“The Moravians at Crossard: a view from the records” – lecture at the Clare Museum

For the final presentation in the Hidden Clare series of lectures at Clare Museum, well-known Clare historian Dr Rosemary Power will give a public talk on The Moravians at Crossard: a view from the records on Saturday, 9th March. Dr Power is a historian and associate with CAMPS at NUIG, and will shed some light on the establishment of the Moravian Church, built at Crossard in 1793, which flourished for a short period. The lecture will begin at 2.30 pm at Clare Museum and admission is free.

1913 Lockout Centenary

To mark the 100th anniversary of the 1913 Dublin lockout, the Irish Writers’ Union together with the Irish Writers’ Centre have launched the James Plunkett Short Story Award. A prize of €2,000 will be awarded to the winner, with €1,000 to the runner up and €500 for the third place. In recognition of the 100th anniversary of the lockout, Strumpet City by James Plunkett is the choice for the Dublin: One City, One Book project for 2013. The initiative, led by Dublin city Public Libraries, encourages everyone to read a book connected with the capital city during the month of April every year. Events ranging from photographic exhibitions to street rhymes for children to talks and music of the period will encourage everyone to engage with the book. Published by Gill and Macmillan, Strumpet City depicts the mass lockout of trade unionists by employers in 1913 - and has a wonderfully memorable cast of characters - not least the city itself. A film version of the book, starring Peter O'Toole, Peter Ustinov, David Kelly and Cyril Cusack, produced and directed by Tony Barry, was released in 1980. Lockout: Dublin 1913 by Padraig Yeates is essential reading for anyone interested in Irish labour history and Dublin society in the early twentieth century.

Ennis Book Club Festival 2013

The 2013 Ennis Book Club Festival runs from 1st to 3rd March 2013. The programme is wonderfully varied and includes fiction, poetry, social comment, literature and drama. Explore and celebrate these through readings, lectures, workshops, theatre - and any amount of chat. The Ennis Book Club Festival is a terrific social and literary gathering bringing together book club members and readers from Ireland and beyond. It is supported by Clare County Library and includes author readings, discussions, workshops and walking tours through the narrow streets and lanes of Ennis. You’ll find sessions on running book clubs, advice on reading lists, poetry, events as Gaeilge, and an opportunity to compare notes and meet with other readers. Come along and combine your love of reading with a great weekend away! Further details at www.ennisbookclubfestival.com

‘The Famine in Clare 1845- 1852’ - National Famine Commemoration in Kilrush

Kilrush has been selected as the host location for the 2013 National Famine Commemoration. In conjunction with this event, Kilrush Public Library will host an exhibition entitled ‘The Famine in Clare 1845- 1852’. This exhibition provides details of Clare’s Poor Law Unions, Relief Works, Evictions, Mortality and Emigration rates, together with listings of names of the deceased from Kilrush and Ennistymon workhouses 1850 – 1851. The launch of this exhibition will take place on Tuesday 26th February at 6 pm and it will remain on show in the library over the coming months. According to Clare-based historian and author, Ciaran O Murchadha, Kilrush is recognised nationally as one of the locations worst affected by starvation, disease and emigration between 1845 and 1852. The Famine years brought much hardship to Kilrush. Evictions, fever and cholera reduced the population of South-West Clare to such an extent that it has never again attained its pre-Famine numbers. Kilrush Workhouse witnessed terrible deprivation and deaths. During and after the Famine, the Vandeleur name became synonymous with the worst of landlord evictions, with more than 20,000 evicted in the Kilrush area. Illustrations from Kilrush at the time of the Famine featured in the Illustrated London News and these illustrations are the best-recognised images of the Famine conditions in Ireland. Images of the Famine from Moveen were depicted and the ruins of the village are visible today. Other strong attributes from the area include the association with Captain Kennedy, Vandeleur Estate, the Famine plot and memorial garden at Old Shanakyle cemetery and the Paupers’ Quay, among many other sites and stories.

Anon is Anall - musician Paul Dooley and artist Mike O'Connor

"Anon is Anall Project 2013. Traditional Clare musicians and contemporary artists inspiring each other. Michael O'Connor's lino prints and Paul Dooley's harp music features. The film will be shown as part of the Anon is Anall exhibition in March at Glor music centre, Ennis, Clare." Posted on Youtube on the 11th of February 2013 by ocojosie.

Martin Hayes & Gabriel Byrne - "Down by the Sally Gardens"

"An excerpt from the Other Voices concerts in New York's Le Poisson Rouge night club. Master of Ceremonies Gabriel Byrne reading William Butler Yeat's poem 'Down By The Sally Gardens' accompanied by the virtuoso playing of Martin Hayes... a wonderful moment from a pretty special event." Posted on Youtube on the 8th of October 2012 by Gabriel Byrne.

Ennis - County Clare

"Nestled on a small island in a fork of the River Fergus, Ennis is the main county town of Clare. Originaly founded circa 1250 by Franciscan Monks, the town has retained much of its medieval feel. The town is surrounded by water on all sides as the river Fergus and its tributaries flow through and around it giving rise to its name Ennis, derived from the Irish, Inis, which means island." Posted on Youtube on the 7th of January 2013 by mydestinationvideo.

Lough Derg, County Clare

"A short movie highlighting the beauty of Lough Derg, County Clare, Ireland." posted on Youtube on the 20th of February 2013 by clare virtually.

The beauty of Ireland on the way to the Cliffs of Moher

"Krótki film ukazujący piękną zieloną wyspę, jaka jest Irlandia, z punktu widzenia kierowcy... Jak widać na filmie, udało nam się załapać na podwójną tęczę. [A short video showing a beautiful green island, which is Ireland, from the point of view of the driver ... As you can see in the video, we managed to squeeze in a double rainbow.]" Video shows approach to the Cliffs of Moher from the north and later on to Lahinch etc. Posted on Youtube on the 17th of february 2013 by grzduda.

Chiming the bells of St Flannan's Cathedral, Killaloe

"Chiming on the bells of St Flannan's Cathedral, Killaloe, County Clare. The bells can be heard on most Sundays at just past 11.am. The bells are rung for Sunday worship and on other occasions such as weddings and other special services through out the year. Unlike the more traditional peels of bells to found in churches throughout the UK and Ireland, these bells are arranged in a "chime" in order that one person can ring all the bells as opposed to the 6, 8 or more ringers required to ring a full peel of bells. This is useful for churches with small congregations such as St Flannan's." Posted on Youtube on the 14th of February 2010 by coopermartin66.