Longbow making and archery at Ballyhannon House, Quin, County Clare

Longbow making and archery at Ballyhannon House Riding Centre, Quin, County Clare. Posted on Youtube on the 17th of September 2015 by Brooksvideocom.

Mr Singh My Heart's Delight by Brian Friel (1971)

Mr Singh My Heart's Delight, a short film made in 1971 starring Sheila Matchett, Paul Hoffman Bill McCaddon and Renu Setna, produced by Peter Chesney, with cameraman Roger Pratt, from a story written by Brian Friel. Posted on Youtube on the 20th of April 2014 by Paul Hoffmann.

25th anniversary of Brian Friel's 'Translations' on RTÉ’s Rattlebag

"RTÉ (Irish public radio) documentary on Field Day marking the 25th anniversary of the opening night of Brian Friel's play 'Translations'. Includes interviews with Prof Kevin Whelan of the Keough-Naughton Institute at the University of Notre Dame, and Stephen Rea, Field Day co-founder. First aired 23 September 2005." Posted on Youtube on the 24th of February 2015 by Field Day.

Digital Platform for Contemporary Irish Writing

The English Department at University College Dublin has published a new public online resource, the Digital Platform for Contemporary Irish Writing www.contemporaryirishwriting.ie.

The pilot project, entitled "50 Irish Books", features books by Irish writers published between 2009 and 2013. Each title on the list comes with links to a wide range of reviews and author interviews, along with many other online text, audio and video resources. The aim is to highlight the variety of resources relating to contemporary Irish writing for the information and enjoyment of the reading public and to support courses on Irish literature taught internationally. The 50 selected books span fiction, memoir, short stories, poetry and drama. The team at UCD say that they look forward to developing and amplifying 50 Irish Books through the participation of readers, writers, academics and publishers.

Autumn Reading for Children with Clare County Library

Now that summer is over it’s time for children to get themselves stuck in a good book and Clare County Library is here to help. Six of our branch libraries run book clubs for children and their members have provided reviews of books they have read . There is also an on-line list of Book Promotions which gathers together children’s books on various themes and links to fun and educational kids’ websites. All books reviewed are available through Clare libraries. Membership of the children's library is free and members may borrow a total of four books from any library branch in the county. Also, of course, Children’s Book Festival has just started with plenty of book-based activities and events throughout the county.

Ageing Positively at Clare County Library this October

This year, from Thursday 1st of October to Friday 9th October 2015, Age Action celebrates 13 years of Positive Ageing Week and both young and old coming out in force in their towns and communities to celebrate ageing in a positive light. Positive Ageing Week over the last number of years has expanded rapidly due to the enthusiasm of older people and their communities who have embraced the idea and made it their own.

Clare County Library is delighted to once again count itself among the many organisations that embrace Positive Ageing Week and will celebrate it with a variety of activities this year.

Seán Lemass Public Library, Shannon, will host a wool spinning and textiles crafts demonstration with Susanna Anker at 11.30am on Friday, 2nd October. Susanna is a heritage expert on wool spinning and is based in Kilmihil, County Clare. On Tuesday, 6th October at 3pm, Kilrush Public Library will host a jewellery-making workshop with Mary Reynolds. Both events are free but places are limited and booking is required.

Scariff Public Library will transform into a cinema on Thursday, 8th October, with a free movie screening. Details are available at the library desk or on 061-922893. Also on Thursday 8th October at 12pm, the Hillery Public Library, Miltown Malbay, will welcome Carron native and storyteller Paddy Hynes with his unique blend of storytelling and entertainment, which he will share with the children of Rockmount National School. Senior citizens are also invited to come along and enjoy this free event where young and old are guaranteed to be captivated by Paddy’s tales of days gone by.

Throughout the week selected branches around the county will have book displays featuring positive ageing related titles. There will also be free copies of the library's booklet entitled "Positive Ageing: A Reading List from Clare County Library" available to pick up at all branches.

Remember too that Senior Citizens can avail of free library membership in all of Clare County Library’s branches. So, during Positive Ageing Week, or at any time of the year, why not join your local branch library? You’ll discover a whole world of books, CDs, DVDs and more. You may even join one of our many clubs including book clubs and scrabble clubs. A whole new experience awaits you! For details of all events check with your local branch, phone 065-6821616 or visit www.clarelibrary.ie. Details of national events are available at www.ageaction.ie/positive-ageing-week-2015.

Seán Lemass Public Library gets down to business

A range of new services being provided at Seán Lemass Public Library in Shannon to help people access employment and consider creating their own business will be officially launched on Tuesday, 29 September at 6.30pm.

The new services include free Wi-Fi and Public Access Internet PCs; a Surfbox printing, scanning and photocopying service; an employment noticeboard and free access to online resources such as Vision-net.ie, as well as access to the Library's enhanced selection of business books, journals and newspapers.

Tuesday's public event will also feature a talk, entitled ‘Start Your Own Business’, by Padraic McElwee, Head of Enterprise at the Local Enterprise Office, Clare. The talk will outline what is involved in starting a business and how individuals and start-ups can go about accessing the supports available.

Contact Seán Lemass Public Library on (061) 364266 for more information.

Aoibheann Queally and Eoin O'Neill performing at the Corofin Trad Fest 2015

Aoibheann Queally and Eoin O'Neill performing at the Corofin Traditional Festival on March 2nd, 2015. Posted on Youtube on the 7th of May 2015 by Niamhaines.

Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill on KUNM Radio Studio Sessions

"Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill visit with Carol Boss on KUNM's Afternoon Freeform, talk and perform three songs." Posted on Youtube on the 5th of July 2015 by KUNMradio.

Clare County Library celebrates the Summer Reading Adventure

This past week saw hundreds of children receive certificates of achievement for having completed the Summer Reading Adventure. The guest entertainer, who went down an absolute treat with children and parents alike, was artist and storyteller extraordinaire Wayne O’Connor, whose hilarious tales with a twist and quirky drawings had children jumping out of their seats. The Summer Reading Adventure was rolled out in all branches of Clare County Library at the beginning of July and ended on the last day of August. Participating children read at least six books during the Summer holidays with several reading many more. Special programme incentives motivated the children as they received stickers, wristbands, bookmarks etc. at various milestones during the Challenge. Children were invited to review their favourite reads and their recommendations for other children looking for a good book were not only extremely useful but created colourful displays in local libraries.

A specially designated website (www.librariesireland.ie/summer-reading-adventure) supported the children who joined the initiative, recommending the best reads, offering encouragement from famous authors and sports personalities and providing a treasure trove of book-related activities and helpful hints to explore.

Such is the interest in this programme annually that some libraries simply cannot accommodate the audiences. Clare County Library wishes to thank the Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis and the Bellbridge House Hotel, Spanish Point for providing first-rate venues for two of the celebratory events. Library members in West Clare attended Cultúrlann Sweeney, Kilkee, to receive their certificates and enjoy the entertainment and the Seán Lemass Public Library, Shannon was the celebratory venue for the children from Sixmilebridge, Newmarket on Fergus and Shannon libraries who completed the Reading Adventure. The final awards event will take place in Scariff Library on the 26th of September.