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North Clare

Craic and creativity combine in meeting of North Clare minds

SIMON O’Reilly came to Clare to work for a week, after spending much of his early life in Australia and Holland. Twenty-three years later, the musician, composer and producer is still here.  He has certainly been busy during those two decades developing his music studio between Lahinch and Doolin and working with artists including Luka Bloom, Susan O’Neill, the ConTempo Quartet, the Monks of Glenstal, Davy Spillane and Kila. A composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and music video maker, Simon has also found the time to showcase the musical energy of the West at festivals both local and international.  Under the banner of Doolin Arts, a not-for-profit organisation which describes itself as a “flying column of creative souls” committed to supporting and defending the arts, Simon co-founded Hedge School. The eclectic offering brings together creative artists and producers of all kinds in a series of workshops, performances and conversations that will take place from January 27 to 29 in Doolin. The …

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Theatre workshops give New Hope in North Clare

DRAMA is being used to promote integration between the communities of North Clare and those taking refuge from the war on Ukraine.  An innovative project called ‘New Hope’ has been spearheaded by Mariupol woman Nadia Shvachova, in partnership with Bellharbour native Maria Kerin Walsh. The programme has two stages, the first of which is to gather people to participate in the techniques of Playback Theatre to tell stories about their lives through improvisation. The second stage will see Irish and Ukrainian participants perform with a general audience and develop a “pop-up players”  theatre company Maria, an independent artist, curator and choreographer, has extensive experience of working overseas. She said the New Hope scheme is a way of keeping community bonds strong as the response to the war on Ukraine becomes a longer-term effort. “Originally, we were in crisis mode in North Clare and we’re now looking to move beyond that,” she said. Having lived for a time in Estonia, Maria …

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Enda’s labour of love on Ennistymon’s musical legacy

Ahead of the launch of his new book and double CD on December 10, Enda Byrt reflects on the history of the céilí and dance bands of Ennistymon from 1954 to 1970.   COUNTY Clare is closely associated with traditional music, with an audience made up of traditional purists to passing tourists, and all in between!  Sound Your A: The story of  the Céilí and Dance bands of Ennistymon: families, music and musicians tells as much of the story of the music of Ennistymon and district, not all traditional, as can be gleaned from the recordings and the accounts of the times, as well as the music that could be gathered. Sound Your A tells the stories of the individual musicians, and their families. Much has been and continues to be written about the music and musicians of Clare. The areas receiving most attention in the West of the county are often Doolin, Kilfenora, and Miltown Malbay. All have a …

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Aillwee Burren Experience takes two major awards

THE team from Aillwee Burren Experience had cause for celebration at the Crown Plaza Hotel, Dublin Airport which hosted the 2022 Irish Hospitality Awards recently. They scooped not one but two awards on the night as Orlagh Redmond, Dave Merrins and Sam O’Connor ably represented Aillwee. They proudly returned home to The Burren as overall Winners of the Family Venue of the Year award and Highly Commended in the Outdoor Venue of the Year category. Nuala Mulqueeney, Managing Director of the family run Aillwee Burren Experience said: “We are thrilled to receive this recognition which represents our visitors’ continued enjoyment of what we offer across our Aillwee site for nearly 50 years. All our experiences, under and overground are delivered by our wonderful, skilled team and these awards are testament to their welcome and inclusion of our visitors to Aillwee”  “These awards are extra special this year as we showcase our newly, exquisitely lit and uniquely immersive Cave Tour, rebuilt …

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Launch of ‘Our Burren Walks’ Guidebook in support of Clarecare

FROM the stunning scenery of the Flaggy Shore to the unspoilt splendour of Mullaghmore, these are just some of the locations that are featured in a brand new book showcasing some of the very best walks to be enjoyed in the Burren. Written by Patrick McGinley, Tim O’Connell and Eddie Joyce, the ‘Our Burren Walks’ Guidebook is being sold in support of Clarecare Family Support Service which provides a range of supports to children and parents in County Clare. Keen and extensive outdoor walkers and adventurers, Patrick, Tim and Eddie regard many of the walks in the Burren as spectacular as those anywhere in the world and they are pleased to have the opportunity to share some of their interesting Burren experiences with readers of ‘Our Burren Walks’. Patrick tells us they are hopeful the book will inspire others to get out and explore all the Burren has to offer. He says there are “dozens of reasons” to go out …

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Record Young Scientist qualification rate for Clare school

A NORTH Clare secondary school has achieved a huge 81% qualification rate ahead of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BTYSE) 2023.  Mary Immaculate Secondary School in Lisdoonvarna entered a total of 11 projects into next year’s prestigious competition and nine of them have qualified. The average qualification rate is around one-third, putting Mary Immaculate students and teachers in a league of their own. “We’ve been told that there were 1,700 entries this year,” said retired Science Teacher, John Sims, who has stayed on board to support BTYSE projects and the school’s proud history with the competition. “We’ve also seen that 550 of those entries have qualified. That represents a qualification rate, on average, of just over 30%, so we’re well in excess of that. It’s to the huge credit of the students and teachers at Mary Immaculate, as well as the parents and the entire school team.” Four individual projects from Mary Immaculate have qualified, as well as …

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Brewery and Smokehouse feature in new craft beer podcast

BEER, craft brewing, sustainability and food pairings are among the topics of a new podcast series from the Independent Craft Brewers of Ireland (ICBI), supported by Bord Bia. Clare features strongly in the new limited edition podcast series, which is entitled ‘Craft Community, the Local Irish Beer Podcast’. Peter Curtin and Birgitta Hedin Curtin, of The Roadside Tavern, Burren Brewery and The Burren Smokehouse are ideally placed to provide expert insights and tips on food pairings and beer styles. They share their culinary and brewing secrets in Episode Five of the series, alongside the proprietors of The Dungarvan Brewery and The Whitefield Brewery. Hosted by beer sommelier and award-winning drinks writer, Susan Boyle, the podcast series aims to raise awareness of the Irish craft brewing sector and to encourage people in Ireland to find out more about the craft beers being produced locally.  Over six episodes, host Susan will be joined by some of Ireland’s leading craft breweries on themes including sustainability, branding, craft production, and business development. The weekly episodes will …

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Anger at ‘unholy mess’ over Burren scheme

CHANGES to an award-winning scheme that has supported farmers to deliver million of euros worth of conservation measures in the Burren have been branded “an unholy mess”. The Burren Programme incentivises those farming one of the most sensitive landscapes in the country, with payments to promote sustainable agricultural management. Since its inception, the pioneering programme has supported more than 400 local farmers who have delivered at least €33 million worth of landscape and biodiversity improvements. Despite its internationally-recognised achievements, the programme will change radically as of January 1, 2023. From the start of next year, farmers will have to transfer to the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme, ACRES Burren Aran, which covers a territory from the Aran Islands to Loughrea in East Galway. It is feared the move will lead to a drop in payments to farmers and decrease incentives for conservation measures.  Burren IFA member, Michael Davoren has sought an urgent meeting with Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue. “This is an unholy …

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