Thursday 22 March 2012

Frankie Gavin, Eoin O Neill, Padraig and Damien O Reilly, Brian Bourke at Corofin Trad Festival 2012



"Frankie Gavin and Eoin O Neill are joined by Padraig and Damien O Reilly and Brian Bourke to Launch the Corofin Trad Festival 2012." Posted on Youtube on the 9th of March 2012 by TheTownieontour.

Corofin Traditional Festival - Teach Ui Dalaigh, 2011



"Trad music in Teach Ui Dalaigh, Corofin, during Corofin Traditional Music Festival, Sat the 5th of Mar 2011". Posted on Youtube on the 7th of March 2011 by scrapbooktraveler.

A Night In Doolin



"Music at Gus O'Connors, Doolin, County Clare, on June 15, 2010." Posted on Youtube 5th of July 2010 by Grifeel.

Crosses of Annagh - Willie Clancy Festival 2008



"The kitchen bar. So crowded the only room left is in the fireplace". Crosses of Annagh during the Willie Clancy Festival 2008. Posted on Youtube on the 3rd of August 2008 by cocaomh.

"Farewell My Green Valleys" at the Lighthouse Inn, Kilbaha



Posted on Youtube on the 13th of August 2011 by jackcantillon.

St Patricks Day Parade 2012 Killaloe



Posted on Youtube on the 18th of March 2012 by PhotoMagicTV.

Moroccan Irish Friendship Association in St Patrick's Day Parade Ennis 2012



Posted on Youtube on the 18th of March 2012 by MyKanane.

Abbey Hill Paragliding - Run Away From The Shadow



"05.03.2012 - What a lovely, beauty full sunny day, I can feel the spring is coming. I decided to go to Abbey Hill in County Clare for flying and I do not regret it. The condition was perfect, light wind from W-NW with smooth thermal activity. After hard work of scratching the slope, with my shadow following me, I manage to climb in smooth thermal and gain altitude above summit of Abbey Hill. I soar for over 2 hr. having magnificent spectacular view of the Burren and surroundings." Posted on Youtube on the 6th of March 2012 by skyjack1ifly.

North West Clare & The Aillwee Caves



Posted on Youtube on the 4th of March 2012 by samkirkofficial.

Ennis Book Club Festival



The Ennis Book Club Festival is a wonderful social and literary gathering bringing together book club members and readers from all over Ireland and beyond. Supported by Clare County Library, the festival includes author readings, discussions, workshops and walking tours through the narrow streets and lanes of Ennis. There are sessions on running book clubs, advice on reading lists, poetry, events as Gaeilge, and an opportunity to compare notes and meet with other Book Club members. Over the years the festival has attracted wonderful authors and speakers including Edna O'Brien, Nuala O'Faolain, Roddy Doyle, Anne Enright, Lionel Shriver, Joseph O'Connor, Paul Durcan, Peter Sheridan, Paul Murray, Anne Enright and Patrick McCabe to name but a few. Posted on Youtube on the 19th of March 2012 by bacaed07. See www.ennisbookclubfestival.com.

Gerry Stembridge visits De Valera Library Book Club














Writer, director and actor Gerry Stembridge visited De Valera Public Library, Ennis, on Tuesday, 28 February. Gerry spoke to our book club members about his recent novel 'Unspoken' which we had recently chosen as our book club read. He enjoys visiting bookclubs to receive feedback on his writing and the book club members were more than willing to share their views on the book. Gerry gave an interesting insight into the workings of a writer and how writing for theatre and film differs from novels. An enjoyable night was had by all.

