Clare Heritage Week 2008 Programme Of Events Is Launched

Clare County Council has confirmed that the events will include a range of talks, field trips and exhibitions aimed at encouraging people to take an interest in their local heritage.

Heritage Week is part of European Heritage Days, a joint initiative of the Council of Europe and the European Union. Locally the event is co-ordinated by Clare County Council and the Heritage Council with support from the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Commenting ahead of Clare Heritage Week 2008, Mayor of Clare Councillor Madeline Taylor Quinn, stated, 'While enjoyment is essential to the activities of the coming week it is also reassuring to see the emphasis on learning that is at the core of Clare Heritage Week’.

The Mayor paid tribute to the many individuals and community organisations who have decided to participate in and contribute to Heritage Week 2008.

She added, ‘I would like to commend Clare County Council and the organisers of the various events for encouraging a greater sense of ownership of and respect for Clare’s unique heritage. There is no doubt that Heritage Week has proven to be a wonderful vehicle for involving people across Clare in raising awareness of the role we all play in conserving and protecting our heritage for future generations.’

According to Mr. Tomas Mac Conmara, Heritage Project Coordinator, Clare County Council, ‘Heritage Week invariably sees an increased engagement between the people of Clare and the heritage of their county. The strengthening of this connection is imperative to the future health of our cultural, built and natural heritage. If it does nothing more Heritage Week, in encouraging this relationship, performs a very important function’.

This year’s events vary from late night bat walks, a tour of Doolin’s high cliffs and deep caves, a talk on loss of arctic char and changes in fish communities in Lickeen Lough, a discussion on the cultural heritage of Miltown Malbay, and learning more about Clare’s heritage through the numerous guided walks and lectures taking place around the country and in our museums and libraries.

The Clare Biodiversity Group is also hosting a series of educational walks outdoors for both adults and children to enjoy.

Ms. Brigid Barry, Clare Biodiversity Officer, commented ‘In order to facilitate the needs of families it was decided to hold Heritage Week at the end of August so that parents can participate in the various events, many of which are outdoors, with their children before they return to school’.

‘The growing numbers of people, especially at local level, involved in organising events and encouraging others to become involved demonstrates the growing pride and interest the public has in heritage, conservation and biodiversity’, concluded Ms. Barry.

Clare Heritage Section Lectures:
- Tuesday 26 August (7.30–8.30pm), Main Street, Miltown Malbay.
"Currachs, Boats & Placenames of Miltown Malbay" - An exploration of the Cultural Heritage of Miltown Malbay through an in-depth discussion of the currach, boat and placename heritage of the area. Speakers: Darina Tully, Marine Collections Expert, and Donal de Barra, Placenames Expert. More info from tmacconmara@clarecoco.ie or (065) 6846456
- Wednesday 27 August (10.30am-4pm), Loop Head Peninsula, Loop Head.
"Clare Built Heritage Survey" - The survey is available to a limit of twelve people. A training workshop will be provided for those registered to participate. Dependent on demand a second day may be arranged. Speakers: Simon Large, County Archaeologist, and Risteárd Ua Cróinin, Conservation Officer. Booking is required. More info from slarge@clarecoco.ie or (065) 6846454
- Thursday 28 August (6.30pm –7pm), Glór Irish Music Centre, Ennis.
"From the Rainforest to County Clare" - The talk will discuss global biodiversity issues and place them in a Clare context. Speaker: Brigid Barry Clare Biodiversity Officer More info from bbarry@clarecoco.ie or (065) 6846459.
- Friday 29 August (7–7.30pm), Glór Irish Music Centre, Ennis.
"Travelling Underwater from Greece to County Clare" - A comparison of marine species survey work carried out in the coastal rocky habitats of county Clare, and the eastern Aegean islands of Greece. Speaker: Catriona Lynch, Clare Database Manager. More info from clynch@clarecoco.ie or (065) 6846499

Admission to all lectures is free of charge.

Educational talks and walks outdoors for adults and children:
- Sunday, 24 August (2pm), St. Patrick’s Church, Fanore
"Finding and Exploring the Flora of Black Head"- Stephen Ward, Clare Biodiversity Group
- Monday, 25 August (9pm), Dromore Woods Visitor Centre
"Going Bats" - Sinead Biggane, National Parks and Wildlife Service
- Tuesday 26 August (2pm), Slieve Carron Nature Reserve
"A BurrenPot Pourri: flowers, fungi, lichens and anything else that makes an appearance" - Sharon Parr, BurrenLIFE
- Wednesday 27 August (3.45pm), Tuamgraney Heritage Centre
"Exploring our Native Woodland" - Bob Wilson (CELT)
- Thursday 28 August (6.30pm), Glór Cafe, Ennis
"From the Rain forest to Clare & Traveling Underwater From Greece to Clare" - Brigid Barry and Catríona Lynch, Clare Biodiversity Group
- Thursday 28 August (8pm), Clare Museum, Ennis
"Bat Discovery Walk" - David Lyons and Elaine Keegan, Clare Bat Group
- Friday 29 August (7pm), The Burren Centre, Kilfenora
"The Loss of Arctic Char and Changes in Fish Communities in Lickeen Lough" - Fran Igoe, Shannon Regional Fisheries Board
- Saturday 30 August (10am - 6pm ), Doolin Caves car park
"High Cliffs and Deep Caves" - Martin McKeown, Clare Biodiversity Group. What to bring: picnic, suitable shoes, dress for the weather. Fee: 20 euros (adults) & 10 euros (kids) for caves entry and Cliffs of Moher boat. Book in advance to avoid disappointment (065-6846459)
- Saturday 30 August (2.30pm), Mountshannon Hotel car park
"Lakes, Lowlands and Mountains"- Hugh Weir, Natural Historian
- Sunday 31 August (3.30pm), Lighthouse, Loop Head
"Watch Out Loop Head" - Simon Berrow, Irish Whale & Dolphin Group

For general information on Clare Heritage Week see www.heritageweek.ie or contact Brigid Barry, Clare Biodiversity Officer at 065-6846459/bbarry@clarecoco.ie.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:
- Brigid Barry, Clare Biodiversity Officer, is available for interview and further comment. Call 065 6846459 or email bbarry@clarecoco.ie
- Images relating to Heritage Week in County Clare are available on request. Please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
www.dunphypr.com
media@dunphypr.com
00353-868534900