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Arts & Culture

Fairy stories and lore of the ‘sídhe’ in Michael’s new book

ABDUCTIONS by fairies, and other nefarious activities of Ireland’s ‘sídhe’, are detailed in a new book by Quin’s Michael Houlihan. The Kerry man, who is a founder of the Quin Heritage Group, has not been sitting on his laurels for long and Irish Fairies – A Short History of the Sídhe is now available in local bookshops.  The recent Púca controversy proves the persistence of superstitions around fairy folk, and Michael outlines where this mischievous character sits in the pantheon of the sídhe, alongside creatures like the banshee, the fairy queens Clíodhna and Medb, the nobles Aengus Óg and the Dagda. “For thousands of years, the Irish have believed in ‘the fairies’,” Michael said. “In present-day Ireland, however, as in so many modern societies, fairies have been retreating, almost to the point of extinction. Nevertheless, the question might still be asked, what if the fairies were not created or imagined, but remembered?” As well as considering that key question, the …

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Scene set for return of Scariff Harbour Festival

FINAL preparations are being made for the eagerly-anticipated Scariff Harbour Festival, which returns after the hiatus created by the pandemic. A host of family-friendly events are on offer over three days from July 29 to 31, showcasing the rich culture and heritage of Scariff and the wider East Clare region. Among the many activities available to locals and visitors alike will be a scenic walk on the Sunday (July 31), led by owner of Shamrock Walking Tours, Marie McMahon. The walk will offer a bird’s eye view of the leafy landscape, following the hills of East Clare overlooking Lough Derg and its stunning surrounds. Sunday’s walk will be 14.5km guided looped walk on the hills of East Clare. Those taking part will enjoy spectacular views of Lough Derg and surrounding mountains on the route. The walk includes an optional 3km historical walk of the townland of Cappabane. That promises an insight into the local heritage, historical sites and folklore of …

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WATCH: New virtual tour of Quin Abbey

A VIRTUAL tour of Quin Friary is now available on the website of the Quin Heritage Group.  Members of group were aware that the story of the 12th century Friary was not readily available to either locals or visitors. To this end, with the support of Clare County Council and Creative Ireland, members of Quin Heritage have devised a 12-minute video that shares share the story of Quin Friary over the centuries. The video also highlights many of the main architectural features found within the building. The piece includes floor plans and stunning drone footage, as well as a video walkthrough focusing on features of interest.  The tour is available on Quinheritage.ie. Those using a smartphone will be able to view the video, while moving around the Friary.

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Clare fans urged to Banner Up for Copperface Jack’s: The Musical

CLARE fans planning on heading to Copper Face Jacks: The Musical at University Concert Hall Limerick are being urged to don the Saffron and Blue on opening night this week. UCH is encouraging the audience members to wear their county colours on Tuesday July 26 for the show starting at 8pm and with the production being in Limerick, fans of the All-Ireland champions will no doubt need little encouragement. “While much of our audience will be supporting the Limerick hurling team in the green and white, we are encouraging jerseys and county colours from every county,” said a spokesperson for UCH. They explained the storyline of the show, written by the renowned Paul Howard, lends itself to the GAA celebrations currently taking place. “This comedy musical is about love blossoming on the eve of a Dublin v Kerry All-Ireland Final, when a sweet Kerry girl ends up falling for the Captain of the Dublin football team in the famous Copper Face Jacks nightclub in Dublin.” …

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Embrace your inner ‘wild child’ for Heritage Week in Clare

THE people of Clare are being urged to embrace their inner Wild Child as part of National Heritage Week this August. Woodland fun, entry to historic sites, open houses and nature outings are just some of the events which have already been lined up in Clare for the annual event. Organisers of events in County Clare are being encouraged to consider sustainable heritage and biodiversity when planning in-person events and digital projects for National Heritage Week 2022, which will take place throughout Clare from August 13 to 21. Details of in-person events and digital projects are now being accepted from individuals, community groups and organisations across County Clare, with sustainability and biodiversity this year’s themes. The heritage projects or ideas are up to organisers, regardless of how small or big the event. All projects submitted will be considered for seven different Heritage Week Awards. An emphasis has been placed on hosting events which are inclusive and involve all the community, …

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Ennis teens draw out connections with German twin town

FIVE Ennis teenagers have got making European connections down to a fine art. Alysha Casey Hanrahan, Mahia Rahman, Gabrielle Cullinan, Eimear Fitzgerald and Cameron O’Grady have travelled to Germany for an international meeting of young people at Ennis’ twin town of Langenfeld. The teens are taking part in a ‘youth art camp’ in the town, located between Cologne and Dusseldorf, where they are meeting other art lovers from Langenfeld and its other European twin communities. Here at home, the Ennis youngsters brush up their artistic skills with tutor and Ennis Langenfeld Twinning Committee member Carmel Doherty, and they were delighted to have the opportunity to visit Germany. In Germany they are learning from local artists as part of the week long initiative, and their resulting works will be exhibited at the Kunstverein gallery in Langenfeld. Ennis has been twinned with Langenfeld since 2013 with a twinning a formal arrangement formed with the old Ennis Town Council. This art week is …

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Organisers launch website ahead of 35th Feakle Festival

AN UPLIFTING Feakle Festival is promised from August 4 to 8, with a surge of interest in the return of full in-person workshops, sessions and concerts.  Organisers of the 35th festival have just launched a new website, which captures a sense of what’s in store as some of Ireland’s finest traditional musicians prepare to gather for the eagerly-awaited event. “We’re thrilled with how the site has turned out,” said Aoife Hayes, a member of the festival’s organising committee. “Planning for the site was done by our full team, but because I’m one of the youngest people involved, I got the job of working on the layout and the script. The site was created by Jereon Bos (Artvaark Design) and we left the design completely his hands.” The site has several important features, including a direct link for ticket sales to the Glór box office. “Tickets were always available through Glór,” Aoife said, “but now we have the link straight to …

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Strawboys return to highways and byways of Clare

DANCE Artist Rob Heaslip, is reviving the old cultural tradition of The Strawboys and will take them to Clare, Kerry, and Galway this summer. Strawboys which is an energetic outdoor performance blurs the lines between traditional and contemporary dance and music and pays homage to the traditions and costumes of the Wren Boys who once paraded through the streets, towns and fields of Ireland. From July 21 to July 24, pop up performances of Strawboys will take place all over Clare in town centres and rural settings such as village squares, carparks and forests. Unsuspecting audiences will see a Strawboy enter a location, before being joined by the rest of the cast to perform a highly percussive and visual work where lively Balkan musical vibes match their colour popping costumes. Strawboys features professional dancers Sophie Hutchinson who is based in Feakle in Clare, Favour Odusola, Aneta Dortová and Salma Ataya. Composers Zoe Katsilerou and Eilon Morris infuse lively Balkan vibes …

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