for a serving British officer, while the captors eluded discovery by moving the World War I veteran through a series of 'safe houses' in Counties Clare and Limerick, from where he made his escape. The story made international headlines and featured in newspapers such as the New York and the Singapore Times. Back on English soil the General's only public comment on the affair was that 'he had been treated as a gentleman by gentlemen', a view he maintained even in the face of possible court martial. Olive Carey, co-ordinator of the Hastings Farmhouse Conservation Project will give a summary of the General's World War I military career and of the events of his capture and escape during the summer of 1920. On the 15th November, Jakub Kacprzak, a Polish national and an intern at the Clare Museum will give an illustrated lecture called ‘Uprising 1944’, telling the story of the uprising of the people of Warsaw against their Nazi occupiers, an event that impacted on the family histories of many of Polish immigrants living in County Clare. The final talk by Rosemary Power on the 29th November is titled ‘Living with the enemy - Japan's Burma railway and the human aftermath’. Rosemary draws on accounts she heard in her youth from survivors of the Far East prisoner of war camps, and is a historian, folklorist, member of CAMPS at NUIG, and a minister in Clare. John Rattigan of Clare Museum is also encouraging anybody with artefacts that could be included in the exhibition to contact him. ‘While there has been a good response to the appeal for artefacts, the museum still has space for objects, photos or documents that members of the public may wish to include; he stated. All of these talks will be held at Clare Museum at 8pm on their respective nights and admission will be Free. All are welcome.

Friday 2 November 2012

Kitty Hayes, Yvonne Casey, Eoin O'Neill and Quentin Cooper on Open House

"Kitty Hayes (Concertina), Yvonne Casey (Fiddle), Eoin O'Neill (Bouzouki) and Quentin Cooper (Mandolin) playing on RTE's Open House, November 2001, following the release of Kitty Hayes's first CD 'A Touch of Clare' in September 2001. Reels: The Galway Rambler and The London Lasses." Posted on Youtube on the 15th of June 2010 by Faha10.

Francis Cunningham, Therese McInerney & Marian Curtin - High Reel Set

Set of Reels played at a concert in Cois na hAbhana, Ennis, by three young musicians from County Clare. Posted on Youtube on the 17th of April 2011 by xxfiddlexxchickxx.

Traditional dancing, Kilrush

"Traditional dancing, Kilrush, Co. Clare. The first two dancers are Matthew and Darragh McDonnagh, Moyasta. After that we have Eammon Vaughan dancing to Jo Linnen on Guitar from Cree and Mairead Considine on concertina in Crotty's pub." Posted on Youtube on the 16th of January 2011 by BirinBeo.

Earthship - 'Chromatica'

"Jazz Funk Fusion band Earthship, from County Clare, Ireland plays original tune, 'Chromatica' at Tully's, Kinvara. On bass Karl Clews, keyboards, Mark Farrelly, sax and percussion Andrew Collins, drums Blendi Krasniqi, guitar Eoghan Judge..." Posted on Youtube on the 1st of May 2011 by EARTHSHIPFUSION.

Mary Keenan and the Ennis Foundation Ministries play Stand By Me

"Mary, singing a well known song, accompanied by members of the Foundation Ministries, Ennis, County Clare." Posted on Youtube on the 29th of September 2012 by seanwv6.

Ireland's Eden: Loop Head Peninsula

"Loop Head Peninsula and Kilkee in Co Clare earned coveted EDEN recognition under the theme Aquatic Tourism. Famed for its impressive cliffs that dive dramatically into the Atlantic Ocean, this area boasts an incredible diversity of marine and bird life, as well as relaxing spas and beach resorts that date to Victorian times. The best way to discover the area is on foot - hiking along winding seaside trails - by bicycle or by boat. Loop Head Peninsula and Kilkee are famed for character and charm, and local people who are genuinely interested in meeting visitors and showing them how to make the most of their stay." Posted on Youtube on the 19th of October 2012 by Irelands Eden.

