New role for council conservation officer

John Rainsford talks to Risteard (Dick) Ua Cróinín recently appointed editor of The Other Clare about the importance of this historical
journal to his native county

 

 

IT has been nearly 15 years since Risteard UaCróinín last served as editor of The Other Clare – the evergreen county archaeological journal. 
Like all ‘comeback kids’, however, he was only too eager to climb back into the saddle when invited to resume his role at the helm for this year’s issue.

“As architectural conservation officer and archaeologist with Clare County Council, I am responsible for the built environment of the county, this includes archaeological monuments, (c.6500 in number), protected structures (c.900), architectural conservation areas (most towns and villages) and vernacular buildings. It is a very wide, varied and interesting portfolio and requires me to liaise with government departments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), lobby groups, local authorities, semi-state bodies, consultants and, of course, the general public.

“I consider myself to be a conservator. I believe most things created in the past are of a much higher standard and use far superior materials than today. For this reason, I have always had an interest in restoring old things and have tried to improve my skills over the years. There is a great sense of discovery when an old document or structure comes to light after centuries. Such material often throws new light on a subject or enriches our knowledge of an event in the past. It is only natural to want to interpret it and share it with others.”

Indeed, post-Celtic Tiger, Dick has found that even more people are taking an interest in those things that really matter; families, local history, ancient buildings and the Gaelic language. According to him, we are beginning to appreciate that we are living in the most wonderful country in the world and must ensure that it is not damaged by neglect or malice.

In his job, he is required to attend public meetings and to give lectures throughout the county on various pertinent topics. This is one of the most rewarding aspects of his chosen career, he believes. It is a busy occupation too but with some notable successes and a great deal of job satisfaction thrown in.

The completion of conservation works on the 17th century, McParland’s building in Chapel Lane, Ennis, which, it seems, is the last remaining half-timbered house in Ireland, being one example.

Although the removal of the Conservation Grant Scheme, by Central Government, was a huge blow, to the architectural heritage of the country, he feels, local communities are, again, doing great work in their own areas to conserve the past. Indeed, the council is now actively supporting this process.

“My favourite historical site has to be Dysert O’Dea, not just because the castle was my first major restoration project but because it is such a beautiful place,” says Dick. “There are numerous walks there, taking in over 25 spectacular archaeological monuments from Bronze Age wedge tombs to an 1823 proselytising school.

“Some of the monuments are world famous, such as the 12th century illuminated high cross, the Romanesque Church with its wonderful carved doorway, the round tower and the nearby Church of Rath, which contains the most elaborately carved window sill in Ireland, dating again from the 12th  century. The sill looks like it was designed in Cambodia. The archaeology trail also includes two 15th century Gaelic towerhouses, one of which, Dysert O’Dea Castle, houses a museum and an archaeology centre.”

“I believe that there is still a wealth of untapped knowledge out there, which will help us to understand our landscape, culture, folklore and language but we need to research as much as we can of what remains. One very exciting project at present, is Tomás MacConmara’s Cuimhneamh an Chláir, in which volunteers interview old people from all over the county to record their memories on a huge spectrum of subjects. Most of this knowledge has never been published and will be invaluable in years to come.”
Suitably enough, Dick was born in Ennis, where he lived until the age of 18. His mother was from Malin Head, County Donegal, however, and his father from Cobh, County Cork. He attended The Christian Brothers School (CBS) in Ennis for his Leaving Certificate and subsequently went on to study at Mary Immaculate College, in Limerick, University College Dublin (UCD) and completed an honours Masters Degree in University College Galway (UCG) some years later.

It should come as no surprise, therefore, that one with such diverse interests would have experienced great career diversity over the past four decades. This has included, variously, working as a labourer, carpenter, mason, soldier, teacher, cook, lecturer, author, building contractor, archaeologist and even a stone carver.
He comments,  “I was lucky enough to have worked for a great man, in the late Tom Murphy, from Ennis. He was one of the last master craftsmen in wood and he taught me all that I know today about carpentry, masonry and many other crafts. Tom was a coach-builder who worked for CIÉ and British Rail and later became involved in many areas of construction in Clare.

“My main interests, apart from my work, are boat-building and sailing. I have an old wooden, North of England motor launch, from 1936, which is in need of a major over-hauling and I try to do a few hours work on it each day, if I get the chance.

“Indeed, I have always had a project on the go since I was about 25, restoring houses, castles, and furniture as well as boats. I also write a bit of Gaelic poetry and songs. My most successful song was The Banner Roar which I wrote for Kieran McDermott and his band in 1995 when Clare was on the way to its second hurling title in a century. I believe that it went into the national Top 20.”
Dick’s current preoccupation, The Other Clare, has been published annually for almost 35 years and has amassed a huge archive on the history and archaeology of the county over the past three millennia. So far, the recession has not significantly affected the journal, he believes, as it has always been competitively priced but it relies greatly on public and corporate sponsorship and this may suffer, unless things improve.

“There is a huge amount of work involved for all the editorial committee in selecting, correcting and appraising papers and then deciding on their design and illustration. However, we are blessed with gifted associates including our artist, Hilary Gilmore and our printer, Kevin Fitzgerald of Intype Ltd, Limerick. The end result is always of an exceptional standard. Indeed, I have been told, on numerous occasions, that it is regarded as one of the finest journals of its sort in Ireland or Britain.

“The existing format appears to be particularly successful as we generally manage to sell most of what we print. Over the years, the remaining copies will also sell as they are, by now, collectors’ items and complete sets are in great demand. In fact, one of our biggest problems is trying to find back issues when requested, so, we are now considering reprinting many of our past journals.”
Content in his own life, Risteard is still inspired by the good he sees in others despite all that has happened recently. Such people quietly give up their spare time to help the sick and the disadvantaged in Irish society. Most do it without expectation, recompense or recognition and should be seen as our unsung heroes and heroines, he believes.

“Personally, I am quite happy with what I am doing at present. I suppose I would like to have learned the fiddle but that is the one skill that bested me. I will sail, whenever and wherever, I get an excuse. As my own boat is in dry-dock, at present, being restored, I rely on friends and relations who are in need of a crew. Generally, I sail around West Cork, West Clare and North Donegal. I try to take part in the Cobh–Blackrock race each September but I will go sailing or sea-fishing at the drop of a hat.

“I would advise young people to consider doing what they enjoy most, rather than what pays most. There are too many miserable millionaires out there. I would have liked to have done a PhD myself but the fees were prohibitively steep. However, I do not need one to work in my current (very enjoyable) job and life is too short, to be constantly striving.”

The 36th volume of The Other Clare (2012) was officially launched at the Oakwood Arms Hotel in Shannon on December 21.