Local Community Heritage Initiatives

National Tidy Towns Competition
This initiative is run by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and is sponsored by SuperValu. With hundreds of awards covering every aspect of the local environment and over €250,000 in prize money, this is by far the biggest community environmental initiative and has been running for over 50 years. Heritage is an integral part of the National Tidy Towns Competition as each entrant is assessed under criteria including the built environment and wildlife and natural amenities. The Tidy Town’s Heritage Award, sponsored by The Heritage Council, seeks to promote a greater awareness of the contribution of heritage to our quality of life and to sustainable economic development. With that in mind, The Heritage Council seeks to recognise projects that benefit heritage, involve the community and motivate people. It seeks to encourage a better understanding of our heritage and the impact everybody’s actions have upon it. The project must demonstrate long-term sustainability and appreciation of heritage. http://www.tidytowns.ie

All-Ireland Pride of Place Competition
The Pride of Place competition assesses a selection of groups nominated by local authorities through various mechanisms to represent their county. Criteria are quite broad and as well as looking at environmental projects they also include wider social activities such as provision of crèche facilities, supports for elderly persons, etc. The competition is hosted by Co-operation Ireland under its local authority programme in conjunction with the cross-border Local Authority Steering Forum. More info...

Clare in Bloom
The Clare in Bloom competition is a motivational mechanism for community bodies, tidy town and tidy village groups etc. to enhance the visual impact of their settlements by means of flower, tree and shrub planting. More info...

National Tree Week
The purpose of national tree week is to encourage community groups and schools to enhance their towns and villages by planting native trees in public spaces. National tree week is usually held in early March each year. It is organised by the Tree Council of Ireland. Clare County Council provides mature native trees and Coillte provide young saplings free of charge to community groups and schools. These trees are planted in public places and serve to enhance the local environment.

Friday 16 March 2012

Packie Russell and friends, Doolin, 1973



The musicians include Packie Russell with his brother Gussie, brothers Paddy and John Killourhy, Stevie McNamara, Willie Beag Shannon and Rory O'Connor. Posted on Youtube on the 26th of March 2008 by griffind2000.

Sharon Shannon, Liz Kane and Jim Murray - Hounds of Letterfrack



Sharon Shannon, Liz Kane and Jim Murray play a set of tunes on Cultura 24, a 24-hour public television channel from Netherlands Public Broadcasting, devoted to art and culture. Posted on Youtube on the 30th of October 2011 by gaeliccara.

Willie Clancy Week 2009



"Photographs taken by John A.Coffey during the Willie Clancy Week 2009, with music played by Willie Clancy (Jenny Picking Cockles/My love is in America & Will you come down to Limerick)." Posted on Youtube on the 15th of October 2010 by Coflun.

Doolin Session 1994



Session in Doolin, County Clare, in 1994, featuring musicians Josephine Marsh, Ellen Custy, Pat Marsh, Noel O'Donoghue, Jim Kerrigan, James Doddy and Cyril O'Donoghue. Posted on Youtube on the 15th of April 2010 by TradPat.

Loop Head Peninsula in County Clare



Posted on Youtube on the 29th of February 2012 by salastampa1995.

Caledonian, Ballyvourney Jig and Corofin Plain sets in Ennistymon



"Five Counties Ceili Band play for three sets at the Step to the West Weekend at the Falls Hotel, Ennistymon, Co Clare. Gerard Butler is the MC and organiser Sean Longe expresses his thanks to all. The video runs out just at the end of the third figure of the Corofin Plain." Posted on Youtube on the 31st of January 2012 by SetDancingNews.

Seachtain na Gaeilge le Séamus














Ta a lán leanaí ar fud an Chontae ag baint taitneamh mór ona seisiúin scéalaíochta le leabharlannaí Séamus Ó Riain le haghaidh Seachtain na Gaeilge. Séamus engages well with the pupils of 1st and 2nd classes who have visited their local library to enjoy his stories. There’s lots of discussion, questions and answers and most importantly lots of good fun. Eagraíodh scéalaíocht do dhaoine óga i trí mbrainsí déag de Leabharlann Chontae an Chláir le linn Seachtain na Gaeilge 2012.

Teen Week extends to a second branch of Clare County Library.

