• Tulla Stables Artists Group Show
• Local History Publication Seminar, Oranmore, Co. Galway, Sunday 17th December (Download PDF)
• December 6th Heritage Evening in Crusheen
• December 6th Talk in Kilchreest
• Gaeilge Locha Riach Oíche Shóisialta 7 Nollaig / Loughrea Gaeilge Social Night 7 Dec (Download PDF)
• Inaugural meeting of Clare Traditional Arts Forum to take place later this month (Download PDF)
• Clare Schools Environmental Awards 2006 Winners Announced (Download PDF)
• Primary Schools to Receive Newly Launched 'Biodiversity of County Clare' CD-ROM (Download PDF).
• Results of Ireland's First Cuckoo Survey to be Launched in County Clare (Download PDF)
• 'Monuments of County Clare' Project to be Officially Launched (Download PDF)
• Midnight Court Film Society (Scarriff) Autumn 2006 Programme (Link)
• Heritage Week Fedback Form (Download PDF).
• November 29th Heritage Evening in Crusheen
• November 15th Heritage Evening in Crusheen
• November 1st Heritage Evening in Shanaglish
• Cooley-Collins Festival, October 28 (Download PDF).
• Baffle Festival, October 27th - 29th 2006, Loughrea, Co. Galway (Download PDF Programme)
• Fourth Aughty Field Trip: Kiltartan, Sept 24th 2006.
• CELT Forthcoming Events at Bealkelly Wood, Tuamgraney, Co. Clare
• CELT Forthcoming Events - Download PDF
• Heritage Project - can you help?
• Shifting Ground Conference: New Perspectives on Art & Rural Culture, Ennis, Oct 19th - 21st.
• Hedgerow Workshop - Mountbellew Agricultural College, Sat Oct 7th 2006 (Download PDF).
• CELT AGM & Volunteer Work Days
• East Clare Walking Club Programme, June - September 2006
  Download PDF Programme
• Heritage Week Event in Crusheen
• Heritage Council Draft Strategic Plan 2007-2011: Public Consultation
• Family Autumn Woodland Day, Portumna, Oct 1st
• Twelfth Lady Gregory Autumn Gathering, Sept 29th - Oct 1st 2006 (Download PDF).
• Galway County Heritage Awards 2006
• Third Aughty Field Trip, July 23
• Second Aughty Field Trip
• Burren Dry Stone Walling
• CELT Summer in the Woods Training Event
• Events and Courses in Co. Clare, May 2006
• Clare Biodiversity Day
• Biodiversity Week at Coole Park
• Biodiversity Week at Burrenbeo
• Connaught Rangers Seminar, Ballinasloe
• Aughty Field Trip
  
• Aughty People and Earth Day

Tulla Stables Artists Group Show
15th, 16th and 17th December, (Friday, Saturday and Sunday)  from 11-4pm
 
Open Studios on Sunday 17th, from 2-4pm.
Come along and enjoy a glass of mulled wine on Sunday as you peruse the exhibition and explore the artists studios.
 
Work by Mairin Kelly, John Hanrahan, Tom Ryan, Danny O'Gorman, Peter Sheahan and Tim Moloney.

December 6th Heritage Evening in Crusheen

The next Heritage Evening takes place on Wednesday December 6th. Heritage Inchicronan are pleased to announce that Lorna Moloney, lecturer in History in the University of Limerick, will be the guest speaker in Crusheen. The topic is "The Macnamaras and the O'Briens". All are welcome. The venue is the Community Centre, Crusheen. Starting time is 8.15pm

December 6th Talk in Kilchreest

Kilchreest Castledaly Heritage group will continue their winter programme with a talk entitled 'History of the Kilchreest Area' by Gerry Daly on Wednesday December 6 in the Village Inn, Kilchreest. Gerry is the principle of the local national school, and had a lifelong interest in
local history

November 29th Heritage Evening in Crusheen

The next Heritage Evening takes place in the Community Centre in Crusheen on Wednesday November 29th 2006. Sean Spellissy will be our guest speaker - details of talk to follow. Time: 8.15pm.

November 15th Heritage Evening in Crusheen

The next Heritage Evening takes place in the Community Hall in Crusheen on Wednesday November 15th 2006. Gerry Kennedy will talk on "The Butlers of Bunnahow and Crusheen". Time: 8.15pm.

November 1st Heritage Evening in Shanaglish

The next date for the heritage evenings is November 1st at 8pm in the "Old Forge" in Shanaglish Co. Galway. Tom Hannon will talk on the O'Shaughnessys of South Galway. Everyone welcome.

