A Miscellany of Activities of Clarecastle and Ballyea Heritage and Wildlife Group from 2012

Clarecastle and Ballyea Heritage and Wildlife Group

Collage of ten years work

2011 In conjunction with Clare Roots Society, about 1,200 gravestone inscriptions in the older graveyards in the Parish were recorded, photographed and put online on the Clare Library website. The inscriptions are now on the Clareacstle and Ballyea Heritage and Wildlife's Group website also

2011 A book was published by Eric Shaw, titled The Parish Remembers, which was based on the gravestone transcriptions and included histories of the Church buildings in Clarecastle and Ballyea.

2011 Digitalisation of the Church records were undertaken covering Baptism and Marriage records from 1834 to 2010. Other records such as Confirmation Registers, Burial Registers were also digitalised.

2013 The Parish and Townlands of Clarecastle and Ballyea Map. A large-scale map of the 49 townlands in the Parish was published by the group in 2013, which included items of historical interest for each townland shown. The reverse of the map captured the old names that the net salmon fishermen had on points of the river Fergus. These were in danger of being lost to memory following the buyout of the salmon licences in 2003.

2013 The Famine Memorial. There is no known mass grave for the victims of the Famine in the Clarecastle Ballyea area where the death toll is estimated to have been around 1,000 deaths. It was decided to remember our ancestors who had perished in those terrible years by erecting a Famine Memorial on the old Fair Green in Clarecastle.

2014 Unveiling of the Famine Memorial

Heritage Week 2014 Exhibition of Old Photos

• Publication of Land & People 1. On 28 August 2014, as part of our 2014 Heritage Week activities we launched our first group publication, Land and People 1. This included the results of the fieldname survey, together with twenty-three feature articles on the themes of local ‘land and people’. The book was well supported, selling over 500 copies.

Launch Poster for Land and People

Abbey to Abbey Walk. On 14 July 2013, the Heritage and Wildlife group, with the kind permission of local landowners, led a unique walk from Clare Abbey to Killone Abbey along the ‘Rocky Road’ tracing the footsteps of the old medieval Pilgrim’s Road. This was a wonderful event in beautiful sunshine, walked by over 100 people, with refreshments kindly donated by the residents of Ballybeg.

Abbey to Abbey Walk. On 14 July 2013, the Heritage and Wildlife group, with the kind permission of local landowners, led a unique walk from Clare Abbey to Killone Abbey along the ‘Rocky Road’ tracing the footsteps of the old medieval Pilgrim’s Road.

2014 Fieldname Survey. Building on the work conducted in the compilation of the parish map in 2013, the group decided to survey fieldnames in the parish using two sets of maps from 1842 and 1917. Thanks to the co-operation and assistance of several landowners and members of the local community, some great finds such as estate maps, photographs and over 600 individual place and fieldnames were recorded. Many of these were in Irish and advice was sought in translating names that had never been written down. The

Kilfenora Ceili Band in Concert. John Lynch, leader of the Kilfenora Ceili Band, was approached about the possibility of holding a concert in Clarecastle church. John readily agreed and after much work, a wonderful concert was held, to a packed and very appreciative audience 24 August, 2014.

175th Anniversary of SS. Peter and Paul church in Clarecastle A special Mass was organised by the parish council to mark the 175th anniversary of the church in 29 June 2014. The Heritage and Wildlife group presented two decorated scrolls, prepared by Dr. Joe Power, detailing the history of the two churches at Ballyea and Clarecastle to the parish.

175th Anniversay of the Church Exhibition

2015 175th Anniversary of the Church Exhibition

2014 • Publication of Land & People 1. On 28 August 2014, as part of our 2014 Heritage Week activities we launched our first group publication, Land and People 1. This included the results of the fieldname survey, together with twenty-three feature articles on the themes of local ‘land and people’. The book was well supported, selling over 500 copies. • An exhibition of photographs, maps and artefacts arising from the fieldname survey and from the publication of Land & People 1was mounted in the Old School, Clarecastle.

