Laban Traditional Music Photo Collection now online

Peter Laban is a photographer and piper living in Miltown Malbay, County Clare. He has been photographing musicians in Clare since the late 1980s. Peter’s special areas of interest are pipers, concertina players and the Willie Clancy Summer School, which he has been documenting for many years. Many of the musicians photographed are well known, but many local musicians, not known outside their own areas, are also included. The Laban Traditional Music Photo Collection is an outstanding record of the people at the heart of the vibrant traditional music scene in Clare. The first batch of the collection can be viewed on Foto, Clare County Library's online image collection here: http://foto.clarelibrary.ie/fotoweb/Grid.fwx?archiveId=5028

Image above shows Maeve Donnelly, Séamus Begley, John Weir and Eithne Ní Dhonaile in Friel's Pub (Lynch's) at the Willie Clancy Summer School 2010

Enduring Children’s Classics - The Very Hungry Caterpillar and We’re Going on a Bear Hunt

Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Michael Rosen’s We’re Going on a Bear Hunt have achieved UK book trade “Evergreen” status. This means they have never fallen out of Total Consumer Market’s Top 5000 since records began. When asked about the popularity of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Eric Carle had the following to say: “I believe most children can identify with the helpless, small, insignificant caterpillar and they rejoice with it when it turns into a beautiful butterfly. I think it’s a message of hope. It says: I too can grow up. I too can unfold my wings-my talent-and fly into the world.”

Michael Rosen attributes the longevity of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt to two things going on in the book; “a chant about getting home that children can learn very quickly because of the repetition in the text; and the fact that Helen Oxenbury has taken that and created a family dilemma with an intriguing family group that draws children in.” The Bookseller 06.02.15I

Both picture books are consistently borrowed in their many different formats from Clare County Library branches.

Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill playing "Ryan's Rant" on WTJU, USA

"Legendary duo Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill stopped by the WTJU studios, [Charlottesville, Virginia, USA], on March 21, 2015 for a visit before a concert in town presented by the Blue Ridge Irish Music School (BRIMS). Here they perform "Ryan's Rant." Posted on Youtube on the 6th of May 2015 by WTJU Charlottesville.

Boston TV Channel Five visits Doolin in the mid 1980s, featuring Micho Russell, Eoin O Neill, Kevin Griffin, Niall Sheedy and more

"Boston TV Channel Five visits Doolin, County Clare, in the mid 80's. Mc Gann's pub featuring, Micho Russell, Eoin O Neill, Kevin Griffin, Niall Sheedy, (German Fiddle player Mick Koppel) Gerry (Buddy) Flanagan, Brud Petty (with his pipe) Johnny O Brien, Mary Shannon, Helen Browne, Tony Mc Gann, Gerry Howard, John Flaherty, and others." posted on Youtube on the 17th of May 2015 by doolinmusic.

The Laird of Drumblair set - Edel Fox in Glasgow with Simon Thoumire & Tom Orr

County Clare's Edel Fox with Simon Thoumire & Tom Orr playing The Laird of Drumblair set on a visit to Glasgow. From the TG4 series Port - An Braon Breise. Posted on Youtube on the 7th of April 2015 by webfilmmager.

Los Paddys de Las Pampas playing "Little Bridget Flynn" in Ennistymon Courthouse Studio

"Little Bridget Flynn" performed by County Clare's Los Paddys de Las Pampas in Ennistymon Courthouse Recording Studio. Posted on Youtube on the 5th of October 2014 by Paddy Mulcahy.

The Riches of Clare with Neil O'Loghlen, Liam Ryan, Finola Ryan, and Eoin O'Neill, 20th May 2015

"Neil O'Loghlen, Liam Ryan, Finola Ryan, and Eoin O'Neill performing at The Riches of Clare concert series as part of Fleadh Nua, May 20, 2015". Posted on Youtube on the 222nd of May 2015 by Niamhaines.

