County Clare Events Calendar 2008
See also Library Events and Clare Focus - What's On Today (external link)

DECEMBER 2008:

• Saturday & Sunday, 20th & 21st December 2008
  Ballyvaughan Christmas Market
  Ballyvaughan Farmers’ Market is delighted to announce that this year they will be joining forces with Burren Crafts Fair to host their first Ballyvaughan Christmas Market. Located in the community hall. There will be a wide selection of fresh local produce and a variety of quality local crafts all with a festive influence.
• Saturday, December 20th, 2008
  Downes’ Pub, Bealaha, 9.00pm
  Launch of 'The Whispering Changing Times of Clare' - a book of poetry by Padraig Haugh
  Champagne reception with food and music.
  25% of all proceeds will be donated to West Clare Cancer Support.
• December 17th, 2008
  Club Ragairne
  X-PO, Kilnaboy 8.30pm.
  Irish language social group that meets for chat and fun – all levels of Irish welcome.
  For further information contact xpo.community@gmail.com
• Saturday & Sunday 13th & 14th December 2008
  Ballyvaughan Christmas Market
  Ballyvaughan Farmers’ Market is delighted to announce that this year they will be joining forces with Burren Crafts Fair to host their first Ballyvaughan Christmas Market. Located in the community hall. There will be a wide selection of fresh local produce and a variety of quality local crafts all with a festive influence.
• December 13th - 14th
  Doolin
  Christmas Market at the Russell Community Centre. Fresh baked foods, Christmas puddings and cakes, wreaths and flowers, greenery and natural and handcrafted Christmas decorations!
  Saturday - Sunday, December 13th - 14th, from 11.00am to 7.00pm
• December 13th
  Burren College of Art, Ballyvaughan
  Free 1-day conference on Burren Archaeology
  Saturday the 13th of December will see a day of talks relating to the archaeology of the Burren, held at the Burren College of Art in Ballyvaughan. These talks are the result of the Burren Landscape and Settlement Project funded by INSTAR (Irish National Strategic Archaeological Research). This project, based in NUI Galway, has brought together the work of several archaeologists currently working in the Burren.
  Topics to be discussed will include prehistoric remains at Turlough Hill, Roughan Hill, Coolnatullagh, Carron and Cappanawalla and Medieval evidence from Caherconnell, Cahermacnaghten and Lislarheen. Speakers will include Ronan Hennessey (project IT specialist), Dr. Stefan Bergh (NUI Galway), Frank Coyne (AEGIS Archaeology Ltd.), Dr. Carleton Jones (NUI Galway), Olive Carey (NUI Galway), Clare Hennigar (NUI Galway), Christine Grant (National Monuments Service), Dr. Michelle Comber (NUI Galway), Graham Hull (TVAS Ireland Ltd.), Dr. Elizabeth FitzPatrick (NUI Galway), Richard Clutterbuck (independent archaeologist) and Eve Campbell (NUI Galway).
  This conference marks the end of the first phase of the Burren Landscape and Settlement INSTAR project. Work so far has focused on establishing a research framework for Burren archaeology. This has involved addressing topics such as the relationship between secular and ritual activity, boundaries and land use, movement throughout the Burren, social organisation, the influence of early landscapes on later developments and the Burren in a wider archaeological context.
  The talks will start at 9.00am and admission is free. All are welcome.
  For more details on the Burren Landscape and Settlement INSTAR project, please see http://www.nuigalway.ie/faculties_departments/archaeology/Research/Burren_Landscape_Through_Time/burren_landscape_ cluster_index.html
  Supported by the Heritage Council under the Irish National Strategic Archaeological Research (INSTAR) Programme 2008.
• Tuesday, 9th December
  The Old Kilfarboy Society is presenting the last talk of 2008 when the guest speakers are Simon and Maria O'Dwyer.
  Their topic, the ancient music of Ireland, includes not only information on the subject, dating as far back as 8,000 BC, but also a live demonstration by Simon on instruments such as horns, trumpets, bone flutes, bronze bells, stone flutes and whistles. Mr O'Dwyer has dedicated his life's work to the study and (with others) the reconstruction of prehistoric instruments and the role of music in the lives of the ancient people of Ireland.
  The evening, which promises to be both informative and highly entertaining, will take place at The Malbay, Miltown Malbay, commencing at 8.00pm. Please be on time in order to be guaranteed a seat. All are welcome.
• December 8
  Clare Archaeological and Historical Society
  Standing Stones of Co. Clare: A study of the Bronze Age monolith tradition and its landscape setting in Clare
  by Tom Moloney, M. Litt.
  Lectures held at Clare Museum, Arthur’s Row, Ennis at 8.30pm.
  For further information tel. 065-6823382 / 087-9165916 or email egreene@clarecoco.ie
• Sunday, December 7th
  Ennis Cathedral
  Christmas concert with over 100 members of the award winning Tullamore Gospel Choir.
  Start 7.00pm. Tickets are available from Record Rack for €15.00 each.
• Saturday & Sunday 6th & 7th December 2008
  Ballyvaughan Christmas Market
  Ballyvaughan Farmers’ Market is delighted to announce that this year they will be joining forces with Burren Crafts Fair to host their first Ballyvaughan Christmas Market. Located in the community hall. There will be a wide selection of fresh local produce and a variety of quality local crafts all with a festive influence.
• Saturday, December 6th, 2008
  Cois na hÁbhanna, Gort Rd., Ennis
  Clare Traditional Boats and Currachs Conference
  The Clare Heritage Section of Clare County Council in association with the Heritage Council present
  Boats, Place, People
  9.30am - 4.00pm
  Speakers include:
  • · Pádraig Ó Duinnín from TG4's popular series Muintir na Mara
  • · Criostóir Mac Cárthaigh, editor of the major new publication Traditional Boats of Ireland
  • · Richard Collins of the West Clare Currach Club
  • · Darina Tully, chief consultant on the Clare Traditional Boats and Currachs Study, 2008.
  The conference will also include presentations on the Maritime placenames of County Clare and "Forth they go for to rescue or to die!" the dramatic rescue of the French ship LEON XIII by Quilty Fishermen in 1907.
  The Conference surrounds the official Launch of Clare Traditional Boats and Currachs Study, conducted across county Clare in the summer 2008. The winner of the Clare Maritime Heritage Photographic Competition will also be announced!
  THE CONFERENCE IS FREE TO THE PUBLIC. EARLY ATTENDANCE IS ADVISED.
  For further info contact Tomás Mac Conmara at 065- 6846456.
• 4th - 23rd December
  Courthouse Gallery
  Parliament Street, Ennistymon, Co.Clare.
  Christmas Exhibition
  NATURE NURTURE?
  Paintings, photography and drawings by:
  Louise Butler, Eamon Doyle, Sara Foust, Michelle Fallon, Finola Graham, Isabelle Gaborit, Jacqui Hersey, Melanie Jones, Carol Kennedy, Fiona Murray, Deirdre O'Mahony, Mairead O'Neill Laher, Gearldine O'Reilly (Aosdana), Achim Riffelwood, Frank Sanford, Richard Sharpe, Ilsa Thielan, Manus Walsh, Rita Wobbe and Fiona Woods.
  Purchased art can be collected on Saturday, 20th December and Tuesday, 23rd December.
  Gallery opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday 12.00 to 5.00pm
  Blog: ennistymoncourthousegallery.blogspot.com
• Wednesday, 3rd December 2008
  Time: 7.30pm
  Transition Town Ennis presents "The Power of Community - How Cuba survived peak oil"
  Venue: Glór, Admission: €3
• December 3rd, 2008
  Club Ragairne
  X-PO, Kilnaboy 8.30pm.
  Irish language social group that meets for chat and fun – all levels of Irish welcome.
  For further information contact xpo.community@gmail.com

NOVEMBER 2008:

• November 30th
  Ballyvaughan – Fanore Walking Club Walks Calendar
  Muckinish / Aillwee (4hrs). Leader: Kevin McCormack, telephone 086–3272472
  Meet at Parish Hall, Ballyvaughan at 10.30am. Walk at 11.00am.
  http://www.ballyvaughanfanorewalkingclub.com/
• November 29th - December 31st
  Russell Gallery, New Quay
  The Burren Way - paintings by Joe Jordan and Doreen Drennan
  Tel: 065-7078185, Website: www.russellgallery.net
• Friday, November 28th
  Glor, Ennis
  Apples in winter
  A short 50 minute film about Apples with a live performance of music, song and dance associated with the Apple. This performance will be filmed as the live score to the film by filmmaker Fergus Tighe.
  Featuring Karen Casey, Vocal; Mary Frances Keenan Vocals; Michelle Mulcahy, Fiddle/ Harp; Carl Corcoran, Piano; Cindy Cummings, Dance; Mick O Brien, Pipes/Whistle & Tommy Hayes, Percussion.
  This project has been sponsored by the Arts Council's Deis programme.
  Performances will begin at 7pm and 9pm
  For further information contact Glór Box Office, tel. 065-6843103, email: boxoffice@glor.ie
• 27th – 29th November
  Falls Hotel, Ennistymon
  Co-operation and Integration: The key to Successful Tourism
  Presented by Clare Tourist Council and Clare County Council
• 24th November - 20th December
  Scariff Public Library
  Exhibition of Paintings by Sherin Anup, Louise Houlihan and Pat Hall
  Sherin Anup's work is mostly landscape art, mainly in watercolour. Louise's work is mainly of flowers and animals and Pat's is of portraits in landscapes.
• November 23rd
  Ballyvaughan – Fanore Walking Club Walks Calendar
  Caherbullog (4hrs). Leader: Michael Queally, telephone 086–0767776
  Meet at O’Donoghues Pub, Fanore at 10.30am. Walk starts at 11.00am.
  http://www.ballyvaughanfanorewalkingclub.com/
• November 19th, 2008
  Club Ragairne
  X-PO, Kilnaboy 8.30pm.
  Irish language social group that meets for chat and fun – all levels of Irish welcome.
  For further information contact xpo.community@gmail.com
• November 17th – December 6th
  Foyer of the County Museum, Ennis
  50 Years Past
  An exhibition of paintings by Patrick Ryan and Christina Watkins featuring images and items from the artists’ childhoods.
• November 16th, 2008
  X-PO Kilnaboy, Co Clare (2 miles North of Corofin)
  PENNING THE MARTS by MEGS MORELY
  Launch: Sunday 16th November 12.00 – 2.00pm
  Opening times: Monday - Thursday 2.00 – 5.00pm. Friday 10.30 – 12.30 (X-PO coffee mornings)
  Information: xpo.community@gmail.com
• Friday, November 14th, 2008
  Johnston’s Hall, Kinvara
  New album launch - Popular Burren based artist and musician Jim McKee is launching his new album ‘just a piece of’ at 8.30pm.
  This is the first solo album from the Tyrone musician and features a number of local musicians.
• Friday, November 14th, 2008
  O’Donoghue’s pub in Fanore
  Fanore Singers night with special guest Tim Dennehy. All singers - and good listeners - are welcome.
• Wednesday, November 12th, 2008
  Heritage Inchicronan - "Cúirt sa Cistin" at 8.15pm in the Community Centre, Crusheen
  Following the truly enjoyable "Cúirt" on Wednesday, October 26th with Michael O'Donohue - farming activist and hero from Tubber - we are pleased to announce that Chrisy O'Loughlin will be our next guest speaker.
  'A Night on the Railway' promises to be an intimate exchange about the railroad and its influence on the local area.
  You are invited to join us for our informal talks and we look forward to seeing all our old friends and welcoming some new ones. A cup of tea/coffee and a chat guaranteed.
  Contact Anne at Tel: 065-6827172, Email: heritageinchicronan@gmail.com, Website: www.aughty.org
• Tuesday, 11 November at 8.00pm
  The Courthouse Gallery, Ennistymon
  ART APPRECIATION?! Discourse:
  Artist Finola Graham will discuss a series of topics relating to the RENAISSANCE period.
  There will be a slide show and questions from the audience in a very active participatory discussion.
  Tickets available at the gallery door. Adults €7, unwaged €5 and students €3.
• Tuesday, 11th November 2008
  The Old Kilfarboy Society meeting: folklorist, archivist and author Ríonach uí Ógáin will be speaking on the work of her friend and colleague, collector Tom Munnelly. Tom's work in recording and archiving the songs, music, stories and lore of the people of Ireland did much to ensure that they did not die out with their carriers. This is particularly the case here in Clare with singers and musicians such as Tom Lenihan of Miltown Malbay and Junior Crehan of Mullagh. Her talk, 'The collecting work of Tom Munnelly', will be given at The Malbay, The Square, Miltown Malbay, commencing at 8.00pm. All are welcome.
• November 10
  Clare Archaeological and Historical Society
  19th Century Women of Co. Clare: A look at how the nineteenth century ideal of women as the “Angel of the House” holds up when compared to reality using contemporary documents of the time from Co. Clare by Terri Shoosmith
  Lectures held at Clare Museum, Arthur’s Row, Ennis at 8.30pm
  For further information, Tel: 065-6823382 / 087-9165916 or Email: egreene@clarecoco.ie
• November 9th
  Ballyvaughan – Fanore Walking Club Walks Calendar
  Doolin to Fanore (4hrs). Leader: John Sharry, telephone 087–2750315
  Meet at O’Donoghues Pub Fanore at 10.00am. Leaving Fanore at 10.30am.
  http://www.ballyvaughanfanorewalkingclub.com/
• Friday, 7th November, starting at 8.00pm.
  St. Cronan's Church, Tuamgraney, Co. Clare
  Lecture: The Lesser Appreciated Built Heritage of the Irish Countryside by Christy Cunniffe
  Mr. Christy Cunniffe is employed as Field Monument Advisor by Galway County Council in a part-time capacity and consults in the area of Cultural Heritage. He contributes to REPS training programmes speaking on Measure 7 which is involved with the protection of archaeological features and built heritage.
  Workshop Details
  This workshop/lecture will include an overview of vernacular houses, outbuildings and other vernacular structures and their functions found on the farm or used in local crafts or industry. It will look at a number of different styles of stone walls and will include features associated with these walls, such as sheep creeps or bee boles. Other features such as bridges, stiles, gates, gate piers will also be discussed.
  Any queries please contact the East Clare Heritage Centre at 061-921315.
• November 5th, 2008
  Club Ragairne
  X-PO, Kilnaboy 8.30pm.
  Irish language social group that meets for chat and fun – all levels of Irish welcome.
  For further information contact xpo.community@gmail.com
• November 3rd – 21st
  Scarriff Library
  An Exhibition of work on cloth and in wire created by Tuamgraney and Scariff National Schools and Raheen Hospital Day Care Centre for the Iniscealtra Arts Festival.

OCTOBER 2008:

• October 22nd, 2008
  Club Ragairne
  X-PO, Kilnaboy 8.30pm.
  Irish language social group that meets for chat and fun – all levels of Irish welcome.
  October 22nd will feature a short Irish language film and comhrá / caife.
  For further information contact xpo.community@gmail.com
• Saturday, October 18th
  11am – 3pm
  United Nations International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2008
  An exhibition of Photographs illustrating Global Poverty will be held at Shannon Family Resource Centre, Rineanna View, Shannon.
  Fair Trade Products will be served on the day – Admission Free.
  All are welcome to submit photos to the exhibition prior to this date. Tel: 061-707600
• Friday, 17th October 2008 @ 8.00pm
  LEGITIMATE BODIES
  Contemporary Dance Company
  Coming to The Courthouse Gallery, Parliament Street, Ennistymon, Co. Clare. Tel. 065-7071630
  Tickets available at the door - €10, €8 unwaged and €5 children
  New Production: Touching Distance
  Touching Distance is an exciting new dance work, choreographed by Nick Bryson featuring three highly skilled dancers, Cristina Goletti, Aine Stapleton and Federica Esposito. It deals with touch between human beings as well as the dynamics within relationships. Touching Distance is an impassioned and full-length dance work of around 50 minutes duration. Real people on stage portray a dance able to touch a wide audience.
  WORKSHOPS:
  Teenage dance movement workshop on Friday, 17th morning 10.30am to 12.00 (€ 8each)
  Adult movement workshop on Thursday evening 7.30pm - 9.00pm, no experience necessary (€12, €10 unwaged)
  Childrens dance workshop age 7-9 on Saturnday morning 10.30am - 12.00 (€8)
  Should you wish to have your students partake in any of these please contact the Courthouse gallery as soon as possible as numbers are limited. Tel. 065-7071630
  See Blog for more details ennistymoncourthousegallery.blogspot.com
• Tuesday, 14th October
  The Old Kilfarboy Society will be holding the first of its 2008-2009 programme of talks featuring Congella Maguire on The Living Heritage and Carol Gleeson on The Human Heritage of Mutton Island.
  All are welcome and those wishing to become members may do so on the evening.
  As usual, the venue will be The Malbay, The Square, Miltown Malbay and the meeting will commence at 8pm.
  Later subjects in the programme will include 'The Collecting Work of Tom Munnelly', 'Westropp in Clare' and 'Early Medieval musical instruments of Ireland (with demonstration)'. Watch the press for further information.
• October 13
  Clare Archaeological and Historical Society
  Archaeological excavations at Caherconnell Cashel, Co. Clare: Implications for Ringfort Chronology and Gaelic Settlement by Graham Hull, Director, TVAS and Dr. Michelle Comber, NUIG
  Lectures held at Clare Museum, Arthur’s Row, Ennis at 8.30pm
  For further information, Tel: 065-6823382 / 087-9165916 or Email: egreene@clarecoco.ie
• Friday, October 10th, 2008
  Create for a Cure - Breast Cancer Awareness Fundraiser
  West County Hotel, Ennis
  8’til late
  Pottery Painting Evening followed by music with Happy Days.
  Cheese & Wine reception. Ladies Only. Tickets €30
  Tickets available from Siobhán Tierney 087-6199007 or from The Craft Box, Unit 6, Abbey Park, Quin Road Business Park, Ennis. Tel: 065-6840177
• Thursday, 9th October
  Opening reception of "Can't Stop the Rock"
  An exhibition of paintings by Cóilín Rush at 8.00pm at Courthouse Gallery, Parliament Street, Ennistymon, Co. Clare
  Gallery co-ordinator Maria Kerin will give a short talk at 3.10pm on Tuesdays during the exhibition
  All the family are welcome, especially the children.
• October 1st – 31st, 2008
  Sound Colours
  An exhibition of paintings by Achim Riffelwood is taking place at Sean Lemass Public Library, Shannon.

SEPTEMBER 2008:

• September 18th
  Killaloe: Art classes for children at the Artfarm, Killaloe (PDF document)
• Wednesday, 17th September, 6.30pm
  GROUND UP
  Reconsidering contemporary art practice in the rural context
  Burren College of Art, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare
  Launch of GROUND UP: Reconsidering contemporary art practice in the rural context
  A publication from the County Arts Office featuring the work of artists Vladimir Arkhipov, Amanda Dunsmore, Maria Finucane, Paul Forder, Patricia Hurl, Tamas Kaszas, Maria Kerin, Aileen Lambert, John Langan, Fiona O' Dwyer, Deirdre O' Mahony, Aine Phillips, Therry Rudin, Sean Taylor, Vince Wall & Fiona Woods
  and Essays by Maja and Reuben Fowkes, Matthew Lennon, Siobhan Mulcahy, Alan Phelan & Fiona Woods
  Guest speaker on the evening will be John Tunney, GMIT
• Sunday, September 14th
  The Old Kilfarboy Society will host the last walk of the season when well-known local historian, Paddy Nolan, will
  be conducting a guided tour of Kilkee and its environs. It will include a trip through a drowned forest, a tour of the west end of Kilkee and look out point, as well as a surprise historical experience in Kilkee.
  Meet at Bealaha Church (half way between Doonbeg and Kilkee) at 1.30pm. Sturdy shoes are advised and there will be a charge of 5 euros to cover insurance. Those needing a lift should be at Miltown Malbay carpark at 12.45pm. Further information from Meabh on 087-6553690
  The first in the Society's season of talks will take place at The Malbay, The Square, Miltown Malbay in October when Carol Gleeson will be speaking about Mutton Island.
• Friday, 12th September - Saturday, 4th October
  Courthouse Gallery, Parliament Street, Ennistymon, Co. Clare
  The exhibition opening of Clare – Voyance
  Where artist Sheena Meagher collects wordscapes and adds her own visions of the county.
  The exhibition will run until Saturday, 4th October, opening daily from 12pm – 5.00pm Tuesdays to Saturdays.
• Friday 5th – Sunday 7th September
  Ennis
  Wallpaper - a collective exhibition of unframed work.
  Wallpaper is a guerrilla-style exhibition of unframed work, which will take place in vacant retail unit Ennis, Co. Clare. The exhibition will showcase the work of local and national established and emerging contemporary artists.
  The show takes place in a unique location and features a wide range of mediums – silkscreen, spray-paint/stencil, photography, paint and sculpture.
  Featured artists include: Vincent Casey, Clara Conlon, Paul Corey, Kiernan Herlihy, Shelagh Honan, Rachel Mac Manus, Ciara Molone, Jim McKey and Ivan Twohig.
  Venue: No. 7 O’Connell Street, Ennis.
  Opening hours: Friday September 5th, 6:30 – 10pm,
  Saturday, September 6th and Sunday, September 7th from 12 – 8pm.
• September 5th - 7th
  Chord Ennis International Music Festival

AUGUST 2008:

• 29 August 2008, 9.30pm
  Best for the West Concert – featuring The Kane Sisters (fiddles) & John Blake (guitar, piano, flute)
  Magnetic Music Shop & Café, Doolin, contact 065-7074988 or info@magnetic-music.com
  Ticket prices and further info: http://www.magnetic-music.com/magnetic-music/magnetic1.html
• 28th August 2008
  The Courthouse Studios and Gallery, Ennistymon,
  presents Traditional and New Music From Ireland and Brittany, with
  Jean-Michel Veillon (Flute), Donal Siggins (Guitar/Mandola), Emer Mayock (Flute/Fiddle/Uilleann Pipes)
  On Thursday, August 28th at 8pm
  Adm: €15, €10 unwaged and oaps.
  The Courthouse Studios and Gallery, Parliament Street, Ennistymon
  Ph: 065-7071630
• 24th August - Sept 2008
  Clare Museum is displaying an exhibition of documents relating to businesses and trades in County Clare for Heritage Week. These include receipts, and dockets from Tylers, Morgan Mc Inerney Hardware Merchants in Ennis, O’Dea’s drapers and fitters also in Ennis. Also included are bottles from Hassetts mineral water company which once existed in the Lifford area of Ennis and a medicine bottle from Coughlans Medical Hall, 27 O’Connell Street in Ennis. The exhibition will continue into September.
• 24th - 31st August
  Heritage Week
  Clare Heritage Week events organised by Clare County Council's Heritage and Biodiversity Office
• 23 August 2008, 9.30pm
  Best for the West Concert – featuring Sarah McQuaid (singer/guitarist and songwriter)
  Magnetic Music Shop & Café, Doolin, contact 065-7074988 or info@magnetic-music.com
  Ticket prices and further info: http://www.magnetic-music.com/magnetic-music/magnetic1.html
• 18th - 22th August
  Art to Heart - Working with Children Through Art
  Rockforest, Tubber, The Burren, Co. Clare
  Art to Heart is offering a unique opportunity to participate in a programme of collective art making, personal exploration and debate. This training programme is for adults. If you are a parent, youth leader, social or health worker, teacher, child care worker or artist who want to learn more about how to nurture, foster and develop your own creative potential, then this training programme is for you.
  No artistic experience is necessary to attend the programme.
  The training course has been developed and will be led by Jole Bortoli, the director of Art to Heart. Jole has extensive experience in working with children through the arts. She has developed workshops for adults that are specifically designed at developing their confidence when working creatively with children. She focuses first on allowing each adult to be creative, individually and with others.
  Jole regularly works in Dublin and the Burren and every week she leads workshops for children, teachers and adults. In Dublin she regularly works as part of the Ark, cultural centre for children, artists’ team and she is Artist in Residence in Larkin Community College’s ‘Learning Through Art Programme’.
  In the Burren she runs workshops every fortnight and every year holds several weeks of training in her workshop.
  Fee: The week programme costs E320 (Booking fee E50).
  This covers training, art material, tea and coffee. Lunch E50.
  Registration for all courses
  Secure your place now by simply calling, email or phone: Jole phone 01-8315755 / 085-1532220
  email jole@arttoheart.ie
• 17th-23rd August
  The 41st Cumann Merriman Summer School will to be held in Ennis between Sunday 17th and Saturday 23rd of August 2008, with the theme “From Brian Ború to Patrick Hillery: Continuity and change in Irish history and society”. Supported by Clare Council, and featuring an exhibition in the Clare Museum of Merriman photographs from Clare County Library’s archive, the school “promises an exciting six days of stimulating discussions and conviviality. In returning to Ennis, where the first Summer School took place, this year’s gathering takes the opportunity to reassess our cultural heritage and societal mores at a time of rapid change in Ireland. There will also be a special focus on history and society in County Clare and Thomond. The Summer School is bilingual: most of the lectures are in English.”
• Sunday, 17th August
  The Old Kilfarboy Society outing
  Br. Colmán Ó Clabaigh will be conducting a guided tour of Quinn Abbey, followed by a visit to Ennis Abbey. The tour will commence at Quinn Abbey at 12-30pm.
  People requiring lifts should be at the church car-park at Miltown Malbay at 11.30am.
  Those who attended Br. Colman's talk on the Friars of Ennis earlier this year will remember him as both an entertaining and informative speaker.
  The charge will be €5.00 per person to cover expenses.
  Further information is available from Maeve on 087-6553690. All are welcome.
• August 16th, 2008
  Kilkee Community Centre
  Cracked Spoon Theatre Company Presents “The Trip”.
  The Members of the Cast were formed from the nucleus of workshops given recently by Rob Hopkins (Improvisation), Mick Daly (Group dynamics) and Astrid Adler (Mime). They were attended by professional and talented actors and members of the community who had an interest in physical theatre.
  In the process of putting a show together the group started to experiment with the stage as a “black box” using the effects of light and shadow. The play consists of comedy sketches without or minimized dialog, elements of dance and song. With this different way of Theatre, objects come alive and animals appear as by magic.
  This will be the first show of its sort performed by a physical theatre company based in Clare.
  Door: 8.00pm, curtain: 8.30pm. Entrée: €8
  For more information phone Astrid Adler at 065-9051309
• 16 August 2008, 9.30pm
  Best for the West Concert – featuring Christy McNamara Trio (accordion)
  Magnetic Music Shop & Café, Doolin, contact 065-7074988 or info@magnetic-music.com
  Ticket prices and further info: http://www.magnetic-music.com/magnetic-music/magnetic1.html
• 10 August 2008, 9.30pm
  Best for the West Concert – featuring Siobhán O’Brien Trio Singer/Songwriter
  Magnetic Music Shop & Café, Doolin, contact 065-7074988 or info@magnetic-music.com
  Ticket prices and further info: http://www.magnetic-music.com/magnetic-music/magnetic1.html
• August 8th, 2008
  Kilkee Community Centre
  Cracked Spoon Theatre Company Presents “The Trip”.
  The Members of the Cast were formed from the nucleus of workshops given recently by Rob Hopkins (Improvisation), Mick Daly (Group dynamics) and Astrid Adler (Mime). They were attended by professional and talented actors and members of the community who had an interest in physical theatre.
  In the process of putting a show together the group started to experiment with the stage as a “black box” using the effects of light and shadow. The play consists of comedy sketches without or minimized dialog, elements of dance and song. With this different way of Theatre, objects come alive and animals appear as by magic.
  This will be the first show of its sort performed by a physical theatre company based in Clare.
  Door: 8.00pm, curtain: 8.30pm. Entrée: €8
  For more information phone Astrid Adler at 065-9051309
• 7 August 2008, 9.30pm
  Best for the West Concert – featuring Catriona McKay (harp - Scotland), Chris Stout (fiddle – Shetland Island) Tommy O’Sullivan (vocals+guitar - Ireland).
  Magnetic Music Shop & Café, Doolin, contact 065-7074988 or info@magnetic-music.com
  Ticket prices and further info: http://www.magnetic-music.com/magnetic-music/magnetic1.html
• 6 August 2008, 1 – 2pm
  Riches of Clare Concert of traditional Irish music – featuring Conor Keane, Seanie O'Gorman, Dave Harper
  Community Centre, Feakle. Admission Free.
  Contact: Clare Arts Office on for further info or Finola Ryan on 087-4199293
• 2 - 4 August 2008
  Kiltumper Writing Workshops
  Niall Williams, novelist, playwright and teacher is offering workshops in fiction-writing this summer which take place in Kiltumper Cottage in west Clare and runs over 3 days.
  Cost €375 (€275 for 2 days)
  List of accommodation nearby and in Ennis is available as well as travel information.
  Full lunch is included in cost as well as tea and coffee.
  The central aim of the workshops is to encourage writers. The tranquil surroundings of Kiltumper, where Niall and his wife Christine have been writing for 20 years, provide an atmosphere ideally suited to the imagination.
  Tel. 087-9100058, Website: http://www.niallwilliams.com, Email: kiltumperwritingworkshops@gmail.com
• August 1st, 2008
  Kilkee Community Centre
  Cracked Spoon Theatre Company Presents “The Trip”.
  The Members of the Cast were formed from the nucleus of workshops given recently by Rob Hopkins (Improvisation), Mick Daly (Group dynamics) and Astrid Adler (Mime). They were attended by professional and talented actors and members of the community who had an interest in physical theatre.
  In the process of putting a show together the group started to experiment with the stage as a “black box” using the effects of light and shadow. The play consists of comedy sketches without or minimized dialog, elements of dance and song. With this different way of Theatre, objects come alive and animals appear as by magic.
  This will be the first show of its sort performed by a physical theatre company based in Clare.
  Door: 8.00pm, curtain: 8.30pm. Entrée: €8
  For more information phone Astrid Adler at 065-9051309
• 01 August 2008, 9.30pm
  Best for the West Concert – featuring Irish traditional band TEADA.
  Magnetic Music Shop & Café, Doolin, contact 065-7074988 or info@magnetic-music.com
  Ticket prices and further info: http://www.magnetic-music.com/magnetic-music/magnetic1.html

JULY 2008:

• Wednesday, 30th July at 8.00pm
  The Courthouse Gallery is honoured to show “HOME”, the multi-award winning documentary by Irish Film Maker and Actor, Alan Cooke, who will be at the showing.
  Tickets €7.00, available in advance at the Courthouse Gallery, Parliament Street, Ennistymon. Tel. 065-7071630
• 30 July 2008, 1 – 2pm
  Riches of Clare Concert of traditional Irish music – featuring Bobby Gardiner, John Nugent
  Newmarket on Fergus Public Library. Admission Free.
  Contact: Clare Arts Office on for further info or Finola Ryan on 087-4199293
• 27 July 2008, 9.30pm
  Best for the West Concert – featuring Winifred Horan (fiddle) & Mick McAuley (accordion) from the US Irish traditional band group SOLAS.
  Magnetic Music Shop & Café, Doolin, contact 065-7074988 or info@magnetic-music.com
  Ticket prices and further info: http://www.magnetic-music.com/magnetic-music/magnetic1.html
• Wednesday, 23rd July at 8.30pm
  The Courthouse Gallery and Studios, Ennistymon
  6 piece percussion ensemble direct form Singapore
  Heartbeat Percussion: a 6-piece percussion ensemble direct form Singapore will play at the Courthouse Gallery and Studios, Ennistymon on Wednesday, 23rd July at 8.30pm. Hearbeat will present an original, dynamic percussive set utilising Chinese, Malay, Indian and Western percussion. The performance will include a collabloration with guests - local traditional musicians Mark Farelly (uilleann pipes), Brian Fleming (bodhran, bones) and Gwenn Frin (flute). You can learn and experience these rhythms and drums first hand in the adult workshop at 6.30pm or bring the children along for a rare and fun opportunity to participate and learn at 5.30pm.
  Prices
  Children’s workshop               €7
  Adult Workshop                   €10
  Performance                        €10
  Workshop and performance  €15
  Advance booking from the Courthouse is possible. Please phone: 065-7071630
• 23 July 2008, 1 – 2pm
  Riches of Clare Concert of traditional Irish music – featuring Marcus Maloney, Derek Hickey, Martin Dermody
  Pavillion Theatre, Lisdoonvarna. Admission Free.
  Contact: Clare Arts Office on for further info or Finola Ryan on 087-4199293
• 21st - 25th July
  Art to Heart - Working with Children Through Art
  Rockforest, Tubber, The Burren, Co. Clare
  Art to Heart is offering a unique opportunity to participate in a programme of collective art making, personal exploration and debate. This training programme is for adults. If you are a parent, youth leader, social or health worker, teacher, child care worker or artist who want to learn more about how to nurture, foster and develop your own creative potential, then this training programme is for you.
  No artistic experience is necessary to attend the programme.
  The training course has been developed and will be led by Jole Bortoli, the director of Art to Heart. Jole has extensive experience in working with children through the arts. She has developed workshops for adults that are specifically designed at developing their confidence when working creatively with children. She focuses first on allowing each adult to be creative, individually and with others.
  Jole regularly works in Dublin and the Burren and every week she leads workshops for children, teachers and adults. In Dublin she regularly works as part of the Ark, cultural centre for children, artists’ team and she is Artist in Residence in Larkin Community College’s ‘Learning Through Art Programme’.
  In the Burren she runs workshops every fortnight and every year holds several weeks of training in her workshop.
  Fee: The week programme costs E320 (Booking fee E50).
  This covers training, art material, tea and coffee. Lunch E50.
  Registration for all courses
  Secure your place now by simply calling, email or phone: Jole phone 01-8315755 / 085-1532220
  email jole@arttoheart.ie
• 20th July 2008
  The next outing of The Old Kilfarboy Society is on Sunday July 20th, which will be a visit to the Burren, guided by Michael Lynch. It will include visits to Roughan Hill, Caherconnell and Poulawhack. A car pool will be setting off from the Lahinch Road of Miltown Malbay Church car park at 12.00pm and the cost will be € 8.00 per person to cover the guide's fee, entrance to Caherconnell, etc. Strong footwear is recommended.
  Further information may be obtained from Meabh at 087 6553690
• 20 July 2008, 9.30pm
  Best for the West Concert – featuring ‘The Long Note’ Collette O'Leary (piano accordion), Brian Kelly (banjo, mandolin) with Jamie Smith (fiddle) & Ewan Robertson.
  Magnetic Music Shop & Café, Doolin, contact 065-7074988 or info@magnetic-music.com
  Ticket prices and further info: http://www.magnetic-music.com/magnetic-music/magnetic1.html
• Saturday, 19th July 2008
  Second Annual Outdoor Landscape Painting Competition
  Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare.
  Details: www.burrenpaintingcentre.com
• 18th - 27th July 2008
  ‘The Gathering’ - A fusion of artworks by seven artists, all working individually in the Burren region who have gathered together to exhibit their various interpretations of Clare life and landscape.
  Town Hall Pavillion, Lisdoonvarna.
  Artists: Frank Sandford, Andy McCarthy, Doreen Drennan, Mona Hynes, Eamonn Doyle, Philip Morrison and Hillary Molloy.
  Opening 8.00pm, Friday, 18th July
  Continues daily 2.00 - 6.00pm, Saturday & Sunday 12.00 - 6.00pm, until 27th July.
  This exhibition forms part of an Art weekend featuring the 2nd Annual Outdoor Painting Competition
  Email: info@burrenpaintingcentre.com
• 17th - 31st July 2008
  TRADING SPACE
  Ennistymon
  An exhibition of work by artists in various window fronts throughout Ennistymon.
  Participating artists and their selected venues include:
  Jackie Askew/ drawing, photography - Dalys
  Maria Connole/ painting - Gilnas' Optometrist
  Maeve Collins/ installtion, performance - The Square
  Sarah Fuller, Maria Kerin, Vanessa Earl Maguire/ performance, video - Griffins & another venue yet to be selected
  Tabatha Gravener/drawing - The Medical Centre
  Rob Henderson/ sculpture installation - Harans Pub
  Josie O'Connor/print - Chinese Take Away
  Fiona O'Dwyer/ print
  Judy O'Sullivan/ photography - The Courthouse Studios
  Patsy Ricks/ painting - Cooleys
  Fergus Tighe/ film - McCaws (window between Eugenes and Cooleys)
• Thursday, July 17th, 2008
  Adult Art Classes
  Tulla Stables Studios
  Kate Sommerville is planning to hold a series of art classes for adults at the Tulla Stables Studios fortnightly on Thursday evenings starting on. For further information contact Kate at 087-7773231
• 16th July - 8pm
  The Courthouse Studios and Gallery are proud to present Mick Flynn. Launching his new album "Cut and Run". Concert 8 - 10pm. Tickets available at the door €10. This album was recorded in the sound recording studio at the Courthouse Studios and Gallery.
• 16 July 2008, 1 – 2pm
  Riches of Clare Concert of traditional Irish music – featuring Michael Hynes, Denis Liddy, Eoin O'Neill
  Kilrush Public Library. Admission Free.
  Contact: Clare Arts Office on for further info or Finola Ryan on 087-4199293
• July 14th – 18th
  ‘Lights Out’
  National Film Festival for Young People
• 12th, 13th & 14th July 2008
  Summer in the Woods
  Bealkelly Oak Wood, Co. Clare
  Another big weekend of traditional and ecological skills training at all levels for adults (age 14+)
  Proposed courses include Spinning and Weaving, Shave-horse construction, Dry-stone and Lime-mortar Walling, Basket Weaving, Bow making, Felt making, Blacksmithing, Greenwood Furniture making, Stone Carving, Coppersmithing, Ti-pi making, Silversmithing, Herb Lore, Boat building, Yurt-wheel construction, Natural Building, Sugán Chair making, Wood Carving and, for 8-14 yr old members' children, Woodcrafts.
  Fee €150 for 2 days (+ membership of CELT Club). (Concessions €100 - on request).
  Additional fee for 3rd day if required. For details see Weekend in the Woods
  CELT (Centre for Environmental Living and Training), c/o East Clare Community Co-op, Scariff, Co. Clare.
  Tel: 061-640765, Website: www.celtnet.org, Email: info@celtnet.org
• July 11th – August 2nd, 2008
  Altering Fluid Perceptions by Emma Berkery.
  Courthouse Gallery, Ennistymon, Co. Clare.
  An exhibition of oil paintings.
• July 5th – 27th
  ‘Lashing rain’ paintings by Frank Sanford
  The Russell Gallery, New Quay
  Frank Sanford, originally from the United States, has been a working artist for over 40 years, showing in many galleries and shows across North America.
  Moving to Ireland over a decade ago he settled in Kinvara, Co. Galway, where he has his studio. He paints Plein Air and in studio using watercolour, oil and pastel.
  Frank’s deep love of nature informs his every brushstroke. His ability to express changes in mood is reflected in his use of colour and light, which is subtle, sensitive and strong. He draws inspiration from the varying aspects of the Irish landscape.
  Frank also loves to teach. He does a yearly workshop with The Burren School of Painting in Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare, among others.
  He exhibits in a number of galleries in Ireland and lives in his studio-home with his wife Marych, their beloved dog Jack and ‘Queen of the House’ cat, Birdie.
  Lashing rain and wet rocks; pounding surf and distant storms; soft wet mists that kiss the early morning air and the light filtered by that mist have all been inspirational for this coming exhibition. Emotional and moody, a landscape with a soul, this new collection of work by Frank Sanford is a truly mature accomplishment.
  The gallery is open every day Monday to Saturday 10-6 and Sundays 12-6.
  For further information contact the Russell Gallery, New Quay, Burrin, Co. Clare.
  Tel. 065-7078185 or website www.russellgallery.net
• July 4th – August 4th, 2008
  Liscannor Public Art Project
  I thought I saw the Tuath Dé Danann, but it was me I was looking at. . . Maeve Collins
  In the sea at Liscannor Bay Pier and on the Tranquillity and Jack B ferries from Doolen and Liscannor to the Aran Islands from July 4th to August 4th (between spring tides). And in the Square in Enistymon for the 2nd and 3rd weeks in July, linked with the Trading Space Festival, Enistymon Co. Clare.
  Opening: 12th July at 8pm at Liscannor Pier, Liscannor Bay, Co. Clare.
  I thought I saw the Tuath De Danann, but it was me I was looking at. . . is the title for the project that consists of three temporary public art works by Maeve Collins.
  The instillation, Contemporary Hy Brasil is located at the Pier at Liscannor Bay, the mythical entrance to Tír na nÓg, sometimes known as HyBrasil. It consists of a diagonal line from the sea to the beacon, on which found objects are hung, including working clocks keeping different times (one is stuck on the fourth hour while the seconds keepo ticking), a black dress and shoes, umbrellas. The length of the work that is revealed depends on the height of the tide, going from 1 metre to 20 metres.
  Two audio pieces entitled One Voice, Tuilleadh agus Tráigh will be played on eight mini speakers on the Tranquillity and Jack B ferries from Liscannor and Doolen to Inis Oírr and Inis Mór and back again. The one voice speaks directly in English and Irish of knowings, stories, truths from a life being lived on Inis Oírr, and gives the whole project a perspective in time.
  Sídh is a preformance and instillation piece that will be presented in Enistymon Square during the 2nd and 3rd weeks of July. Each day of the Trading Space Festival at 10am a washing line consisting of sheets and table cloths on which mirrors are hung will be installed with a sound piece and will be taken down later that day.
  The use of reflections whether with water or mirrors are very important to this project. These artworks reflect the ancient in the contemporary, the personal in the universal, the imaginative in the mundane, giving a more spacious context to time and reality.
  Maeve Collins was born in Laois in 1977. She obtained her primary Fine Art Degree from The University of Ulster in 2000. A full time artist, she is currently based between Inis Oírr and Fanore Co. Clare. Maeve was the receipient of The Tyrone Gutherie Award from Laois County Council in 2007, and has exhibited in group and solo shows in Ireland and the U.K.
  This project has been funded by The Arts Council and Údarás na Gaeltachta.
• 4 - 6 July 2008
  Kiltumper Writing Workshops
  Niall Williams, novelist, playwright and teacher is offering workshops in fiction-writing this summer which take place in Kiltumper Cottage in west Clare and runs over 3 days.
  Cost €375 (€275 for 2 days)
  List of accommodation nearby and in Ennis is available as well as travel information.
  Full lunch is included in cost as well as tea and coffee.
  The central aim of the workshops is to encourage writers. The tranquil surroundings of Kiltumper, where Niall and his wife Christine have been writing for 20 years, provide an atmosphere ideally suited to the imagination.
  Tel. 087-9100058, Website: http://www.niallwilliams.com, Email: kiltumperwritingworkshops@gmail.com
• July 3rd – August 30th
  Clare Museum presents an exhibition of Clare embroidery in Scariff Public Library.
• 2 July 2008, 1 – 2pm
  Riches of Clare Concert of traditional Irish music – featuring Helen Hayes, Denis Cahill, Mark Donellan, John Canny
  Killaloe Public Library. Admission Free.
  Contact: Clare Arts Office on for further info or Finola Ryan on 087-4199293

