Telling the tales of County Clare

THE storytellers and tradition bearers of County Clare as well as the history of Folklore Collection in the county, will be discussed at the second lecture of the Sámhain Folklore series this Friday at Cois na hÁbhanna, Ennis. The lecture series organised by Cuimhneamh an Chláir, the Clare Oral History and Folklore Group, began with a talk on Biddy Early by the historian Meda Ryan.
According to Cormac McCarthy, the group’s vice chairman, over 170 people attended the event and the group were delighted with the interest.
“It illustrates to us the depth of interest there is in Clare in the folklore heritage of the county. This is something we have been confident about for a long time and we’re glad that this was shown at our first lecture. We are also confident that there will be huge interest in the Storytellers of County Clare”.  
The second talk, The Storytellers of Clare, The Work of the Irish Folklore Commission in County Clare, will be presented by Críóstóir Mac Cárthaigh of the UCD Folklore Department.  Mac Cárthaigh, who is well known for his work on Ireland’s traditional boats and currachs, will document the work undertaken by the Irish Folklore Commission in the 1930s and 1940s in various parts of county aimed at preserving Clare’s folkloric heritage.  
The lecture will examine such folklorists as Professor Seamus Ó Duilearga, who did much to document Clare’s folkloric heritage. In addition, the collection work of Tadhg Ó Murchú and Seán Mac Craith will also be examined, as will other collecting activities, schemes and surveys that took place under the auspices of the Irish Folklore Commission. It will also focus on those who were collected. The storytellers and tradition bearers of County Clare who in the 1930’s and 1940’s were recognised as amongst the finest in the country will receive attention. 
Stiofán Ó hÉaloire, Seán Ó Carún and Bríd Bean Uí Choisteala and others were among those interviewed by collectors working on behalf of the Folklore Commission.   
Clare has long been known for its depth of oral tradition, a key motivation for Cuimhneamh an Chláir. McCarthy explains that the lecture will be used to illustrate the folkloric heritage in Clare that underlines the importance of gathering the memories of Clare’s current elderly population. 
“We have always had a rich oral tradition in Clare.  It’s a shame that the changes that have occurred in broader society over the last 20 to 30 years have diminished this somewhat.  If we can show how strong that tradition was in the past by demonstrating the work of the folklore commission, perhaps we can encourage a renewed interest in our folklore and oral history.”  
The lecture will take place this Friday at Cois na hÁbhanna and will commence at 8pm.  Admission is free and all are welcome.  Anyone looking for information can contact Tomás Mac Conmara at 087 9160373.