MapBrowser - our new online maps system

Clare County Library is delighted to announce the arrival of MapBrowser, our new integrated maps system. Developed by Rainer Kosbi as an alternative to his SVG maps system, MapBrowser will run in the majority of browsers using Adobe's Flash Player on Windows and Apple Mac personal computers and can be used to easily access the majority of our online maps. Click here for the new online maps system...

Tom Carey at Éigse Mrs. Crotty 2008

Tom Carey with Mairéad Considine, from the Concertina Recital in Teach Cheoil at Éigse Mrs. Crotty 2008 in Kilrush. Posted on Youtube by handstrapz on the 25th September 2008.

Well-known Clare musician Tom Carey has died recently after a long illness. “Born into a small farm in the townland of Leitrim on October 27th, 1933, Tom was one of four children. He was introduced to concertina music through his mother Minnie, while his father Joseph was on of the first people to purchase a gramophone in the area and he became an avid collector of 78 rpm recordings. Michael ‘Stack’ Ryan was one of his greatest influences and Tom commenced tuition with him at 14 years of age. He also had tuition from Elizabeth Crotty. Tom first came to prominence on national radio in the mid fifties, having been recorded with Solus Lilly at Crotty’s pub in Kilrush by broadcaster and music collector Ciarán Mac Mathúna. In 1962 he was recorded by Seán Ó Riada in Flynn’s pub in Cree, as part of Ó Riada’s highly influential radio series ‘Our Musical Heritage’ which was broadcast on Radio Éireann later that year. In 1974, Tom, in duet with Solus Lillis, contributed three selections to ‘Irish Styles’, an album recorded by Englishmen Neil Wayne and John Tans and released on the Topic record label in 1977. After this it would be another 32 years until he completed another recording, when he was persuaded to record a few selections in Walshe’s pub innCree, for his CD Tom Carey and Friends.” (Quote from The Clare Champion, Friday April 16th, 2010)

Shortlist for 2010 IMPAC Award announced

The shortlist for the 2010 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award was announced by The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr. Emer Costello on April 12th. The shortlist of 8 titles was selected from a total of 156 novels nominated by 163 public library systems in 123 cities worldwide. The 2010 shortlist is a real mix of books. Some of them are very well known and have already received awards; two are first novels and three are translated titles. The shortlisted titles are
The Twin by Gerbrand Bakker
The Elegance Of The Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
In Zodiac Light by Robert Edric
Settlement by Christoph Hein
The Believers by Zoe Heller
Netherland by Joseph O'Neill
God's Own Country by Ross Raisin
Home by Marilynne Robinson.
Netherland by Joseph O’Neill appeared on the Man Booker Prize longlist of 2008 and got a huge boost when President Obama mentioned that he was reading it. Marilynne Robinson’s Home would appear to be the favourite to take the prize. Home has already won the 2009 Orange Prize for Fiction. Robinson also won the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for her novel Gilead.The Believers is Zoe Heller’s third novel. Notes on a Scandal was very highly regarded and made the shortlist for the 2003 Booker prize. Robert Edric’s books have been nominated for the Booker prize on two occasions. The two first novels on the shortlist are The Twin by Gerbrand Bakker and God’s Own Country by Ross Raisin. The Twin by Gerbrand Bakker is translated from the original Dutch. The Elegance Of The Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery is translated from French. Settlement by Christoph Hein is a translation of the original German publication. The award is the largest literary prize worldwide with a value of €100,000. The prize is open to novels written in any language and by authors of any nationality, provided the work has been published in English or as an English translation. The nomination process for the Award is unique as nominations are made by libraries in capital and major cities throughout the world. Writing in The Irish Times Eileen Battersby says "This year’s judges of the Impac prize were provided with literary gold-dust in the books selected by library readers – and for the most part, they have produced a shortlist reflecting that quality". She says that the presence of novels in translation has always been the strength of the Impac, and its ability to introduce readers to outstanding foreign fiction is the major achievement of the award. The five member judging panel will select the winner which will be announced on Thursday June 17th 2010. See www.impacdublinaward.ie/ for more information.