JUNE 2008:

• June 30th – July 26th
  Textile Exhibition – Foyer of the County Museum, Ennis
  An exhibition by textile artists in Clare displaying a variety of their wares.
• June 27th – August 30th
  Clare Graduate Showcase Exhibition – Glór, Ennis
  In conjunction with the County Arts Office.
  An eclectic exhibition of work by recent graduates from Clare featuring painting, photography, installation and ceramic pieces and much more.
• 25 June 2008, 1 – 2pm
  Riches of Clare Concert of traditional Irish music – featuring Sheila Garry, Elaine Hogan, John Kelly, Danny O'Mahony
  Clare Museum, Ennis. Admission Free.
  Contact: Clare Arts Office on for further info or Finola Ryan on 087-4199293
• June 22nd - July 13th
  PETER REES
  "AN UDDER VIEW"- Documenting a community- Kilnaboy 1980-2008
  Opening Times: Monday to Friday: 2- 5pm, Sundays 2- 5pm.
  Evenings: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 7 - 9pm.
  The X-PO is kept open by the community for the community on a voluntary basis and the project has been generously funded by the Arts Council and SuperValu.
• 19th June 2008, 8pm
  Indian Classical Concert in Ennistymon
  The Courthouse Studios & Gallery, Ennistymon, presents an Indian Classical Concert featuring Sougata Roy Chouhury (on sarod), Debojyoti Sangal (tabla) Accompanied by Mattu. Thursday, 19th June, at 8pm. Tickets 10€/1€ available at the Courthouse and Bridge to Health shop, Ennistymon. For more information, please contact the Courthouse Studios & Gallery, Parliament Street, Ennistymon. Tel 065 - 7071630. Gallery open Tuesdays to Saturdays, Noon to 5pm.
• June 18th - August 15th
  Ceol na hInse – new traditional arts show in Ennis
  Cois na hAbhana, Ennis.
  The show runs from every Wed and Fri night at 8.30pm and runs for 1 hour 15 mins followed by an informal session in the bar. Artistes include: Diarmuid O Brien, Eimear Arkins, Tara Breen and Trish Clarke on fiddle, Catherine Clohessey, Micheal King, Garry Shannon on Flute, Marie Quigney on Piano, Marcus Moloney on banjo, Edel Fox, Padraig Rynne and Aisling McMahon on concertina, Kierane Kissane on accordian, Edel Vaughan and Eimear Arkins on vocals and dancers Fergal O' Dea, Liam Guiney, Mark Nestor, Trish Dooley, Sharon Nugent and Aisling Murphy.
  Discounts available for group bookings and children go free. U 18 's wishing to join in the session afterwards go Free also. Please contact Doreen in Cois na hAbhana on 065 6824276.
• 18th – 24th June
  Scariff Public Library Exhibition Space
  An exhibition of creative work by students from The East Clare Adult Education Centre.
  The exhibition gives students the opportunity to show a small selection of the art, design and craft work produced during the 2 year course. (Students choose modules in drawing, painting, design, ceramics and stained-glass as part of this course.)
  Timmy Dooley T.D. will open the exhibition on Thursday, 19th June at 7.00pm. All are welcome to attend.
• 18 June 2008, 1 – 2pm
  Riches of Clare Concert of traditional Irish music – featuring ‘Moher’ - Noel O'Donoghue, Liam Murphy, Pat Marsh, John Moloney, Paul O'Driscoll, Michael Queally
  Clare Museum, Ennis. Admission Free.
  Contact: Clare Arts Office on for further info or Finola Ryan on 087-4199293
• 11 June 2008, 1 – 2pm
  Riches of Clare Concert of traditional Irish music – featuring Dympna O'Sullivan, John Weir, Eithne Ní Dhonaile, Fu Akamine
  Clare Museum, Ennis. Admission Free.
  Contact: Clare Arts Office on for further info or Finola Ryan on 087-4199293
• June 9th – 28th, 2008
  Foyer of the County Museum
  Marie Connole presents - 'Every flippant thing' a large watercolour work created during a recent residency in Iceland. The piece explores physical experiences upon the psyche. Fears, fascinations and beliefs intermingle in this mindscape, ranging from the mundane to the absurd. Marie Connole is a graduate of NCAD and the Burren College of Art.
• 7th June - 21st July
  EXHIBITION OF GLASS ART
  By KATHRYNA CUSCHIERI
  The SNUG
  Mountshannon
  Open Restaurant hours, Tel 061-926826
• Saturday, June 7th - Sunday, June 8th, 2008
  Music Technology Course
  Callan, Co.Clare
  Do you want a basic course in music technology to help you get the most out of your own recordings?
  Callan Studios are running such a course over two weekends - 24th/25th May and 7th/8th June.
  Learn how: To use recording equipment to make your own recordings of instruments and voice. To mix tracks and add effects to complete a song. To get songs to sit next to each other on an album. To publish your work onto CD and the internet. To make the most of your own recording space.
  The course will use practical demonstration and hands-on work with some theory to understand how computer technology may be applied to music.
  Contact Info: Jim Armour 065-7072886, Email: callanstudios@eircom.net, Website: http://www.callanstudios.com
• 4 June 2008, 1 – 2pm
  Riches of Clare Concert of traditional Irish music – featuring Aidan McMahon, Fintan McMahon, Anthony Quigney
  Clare Museum, Ennis. Admission Free.
  Contact: Clare Arts Office on for further info or Finola Ryan on 087-4199293
• June 3rd – August 30th
  Summer Exhibition at Ennis Art Gallery featuring Dorothy Ledwith, John Hanrahan, Rita Wobbe, Doreen Drennan and Judy O’Sullivan and many many more.
• June 3rd – 30th
  Romantic Ireland: An exhibition of new paintings and photography by Christina Watkins
  Sean Lemass Library, Shannon
• May 31st – July 11th, 2008
  Burren College of Art
  New Line Abstraction: An exhibition of work by the New Line Artists selected by Rita Wobbe.
  www.burrencollege.ie

MAY 2008:

• May 31st – July 11th, 2008
  Burren College of Art
  New Line Abstraction: An exhibition of work by the New Line Artists selected by Rita Wobbe.
  www.burrencollege.ie
• Thursday, May 29th
  Lecture: The living Burren by Brendan Dunford
  Admission free, all welcome
  Burren College of Art, Ballyvaughan at 8.30pm.
• Thursday 29th May
  Kilmaley Day Care Centre
  Clare County Library, in conjunction with the Bealtaine festival, took a small section of the Local Studies Library on tour to Miltown Malbay on May 15th when library staff visited the Day Care Centre there. A selection of Clare Champion newspapers from the 1950s was transported to Miltown where extracts were read and discussed and memories were evoked. These newspapers are part of a complete set of Clare Champions dating back to 1903 which are housed at the Local Studies Centre on Harmony Row, Ennis. They are available to the public for reference use. A similar session will take place at Kilmaley Day Care Centre on Thursday 29th May.
• 28 May 2008, 1 – 2pm
  Riches of Clare Concert of traditional Irish music – featuring Liam Joyce, Josie Harrington, Kevin Ryan, Patricia Clark
  Clare Museum, Ennis. Admission Free.
  Contact: Clare Arts Office on for further info or Finola Ryan on 087-4199293
• Tuesday, May 27th
  Lecture: A historical journey through the Burren by Bill Mc Inerney
  Admission free, all welcome
  Burren College of Art, Ballyvaughan at 8.30pm.
• Sunday, May 25th, 2008
  LISDOONVARNA PAVILION THEATRE - inaugural theatre event
  The inaugural theatre event will be held on Sunday night, May 25th, in conjunction with the Slow Food Festival on May 23rd - May 25th. There will be a Supper Theatre of drama, wine and food.
  Meridian Theatre Company will present The Lost Field, a two play package.
  Tickets (to include drama, food and wine) are €27 and are available at Jordans, Lisdoonvarna or from 086-2328257.
• Sunday, 25th May 2008
  Biodiversity Day with CELT at Seedsavers, Scariff, Co.Clare
  Includes guided walks and introduction to Coppice Crafts. Irish Seedsavers
  CELT (Centre for Environmental Living and Training), c/o East Clare Community Co-op, Scariff, Co. Clare.
  Tel: 061-640765, Website: www.celtnet.org, Email: info@celtnet.org
• Saturday, May 24 - Sunday, May 25th, 2008
  Music Technology Course
  Callan, Co.Clare
  Do you want a basic course in music technology to help you get the most out of your own recordings?
  Callan Studios are running such a course over two weekends - 24th/25th May and 7th/8th June.
  Learn how: To use recording equipment to make your own recordings of instruments and voice. To mix tracks and add effects to complete a song. To get songs to sit next to each other on an album. To publish your work onto CD and the internet. To make the most of your own recording space.
  The course will use practical demonstration and hands-on work with some theory to understand how computer technology may be applied to music.
  Contact Info: Jim Armour 065-7072886, Email: callanstudios@eircom.net, Website: http://www.callanstudios.com
• Saturday, May 24th
  Burren Marathon Walk. Meet at the Burren Coast Hotel at 9.00am.
  Music afterwards at the Burren Coast Hotel: Jazz with Freddie and the Dreamers 5pm -7pm
• May 23rd – June 2nd
  Iniscealtra Festival of Arts, Mountshannon
• May 23rd – 25th
  The Burren Slow Food Festival
  Lisdoonvarna
  A wonderful array of events has been organized including Slow Food Dinners, Farmer’s Market & Barbecue, Food Talks and a Gala dinner which will take place at the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre.
  For more information: Contact: Birgitta Hedin-Curtin at 087-8224173 or email slowfoodclare@hotmail.com
• Thursday, May 22nd
  Lecture - The Burren - Flowers of summer by Mary Angela Keane
  Admission free, all welcome
  Burren College of Art, Ballyvaughan at 8.30pm.
• Wednesday, May 21st
  Keelhilla (Slieve Carron) National Nature Reserve A wildflower and Lichen walk led by Sharon Parr and
  Stephen Ward. 3-hour walk.
  Meeting point: SPAR Ballyvaughan at 2pm. Bring boots and waterproofs.
• 20th - 24th May
  CELT / ISSA Biodiversity Day at Irish Seed Savers Association
  Demonstrations / Displays, Saturday, 24th May
  Guided Woodland Walks also take place this week:
  Tuesday 20th at 7pm in Raheen Oak Wood and
  Thursday 22nd at 7pm at Cahermurphy Oak Wood
• Tuesday, May 20th
  In touch with mystery, the Holy Wells of the Burren by Tony Kirby
  Admission free, all welcome.
  Burren College of Art, Ballyvaughan at 8.30pm
• May 18th - June 13th, 2008
  Tracings, Narratives and Representations, Kilnaboy 1842- 2008
  X-PO, Kilnaboy, Co. Clare
  Rinnamona Research Group
  Séan Taylor
  The X-PO Mapping Group
  Opening Times for this exhibition:
  Monday to Saturday: 2.00 – 5.00pm
  Evenings: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: 7.00 – 9.00pm
  X-PO is a public art project by Deirdre O'Mahony. The aim is to revive the kind of incidental social space formerly represented by the rural post office and it will be the subject of a Nationwide feature in the coming weeks.
  X-PO is generously supported by The Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíonn and SuperValu.
  X-PO, Kilnaboy, Co. Clare. Telephone: 065-6827940, Email: xpo.kilnaboy@gmail.com
• 18th - 26th May
  Fleadh Nua, Ennis
  http://www.fleadhnua.com
• Thursday, May 15th
  An exploration of the Bat population of Co. Clare by David Lyons. Followed by bat walk.
  Admission free, all welcome.
  Burren College of Art, Ballyvaughan at 8.30pm.
• Wednesday, May 14th
  Singers Club @ The Highway Bar, Crusheen at 10pm
  Tel: 086-8599957, Email: fhayes23@gmail.com
  The singers club runs on the second Wednesday of every month all year round. All singers and listeners are welcome.
• 13th - 31st May 2008
  An exhibition of paintings by Aoife Fitzgerald
  Foyer of the County Museum
• Tuesday, May 13th
  Orchids of the Burren by Susan Sex. Free admission
  Friday May 23rd to Sunday May 25th
  Burren College of Art, Ballyvaughan at 8.30pm.
• May 12th – June 6th
  Foyer of the County Museum, Ennis
  From East to West Coast – an exhibition of drawings from Aoife Fitzgerald.
• Sunday, May 11th
  Dawn Chorus walk with leader Gordon D’Arcy
  Ballyvaughan Meet at 5.15am at Spar Village Store – Champagne Breakfast afterwards at Hyland’s Burren Hotel 7.30am.
• May 8th, 2008
  Energy for Ireland's Future
  A lecture by Professor Pat Shannon
  Glór at 8pm.
  This event has been facilitated by Carol Gleeson, Manager of the Burren Connect Project.
• Thursday, May 8th
  Lecture: Through the Burren with Raymond Piper and Richard Hayward by Paul Clements.
  Admission free
  Burren College of Art, Ballyvaughan at 8.30pm.
• Wednesday, May 7th
  A wildflower and Lichen walk led by Sharon Parr and Stephen Ward. 3-hour walk.
  Meeting point: SPAR Ballyvaughan at 2.00pm. Keelhilla (Slieve Carron) National Nature Reserve.
  Bring boots and waterproofs.
• Tuesday, May 6th
  Lecture: The Burren - A Rocky Place by George Sevastopulo
  Burren College of Art, Ballyvaughan at 8.30pm.
• 3rd - 30th May 2008
  Russell Gallery, New Quay, Burrin, Co. Clare
  NORTHERN LIGHTS paintings by Samantha Ellis-Fox and Josephine Kelly
  For further information contact the Russell Gallery, New Quay, Burrin, Co. Clare.
  Tel 065-7078185 or website www.russellgallery.net
• May 3rd & 4th
  Weekend in the Woods Bealkelly Woods, Tuamgraney, Co. Clare.
  Some spaces still available http://www.celtnet.org/
• May 1st – 31st
  Bealtaine – Festival Celebrating Creativity in Older Age
  Countywide
• May 1st – 24th, 2008
  Sara Foust - Paintings
  Courthouse Gallery, Parliament Street, Ennistymon, Co.Clare.
  Tel: 065-7071630
• May 1st - 15th
  Exhibition: Eileen Healy Farming - A Visual Stuttering.
  This work uses both video and photography to document farming through time.
  X-PO, Kilnaboy Cross, Co. Clare. Tel. 065-6827940; Email: xpo.Kilnaboy@gmail.com

