Friday 25 January 2013

Invitation to the Gathering Clare Festivals & Events Expo

You are invited to attend the Gathering Clare Festivals & Events Expo at Glór, Ennis, on Sunday 27th January between 2 and 6pm. The official launch of The Gathering Clare will take place at 4pm. Entertainment throughout the day including trad sessions and Clare food sampling. Exhibits from over 100 gathering Clare festivals and events.

Tuesday 22 January 2013

Sharon Shannon & Donogh Hennessy, Glastonbury 1997

"Sharon Shannon & Donogh Hennessy playing Dowd's Favourite/Mouth of the Tobique. From Glastonbury, 1997." Posted on Youtube on the 6th of January 2013 by brummydubliner.

West Clare Set Dancing 1972

"Filmed by a Norwegian company in 1972, this was the Clare segment of a musical trip around Ireland. The location was Marty O'Malley's house. Musicians include Willie Clancy (whistle), Kevin Burke (fiddle), Junior Crehan (fiddle), Ita Crehan (whistle), James Kelly (fiddle), Tommy McCarthy (pipes), Jacqueline McCarthy (concertina), Marion McCarthy (whistle), Mick O'Connor (banjo). Wooden flute player may be PJ Crotty. Don't know who silver flute player is. Dancers include Marty O'Malley, Tom Lenihan, Ita Crehan (Ita plays whistle also, so obviously some editing was done). The reel they play is Down the Broom." Posted on Youtube on the 13th of January 2013 by agonybags1.

Huge Stalactite in Doolin Cave

"Take a look at this rather big natural formation. It is the largest free hanging stalactite in the world and is well worth the visit..." See http://www.heritageisland.com/attractions/doolin-cave/. Posted on Youtube on the 2nd of January 2013 by workwithnature.

The Kilrush Famine Commemoration 2013 (Short Documentary)

"A short documentary film that focuses on five sites of interest to the horrific Great Famine period located in Kilrush, Co. Clare. Kilrush will commemorate the Famine in 2013. A remembrance to those who suffered and experienced the harrowing times just over 150 years ago. An event that will be marked by educational speeches and Arts Events. This short film was part of a submission; a competition that was held in order to attract the National Commemoration to a specific area; an area that holds dear the harrowing stories of our not so distant past: The Famine in Kilrush, Co. Clare. This film would not have been possible without the help of Paddy Waldron, Paul O' Brien, Michael O' Connell, John Corry, Siobhan Garvey and Congella Maguire and all the hard work of others in Clare County Council and beyond, as the submission itself was truly an international affair with cries of support from all around the world. The film is a document and testament to the Famine Era in Kilrush and it is dedicated to those who lived and experienced it. Produced and Directed by Neil Hynes. Narrated by Paddy Waldron. (c)Neil Hynes 2013." Posted on Youtube on the 15th of January 2013 by Neil Hynes.

Feakle - County Clare

"Located in east Clare, near Scarriff, Mountshannon and Lough Derg, Feakle is noted for its International Traditional Music Festival and accompanying workshops, concerts, lectures, ceilis and set-dancing. The village has the Sliabh Aughty Mountains as a backdrop are some interesting hill walks as a result." Posted on Youtube on the 7th of January 2013 by mydestinationvideo.

CELT Weekend in the Woods 2012, Scariff

"The popular traditional and ecological skills event held in September 2012 at Irish Seedsavers Association, Scariff, County Clare." Posted on Youtube on the 10th of January 2013 by celtnet.

Lahinch Christmas Day swim 2012

Posted on Youtube on the 29th of December 2012 by surfbum2010.

Bunratty Castle & Folk Park

"This is my trip to beautiful Bunratty castle! Video & Pictures by Kennet De Silva. Music by Ky Faubion. The Castle is the most complete and authentic medieval fortress in Ireland. Built in 1425 it was restored in 1954 to its former medieval splendour and now contains mainly 15th and 16th century furnishings, tapestries, and works of art which capture the mood of those times. Today, the castle stands peacefully in delightful grounds. The houses and cottages of the folk park spread out at the foot of its massive walls, much in the way that the cottages and crofts of old would have clustered around its base." Posted on Youtube on the 5th of January 2013 by desilvastudio.