Bunratty Castle Wedding Proposal - Paul and Tara

"Paul Hoover and Tara Dunn from Roswell, Georgia, USa, at Bunratty Castle in County Clare, Ireland. October 24, 2012. We were celebrating our 2nd anniversary of our first date in Ireland at Bunratty Castle (a castle that was built, destroyed and rebuilt for centuries with it's present structure built in 1425). Enjoy as the events of the evening unfold during the medieval banquet." Posted on Youtube on the 26th of October 2012 by Paul Hoover.

Burren Winterage Exhibition Video

"For thousands of years, Burren farmers have marked the end of summer by herding their cattle onto 'winterage' pastures in the limestone uplands where they spend the winter grazing. This ancient 'transhumance' tradition is synonymous with the Burren and is key to the survival of the region's famous flora and fauna." Posted on Youtube on the 25th of October by BurrenBeoTrust.

Clare's Got Talent Final

Posted on Youtube on the 22nd of March 2012 by Galvinfilms.

Thursday 1 November 2012

Gene Kerrigan wins the CWA Gold Dagger Award 2012

Irish author and journalist Gene Kerrigan has won the CWA Gold Dagger for Best Crime Novel of the Year for his novel The Rage. Kerrigan joins an impressive list of previous Gold Dagger winners including Belinda Bauer, Minette Walters and Ian Rankin.  The Rage is about a professional thief, just out of jail, already preparing his next robbery. A retired nun reports suspicious behaviour in the Dublin backstreet where she lives to Detective Sergeant Bob Tidey, who is investigating the murder of a banker. The report unleashes a storm of violence and forces Tidey to make a deadly choice.  The Judges described his novel as “… a complex noir thriller that’s multi-layered and solidly written, with great style and pace. The depiction of post-crash Dublin has a real sense of menace and threat throughout.”

Kerrigan, a columnist with the Sunday Independent, has written many non-fiction works about Irish politics and crime. His first crime novel, Little Criminals, was set in the boom-time Ireland of 2005. Kerrigan’s portrayal of life on the edge of Irish society continued in his second work of fiction, The Midnight Choir. Dark Times in the City, which was shortlisted for the 2009 Gold Dagger, was set in a Dublin awash in a sea of cocaine and drug warfare.

Thursday 25 October 2012

Mick Kinsella and Josephine Marsh play Larry O’Gaff and The One That Was Last

Josephine Marsh and Mick Kinsella playing a set of jigs ‘Larry O’Gaff’ & ‘The one that was last’ on Geantraí. Posted on Youtube on the 25th of January 2009 by k4hx1.

Wednesday 24 October 2012

Willie Clancy sings The Song Of The Riddles

"The Song Of The Riddles sung by Clare piper Willie Clancy." Posted on Youtube on the 13th of October 2012 by Martin Byrne.

Dysart Tulla Band at the Aillwee Cave

"Dysart Tulla Band from County Clare at the Aillwee Cave." Posted on Youtube on the 23rd of February 2009 by k4hx1.

Kilfenora Céilí Band on Mediteranean Cruise, 2009

The Kilfenora Céilí Band playing on a Mediteranean cruise, in September 2009, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the band. Posted on Youtube on the 28th of September 2009 by roisin7589.

Waiting for the President in Scariff

"A movie of the visit by The Irish President, Michael D. Higgins, to the small town of Scariff in County Clare. Sarah wins a writing competition in school and that gives her the right to represent her school and community by presenting a gift to the president. The camera is a witness to the preparations by the Community Co-op and the town in the weeks before the visit and shows how the town of Scariff became a Community." Posted on Youtube on the 21st of October 2012 by clare virtually.

Discover Ireland - The Burren (Eco Eye)

"This episode of RTE's Eco Eye series explores the incredible, lonely landscape of The Burren in Co. Clare, looking in particular at the green roads and sand dunes. www.discoverireland.ie/clare." Posted on Youtube on the 12th of October 2012 by discoverirelanddotie.