Móinín and Clare Libraries help young writers of the future

For the second year in a row Clare County Library and the County Arts Office have come together to offer teenagers in the county a realistic opportunity to develop their writing skills under the expert guidance of author Ré O Laighléis. The project was also sponsored by the Ballyvaughan-based publishing house MÓINÍN, and Clare County Library is also greatly indebted to O’Mahony’s Booksellers, Limerick for their generous contribution towards this worthwhile undertaking. Ré O Laighléis is the biggest selling contemporary author in the Irish language. His novel Gafa (Móinín, 2005) has recently featured on the Leaving Cert syllabus and works of his, such as ‘Ecstasy & other stories’ (Móinín, 2005), ‘Hooked’ (Móinín 1999/2007) and his Burren titles are read widely by the general readership and at second and third levels, not just here in Ireland, but also throughout Britain and North America. A similar six-session course in Creative Writing began in Se´n Lemass Public Library, Shannon, in 2009 for students from St. Patrick’s Comprehensive and St Caiman’s Community Schools, and such was the success of the venture for all involved that it was decided to repeat it, this time for post-primary schools in West Clare. Ré O Laighléis was course director for both projects. On the evening of March 25th 2010, four young writers from St. Joseph’s Community College Kilkee and eight from Kilrush Community College had the opportunity to read the short stories they had written for an audience comprising people from their community including their parents and teachers. Throughout a six week period, beginning in January the participants’ work was inspired, read and evaluated with constructive suggestions for its amendment and development by Ré on a continuous basis. Complimenting the aspiring authors, Ré O Laighléis had the following to say: “Such a level of commitment yielded results that would merit place on any continuum of excellence. The topics addressed by the writers are entirely of their own choosing – indeed, any deliberate selection of subject matter for them would serve only to defeat the purpose of the course. The variety of themes reflects the concerns and interests of the stories’ writers. The levels of insight and maturity revealed within their writings are refreshing and, at times, astounding. Ranging from social conflict to sporting interest, from psychological thriller to sci-fi and post-apocalyptic warfare, one is forced to flirt with cliché in attesting that all of life (and other life) is truly here.” Clare County Library Service is hoping to continue the project into a third year in 2010, again bringing together a group of young students interested in writing, helping them to hone their skills and gain invaluable tuition and experience in the art of short story writing. Image above shows Ré O Laighleis with Young Writers from Kilrush & Kilkee Community Colleges.

Kate Thompson visits deValera Library, Ennis as guest at recent book club meeting.

Students from Clare Youth Service and staff of Clare County Library were thrilled to welcome author Kate Thompson to their April book club meeting. This particular group which meets each month in deValera Library Ennis immediately engaged with Kate’s book Creature of the Night when they read it in recent weeks. The story had a greater impact when the characters, the setting and the whole experience of its creation were discussed in depth by its author at a casual get together in the library. Kate also talked about her other books which have to date been translated into many languages and her interaction with publishers and illustrators. Simple advice to the group such as always having a pen and notebook near at hand to jot down thoughts and ideas was just one of the tricks of the trade that Kate shared with the group who have a renewed interest in books and reading as a result of her visit.
Included in the picture above are Jason Keane, Milan Portal, Teresa Larkin and Ciara Slattery with author Kate Thompson.

Shortlist for the Bisto Children’s Book of the Year 2009/10

The Bisto Book of the Year Award 2009/10 Shortlist. has recently been announced.
Bisto, in association with Children’s Books Ireland, introduced this award to recognise talent in the field of children’s literature by Irish authors or authors living in Ireland. Having developed into highly regarded and prestigious book awards over the last decade or more, the shortlisted and winning titles serve to bring new children’s books to the attention of children, parents, teachers and librarians. Speaking about the shortlist, Maire Uí Mhaicín, Chair of the 2009-10 Judging Panel, said: "This year's shortlist provides challenging and entertaining reading material: the works included span across the ranges of fantasy, mystery, folklore and the gritty realities being endured by young people as they cope with life changes. The variety of books shortlisted will ensure satisfying reading material for readers of different ages, interests and reading levels.” The introduction of a Children's Choice Award this year adds a new dimension to the competition and ensures that the most important judges of all, the young readers themselves, will champion their favourite read.

