A record 102 events will be held in Clare this August for Heritage Week 2017.
It’s the 15th annual celebration of the county’s built, natural and cultural heritage and is supported by Fáilte Ireland and the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
Clare County Council has confirmed that local events include lectures, film screenings, workshops and local history walks and talks.
Clare FM’s James Mulhall has the details:
PROGRAMME OF EVENTS BY AREA, HERITAGE WEEK 2017
WEST CLARE
All Week:
– Loop Head Heritage Trail Free Audio Guide – Discover the stories of the Loop Head Peninsula and the Wild Atlantic Way with a Free Audio Guide, 9.30 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. (www.abartaheritage.ie/product/loophead / info@abartaheritage.ie / T: (052) 6189468)
– Dolphinwatch, Carrigaholt – Meet Europe’s largest resident group of bottlenose dolphins, pelagic seabirds, seals and feral goats, 9.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m. (www.dolphinwatch.ie / info@dolphinwatch.ie / T: (065) 9058156)
– OPW Scattery Island Visitor Centre – Free Daily Tours of Scattery Island, 1.00 p.m. – 5.00 p.m. (www.heritageireland.ie / (087) 9958427)
– Vandeleur Walled Garden, Kilrush – Butterfly Hunt, 10.00 a.m. – 4.30 p.m. (www.vandeleurwalledgarden.ie / info@vandeleurwalledgarden.ie / T: (065) 9051760)
Saturday 19 August
– Rocky Shore Safari – Ross Beach, Loophead, 11.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. (www.carmeltmadigan.com / ctmadigan@eircom.net / (086) 8197726)
– The Merchant’s House and Store Tours – The Market Square, Kilrush, 1.00 p.m. 3.00 p.m. (pg30kensington@gmail.com / (087) 6831587 / www.gleesonskilrush.ie)
– The Fenian Rising 1867-2017 Re-enactment – Five Pilots memorial, Kilbaha, 2.00 p.m. – 6.00 p.m. (kilrushhistoricalsociety@gmail.com / www.kdhs.ie / (083) 3721751)
Sunday 20 August
– Scattery Island’s Flora & Fauna, Talk and walk on Scattery island, 1.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. (scatteryisland@opw.ie / (085) 2505512 / www.heritageireland.ie/scatteryisland)
– Willie Clancy Music & Heritage (County of Culture Tours) – Leaving from glór carpark, 10.15 a.m. – 3.00 p.m. (info@glor.ie / (065) 6843103 / www.clare.ie/events/clare-county-culture-tours)
– Seashore Safari – Quilty Beach, 11.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. (www.carmeltmadigan.com / ctmadigan@eircom.net (086) 8197726)
Saturday 26 August
– Miltown and Quilty from the Air – Oidhreacht an Chláir, Aras OaC, Flag Road, Miltown Malbay, 8.30 p.m. – 10.30 p.m. (eolas@oac.ie / (065) 7085785 / www.facebook.com/oacclare)
– Scattery Island’s Gun Battery (walk and talk led by Historian and Labasheeda native Stephen McDonagh) – Scattery Island, Kilrush, 1.00 p.m. – 4.30 p.m. (scatteryisland@opw.ie / (085) 2505512 / www.heritageireland.ie/scatteryisland)
– Whale Watch Ireland 2017 – Loop Head Lighthouse, Loop Head Peninsula, 2.00 p.m. – 5.00 p.m. (simon.berrow@iwdg.ie / (086) 8545450 / www.iwdg.ie)
Sunday 27 August
– Open Day at Loop Head Lightkeeper’s House, 10.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. (caroline@irishlandmark.com/ (01) 6704733 / www.irishlandmark.com)
NORTH CLARE
Saturday 19 August
– Water, Life of Lisdoonvarna – Talk on the local waterways and how community can look after it, 11.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. (www.facebook.com/LisdoonvarnaHeritageWeek / lisdoonvarnaheritageweek@gmail.com / (089) 4798417)
– Spa Wells Pump 150yrs – Celebrating the first pump at the Spa Wells 150 years ago, 11.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. (www.facebook.com/LisdoonvarnaHeritageWeek / lisdoonvarnaheritageweek@gmail.com / (089) 4798417)
Sunday 20 August