Play That Funky Music by Mustang Hobo at Pepper’s Mountain Hop in Feakle

East Clare band Mustang Hobo playing Wild Cherry's 1976 hit "Play That Funky Music" at The Mountain Hop in the marquee at Pepper's Bar, Feakle, County Clare, April 2015. Posted on Youtube on the 6th of May 2015 by Mustang Hobo.

Susan Fennell (1812-1909) – Ennis & Kilbaha

Susan Fennell (1812-1909) was the daughter of Thomas Pilkington (1784-1838) of Cragleigh, Ennis. She married Timothy Haier, an Ennis shopkeeper and had three children whose baptisms are registered in the Ennis R.C. parish records in the 1840s. She married secondly in the Ennis Church of Ireland church in 1850 to William Reynolds, a baker. The family may have gone to America then. Susan reappears in the 1860s at Kilbaha with her two sons. She is the Susan Haier "known locally as Siobhan Pilkington" mentioned in an account by Mathúin Mac Fheorais (http://www.aoh61.com/history/kilbaha_1867.htm) of the Fenian uprising in Kilbaha in 1867. She ran the shop and pub later known as The Lighthouse Inn at Kilbaha. She married for a third time, to Mathias Fennell, a Kilbaha river pilot. Susan died in 1909 at Kilbaha, aged c. 97. Her photo (above) from c.1900 appears in the Pilkington, Griffin,Keane Collection in Foto, Clare County Library's online images collection, and her complex family connections were the topic of some posts on the Clare Past forum some time ago (http://www.ourlibrary.ca/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2010).

Artist David Gilhooley & Author Philip Shepherd at Scariff Library

Renowned artist David Gilhooley held an Introduction to Watercolour Painting class in Scariff Public Library on Tuesday, 19th May 2015 as part of the Bealtaine Festival. This was a free event but places were limited to ten. Those who had signed up in time were in for a treat. David provided expert tuition in a relaxed, informal manner. The class was guided in a simple, easy to follow and straightforward method. Feedback from the class was very positive.

Philip Shepherd, author of New Self, New World, visited Scariff Public Library on Tuesday evening 19th May 2015 to offer an insight into his work. Philip’s talk on ‘Radical Wholeness’ explained how we are taught from childhood that mind and body are separate which makes us disconnected, anxious and off-balance. Philip teaches how to ground us in the present and provide us with the tools to last a lifetime.

HRH Prince Charles visits The Burren

On his first ever visit to the west of Ireland, HRH Prince Charles chose to spend his opening afternoon in The Burren, the limestone landscape famous for its flora, archaeology and unique farming traditions. During the visit, hosted by the Burrenbeo Trust, the Prince was introduced to local farmer Patrick Nagle, who showed off some of his livestock and also some of the work he has done to protect the environment as part of the award-winning Burren Life programme. The Prince then met local schoolchildren who had recently graduated as ‘Burren experts’ through Burrenbeo’s ‘Ecobeo’ programme, before joining some ‘Burrenbeo conservation volunteers’ in repairing some farm walls. On his departure from the farm, the Prince was presented with a hamper of local food products by his hosts and enjoyed some traditional tunes courtesy of local teenage musicians, the Kinvara string quintet.

Described as ‘the heritage soul of Ireland’, the Burren contains Ireland’s highest density of archaeological sites, boasts a stunning geological heritage and is home to over 70% of all of Ireland’s native flower species. Prince Charles arrived at the perfect time to witness this extraordinary botanical display in full bloom, seeing Arctic, Alpine and Mediterranean wildflowers first-hand. The Prince was told of the vulnerability of these plants and their habitats and the need for sensitive management, while hearing about the success of two community-based projects, the Burrenbeo Trust and Burren Life programme, in doing just this.