Jim Hyland on Ballyvaughan Life

"An Interview coducted by Marian Egan for Clare FM, of local man Jim Hyland on 'Ballyvaughan Life' as part of the 'Echos' series. This radio interview took place on the 21st September 2003. Accompanying this radio interview are images of painting by Richard Hearns, an Irish Visual Artist who has painting in the Burren Landscape and kept a studio in Ballyvaughan for some time." Music: In Between Days by Luka Bloom. Posted on Youtube on the 10th of October 2012 by Richard Hearns.

1995 Clare Camogie National Schools Division 1 Final - Sixmilebridge v St. Senan's, Shannon

Action from the 1995 National Schools camogie final at Cusack Park, Ennis, County Clare. Posted on Youtube on the 25th of September 2012 by smbgaatv.

Salty fly fishing in County Clare

"Looking down the crack on this rock face, I just knew it had to be fished about 150m long with high walls, an absolutely fabulous place. County Clare's torn coastline & haunting landscape will stay with you forever! 9 fish in 1 hour not bad for a quick ramble across County Clare, Ireland." Posteed on Youtube on the 21st of October 2012 by surethingsfly.

Friday 19 October 2012

John & Tim Lyons sing The Limerick Rake

"Recording of brothers John and Tim Lyons singing "The Limerick Rake" in Malachys Quin, County Clare. 20th August 2011." Posted on Youtube on the 20th of August 2011 by GDAEDADGAD.

Tony MacMahon and Steve Cooney

Tony MacMahon and Steve Cooney play at the Garaune Forge, Nohoval, County Cork on the 5th of October 2012. Posted on Youtube on the 8th of October 2012 by edgodsell.

Cuaird na hOíche in Caherconnell Stone Fort

"Cuaird na hOíche traditional music concert featuring: Chris Droney, Pat Costello, Oliver O'Connor, Michael O'Connell, Pat Broderick, Mickey Dunne, and Sean Nós dancer Emma O'Sullivan. 'Cuaird na hOíche' comes from the tradition of visiting neighbours homes for an evening of music, dance, and song." Caherconnell Stone Fort June 16th 2012. Posted on Youtube on the 2nd of October 2012 by Niamhaines.

The Wild Atlantic Way - A brief snapshot

"A brief snapshot of the Wild Atlantic Way as it winds its way down the coast of West Clare & North Kerry, flanking the Atlantic for the whole route. Stunning scenery, abundant wildlife, the smell of salt & countless reasons for getting out of the car. Ancient Castles for you to discover at your own pace, Soaring Sea stacks with their obligatory cormorants perched atop watching for the silver flash of a shoal of fish. Europe's largest resident pod of Bottlenose dolphins & the cliffs of North Kerry & the very best place to see them from. Your almost guaranteed to spot them on a fine day as they herd shoals of fish in towards to beaches of Ballybunion. Surf Schools, Kayaking, miles & miles of Golden Beaches with life guards. Great Pubs, great restauraunts, the only difficulty will be getting back into the car!! Prepared by The West Clare - North Kerry Steering Group, Chairperson Madeleine Taylor Quinn & Members, Kevin Heapes, Loop Head, Paddy Collins, Kilkee, Joe Russell, Doonbeg, Liam Williams, Kilrush, John Fox, Tarbert, Kevin O Callaghan, Ballybunion, James Kenny, Listowel & Noel Lynch Ballylongford." Posted on Youtube on the 9th of October 2012 by yamoza.

Tim Collins plays The Humours of Tullycrine & The Garden of Daises

"Tim's formal introduction to music began at the age of 10 when his parents bought him a 'black dot' Hohner accordion in O'Neill's in Newcastle West. He and his brother John picked up tunes by ear from their father before attending Celia Regan's music lessons in the old hall in Templeglantine. Three years later, Con Herbert, a family friend from Killeedy, who had learned music from Collins' granduncle Tadhg, introduced Tim to the concertina. Herbert, a highly respected musician and teacher, trusted the thirteen-year-old with a 28 key rosewood ended Jeffries to practice on. Within a year, Herbert found a 38 key metal ended Jeffries that put Tim firmly on the road to concertina music. Tim Collins brought his music across the river to Clare, where he has taught music for almost a decade and played with Clare's legendary Kilfenora Céilí Band, one of the most decorated traditional ensembles in the country, with an unprecedented seven All Ireland titles and several award winning albums to its credit. While the musical ethos and philosophy of the Kilfenora, especially, the importance of tune structure, rhythm and lift has had a profound impact on his music, Collins has also contributed in no small way to the Kilfenora; not least, the seminal stock of slides and polkas that he has given to the band." Posted on Youtube on the 9th of April 2008 by clarebannerman.