2015 Erection of History & Wildlife signs at the Quay, Clarecastle. Two signs were designed and erected at the Quay, Clarecastle, in conjunction with Clare County Council and are of great interest to locals and visitors.

Heritage Week 2015 - To mark the 100th anniversary of the Great War, an exhibition of war medals, photographs and biographies of men and women who had served in the War was displayed in Clarecastle and in Ballyea. For the first time, a comprehensive list of soldiers from the parish who fought in WW1 was compiled and presented by Eric Shaw. The now annual village walk was again guided by Dr Joe Power, taking in a visit to the newly restored Barracks where the owner, Gerry Halpin, kindly made all the walkers most welcome.

Heritage Week 2015 - The highlight of the week was the display by Mr Sylvester Barrett, Barnageeha, of an old Land League Banner. This truly historic artefact dates to the 1880s and would have been carried by his family and members of the Ballyea Branch of the Irish National League procession to Ennis, as part of the Land War in the 1880s. T

2015 The Heritage group, led by Christy Leyden and Eric Shaw spear-headed a campaign to get the OPW to enhance the mass-concrete flood barrier that it had placed at the entrance to Clarecastle Quay. This resulted in the structure being clad in stone, with attractive limestone capping and the erection of a wrought-iron signage showing Port of Clare in English and Irish. OPW also provided a limestone plinth for the large anchor and this feature will be further enhanced.

2015 A highly successful Bio Blitz on the flora and fauna of the Quay area in Clarecastle was carried out on 22 August 2015 and was enjoyed by children and adults alike. The aim of the Bio Blitz, led by Jean Ryan, is to raise awareness of the wonderful diversity in the flora and fauna around us.

2016 Fr. David O’ Brien Memorial. To mark the 150th anniversary of the erection of a memorial in Clare Hill cemetery in 1865 to Fr David O’Brien who had died in the Cholera outbreak of 1832, the memorial was cleaned up by the Parish and a plaque to the memory of the 81 villagers and 22 soldiers who had perished in the outbreak was placed in the cemetery after a blessing ceremony.

2016 1916 Commemorative Pageant. With the support from the 1916 Commemoration Committee of Clare County Council, the Clarecastle and Ballyea Heritage Group initiated and supported a pageant in Clarecastle National School, to compliment the school celebration of Proclamation Day, 15 March 2016. With tremendous support from the school Principal and teachers, the local theatre company, the Unlimited Dream Machine produced a memorable pageant commemorating local 1916 activity. Musicians, dancers, orators, actors and backstage people all contributed hugely to this great performance. Art displays including scenes from1916, flags, posters, banners and project work were displayed throughout the school. A huge part of the celebrations involved children from all classes working on a new school Proclamation stating their wishes for Ireland in the future. It was an honour to have Kevin Mulcaire and Mr. John Hanly to raise the Tricolour at the end of the ceremonies. We were honoured as part of the Pageant, to have Mr. Sylvester Barrett read from the Bureau of Military History Witness Statement (WS.1.324) of his uncle, Joseph Barrett, Brigade Operations Officer, Mid-Clare Brigade. He was joined at the school by members of his family. Their presence was greatly appreciated and added an important historic parish link to 1916. Mr. Hanly’s presence was another link to those days, through his late Mother, Mrs. Maura Hanly’s involvement in Cumann na mBan in Ballyea. The Parents Association provided wonderful refreshments to the gathering at the end of the Pageant and their support was also greatly appreciated. With the support from the 1916 Commemoration Committee of Clare County Council, the Clarecastle and Ballyea Heritage Group initiated and supported a pageant in Clarecastle National School, to compliment the school celebration of Proclamation Day, 15 March 2016. With tremendous support from the school Principal and teachers, the local theatre company, the Unlimited Dream Machine produced a memorable pageant commemorating local 1916 activity. Musicians, dancers, orators, actors and backstage people all contributed hugely to this great performance. Art displays including scenes from1916, flags, posters, banners and project work were displayed throughout the school. A huge part of the celebrations involved children from all classes working on a new school Proclamation stating their wishes for Ireland in the future. It was an honour to have Kevin Mulcaire and Mr. John Hanly to raise the Tricolour at the end of the ceremonies.