The Burrenbeo Trust is Ireland’s first landscape charity dedicated to the sustainable management of the Burren. The focus of the Trust’s work over the past decade has been to ‘connect people to Ireland’s learning landscape’ through innovative education and training programmes, conservation volunteer events and community festivals. Trust Coordinator Brigid Barry, who showed off this work to the Prince, said ‘We are thrilled to showcase our conservation and education programmes to the Prince. We believe the future of the Burren is in building pride and awareness in the region, which we do through our 20 week Ecobeo schools programme from which over 1,000 local children have graduated, as well as monthly walks and talks and annual festivals such as ‘Burren in Bloom’ and the ‘Winterage Weekend’. There is now a great sense of pride and respect for this extraordinary landscape, which Prince Charles was fascinated to learn about’. Ms Barry also told the Prince of Burrenbeo’s advocacy for an increased emphasis on ‘place based learning’ in Ireland and of Burrenbeo’s vision for the Burren as the ultimate ‘learning landscape’ where people can really connect with the world around them.

The work of the Burrenbeo Trust is complemented by that of the Burren Life Programme, an innovative farming programme which pays farmers for their environmental performance. Through Burren Life, local farmers identify, co-fund and carry out key conservation tasks on their farms – such as wall repair, scrub removal and protecting vulnerable water supplies. These farmers are also paid for their ‘environmental performance’ – how successful they are at looking after the local habitats, water and soil – through an innovative ‘scoring system’ which Prince Charles learnt about from Burren Life scientist Dr. Sharon Parr. The ‘results-based’ approach pioneered by the Burren Life Programme is now being used as a template for Agri-Environment schemes across the EU.

Patrick Nagle, on whose farm the Royal visit took place, said that ‘It was a great honour to show Prince Charles around our farm. We told him about the work that my son Oliver and I have done over the past 5 years of Burren Life – new walls built and gates hung, scrub taken out, water sources protected, silage replaced – and about how the improved grazing that has resulted from this work has helped us to earn better environmental payments. This is a very proud day for us, for the generations of farmers who have worked the land of the Burren in the past, and for the youngsters that we hope will farm it in the years ahead.'

Children’s Books Ireland Book of the Year Award Winners

Oliver Jeffers has won the 25th CBI Book of the Year Award and is the third author ever to win both the Book of the Year Award and the Children’s Choice award for his title Once Upon an Alphabet.

This beautiful picture book presents twenty-six original and innovative stories about the letters of the alphabet, cleverly combining text and line drawings.

Each letter of the alphabet is introduced with its own story, each one weaving in and out of one another, asking the reader to make connections and cross-references. Although this is an alphabet book, it’s not just for the very young; the cleverly constructed stories will strike a chord with children of all ages.

The Honour Award for Illustration went to Chris Haughton for Shh! We have A Plan. The Honour Award for Fiction went to Áine Ní Ghlinn for Daideo. Gabriel Rosenstock and Brian Fitzgerald picked up the Judge’s Special Award for Haiku Más é do thoil é! and the Eilís Dillon Award for a first children’s book went to Louise O’Neill for Only Ever Yours.

Elaina Ryan, Director of CBI, said: "The CBI Awards are a unique opportunity not only to honour the very best in Irish writing and illustration, but to give young people a voice through the Children’s Choice Award. It is a real delight to see even more young readers than last year taking part in our shadowing scheme and enjoying the excellent and diverse books on this year’s shortlist".

Padraig Rynne, Brian Duke and Cillian King play a set of reels at the All Ireland Fleadh in Sligo

County Clare's Padraig Rynne with Brian Duke and Cillian King playing a set of reels at the All Ireland Fleadh in Sligo. Broadcast by RTE Television in February 2015. Posted on Youtube on the 26th of February 2015 by Padraig Rynne.

Kilfenora Reels from the (old) Kilfenora Céilí Band

An early recording of the Kilfenora Céilí Band, featuring (right to left): Kitty Linnane, Mike Butler, Tommy Peoples, Francis Droney, Unknown flautist, JJ Conway, unknown banjo player. Posted on Youtube on the 21st of March 2015 by ennisbannerman.

The Cliffs of Kilkee - a song by Phil Saattchi and Tony Risley

"Written by gypsy spirit Tony Risley and myself about Kilkee, a coastal town in Southern Ireland. Arranged and mixed by Alex Wingham of the Stick Up Boys." Posted on Youtube on the 4th of May 2015 by Phil Saatchi.

