A Poem for Ireland

What is your most-loved Irish poem of the last century? A Poem for Ireland is a major new RTÉ campaign which aims to get the public talking about the Irish poems they feel are the most-loved of the past 100 years. RTÉ’s A Poem for Ireland was launched on The John Murray Show and The Works last week and will run for six months until the unveiling of the Irish public’s final choice in March 2015.

To nominate a poem and for further information see http://apoemforireland.rte.ie/

Eamonn Cotter, Blackie O'Connor, Meabh O'Hare, and Cyril O'Donoghue - Riches of Clare, May 2014

"Riches of Clare Day 2 in conjunction with Fleadh Nua May 20, 2014. The musicians from your left to right are Eamonn Cotter, Blackie O'Connell, Meabh O'Hare, and Cyril O'Donoghue." Posted on Youtube on the 5th of June 2104 by Niamhaines.

Kerry Day at the Willie Clancy Festival 2014

"The Westbridge pub in Miltown Malbay turned into Sliabh Luachra territory for a day during the Willie Clancy Week. Bryan O'Leary, Jimmy Doyle, John Walsh et.al. playing away hornpipes to the polka set. Priceless moments! Miltown Malbay, County Clare, July 2014." Posted on Youtube on the 30th of July 2014 by Memories of Willie Week.

Session in The Blonde's, Willie Clancy Festival 2104

"Great session at the Willie Clancy week, Blonde's (Clearys) pub, Miltown Malbay, County Clare..." Posted on Youtube on the 23rd of September 2014 by Tom Griffiths.

The Burren, County Clare, September 2014

The Burren, County Clare. Posted on Youtube on the 16th of September 2014 by Piotr Ingelewicz.

Solo Horseriding Across The Burren

"Sandra and Winnie (the horse) went on an expedition to the Burren in West Clare (Ireland). They took the camera and a tent, and had a gentle adventure in this extraordinary part of the country. This is their video. We hope you like it." Posted on Youtube on the 22nd of September 2014 by WayOutWest Blowingblog.

Images of County Clare 2014

"My annual pedal about the Burren, with the music of Marianne Faithfull." Posted on Youtube on the 25th of July 2014 by Daniel Gideon.

Tomsie O Sullivan remembers Garland Sunday in Lahinch

Cuimhneamh an Chláir: Tomsie O Sullivan remembers Garland Sunday. "Tomsie recalls his memories of Garland Sunday in Lahinch. It was a special day, a day out for the local community and local farmers. Many arrived by train from as far away as Limerick. People walked up and down the street and the promenade all day long. It was often referred to as ‘Garlic Sunday’. A local man, Barney O’Higgins, called it Lughnasa. He said the Arannachs (people from the Aran Islands) come in for Lughnasa and visited The Well (St Brigid’s) and then came down to Lahinch. He describes in vivid detail the street scene that day. The Main Street was full of stalls from Hession’s Corner up as far as Kenny’s. Then there were several acts on show. One was a strong man show - he could balance a cart wheel on his chin. Tomsie says this was the act of the day. There was another fellow lying on a bed of nails..." Posted on Youtube on the 16th of August 2014 by Cormac McCarthy.

The Hazel Tree - Tuamgraney Community Woodland

"The speed growth of native hazel in Ireland is incredible, as a natural part of the Irish ecosystem ... its uses demonstrated in basket making here in Tuamgraney Community Woodland, County Clare." posted on Youtube on the 28th of august 2014 by aodhfinn.

Lisdoonvarna Festival September 2014

Posted on Youtube on the 23rd of september 2014 by peter reid.

Reminiscence Therapy Visits to celebrate Positive Ageing Week

To celebrate Positive Ageing Week, Clare County Library staff will visit Day Care & Community Centres and Nursing Homes around the county during the month of October with a selection of material from the Local Studies Library, including Clare Champion newspapers from times past, old photographs and books containing local interest material. Extracts will be read and discussed, evoking memories of times past and sparking lively debate on events that took place in the locality years before. This service allows the library to bring part of its valuable collection to people who are often not in a position to visit their local library. Centres scheduled for visits in October include Carrigoran Day Centre, Mowlam Nursing Home in Kilrush, Ennistymon Day Centre & Ennistymon Community Hospital and Raheen Day Centre & Raheen Community Hospital in Tuamgraney.