2016 Another highly successful bio-blitz on the flora and fauna of Ballybeg Woods was carried out, on 7 May 2016 and was timed to see and appreciate the Spring flowers at their best. The Ballybeg bio-blitz was repeated two weeks later for the pupils of Clarecastle and Ballyea National Schools. Overall eighty schoolchildren took part in this very enjoyable activity

Heritage Week 2016. A Village guided Walk took place. The launch of a second volume of Land & People took place in early December 2016.

2017 Netta O'Brien Autograph Book: Publication of a booklet to mark the 100th Anniversary of Clarecastle's link to the East Clare By-Election of 10 July 1917.

2017 S.S. Keeper Memorial on Clarecastle Quay: Unveiling of a Memorial to mark the 100th Anniversary of the sinking of the S.S. Keeper with the loss of four Clarecastle men in June 1917.

Return of the Punt Guns to Clarecastle

Punt boat built by Tommy Considine in the 1960s. Gifted by George Horan

2018 Clarecastle and Ballyea Heritage and Wildlife Group marked the occasion by announcing the return to Clarecastle of the two large punt guns that had previously hung in Navin's Pub. The guns have been handed over by Clare Museum to the Group who will hold them in trust for the people of Clarecastle.

Heritage Week 2018 With a pair of rare 19th C. large punt guns, and a 1960s punt boat that was made by Tommy Considine as centrepieces, the Heritage Group staged a maritime exhibition of old fishing photographs and other artefacts that reflected the centuries-old link that Clarecastle has had with the River Fergus and the sea during Heritage Week in August 2018.

2019 Shannon Estuary Stone at Clarecastle Quay

2019 Feasibilty Study on Clarecastle to Ennis River Walk

Clare Abbey Greenway 2022

2023 Dawn Chorus A Dawn Chorus event was held at Islandavanna on Sunday, 5 May 2019, led by a local member of Bird Watch Ireland.

Dawn Chorus 2019

2019 Exhibition of GAA Medals

2019 Exhibition of GAA Medals

2019 Exhibition of GAA Medals

2019 Exhibition of GAA Medals

Heritage Week 2019 Exhibition of GAA Medals

Clare County Council Community Awards 2019 Clarecastle was the winner of the Community of the Year Award from Clare County Council.

Nationwide in Clareacstle - Nov. 2020

Nationwide in Clarecastle, Nov. 2020

Heritage Council Award Poster 2020

Heritage Week 2020 The 1950s film on Clareacstle Quay won this County AWard for the Heritage Group

2020 Decade of Centenaries programme The publication of a brochure on the burning of the Church of Ireland building in Clarecastle during the War of Independence in April 1920, under the Government’s Decade of Centenaries programme.

2020 The Group opened a Facebook and Instagram pages to attract viewers to the Group's activities and website

In May 2019, the Clarecastle and Ballyea Heritage and Wildlife Group were selected to create a pilot website to archives its photos, research papers and other material

2021 Timeline Project The creation of a 12,000 year Timeline for the Parish, with a story-board and image overlaid on a Townland map of the Parish. Presently in video format but others formats for presentation are being considered.

2021 Postcard Design Postcard Design with iCan and work with Hilary Gilmore and Niamh Hickey to involve the children of Clarecastle and Ballyea in designing a postcard.

2021 Ballyea Winners with judge Hilary Gilmore and members of the Heritage and Wildlife Group

2021 Postcard Art Competition, Clareacstle School

Willem Moojen on a horse at Clarecastle Quay 25 September 1958

2022 The Port of Clare is featured in a Dutch shipping publication

Dawn Chorus 1 May 2022

Dawn Chorus Group at Clare Abbey May 2022

2022 Heritage Week - the Group launched a series of videos on boat building, on Parish Milestones and a video on the story of the Netta O'Brien-Sheedy Autograph book. It also mounted a photographic display of images connected with the Quay and River Fergus heritage.