The opportunity to indulge in a little local nostalgia, to learn about threatened wildlife species recorded on what was a derelict manufacturing site for many years and to find out how to creatively cook organic products can all be savoured by festival goers of Scariff Harbour Festival.
They are tasty treats from a packed programme of events over the August Bank Holiday week-end.
Old Photos East Clare is an online platform of people and place going back to the late 1800s, reflecting the day to day life of Scariff and surrounding parishes from O’Callaghan’s Mills to Tulla, back to Mountshannon and further afield.
It is a treasure trove of memories and social history, founded and developed by local photographer, Marie O’Leary.
During the Scariff Harbour Festival a representative selection from 8,000 photographs accessible online will form a slide show presentation.
It can be viewed on loop between 12 noon and 4pm on both Saturday and Sunday of the festival in the town centre.
With these photographs likely to generate significant interest, Marie O’Leary is inviting people to bring old photos to the event, which she would be delighted to include on her popular platform with their permission.
Meanwhile, a large marquee located outside the Old Finsa Site in Scariff during the festival will house a colourful and informative exhibition of local biodiversity.
This exhibition will specifically highlight a number of protected and near-threatened species which exist in the local area and are in need of protection.
It will include visuals of common varieties of birds, mammals, flora and insects recorded in 2023 on the 30-acre site by Limerick-based, environmental consulting company, JBA.
The purpose of the exhibition is to give recognition to and create awareness of biodiversity at a local level. It also contributes to the combined efforts of the local community and public bodies to value and conserve biodiversity at a critical juncture in mitigating climate change. Sites, like the Old Finsa site, are often undervalued but they support a wide range of habitats that encourage biodiversity and revitalisation of the environment.
“As a company we are committed to achieving carbon neutrality across our operations and the nature of the Finsa site prompted us to undertake this exhibition,” said Eugene Keane, CEO of Integrated Services, which has initiated and funded the project.
“We uphold the use of renewable resources, aspire to find a way towards a more resilient and eco-conscious future, particularly in business, and we are delighted to be part of Scariff Harbour Festival.”
Today FM radio broadcaster, Cathal Minogue will also host an entertaining Cookery Demonstration with a difference on the Fair Green on Bank Holiday Sunday afternoon. Chef Stewart Woodland and Tipperary-based Corrigeen Organic Farm, run by Declan Houlihan, will team up to create and serve some tasty treats for festival goers.
Andrew Hamilton is a journalist, investigative reporter and blogger who has been working in the media in Ireland for the past 20 years. His areas of special interest include the environment, mental health and politics.