Riches of Clare Concert in Feakle, featuring Mary McNamara, Eileen O'Brien, Andrew McNamara, and Geraldine Cotter

"Mary McNamara, Eileen O'Brien, Andrew McNamara, and Geraldine Cotter performing at the last concert of the Riches of Clare 2015 series on August 10, 2015 at the Feakle Festival (02)." Posted on Youtube on the 16th of August 2015 by Niamhaines.

Pauline Scanlon and NOTIFY perform at the Set Theatre, Kilkenny

Pauline Scanlon and NOTIFY, led by County Clare's Pádraig Rynne, perform at the Set Theatre, Kilkenny in March 2015. Posted on Yoytube on the 11th of August 2015 by Padraig Rynne.

Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert

County Clare's Martin Hayes with Dennis Cahill playing The Mountain Lark, Tom Doherty's Reel, P. Joe's Reel, The Obama Reel and O'Carolan's Farewell To Music on NPR Radio's Tiny Desk Concert. Posted on Youtube on the 1st of July 2015 by An Opt-Out google+page.

Tommy & Siobhan Peoples play 2 reels

County Clare based Tommy and Siobhan Peoples - and friends - play two reels, "The Wise Maid" (aka "John Doherty's") and "The Bird In The Bush". Posted on Youtube on the 29th of Julu 2015 by DOUGLAS HADDEN.

Shannon Vale Céilí Band and set dancers at The Feakle Traditional Music Festival 2015

"The Shannon Vale Céilí Band - live! Along with some great Set dancers at The Feakle Traditional Music Festival, County Clare, 2015..." Posted on Youtube on the 14th of August 2015 by Danny O'Mahony.

Scariff Harbour Festival 2015

"A short video by clarevirtually of the harbour in Scariff, County Clare during the annual Scariff Harbour Festival." Posted on Youtube on the 1st of August 2015 by clare virtually.

Excursão Galway & Cliffs of Moher - WICE Intercâmbio na Irlanda

"Quer fazer intercâmbio na Irlanda? Então viaje pela WICE e conheça um mundo de oportunidades para você Viajar, Estudar e Trabalhar! No video de hoje, acompanhe uma das nossas excursões de final de semana. Destino: Galway & Cliffs of Moher." Posted on Youtube on the 10th of August 2015 by WICE Intercâmbio.

Aerial view of Quin Abbey County Clare

"Quin Abbey is a ruined Franciscan abbey or friary in Quin, roughly 9 miles from Ennis, County Clare... The abbey had a turbulent history, with the friars driven off or killed numerous times. Officially suppressed in 1541, the abbey continued to be inhabited by a small number of friars until 1820. Today, Quin Abbey is a National Monument." Posted on Youtube on the 19th of August 2015 by pat liddy.

Clare County Archives Exhibition at Clare Museum

The McMahon Archival Collection is one of the largest collections of primary source documents in Clare County Council’s Archives repository, containing more than 1,100 files spanning over three centuries. While the earliest document dates back to 1611, most of the material relates to 18th and 19th century administration and activities of the landed estates in the county.

The McMahon Archival Collection was donated to the National Archives in the 1970s through the Business Records Survey by Dermot McMahon of Sherry Fitzgerald McMahon, O’Connell Square, Ennis. The collection was subsequently re-accessioned by Clare County Council’s Archives Service in 2010.

The collection had been stored, before its acquisition by the National Archives, in the basement of offices in the three-storey building in the centre of Ennis where Michael McMahon (Dermot McMahon’s grandfather) operated an auctioneering and estate agency business from the late 1800s.

The exhibition runs until 25th September and admission is free

Pictured above are Clare County Archivist, Rene Franklin and Dermot McMahon of Sherry Fitzgerald McMahon in Ennis who were in attendance at the launch of the McMahon Archival Collection exhibition at Clare Museum.

Scariff Library Archaeology Workshop

The workshop, which took place on Tuesday the 25th of August 2015, began with a talk from Nora (the archaeologist) on the Game of Time to explain the different periods of time from the Stone Age Hunters up to the Neolithic, the Bronze Age and on to the present day. Evidence collected from the different periods help us to understand the changes through time. Nora explained how the first travelers to Ireland lived by the sea and rivers, and how people didn’t learn how to farm for 2000 years when animals such as cows are horses were introduced to Ireland. Different objects such as a clay pipe, goat and sheep skulls, a metal bell, bones and pottery were passed around for inspection. Following a discussion on pottery the children made their own pots out of clay to take home.

