Email Courtesy Notices – we want your email address!

Courtesy Notices are now being sent by email to members of Clare County Library. Borrowers with valid email accounts will get an email reminder 3 days before items on loan are due back. The due date stamped in items currently checked out to you is your primary notice of when library material must be returned. Clare County Library will send a courtesy notice by email before the item is due suggesting that you return or renew it. However, you are still responsible for any late fees or fines even if you did not receive a courtesy notice. Books and other items borrowed can be renewed by contacting your local branch library, or by logging into your account on the online catalogue. Please do give your email address to a member of staff the next time you visit a branch library if you would like to avail of this Courtesy Notice service.

Sharon Shannon - Rathlin Island Live at Dolans

Sharon Shannon and her band playing Rathlin Island live at Dolans, Limerick. Posted on Youtube on the 20th of february 2013 by Sharon Shannon.

"Sroohil" by Fran Fray & Hearts & Hands, supporting BuildMolAnOige

"Sroohil is an enchanting song about a small townland in the West of Ireland close to the town of Ennistymon and how we hope to be able to build a new school for our children on this beautiful land. It contains our hopes, our dreams and our message to you. We'd love you to be a part of our journey to build our new school. Our song is available for purchase from a number of download providers, for more details click here..., and for details about Fran Fray & Hearts & Hands, click here... The song came about from a meeting of BuildMolAnÓige, a dedicated group of parents whose children will attend, are attending or have indeed attended Mol an Óige Steiner National School in Ennistymon, County Clare, Ireland. We set ourselves a year to raise the money, and this song is the result of a lot of dedication and hard work and a chance for us to create something wonderful for you in response for purchasing it and helping to make our dream of a new school come true." Posted on Youtube on the 22nd of April 2013 by Build MolAnOige.

Music of Ireland - Volume 2: Willie Clancy Summer School 1987

"The Willie Clancy Summer School in County Clare draws thousands of musicians, singers and dancers from around the world for a week of classes, concerts and non-stop sessions of traditional Irish music. For the first time the school - its unique curriculum and students - has been filmed and preserved. From morning 'til night the concert halls, classrooms, streets and pubs of Milltown Malbay are filled with novice and professional musicians aged eighty to eight. It's a feast of Irish music featuring some of Ireland's best dancers and musicians including Micho Russell, Paddy Keenan, Kevin Glackin, Junior Crehan, John Kelly, Ronan Browne, Nora Cleary, Tara Diamond, Johnny O'Leary, Tommy Kearney, Tom Lenihan, Con O'Drisceoil. You'll be charmed by the conversation and you'll revel in the lush countryside and the spectacular seacoast of County Clare." Posted Youtube on the 23rd of April 2013 by Patrick D'Arcy.

Sessions in Ennis and Doolin

"Mickey's - Ennis, O'Connor's - Doolin." Posted on Youtube on the 22nd of April 2013 by IsMiseKey.

Christy Moore & Shane MacGowan sing Spancil Hill

"Spancil Hill is a song written in a traditional Irish folk style by Michael Considine. It bemoans the plight of the Irish immigrants who so longed for home from their new lives in America, many of whom went to California with the Gold Rush. This song is sung by a man who longs for his home in Spancilhill, County Clare, his friends and the love he left there. All the characters and places in this song are real... The nearby Fair Green is used for the famous Spancilhill Horse Fair each year, on 23 June or on the following day if 23 June falls on a Sunday. At one time, Spancil Hill was said to be Ireland's largest fair with buyers from Britain, Russia, Prussia, and France competing to purchase the best stock for their Imperial armies. Michael Considine was born around 1850 and emigrated to the USA from Spancilhill at around 1870. At the age of 23, he suffered from ill health for a long time and, knowing he hadn't long to live, he wrote the poem "Spancilhill" to be sent home... and it was kept safe by his six year old nephew, John Considine." Posted on Youtube on the 23rd of April 2013 by RobertRuhi.