– Spa Wells Pump 150yrs – Celebrating the first pump at the Spa Wells 150 years ago, 11.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. (www.facebook.com/LisdoonvarnaHeritageWeek / lisdoonvarnaheritageweek@gmail.com / (089) 4798417)
– Wild Food Forage with Oonagh – Spa Wells, Lisdoonvarna, 11.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. (www.facebook.com/LisdoonvarnaHeritageWeek / lisdoonvarnaheritageweek@gmail.com / (089) 4798417)
– Smoked Salmon & Burren Beer Tasting – Burren Smokehouse & Burren Storehouse, Lisdoonvarna, 1.00 p.m. – 2.30 p.m. (info@burrensmokehouse.ie / (065) 7074432 / www.burrensmokehouse.ie)
Monday 21 August
– Exploring the Wildlife – Spa Wells, Lisdoonvarna, 11.00 a.m. – midday (lisdoonvarnaheritageweek@gmail.com / (089) 4798417 / www.facebook.com/LisdoonvarnaHeritageWeek)
– Art Attack Sustainable Lisdoonvarna – The Spa Wells, 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. (lisdoonvarnaheritageweek@gmail.com / (089) 4798417 / www.facebook.com/LisdoonvarnaHeritageWeek)
– Louis Haugh: Historical Photography, The Courthouse Gallery and Studios, Ennistymon, 7.30 p.m. – 9.30 p.m. (info@thecourthousegallery.com / (065) 7071360 / www.thecourthousegallery.com)
– Sustainable Town Planting Plan – Spa Wells, Lisdoonvarna, midday – 1.00 p.m. (lisdoonvarnaheritageweek@gmail.com / (089) 4798417 / www.facebook.com/LisdoonvarnaHeritageWeek)
Tuesday 22 August
– Wild Herb Hunt led by Herbalist Lisa Guinan, Spa Wells, Lisdoonvarna (11.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m.)
– The Story of Fanore, Patsy Carrucan tells stories of the Heritage of Fanore, 2.00 p.m. – 3.30 p.m. (edoyle@clarecoco.ie / 087 900 8031 / www.burrengeopark.ie)
– Cyanotype Workshop (all ages) – discover the magic of photography at The Courthouse Gallery & Studios, Ennistymon, 2.30 p.m. – 5.00 p.m. (info@thecourthousegallery.com / (065) 7071630)
– Art Attack Sustainable Lisdoonvarna – The Spa Wells, Lisdoonvarna, 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. (lisdoonvarnaheritageweek@gmail.com / (089) 4798417)
Wednesday 23 August
– How Water Made Lisdoonvarna with Dr Eamon Doyle, geologist with Burren & Cliffs of Moher Geopark – The Spa Wells, Lisdoonvarna, 11.00 a.m. – midday (lisdoonvarnaheritageweek@gmail.com / (089) 4798417 / www.facebook.com/LisdoonvarnaHeritageWeek)
– The Field Monuments of Dysert O’Dea – A talk and walk hosted by Risteard UaCroinin, Clare Architectural Conservation Officer, 7.30 p.m. – 9.00 p.m. (ruacroinin@clarecoco.ie / (087) 2905122)
– Burren Wild Child Rockyshore, Flaggy Shore Layby, midday to 2.00 p.m. (info@burrenbeo.com / 091638096 / www.burrenbeo.com)
– Wet Plate Collodion / Louis Haugh – he Courthouse Gallery & Studios, Ennistymon, 1.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. (info@thecourthousegallery.com / (065) 7071630 / www.thecourthousegallery.com)
– Hedgerow Medicine, Newquay Beach – 2km walk looking at foraging for health in our hedgerows, 2.00 p.m. – 3.30 p.m. (info@burrenbeo.com / (091) 638096 / www.burrenbeo.com)
– Nature Walk: Talk and Play – Spa Wells, Lisdoonvarna, 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. (lisdoonvarnaheritageweek@gmail.com / (089) 4798417 / www.facebook.com/LisdoonvarnaHeritageWeek)
Thursday 24 August
– Bat Walk in Lisdoonvarna, 9.00 p.m. – 10.00 p.m. (lisdoonvarnaheritageweek@gmail.com / 0894798417 / www.facebook.com/LisdoonvarnaHeritageWeek)
– Art Attack Sustainable Lisdoonvarna – The Spa Wells, Lisdoonvarna, 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. (lisdoonvarnaheritageweek@gmail.com / (089) 4798417 / www.facebook.com/LisdoonvarnaHeritageWeek)
– The Story of Kilnaboy with local farmer Frank O’Grady – Parking area at Kilnaboy old church, 7.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. (edoyle@clarecoco.ie / (087) 9008031 / www.burrengeopark.ie)
