The Doorty cross — now stands protected C l a r e Kilfenora high crosses This summer saw the restoration and The diocese of Kilfenora is situated entirely in north repositioning of three high H e r i t a g e county Clare and comprises the baronies of the Burren crosses to a special area of NUACHTLITIR/NEWSLETTER and Corcomroe. St Fachnan founded the fi rst monastic conservation within part Cciorcal i r oidhreachta c l e an chláir VOLUME 2 AUTUMN 2005 settlement in Kilfenora in the sixth century and today’s of the cathedral called the cathedral is dedicated to his memory. In 1111 the synod lady chapel. The lady chapel Ag iarraidh oidhreacht eisceachtiúla ár gcontae a chur chun cinn of Rathbreasail ignored a claim by Kilfenora to episcopal has been roofed with glass government. This resulted in an alliance of two powerful and the three high crosses local clans, the O’Connors and O’Loughlens, who did not re-erected underneath wish to see the O’Brien-dominated diocese of Killaloe taking this new canopy. Possibly Lá Brian Ború over their own independent bishopric. the most famous of the crosses is one called Lá Brian Ború was organised by East Clare Heritage in The decision was overturned in 1152 at the synod of Kells and East Clare Heritage, Tuamgraney the Doorty cross. Its order to celebrate the opening of the new Ború, Emperor of the diocese of Kilfenora was recognised as a separate entity. Thursday June 9th 2005 iconography portrays the the Irish exhibition at the Heritage Centre in Tuamgraney. The Burren Centre, open daily between: important events of 1152. Through establishing this exhibition, East Clare Heritage The National Monuments seeks to refl ect the unique association we enjoy with the March 15th to May 31st 10:00 to 17:00 hrs Service has carried out great High King. Local tradition informs us of Brian being June 1st to August 31st 09:30 to 18:00 hrs the restoration of the a frequent visitor to the ancient church since his childhood. September 1st to October 31st 10:00 to 17:00 hrs cathedral and the high This folklore, coupled with the association Brian’s abbot Possibly seven high crosses were erected to celebrate its crosses at a cost of approximately one million euro. brother Marcán had with the church, as well as an inimitable record in the annals, further illustrate the links between this episcopal authority, establishment of a cathedral and arrival The high crosses and cathedral are found beside the Burren historic building and the High King of Ireland. The fact, that of its fi rst bishop, which led to Kilfenora being dubbed the Centre in Kilfenora village and they can be visited everyday the doorway he used then, which was built c. 950, to this day ‘city of the crosses’. from 10am to 5pm, mid-January to mid-December. remains unchanged, allows visitors to literally walk in the photo courtesy of Clare Champion footsteps of the great Brian. workshops where the schoolchildren were taught about The following are the members Gaelic and Viking board games, pottery, blacksmithing, The exhibition, which was funded by Clare County Council torc making and a variety of arts and crafts. Traditional Irish of the Clare Heritage Circle: and established by the heritage consultancy service Boru musicians also entertained the crowd. # The Burren Centre Cultural Enterprises, consists of content and graphic panels, exhibition content and external orientation and explores On the evening of Lá Brian Boru, international author # Clare Heritage Centre Boru’s life and accomplishments and, of course, his Morgan Llywelyn provided an intriguing lecture on the life connection with Tuamgraney. # Clare Museum of Brian Boru and offi cially launched the Boru, Emperor of the Irish exhibition at the East Clare Heritage Centre. In Activities during Lá Brian Ború included a Ború march in August Lá Brian Ború was aired on RTÉ on the Nationwide # Dysert O’Dea which six schools participated as Ború’s army. A short re- programme. The committee of East Clare Heritage is an enactment involving Brian and his abbot brother Marcán # East Clare Heritage entirely voluntary group which makes the success of Lá Brian followed, before the large crowed assembled followed the Boru all the more noteworthy. # Lahinch Seaworld army into the grounds of Tuamgraney castle to witness a # Shannon Dolphins fi ght between two Dal Cassian warriors. The re-enactment The East Clare Heritage centre Tuamgraney is open year was followed by a series of Gaelic interactive outdoor round weekdays from 9.30am to 5.00pm. # Vandeleur Gardens DOLPHIN MURAL COMPLETED C l a r e early one year after the life size This mural is part of the education carried out, proving the value of a fi eld Ndolphin mural was started it has and awareness resources being centre on the shores of the Shannon H e r i t a g e fi nally been completed. The mural developed at the Shannon Dolphin estuary. Also throughout 2005 the Cciorcal i r oidhreachta c l e shows a group of bottlenose dolphins and Wildlife Centre in Kilrush. The SDWF are carrying out on-going an chláir from the Shannon estuary, with some centre is run by the Shannon Dolphin monitoring of the dolphin tour boats Clare dolphins leaping clear of the water and Wildlife Foundation (SDWF) who on behalf on the National Parks and County