Rediscover Your Heritage with Clare County Library

Clare County Library

National Heritage Week 2014

2014 is the UN 20th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family and to celebrate The Heritage Council has adopted the theme of 'Family...…generations exploring heritage together' for National Heritage Week 2014. Each year, during the last week of August, many national and hundreds of local community organisations participate in National Heritage Week by organising events throughout the country. The programme highlights the abundance of great work that is carried out in all communities in Ireland to preserve and promote our natural, built and cultural heritage. Heritage Week is co-ordinated by the Heritage Council with support from the Department of the Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and Fáilte Ireland and, in Clare, Clare County Council.

There are over 75 events planned by various organistions in County Clare to celebrate the week, which runs from the 23^rd-31^st August, and Clare County Library is proud to count itself among them again this year.

Gerry Kennedy of the Clare Roots Society will visit the De Valera Public Library in Ennis on Tuesday 26^th August at 7pm and Sean Lemass Public Library in Shannon on Wednesday 27^th August at 1pm to give a talk on genealogy with a questions and answers session afterwards.

Members of Cuimhneamh an Chláir, the Clare Oral History and Folklore Group, will host events entitled ‘Come here ‘til I tell ya’ in Kilrush Public Library on Wednesday 27^th August at 6.30pm and in Kilfinaghty Public Library, Sixmilebridge on Thursday 28^th August at 6.30pm. Cuimhneamh an Chláir aim to record, document, archive and share the memories and experiences of Co. Clare's older population. Over 600 people from Co Clare have been recorded so far. These events will play a series of audio recordings from people of Kilrush and surrounding areas and Sixmilebridge and surrounding areas respectively.

Killaloe Public Library is delighted to host a talk by Nigel Beers Smith on Wednesday 27^th August at 7pm. Nigel will give a fascinating insight into the Mountshannon Eagles. Younger fans of all things winged will also be catered for in Killaloe with story time, games and a craft session focusing on bats on Tuesday 26^th August from 2.30pm. This event is aimed at children aged 4-8. Many more of Clare County Library’s branches will also have special story times and book displays for children, all themed to mark Heritage Week. You can contact your local branch for details.

On Saturday 30^th August Tulla Public Library will open at 10am to host a genealogy workshop. Staff member, Ann McNamara, will host this workshop which will provide an opportunity to learn more about getting started on researching your family tree and what resources are available at the library.

Meanwhile at Clare Museum in Ennis an exhibition entitled 'Wise Ways' will be open for viewing. This is an exhibition of handmade artworks and the personal memories and stories created by the clients of Raheen Community Hospital in Tuamgraney. It is a novel and inspiring way of learning about rural life and experiences in Clare during the 20^th century, which now, is sadly, largely gone. The Museum is open from Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 1pm and from 2pm to 5pm. 

All library events, and the Clare Museum exhibition, are free of charge and everyone is welcome so be sure to take this opportunity for the whole family to discover and enjoy your heritage and history. Details of all events can be found at www.clarelibrary.ie or by phoning 065 - 6821616 / 6846350.