2013 IMPAC award

The shortlist of ten books for the 2013 IMPAC award has been announced. The prize fund of €100,000 makes it the world’s most valuable annual literary award for a single work of fiction published in English. This year’s shortlist includes five novels in translation (from Japan, Iceland, Norway, The Netherlands and France); one British and three American novels. City of Bohane, the debut novel from Irish author Kevin Barry completes the shortlist.  Two of the shortlisted authors are previous winners. Andrew Miller won the prize in 1999 for his novel Ingenious Pain and Michel Houellebecq was awarded the prize in 2002 for his novel Atomised.  The award is administered by Dublin City Public Libraries and the books on the longlist are nominated by public libraries throughout the world. Margaret Hayes, Dublin City Librarian said “There is something here for everyone and I urge readers to get stuck in and enjoy the humour and sadness, history and fantasy, teenage and elderly angst on this year’s shortlist”. For further information see  http://www.impacdublinaward.ie/

Clare Rose Tour 2013

"Please show your support to the lucky ladies from all over the County Clare that will entertain the crowd during the selection of Clare's representative at the Rose of Tralee." Posted on Youtube on the 11th of april 2013 by Clareoseoftralee.

Scariff Community College - Milk It Advertisement!

"This is an advertisement made by Scariff Community College for the Milk It Awards. Our aim is to promote milk! Enjoy!" Posted on Youtube on the 21st of February 2013 by SuperMilkTeam.

1992 Clare Senior Hurling Championship Final - Sixmilebridge v Éire Óg

"In 1992 Sixmilebridge defeated Éire Óg, Inis in the Clare Senior Hurling Championship final at Cusack Park, Ennis. This clip shows a great period of 'Bridge dominance with one goal and three points scored in less than four minutes of action. Just before this Éire Óg scored a soft goal when a long delivery went all the way to the net." Posted on Youtube on the 3rd of April 2013 by smbgaatv.

Clare Musician to Receive Ellis Island Medal of Honour

Fiddle-player Séamus Connolly will be awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honour on May 11th in recognition of his musical talent and his role as an educator and promoter of Irish traditional music in the United States. Séamus comes from a musical household in Killaloe and has won the Irish Fiddle Championship a record 10 times. He has lived in the Boston area since 1976 and is currently Director of the Irish Studies Music and Dance Programs at Boston College and of the Gaelic Roots Summer School and Festival. You can listen to some tracks from Séamus’ album - Here and There – on Clare County Library's Music of Clare:
Dr Gilbert & The Flax in Bloom

and
Marian McCarthy & Jockey at the Fair

and here he is playing at the Northeast Heritage Music Camp Concert, Vermont, in 2008:

Kilrush Library Book Club Event

Kilrush Public Library hosted a Book Club for 29 fifth class children from St. Senan’s Primary School, Kilrush on Thursday 25th April 2013. They borrowed 30 copies of Under the Hawthorn Tree, by Marita Conlon McKenna from the library and chose this book with the Famine theme to tie-in with the commemoration of the Famine in Kilrush. The children, some of whom were accompanied by their parents and grandparents, were divided into small groups and one adult lead each group, reading and discussing the book. A very enjoyable morning was had by all and it was wonderful to see the children and adults working together and sharing their views on this subject.

Ben Lennon & Oisín Mac Diarmada - Paddy Canny's Toast, Willie Clancy Summer School 2010

Ben Lennon and Oisín Mac Diarmada play Paddy Canny's Toast at the Willie Clancy Summer School in 2010. Posted on Youtube on the 10th of July 2011 by Oisin Mac Diarmada. See also Paddy Canny...

Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill, Victoria Hall, Saltaire - Part 3/4

Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill playing in Victoria Hall, Saltaire, West Yorkshire, UK. Posted on Youtube on the 30th of march 2013 by Antonio Curiale.