Yvonne Casey & Eoin O'Neill - Live From The Galway Fringe Festival 2014

County Clare's Yvonne Casey & Eoin O'Neill performing live on the Fringe Festival Mainstage in The Victoria Hotel as part of the Galway Fringe Festival 2014. Posted on Youtube on the 13th of September 2014 by Galway Fringe Festival.

Yvonne Casey, Eoin O'Neill, Willie Cummins and Christy McNamara in Brogan's, Ennis

"Yvonne Casey on fiddle, Eoin O'Neill on bouzouki, Willie Cummins on bodhrán and Christy McNamara on concertina. It gives a person the greatest pleasure to listen to tunes that someone has put their own interpretation on, however it is infinitely more pleasurable when you find someone who puts their soul into their tunes. It gives a depth and a gravitas that holds your attention. In truth it is a reminder that these tunes started somewhere deep in a person. Tunes can also be played with measured or cautious or even clumsy crafting but sometimes a musician can bring you back to the place where the tune was born... Yvonne is one of those people. Accompanied here by the very generous Eoin O'Neill; his backing allows Yvonne’s playing to soar... these few minutes are a treat... Willie's gentle and insightful bodhrán playing shows a deep respect for the tunes. Christy McNamara is seen following along on concertina taking a well earned break for a drink half way through. Every Wednesday in Brogan's in Ennis... no cover charge... sure where would you get it..." Posted on Youtube on the 31st of August 2014 by Alan Hilliard.

Ennis, County Clare, in 1949 (British Pathé)

"Ennis, County Clare, Eire (Republic of Ireland), 1949." Posted on Youtube on the 27th of August 2014 by British Pathé.

Eilish Lund - My First Day in Liscannor National School

"My First Day in Liscannor National School by Eilish Lund (nee McCarthy)." A Cuimhneamh an Chláir, The Clare Oral History & Folklore Group, recording under Childhood & Early Memories. Posted on Youtube on the 25th of August 2014 Cormac McCarthy.

Mountshannon, County Clare, August 2014

Mountshannon, County Clare, August 2014. Posted on Youtube on the 2nd of September 2014 by DROGSGOREVER.

The Mountshannon Oak and The Great Forest of Aughty

"Andrew St.Ledger, of the Woodland League speaking about the Mountshannon Oak, a great oak in East Clare, and reminder to all who see the tree of the magnificence of the Irish ecosystem prior to the industrial landscape of modern Ireland today." Posted on Youtube on the 19th of August 2014 by aodhfinn.

Cycling in Loop Head, County Clare, 2014

"Three mini videos of cycling in Loop Head, West Clare, Ireland, August 2014." Posted on Youtube on the 18th of August 2014 by budgiehater.

Illustrating Tolkien at Ennistymon Library

As part of the Burren Tolkien Festival 2014, Coimicí Gael delivered an hour-long workshop at Ennistymon Public Library where fans of the classics Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit could indulge in drawing elves, orcs, hobbits and other fantastical creatures under the guidance of Aidan Courtney. The founder of Coimicí Gael encouraged the children attending to draw their favourite scenes from Tolkien’s books in a fun-filled workshop delivered as always in his trademark easy and engaging way.

Final event of Summer Activities in Kilrush Library

23 children took part in a designer balloon workshop with Deirdre Carmody in Kilrush Public Library. Each child created three very impressive designs, which included spiders, flowers and swords. This workshop was a great concluding event to a very successful nine week Summer Art and Craft Programme for Primary School children in Kilrush Library.

Storytime with Dogs Trust at Kilrush Library

Seventeen children attended the interactive storytime workshop with Education Officer Dawn at Kilrush Public Library. Children actively participated in discussions about their own dogs. They compiled lists of what dogs need and viewed pictures of some of the dogs that have been re-homed by Dogs Trust. Finally, the children received a certificate, stickers and a Dogs Trust pencil for completing the workshop. The children really enjoyed the workshop and learned a lot about their favourite pets. More information on Dogs Trust Ireland is available on www.dogstrust.ie