Basking in the sunshine today at Clarecastle’s Streetfeast

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Great fun was had by all at the Clarecastle Community Garden today where the first Clarecastle Streetfeast was held.  People gathered with their picnics, children played and everyone chatted in the beautiful sunshine. It was a lovely afternoon and there was great admiration for the beautiful beds in the Community Garden that have been so nicely planted with a variety of flowers, vegetables and herbs.  If anyone would like to become involved in the garden, do email us at clarecastledev@gmail.com.  Well done to the organising team…may this be the first of many such gatherings!

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Clarecastle & Ballyea – Land & People

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Book coverSales of this Parish publication has reached the 300 mark and is proving to be a best seller and indeed a collector’s item. You have seen the film – now read the book!

Copies are still available in Clarecastle & Darragh Post Offices, as well as local shops, Credit Union office, Powers Pub, Mary Kelly’s News-agency in Ennis  and from any member of the Heritage & Wildlife Group.  It will also be available at the Village Market on Sunday next, 5 October.

Review of the Land & People from Scotland

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As a result of responding to a query from Scotland, by Eric Shaw, in March 2013, Clarecastle welcomed two ladies from Edinburgh whose lifetime ambition was to walk in the path of their Mother through the village. They wanted to see the places that Margaret Crossland (whose mother was Mary Catherine Gillespie from Clarecastle) had visited and photographed in the 1920s when she came from England on holidays. They brought many of the old photographs with them and Eric showed them the places as they exist today. Their Great-Grandfather, Joseph Gillespie, had come to Clarecastle in the 1880s as manager to O’Brien’s Sawmills in the Quay Road. Three of his children were born and baptised in Clarecastle. Joseph founded a branch of the Land & Labour Association in the village and was buried at Clare Abbey. The ladies live in Scotland. They presented Eric with a photograph album with over 70 of their Mother’s photographs, taken in and around Clarecastle in the 1920s. These capture that era in a most poignant and wonderful way and are a parish treasure.

On publication of Clarecastle & Ballyea – Land & People in September 2014, Eric Shaw presented a copy of the book to the two ladies, great-great-grandchildren of Joseph Gillespie. One of them, Deirdre O’Neill, has sent Eric the following review of the book:

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Deirdre O’Neill with the Forth Bridge in the background

Chasing up family roots, I arrived in Clarecastle at the beginning of The Gathering Ireland 2013.  Learning something of the place to whet my appetite, I was delighted to read the new book, ‘Clarecastle and Ballyea, Land and People’, to gain yet more insight into my heritage, not least to discover a photograph and mention of my great -great-grandfather. This book provides so much of interest re the places, people, occupations, lifestyle and wildlife of Clarecastle and Ballyea.  In my all too short visit to Clarecastle, I now have such a wealth of information in my hands in this book, so beautifully presented.

It is a book of high quality, and its presence will grace any coffee table.  A delight to read and a wealth of interesting history, particularly for past and present residents.

               

Deirdre O’Neill

 

Playground Management Committee installed

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On Wednesday 3rd September, CCDL brought together a group of volunteers to formally establish a team that will look after the management and maintenance of our fabulous new playground.  What an enthusiastic bunch they are – proud of the new playground and keen to keep it in tip top condition.

The main roles of CCDL’s Playground Management Committee were outlined in a new constitution.  In summary they will be to arrange for all minor and routine maintenance of the playground, undertake necessary fundraising for new equipment and for annual running costs and ensure the development of the facility in the years to come.

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Back row: Tina Gavin (Treas), Marie Clare Gorman (CCDL Secretary/PR Communications), Sarah Dilleen, Marie Therese Carroll, Pat McCarthy.  Front row: Sarah O’Neill, Vera Slattery (Sec), Claire O’Loughlin (Chair), Sinead Doody. Missing from photo: Brendan Brown, Vanessa Flaherty

Claire O’Loughlin took up the post of Chair, Vera Slattery, Secretary and Tina Gavin, Treasurer.  Sarah O’Neill and Pat McCarthy undertook to assist with PR relating to the playground on behalf of the Committee.

One of the first tasks of the new Committee will be to set up a rota of volunteers to sweep and tidy the playground on a daily basis.  If anyone would like to be part of this rota, please contact Vera on 086 1946782 or email clarecastledev@gmail.com.

Good luck to them all!

Clarecastle/Ballyea Land & People – book launch went down well!