Teen Week 2012 takes place in two of Clare County Library’s main branches this year having been piloted and successfully run in deValera Public Library, Ennis for the past two years. Beginning on the 26th March 2012 Scariff Public Library along with Ennis will join in the hosting of a week long programme of cultural, artistic and educational events especially for teenagers. More info...

World Book Day at Clare County Library











World Book Day was celebrated in all branches of Clare County Library with events beginning the week of February 27th, 2012. Alan Shoosmith toured the county’s branches bringing art workshops to senior classes in primary schools based on their favourite reads. Author Maeve Friel visited Shannon, Sixmilebridge, Ennistymon and Lisdoonvarna libraries meeting with 3rd and 4th class children who had lots of questions to ask her about her Witch In Training and Tiger Lily series of books. Thanks to Alan and Maeve for helping us celebrate World Book Day 2012.

Monday 12 March 2012

Map view URL extension - new feature added to GMaps

In Gmaps, Clare County Library's new online maps system, it's now possible with a simple copy-paste of the URL to add a link to a specific online library map showing that place with whatever layers one likes to choose, i.e. you can now pick up from the address bar an extended URL that allows you to re-open the map system with the current "map view".

A "map view" is defined by the (possible) following elements:
- (center) map position
- zoom level
- selected map
- selection of an overlay
- the overlay's opacity
- selection of the "roads" layer
- selections of place layers

A map view does NOT include,
- a search / browse selection
- the display of a search result
- the selection of a map marker
- the display in the right panel
- the "Places looked at" history

Here is an example of a map view link:
http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/maps/gmap/index.html#M2C52.84979!-9.01109Z16O6a6

Friday 9 March 2012

Brock McGuire Band - Medley



"The Brock McGuire Band performs a medley: The Connaught Man's Ramble, The Rambler, and Come West Along the Road - Live in Studio C on Nashville Public Radio, www.wpln.org." Posted on Youtube on the 10th of March 2011 by WPLNradio.

Young readers rule when it comes to library lending

It’s not all about computer games and TV for Irish children as reading continues to be one of their favourite pastimes. Figures released by the Library Council of Ireland show that children’s authors dominated the ‘most-borrowed-from-the-library’ lists in Ireland’s 350 public libraries in 2011. Eight children’s authors made it into the top ten ‘most-borrowed-from-the-library’ list for last year, with Roderick Hunt, author of over 300 titles in the Oxford Reading Tree series, the most popular for the third successive year with over 125,000 library loans. Classic stories continue to delight today’s children with stars such as Enid Blyton, Roger Hargreaves and Roald Dahl in the top ten, alongside Daisy Meadows, Francesca Simon, and Jacqueline Wilson. Adam Blade, author of 60 books in the Beast Quest fantasy series, entered the top 10 for the first time. Darren Shan, author of horror and fantasy books which have sold close to 15 million copies worldwide, is the most popular Irish author for the third year running. The first four books in Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid series were the most popular children’s books in libraries in 2011. Kinney’s Wimpy Kid series has sold over 42 million books worldwide and movie versions of the first two books have been released. The lists are compiled by The Library Council from information supplied to the Public Lending Remuneration (PLR) Scheme by all public libraries in Ireland. Under the PLR scheme, payment is made to authors, illustrators, etc. whose books are borrowed from the country’s 350 public libraries. Detailed lists of the most Borrowed Authors and Titles 2011 can be accessed on the PLR website at www.plr.ie

Thursday 8 March 2012

The Teetotallers on Geantraí



"The first television appearance of 'The Teetotallers' - Kevin Crawford, Martin Hayes and John Doyle - on the Chieftain's Christmas special on Geantraí. The tunes are: Green Fields of Woodford/The Castle/The Nightingale and The Clare Reel/East Clare Reel/Sporting Nell. " Posted on Youtube on the 4th of January 2012 by brummydubliner.

Carmel, Teresa & Niamh O'Dea play 'The Cat on the Corner'



Carmel, Teresa & Niamh O'Dea play 'The Cat on the Corner'. Recorded for Geantraí in O'Keeffe's Bar in Ennis. Posted on Youtube on the 7th of February 2012 by ForeFronttv1.