Early morning trip from Tulla to University of Limerick

"A video blog of my journey to college (Tulla County Clare to The University of Limerick). Takes about 40 mins...here it is in 2 mins! Music by the Darren Defaoite Quintet." Posted on Youtube on the 12th of October 2012 by Darren Defaoite.

Cliffs of Moher & Burren Day Tour

"The Galway Tour Company's tour to the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren region is a leisurely guided day tour that includes a 2hr stop at the Cliffs of Moher and visits to Kilfenora and the Poulnabrone Dolmen." Posted on Youtube on the 9th of October 2012 by GalwayTourCompany.

Cliffs of Moher - Time lapse

Posted on Youtube on the 5th of October 2012 by Lukasz Rabczynski.

Diving in Doolin

"A great day diving down in Doolin, County Clare on 7/10/2012 with NUIG/GMIT Sub Aqua Club." Posted on Youtube on the 10th of October 2012 by DiverManDan.

Wednesday 17 October 2012

Bring up the Bodies - 2012 Man Booker Winner Announced

The 2012 Man Booker Prize has been won by Hilary Mantel for her novel Bring up the Bodies, the sequel to Wolf Hall which won the prize in 2009. The book is about Thomas Cromwell, chief minister to Henry VIII and concentrates on the nine month period in which Henry's second wife, Anne Boleyn, is arrested, tried and executed for treason. The final book in the trilogy, called The Mirror and the Light, will continue Cromwell's story until his execution in 1540 and is not expected to be published until 2015. This is the first time in Man Booker history that the £50,000 prize has been awarded for a direct sequel. Peter Stothard, chair of the judges, described Mantel as the “greatest modern English prose writer” and told reporters that she had rewritten the art of historical fiction.

Friday 12 October 2012

New Clare Revival - Stockton's Wing, 1987

County Clare based Stockton's Wing play New Clare Revival in 1987. Kieran Hanrahan, Banjo; Paul Roche, Whistle; Maurice Lennon, Fiddle; Mike Hanrahan, Guitar; John Walsh, Bass; Peter Keenan, Keyboards; Robbie Casserley, Drums. Posted on Youtube on the 6th of December 2008 by stocktonswinglive.

Simply Stunning: RTE Big Music Week

"Awesome one-take music video to promote RTÉ Big Music Week 2012. This video was filmed on the grounds of RTÉ on Saturday 29 September 2012. Shot in one continuous take, featuring a cast of hundreds lip-synching to the classic Irish rock song by The Stunning, 'Brewing Up a Storm'. Thanks to all the people who gave up many hours of their time to make this LipDub happen, to the writer and director Pat Cowap, and to The Stunning for the use of their song and for turning up on the day to take part!" Joe and Steve Wall of The Stunning grew up in Ennistymon, County Clare. Posted on Youtube on the 7th of October 2012 by rte.

Bobby Casey, Roger Sherlock and Michael Doran, 1968

Bobby Casey, Roger Sherlock and the young Michael Doran playing Rakish Paddy at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Clones, County Monaghan, in 1968. Posted on Youtube on the 11th of June 2012 by sluggermcwilliams.

Mountshannon Trad Festival 2012

"A movie of the Mountshannon Trad Festival in County Clare. It was held on the last weekend of September. A busy weekend musically in this small Co. Clare village. Maybe you might think of coming in 2013 and being part of the 4th Trad Festival." Posted on Youtube on the 5th of October 2012 by clare virtually.