and others seen underwater. carry out research and monitoring of Wildlife Service. Council An The the Shannon dolphins. Opened in Chomhairle Heritage The mural was designed and painted Oidhreachta Council 2004, the centre has had a busy by internationally renowned wildlife opening year with over 1,000 artist Mick O’Clery and will no doubt QUICK REFERENCE DIRECTORY TM Printing Ltd, Ennis • 065 682 9121 visitors in the fi rst three months as attract many admirers to the centre. well as schools, visiting students The Burren Centre 065 708 8030 East Clare Heritage 061 92 13 51 or 086 874 9710 and special need groups. For more information contact 065 905 Clare Heritage Centre 065 683 7955 Lahinch Seaworld 065 708 1900 2326 or [email protected]. During July 2005 a major fi eld study Open daily, June-Sept; other times by Clare Museum 065 682 3382 Vandeleur Walled Garden 065 905 1760 on the dolphins, funded by Bord arrangement. Dysert O’Dea 065 683 7401 Shannon Dolphins 065 905 2326 or 087 854 5450 Ischaigh Mhara, was successfully www.shannondolphins.ie Vandeleur Walled Garden Clare Heritage Lahinch Seaworld Some recent acquisitions continues to develop and Genealogical Centre & Leisure Centre at Clare Museum The Vandeleur Walled Garden, on the outskirts of Kilrush The Clare Heritage and Genealogical Centre came about As we come to the end of another summer season here at Since the start of 2005 members of the public have town, first opened its gates to the public in 2001. Once the as a result of an overwhelming desire by large numbers Lahinch Seaworld we look back over the developments of donated some interesting artefacts of a political and forgotten garden of Kilrush House, home to the Vandeleur of people of Clare origin the last twelve months. domestic nature from Clare’s past to the Clare Museum in landlords, the walled garden has been completely revived throughout the world to Ennis. We refurbished our aquarium over the quieter winter and is now a flagship tourism project for west Clare. learn more about their season, upgrading some of our older exhibitions and For example, early in the year, the museum received a ancestors and about the Under the direction of the board of Kilrush Amenity Trust introducing new ones, namely the Brazilian seahorse and voting card from the 1966 presidential election and a social conditions which Ltd there is an on-going commitment to development cuttle fish displays. We have significantly increased our Primus stove probably used during the emergency. We prevailed in Ireland during and, earlier this year, the garden was further enhanced by stock numbers and we now care for sixty-four species are grateful also to have various documents relating to the nineteenth century. This the provision of visitor information boards. These boards which number 1,000 fish in total. Frank Butler, a former IRA volunteer during the war of buildup of interest had been provide visitors with a historical survey of the Vandeleur independence and civil war. It includes an autograph book happening over many years We have also introduced a ‘comment card’ facility for our estate, information on the revival of the garden, details of from Mountjoy prison dated from 1917 which records the and particularly during the patrons so that they might let us know if we are ‘getting plants and species found in the garden and attractive visual signatures of many notable Clare republicans from this 1960s and early 1970s. Many visitors to Clare were being it right’, and indicate illustrations. Matching funding for the information boards time, including General Michael Brennan. directed to Naoise Cleary because he was known to have to us what they would was secured through Shannon Development’s Tourism a vast knowledge of Clare surnames and their origins. like to see in addition Helena Rees from Kilnaboy donated an implement used for Heritage Innovation Scheme. Naoise realised, however, that these people required more to the existing set-up. cutting tobacco from the days when tobacco came in solid At present construction is well underway on a Victorian- than just general information on their family name; they This feature has resulted blocks and had to be cut in the precise portions required style glasshouse on its original foundations at the east side wanted specific information on who their ancestors were, in the construction of by the customer. Also a large tongs which was used in an of the garden. This glasshouse will provide the necessary where they lived, as well as an insight into the social history steps at the base of open fire many years ago was presented by controlled environment in which to propagate plants for of their area. our higher exhibits so Susan William of Kilfenora. planting in the garden. While the glasshouse will be a children can have easier County Clare, situated on the west coast of Ireland in the The museum also received two hardback working area for garden staff there will also be a display access. Also, take note of the Species of the Week board as province of Munster, suffered greatly from emigration over school books used by two young women section accessible to visitors housing a selection of more you begin your tour. the last two hundred years. Between the years 1850 and from west Clare dating from a century ago, unusual plant species, including Streptacarpus Vandeleurii, 1880 an estimated 112,000 people emigrated from Clare. We continue to develop our friendships and relations which gives us a unique glimpse into the introduced into cultivation by a member of the Vandeleur By comparison the present population stands at just over with the othe aquaria around the country by sharing both type of schoolwork assigned at that time. family, Crofton Bury Vandeleur (1867-1947). 