As We Met... A New book on Kilfarboy

As We Met.. is a new book on the local and cultural history of Kilfarboy from 1880 to 1980, told through the life and times of Martin Talty – a well-known flute and uilleann pipes player from Miltown Malbay. The book is an account of life in Miltown Malbay, and in particular the cultural activists who were involved in a big way in the revival and retention of Irish traditional music in the area. Their efforts contributed significantly to the success of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann both at county and national level and to the establishment of Na Píobairíi Uilleann. A number of the musicians mentioned were also founders of the Willie Clancy Summer School. As well as documenting these events, the book contains many stories and yarns concerning characters from the area, which give an idea of the fun and humour of the people in the locality at a time of severe economic pressure in Ireland. It also gives an account, from a perspective of social history, of tenant farmers’ families before and after the formation of the Free State. The author, Brid Talty, uses her father, Martin’s, life as a vehicle to outline the above events and to introduce various characters and events. As We Met.. can be bought directly from the author on www.aswemet.com, from Amazon or from local bookshops.

Concertina Cruinniú 2013 - half set

"Concertina players Tim Collins, Chris Droney, Jacqueline McCarthy, Mary McNamara, Gerald Haugh & Dympna O'Sullivan are joined by dancers Aidan Vaughan, Deirdre Vaughan Comber, Tommy Browne & Carmel Greene in the Westbridge, Miltown Malbay, County Clare at the final event of the inaugural Concertina Cruinniú in February 2013. The two reels they play are The Boys of Ballisodare & Music in the Glen." Posted on Youtube on the 11th of February 2013 by agonybags1.

Spancil Hill Performed by Joe Kerr & Michael Knight

"Here's the brilliant Scots singer songwriter and folk singer Joe Kerr and the then young Michael Knight on bodhrán, a talented multi instrumentalist at the point this video was made in 1998 just at the beginning of his musical Odyssey. 'Spancil Hill' is a song written in a traditional Irish folk style by Michael Considine. It bemoans the plight of the Irish immigrants who so longed for home from their new lives in America, many of whom went to California with the Gold Rush. This song is sung by a man who longs for his home in Spancilhill, his friends and the love he left there. All the characters and places in this song are real... The nearby Fair Green is used for the famous Spancilhill Horse Fair each year, on 23 June or on the following day if 23 June falls on a Sunday. At one time, Spancil Hill was said to be Ireland's largest fair with buyers from Britain, Russia, Prussia, and France competing to purchase the best stock for their Imperial armies. Michael Considine was born around 1850 and emigrated to the USA from Spancilhill at around 1870. At the age of 23, he suffered from ill health for a long time and, knowing he hadn't long to live, he wrote the poem "Spancilhill" to be sent home... and it was kept safe by his six year old nephew, John Considine. Jim Clark." Posted on Youtube on the 18th of April 2013 by acoustarchive.

Ennistymon Choral Society - The Pirates of Penzance

"Excerpt from the DVD production of 'Pirates of Penzance' performed by the Ennistymon Choral Society in County Clare. " Posted on Youtube on the 8th of April 2013 by Neil Hynes.

Barefield National School - National Concert Hall 2013

'Why We Sing' performed by the 65-member Barefield National School Choir (Kate Corrigan, Teacher/Conductor) at the National Concert Hall in the second annual Waltons Music for Schools Competition. Posted on Youtube on the 9th of April 2013 by waltonsmusicschools.

A sunny trip around Ennis

"A sunny trip around Ennis, County Clare. Music: Siege of Ennis by Paddy Noonan." Posted on Youtube on the 12th of April 2013 by EireOgTours.

East Clare Slideshow

Posted on Youtube on the 12th of April 2013 by Jamie Ross.

Winning Words- a new Book Promotion for children

Winning Words is a new Book Promotion for children by Clare County Library.It features the books that have won the Bisto Book of the Year and its sister award, the Eilis Dillon during the past decade. Multiple copies of each of the books in this promotion will be available for borrowing and the collection will be featured in each branch of Clare County Library for a three month period. The books will be accompanied by banners specially designed to mark ten years of the awards by Children’s Books Ireland.