Easter Céilí with Dal gCais in Kilrush, County Clare

"The Dal gCais Céilí Band played music for this céilí in Teach Cheoil, Kilrush, County Clare, on Easter Sunday, 2015. The dances in the first half were the Corofin Plain, Cashel, Clare Lancers and Kilfenora Plain sets."

"After the tea break, the band continued with the Caledonian Set, two waltzes, and the Ballyvourney Jig, Plain and Connemara sets. Before the last set there were some words from an organiser, and the band concluded with the national anthem." Posted on Youtube on the 17th of April 2015 by Bill Lynch.

Loop Head, County Clare, from the air

Spectacular aerial views of Loop Head, County Clare. Posted on Youtube on the 13th of May 2015 by BB Aerial Shots.

Chris Droney - At The Still Point Of The Turning World

Chris Droney playing with his son Francis and three grandchildren. Photo courtesy of Peter Laban.

'At The Still Point Of The Turning World’, a celebration of the great Bellharbour concertina player Chris Droney, took place in the Courthouse Gallery, Ennistymon, on May 1st 2015 as part of the Bealtaine Festival. Initiated by Clare County Arts Office in association with Chris and his family, it was an afternoon of music, dance and performance. If you didn’t make it to Ennistymon, you can listen to Chris playing some tunes in our online Music of Clare project: http://music.clarelibrary.ie/fotoweb/Grid.fwx?search=droney&archiveId=5000&submit=Search...

Clare Museum to receive Interim Accreditation Status

Clare Museum is delighted to announce that it is to receive Interim Accreditation Status under the Heritage Council’s Museum Standards Programme for Ireland. The programme is designed to improve all areas of museum practice across the whole museum, including Museum Management, Public Services and Collection Management. Clare Museum now joins an elite band of museums of all types which have achieved accreditation at some level, including National institutions and small volunteer-led organisations.

The Accreditation programme comprises thirty-four agreed minimum standards. Twenty-five of these are required to achieve interim accreditation, while the remaining nine standards are required for full accreditation. New Collection, Loan, Exhibition and Disposal Policies were recently adopted by Clare County Council as part of the process along with a Strategic Management Plan which will help to develop the museum for the next three years. John Rattigan, Curator of Clare Museum, stated that ‘the remaining standards required for full accreditation will be pursued by the staff and volunteers at the museum over the next sixteen months with a view to achieving Full Accreditation in two years time.’ Clare Museum will be officially presented with its Interim Accreditation status at a function in Dublin in July 2015.

Clare County Council reports positive financial results, with €1.1m investment in business, community and tourism development projects

Clare County Council has announced an additional €1.1m investment in service delivery and tourism, business and community development projects around the county during 2015.

The announcement follows the publication of the Local Authority's unaudited Annual Financial Statement (AFS) for 2014 which shows that the Council ended the year with a €611k surplus on a total revenue expenditure of circa €105m.

Clare County Council billed a total of €42.4m in commercial rates in 2014, which represents approximately 40.4% of Clare County Council's revenue expenditure in the year. The council collected €40.9m in rates in the year.

Announcing the unaudited AFS for 2014 at its May Monthly Meeting last evening (Monday), Clare County Council also confirmed additional allocations in 2014 to the Municipal Districts (€400,000), Shannon Area (€100,000), proposed acquisition by the Council of Holy Island on Lough Derg (€100,000), a Visitor Services facility at Doolin Pier (€100,000), Library and Museum Development (€100,000), and Kilrush's participation in the 2015 International Entente Florale competition (€50,000).

Provision has also been made for Public Light improvements (€100,000), Public Area enhancements (€100,000) and playgrounds throughout the County (€50,000).

Cllr. John Crowe, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, has welcomed the overall positive result being reported in this unaudited AFS for 2014.

"Taking into consideration the fiscal challenges faced by the Council in the years since the economic downturn, this result has arisen from effective budget management of both expenditure and income throughout the organisation. I particularly welcome the significant progress being made in relation to the collection of billed commercial rates which bodes well for the future financial operation of the Council, while it also demonstrates the recovering that is ongoing in the local economy," he stated.

