Clare Hurling Teams homecoming in Ennis

Posted on Youtube on the 29th of September 2013 by james crowe.

Clare and Cork fans prepare for Hurling Final replay

Ahead of the 2013 All-Ireland Hurling Final replay, RTÉ's Marty Morrissey captures some of the colour and excitement in counties Clare and Cork. Posted on Youtube on the 27th of September 2013 by RTENewsNow.

Clare FM commentary, Clare versus Cork All Ireland Hurling Final drawn game

"The final few minutes of the drawn Clare v Cork All-Ireland Final, Sunday, September 8th, 2013. Commentary by Syl O'Connor and Niall Gilligan on Clare FM." Posted on Youtube on the 20th of september 2013 by theclareherald.

Kieran McDermott - Stand For The Banner (Song)

Posted on Youtube on the 22nd of September 2013 by Claremont Lahinch.

Aoibheann and Pamela Queally - The Road to Miltown Malbay

Aoibheann Queally (concertina) and Pamela Queally (fiddle) from Kilmaley, County Clare, playing a set of reels in the Roadside Tavern, Lisdoonvarna. Posted on Youtube on the 2nd of August 2013 by SongsandTunes.

Kilkee and Lahinch, September 2013

Kilkee and Lahinch, County Clare, September 2013. Posted on Youtube on the 24th of september 2013 by Ivars Zubovs.

Feakle International Festival of Traditioanl Music 2009

TG4’s Féilte TV programme at Feakle Festival in 2009 with music from Martin Hayes and Denis Cahill; the song ‘All The Time’ by Josie Harrington, a Cork born/Clare based singer/songwriter; and reels from Liam Joyce, and Fionnuala and Liam Ryan. Posted on Youtube on the 13th of July 2013 by TGcraic.

The Famous Faha Sports

"The Famous Faha Sports by Seán Ó Sé with The Turloughmore Ceilí Band. Fahanlunaghta Mór and Fahanlunaghta Beag lie to the east between Miltown Malbay and Lahinch, and were the scene of a popular sports day which was discontinued during the Second World War. The great concertina player Kitty Hayes, was originally Kitty Smith from Fahanlunaghta. Kitty passed away in May 2008, leaving behind a rich legacy of music. Tim Dennehy recorded a version of this song on his album 'A Thimbleful of Song'. The authorship is attributed to Miko Guthrie with extra verses added by Breandán Higgins of Lahinch." Posted on Youtube on the 31st of July 2013 by Alan Hogan.

Clare Stages Car Rally 2013

Clare Stages Car Rally 2013. "SS5 Joe Baker & Eric Murray, Class 11F Honda Civic." Posted on Youtube on the 24th of September 2013 by Joe Baker.

Cliffs of Moher and Aran Island

Posted on Youtube on the 5th of September 2013 by Guilherme Moreno.

White-tailed Sea Eagle, Mountshannon 2013

"One of the historic White-tailed Sea Eagle eaglets to have flown the nest near Mountshannon, County Clare, in 2013, the first successful breeding in Ireland in over 100 years." posted on Youtube on the 19th of September 2013 by cumindubh1.

The Festival of Poland at Clare Museum continues

Photo of Artur Banaszkiewicz of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Dublin who officially opened the Festival of Poland and Cllr Joe Arkins, Mayor of Clare, who also spoke and welcomed Mr Banaszkiewicz on behalf of Clare County Council.

The Festival of Poland at Clare Museum continues this week. On 26th September there will be a lunchtime lecture on the Polish O’Deas who can trace their origins to County Clare. The talk will be given by Mietek Odya who is an active member of the Dysert O’Dea Clan Association. The talk will start at 1pm at Clare Museum.

On Saturday 28th September, Jakub Kacprzak an Irish based Polish archaeologist and one of the organisers of the festival, will give a morning lecture at the museum comparing the megalithic archaeology of Ireland and Poland. It will begin at 11am.

In the afternoon of Saturday 28th September Clare Museum will be showing the Roman Polanski film ‘The Pianist’. This film will begin at 2.30pm sharp and should finish just before the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final replay begins on television at 5pm.

Admission to all of these events is FREE. Large groups should book in advance. For any enquiries, please call John Rattigan, curator at 065-6823382.

Search for a Bestseller

Have you always thought that you have a novel in you? Well now is your chance to get a lucrative publishing deal. The Richard and Judy Bookclub have launched a competition to find a new bestselling writer. Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan have become powerful figures in the publishing world with critics coining the phrase ‘the Richard & Judy effect’ to describe the effect that endorsement by them has on sales of a novel, often turning debut writers into millionaires.