The Bisto Book of the Year Award was introduced by Children’s Books Ireland to recognise talent in the field of children’s literature by Irish authors or authors living in Ireland. The highly regarded and prestigious prize brings new children’s books to the attention of children, parents, teachers and librarians and indeed to anyone who has an interest in good books for children and teenagers. The Bisto Book of the Year Award has this year been renamed the CBI Children’s Book of the Year Awards. Authors and illustrators born or resident in Ireland whose books are written either in Irish or English are eligible for consideration. 

The Eilis Dillon Award which goes to the author of an outstanding first children’s book was established in the mid nineties following the death of this esteemed Irish writer whose books have been compared to those of Graham Greene, Robert Louis Stevenson, Dorothy L. Sayers, Daphne du Maurier and Émile Zola.

In this children’s book promotion Clare County Library hopes to jog the memories of readers young and old who may have connected in a special way with any or many of the featured books. For anyone who is simply looking for a good book to read, the collection is worthwhile exploring, obviously because they are all award-winning books, and also because the authors and illustrators are guaranteed to whet your appetite and leave you searching for more after you’ve read from this list of recommendations. You willsee that some of the authors included are multi-award winners, some have received these awards for one or two years in succession and that almost all these writers have consistently been at the top of the best sellers lists of children’s books. The promotion will begin in De Valera Library, Ennis, and subsequently go ‘on tour’ of the county until every everyone has had the opportunity to avail of it. Click here for more details (PDF).

The Black and Tans in Irish Memory - Clare Museum Lecture

Professor Donald Masterson of New York State University, Oswego, and his wife Kathy recently gave a public talk titled "The Black and Tans in Irish Memory" at the Clare Museum. The talk attracted nearly 40 people from all over the county and focussed on the broader topic of the Black and Tans as a way of introducing a discussion and Questions and Answers on the Rineen ambush and subsequent reprisals. He was particularly interested in hearing about stories, poems, ballads, journals, diaries, and anything else of interest on the Black and Tan reprisals after Rineen as part of his research for a book. Those who missed the public talk and would like to make a contribution the the research can contact Professor Masterson through Clare Museum at claremuseum@clarecoco.ie.

The Gathering at The Cliffs of Moher

 





The Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience will celebrate the year of The Gathering by exhibiting 160 of the most frequently reported names in County Clare in the 1901 census. Each week one of the top 40 family names will be featured and visitors with that surname will get a complimentary commemorative certificate and goodie bag. At the end of the year a prize draw will take place for all entrants to win an exclusive trip to County Clare including hotel accommodation, exciting activities and attractions. Click here for a calendar giving details on the names that will be commemorated each week until the week of 2nd December 2013. See also 1901 Census of Population of County Clare - Frequency of Surnames.

Francis Droney, Áine McGrath, Ann Kirrane and Deirdre McSherry

"Francis Droney and Ann Kirrane playing the concertina, Áine McGrath playing the fiddle [son, daughter and daughter-in-law of the famed Chris Droney of Bellharbour, County Clare] and Deirdre McSherry [from Tipperary] playing the piano at Steeple Sessions on August 4, 2011 at the Unitarian Church in Dublin. The tunes are 'The rights of man/The flowing tide'..." Posted on Youtube on the 16th of August 2011 by steeplesessions.

Kevin Griffin, Quentin Cooper, Michelle O'Brien & Eoin O'Neill

Kevin Griffin, Quentin Cooper, Michelle O'Brien & Eoin O'Neill at Kenmare Festival 2013. "John Meskell invited Quentin, Eoin and Kevin to play at the first Kenmare festival, it was full of good music. As we walked around town we met up with Michelle O'Brien whom we hadn't seen for ages and went off for a drive and to play some tunes! and here they are....We are dying to play some more with her now, as she has a great way on the fiddle." Posted on Youtube on the 9th of April 2013 by burrencrawler.