APRIL 2008:

• Apr 20th - Aug 9th, 2008
  CELT & Irish Seed Savers Association offer the following courses:
  - Woodlands and Wetlands - Flora and Fauna Identification Sun Apr 20th, 2008
  - Hedgerow Maintenance and Habitats, Sun April 27th, 2008;
  - Native Trees and introduction to Coppice Crafts, Sun May 25th, 2008
  - Dry Stone and Lime Mortar Walling, Sat Aug 9th, 2008
  All courses are 60 euro and can be booked through ISSA at http://www.irishseedsavers.ie/course.php
• April 19th & 20th
  CELT will have a stand at the Greener Ireland sustainability show at the RDS.
  We will be at Stand 81 so please do call by if you are at the show.
  Doors will be open from 10 - 6 on Saturday and 10 - 5 on Sunday.
  Visit www.greenerireland.ie for more information.
• Friday, 18th April, 7.30pm
  FEASTA lecture - Will Howard Memorial Lecture - CLIMATE CHANGE First the Bad News, then the Good News - Emmet Theatre, Arts Block, Trinity College, Dublin
  CELT (Centre for Environmental Living and Training), Website:www.celtnet.org, Email: info@celtnet.org
• 16 April 2008
  Heitiage Inchicronan continues its "Cuirt sa Cistin"series in the Community Centre, Crusheen at 8.15pm.
  Join Tom McNamara and friends. Tea/coffee and chat is guaranteed.
  Contact Anne, Tel: 065-6827172, Email: heritageinchicronan@gmail.com, Website: www.aughty.org
• April 14th – May 10th
  An exhibition of paintings by Pauline Goggin
  Foyer of the County Museum, Ennis
• Sunday, April 13th
  Kilnaboy: Sonny Murphy Memorial Race
  The 24th Annual Michael Sonny Murphy Memorial 10 mile road race and 10k fun walk takes place at 2.00pm in Kilnaboy. Contact 065–6837875 for details.
• April 10th – 25th, 2008
  Lucy McKenna (Paintings) & Jane McGulla (Ceramics)
  Courthouse Gallery, Parliament Street, Ennistymon, Co.Clare
  Tel: 065-7071630
• Thursday, 10th & Friday, 11th April
  8pm
  Clare Youth Theatre production of To Kill a Mockingbird based on the book by Harper Lee
  Glór Irish Music Centre, Ennis
  Tickets €12/10 conc./40 family ticket
  To book contact Glór box office 065-6843103 or online at www.glor.ie
• 9 April 2008
  Heitiage Inchicronan continues its "Cuirt sa Cistin"series in the Community Centre, Crusheen at 8.15pm.
  Mr Owen Broderick, Crusheen is coming to join us and share his passion for coins with us.
  Anyone interested is more than welcome and tea/coffee and chat is guaranteed.
  Contact Anne, Tel: 065-6827172, Email: heritageinchicronan@gmail.com, Website: www.aughty.org
• Monday, 7th April
  7.30pm
  Clare Traditional Arts Forum meeting
  Maguire Suite, Old Ground Hotel, Ennis
  For further details contact Clare Arts Office on 061-364062
• April 5 - 6, 2008
  Write for magazines & papers, Killaloe
  Discover the Joy of Writing at weekend workshops throughout the year with Author, David Rice. David is from Co. Down and was an award winning syndicated columnist in the US. He returned to Ireland to head the Rathmines School of Journalism and there trained many of Irelands best known journalists and writers. David had the no.1 bestseller 'Shatterd Vows' and his recent novel is 'Song of Tiananmen Square'.
  Organisation: Killaloe Hedge School of Writing
  Venue: Killaloe Hedge School of Writing, 4 Riverview, Ballina-Killaloe, Co. Clare
  Cost: €235
  For more information contact Kathleen Thorne on 061-375217, or e-mail khs@killaloe.ie
  Visit the website www.killaloe.ie/khs
• Thursday, April 3rd
  8:00pm
  Glór Arts Centre, Ennis
  The Kings of the Kilburn High Road By Jimmy Murphy
  Directed By Robbie Gallagher (Ros Na Run)
  Produced By Stephen Patrick Kenny (Showbands, A Knights Tale)
  Starring Seamus Feerick (Fair City), Joe Tighe (Mobs), Barry Blaine (Fair City), Aidan Archer (Ros Na Run) and Mike Kinsella (The Bill).
  Galway based theatre company Heart N Crown bring Jimmy Murphy’s much talked about “The Kings of the Kilburn High Road” to the Glór Arts Centre for one night only.
  To purchase tickets, telephone 065-6845370.

MARCH 2008:

• Monday, 31st March
  7.30pm
  Féile le Chéile Festivals Network
  Publicising your Festival - getting the best for your festival - talk by Margaret O'Brien
  Lemanagh Suite, Old Ground Hotel, Ennis
  Organised by Shannon Development and the Clare Arts Office
  For further details contact Clare Arts Office on 065-6846267
• March 31st @ 8.30pm
  Falls Hotel, Ennistymon
  With the Cuckoo and Others - Séamus Ennis in Clare
  Lecture by Rianach uí Ógáin. Presented by The North Clare Historical Society
• Saturday, 29th March
  12 - 5pm
  Tulla Stables Studios Open Day & 'Second Generation' - A temporary work of public art by Kathleen Moroney, commissioned by Clare County Council's Public Art Programme through the Per Cent for Art Scheme
  Tulla Stables Studio, Tulla
  Contact Clare Arts Office, tel. 065-6846267, website Stables Studios Tulla
• Wednesday, 26 March 2008
  Community Centre, Crusheen at 8.15pm
  Following on from our successful evening with Tony Diviney in our "Cuirt sa Cistin" series, Heritage Inchicronan are delighted to announce that the one and only Tom Mac Namara, Crusheen, is our next speaker. Together with some friends Tom is going to talk us through the GAA...local village life and characters, an interesting and amusing night guaranteed.
  Contact Anne, Tel: 065-6827172, Email: heritageinchicronan@gmail.com, Website: www.aughty.org
• 21st March –- 20th April
  ICON - Stoneage to the Stones
  An eclectic mix of international artwork with paintings by Lynda Miller Baker (UK), Keith Payne (UK), Ronnie Wood (UK), Andy Warhol (USA), John Sharkey(UK), Mary Lloyd Jones (UK), Steven Barret (UK), Katya Weyher (Poland), John Sharkey (UK); sculptures by Moussa Ouattara (France)
  Russell Gallery, New Quay, Co.Clare
• March 18th – April 12th, 2008
  Art exhibition by Ross Cochrane
  Foyer of County Museum
• March 17th, 2008
  Glór: A St Patrick's Night Concert in association with BallyO Promotions & Clare FM
  Featuring Music From Don Stiffe, Island Eddy, Tommy & Siobhan Peoples, Líadan and Dancers from The John Sanders School of Dancing
  MC for the night is Clare FM's Paula Carroll
  Tickets 25 euro on sale through Glór at 065-6843103, website: www.glor.ie
  Pre-concert supper 12 euro
• Wednesday, 12th March 2008
  Cúirt sa Cistin with Tony Diviney from the Beagh Integrated Rural Development Association takes place in the Community Centre, Crusheen. Tony will talk on 'The restoration of the holy wells around Seanaglish & Tubber' and 'The Butlers of Cregg'. We look forward to seeing all our old friends and welcoming some new ones.
  A cup of tea/coffee and a chat guaranteed.
  Contact Anne, tel: 065-6827172, email: heritageinchicronan@gmail.com, website: www.aughty.org
• 12th March 2008
  Glór Music Centre, Ennis
  Information Evening on Affordable Housing
  The evening will commence at 3.30pm and you are welcome to join us at a time convenient for yourself between 3.30pm and 8.00pm.
  The evening will consist of information on Affordable Housing, brochures on houses currently available and financial advice from a number of financial institutions in relation to mortgage availability and approval. There will also be an experienced Solicitor present to give general advice on all aspects of Affordable Housing Contracts.
• 12 March 2008
  County Museum Ennis
  BurrenLIFE and National Parks and Wildlife Service Present
  Illustrated Talk - The Buds of the Burren and the Banner by Janice Fuller
  8.00 pm FREE ADMISSION - ALL WELCOME
  Further information from BurrenLIFE Project Office 065-7089000 or 087-2925487
  Email: info@burrenlife.com, Website: www.burrenlife.com
• Tuesday, 11th March 2008
  The last of the present series of highly successful talks presented by The Old Kilfarboy Society, when folklorist, Dr Anne O'Connor, will speak on one of the most widespread subjects of literature and art throughout the world and down the ages: 'The Blessed and the Damned: Sinful Women and Unbaptised Children in Irish Folklore'.
  Doctor O'Connor was a lecturer in Irish folklore at the University of Ulster and has made a long and detailed study on the role of women in Irish culture. She has published a number of books and articles, including one on the subject of her talk, which will take place, as usual, at The Malbay, The Square, Miltown Malbay, commencing at 8.00pm; all are welcome.
• March 8 - 9, 2008
  Write your memoirs
  Killaloe
  Discover the Joy of Writing at weekend workshops throughout the year with Author, David Rice. David is from Co. Down and was an award winning syndicated columnist in the US. He returned to Ireland to head the Rathmines School of Journalism, and there trained many of Irelands best known journalists and writers. David had the no.1 bestseller 'Shatterd Vows' and his recent novel is 'Song of Tiananmen Square.'
  Organisation: Killaloe Hedge School of Writing
  Venue: Killaloe Hedge School of Writing, 4 Riverview, Ballina-Killaloe, Co. Clare
  Cost: €235
  For more information contact Kathleen Thorne on 061-375217, or e-mail khs@killaloe.ie
  Visit the website www.killaloe.ie/khs
• Saturday, March 8th, 2008
  Auburn Lodge Hotel, Ennis
  International Women's Day Celebrations
  Contact: Clare Women's Network, 065-6828731 for more information
• March 6th – 29th, 2008
  Aoife McGovern & Marie Connole – Exhibition of Drawings and Paintings
  Courthouse Gallery, Parliament Street, Ennistymon, Co.Clare
  Tel: 065-7071630
• Thurs. March 6th – Sun. March 9th
  Kinvara Drama Group presents ‘Dancing at Lughnasa’ by Brian Friel
  Kinvara Community Centre at 8.00pm.
  Admission: 10 euro, 7 euro concession.
• 5 March 2008
  County Museum Ennis
  BurrenLIFE and National Parks and Wildlife Service Present
  Illustrated Talk - Rocks and Landforms – The Geodiversity of the Burren by Matthew Parkes
  8.00 pm FREE ADMISSION - ALL WELCOME
  Further information from BurrenLIFE Project Office 065-7089000 or 087-2925487
  Email: info@burrenlife.com, Website: www.burrenlife.com
• 4th - 31st March
  X-PO Kilnaboy
  Exhibition by Jim Vaughan
  'Local News'
  "This project aims to portray life in my home village of Roundstone, Connemara without recourse to stereotypical representations of the West of Ireland. This work deals with the quotidian, those set of everyday occurrences, which are so common as to normally go unnoticed. They show the quite moments between other more obvious events."
  All photographs made in Roundstone between 1995 and 2003. Website: http://www.jimvaughanphotography.com
• March 3 - 29, 2008
  Scariff Library
  Meet Me (pdf file) - Art Exhibition by Katja Wittmer
• March 3rd – 22nd
  County Museum
  Metharealistic Paintings from Astrid Adler
• 1st March 2008
  Lee Valley String Band - Acoustic Concert
  The Courthouse Venue, Sixmilebridge
  8.00pm sharp
  For ticket information contact Brendan 086-8464509, Website: www.wmw.ie

FEBRUARY 2008:

• 29 Feabhra - 17 Márta, 2008
  Seachtain na Gaeilge
  Imeachtaí Gaeilge ar fud an chontae, scéalaíocht, filíocht, comórtais, ceol, agus damhsa. Ceolchoirm oscailte ar an 29 Feabhra le Kila. Irish language events throughout the county, storytelling, poetry, competitions, music and dance. Opening concert on February 29th with Kila. For further info email gaeilge@clarecoco.ie or for a full listing of events, please visit the website www.snag.ie
• 29th February - 2nd March
  Ennis Book Club Festival 2008
  Ennis will host the second annual Ennis Book Club Festival from 29th February to 2nd March 2008. The three-day programme of events, supported by Clare County Library, is expected to attract hundreds of book club members and book lovers and will feature author visits, readings, lectures, workshops, exhibitions, cookery demonstrations, musical entertainment and chocolate tasting in various venues around Ennis.
  Contributors will include British author Joanne Harris, who wrote the best seller ‘Chocolat’; Roddy Doyle, a Dublin dramatist, screenwriter and award winning author of ‘The Commitments’, ‘The Snapper’ and ‘The Van’; Hugo Hamilton, winner of the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature; Morgan Llywelyn, an esteemed author of historical fantasy, fiction and non-fiction books; Dermot Bolger, the author of eight novels and winner of the Samuel Beckett Award; and Nuala O Faolain, Irish Times columnist and author of ‘Are You Somebody?’
  Other festival participants will include Neven Maguire, an award winning celebrity chef; Lorna Landvik, actor, playwright and author of the best selling novels ‘Patty Jane's House of Curl’ and ‘The Tall Pine Polka’; Thomas Lynch, a Michigan-based essayist and poet; Meda Ryan, historian and author of ‘Tom Barry: IRA Freedom Fighter’; bilingual writer Nuala Ní Chonchúir; West of Ireland-based author David Rice; and poet Mary O’Donnell. More info and full prrogramme
• Wednesday, 27th February 2008
  Heritage Inchicronan - "Cuirt sa Cistin" at 8.15pm in the Community Centre, Crusheen
  Our speaker this week is local historian and genealogist Gerry Kennedy. The topic for the nights is "Moymolane - the lost townland". Gerry says to expect Murder, Conspiracy and even Romance'.
  A cup of tea/coffee and a chat guaranteed.
  Contact Anne, tel: 065-6827172, email: heritageinchicronan@gmail.com, website: www.aughty.org
• 27 February 2008
  County Museum Ennis
  BurrenLIFE and National Parks and Wildlife Service Present
  Illustrated Talk - Mini Creatures of The Burren – The Invertebrates by Eugenie Regan
  8.00 pm FREE ADMISSION - ALL WELCOME
  Further information from BurrenLIFE Project Office 065-7089000 or 087-2925487
  Email: info@burrenlife.com, Website: www.burrenlife.com
• Saturday, February 26th, 2008
  Tulla Stables Studios - Open Studio Day
  Studio 2 - Artist Kathleen Moroney 11am - 4 p.m.
• 25th February - 2nd March
  Corofin Traditional Festival
  www.corofintradfest.com
• 22nd - 24th February 2008
  Doolin - The Russell Memorial Weekend - Traditional Music Festival
  For further Information email info@michorussellweekend.ie
  Telephone: 065-7074595, 7074168, 7074328, 7074133, Website: www.michorussellweekend.ie
• 20 February 2008
  County Museum Ennis
  BurrenLIFE and National Parks and Wildlife Service Present
  Illustrated Talk - The Vanishing Monuments of the Burren by Ian Doyle
  8.00 pm FREE ADMISSION - ALL WELCOME
  Further information from BurrenLIFE Project Office 065-7089000 or 087-2925487
  Email: info@burrenlife.com, Website: www.burrenlife.com
• Saturday, February 16 - Sunday, February 17
  Traditional Irish Basket Making
  Irish Seed Savers Associaton, Capparoe, Scarriff
  Start time: 9.30am
  Cost: €120 / €108 member
  In a 2 day course you will make two baskets that will give you experience in the basic techniques for making most round baskets. Beginners and those who have done basket making before are welcome (please specify when booking). For more information, contact Rebecca Hussey on 061-921866 or e-mail rebecca@irishseedsavers.ie Visit the website www.irishseedsavers.ie
• February 16 - 17, 2008
  Start your novel
  Killaloe
  Discover the Joy of Writing at weekend workshops throughout the year with Author, David Rice. David is from Co. Down and was an award winning syndicated columnist in the US. He returned to Ireland to head the Rathmines School of Journalism, and there trained many of Irelands best known journalists and writers. David had the no.1 bestseller 'Shatterd Vows' and his recent novel is 'Song of Tiananmen Square.'
  Organisation: Killaloe Hedge School of Writing
  Venue: Killaloe Hedge School of Writing, 4 Riverview, Ballina-Killaloe, Co. Clare
  Cost: €235
  For more information contact Kathleen Thorne on 061-375217, or e-mail khs@killaloe.ie
  Visit the website www.killaloe.ie/khs
• Saturday, February 15th, 2008
  Tulla Stables Studios - Open Studio Day
  Studio 2 - Artist Kathleen Moroney 11am - 4 p.m.
• 14th - 16th February 2008
  Gort, Co. Galway and Crusheen, Co. Clare - Joseph Browne Spring School of Traditional Music
  Workshops, masterclasses and concerts.
  Further Information: 087-0674335 or www.josephbrowne.org
• 13 February 2008
  County Museum Ennis
  BurrenLIFE and National Parks and Wildlife Service Present
  Rare, Beautiful and Preying – The Hen Harrier by Barry O’Donoghue
  8.00 pm FREE ADMISSION - ALL WELCOME
  Further information from BurrenLIFE Project Office 065-7089000 or 087-2925487
  Email: info@burrenlife.com, Website: www.burrenlife.com
• 13th February 2008
  Heritage Inchicronan - Cuirt sa cistin
  We are pleased to announce our "cuirt sa cistin" starting on Wednesday night, 13th February 2008 at 8.15pm in the Community Centre Crusheen. Our first speaker in our spring programme is the well known Noel Crowley. We look forward with anticipation to Noel joining us for one of our informal talks and to seeing all our old friends and welcoming some new ones. A cup of tea/coffee and a chat guaranteed.
  Contact Anne at Tel: 065-6827172, Email: heritageinchicronan@gmail.com, Website: www.aughty.org
• Tuesday, 12th February
  The topic for the meeting of The Old Kilfarboy Society is ‘The Folklore of Trees and Plants’.
  The speaker, Niall Mac Coiter, is the author of two excellent books on the subjects ‘Irish Wild Plants’ and ‘Irish Trees’, covers the beliefs, superstitions, customs, cures, divinations and many other aspects of our native vegetation and the uses they have been put to in the past.
  The meeting, at The Malbay, The Square, Miltown Malbay, starts at 8.00pm sharp. All are welcome.
• Saturday, 9th February 2008
  MANDSCAPE – FREE ARTIST TEACHER SEMINAR
  Venue: Glór, Causeway Link, Ennis, Co. Clare
  11.00am – 4.00pm
  In conjunction with Mandscape, an exhibition to be held at Glór in February 2008, The Ark, A Cultural Centre for Children and Glór, Ennis, Co. Clare, as part of the Arts Council’s Touring Experiment, are hosting a free day-long seminar for teachers and artists, which will focus on best practice and development of visual arts activity in schools. This will be a practical seminar that is offered to primary teachers and teachers of first and second year, who wish to develop their own arts practice within the school environment, or visual artists working in schools who wish to deepen their experience of arts in education.
  The Mandscape exhibition will be used as a focal point for stimulating dialogue around language and understanding of the visual arts both for teachers and their pupils. Practical workshops delivered by Ark artists will then enable teachers and artists to experience quality art-based activity for children that will also stimulate their own creativity. Mandscape is a textured programme of events, featuring an exhibition of ten contemporary art works from The Ark’s visual art collection. Additional seminars, talks and workshops for children, parents, teachers and artists, make it a rich and unique initiative.
  If you wish to attend this seminar, contact Sinéad Cahill at Glór on 065-6845370 or email scahill@glor.ie for further information. Please note that places are limited to 45 so booking is essential.
  This event is produced by The Ark, A Cultural Centre for Children, a partner in the Arts Council’s Touring Experiment. Lunch and Refreshments will be provided
• Saturday, February 9th, 2008
  Tulla Stables Studios - Open Studio Day
  Studio 2 - Artist Kathleen Moroney 11am - 4 p.m.
  Open Studio Event - Tulla Stables.
• February 7th – 24th, 2008
  Andi McGarry & Willie O’Kane – Exhibition of Paintings
  Courthouse Gallery, Parliament Street, Ennistymon, Co.Clare
  Tel: 065-7071630
• Wednesday, 6 February 2008
  Eating The Landscape - Farming The Burren
  Chamber of Clare County Council, County Museum Building, Ennis
  Burren Life & National Parks & Wildlife Service present a series of six illustrated talks, Wednesdays in February & March. The First Talk is Presented by Ruairi O Conchúir.
  Start time: 8pm, Cost: Free
  For more information, contact the organisers on 065-7089000 or 087-2925487
  Email: info@burrenlife.com, Website: www.burrenlife.com
• 6 February 2008
  County Museum Ennis
  BurrenLIFE and National Parks and Wildlife Service Present
  Eating the Landscape – Farming The Burren by Ruairi O Conchuir
  8.00 pm FREE ADMISSION - ALL WELCOME
  Further information from BurrenLIFE Project Office 065-7089000 or 087-2925487
  Email: info@burrenlife.com, Website: www.burrenlife.com
• Saturday, February 2nd, 2008
  Tulla Stables Studios - Open Studio Day
  Studio 2 - Artist Kathleen Moroney 11am - 4 p.m.
• 2nd February 2008
  At the Racket - Acoustic Concert
  The Courthouse Venue, Sixmilebridge
  8.00pm sharp.
  For Ticket information contact Brendan 086-8464509, Website www.wmw.ie
• February 1- 3
  21st Annual Burren Spring Conference 2008
  This year’s conference has as a working title ‘Narratives of People and Place: Burren Stories, Told and Untold’ and will be directed by Dr. Ann Byrne of NUI Galway. Speakers will include Daithi O hOgain (Dept. of Irish Folklore, UCD), writers Ré O Laighleis and Kieran Sheedy, Celtic Scholar Sean Ó Duinín, Lelia Doolin, Donnachada O’Corrain and many others.
  Venue: Newtown Castle, Ballyvaughan
  For more information contact the organisers or e-mail anna@burrencollege.ie, Website: http://www.killaloe.ie/khs