Burren Sionnach



"Burren Sionnach". Posted on Youtube onn the 1st of October 2009 by tommyobr.

Bunratty Chess Festival 2012



"2012 Bunratty Chess Festival. This is easily one of the strongest weekend chess events in the world and one of the biggest surely too." Posted on Youtube on the 20th of February 2012 by IrishChessUnion.

Monasteries of Ireland - County Clare



"This video does not contain all monasteries in County Clare, Ireland but a selection of those that caught my eye or tickled my fancy. Monastery Listing:Clare Abbey; Corcomroe Abbey; Dysert O Dea; Ennis Friary; Kilfenora Abbey; Killone Abbey; Quin Abbey". Posted on Youtube on the 29th of February 2012 by justalady9.

Big increase in visits to Clare Museum

During the first two months of 2012, over 2,900 people visited the Clare Museum representing a 31% increase in visitors when compared to January and February last year. These figures continue a trend that began last Autumn following the appointment of an Education Officer through the Jobsbridge Internship programme and the recruitment of volunteer tour guides. “We have implemented a comprehensive programme of activities so far this year, including a St Bridget’s Day Festival for primary schools and ‘Being an Archaeologist’ for Transition Years” said Museum Curator John Rattigan. “Further activities are planned in the coming months for Easter for schools and young people around the Bealtaine Festival for both children and senior citizens. There is also a new temporary exhibition in preparation and a public talk on El Camino de Santiago is at the planning stage”.

Recently Clare Museum launched a ‘Recession-busting Schools Package’ for primary schools throughout Clare and beyond in partnership with Ennis Walking Tours, Clare Leisure World and Supermac’s, while a similar package for Secondary Schools is being finalised. “Clare Museum is playing its part in attracting visitors to Ennis as a cultural centre, tourist attraction and an educational resource”, John Rattigan concluded.

World Book Day in Kilrush Library

To celebrate World Book Day on March 1st, Kilrush Public Library hosted an art workshop by Alan Shoosmith. Alan read an extract from a book and 21 fifth and sixth class primary school children drew pictures of their impression of the story. They used pencils, markers, crayons and chalk and created some really nice work.

Wednesday 7 March 2012

Clare County Library’s branches emerging as Facebook favourites

Lisdoonvarna Public Library, CBI's favourite local library for February 2012.

Children’s Books Ireland has been running a library of the month competition on its Facebook page since early January and already four branches of Clare County Library have been nominated. They are De Valera Public Library, Ennis; Kilfinaghty Public Library, Sixmilebridge; Kilrush Public Library and Lisdoonvarna Public Library. Sixmilebridge Library emerged as clear winner of the competition for January and Lisdoonvarna Library won in February. Praise indeed for these regional branches of the Clare library service! As part of this competition Children’s Books Ireland is asking people to nominate their favourite local library on the CBI Facebook page. They want people to do this by ‘liking’ the CBI Facebook page, sharing a photo of the library in question and telling them briefly why it's so special. At the end of each month the top three nominated libraries go head to head in a vote for the eventual winner. CBI will donate a special book to the winning library each month.

Lisdoonvarna is a small, but busy, part-time branch. Phoebe Moore stated when nominating Lisdoonvarna, “Not only is it a cute building but the librarian is really helpful. I wish it was open every day!”, while fellow nominator, Gertrude Formica, said, “I love Lisdoonvarna Library. Pretty, pretty location and the librarian is so lovely. Love it there!” Clare County Library is delighted with all its nominations to date and is proud to acknowledge that two of our branches have emerged as winners in this wonderful initiative by Children’s Books Ireland. The library is encouraging anyone with a Facebook account to visit the CBI page and engage in the fun. We are also promoting the competition in branch libraries around the county and on our own Facebook page, a link to which can be found on our homepage at www.clarelibrary.ie. Photos to accompany the nominations for branches of Clare Library can be gotten on our website by visiting the ‘Branch Libraries’ link on the homepage. We wish all libraries across the country luck with the competition but are determined to continue our winning streak in the coming months!