Maura O Connell - Feet of a Dancer in Ennis

Clare Connections, Love:Live Music Ennis, 21st June 2012 Abbey St Car Park, Ennis, County Clare. Maura O Connell sings Feet of a Dancer. Posted on Youtube on the 23rd of June 2012 by fiona o sullivan.

Spring In Kilkee

"A short film made in Kilkee in March 2013. Just some nice views. Music is 'Opalin' by Aes Dana. Hope you enjoy." Posted on Youtube on the 4th of April 2013 by GERARD HANNAN.

The Cliffs of Moher April 2013

"The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland's top Visitor attractions and are a designated UNESCO Geo Park. The Cliffs are 214m high at the highest point and range for 8 kilometres over the Atlantic Ocean on the western seaboard of County Clare. O'Brien's Tower stands proudly on a headland of the majestic Cliffs. From the Cliffs one can see the Aran Islands, Galway Bay, as well as The Twelve Pins, the Maum Turk Mountains in Connemara and Loop Head to the South. The Cliffs of Moher take their name from a ruined promontory fort "Mothar" which was demolished during the Napoleonic wars to make room for a signal tower." Posted on the 7th of April 2013 by Marga Ireland.

Boru Duathlon in Killaloe

"The first ever Boru Duathlon took place on Sunday April 7th 2013 in Kincora Harbour, Killaloe, Co. Clare as part of the Clare Duathlon Series. The two other races in the series were the West Clare Duathlon in Doonbeg and the Ennis Duathlon." Posted on Youtube on the 9th of April 2013 by DergProductions.

Surfing at Cliffs of Moher

"Visit to Ireland for Easter 2013 shot this on Good Friday. Witnessed hardcore Irishmen in the lineup roughly 2 miles north of the viewing area at the Cliffs of Moher. I apologize for the quality, shot with handheld Fuji Camera S4500." Posted on Youtube on the 4th of April 2013 by Pat Flatley.

Dolmen Burren Challenge 2013

"The Dolmen Burren Challenge (60k, 90k, 130k) takes place on Sunday April 7th, leaving Woodstock Golf Club at 10:15am just off the Lahinch Road, Ennis County Clare..." Posted on Youtube on the 5th of April 2013 by blackumbrellaphoto.

Lough Derg Lookout

"The Bohatch Dolmen sits on the mountainside overlooking Lough Derg, A spectacular position and directly above Holy Island. The Dolmen was erected by our ancient ancestors maybe 5 thousand years ago. This makes the round tower on Holy Island a baby, it being only approx 1 thousand years old." Posted on Youtube on the 24th of February 2013 by clare virtually.

Glaoch - The Presidents Call: Behind The Scenes

A behind the scenes look at the making of Glaoch - The President's Call. At the President’s invitation, some of Ireland’s and the world’s renowned writers, musicians and singers, gather at the home of the President of Ireland to make a special programme dedicated to Irish people worldwide. Featuring Bono, Séamus Heaney and Christy Moore with music performances from Glen Hansard, Lisa Hannigan, Imelda May, The Script, Iarla O Lionaird and Clare’s Martin Hayes. Broadcast on RTE on Mon 18 Mar 2013. Posted on Youtube on the 18th of March 2013 by rte.

Willie Clancy: Hornpipes - The Plains of Boyle, The Leitrim Fancy

"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 195os and then to London, but returned to Miltown in 1957. He was frequently heard on radio and at fleádhanna 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 Co. Clare in the 19th century. He was also a singer and dancer." Posted on Youtube on the 23rd of June 2012 by muisire.

Micho Russell - The Mason's Apron

"The Mason's Apron and another reel taken from the album Micho Russell: The Man From Clare." Posted on Youtube on the 14th of March 2013 by Alan Walsh. See The Russell Brothers of Doolin...