Aughty Field Trip to Kiltartan

The next Aughty Field Trip is on Sunday 24 September 2006.
Time 2.30 for 3.00 pm
We will meet at Kiltartan Cross on the N18 and visit the Kiltartan Gregory Museum located in the old Kiltartan National School.
Local Historian Sr de Lourdes Fahy will talk with us about the museum and its connection with the surrounding area and its people.
Highly recommended reading: "Kiltartan Many Leaves, One Root: a History of the Parish of Kiltartan" by Sr de Lourdes Fahy.
Later we will journey on over to Coole to ramble its woodland paths.

CELT Forthcoming events at Bealkelly Wood, Tuamgraney, Co. Clare

Weekend in the Woods - 7th / 8th October - Choice from 18 different skills courses
At The Heritage Centre, Tuamgraney : Sunday 20th August, 2pm - Free - Wildlife / Biodiversity - Illustrated talk and guided walk (To book, phone 065-684-6456).

CELT Centre for Environmental Living and Training
c/o East Clare Community Coop, Scariff, Co.Clare, Ireland
www.celtnet.org | [email protected] | Tel: 061-640765 / 087-632-4644

Heritage Project - Can you help?
Ann O'Doherty sent us this request:
I'm wondering if anyone out there is interested in a project I'm trying to get started? I'm hoping to record women's stories i.e. marriage, childbirth, living with the inlaws etc. and the old traditions and pisreogs surrounding them.
Email us at [email protected] if you'd like to get involved.

Shifting Ground: New Perspectives on Art & Rural Culture

Conference and on-site symposium, Glor, Ennis, Co. Clare
October 19th/ 20th / 21st

Download PDF Programme / Booking Form

For Further information contact:
Fiona Woods/Siobhan Mulcahy 065 6846267 | [email protected]

CELT AGM & Volunteer Work Days

CELT AGM is to be held on Thursday 19th October at 8pm in Ryan's Bar (back rooom), Scariff, Co.Clare.

Change to Volunteer Work-days: Sunday 1st October is cancelled - Work-days are now Wednesday 4th October and Thursday 5th October. Soup and sandwiches provided. All help welcome and greatly appreciated.

CELT (Centre for Environmental Living and Training)
c/o East Clare Community Coop, Scariff, Co.Clare
Tel: 061.640765 or 087.6686477
www.celtnet.org | [email protected]

Heritage Week Event in Crusheen
Heritage week runs this year from the 26th of August until 3rdSeptember
Heritage Inchicronan will host a walk out to Inchicronan Abbey on the first Saturday of Heritage Week, August 26th 2006.
The meeting point is at Crusheen National School beside the Community Centre.
Time 5.00pm for 5.30.
Local Historian Gerry Kennedy will be our guide.
After the walk there will be a cup of tea available in the Community Centre and an opportunity to continue the dialogue on the Slieve Aughty.
From 8.30pm onwards the Crusheen Singers Club are hosting a night in Fogerty's in Crusheen with a theme of songs of the Slieve Aughty Region.
Everybody is welcome.

Heritage Council Draft Strategic Plan 2007-2011: Public Consultation

Available for download below is a draft copy of the Strategic Plan 2007-2011. This is the third strategic plan, which the Heritage Council has produced since 1997. The plan seeks to build on the experience Council has gained since its inception, consolidate the partnerships, which have led to notable successes and introduce new elements, which fully reflect the dynamic nature and role of today's natural and cultural heritage.

The Draft Plan contains an invitation from the Chairperson Dr Tom O’Dwyer on behalf of Council for your comments. A questionnaire is also enclosed to facilitate your response. Any comments over and above the specific points raised in the questionnaire are of course most welcome. I would be grateful if you would return the completed questionnaire on or before Friday 29th September 2006. The Council will consider the responses arising from the consultation and make refinements accordingly. 

Following the consultation period, a Final Draft Strategic Plan will be considered by Council in November 2006 and it is proposed that the Plan 2007-2011 will be adopted at Council's December 2006 meeting.

Michael Starrett
Chief Executive, Heritage Council

Click HERE to download a draft copy of the Strategic Plan 2007-2011 [PDF]

Click HERE to download a draft copy of the accompanying questionnaire [PDF]

Family Autumn Woodland Day in Portumna

On Sunday October 1st there will be an ‘Autumn Woodland Celebration’ in Portumna Castle and Gardens and the Forest Park, Portumna, Co. Galway. This event is being jointly organised by the ‘People and Nature’ – the Galway Biodiversity Project, Portumna Castle and Gardens, Coillte, Friends of Portumna Forest Park and Crann an Iarthair.