Tom Coughlan, Chief Executive of Clare County Council, commented: "During the past five years, the Council's cumulative operating debit balance, which stood at €1.77m at the start of 2009, has been reduced to €800,000 at the end of 2014. This reduction in the cumulative deficit in a period of reduced funding and uncertain economic circumstances is a positive development and will have lasting implications for the delivery of services and investment in business and community development projects throughout Clare."

He continued: "The achievement of a positive result last year took place in the context of a number of significant changes brought about as a result of the Local Government Reform Act 2014. They include the abolition of Town Councils, changes to the budgeting process, the creation of new structures such as the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) and Municipal Districts, the commencement of operations of the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) and the commencement of the operation of water services on behalf of Irish Water under a Service Level Agreement."

"I wish to acknowledge the commitment of Council staff and the support of the Council Members for achieving this positive result," added Mr. Coughlan.

Images above show Cllr. John Crowe, Cathaoirleach, and Tom Coughlan, Chief Executive of Clare County Council.

Nora Cleary (1924-1988), traditional singer from The Hand, County Clare

Nora Cleary lived in The Hand, five miles from Miltown Malbay. She inherited a love of singing from her parents and sang regularly in McCarthy’s pub in Clounlaheen. She had a great sense of fun and preferred songs that were humorous and a bit bawdy. You can enjoy Nora’s songs – and a few from her sister Susie – as part of the Singers and Songs of County Clare on Clare County Library's website. As Tim Dennehy says in his online article Nora Cleary: an Appreciation: "She was a born performer". See http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/songs/cmc/nora_cleary.htm.

The Mutton Island reels with Damien & Sarah Werner, Eoin O'Neill and Quentin Cooper

"We had a fab time over in Mutton Island last year around July '14, with Damien Werner, his mammy who was over from Hawaii, and his wife Sara. If you are ever there be careful to look at every step you take, so not to damage eggs or birds, this is really important. Quentin wrote two reels for the day, and they are played by Damien on flute, Sarah on fiddle, Jon O'Connell on bass, Eoin O'Neill on bouzouki (& Quentin on banjo & he also did the video)." Posted on Youtube on the 1st of May 2015 by burrencrawler.

Set dancing at the Kilfenora Traditional Music Festival 2015

Set dancing with the Kilfenora Céilí Band at the Kilfenora Traditional Music Festival 2015. Posted on Youtube on the 19th of April 2015 by ennisbannerman.

Pepper House Band featuring Mark Donnellan, Brian Donnellan, John Canny & Michael Landers at Feakle Festival 2014

The Pepper House Band featuring Mark Donnellan, Brian Donnellan, John Canny & Michael Landers in Pepper's Bar Marquee on the 6th of August 2014 during the Feakle Festival. Posted on Youtube on the 27th of October 2014 by Feakle Festival.

ITV's Wild Ireland - Roundstone, The Burren, Cliffs of Moher and Inis Mór

Episode 4 of ITV's Wild Ireland programme featuring stops along the Wild Atlantic Way, including Roundstone, The Burren, Cliffs of Moher and Inis Mór. Posted on Youtube on the 4th of May 2015 by HD Documentaries.

Arial Videography - Dough (Lahinch), Cliffs of Moher, and The Falls in Ennistymon

"This a fly over of Dough (Lahinch), Cliffs of Moher, and The Falls in Ennistymon in County Clare." posted on Youtube on the 5th of May 2015 by Videocopter Ireland.

Images of County Clare - April 2015

"A selection of images from around County Clare during April 2015." Posted on Youtube on the 1st of May 2015 by theclareherald.

The Sinking of the Lusitania – Clare connections

Attend you feeling Irish hearts, I pray you will draw near;
This is the worst disaster, oh, that ever you did hear.
‘Tis of the ship ‘Lusitania’, from New York she set sail,
To breast the broad Atlantic wave and plough the angry main.