100,000. advice and stock. The 2005 school tour season was a great Another interesting donation was a linen Matching funding for this project has been secured from success, with visitor numbers in excess of 4,000. bed quilt dating from 1880 which was made Emigration has created a Clare diaspora which has Rural Resource Development Ltd under the Leader National from flax grown on the donor’s family farm resulted in millions of people worldwide who can trace This year was also very busy in regard to external activities; Rural Development Programme in Clare 2002-2006 and is and dyed with natural dyes. It is a welcome their ancestry to county Clare. From the United States of we were part of World Ocean Day that took place over the due for completion in October. reminder of the self-sufficiency of our America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, June weekend in addition to our usual involvement in ancestors. Phone: 065 905 1760 South Africa and Argentina, thousands of people seek a Science Week during November and a radio interview with th Open daily, year round greater understanding of the lives of their ancestors, and Ray D’Arcy on Today FM when they visited on July 27 . All Donations of artefacts to the museum collection are always an awareness of their own personal heritage. this activity and all the other facilities here at Seaworld, welcome. Photographs of artefacts donated in the past are Apr-Oct 10:00-18:00 hrs Oct-April 10:00-17:00 hrs our 25m pool, kiddie pool, sauna, jacuzzi and steamroom, included in the recent acquisitions section of the museum The Clare Heritage and Genealogical Research Centre Sammy Sharks playzone, retail store and café, makes sure web site, hosted by www.clarelibrary.ie. is now recognised nationally and internationally as the that your visit surpasses all expectations! leading centre of its kind in the country. The centre offers a Opening times October to April professional service to persons wishing to trace their Clare Phone: 065 708 1900 Tuesday to Saturday 9:30am to 1:00pm 2:00pm to 5:30pm ancestry. Open daily, year round; contact reception for details Admission free Since its inauguration in 1983, the centre has successfully assisted tens of thousands of people worldwide to trace their ancestry. In August of this year we had a visit from a A journey through our past The O’Dea clan gathering Richard Benn and his family. Mr Benn’s great-grandfather The O’Dea clan gathering takes place every three years and James Connellan was born at Glendree in the parish of Built in 1480 by Diarmuid O’Dea ,ruined by Cromwellians the highlight of their trip would be a visit to their ancestral Tulla, the son of John Connellan and Mary Kilfoyle. This forces in 1651 and lovingly restored in 1986 to the fine home at Dysert O’Dea castle where participants are served couple leased a five acre holding at Glendree. In 1847 John condition it is today, Dysert O’Dea is a tribute to John and Irish coffee and smoked salmon, followed by a guided tour Connellan, his wife and five children emigrated to South Anola O’Day of Wisconsin and to Risteard Ua Croinin, of the castle and other historical sites in the Dysert O’Dea Africa, where they eventually ended up owing a farm of whose restoration idea it came from. area including the twelfth century high cross, church and 10,000 acres. With the assistance of the Clare Heritage The castle now known as the Clare Archaeology round tower. Centre Mr. Benn was able to visit the original family Centre and houses an extensive museum of local This year the election of the new chieftain (an Australian homestead at Glendree where, 161 years ago, his great- artefacts from the stone age to the present day, named M S Pole) took place at the castle. Our picture shows Gerry O’Malley, chairperson grandfather was born. an audio visual presentation on the history of this of Kilrush Amenity Trust Ltd and Siobhán The castle is situated 11km from Ennis on the Corofin R476 E-mail [email protected] or visit clareroots.com unique area and various temporary exhibitions. Curran, marketing and development officer, road. Kilrush Town Council viewing one of the new A tour of the castle and exhibitions gives the visitor Phone: 065 683 7955 information boards. Looking on are Cllr. Deirdre a fine feel for the history and heritage of Dysert Phone: 065 683 7401 Open daily May 6th to October 31st 10:00 to 18:00 hrs O’Dea and will serve as a primer for the history Culligan, Pat Shannon, Leonard Cleary, directors Open daily May 1st to September 30th 10:00-18:00 hrs of Kilrush Amenity Trust Ltd, Fidelma O’Kelly Genealogical centre open Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00 walk and freedom of wandering the open other times by appointment and Sinead McSharry. hrs, year round. countryside.