County Clare’s symbol of The Gathering Ireland 2013 will make its way west this weekend for the inaugural Scattery Island Gathering.
Solas an Chláir (The Light of Clare), a commemorative limestone piece by Corofin stone mason John Goggin with design inputs from Ennis sculptor Shane Gilmore, was today presented to the Scattery Island Heritage & Tourism Group by Mayor of Clare Cllr. Joe Arkins.
The Scattery Island Gathering begins this Friday 5th July with the opening of a photographic exhibition by Dr Bernadette Whelan of the University of Limerick’s History Department, which is sponsoring the event. The exhibition will run for one week at Quay Mills in Kilrush.
The Gathering at Scattery will be officially launched on Saturday. The day also will feature a Historical Re-enactment by Crack’d Spoon Theatre, Guided Island Tours and a Kids Treasure Hunt. The day concludes with a lecture on Brian Boru and Scattery’s Viking settlers by Dr. Cathy Swift of Mary Immaculate College and Leonore Fisher, who specialises in Irish medieval history.
On Sunday, there will be a welcome ceremony for ‘old and new friends to Scattery’ followed by the unveiling of two 12th and early 15th Century stone artefacts that were taken from the island 150 years ago and only recently relocated. Sunday will also feature a number of events showcasing Scattery’s rich maritime history including Curragh racing and a Water Cannons display.
Monica Meehan, Gathering Clare coordinator congratulated Scattery Island Heritage & Tourism Group for their efforts in promoting “one of County Clare’s most important heritage sites”.
Speaking following the presentation of Solas an Chláir to representatives of the Group, Ms. Meehan: “We are delighted to be able to make Solas an Chláir available for this Gathering event, which will help to promote West Clare and will help to inform locals and visitors to the County of its rich and varied history. We would urge anyone with an interest in or connection with the island to attend some of the events taking place this weekend.”
Solas an Chláir’s journey around Clare:
August: Doolin Irish Craft Beer & Food Festival, Doolin and Dan Furey Weekend, Labasheeda (23 – 25 Aug)
September: Clare Shout Festival, Kilkishen (13 – 15 Sep)
October: Clare Harvest Banquet, Old Ground Hotel, Ennis (5 Oct)
November: Centenary of Conradh na Gaeilge, Inis (18 – 24 Nov)
December: Santa’s Workshop @ Aillwee Cave, Ballyvaughan (29 Nov – 22 Dec).
Some of the other upcoming highlights of the Gathering Clare 2013 include Clarecastle Village Gathering 2013 (12-22 Jul), Doonbeg Gathering (22-29 Jul), Therapeutic effects of Irish Set Dancing in the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease Conference in Feakle (5-11 Aug), St. Patrick's Comprehensive 30 Year School Reunion in Shannon (10 Aug), Tulla Week Of Welcomes (17-25 Aug), Clare New York Association 125th Anniversary in Ennis (26 Aug), Spanish Point Airfield 'Fly In' (31 Aug - 1 Sep), Ennis Fringe Festival (20-21 Sep), Mountshannon Trad Festival (27-29 Sep) and the Killaloe Ballina 2014 Commemoration Gathering (22 Oct).
For more on The Gathering Clare visit www.facebook.com/ClareGathering2013 or www.twitter.com/ClareGathering.
Solas an Chláir (The Light of Clare), a commemorative limestone piece by Corofin stone mason John Goggin with design inputs from Ennis sculptor Shane Gilmore, was today presented to the Scattery Island Heritage & Tourism Group by Mayor of Clare Cllr. Joe Arkins.
The Scattery Island Gathering begins this Friday 5th July with the opening of a photographic exhibition by Dr Bernadette Whelan of the University of Limerick’s History Department, which is sponsoring the event. The exhibition will run for one week at Quay Mills in Kilrush.
The Gathering at Scattery will be officially launched on Saturday. The day also will feature a Historical Re-enactment by Crack’d Spoon Theatre, Guided Island Tours and a Kids Treasure Hunt. The day concludes with a lecture on Brian Boru and Scattery’s Viking settlers by Dr. Cathy Swift of Mary Immaculate College and Leonore Fisher, who specialises in Irish medieval history.
On Sunday, there will be a welcome ceremony for ‘old and new friends to Scattery’ followed by the unveiling of two 12th and early 15th Century stone artefacts that were taken from the island 150 years ago and only recently relocated. Sunday will also feature a number of events showcasing Scattery’s rich maritime history including Curragh racing and a Water Cannons display.
Monica Meehan, Gathering Clare coordinator congratulated Scattery Island Heritage & Tourism Group for their efforts in promoting “one of County Clare’s most important heritage sites”.
Speaking following the presentation of Solas an Chláir to representatives of the Group, Ms. Meehan: “We are delighted to be able to make Solas an Chláir available for this Gathering event, which will help to promote West Clare and will help to inform locals and visitors to the County of its rich and varied history. We would urge anyone with an interest in or connection with the island to attend some of the events taking place this weekend.”
Solas an Chláir’s journey around Clare:
August: Doolin Irish Craft Beer & Food Festival, Doolin and Dan Furey Weekend, Labasheeda (23 – 25 Aug)
September: Clare Shout Festival, Kilkishen (13 – 15 Sep)
October: Clare Harvest Banquet, Old Ground Hotel, Ennis (5 Oct)
November: Centenary of Conradh na Gaeilge, Inis (18 – 24 Nov)
December: Santa’s Workshop @ Aillwee Cave, Ballyvaughan (29 Nov – 22 Dec).
Some of the other upcoming highlights of the Gathering Clare 2013 include Clarecastle Village Gathering 2013 (12-22 Jul), Doonbeg Gathering (22-29 Jul), Therapeutic effects of Irish Set Dancing in the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease Conference in Feakle (5-11 Aug), St. Patrick's Comprehensive 30 Year School Reunion in Shannon (10 Aug), Tulla Week Of Welcomes (17-25 Aug), Clare New York Association 125th Anniversary in Ennis (26 Aug), Spanish Point Airfield 'Fly In' (31 Aug - 1 Sep), Ennis Fringe Festival (20-21 Sep), Mountshannon Trad Festival (27-29 Sep) and the Killaloe Ballina 2014 Commemoration Gathering (22 Oct).
For more on The Gathering Clare visit www.facebook.com/ClareGathering2013 or www.twitter.com/ClareGathering.