From here the children were ready for their first dig. Nora explained that any archaeological dig requires a licence so all the paperwork had to be filled in first. The children then worked in teams with various pieces of equipment to retrieve any objects and put them in the Finds Tray. The idea is to work slowly so that you things won’t be missed. When all the objects were found the children then had to fill in the description of the objects on the Artefact Record Sheet. Children experienced the thrill of discovery in a mock up archaeological dig under the supervision of a professional archaeologist. This was a free event and was enjoyed by all!

The Yanks playing at Corofin Traditional Music Festival 2015

The Yanks performing at the 14th Annual Corofin Traditional Music Festival 2015. Posted on Youtube on the 8th of May 2015 by Niamhaines.

Sarah O'Gorman and Ryan Graham playing at Corofin Traditional Music Festival 2015

Sarah O'Gorman and Ryan Graham performing at the 14th Annual Corofin Traditional Music Festival 2015. Posted on Youtube on the 8th of May 2015 by Niamhaines.

Siobhán, Seamus, and Colm O'Donnell playing at Corofin Traditional Music Festival 2015

Siobhán, Seamus, and Colm O'Donnell performing at the 14th Annual Corofin Traditional Music Festival 2015. Posted on Youtube on the 8th of May 2015 by Niamhaines.

Willie Clancy Festival 2015

"A very brief taste of some sessions, recitals, sean nos and set dancing, poems and craic from the 43rd Willie Clancy Festival in Miltown Malbay, County Clare, in July 2015." Posted on Youtube on the 11th of August 2015 by Rionmoles.

Christmas in County Clare

"60 second course project." Posted on Youtube on the 9th of August 2015 by Cycartha.

Mungret Heritage trip to Inis Cealtra on Lough Derg

"July 18th 2015 - After pilgrimages to Scattery Island (2013) and Clonmacnoise (2014), Mungret Heritage complete a trilogy of voyages with a trip to Inis Cealtra on Lough Derg." Posted on Youtube on the 30th of July 2015 by Ross O Donoghue.

National Heritage Week Preview 2015

"Ireland's National Heritage Week, 22-30 August 2015. Coordinated by the Heritage Council." Posted on Youtube on the 12th of August 2015 by Heritage Week.

Snapshots in Time - Ennistymon, Lahinch and Liscannor captured on camera

A photographic exhibition presented by the Old Ennistymon Society in the Courthouse Gallery, Ennistymon.

August 14th – September 3rd 2015.

This photographic exhibition of over 80 images takes a nostalgic look at times past, recording the streetscapes and daily comings and goings of three North Clare areas - the market town of Ennistymon and the coastal villages of Lahinch and Liscannor - recalling many long forgotten businesses and crafts. The photographs date from the early to mid-years of the 20th century and capture a bygone age.

An interesting aspect of this exhibition is the manner by which the photos were sourced. Following the society’s very successful Vanishing Heritage exhibition in 2013 many unusual photos were donated by people both from the locality and from the UK. For example, a photo album of Lahinch was bought at auction by a Connemara man and donated to the society, while a box of photos found during a house clearance in Ennistymon was also donated. All the photos have been donated to Clare County Library for inclusion on Foto, its online images of Clare collection.

To round out the exhibition some fascinating photos of Ennistymon, Lahinch and Liscannor were also selected from Foto.

The exhibition will be launched on Friday August 14th at 8pm in The Courthouse Gallery by Ennistymon native Johann O’Dwyer to which all are cordially invited. The exhibition will run until 3rd September 2015. Opening times are Tuesday to Saturday 12 – 5pm.

The exhibition was curated by Kathryn Comber, Frances Madigan, Maureen Comber and Anthony Edwards. The Old Ennistymon Society is the voluntary organisation responsible for the preservation of Ennistymon Courthouse and its development into the arts complex “The Courthouse Studios and Gallery”.

Bindon Street, Ennis - NIAH Building of the Month

The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage has featured Bindon Street in Ennis as its Building of the Month for August.

The feature was written by Lucille Ellis, author of the recently-published book on the street ‘Bindon Street and Bank Place’.