Much more fun with children’s reading

Check out this website http://uk.pearson.com/enjoy-reading to find out how reading for children can be much more fun.Speaking recently on Sky News Sunrise, Children’s Laureate, Julia Donaldson explained how, by reading short and simple plays all children in a class can become involved, each having a part to play, thereby interacting completely with the text. The Bug Club Plays provide a selection of 36 short plays designed to bring fun to reading. Play the video available at the website listed above, and learn how you can interact with reading like never before. The plays are perfect for both guided and independent reading. Beautiful illustrations and unforgettable characters will keep wandering minds engaged. Every play is available as an interactive eBook - kids pick the part they want to play by clicking on who they want to be in the play. they read the lines of that character and the others are read back to them. Julia Donaldson’s The Sockosaurus is already available to you free of charge. You can decide to read all the parts yourself or let the computer read some of them for you. Speaking about the Bug Club Plays, The Children's Laureate, Julia Donaldson had the following to say: "These books are rooted in my own experiences. When helping to oversee a reading group with my eldest child, I realised that sometimes when reading books children would read in a wooden way, and get bored easily when it wasn't their turn. I hit on the idea of writing some very short and simple plays where they could all get involved. It worked a treat. The children loved having a part to read, and they started putting much more expression into the words."

Merriman Short Story competition

The winner of the Merriman Short Story competition in memory of Maeve Binchy has been chosen by the panel of judges. The writer's name will be announced at the Ennis Book Club Festival (March 1st to 3rd, www.ennisbookclubfestival.com). Thanks to all who submitted entries for the competition.

Friday 11 January 2013

Mary McNamara, Tony Linnane, Andrew McNamara & Brendan Hearty

Mary McNamara, Tony Linnane, Andrew McNamara & Brendan Hearty play a set of reels. Posted on Youtube on the 17th of September 2012 by ganainm124.

Kevin Griffin, Eoin O'Neill & Quentin Cooper live in Liscannor

"This is Kevin Griffin on the banjo with his friends Eoin O'Neill & Quentin Cooper. We had a good gnatter at the bar (at 11 am!) in Egan's pub in Liscannor while the cameras were being set up. The three reels here are The Floating Crowbar, The Humours of Castlefin & Hughie Gillespy's. It's a live recording even though you can't see any mics. About time there was something nice out there of Kevin." Posted on Youtube on the 17th of December 2012 by ApplesauceFilms1.

Kilfenora Ceili Band with O'Connell School of Irish Dance

"2013 New Year Concert at Glor, Ennis, Co Clare, Ireland on 5th Jan." Posted on Youtube on the 9th of January 2013 by IsMiseKey.

Sharon Shannon band, with Mal Webb, Woodford Folk Festival

Sharon Shannon band, with Mal Webb at Woodford Folk Festival. Posted on Youtube on the 5th of January 2013 by Jim Newman.

Last Night As I Lay Dreaming - Robbie McMahon from Spancilhill

"Last Night As I Lay Dreaming explores the life and song of traditional singer Robbie McMahon from Spancilhill in Co.Clare who is credited with bringing the folk song 'Spancilhill' to a worldwide audience. The film documentary charts the huge contribution Robbie McMahon has made to the world of singing down through the years, both through his own compositions and his unique interpretation of traditional songs. Set against the backdrop of community life in rural Ireland, 'Last Night As I Lay Dreaming' features captivating performances from 'The King Of Spancilhill' himself along with contributions that set his achievements in a wider context, highlighting the important role the singer and songwriter has traditionally played in their local communities, recording significant events and keeping that memory alive for future generations. www.lastnightasilaydreaming.com." Posted on Youtube on the 23rd of December 2012 by bacaed07.

Ennis Street Festival 2012

"Highlight video of the Ennis Street Festival which took place on the 6th-8th of July 2012." Posted on Youtube on the 6th of August 2012 by Evan Murphy.

Dancing at the Cliffs of Moher - The Wizard of Riverdance

"Riverdance with a Brazilian & Slovakian influence. Location: Cliffs of Moher and The Burren, Co. Clare, Ireland. January 2013." Posted on Youtube on the 7th of January 2013 by Mick OReilly.

Lough Derg - fishing from a canoe

Posted on Youtube on the 19th of December 2012 by Grainneog63.

Christmas Swim, Killaloe, 2012

"Nice day for a swim in Lough Derg." Posted on Youtube on the 25th of December 2012 by PhotoMagicTV.

Descending Corkscrew Hill - on a bicycle

"Run stats: Distance 3.4km; Elevation start 236m; Finish elevation 77m; Drop 149m; Average gradient 4.5%; Maximum gradient 11%; Time 4:34; Average speed 44.1km/h." Descending Corkscrew Hill, County Clare, on a bicycle. Posted on Youtube on the 2nd of January 2013 by Tutschel.