Arts & Culture

A NEW film featuring Clare award winning writer and poet Doireann Ní Ghríofa has been released this week, and people in the Banner county will have the opportunity to see it on the big screen in Ennis. Described as an intimate exploration of Doireann’s world and creative process, Aisling Trí Néallaibh: Clouded Reveries is a film about memories, motherhood and the mysterious nature of creativity. The acclaimed poet and essayist, raised in Kilnamona, was catapulted into the international literary spotlight in 2020 with the publication of her debut novel A Ghost in the Throat. Lauded by critics from the New York Times to the Guardian, it went on to win the Irish Book of the Year. Aisling Trí Néallaibh: Clouded Reveries is an exploration of Ní Ghríofa’s world and creative process. Captured through intimate performances of her own work and in-depth interviews, the film reveals Ní Ghríofa’s creative impulses and journeys with her to the heart of her inspiration, her home place …

FRIENDS, family and fans of the late Dennis Cahill, will gather on Saturday night in Feakle to honour the renowned musician. A long-time musical collaborator with fiddle player Martin Hayes, the two men have played at some of the world’s most prestigious venues and toured extensively. Together, they breathed fresh life into a diverse traditional music repertoire and founded the acclaimed five piece, The Gloaming. For more than two decades, Dennis joined Martin as he returned home to his native Maghera and the Chicago native became part of the Hayes family and a valued member of East Clare’s musical community.  “Saturday evening in Pepper’s will be a moment for people to come together and to remember Dennis,” Martin said. “It will be informal, in the same way that Dennis was. Music brought him to Feakle and the festival. East Clare made a big impression on him and the event will give people here the chance to talk and chat and …

GLÓR’S director Orla Flanagan will be stepping down from her role in the new year the venue’s chair and board have announced. After six years at the helm of the Ennis cultural venue, Ms Flanagan is set pursue her own artistic interests and to embark on new creative projects. She has been appointed as senior producer for Once Off Productions and said she intends to remain living in Clare. “I am very proud of what we have achieved in glór over the past six years,” Ms Flanagan commented. “I will really miss the great staff, supportive board and our fantastic partners and artists as well as the buzz of the events and the vibrancy of the building. “I am especially proud of our collaborations with a range of artists and projects as well as the many exceptional artists celebrated and featured as part of the MÓRglór Award.” She said she is looking forward to working with a wide range of …

A RETIRED South-East Clare primary school teacher has provided a wealth of information for future generations about his native place in a new local history book. Broadford parish is a consequence of its colourful history, which Pat O’Brien (68) felt should be recognised and celebrated. Broadford Parish 1800-1850 – ‘The History of a Rural County Clare Parish During an Eventful Time’ comprises 650 pages, illustrated with images particularly of local significance. The book, which is an expensive undertaking, is published by his wife, Caroline O’Brien, The Celtic Bookshop, 2 Rutland Street, Limerick City, on high quality paper and is issued in an edition of 300 hardbound copies, with dust wrappers. Growing up in this special place, Pat developed an abiding interest in its history and lore. He has written this book in an attempt to discover what life was like for people living in Broadford parish during the first half of the nineteenth century, a traumatic period in both national …

SCARIFF GAA Hall will be the venue for a dramatic ‘court’ case on Saturday night, November 19. The newly refurbished and extended hall will host Gerard Howard performing Brian Merriman’s The Midnight Court in an exciting one-man show, directed by Paul Brennan.  Written around 1780, Brian Merriman’s comic poem is set on the shores of Lough Graney. A classic of early modern Irish poetry, its themes include sex, gender roles and the manifestation of a God.  In The Midnight Court, the bachelor poet Merriman is put on trial for the crime of never getting married. The women of Ireland have him up before a court in Feakle, presided over by the Goddess Aoibheal, who demands him to account for this outrageous oversight. Gerard Howard, a Clare native will switch roles from Merriman to maiden, from old codger to goddess, from harridan to 18-foot tall bailiff, exposing the shortcomings of the men of Ireland. Not even the clergy escape Merriman’s scabrous …

OVER the years since it opened its doors in 1979, Scoil Mhuire Ennistymon, has been renowned for all things musical. Producing school musicals to a very high standard is very much part of its tradition and audiences across North Clare and further afield have been wowed by productions including ‘Oliver’, ‘Calamity Jane’, ‘Godspell’, ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, ‘The Sound of Music’ and ‘Les Miserables’. As Scoil Mhuire enters into amalgamation with the CBS and the Vocational School next year, its forthcoming show will be one like no other. Staff and students have promised “an absolute feast of colour and song for the eyes and the ears”. Rehearsals have been underway since September, under the watchful eyes of director and choreographer, Peter Kennedy and producer, Patricia Dooley. The high standards set by previous productions have pushed the cast and crew to new levels. Fittingly, the school will end its run of musicals by returning to its roots. In 1994, Mary O’Loghlin, former …

A NATIONAL art competition for primary school children aimed at promoting inclusivity and diversity has extended the deadline for this year’s projects. As with pupils across Ireland submitting their entries for the annual Someone Like Me art competition, the National Disability Authority has extended the competition deadline to Friday November 25. The prestigious competition, which is organised by the National Disability Authority, has seen thousands of primary school pupils submit projects over the last six years, all of which were inspired by their learning about inclusivity and diversity through the medium of art. This year’s competition invites Ireland’s 500,000+ pupils attending over 3,000 mainstream and special primary schools, as well as those who are home schooled, to take part in what has become an annual campaign to help develop more positive attitudes towards persons with disabilities. It offers a range of prizes up to the value of €1,250 and is open to all primary school pupils from junior infants to …

A NEW book on Éamon de Valera’s personal secretary provides a fascinating insight into the life of Kathleen O’Connell and her support for the Fianna Fáil founder’s political career.  The Life and Times of Kathleen O’Connell by Patrick and Paul Murray also sheds light on de Valera himself, through painstakingly compiled details of their communications. Described as “Éamon de Valera’s Indispensable Secretary,” Kathleen, a native of Caherdaniel, County Kerry, is described as someone with an unwavering attachment to the causes she believed in.  Published by De Búrca Books, this is the first biography dealing with the life and times of Kathleen O’Connell. When her name is mentioned, it is almost invariably in association with that of Eamon de Valera. This is because her life derived its deepest significance from her unwavering attachment to whatever cause he espoused. For this reason, any record of her life is bound to throw incidental insights of varying quality on several aspects of de Valera’s career and …