– Entirely Hollow Aside From the Dark (psycho-acoustic artwork in Aillwee Cave) – Aillwee Cave, Ballyvaughan, 7.00 p.m. – 11.00 p.m. (info@entirelyhollowasidefromthedark.com / www.entirelyhollowasidefromthedark.com)
– Wild Food & Medicinal Herb Walk – Spa Wells, Lisdoonvarna, 11.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. (lisdoonvarnaheritageweek@gmail.com / (089) 4798417 / www.facebook.com/LisdoonvarnaHeritageWeek)
– Peace and Tranqulity in a Glen – A spiritual walk, Cascades Falls Hotel Ennistymon, 10.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. (sales@fallshotel.ie / 065 7071004 / www.earthwise.me)
– Cusack Centre to Cahercommaun walk – Michael Cusack Centre, Carron, 11.00 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. (info@michaelcusack.ie / (065) 7089944 / www.michaelcusack.ie)
– Guided Walk for Active Agers – Dromore Wood Nature Reserve, 11.00 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. (walks.ennis@eircom.net / (065) 6835912 / www.clarewalks.com)
Friday 25 August
– Flora, Fauna & Folklore – Guided walk in Kilshanny, 11.00 a.m. – 2.30 p.m. (kilshannyhouse@gmail.com / (065) 7071660 / www.kilshannyhouse.ie)
– The Tara Brooch, a talk by Professor Mark Hennesy from Trinity College Dublin – The Celtic T Shirt Shop, Lahinch, 3.00 p.m. – 5.00 p.m. (celtic.lahinch@gmail.com / (065) 7081564 / www.celtictshirts.ie)
– Nature Walk: Talk and Play – Spa Wells, Lisdoonvarna, 11.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. (lisdoonvarnaheritageweek@gmail.com / (089) 4798417 / www.facebook.com/LisdoonvarnaHeritageWeek)
Saturday 26 August
– The Intriguing Story of Doolin, as told by archaeologist Joe McCooey – Russell Community Centre, Doolin, 10.30 a.m. – midday (edoyle@clarecoco.ie / (087) 900 8031 / www.burrengeopark.ie)
– Be Friends With Bees (see a demonstration Bee Hive) – Spa Wells, Lisdoonvarna, 11.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. (lisdoonvarnaheritageweek@gmail.com / (089) 4798417 / www.facebook.com/LisdoonvarnaHeritageWeek)
– Cornelius O’Brien Walking Tour – O’Brien Column (near St Bridget’s Well), Liscannor, 2.15 p.m. – 3.15 p.m. (obriencolumn@gmail.com / www.facebook.com/Friends-of-the-Obrien-Column-1230903993598868)
– Whale Watch Ireland 2017 – Black Head Lighthouse, The Burren, 2.00 p.m. – 5.00 p.m. (sanod2@gmail.com / (086) 6061869 / www.iwdg.ie)
Sunday 27 August
– Open Day at Inchiquin House, Corofin – 10.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. (caroline@irishlandmark.com / (01) 6704733 / www.irishlandmark.com)
SHANNON & ENVIRONS
Sunday 20 August
– Ballysheen Townland Walk – Meet at Sixmilebridge Church, midday – 2.30 p.m. (jamaica@iol.ie / (087) 248 7452)
Tuesday 22 August
– Meitheal Dúchas.ie/Logainm.ie, Seán Lemass Public Library, Shannon, 12.15 p.m. – 1.00 p.m. (mailbox@clarelibrary.ie / www.duchas.ie/en/meitheal / (061) 364266)
– Meitheal Dúchas.ie/Logainm.ie, Kilfinaghty Public Library, Sixmilebridge, 2.15 p.m. – 3.00 p.m. (mailbox@clarelibrary.ie / www.duchas.ie/en/meitheal / (061) 369678)
Wednesday 23 August
– Annual Bat Talk & Walk – Inn at Dromoland, Newmarket on Fergus, 7.30 p.m. – 9.30 p.m. (clare.antaisce@gmail.com / (086) 3497946)
– Connecting to our Natural Heritage, Readings from Irish poetry and prose – Health & Wellness Centre, Carrigoran, 2.00 p.m. – 3.30 p.m. (ealth@carrigoranhouse.ie / 061476434)
Friday 25 August
– Birds of the River Shannon & River Fergus Estuaries Special Protection Area – Sean Lemass Public Library, Shannon Town Centre, 7.00 p.m. – 8.30 p.m. (cmcguire@clarecoco.ie / (065) 6846408)
Sunday 27 August
– Mooghaun Heritage Day 2017 – Mooghaun Hillfort, Newmarket on Fergus, 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. (tracey.daly@obair.org / (061) 368030 / www.obair.org)