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Book coverCCDL’s Clarecastle & Ballyea Heritage & Wildlife Team launched a Parish book entitled Clarecastle & Ballyea – Land & People on Thursday night in Power’s Lounge, Clarecastle at 8pm. This is a large-format colour publication, with over 200 pages and in excess of 250 old photographs, maps and other parish images. It represents the collaborative effort of the Parish.  The legacy of past generations and their imprint on this rich and diverse landscape has helped to create a strong and enduring sense of place.

The launch was attended by a large gathering and they watched a very informative slideshow of the images form the book, accompanied by a range of music from a recording of the Kilfenora Ceili Band. This linked two major events of Heritage Week in the Parish – last weeks concert and the book launch. Eric Shaw introduced IMG_6641the book and acted as MC for the night. All of the contributors to the book were invited to comment on their work. Eric thanked Roche Ireland for its support of the book, the typesetter and the printer for delivering on time and he also thanked the members of the Team who helped to shape the book and who proofread it, namely Catherine O’Connor, Clara Hoyne, Frank Barry and Joe Power. Fr. Harry Brady then formerly launched the book. He also presented a copy of the book, signed by all the members of the Heritage & Wildlife Team, to John Lynch, leader of the Kilfenora Band to thank him and his band members for a wonderful performance in the Church last Sunday.

The book is now selling well and is available in Clarecastle and Darragh Post Offices, Powers Pun and local shops or from any of the Heritage and Wildlife Team. It will make a wonderful gift for Christmas for Parishioners who are abroad.

Clarecastle Village Heritage Walk – this Friday at 7 p.m.

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2011 224There will be a heritage tour of Clarecastle Village taking place this Friday evening 29th August leaving from the Church car park at 7p.m.  The walk is being organised by the Clarecastle/Ballyea Heritage and Wildlife Committee as part of.National Heritage Week. Dr Joe Power, a local historian will give everyone an insight into some of the historical sites in the village and will relate some anecdotal stories about what happened in the past.  A similar tour was given during the week of the Gathering last year and proved very popular. Many were sorry to have missed out on this rare opportunity.

The history trail will follow on from the launch of a book on the history and heritage of Clarecastle.  This will take place on Thursday 28th August at 8 p.m. in Power’s Lounge, Clarecastle.

Both events promise to be most interesting and informative.

Kilfenora Ceili Band raises the roof in Clarecastle!

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The roof of the Church of Sts Peter and Paul was raised last Sunday night to the magnificent sounds of the legendary Kilfenora Ceili Band who put on a concert to mark the 175th Anniversary of the Church and to launch Clarecastle’s Heritage Week.  Almost 500 people came along to enjoy the jigs and reels, polkas and ballads as well as the fun and banter from all these talented performers.  The Band more than lived up to the expectations of the audience.  “This was a most moving and memorable evening”, said Christy Leyden, Chair of the Clarecastle/Ballyea Heritage and Wildlife Committee. “We are honoured to have the Kilfenora Ceili Band perform for us and we thank John Lynch its Manager and all the band for making this possible”.

Concert PosterThe concert marked the beginning of Clarecastle’s heritage week programme and coincided with the 175th anniversary of the Church. Clarecastle resident and band leader, John Lynch, took the opportunity to acknowledge the impending retirement of Fr Harry Brady and his great contribution to parish and community life. This was further elaborated on by Christy Leyden, (Chairperson of the Clarecastle Ballyea Heritage Group) who spoke of Fr Harry’s devout ministry and the permanent legacy he leaves around churches, schools, halls and graveyard infrastructure development in both Clarecastle and Ballyea. The Clarecastle/Ballyea Heritage Committee extended their appreciation for the efforts of all those that were involved in organising the evening and the refreshments afterwards.

Fr Harry, John Lynch and band members all joined the audience after the concert in an open marquee adjoining the Church for refreshments. A beautiful balmy Sunday evening in Clarecastle added greatly to the occasion and seemed appropriate to a special evening that will live long in the memories of the concert goers.

Clarecastle/Ballyea Heritage team book launch this Thursday

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Book coverThe Clarecastle/Ballyea Heritage and Wildlife Team are pleased to invite everyone in the Community to a launch of its new book this Thursday 28th August at 8 p.m. in Powers Lounge, Clarecastle.  It follows two years of interesting work collating information on the history and heritage of Clarecastle and Ballyea. The book contains interesting stories and anecdotal facts about the area including a whole section for example on local field names and where those names originated.  A fascinating read compiled by a most interesting and talented group of local people.  Come along and have a peek into times gone by!