Peggy McMahon sings "Lovely Old Miltown"

Peggy McMahon sings "Lovely Old Miltown" written by Kathleen Hayes from Shanaway, Miltown Malbay, with film of Miltown Malbay from the late 1970s/early 1980s. Posted on Youtube on the 6th of October 2012 by Claretrad.

The McCarthy Family play Sporting Nell, Miltown Malbay 2012

"The McCarthy Family playing a reel "Sporting Nell" associated with their father (Tommy) at the 2012 Willie Clancy Memorial Concert, Miltown Malbay, County Clare. Marion (pipes), Tommy Jr (fiddle), Jacqueline (concertina), Bernadette (fiddle), Lucy (concertina)." Posted on Youtube on the 20th of September 2012 by Tommy McCarthy.

Sharon Shannon performing Top Dog Gaffo

"Music video by Sharon Shannon performing Top Dog Gaffo. (C) 2012 IML Irish Music Licensing Ltd." Posted on Youtube on the 4th of October 2012 by orchardmusic.

Siobhán O'Brien playing at the Woody Guthrie Festival in Miltown Malbay

Siobhán O'Brien singing "At My Window Sad & Lonely" at the Woody Guthrie Festival in Miltown Malbay on Saturday the 8th of September 2012 in Tom Malone's pub, with the help of Martin O'Malley on guitar. Posted on Youtube on the 10th of September 2012 by tenseconddelay.

Tony Kirby - Heart of Burren Walks

Tony Kirby of Heart of Burren Walks giving an outline of the geological origins of the Burren area. Posted on Youtube on the 6th of October 2012 by sentimentaloldme.

The Ennistymon Falls

"Short pan across the lovely falls in Ennistymon, County Clare." Posted on Youtube on the 13th of November 2011 by Tim Van Holder.

Wednesday 10 October 2012

2012 Booker winner to be announced on October 16th

The winner of the Man Booker Prize 2012 will be announced at London’s Guildhall on Tuesday 16th October, in a ceremony covered by the BBC. The six shortlisted titles, chosen from a longlist of twelve are

The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twang Eng
Swimming Home by Deborah Levy
Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel
The Lighthouse by Alison Moore
Umbrella by Will Self
Narcopolis by Jeet Thayil

The bookies’ favourite to win the 2012 prize is Will Self’s Umbrella, a 400 page chapter-free novel about a woman incarcerated in a mental hospital. Second favourite is Hilary Mantel’s Bring Up the Bodies, the sequel to the 2009 Booker prize winning Wolf Hall about Thomas Cromwell, chief Minister to Henry VIII.

Monday 8 October 2012

The Children's Referendum - Saturday, 10th November 2012






The Government has published the 31st Amendment of the Constitution Bill, which sets out the wording to put to the people in the Children’s Referendum on Saturday, 10th November. Ahead of the Referendum, the Government is mounting a major Information Campaign to outline and explain the proposed constitutional changes, to ensure that the public fully understands the proposed Amendment. A dedicated new website www.childrensreferendum.ie provides information on the referendum. This Referendum proposes to place a dedicated Article in the Constitution, which has children as its central focus.

This Referendum is about strengthening the Constitution:
• to protect children from abuse and neglect by putting their safety and welfare at the centre of decision making.
• to support families; State intervention will be required to be proportionate, in line with the Government’s policy of continuing development of early-intervention and family support services to protect children in their home.
• to treat all children equally on key issues such as adoption, regardless of the marital status of their parents.
• to recognise children in their own right by providing an express statement of each individual child’s inherent rights and giving Constitutional recognition to the best interests and views of the child, in court cases affecting their life.

