Tag Archives: Michael Cusack Centre

AFTER more than 15 months filled with controversy, debate, recrimination, appeals and public votes, the most notorious sculpture this side of Michelangelo’s David has settled into its forever home. The Púca, sculpted by Aidan Harte, and originally intended for the town of Ennistymon, was unveiled this afternoon at the Michael Cusack Centre, the birthplace of the founder of the GAA. The Burren community in North Clare gathered at the Carron facility for the official unveiling of the Púca, which has famously been rejected by Ennistymon, after a backlash in the town over what objectors said was a lack of public consultation. A public vote held online by Clare County Council ultimately led to Ennistymon saying no to the artwork, and the local authority seeking expressions of interests from other entities and communities in north Clare to give the Púca a home. Harte, who was commissioned by the Arts Office of Clare County Council to produce the artwork, said, “I want …

RTÉ Radio 1 star, Ray D’Arcy has predicted a warm welcome for the shape-shifting Púca when the controversial statue is installed in North Clare on Saturday week (June 25).  The broadcaster has frequently expressed his fascination with the colourful controversy that saw the two-metre horse-headed figure ultimately rejected by the people of Ennistymon. Sculptor Aidan Harte has spoken on the popular mid-afternoon radio show on a number of occasions since the debacle originally erupted in May of last year. In recent days, D’Arcy visited the Dublin-based foundry where the folklore figure has been cast in bronze, and even got to rub the toe of the Púca for luck.  Now that the mischievous Púca has found his “forever home” at The Michael Cusack Centre, its creator expressed his optimism that the reaction of locals and visitors in Carron will be a positive one. “The reaction most artists get to their work is apathy,” Mr Harte told Ray D’Arcy. “When the row …

As part of the Cusack 175 programme, the Michael Cusack Centre is running traditional hurley making workshops this Friday. ‘Camán to the Burren’ is a 45 minute traditional hurley making demonstration which will b delivered this Friday from 1-4pm by Aidan Cuddihy of Mac Coda Hurleys (Inagh). Further workshops will be delivered on the first Friday afternoon of each month to October 2022. Given there is a Munster Hurling final featuring the Banner this weekend and this is the home of the founder of the GAA, it is an appropriate time to explore the art and craft of hurley making.

A STATUE jokingly referered to as ‘The Scare from Clare’ has been cast in bronze, with plans to unveil it on Midsummer’s Night in North Clare. The Púca garnered international headlines after a ferocious rejection by the town of Ennistymon. In recent days, The Michael Cusack Centre won the competitive process to host the horse-headed folklore figure.  Sculptor Aidan Harte confirmed the piece is on course to take up residence in Carron soon. “The bronze is fully cast,” he said. “We assembled it this week in the foundry. He’s a healthy baby boy, weighing half a ton. Next we’ll be chasing metal and applying a patina and wax polish. The stone plinth is getting knocked into shape as the site is prepared this month. If there are no surprises – what’s the bets? – I’m aiming for a June 24 unveiling. That’s Midsummer’s night, a time for mischief, magic and making merry.” Commenting on the divisive row that ended plans to …

THIS year marks the 175th anniversary of the birth of Michael Cusack, founder of the GAA, and the Burren-based Centre named in his honour has big plans, writes Conor Clohessy. Born on September 20, 1847, Cusack’s love for education, Irish culture and sport led to the foundation of what is today the world’s largest amateur sporting organisation. Situated in Carron in the heart of award-winning Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark, the Michael Cusack Centre is inviting the public to explore the heart and soul of the GAA in the valley where Cusack was born, as part of their commemoration to his legacy. Sheila Keane, Education Officer at the centre told the Champion they will be dedicating all of 2022 to “Cusack 175”, hoping to run the “Camán to the Burren” Team Building Weekends, where wellness and wellbeing are a key component of the mentally and physically stimulating experience. This initiative takes place at the centre and select …

HIGH-SPEED broadband, hot desk and video conferencing facilities are now available at the Michael Cusack Centre in Carron. The initiative was driven by Clare County Council, in partnership with the centre operators and the government. The Broadband Connection Point (BCP) was provided under the National Broadband Plan, and was officially opened as The Cusack Hub and Broadband Connection Point. The new digital hub facility, which is part of the local authority’s DigiClare.ie initiative, will support rural social enterprises and the wider community by providing flexible, affordable hot desks, video conferencing and printing facilities, all supported by high-speed broadband. The facilities at the hub will be made available to all members of the community who have a requirement to access these services, such as those working remotely and students who require access to third-level course material online. Groups and organisations in the area will also be able to use the facilities for community purposes, such as meetings and presentations. The BCP …

THE significant contribution to Irish culture by the founder of the GAA will be celebrated next Sunday, with the inaugural Michael Cusack Day in Carron. A Shane Gilmore sculpture representing the central role of gaelic games in communities across the island of Ireland will be unveiled, exactly 173 years on from Cusack’s birth in Carron. A tree for each county will also be unveiled, along the Burren Fairy Trail and GAA Trail near the Michael Cusack Cottage, thanks to the support of the TOMAR Trust. Sunday’s event also will feature the launch of Going WeLL, a national wellness experience programme being developed nationally by the GAA to encourage people to take better care of their mental and physical health, and by so doing, to reconnect with their communities. Going WeLL is being rolled out on a pilot outreach basis to a range of communities, schools and FET (Further Education and Training) Centres from the Michael Cusack Centre this winter. It …