The winner, who must be a first-time author, will win a £50,000 publishing deal with Quercus and receive free advice from literary agency Furniss Lawton, as well as a year's worth of PR.

Search for a Bestseller is open to unpublished writers, who must submit between 10,000 and 12,000 words, along with a synopsis of the rest of the book. There are no restrictions on genre, but the novel should be aimed at adults. Self-published writers are not eligible. Aspiring authors have until January 1 to submit their entries, via Richard and Judy's website http://richardandjudy.whsmith.co.uk/search-for-a-bestseller-form/

Clare v Cork 'The Glory of Hurling' - The Sunday Game

Commentary on RTE TV's Sunday Game programme following the drawn All Ireland Hurling final between Cork and Clare on the 8th of September 2013. Posted on Youtube on the 12th of September 2013 by RTE Sport.

The Road to the Hurling Final 1997

Posted on Youtube on the 17th of September 2013 by Conor Ryan.

Trad Music - Live at McDermott's Pub in Doolin

"Traditional Irish Music (Live at McDermott's Pub, Doolin, County Clare), Sept 12, 2013. Known as the traditional Irish music capital, Doolin is a charming little town with ferry access to the Aran Islands and a beautiful hike to the Cliffs of Moher. Posted on Youtube on the 16th of September 2013 by taogoat27.

Ireland Clare Doolin Dusty

Posted on Youtube on the 12th of September 2013 by Frank Alwyn.

Cliffs Of Moher - walking on the northern path

"Northern path on Cliffs of Moher, from O'Brien's Tower towards Doolin." Posted on Youtube on the 26th of August 2013 by Piotr Sobocinski.

Children’s Book Festival 2013 - Flying the Flag for Children’s Books

Clare County Library will be hoisting the flag for children’s books once again this October, offering a month-long festival of authors, illustrators, artists and storytellers designed to spark the imagination of young readers all over the county. Activities will be running in all libraries, including readings by popular authors, art and craft workshops, space exploration! and puppet making, giving Clare’s young people countless opportunities to explore a wide array of books. There are also some excellent opportunities to win prizes for you and your school by logging on to the Children’s Books Ireland website. With all this and much more in store for October, let Clare County Library lead your way on a journey of book discovery with the help of the 2013 Children’s Book Festival!

Our festival gets a head start this year with the return to Glór Theatre, Ennis, of one of the world’s best-selling children’s and teenage authors, Darren Shan, on the 26th of September. This internationally best-selling author is back with us again, to meet with his thousands of fans in County Clare. Zom-B is his new epic series, launched in September 2012 with a new book publishing every 3 months! His latest release Zom-B Baby is “a big, sprawling, vicious tale... a grisly piece of escapism, and a barbed look at the world in which we live,” according to the author himself. The Ennis Book Shop will join with the library to promote the event selling copies of Darren’s latest book and others in the series on the day.

The second of the library’s book festival events taking place in Glór, this time on the 1st of October, is a storytelling extravaganza by the master of tales Niall de Burca. Renowned for shows full of energy, wit and superb timing, Niall has performed in places as diverse as Tehran and the European Parliament in Brussels. Raised in the West, he emigrated at a young age and lived for many years in New Zealand where he married into a large Maori family. Now living in Dublin, Niall travels worldwide, inspiring people of all ages with his traditional and original tales. To quote the Vienna Review of Books: “His ability to evoke a wide range of emotions from his rapt audience enables him to bewitch people with his stories”. There has been unprecedented interest in these events and both are now fully booked.

Other visiting authors to libraries all over the county include Sheena Wilkinson winner of not one but two prestigious Children’s Book of the Year Awards and Anna Carey whose first book, The Real Rebecca, published in 2011won the Senior Children’s Book Prize at the Irish Book Awards that year.

Alan Nolan is back with his excellent writing and drawing sessions infused with his obvious enthusiasm and enjoyment in what he does best; making books for children. Bestselling author, Michael Smith whose biography for younger readers – Tom Crean – Iceman - led to the story being incorporated into the schools’ national curriculum will be visiting Kilrush and Kilkee libraries. Author Juliette Saumande is Reviews Editor with Inis, The Children’s Books Ireland Magazine. She has written over twenty picture books (published in France) and one novel in English for younger readers (called Chop-Chop, Mad Cap!) on which she will base four action-packed workshops when she visits libraries in Clare. Sports Journalist Ger Siggins will introduce young readers to his love of rugby through his book Rugby Spirit published last year by O’Brien Press.

