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.

Hardkoor Jubileumtour - singing at the Cliffs of Moher

Hardkoor Jubileumtour at the Cliffs of Moher, County Clare. Posted on Youtube on the 20th of September 2015 by H. Werhoven.

"Anything" by The Impossibles from Ennis, County Clare

"In partnership with Music Generation, the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus was in Ennis, County Clare with some fresh up and coming artists, continuing the tradition that creating original music is! Today's peace... inspired by a certain representative flag it seems. Imagine Peace!" posted on Youtube on the 31st of august 2015 by John Lennon Educational Tour Bus.

Culture Night 2015 - Ennis Vlog

"A little vlog of Culture Night 2015 in Ennis, County Clare. Events visited: 'Wood from the Trees' - Honans Antiques 'Music from around the World' 'Visit the Museum' 'Light of the Burren' - County Museum 'Poetry & the Delta Blues' - The Record Break Cafe 'The Secret Life of Plastic' - Monastery Park 'Rooted - a Collective Collaboration' - Zest. Video by Aoife Lenihan." Posted on Youtube on hte 20th of September 2015 by Gary Collins Photography.

Caving at Ballyvaughan, County Clare

Caving at Ballyvaughan, County Clare. Posted on Youtube on the 6th of September 2015 by Sarah Keogh.

The Outing Lisdoonvarna LGBT Matchmaking & Music Festival

"The Outing Lisdoonvarna LGBT Matchmaking & Music Festival County Clare, October 2nd – 4th 2015. Now in its third year, the fast growing offshoot of the historical matchmaking festival is back and bigger than ever. With pop-up clubs, drag performances, comedy, live music and interactive events, it’s a guaranteed craic-filled weekend away on Ireland’s stunning west coast." Posted on Youtube on the 15th of September 2015 by The Outing Lisdoonvarna.