Skulduggery art workshop in Scariff Library for World Book Day


















Scariff Public Library celebrated World Book Day with a fun art workshop based around Derek Landy’s “Skulduggery” series. Artist Alan Shoosmith played descriptive extracts from the series to over 30 children from Scariff National School and instructed them to draw any images that came to mind. The session lasted an hour and a half and was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Community Games winners at Shannon Library












Seán Lemass Public Library, Shannon, was the venue for the Presentation to Winners of Art and Modelling competitions for the Community Games Shannon Area on Tuesday 21st February 2012. Moms, dads, grandmas, granddads and the whole community turned out to see their new prodigies' pictures with the theme of community games, receive their awards, and stand for photos. Pride, praise and promise was obvious all around on the faces of their families. Shannon had its very own Red Carpet night! Local artist Philip Brennan presented the awards. Organisers Mary Fitzgerald and Rosie Byrne actively promote the Community Games in Shannon. The Community Games is an independent voluntary organisation providing opportunities for children and young people to grow and develop in a positive and healthy manner.

Minister O’Sullivan presents FETAC Awards at Shannon Library














Minister Jan O'Sullivan presents Sarah Kirby with her FETAC Award

Jan O'Sullivan TD Minister of State, Department of Environment, Community and Local Government with special responsibility for Housing and Planning, visited Seán Lemass Public Library, Shannon, on Friday 24th February 2012 to present FETAC Awards to adult Learners. Shannon’s mature adult learners turned out in style to meet the Minister and accept certificates marking a major achievement in their lives. The Minister congratulated the adult learners who had returned to education, taking on new direction in their lives with a new course of study. She praised them for their courage and capabilities for stepping out from the crowd. She said they demonstrated perseverance, pride and promise and were a source of inspiration to others. The Mayor of Shannon, Councillor Mary Brennan, welcomed the Minister to Shannon, and remarked on the various services provided by the library service and the long and rewarding association and collaboration between the two services of Shannon Public Library and Shannon Adult and Community Learning Centre.

Poetry Puts Spring In The Step Of Family Carers













Pictured at the Ennis Book Club Festival in County Clare at the conclusion of the Caring for Carers 2nd annual poetry competition: (Back L-R) Terri O’Mahony (Competition runner up from Ballinacurra Gardens, Limerick City), Tracy King Kinlan (Runner up from Quilty, Co Clare), Noelle Dalton (Competition winner from Askeaton, Co Limerick), Brigid Barron and Mary McMahon of Caring for Carers Ireland; (Front L-R) Poets Joseph Woods (Director of Poetry Ireland) and Paula Meehan.

Family Carers throughout Ireland have participated in the second annual Caring for Carers Ireland poetry competition in association with the Ennis Book Club Festival and Clare County Library, the winners of which were announced at the Ennis Book Club Festival in County Clare which took place from 2-4 March 2012. The nationwide poetry competition asked Family Carers to compose poems on the theme of ‘Springtime’, representing renewal and new life. Noelle Dalton from Askeaton in County Limerick received first prize for her poem ‘Twilight’. Runners up included Gaia Charis from Castletownshend, County Cork, Tracy King Kinlan from Caherush, Quilty, County Clare, Terri O'Mahony from Ballinacurra Gardens, Limerick City, and Barbara Roche from Glenina, Ennis, County Clare. Brigid Barron, Research and Program Manager with Caring for Carers Ireland, explained that the purpose of the competition is to highlight the significant contribution made by thousands of Family Carers to Irish society. “Recognising the role of Family Carers in the home is crucial,” Ms. Barron said. “This form of care is the foundation of formal health and social care systems. Family Carers are a distinct group who provide care and also, very importantly, require care themselves.” Ms. Barron continued: “Family carers spend a lot of time caring at home and that often gives them time for reflection. The poetry submissions received by Caring for Carers and our co-organisers, Clare County Library and the Ennis Book Club Festival, have been excellent, very touching and expressive.” According to Helen Walsh, Clare County Librarian: “The library is delighted to have been able to support this initiative. Caring for Carers Ireland carries out invaluable work throughout the country and the County Library has a particular interest in socially inclusive events such as this.’ Caring for Carers Ireland is a national non-governmental organisation supporting Family Carers. Its primary objective is to ensure that policy makers are aware of the key issues which impact on the lives of 161,000 Family Carers and influence their abilities to continue to provide care. For further information visit www.caringforcarers.org or contact 065-6866515.