This promises to be a fun and interesting family day out in the beautiful surroundings of Portumna Castle and Gardens and the Forest Park.

Starting at 2pm in Portumna Castle, there will be plenty of activities to entertain all the family. Wildlife experts including Kate McAney and Alan Poole will be on hand with information and slideshows about the special residents of the castle and woods including trees, bats and squirrels and lots more besides!

Especially for younger visitors will be the launch of a special Biodiversity Puppet Show for children produced by local puppet theatre ‘Your Man’s Puppets’. The show will play inside the castle twice during the afternoon at 2:30 and 3:45pm. Families can also take part in a nature scavenger hunt and children’s games and crafts.

For those of you who would like to learn a little more about the woodland nature of Portumna, there will be a guided nature walk leaving from the car park of the Forest Park at 4pm.
Ongoing attractions during the day will include thatching demonstrations by members of the FAS thatching course in Portumna, while Dolores will demonstrate how to entice wildlife into your own garden by building your own bird or bat box!

The festivities kick off at 2pm. Entry is free of charge and everyone is welcome. So come along to Portumna, celebrate the arrival of autumn and enjoy getting in touch with the wonderful woodland nature!

For more information please contact Elaine O’Riordan at 091 493863 or email [email protected]

Galway County Heritage Awards 2006
You are invited to nominate an individual, a school or community group for an award that recognises the positive efforts and contributions they have made to the heritage of County Galway.
Download Application Form (Microsoft Word, 305K)

Third Aughty Field Trip, July 23
The next Aughty field trip will take place to the Holy Island on Lough Derg on Sunday 23rd July 2006.
The Meeting point is at the harbour of Mountshannon.
Time: Sunday afternoon, 3.00pm
Gerard Madden of East Clare Heritage will be our guide to Holy Island.
The cost is €8 per person for the boat trip.
Later we will visit the Heritage Centre in Tuamgreaney to view the stained glass window by Harry Clarke.
The Field day is an opportunity to meet with people who are active in local heritage and interested in community development throughout the Sliabh Aughty region.
Highly recommended reading -
For God or King: The History of Mountshannon
by Gerard Madden
ISB - 0952951126
Holy Island: Jewel of the Lough
By Gerard Madden
ISB 095295110X
Available in local bookstores or through East Clare Heritage Centre, Tuamgraney, Co Clare.
Phone: 061-921615 | Email: [email protected] | Website: http://www.eastclareheritage.com

Field Trip to Beagh
The next Aughty Field Trip will take place on Sunday 18th of June 2006 to the parish of Beagh, Tubber, Co Galway.
Meeting point: Keane's Cross on the Gort /Crusheen Road. (Signpost for Seanaglish at the crossroads on the N18 ).
Time: Sunday afternoon - 2.30pm for 3.00pm.
Tony Divilley of the Beagh Integrated Rural Development Association will be our guide. Information will be available on Ardamullivan Castle, the Old Forge and the maintenance of the Holy Wells in the parish.
The Field Day is an opportunity to meet with people who are active in local heritage and interested in Community Development through out the Sliabh Aughty Region.
Highly recommended reading: Memories in Time - Caoilte Breatnach Folklore of Beithe: 1800-2000
(ISBN 0-9525625-6-1 Published by Beagh Integrated Rural Development Association Foxtailhill, Tubber, Co Galway.) Email: [email protected]

Burren Dry Stone Walling
An Taisce in association with CELT (Centre for Environmental Living and Training).
Practical hands-on training days in construction and maintenance techniques for traditional dry-stone walls will take place on An Taisce land adjacent to Mullaghmore.
For the general public: Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd July 2006
Course fee €100 (€80 unwaged) for 2 days.
For Burren landowners: Friday 14th July and Friday 28th July
Course fee €40 (one day only).
The course will cover basic skills for building both single and double walls using traditional methods as done for centuries, that give the Burren it‚s unique character. We will be maintaining and rebuilding some ancient walls near to Mullaghmore - also a fine opportunity to see the fantastic scenery, flora and fauna of this amazing landscape. Steel toe-cap boots recommended, bring own packed lunch, gloves. Email or post booking with full contact details and send non-refundable deposit €20 to confirm place (cheque or PO payable to CELT).
CELT Centre for Environmental Living and Training
c/o East Clare Community Coop, Scariff, Co.Clare, Ireland
www.celtnet.org | [email protected] | Tel: 061-640765 / 087-632-4644

Events and Courses in and near County Clare May 2006
Please note that dates, times and venues may be subject to change.
Always contact the appropriate organisation to confirm details before attending any of the events.

• Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st
  Dry Stone Walling
  Irish Seed Savers Association, Scariff, Co. Clare
  Irish Seed Savers Association,
  Capparoe, Scarriff, Co. Clare
  061 921866
  [email protected]
  www.irishseedsavers.ie
  
• Monday 22nd
  International Biodiversity Day
  Convention on Biological Diversity
  www.biodiv.org
• Wednesday 24th
  European Day of Parks
  Europarc Federation
  www.europarc.or

Clare Biodiversity Day
2pm Saturday 27 May
Dromore Wood Nature Reserve, Ruan, Co. Clare

• 2pm Opening Speech by Éanna Ní Lamhna
  Followed by lots of fun activities and displays including Wild walks led by Éanna Ní Lamhna, guided woodland walks and river walks. Fun wild games, puppet shows, wildlife face painting and corn dolly making will be available. There will be bird and bat box making demonstrations. Other displays will include an aquarium, marine touch pool, observation beehive, biodiversity, woodlands, the Burren, birds and many more.
• 9pm Bat Walk
  See bats as they emerge to feed by Dromore Castle and learn how to identify them on a bat detector.
  

Everyone is welcome and all events are FREE
Dromore Wood Nature Reserve is signposted from the Ennis-Galway Road near Ennis or Crusheen and from Corrofin and Ruan.
This event is funded by Clare County Council, National Parks and Wildlife Service and LEADER of Rural Resource Development.
For more information contact John N Murphy, Biodiversity Officer on 065 6846456 or [email protected]
Download booklet [PDF file 492kb] | Download press release [PDF file 8kb]

Biodiversity Week at Coole Park

• Sunday 21 May 9.30pm
  A Bat Walk with Galway Bat Group
• Every Day 10.00am to 5.00pm
  ENFO Exhibition
• Friday 26 May 7.30pm
  The Biodiversity of Coole: A walk with William Cormacan, District Conservation Officer for South Galway

Tel 091 631804
www.coolepark.ie

Biodiversity Week at Burrenbeo
In celebration of World Biodiversity Day 2006 Burrenbeo are holding a series of events at the Burrenbeo Resource Centre in Main Street, Kinvara, this coming week. These events will include:

• Monday May 22nd, 8.30pm
  The limestone pavements of Ireland and Britain
  by Dr. Stephen Ward.
• Tuesday May 23rd, 4.30pm
  Sketching the wildlife of Kinvara
  by Gordon D'Arcy
  (suitable for children under 11 yrs old)
• Wednesday May 24th, 8.30pm
  Biodiverse Burren
  by Dr. Brendan Dunford
  (The first in a series of Wednesday evening summer talks at the Burrenbeo Café)
• Wednesday May 24th - Sunday May 28th Lunchtime (12.30 - 2.30pm)
  Visual exhibitions of the Biodiversity of the Burren
  at the Burrenbeo Café

Events are free of charge - advance booking is recommended.
Also, Clare Biodiversity Day will take place at Dromore Woods National Nature Reserve on Saturday May 27th from 2pm onwards (see above).
More information on all of these events is available at www.burrenbeo.com

Connaught Rangers Seminar, Ballinasloe
The Connaught Rangers Association in partnership with Galway County Heritage Forum, Galway County Council and Ballinasloe Town Council is Hosting a FREE SEMINAR:
What: The Connaught Rangers & Other Military Connections: with specific reference to County Galway
When: Saturday 27th May
What time: 9.30am - 5.30pm
Where: Civic Offices, Ballinasloe Town Council, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway
 
All are welcome to attend.
Download leaflet [PDF file 322kb]

Aughty Field Trip
The first Aughty Field trip will take place in Woodford on Saturday 20 of May 2006. Dermot Moran will be our local guide. We will meet at 11 o'clock in the village of Woodford. Bring walking boots and outdoor cloating. Bring your own packed lunch. It is possible to get tea and coffee in Mountshannon. People are requested to car share to save petrol. Please email [email protected] with any questions.

Aughty People and Earth Day
The cuckoo was heard in Crusheen on Saturday April 22. And there was another first: the Aughty People and Earth Day event hosted by Heritage Inchicronan was a great success. Below is a selection of photos from the day: we'll shortly carry a full report. One activity during the day involved people splitting up into discussion groups dealing with different interest areas. Notes kept by the designated recorder for each group have been posted on the relevant pages of this site.