Stockton's Wing - The Mason's Apron

"Stockton's Wing playing The Mason's Apron at their "one off" reunion concert on St Patrick's Day 2013 in National Concert Hall, Dublin. Looking forward to their next reunion." Posted on Youtube on the 17th of March 2013 by Joe McCabe.

Kilfenora Ceili Band Easter Concert 2013

"In 'Spraoi', the Kilfenora Ceili Band were joined by special guests, Don Stiffe, Deirdra Kiely, the West Clare Set Dancers and Michael Donnellan. Glor, Ennis, County Clare, Ireland." Posted on Youtube on the 3rd of April 2013 by IsMiseKey.

Sharon Shannon & Alan Connor - Coridinio in St Patricks Cathedral

"Sharon Shannon & Alan Connor performing Coridinio Live in St Patricks Cathedral 26th January 2013." Posted on Youtube on the 28th of January 2013 by alanconnorv8.

Birgitta Curtin, Burren Smokehouse - Case Study of Irish Business Women for NWED

"Case study of Irish-based business woman Birgitta Curtin who runs The Burren Smoke House. For more information, please visit: http://www.burrensmokehouse.ie. This video was commissioned by the National Women's Enterprise Day 2012. For more information, please visit: http://www.nwed.ie." posted on Youtube on the 6th of March 2013 by InstigatorMedia.

Liscannor - County Clare

"Liscannor is located just north of Lahinch and south of the Cliffs of Moher. This pretty coastal village derives its name from Lios Ceannuir, or O'Connor's Fort." Posted on Youtube on the 7th of January 2013 by mysdestinationvideo.

"The Gathering of the Scattering" - Clare Genealogy Conference, April 2013

The Clare Roots Society’s conference takes place in Ennis from the 2nd to the 6th of April 2013. The full programme can be found here in the latest issue of the conference brochure. You can register for the event at the conference registration website. The conference fee is €30 for all of Saturday’s talks and €70 if you would like to stay for the Gala Dinner. Some of the fringe events (see c) will have a €5 charge. Tours of the Clare County Library Local Studies Centre (Wednesday at 4pm, Thursday at 4pm and Friday at 3 pm; tour lasts approx an hour) and attendance at the popular Meet the Genealogist session and the visit to the Ennis Friary are free but prebooking is necessary for these (book via secretary@clareroots.org).

National Famine Commemoration Public Meeting - Kilrush Golf Club, April 10th

Kilrush will host the main 2013 National Famine Commemoration on Sunday 12th May 2013 and this is being preceded by 10 days of commemorations, remembrances and other cultural events that will take place in Kilrush and all over the West Clare area. The Kilrush Famine Commemoration Steering Group would like to meet the community and update them on the progress and plans made to date. They are also anxious to put in place a list of people who would like to be involved in the 10 days of commemorations/events in some way no matter how small. Please confirm your attendance to sgarvey@clarecoco.ie before Tuesday 9th April 2013. .

Public Talk on Rineen Ambush at Clare Museum

Mr Donald Masterson, Emeritus Professor of Literature and Cinema Studies at the State University of New York, Oswego, will give a public talk at Clare Museum on the Rineen Ambush and subsequent Black and Tan reprisals in the area on Saturday 13th April at 2.30pm. Professor Masterson is the co-author of a book on the Black and Tans in Irish memory and the presentation will relate to information gathered so far for the book, in both the United States and in Ireland. The lecture, which will be followed by a Question and Answers session, will be of particular interest to those interested in the War of Independence in Clare and with folklore associated with the period. Professor Masterson’s Irish parents were from County Westmeath and had first hand experience of the Black and Tans there. While presenting his research in this lecture, he is also interested in gathering any memories on Rineen and other ambushes in County Clare. Admission is free and all are welcome. Link: Clare Witness Statements 1913-1921.