EAST CLARE
Wednesday 23 August
– History Talk & Fundraising Concert – St. Cronan’s 10th Century Church, Tuamgraney, 8.00 p.m. – 9.30 p.m. (vjamieson@eircom.net / (087) 4336061)
Thursday 24 August
– The O’Molonys of Kiltannon – Upstairs Meeting Room, Tulla Courthouse, 8.00 p.m. – 10.00 p.m. (tulla@irelandxo.com / (087) 9771385 / www.irelandxo.com/ireland/clare/tulla-clare/events)
– The Workhouses of the Region lecture by Steve Dolan of the Irish Workhouse Centre in Portumna – Scariff Library, midday to 1.00 p.m. (info@irishworkhousecentre.ie, (090)9759200 / www.irishworkhousecentre.ie)
Friday 25 August
– Kiltannon Caves – Tour of the Toomeens cave system of Tulla, 2.30 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. (www.kiltannoncaves.com)
– Cuimhneach an Chláir Talk – Tulla Courthouse, 8.00 p.m. – 10.00 p.m. (tulla@irelandxo.com / (087) 9771385 / www.irelandxo.com/ireland/clare/tulla-clare/events)
Saturday 26 August
– Kiltannon Caves – Tour of the Toomeens cave system of Tulla, 2.30 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. (www.kiltannoncaves.com)
– Getting Started on Genealogy – Upstairs Meeting Room, Tulla Courthouse, 10.00 a.m.-midday (tulla@irelandxo.com / (087) 9771385 / www.irelandxo.com/ireland/clare/tulla-clare/events)
– Bird Walk (led by Philip Brennan, ornithologist) – The Stables, Tulla, 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. (Tulla@irelandxo.com / (087) 9771385 / www.irelandxo.com/Ireland/clare/tulla-clare/events
– Facebook.com/groups/1415198652095715)
Sunday 27 August
– Kiltannon Caves – Tour of the Toomeens cave system of Tulla, 2.30 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. (www.kiltannoncaves.com)
– The Great Irish Garden (guest speaker Duncan Stewart and demonstrations) – Irish Seed Savers, Capparoe, Scariff, 11.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. (info@irishseedsavers.ie / (061) 921866 / www.irishseedsavers.ie)
– Mass Rock Celebration at Loughaun Mountain, Tulla – 2.00 p.m. – 3.00 p.m. (tulla@irelandxo.com / (087) 9771385 / www.irelandxo.com/ireland/clare/tulla-clare/events)
ENNIS & ENVIRONS
Saturday 19 August
– Guided 10-12km Heritage Walk, from Quin Community Hall along part of the Clare Way walking route, 2.00 p.m. – 4.30 p.m. (walks.ennis@eircom.net / www.clarewalks.com / (065) 6835912)
Sunday 20 August
– Kings & Queens of Ennis Friary, 11.00 a.m. – midday (ennisfriary@opw.ie / (065) 6829100 / heritageireland.ie)
– Guided Tour of Ennis Friary, 3.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. (www.ennisfriary@opw.ie / 065 6829100 / www.heritageireland.ie)
Monday 21 August
– Laneways & Bow-ways of Ennis. Join Ennis Tidy Towns and local historian Larry Brennan, 7.00 p.m. – 9.00 p.m. (info@ennistidytowns.com / www.ennistidytowns.com)
Tuesday 22 August
– Meitheal Dúchas.ie/Logainm.ie, De Valera Public Library, Ennis, 10.30 a.m. – 11.20 a.m. (mailbox@clarelibrary.ie / www.duchas.ie/en/meitheal / (065) 6846350)
Thursday 24 August
– To the Water and the Wild – the biodiversity and heritage of the Quay area in Clarecastle, 6.30 p.m. – 8.30 p.m. (cartock@gmail.com / 087-9791955)
Friday 25 August
– The Fanore School Case, a talk by Joe Queally – De Valera Public Library in Ennis, 6.30 p.m. – 8.00 p.m. (mailbox@clarelibrary.ie / (065) 6846353 / www.clarelibrary.ie)
– Heritage in Film (Loophead Wetlands, Kilkishen Cultural Centre, Cuimhneamh an Chláir) – glór, 7.00 p.m. – 8.00 p.m. (cmcguire@clarecoco.ie / (065) 6846408)
Sunday 27 August
– Guided Tour of Ennis Friary – 3.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. (ennisfriary@opw.ie / (065) 6829100 / www.heritageireland.ie)
– Birds at Ennis Friary (with Rick Whelan from Birdwatch Ireland – 11.00 a.m. – midday (ennisfriary@opw.ie / (065) 6829100 / www.heritageireland.ie)