See www.childrensreferendum.ie and Twitter at @childref12

Burren Winterage Weekend 2012

For thousands of years, Burren farmers have marked the end of summer by driving their cattle onto winter pastures in the limestone uplands. This tradition is known as Winterage and the Burren is one of the only places in the world where this unique practice still occurs. This pastoral tradition has shaped one of Ireland’s most fascinating and spectacularly beautiful landscapes. The Burren Winterage Weekend aims to celebrate not only the unique farming traditions of the Burren, but also to highlight, celebrate and support the broader significance of pastoral farming in shaping much of the Irish landscape. The Burren Winterage Weekend is a community led event that will take place on the Samhain weekend (October 26th-28th) in various locations across the Burren region. . It will encompass demonstrations, displays, cultural events, family events, informative talks and guided walks. The Burren Winterage Weekend is a community led event coordinated under The Burren Community Charter. The Burren Community Charter was developed as a result of the need for an integrated and strategic approach to meeting the needs of the Burren’s landscape, heritage and communities. Funded by the Heritage Council and with support of the Heritage Officers from Clare and Galway, the charter is managed by four Burren organisations; The Burrenbeo Trust, The Burren Farming For Conservation Programme, The Burren Geopark Project and Burren IFA. See http://www.burrenwinterage.com

Excelling Women Network event on 13th October in Clare Youth Service


















Excelling Women Network event on 13th October in Clare Youth Service from 11.00 until 13.00. All women welcome especially women newly living in Clare. An Intercultural Network for All Women: Empowering, Connecting, Advocating and representing migrant women and their organisations in Ireland. This intercultural seminar is titled: “Women and Change: Positive Thinking and Personal Development”.

Thursday 27 September 2012

Postcards from County Clare

Clare County Library's Postcard Collection contains a miscellany of photographs of County Clare and elsewhere, mainly covering holiday resorts, scenic views, towns and villages and historical buildings. Many of the postcards are tinted. The main producers of postcards in Ireland - The Lawrence and Valentine Studios - are well represented in the collection. The postcard collection forms a small part of the library's online collection of images at http://www.clarelibrary.ie.

Music: The Humours of Tulla (Reels) from the album "The Tulla Céilí Band 60th Anniversary Collection" by the Tulla Céilí Band; Connemara Stockings, Jim McCormick's, Rip the Callico and Music in the Glen from the album "The Best of Irish Trad Music from Ireland's No 1 Ceili Band" by The Kilfenora Céilí Band; and Rambling Pitchforks from the album "After 10.30" by Mary Custy. Posted on Youtube on the 24th of September 2012 by clarelibrary.

Clare County Library launches online Music of Clare project


Corcomroe Céilí Band c 1960












Photo above is of the Corcomroe Céilí Band, c1960

Clare County Library, in association with The Clare Arts Office, is delighted to announce the launch of its online Music of Clare project, on the library’s website at www.clarelibrary.ie. The main aim of the project is to present a sample of the rich musical culture of the county of Clare.   “The library service in Clare offers a wide range of music for lending throughout the county, and we have had a very strong traditional music collection in Miltown Malbay for many years”, says Clare County Librarian Helen Walsh. “This new online project will allow immediate access to all those interested in the music of County Clare, and will greatly enhance the existing historical and cultural resources on the library website itself”, she adds.  

This first stage of the project concentrates on the traditional music of the county. “We want you to be able to listen to traditional tunes associated with County Clare, played by musicians who are from the county or who have lived in it for many years”, says the initiator and manager of the project, Senior Executive Librarian Anthony Edwards. Although it is not intended to be definitive or comprehensive, the project does hope to represent the best of a rich tradition.  “We have also included transcriptions of the featured tunes, to help anyone who wishes to learn the basic notes of a tune so as to be able to play it. Links to alternative transcriptions are also provided”, he added. The project also includes a Music Videos feature, a collection of embedded online videos of Clare musicians from YouTube. Historical and biographical articles place the music of Clare in context and provide background and further resources for study and enjoyment. The Traditional Music of Clare Jukebox gathers together all of the tracks featured in the Music of Clare project so that they can be listened to easily and in sequence. The Music of Clare project is based on the same software system that the library has used to publish Foto, its online collection of photographs, so many of the project’s features will be familiar to users of Foto. For example, clicking on a keyword link will bring up all other instances of that keyword in the collection, whether that keyword be the name of a tune, the name of an artist, a type of tune, or a specific instrument. The Quick Search and Advanced Search features enable searching of the collection by artist, name and type of tune, and instrument.

