Tag Archives: Mountshannon

MOUNTSHANNON Arts will to host a Harp Concert with a difference this Saturday October 22 when Erin Durrett and Christina Tourin join together to present ‘Songs of Hildegard and the Early Saints’ with Blossom Harps and guest harpers from America. Internationally renowned harp educator, Christina Tourin is one of the most accomplished harpists of her generation, delighting audiences with her performances worldwide. Soprano Erin Durrett, who loves music of all times, genres, and cultures, has a special passion for scared chant and is Director of Music Ministries at The Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit on Vashon Island.  Blossom Harps is directed by Lizzie Affolter who initiated the Blossom Harp Festival in Tuamgraney in 2016. The hugely popular event has since become renamed the Tuamgraney Harp Festival. Hildegard of Bingen was a saint, composer and poet and it’s only recently that her songs, writings and remarkable life and visions have been rediscovered. She was born over 900 years ago and …

AS THE evenings draw in, an exciting programme of music and song will play out at venues on the shores of Lough Derg in Mountshannon.  ‘Autumn by the Lough’  is curated by local musician Clí Donnellan, and an initiative of Clare Arts Presents (CAP). Supported by The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, through Clare Arts Office, and Mountshannon Arts, the eclectic programme will include traditional and contemporary sounds.  Events get underway this Friday, September 30, at 8pm at St Caimin’s Church of Ireland in Mountshannon with a performance from AWNYA. Drawing on the tradition of storytelling, this Clare conceptual artist and singer-songwriter promises to take audiences on a theatrical journey through her songs, to create a full immersive experience. There is honesty and comedy woven into her songs, as well as what is described as “a refreshing view of the world of broken hearts!”. AWNYA’s music has been described as ‘Vaudeville Folk’ and a highly entertaining …

DISCARDED cigarette butts, food-related waste and extensive dog fouling has been reported from Lahinch in a survey by Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) of beaches and harbours. The popular resort slipped to ‘moderately littered’ in the report, as did Doolin Pier and Harbour. On the plus side, Mountshannon was again found to be ‘Clean to European Norms’. Overall, litter levels are on the rise, with only 8 of 33 areas surveyed receiving the ‘Clean’ designation. Alongside its impact on tourism and recreation, IBAL is warning that coastal litter has grave implications for the future of our planet. The An Taisce report for Lahinch stated: “There was plenty of dog fouling signage, some attached to railings and rocks, some imprinted on the ground and an audio message – and yet dog fouling prevailed. “Cigarette butts were also obvious, particularly around the drains. Other litter items included plastic bottles, fast-food wrappers and sweet papers; marine related items included fishing lines / nets …

ARTISTS are being invited to take part in an intriguing art exhibition which, for the second year in a row, will raise money for deserving causes in Clare.  The ‘Hush, Hush’ show ran, to huge success, for the first time last year. Such was the popularity of the event that its organisers, Mountshannon Arts Committee, hope to expand on it this year.  Mel White, Chairperson of Mountshannon Arts has just announced a call out for artists nationwide to take part in the 2022 exhibition.  Artists anonymously donate original art work on 2 x A5 postcards. These postcards will be sold for €40 each and the proceeds will be divided between two charities, Clare Haven and Every Child Ireland. Last year, organisers were bowled over when a total of €4,000 was raised and divided between the two charities. The committee of Mountshannon Arts is also inviting art buyers to add to their collections based on their love of a piece. There is then an added …

A MESMERISING new album, meditating on live and love, will be launched by New Zealander Jyoshna La Trobe in Mountshannon later this month.  The acclaimed music researcher, singer and songwriter will launch Unity Hours IV, with a very special concert, on Saturday, August 27 at St Caimin’s Church of Ireland, which will feature her Clare Band.  As well as being a prolific composer and performer, Jyoshna is an accomplished ethnomusicologist, specialising in the Music of Rarh, India, and holding a PhD in Music, from SOAS, London on Marai Kirtan and the Performance of Ecstasy in West Bengal, India. She has authored over 30 albums of original and ethnographic material including Dharmacakra, ancient and modern songs in Sanskrit (2015). Unity Hours I (2006) was recorded in London, as was Unity Hours II (2010). Unity Hours III (2019) was recorded in New Zealand and the latest album was recorded in here in Clare.  “All the experiences here are written with the ink …

JET SKI activity at one of Lough Derg’s most scenic bathing areas has been described as “an accident waiting to happen”.  The issue has prompted a petition calling for restrictions to protect swimmers at Knockaphort, a popular bathing spot and launch point for vessels sailing to Holy Island. Local swimmers have reported a number of near-misses with jet skis. One Mountshannon woman described her own recent experience as “horrific”.  Clí Donnellan told The Champion she was so frustrated with the ongoing problem that she launched the petition last Sunday night on Change.org. “The situation last weekend was just shocking,” she said. “There is a massive, massive safety issue. Knocaphort is only around 500 metres from Holy Island. There are reeds about halfway between the shore and the island and jet skis just shouldn’t be there, and they certainly shouldn’t be speeding. Swimmers are now reluctant to go into the water because of the danger.” Clí recalled her own recent near-miss …

AN APPROVED housing body seeking to build 11 social houses and two apartments in Mountshannon has been sent back to the drawing board by Clare County Council. In March, Inis Housing Association lodged plans for housing of varying size and design, and a single building containing the two apartments. The site, which is three quarters of a hectare, is close to St Caimin’s Church of Ireland on Main Street. After an initial assessment of the plans, the Council has now requested Further Information on nine aspects of the project.  Planners said that “having regard to the scale, extent and location of the proposed development, it is possible that subsurface archaeological remains could be encountered during the construction phase” of the works.  They have asked that Inis Housing Association to commission an Archaeological Impact Assessment (AIA) involving test excavations. The request follows a submission on the project from The Development Applications Unit (DAU) of the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local …

AN APPROVED housing body has lodged an application to build 11 social houses and two apartments in Mountshannon. The Council is currently assessing plans from Inis Housing which provides homes to eligible individuals and families in the Mid-West region. The application outlines plans for houses of varying size and design and a single building containing the two apartments. The site, which is three quarters of a hectare, is close to St Caimin’s Church of Ireland on Main Street. Architect Miles Sampson has told planners great lengths have been taken to produce “a considered and well-developed design that fits in with the surroundings”. An indicative decision date of May 19 has been given.