The article is illustrated by some wonderful photographs of the Georgian houses on the street. There are many other buildings in Ennis featured in the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage Collection of photographs on Clare County Library's website

and over 600 photographs of buildings of architectural distinction in County Clare.

See http://foto.clarelibrary.ie/fotoweb/ for over 26,000 images of County Clare. Photo above shows detail of the railing outside a house on Bindon Street, Ennis.

Scariff library - hive of activity during Scariff Harbour Festival

Scariff Public Library was a hive of activity during the recent Scariff Harbour Festival. On Saturday 1st August, artist Grace Burton worked in a cloud of glitter and feathers to produce costume masks with some 70 children in a free workshop. In the afternoon, author Donal Ryan read several excerpts from his works including one from an as of yet unpublished short story. Engaging and funny, he gave a good insight into his characters, their creation and development. He pointed out that none of the content of his stories are made up, but are all based on true life experiences and happenings, albeit embellished at times. He also spoke about writing and how it happened for him, the trials and tribulations of getting published (or not!), about his early life growing up and the people in his life who helped to form him as a writer.

Riches of Clare Concert June 24, 2015 - Seanie McGrath, Kieran Kissane, Kieran Hehir, and John Maloney

"Seanie McGrath, The Kierans - Kissane & Hehir, and John Maloney performing at the Riches of Clare concert series on June 24, 2015 (04)." Posted on Youtube on the 29th of June 2015 by Niamahaines.

Riches of Clare Concert June 10, 2015 - John Kelly, Sheila Garry, Aiobheann Murphy, and Brian Mooney

"John Kelly, Sheila Garry, Aiobheann Murphy, and Brian Mooney performing at the Riches of Clare concert series on June 10, 2015 (03)." Posted on Youtube on the 13th of June 2015 by Niamhaines.

Cliffs of Moher from the sea

Views of the Cliffs of Moher from the sea. Posted on Youtube on the 14th of July 2015 by luki78pl.

Burren: Middle of the nowhere

"A short movie about Burren in Ireland: megalithic tomb and Burren Perfumery." Posted on Youtube on the 14th of July 2015 by Vito Werner.

Surf's Up Dudes - surfing in Lahinch 2015

"Surfing in Lahinch, County Clare, with the The Green Room Surf Shop and Le Clique - a great weekend was had by all." posted on Youtube onn the 17th of July 2015 by Daryl Pereira.

Enchanted Way Tour of County Clare, June 2010

Enchanted Way Tour of County Clare, June 2010. Posted on Youtube on the 28th of July 2015 by Kolya Blacksmith.

The Sulphur Wells and Baths Piano at Lisdoonvarna, County Clare

"The Sulphur Wells and Baths Piano at Lisdoonvarna County Clare." Posted on Youtube on the 29th of July 2015 by machinehay.

A Glimpse into the Heart of Ireland - 'Katie Laden of Liscannor says her piece'

"On the road to Killarney on the by-ways of the Emerald Isle. Donkey carts and Irish peasants on roads. In streets of town. TOWN CRIERS ARE STILL THE NEWSPAPERS in rural Ireland. ON PRIMITIVE INISHORE IN GALWAY WHERE GAELIC IS STILL NATIVE TONGUE. Irish peasants dance gig. Aged man looks over gate, feet dancing, dancing men and girls. KATIE LADEN OF LISCANOR SAYS HER PIECE, child speaking." Posted on Youtube on the 21st of July 2015 by British Movietone.

Children’s Summer Reading - there’s still time to join the Adventure!

The Children’s Summer Reading Adventure has been running in all libraries in Clare since the 1st of July and if you haven’t joined up there’s still time. If you would like to read six books between now and the end of August visit your local library and ask for your start-up pack. You can also pick up Reading Adventure gifts, including bookmarks, wristbands, pencils, activity sheets and more as you progress from book to book. And there’s more… Completing the Challenge guarantees you a place at a fun entertainment evening in the Autumn at which all our readers are presented with certificates.

Children who have already joined are enjoying taking part, are entertained by the varied book selection, are reading more than ever before and exploring different types of books.

Children’s author Julia Donaldson champions the Summer Reading Adventure; “The Summer Reading Challenge brings together two of my favourite things – reading and libraries. It's free, it's a fun thing to do in the summer holidays and it's going to create lots of life-long readers.”

Those already taking part are helping us to promote the best books as the wall display (pictured above) of reviews for children by children in Shannon Library shows.