The project would not have been possible without the financial support of the Clare County Arts Office which, with Arts Council funding, sponsored an initial researcher, Paddi O’Connell, for a number of months, and funded the transcription of some of the tunes by Geraldine Cotter.  “The County Arts Office is committed to promoting the wealth of traditional music in Clare and we were delighted to work with Clare Library Service on such an exciting and important project,” said Siobhán Mulcahy, County Arts Officer. 

The Music of Clare Project team consisted of Executive Librarian Maureen Comber, Library Staff Officer Jackie Dermody and project manager Anthony Edwards. The project team is very grateful to Geraldine Cotter for providing contact details of many of the featured musicians and for answering many of their queries. Their thanks also go to Mary Custy for her transcriptions of tunes, to Vince Brennan for the sheetmusic from O’Neill’s ‘Music of Ireland’ and Allan’s ‘Irish Fiddler’ on his Old Music Project and to Jeremy Keith for sheetmusic on The Session Website. They’d also like to acknowledge the help of Aisling McMahon, and give special thanks to Michael Kelleher of Ennistymon for his wonderful list of tunes which are commonly played in Clare and which acted as the foundation of this project. Maureen Comber adds that “we have been astounded at the generosity and support we have received from musicians, record companies and authors featured in the project. All those we have been able to contact have responded with enthusiasm and goodwill. To those few we have not been able to contact, despite our best efforts, we give our assurance that we do not take their participation for granted and welcome any response to mailbox@clarelibrary.ie.” The Music of Clare project was officially launched on Friday, September 21st in Glór, Ennis, as part of Culture Night 2012. See the project online now at www.clarelibrary.ie.

Music of Clare Project

Willie Clancy plays The Connerys

"The air of a song about two brothers, Patrick and John Connery from the Déise district of County Waterford, who were transported to New South Wales in 1838 as a result of legal conflicts about land and other matters. Another brother, James, was likewise transported in 1835. From Miltown Malbay, County Clare, Willie Clancy had a legacy of old Clare music that he learnt at first on whistle and flute from his father and mother. As an uilleann piper he was greatly influenced by the travelling piper Johnny Doran, and won first prize for uilleann piping at the 1947 Oireachtas. He went to work as a carpenter in Dublin in the early 1950s and then to London, but returned to Miltown in 1957. He was frequently heard on radio and at fleadhanna ceoil, and made several commercial recordings before and after these 78s. A summer school founded in his memory in the year of his death has become internationally famous. In these pieces Clancy is playing on a set of B flat uilleann pipes made by Moloney of County Clare in the 19th century. He was also a singer and dancer." Posted on Youtube on the 26th of July 2012 by muisire.

Colm Walsh sings The Bonny Bunch of Roses in 1965

"Clip from 1965. Sung by a young Colm Walsh from County Clare. The earliest known version of the tune is in William Christie's "Tradition Ballad Airs" (1881), but there is another tune, of Irish origin. It is a conversation between Napoleon's son (Napoleon II, 1811-1832, named King of Rome by his father upon birth)and his mother (Marie Louise, Napoleon's second wife, whom he married after divorcing Josephine). The sentiment is pro-Napoleon, which would indicate an Irish origin. The Irish, who were themselves under the British thumb through the 18th & 19th century, were actually big fans of Napoleon Bonaparte. His bravery captivated the national imagination, as did his defiance even in defeat. The Irish also adored the tragic story of the romance between the doomed emperor and his second wife, Marie Louise. So it's no surprise they chose her words to frame the story of Bonaparte's fall." Posted on Youtube on the 3rd of October 2008 by clarebannerman.

Poet Donal O'Siodhachain's talk at Dylan Thomas Literary Weekend in Ennistymon

"Donal O'Siodhachain speaking at the Inaugural Dylan Thomas Literary Weekend which was held in the Falls Hotel in Ennistymon, County Clare from 18th - 20th May 2012." Posted on Youtube on the 20th of september 2012 by TheFallsHotel.