The Cunard passenger liner RMS Lusitania, travelling from New York to Liverpool, was torpedoed by a German submarine off the Old Head of Kinsale one hundred years ago today with a loss of 1,198 lives. Four of the victims were natives of County Clare - Patrick Sheedy, Darragh, Ennis; Edmond Ireton, Lassana, Quin; Michael Galvin, Derryshane, Coolmeen and Dr Joseph Garry, Shanahea, Kildysart. Jane Hogan, a survivor of the sinking, was returning home to Mullagh after twenty years in the US. Also, twelve victims washed ashore were buried throughout the county. An exhibition on the disaster by Clare County Library is currently touring our branch libraries. For its itinerary see the Library Events listings. You can listen to Tom Lenihan singing The Lusitania here http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/songs/cmc/the_lusitania_tlenihan.htm. Interestingly, he substitutes ‘cruel British dogs’ for ‘cruel German dogs’ in verse three, reflecting his republican belief that the British torpedoed the liner.

Once Upon A Place has come to Clare

The Laureate na nÓg’s Once Upon A Place project got off to a flying start in County Clare on May 6th. The launch event took place at the Michael Cusack Centre, Carron, where children from the local National Schools, Carron and New Quay, were treated to a feast of stories delivered in two very different styles by local storyteller Paddy Hynes and well-known author Alan Nolan.

Paddy regaled his audience which incidentally included two of his grandchildren with captivating stories and poems of his schooldays. Alan Nolan peppered his very funny and interactive tales with his trademark illustrations, ensuring the undivided attention of all children ranging in age from 4 to 12!

Author Erika McGann also stopped by to enjoy the entertainment after her storytelling session in Boston National School earlier in the day. Alan and Erika along with Sarah Webb, Nuala Hayes, Sadie Cramer and Clare’s own Matt Griffin are visiting schools in the North Clare area over 2 days as part of this exciting initiative brought to us by Laureate na nÓg and supported by Clare County Library and Clare County Arts Service.

Children's Books Ireland Book of the Year Awards - the 2015 Shortlist

The shortlist for the The CBI Book of the Year Awards (formerly the Bisto Awards) was announced in March and the winners will be announced in June. Now in their 25th year, these awards are made annually by Children’s Books Ireland and are the leading annual children’s book awards in Ireland. The awards are open to authors and illustrators born or resident in Ireland and to books written in Irish or English.

Each year CBI assembles a panel of judges who have considerable expertise and interest in books for children, with young book club members or Junior Juries from around the country deciding the Children’s Choice Award.

Shortlist 2015:

Ten Books have been shortlisted for the 2015 CBI Book of the Year Awards:

When Mr Dog Bites by Brian Conaghan
Apple and Rain by Sarah Crossan
Shh! We Have a Plan by Chris Haughton
Once Upon an Alphabet by Oliver Jeffers
The Apple Tart of Hope by Sarah Moore Fitzgerald
Daideo by Áine Ní Ghlinn
Only Ever Yours by Louise O’Neill
Haiku Más é do thoil é! by Gabriel Rosenstock illustrated by Brian Fitzgerald
Primperfect by Deirdre Sullivan
Beyond the Stars compiled by Sarah Webb

All titles are available from branches of Clare County Library.

Writing in an Arts & Books feature in The Irish Times, Sat, May 2nd children’s books commentator, Robert Dunbar thought it a pity that this year’s selection included just 10 titles and not 12: "The decision about how many titles appear is taken by the judges and can vary from year to year. If this year the total had been 12, as distinct from 10, room might have been found for two books that must be counted among the year’s best, Kim Hood’s Finding A Voice (O’Brien Press) and Susan Maxwell’s Good Red Herring (Little Island)". Clare author Kim Hood, whose Finding a Voice was nominated for the inaugural Young Adult Book Prize, was one of Clare County Library’s guest authors during Teen Week in March 2015.