2009/2010 Shortlisted titles:

An Greasaí Bróg agus na Síoga - by Catríona Hastings, illustrator Andrew Hastings
Chalkline – by Jane Mitchell
Colm and the Lazarus Key - by Kieran Mark Crowley
Gluaiseacht - by Alan Titley
Lincoln and His Boys – by PJ Lynch
Solace of the Road – by Siobhan Dowd
The Eyeball Collector - by F.E Higgins
The Gates – by John Connolly
The Third Pig Detective Agency - by Bob Burke
There - by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick

Kieran Mark Crowley, author of Colm and the Lazarus Key is no stranger to Clare libraries having toured many of our branches during Children’s Book Festival in October 2009. He also visited Connolly National School in March 2010 as an added event to the school’s participation in the WOW Reading Challenge.

Fleadh Cheoil an Chláir, Kilfenora, 17th to 21st June 2010

Fleadh Cheoil an Chláir will once again be hosted by Kilfenora Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and will take place from 17th to 21st June 2010. The competitions will take place on Saturday 19th for 15-18 & Senior age groups, and Sunday 20th June for under 9, under 12 & 12-15 age groups. A detailed timetable will be available after entries close. Set Dancing will be held on Saturday 19th and Céilí dancing will be held on Sunday 20th June. In addition to the music and dancing competitions, there will a Comhrá Gaeilge competition which is open to both members and non members of Comhaltas. The closing date for receipt of Comhaltas membership is Friday 30th April 2010. The closing date for entries has been set for Thursday 27th May 2010 at 5pm. All entries to county secretary (086 8181262) colmnestor@gmail.com. More information at http://comhaltas.ie/events/detail/clare_fleadh_2010/

Blackie O'Connell in Doolin, The Burren, Ennistymon & Lahinch

Uileann piper Michael "Blackie" O'Connell visits Doolin, The Burren, Ennistymon and Lahinch in County Clare for Discover Ireland. Posted on Youtube by TheOldGroundHotel on the 25th September, 2009.

Vote for your favourite Irish Book of the Decade

50 of the best and most popular books written by Irish authors over the last 10 years have been shortlisted for the Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Awards – Book of the Decade Award. The shortlist was selected by a panel which included Irish booksellers, librarians and journalists. The public can vote for the winner of the award on www.bookofthedecade.ie with the winner to be announced on May 28th. Bert Wright, the award administrator, said "Fortunately for us, there is one Irish stock which never loses value, one which encapsulates the essence of a society more surely than any café society veneer ever did, by which I mean, of course, the blue-chip stock that is Ireland’s literary heritage. It is what defines us". He said that the judges would have liked for their choices to balance the public vote but the sponsors wanted to be 'populist'. Crime writer John Connolly said "Sometimes there are lists of books that people feel they should read but this seems to be one people might actually enjoy reading". This shortlist does have something for everyone – popular fiction (Cecelia Ahern’s PS I Love You), literary fiction (John Banville’s The Sea), biography (Bill Cullen’s It’s a Long Way from Penny Apples), sport (Paul McGrath’s Back From the Brink), economics (David McWilliam’s The Pope’s Children), politics (Diarmaid Ferriter’s Judging Dev) and humour (Paul Howard’s Should Have Got Off at Sydney Parade).

5 books for children or young adults are also nominated for the award - Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer, Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy, The New Policeman by Kate Thompson, Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne and Bog Child by Siobhan Dowd. See www.bookofthedecade.ie for the full list and to cast your vote. Voting closes on May 27th with the winner being announced on May 28th.

Pulitzer Prize winners announced

The winners of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize have been announced. In the “Letters, Drama and Music” section Tinkers by Paul Harding has won the fiction prize for distinguished fiction by an American author, preferably dealing with American life. The book is described as a powerful celebration of life in which a New England father and son, through suffering and joy, transcend their imprisoning lives and offer new ways of perceiving the world and mortality. Lords of Finance: The Bankers Who Broke the World by Liaquat Ahamed has been awarded the History prize for a distinguished book on the history of the United States. The book is a compelling account of how four powerful bankers played crucial roles in triggering the Great Depression and ultimately transforming the United States into the world’s financial leader.