Clare V Limerick Munster Hurling Championship 1993

Posted on Youtube on the 18th of September 2012 by tallowmanirish.

From Inis Oírr to The Cliffs of Moher

"A summers day on Inis Oírr (Inisheer). 'The Plassey' ran aground on the rocks here in 1960. The ship broke her back, and, has been pushed further up the rocks over the years by the winter storms of the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy a different view of The Cliffs of Moher as the camera zooms through the rusted hulk. We don't get to see this panorama of the cliffs so clearly very often so i thought you would enjoy it." Posted on Youtube on the 17th of September 2012 by clare virtually.

This is Mountshannon, County Clare

"A video of Mountshannon, County Clare, Ireland. A different and entertaining Céad Míle Fáilte for the visitor to the town. Where you can eat, drink, stay and tour when you come for The Iniscealtra Festival of the Arts, The Mountshannon Traditional Festival or our newest attraction The White Tail Sea Eagles that have made Bushy Island their new home." Posted on Youtube on the 22nd of May 2012 by clare virtually.

Barefield Junior Ceili Band in Glór

The Barefield (County Clare) Junior Ceili Band at the Glór Spring Concert 2010 in Ennis. Posted on Youtube on the 17th of March 2010 by paulamontwill.

Wednesday 26 September 2012

Into the Darkest Corner - You Don’t Need a Bruise to be Abused

In Ireland, it is estimated that one in five women experience domestic violence.  This year,  to mark the 16 days of Action and Awareness on Violence against Women,  which runs from 25th November to 10th December, the Mid-West Local Area Networks (Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary) are actively targeting libraries and book-clubs to promote literature with the theme of ‘violence against women.’ Readers and book clubs in the region are invited to read Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes with a view to raising awareness within our community of domestic abuse and holding open discussions on the topic.  While this book is a work of fiction it captures the very stark reality of a woman living with an abusive partner and the danger that occurs when she tries to leave him.
‘Catherine Bailey has been enjoying the single life long enough to know a catch when she sees one. Gorgeous, charismatic and spontaneous, Lee seems almost too perfect to be true. And her friends clearly agree, as each in turn falls under his spell. But what begins as flattering attentiveness and passionate sex turns into raging jealousy, and Catherine soon learns there is a darker side to Lee. His increasingly erratic, controlling behaviour becomes frightening, but no one believes her when she shares her fears. Increasingly isolated and driven into the darkest corner of her world, a desperate Catherine plans a meticulous escape. Four years later, Lee is behind bars and Catherine - now Cathy - compulsively checks the locks and doors in her apartment, trusting no one. But when an attractive upstairs neighbour, Stuart, comes into her life, Cathy dares to hope that happiness and love may still be possible . . . until she receives a phone call informing her of Lee's impending release.’
Book-clubs and readers will meet to discuss ‘Into the Darkest Corner’ in libraries in Ennis, Shannon and Kilrush during the Awareness Campaign where representatives from Clare Haven Services will attend to discuss how the real life cases are often as shocking as the fiction, thereby creating an awareness of the prevalence of domestic abuse in our communities. Shannon Library will host a discussion group on Tuesday 27th November, Kilrush Library on Wednesday 28th November and DeValera Library, Ennis on Tuesday 4th December. All meetings take place at 7.00 p.m.

‘Into the Darkest Corner’ was winner of the 2011 Amazon Best Book of the Year. It is an edgy and powerful thr
iller. Readers’ comments include:
‘a real page-turner, you won’t want to put it down’;
‘not often do you find a book so disturbing and yet so enjoyable to read’;
‘It gave me the same feeling as ‘We need to talk about Kevin’, while reading I felt physically sick, but had to keep going, and really, I’m glad I did, this is an amazing book’ and
‘WOW. What an incredibly intense book! I can see why film rights have already been picked up by
Hollywood’.

Get your copy now and join us in
Kilrush, Shannon or Ennis Library to discuss and compare notes.