• 31st January 2008
  Seven Summits
  Illustrated talk by Ian McKeever
  The man who achieved the impossible, the Seven Summits in world record-breaking time
  8pm at the Old Ground Hotel, Ennis
  Would you like to hear the remarkable story of Ian McKeever?
  McKeever, who despite never having been at high altitude, rock climbed or walked on ice before, climbed the world’s seven highest summits in an amazing, record-breaking time of 154 days. Clare Outdoor Club is delighted to welcome this distinguished climber to the mid-west.
  Everyone is welcome. Entrance is a minimum of €10 with all proceeds going to Ian’s selected charities.
• Tuesday, January 29 - February 9
  Bo Dzierwa Photographic Exhibition, Shannon
  Bo Dzierwa, a native of Poland, presents a photographic Exhibition entitled 'Before Beginning', the theme of which is miscarriage. The exhibition will be opened by the Mayor of Clare, Cllr. Patricia McCarthy, at 6.00pm on Tuesday, 29th January.
  Venue: Sean Lemass Library, Town Centre, Shannon.
• January 28th – February 9th
  Exhibition of paintings by Maureen Quinlivan.
  Foyer of the County Museum, Ennis
• Saturday, January 26th, 2008
  Tulla Stables Studios - Open Studio Day
  Studio 2 - Artist Kathleen Moroney 11am - 4 p.m.
• Saturday, January 19 - Saturday, February 16
  New Installation by Amanda Dunsmore @ X-PO, Kilnaboy
  The subject of the Installation, Mr & Mrs Krab's Utopia is a video on contemporary rural life.
  X-PO is supported by SuperValu & the Arts Council under the Once-Off Project Scheme.
  Venue: Old Kilnaboy Post Office, Kilnaboy
  Start time: 2pm - 5pm
  For more information contact the organisers, e-mail xpo.kilnaboy@gmail.com
• Saturday, January 19th & 20th 2008
  Willow Sculpture, Scarriff
  Learn to use locally gathered woods and willow to develop skills to create unique willow crafts and to participate in a group sculpture to be exhibited in the Irish Seed Savers Association gardens.
  Venue: Irish Seed Savers Associaton, Capparoe, Scarriff
  Start time: 9.30am
  Cost: €120/€108 member
  For more information contact Rebecca Hussey on 061-921866, or e-mail rebecca@irishseedsavers.ie
• January 19 - 20, 2008
  Get started writing
  Killaloe
  Discover the Joy of Writing at weekend workshops throughout the year with Author, David Rice. David is from Co. Down and was an award winning syndicated columnist in the US. He returned to Ireland to head the Rathmines School of Journalism, and there trained many of Irelands best known journalists and writers. David had the no.1 bestseller 'Shatterd Vows' and his recent novel is 'Song of Tiananmen Square.'
  Organisation: Killaloe Hedge School of Writing
  Venue: Killaloe Hedge School of Writing, 4 Riverview, Ballina-Killaloe, Co. Clare.
  Cost: €235
  For more information contact Kathleen Thorne on 061-375217, or e-mail khs@killaloe.ie
  Visit the website www.killaloe.ie/khs
• Saturday, January 19th, 2008
  Tulla Stables Studios - Open Studio Day
  Studio 2 - Artist Kathleen Moroney 11am - 4 p.m.
• Thursday, January 17th.
  THE JAZZICAL QUARTET with Special Guest THE COLAISTE MUIRE CHOIR
  Venue: Danlann An Chlair, Ennis
  Light Classical/Jazz crossover.
  Flute -Tanja Fritschi;Piano-M.Hennessy;Drums-D.Byrte;Bass-D.Frost
  Also The Colaiste Muire Choir conducted by Carmel Griffin
  Start time: 8.00pm, Cost: €10, €3 (students)
  For more information contact Michael Hennessy on 087-9453665, or e-mail mikemhennessy@eircom.net
• Sunday, January 13.
  A Showcase of the Music of Sean Tyrrell
  The Falls Hotel, Ennistymon
  The performers include Cork legend Freddie White (singer-songwriter), Johnny Mulhearn (songwriter), Josephine Marsh (accordion), Mick Kinsella (harmonica), Liam Lewis (fiddle), Steve Hanks (Sax), Ronan Browne (uileann piper), Mary McPartland (singer), and many more.
  Start time: 4pm - 6.30pm
  Cost: €10 / Families €20
• Saturday, January 12th, 2008
  Tulla Stables Studios - Open Studio Day
  Studio 2 - Artist Kathleen Moroney 11am - 4p.m.
• 11th – 13th January 2008
  Winter Music Weekend
  Sixmilebridge Co. Clare
  For Ticket information contact Brendan 086-8464509, Website www.wmw.ie
• Thursday, January 10th, 2008
  The Clare Traditional Arts Forum will hold an information session on tourism funding for festivals and events tonight at 7.30pm in the Maguire Suite of the Old Ground Hotel.
  John Quinlivan, Regional Development Manager for Clare with Shannon Development will present the talk aimed at festival and event organisers throughout Clare. “With the Fáilte Ireland application deadline for grants coming up next week, this is a very beneficial opportunity for festival and event organisers in the County” comments Tara Connaghan of the Clare Arts Office. The idea for the talk came from attendees at the last forum meeting in December and the information session is hoped to be the start of a series of helpful talks run by the Clare Traditional Arts Forum. Festival / event organisers and anyone involved in the traditional arts are welcome to attend the talk on Thursday 10th January at 7.30pm in the Maguire Suite of the Old Ground Hotel.
  For further information contact Tara in the Clare Arts Office on 061-364062
• Tuesday, 8th January 2008
  The Old Kilfarboy Society will be holding its first talk of 2008, when the subject will be ‘The Friars of Ennis: Their Friends and Foes in Medieval Early Modern Ireland’. The speaker will be Bro. Colmán Clabhaigh O.S.B. The meeting will be held at The Malbay, The Square, Miltown Malbay, and will commence at 8.00pm. All are welcome.
• January 4th – 26th, 2008
  Sarah Fuller - Puppet Show and Art Exhibition
  Courthouse Gallery, Parliament Street, Ennistymon, Co.Clare.
  Tel: 065-7071630

See also: Events Calendar 2009, Events Calendar 2007, Events Calendar 2006, Events Calendar 2005, Events Calendar 2004, Events Calendar 2003, Events Calendar 2002 and Events Calendar 2001