Anna Carey is also a journalist who has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent and many other publications. Her first book, The Real Rebecca, was published in 2011, and won the Senior Children’s Book prize at the Irish Book Awards. To the delight of many readers, Rebecca returned in the sequel Rebecca’s Rules in 2012. Rebecca Rocks is book number 3 in the series. “The Drip” is an entertaining and educational account of the water cycle told by a little drip who begins his life dangling from a tap. It is also Gordon Green’s second delightful picture book for children. It will be presented to young audiences in libraries through an exciting and fun workshop by the author.

And these are just the authors visiting our county this October. In addition we invite you to join in our art and craft workshops, space exploration show, an ice-age exploration and puppet making workshops. Contact your local library for details of what’s on in your area. Events are planned specifically for school audiences and teachers are advised to book classes in early to avoid disappointment.

Click here for the full brochure of events (PDF).

Positive Ageing Photo Exhibition in Ennis Library

To celebrate Positive Ageing Week, 27th September – 5th October, Clare County Library, in association with Bluebird Care, present a Positive Ageing Photo Exhibition in the De Valera Public Library, Ennis from Monday 30th September to Friday 11th October. The exhibition showcases older people getting out and enjoying life. Some are still working, while others are continuing to enjoy hobbies and some are captured passing on their skills to another generation. The exhibition has been displayed in art galleries, libraries, nursing homes, schools, town halls and businesses. It is made up of 28 images with 28 separate descriptions. It can be viewed during normal library opening hours so don’t miss your chance to see these inspiring photos.

Gerard Stembridge at Kilrush Library

Kilrush Public Library recently welcomed Irish writer and director Gerard Stembridge, when he visited there on Saturday 14th September to do a reading from his latest novel, The Effect of Her, followed by a Q&A session. Gerard is the author of three previous novels: Unspoken, Counting Down and According to Luke. He has also written and directed film and television. His credits include "About Adam", the screenplay for "Ordinary Decent Criminal" and he co-wrote "Nora" (a film about James Joyce and Nora Barnacle). He is the co-creator, with Dermot Morgan, of "Scrap Saturday". A very enthusiastic audience thoroughly enjoyed this event.

Student Literacy Programme in Kilrush Library

Kilrush Community College, in conjunction with Kilrush Public Library, has devised a literacy programme for students undertaking the Junior Cert Schools Programme. This programme outlines various weekly assignments for students including a Reading Diary, Word Chain, Book Reviews and Research Activities, some of which must be carried out at the library. Each student is given their own bound activity book and both teachers and parents regularly assess their progress.

Scariff Adult Literacy Group

Scariff Adult Literacy Group has resumed meeting in Scariff Public Library under the combined efforts of library staff member Aileen McDonagh, VEC coordinator Mary Mullane and a number of Brothers of Charity representatives. The group has grown in size and welcomed 4 new members to the group this year. We now have a group of almost 20 people who come together every Wednesday morning at 11.30am in Scariff library and share in the fun of learning. The group has proven to be a huge success and we look forward to an enjoyable and productive year ahead.

Cork v Clare, 2nd Half Final Highlights, All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 2013

"Drawn All Ireland Hurling Final 2013 1st Half Highghlights. Cork v Clare - GAA All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final 2013. Cork and Clare meet yet again in 2013 this time on the biggest stage of all in the All Ireland Final at Croke Park. Clare have been the big improvers over the past few seasons whilst Cork will be looking to continue their strong hurling tradition." Posted on Youtube on the 10th of September 2013 by hjtvsports1.

See also Cork v Clare 1st Half Drawn Final Highlights GAA All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 2013.

Clare get the point they need in 73rd minute

"Clare getting the point they needed in the 73rd minute to force a replay in the GAA All-Ireland Final. View from the Hogan Stand, Croke Park." Posted on Youtube on the 11th of September 2013 by theoriginalquiff.

Edel Fox, Neill Byrne & Josh Dukes in Coatesville

"Edel Fox, Neill Byrne & Josh Dukes playing for the Coatesville Traditional Irish Music Series, August 2013, in Coatesville, PA, USA. For more info, visit www.edelfox.com, www.ctims.info, and www.coatesvilleculturalsociety.org." Posted on Youtube on the 20th of August 2013 by playthis.