Riches of Clare free lunchtime concert series returns to the Clare Museum on May 18th

This Clare Arts Office initiative is hosting fifty six traditional musicians in fourteen concerts, throughout the second half of May, June and July in Ennis. The concert series features traditional musicians from or based in County Clare with an occasional visitor. The usual residency in the Clare Museum, Ennis, begins during the Fleadh Nua festival and continues each Wednesday afternoon during June and July. There will also be a special concert this year in Teach Ceoil, Kilrush, to coincide with the Clare Fleadh, and in Feakle Communtiy Hall as part of the Feakle Festival.

‘As in previous years, we are expecting standing room only in the museum for the concerts taking place during the Fleadh’ says Mike Butler, who co-ordinates the series on behalf of the Arts Office.

Musicians performing in this year’s series will include Tim Collins, Josephine Marsh and Edel Fox. According to Siobhán Mulcahy, County Arts Officer, “As always, local musicians have been enthusiastic and obliging with their participation in each and every concert. The series really belongs to the musicians and the audiences”. Admission to all concerts in the series is free of charge, as the concerts are supported by the Arts Office of Clare County Council and the Arts Council.

More information on the series is available on http://www.richesofclare.com and this year the coordinators are continuing to provide a free text reminder service. To sign up for these reminders, which will inform you of the musicians playing in that day’s concert, simply text RICHES to 087-4199293. Updates can also be received online or through the Riches of Clare Facebook page, where some sound and video clips of previous concerts can be viewed.

2015 series:

May 18th Anne Marie McCormack, Niamh O’Dea, Martin Dermody, James Duddy
May 19th James Devitt, Christy Barry, Conor McCarthy, Johnny Faulkner
May 20th Finola Ryan, Liam Ryan, Neil O’Loghlen, Eoin O’Neill
May 21st David Sanders, Elaine Hogan, Martin Glynn, Alan Wallace
May 22nd Dave Harper, Conor Keane, Johnny Ringo McDonagh, Kevin Finnucane
May 27th Tim Collins, Eamonn Cotter, Eimear Howley, Pat Marsh

June 3rd Josephine Marsh, Mick Kinsella, Tommy Carew, Declan Corey
June 10th John Kelly, Sheila Garry, Brian Mooney, Aoibheann Murphy
June 17th Edel Fox, Neill Byrne, Tommy Fitzharris, Colm O’Caoimh
June 24th Kieran Kissane, Kieran Hehir, Seanie McGrath, John Moloney
July 1st Nuala Hehir, Yvonne Griffin, Shane Green, Deirdre Scanlan
July 15th Marcus Moloney, Murt Ryan, Carmel O’Dea, Cyril O’Donoghue
July 22nd Pat Lynch, John Lynch, Marie Quigney, Siobhan O’Donoghue
July 29th Francis Cunningham, Eimear Coughlan, Anne Rynne, Marian Curtin

County Fleadh, Kilrush – Teach Ceoil
Sunday June 14th Sean Vaughan, James Cullinan, Felim Collins, Paul O’Driscoll

Feakle Festival – Community Hall
Monday August 10th Eileen O’Brien, Geraldine Cotter, Andrew McNamara, Mary McNamara

Tiarnán and Breandán Ó'Conaill at Kilfenora Music Festival 2015

"Tiarnán O'Conaill, All-Ireland 12-15 mandolin champion, opening Lumiere concert in Kilfenora with Breandán (also an All-Ireland winner) on bodhrán. Two jigs - "Bóthar na Faille" by Fiontán Ó'Meachair and "The Mystery Inch" from Damien O'Kane. Accompanied by brother Breandán. Tiarnán got this chance to play support to Lumiere at the Kilfenora Music Festival thanks to Garry Shannon and Meitheal Trad Summer School." Posted on Youtube on the 30th of April 2015 by Magh nEalta.