Friday 2 March 2012

Geraldine & Eamonn Cotter, Maeve Donnelly & Charlie Harris



Geraldine and Eamonn Cotter, Maeve Donnelly and Charlie Harris. Posted on Youtube on the 14th of April 2009 by k4hx1.

Micho Russell sings The Ballad of John Philip Holland



"The great Micho Russell sings The Ballad of John Philip Holland, recorded 1993 in Bad Oldesloe/Germany on the 'Pure Irish Drops' tour. The music in the beginning is from Elonia 'Mystiv velvet'." Posted on Youtube on the 12th of February 2012 by Eloniamusic.

Jack Sharkey vs Mike McTigue - boxing, 1927



Top ranked heavyweight contender Jack Sharkey fights the former world light heavyweight champion Mike McTigue (from Kilnamona, County Clare) in 1927. Posted on Youtube on the 4th of March 2010 by TheGreatA.

Blackbird - Sharon Shannon



Sharon Shannon plays The Blackbird at Dolan's Bar Limerick. Posted on Youtube on the 18th of March 2011 by pddybrry.

Slipslide - Stocktons Wing



"Slipslide performed by Stocktons Wing 1987. Paul Roche - Flute/Whistle, Maurice Lennon - Fiddle, Kieran Hanrahan - Banjo, Mike Hanrahan - Guitar Vocals, Peter Keenan - Keyboards, Robbie Casserly - Drums, John Walsh - Bass." Posted on Youtube on the 23rd of October 2008 by stocktonswinglive.

Trevor Hansbury & Thomas Schied play Bullfrog Blues



Trevor Hansbury & Thomas Schied play Bullfrog Blues, November 2008 Blues Alive Festival Sumperk. Posted on Youtube on the 15th of December 2009 by hankbutcher.

Caulking the Seol Sionna boat in Querrin, Kilkee



"Steve Morris, shipwright, West Clare, explains caulking as he puts final touches to the Seol Sionna community wooden boat building project in Querrin, Kilkee, County Clare." Posted on Youtube on the 22nd of February 2012 by RichardCollinsEnnis.

Erin's Green Shore by Mrs Tom (Mary Shanahan), Sixmilebridge



"The much loved Mrs Tom of 80 yrs shares her wonderful talent. Backing Vocals by Anthony & Trish." Posted on Youtube on the 19th of February 2012 by johnnyog7.

Discover Ireland - The Burren & The Cliffs of Moher



"With this video you can take a quick visit to the Burren National Park, and view its limestone pavement, wildflowers and megalithic tombs. For more information visit www.discoverireland.ie/clare." Posted on Youtube on the 24th of February 2012 by discoverirelanddotie.

Kilkee Playwrights Festival



"The Kilkee Playwrights Festival ran from Fri 14th Oct - Sat 15th Oct 2011. The Festival included rehearsed readings of new plays from established and emerging playwrights: 'Tea at 4 with George Moore' by John Arden & Margaretta D'Arcy; 'Gas' by Jenny Walsh Bassett; 'Bathrobe and Slippers' by Geariod MacUait; 'Death Comes to the Grammarian' by Fiona Clark Echlin and workshops." Posted on Youtube on the 17th of February 2012 by finnarden.