Brian Morgan and Joe Doyle playing 2 reels

"Brian Morgan from Corrofin playing a Boxwood Martin Doyle Flute, accompanied by Joe Doyle on the Bouzouki in County Clare Ireland." Posted on Youtube on the 28th of August 2013 by Warriorjd286.

Dancing with The Tulla Céilí Band at Feakle 2013

"Amazing dancers dancing, music from the Tulla Céilí Band at the Feakle festival, August 11, 2013, in Ireland. They dance for two hours without break in this hottub! We, The FloraShantys, were among the audiance.. Filmed in the Marquee behind Pepper's Bar in Feakle." Posted on Youtube on the 7th of September 2013 by hans la faille.

Cork & Clare fans preparing for the big game

"A slideshow of Cork and Clare supporters showing their enthusiasm and colours ahead of the All ireland Hurling Final on Sunday 8th September 2013. Pictures supplied by Irish Examiner, Inpho, Sportsfile, Eamon Ward." Posted on Youtube on the 6th of September 2013 by irishexaminer.

Ireland: Burren & Cliffs of Moher

Posted on Youtube on the 4th of September 2013 by LowerHotels.com.

Swimming with Dusty the dolphin - Doolin Bay

"Summer 2013." Posted on Youtube on the 10th of September 2013 by Linda Stecenko.

Presentation of World War I artefacts to Clare Museum

Pauline Cummins and Helen Kennedy present artefacts to Clare Museum relating to their Grand-uncle, Dennis Liddane of Rehy, Kilkee who died of wounds while serving with the US Army during World War I. The presentation was collated by their cousin Marty Halpin in the USA and includes a photograph of Dennis Liddane, a photograph of his resting place in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery in France, a Purple Heart and World War I Victory Medal with Meuse-Argonne Battle Clasp and a Silver World War I Victory Button. It also includes a citation signed by President Obama.

Clare-based photographer is British Wildlife Photographer of the Year

A Czech man living in Lahinch has won the British Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award. George Karbus won the prize for his photograph of a bottle-nosed dolphin, taken off the coast of Northern Ireland. In order to get the shot, Karbus had to swim through the waves with the dolphin. This latest award is one of a series won by the photographer since 2008.

Seamus Heaney, Martin Hayes, David Power & Peadar Ó Riada at Glaoch, 2013

The late Seamus Heaney, with Clare's Martin Hayes, David Power & Peadar Ó Riada at President Higgins' Glaoch, 2013. Posted on Youtube on the 30th of August 2013 by worldvideotv6.

Kevin Crawford, Yvonne and Caroline Casey, Brid O Gorman and Luka Bloom in Lahinch

"Sometimes it's called being in the right place at the right time, and I was this night in Danny Mac's in Lahinch, County Clare. What a up line and many more great musicians not too far away..." Posted on Youtube on the 29th of August 2013 by Anthony OLoughlin.

Purple Electric sing 'My Song'

"An original song from Purple Electric, recorded acoustically. Purple Electric is a young 6 piece band from North Clare. We perform original songs as well as covers." Posted on Youtube on the 4th of February 2013 by Purple Electric.

Beal Boru, Killaloe, & Brian Boru's March

"To the sound of Brian Boru's March, recorded live at the Sunday Market in Killaloe, County Clare, images of Beal Boru - Brian's fort about a mile outside Killaloe on the banks of Lough Erne/River Shannon. April 23rd 2014 sees the 1000th anniversary of the death of my ancestor Brian Boru (Brian Bóroimhe mac Cennétig) at the battle of Clontarf, Dublin. The O'Brien Clan is planning a number of significant events in conjunction with IrishTourism.com in and around Killaloe, Cashel, Clontarf and in Armagh where Brian is buried." Posted on Youtube on the 27th of August 2013 by Moira O'Brien.

Planning your visit to the Cliffs of Moher

"This video provides information on how best to plan your visit to the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare. It may be of particular interest to those with accessibility concerns." Posted on Youtube on the 26th of August 2013 by Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience.

Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquets - County Clare

"At night, Bunratty plays host to medieval banquets held throughout the year, where guests are treated to an evening of fantastic entertainment by the world famous Bunratty singers, a sumptuous meal and a mead reception. The Ladies of the Castle, aided and abetted by the Earl's Butler, welcome guests from the four corners of the globe to dine at The Earl's Banquet at Bunratty Castle. The entertainment provided by the world renowned Bunratty Castle entertainers, accompanied by harp and violin is a fitting complement to the mead reception, four course feast, and of course the great wine." Posted on Youtube on the 28th of August 2013 by mydestinationvideo.