My Heart's Tonight in Ireland (in the Sweet County Clare), Andy Irvine and Friends, Royal Albert Hall, London

"Ceiliúradh (Celebration), a special evening of music, spoken word and dance, featuring artists from Ireland and the United Kingdom, took place in the Royal Albert Hall on Thursday 10 April, 2014 to mark the historic occasion of the first State Visit by the President of Ireland to the United Kingdom. The concert takes its inspiration from the Irish session where each artist contributes towards the creation of a unique and intimate evening. The line-up of artists to perform in the presence of the President Higgins included Imelda May, The Gloaming, Paul Brady, Lisa Hannigan, Glen Hansard, Andy Irvine, Donal Lunny, Peter Coughlan (curly red hair with glasses, front man of the Hungry Grass.), The West Ocean Quartet, Joseph O’Connor and Fiona Shaw, etc. The house band included acclaimed musicians Liam Bradley, John Carty, Anthony Drennan, Graham Henderson, Mike McGoldrick, Paul Moore, Caitlín Nic Gabhann, Máirtín O’Connor and Brendan Power. Put together by the inimitable Dónal Lunny."

My heart's tonight in Ireland in the sweet County Clare, (Andy Irvine)

My heart tonight is far away across the rolling sea In the sweet Milltown Malbay it is there I'd love to be So long ago and far away but nothing can compare My heart's tonight in Ireland in the sweet County Clare

In the town of Scariff the sun was shining in the sky When Willie Clancy played his pipes and the tears welled in my eyes Many years have passed and gone since the times we had there But my heart's tonight in Ireland in the sweet County Clare

My heart tonight is far away across the rolling sea In the sweet Milltown Malbay it is there I'd love to be So long ago and far away but nothing can compare My heart's tonight in Ireland in the sweet County Clare

That August in Kilrush when the rain was lashing down And our hotel was that haybarn on the outskirts of town We were all sick and feverish and Dolan had the flu But Johnny produced some whiskey and the sun came smiling through

My heart tonight is far away across the rolling sea In the sweet Milltown Malbay it is there I'd love to be So long ago and far away but nothing can compare My heart's tonight in Ireland in the sweet County Clare

Those nights in Six Mile Bridge when the music flowed And it came to closing time the lights were turned down low And the sergeant from Kilkishin he would buy us all one more And we never left that pub before the clock was striking four

Lahinch and Enistymon, Lisceanar and Kilkee But best of all was Milltown when the music flowed so free Willie Clancy in the County Clare I'm ever in your debt For the sights and sounds of yesterday are shining memories yet

My heart tonight is far away across the rolling sea In the sweet Milltown Malbay and it is there I'd love to be So long ago and far away but nothing can compare My heart's tonight in Ireland in the sweet County Clare In the days of Sweeney in the sweet County Clare.

Posted on Youtube on the 7th of February 2015 by TG Amhrán.

The Yanks playing some hornpipes at Corofin Traditional Festival 2015

"The Yanks (Isaac Alderson, Dylan Foley, Dan Gurney, and Sean Earnest) performing hornpipes at the 14th Annual Corofin Traditional Festival 2015." Posted on Youtube on the 7th of March 2015 by Niamhaines.

Claire and Sinéad Egan with Jack Talty

County Clare's Jack Talty on piano with sisters Claire (fiddle) and Sinead Egan of London. Posted on Youtube on the 17th of December 2014 by Raelach Records.

Castlebawn on Lough Derg, County Clare

"An aerial tour of Castlebawn filmed by www.clarevirtually.ie. This Tower House sits on its own tiny island on Lough Derg and was beautifully restored by the Cody family. Castlebawn is only accessible by boat and appointment. The drone really gives you a perspective that is impossible to get in any other way. Castlebawn enjoys spectactular views of the ancient Oak wood in Raheen as well as Holy Island and other parts of County Clare and County Tipperary. With a haunting soundtrack by Kate Purcell, this truly is a beautiful video of one of Ireland's hidden gems." Posted on Youtube on the 25th of April 2015 by clare virtually.

Mit den Freunden aus Vach am Lough Derg – Ein Tagebuch

Anglers from Vach in Germany enjoying the delights of Lough Derg. Posted on Youtube on the 9th of August 2014 by Dietrich Bohnhorst.

Ennistymon Courthouse Gallery

A short film on Ennistymon Courthouse Gallery by Kieran Roche. Posted on Youtube on the 23rd of April 2015 by Kieran Roche.