Tag Archives: Scariff Library

  Irish President Michael D Higgins has led the tributes following the death of internationally acclaimed Tuamgraney novelist, Edna O’Brien, (93), describing her as “one of the outstanding writers of modern times”. “Edna was a fearless teller of truths, a superb writer possessed of the moral courage to confront Irish society with realities long ignored and suppressed,” he said. “Through that deeply insightful work, rich in humanity, Edna O’Brien was one of the first writers to provide a true voice to the experiences of women in Ireland in their different generations and played an important role in transforming the status of women across Irish society.” “While the beauty of her work was immediately recognised abroad, it is important to remember the hostile reaction it provoked among those who wished for the lived experience of women to remain far from the world of Irish literature, with her books shamefully banned upon their early publication.” Paying tribute to the author, publishing house …

The Sparks Youth Film Festival in Scariff hosts screenings and workshops next week THE red carpet will be rolled out in Scariff next week, as the Sparks Youth Film Festival gets underway. The event will begin on Tuesday next with a series of workshops on skills from animation to special FX make-up and will culminate in a Red Carpet Festival Screening on Saturday from 2-4pm at Scariff Library. On Tuesday, from 3.30-5pm, a sound FX recording workshop will take place for those aged ten and over. Animation classes run on Thursday and Friday (October 28 and 29) for those aged between eight and 13. On Saturday, a special FX makeup session takes place with lots of tips on making scary scenes look even more gory, ahead of Halloween. The film screening on Saturday (October 30) will include work from local secondary schools and Youthreach. All are welcome. All workshops are free, but booking is required by calling Scariff Library on …

A MAJOR exhibition focusing on Inis Cealtra is under way at the Scariff Library Gallery, to celebrate the fact that the island is in the running for inclusion on Ireland’s tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. Lough Derg’s Holy Island is widely recognised as one of the most important early ecclesiastical sites in Ireland. The island, which is now in the ownership of Clare County Council who are developing a visitor experience centre in Mountshannon, is closely associated with St Caiman. The seventh century saint created a major centre of learning at the monastic site. Organised in conjunction with Mountshannon Community Council, the main exhibition’s main centrepiece comes from the excavations carried out by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in the 1970s. These works unearthed a range of important artefacts and revealed the different phases of activity and occupation on the island. The island’s archaeological remains include the iconic Round Tower, the ruins of several churches, an ancient …

SCARIFF Library is promising a real treat on December 15, when its virtual book club will be joined by award-winning author Helen Moffett. Dr Moffett’s novel Charlotte is the book of choice for the event which will be held on Zoom, as part of the regular Morning Zoom Book Club series. The engaging plot follows one of the minor characters of Pride and Prejudice, Charlotte Lucas. While she may have been written off by Jane Austen’s heroine, Elizabeth Bennett, this novel gives the dowdy Charlotte a new lease on life, as a woman determined to make the most of her opportunities and carve out a place in the world. “There was a lovely happenstance when I was publishing details of the book club meeting on Twitter,” explained Library Assistant, Samantha Morrissey. “I tagged Helen, who is a very accomplished writer, really interesting and very friendly. She tweeted back and asked if she could help us in any way, I was …