Ballyvaughan Bay Hop

Ballyvaughan Bay Hop Fast Ferry service. Posted on Youtube on the 29th of August 2013 by Jennifer Hynes Photography.

Festival of Poland at Clare Museum: 20th September to 12th October 2013

John Rattigan and Jakub Kacprzak with the national flags of Poland and Ireland.

According to recent census figures, the Polish community is now the largest non-English speaking minority in County Clare. There are more than 2500 Polish people living in County Clare with an estimated 19,000 other Poles living in the surrounding counties of Galway, Limerick and Tipperary. In order to reflect their prominence and to meet Clare County Council’s commitment to social inclusion, Clare Museum will be launching a Festival of Poland on Culture Night, 20th September, 2013.

The festival, which will run until 12th October, will be launched by His Excellency Patrick O’Sullivan, Honorary Consul of Poland and Councillor Joe Arkins MCC Mayor of Clare. Amongst the free public events being hosted at Clare Museum will be lectures on Poland’s World War Two experience, Polish film screenings, an exhibition of Polish modern art, and a talk on largely unknown Irish-Polish connections dating back to the 17th century. The initiative aims to promote various aspects of Polish culture to Clare residents as a whole, while at the same time increasing the relevance of the museum as a cultural facility to the Polish Community. The Festival is being supported by Clare Local Authorities and the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

Jakub Kacprzak, Organiser of the Polish Festival, said: “We are very excited about hosting the upcoming festival, the first of its kind ever to be held in Clare, a county that has been home to hundreds of Polish people for a number of years during which they have become active and valued members of the local community. The upcoming series of events will not only celebrate Poland’s rich culture and heritage but also will showcase some of the many connections and similarities between the people of Ireland and Poland. We look forward to welcoming all members of the local community to Clare Museum during the festival.”

John Rattigan, Museum Curator, added: “Clare Museum is delighted to be able to facilitate Jakub and the festival organising committee in hosting a series of events that will provide a wonderful focal point for the large Polish community throughout the West of Ireland. This festival is testament to Clare’s vibrant multicultural community.”

The Clare Museum Polish Festival gets underway on Friday 20th September at 8pm with an exhibition of Polish modern art that will be launched by Mayor of Clare Joe Arkins and His Excellency Patrick O’Sullivan, Honorary Consul of Poland. Polish pianist Marcin Dominik Gluch will perform in concert at 4pm the following day.

On Thursday 26th September at 1pm, M. Odya will present a lecture focusing on the largely unknown connections between Irish and Polish Catholics during the 17th century including the service of hundreds of Irishmen in the Polish Army during the Polish–Muscovite War (1605–1618).

On Saturday 28th September at 11am, archaeologist Jakub Kacprzak will present a talk entitled, “Megalithic Idea in Poland and Ireland”. Roman Polanski's holocaust film, The Pianist will be the subject of a special screening at 2.30pm.

On 3rd October at 1pm a lecture on the Warsaw Uprising against Nazi occupiers in 1944 will be hosted by Jakup Kacprzak, a grandson of one of the Polish insurgents.

On 5th October at 11am, Folkowisko Association members Marcin and Marina Piotrowski will present a talk titled “Multicultural Poland - Journey Through Centuries.” At 3pm there will be a screening of Krzysztof Kieslowski’s “Short Film About Killing.”

On 12th October at 11am, Polish-Canadian World War 2 historian will present "Project Riese - History of mysterious German structures from WW2." At 2pm, another Kieślowski film - The Double Life of Véronique - will be screened.

In the museum also, there will be displays by Clare County Library of works of Polish literature that have been translated into the English language, and works by Irish authors that have been translated into Polish. All of these books will be available for lending in branches of Clare County Library later.

Further information on the Clare Museum Polish Festival is available from Clare Museum on (065) 6823382, and the programme of main events can be downloaded here in Gaelic, here in Polish, and here in English.

Films for Teens in Scariff Library

Teenagers in Scariff were treated to two film screenings over the summer. The films were specially chosen for their age group and were The Art of Getting By by Gavin Wiesen and Moonrise Kingdom by Wes Anderson. Both nights attracted a full house and film goers enjoyed drinks and popcorn for that extra special cinema feeling. Teenagers loved having a film night just for them and liked the fact that the two films were so different. Meanwhile the Scariff Public Library teenage book club will start again after the summer on Tuesday September 17th at 6pm and new faces are especially welcome.