Online Irish language magazine, Saol, has an interesting article…

January 26th, 2012 by blog

Aficionados and learners of our native Irish language together with enthusiasts of all things nautical should refer to this months Saol, the online Irish Language magazine where the beginners or learners section, ‘Leathanach na bhFoghlaimeoirí’ has an interesting article, ‘An Dá insint’ translated as the ‘Two Sides’, meaning the two sides to every story. This shows an impressive recent picture of the Dún an Óir 11 ( Cape Clear Ferry) taken by Mary Cadogan which has been artfully and imaginatively used to portray the thoughts and emotions conjured by such a picture and provides a good insight into Island life while also providing an opportunity to polish up some terms ‘As Gaeilge’. The author Fiachra Ó Tóirne, knows his subject intimately having spent 2010-2011 on the Island with his family. Click here for more

Provided by Séamus O’Drisceoil. Thank you Séamus for this.

UNION HALL COMMUNITY are seeking helpers…

January 20th, 2012 by blog

After the wreck of the Tit Bonhomme last Sunday and the loss of 5 crewmen…

UNION HALL Community are seeking helpers to donate food (soup, sandwiches and buns) and also to help out this weekend with the serving the recovery teams both Sat and Sun 9am.

A boat tragedy fund has been set up in the AIB Skibbereen branch (sort code 93-63-75 a/c 10009183) in support of the crew members and their families for anyone who may wish to donate.

ENDS

Saturday Specials to Cape Clear…

October 27th, 2011 by blog

Cailín Óir Ferry to Cape Clear Island have introduced a new ‘special offer’ fare known as ‘Saturday Specials’ which will apply until the end of April 2012. While winter and spring usually brings it share of bad weather and interrupted sailings there are also glorious pristine days when the sun shines and the seas are calm and a sea trip can be especially invigorating.

On these days weekend visitors to the West Cork/Baltimore area will be happy to enjoy an afternoon taking in the spectacular scenery of Roaringwater Bay as they make a return sailing to Oileán Chléire. The Dún an Oir 11 is especially suitable given its upper deck seating which offers viewing in all directions. The usual return fare of €16 for adults and €8 for children has been slashed to €10 and €5 respectively.

Available only on Saturdays

Departing Baltimore at 2pm

Returning from Cape Clear at 4pm

No online booking or other discounts apply.

Please check website www.cailinoir.com for sailings or phone 086-3465110.

Subject to weather and other conditions.

ENDS

Christmas is coming again to Cape Clear Island

October 26th, 2011 by blog

The popular Annual Christmas Dinner Party for Cape Clear Island is planned for Saturday 10 December starting at 7.30 pm in Club Cléire. This year the music will be provided by Joe Desmond strongly supported as always by local talent. The menu is for seasonal vegetable soup, with an option of roast turkey and ham or baked salmon for the main course. Dessert of fresh fruit salad or Christmas Pudding will be followed by tea/coffee.

Tickets cost €26 and should be purchased in An Siopa Beag before Friday 10th December.

As in previous years a number of events are planned on various Sunday afternoons in the run up to Christmas which will culminate in a Christmas Hamper Draw. These will take place from 3.30 pm to 5.30 pm in Club Cléire.

These are as follows:

Sunday 6 November – BINGO

Sunday 20 November – Table Quiz

Sunday 27 November – Christmas Craft

Sunday 4 December – Music with local musicians and Christmas Hamper Draw.

These events are sponsored by CARA ( Cléire Active Retirement Association) but all are welcome.

ENDS

Learn to Play Bridge…

October 12th, 2011 by blog

Bridge for Beginners & Improvers Classes

Monday evenings from November to April in Casey’s Hotel 7pm to 8pm followed by informal play in teams from 8pm to 10:45pm (keep the brain active, meet nice people and socialise whilst improving your game

Play in teams continues for the whole year except bank holiday weekend Mondays.

Details: rianne@aquaventures.ie

Ceol na nOileán

September 27th, 2011 by blog

This series of four programmes explores the rich musical culture of Ireland’s islands. The islands featured are: Rathlin, Aranmore, Clare and Turk and Cape Clear.

Each programme gives an insight into the musical tradition of the various islands, how it has evolved over the years and the strength of that tradition at present. Images of the islands’ unique environment enhance the sentiment of the music and songs, and provide an effective and dramatic, context.

As well as contributions from musicians, singers and dancers native to the various islands, the programmes feature people with particular interest in and knowledge of the musical tradition of the islands.

Archive material of various kinds is a feature in each programme.

Among the participants are Mary, Francis and Michael Black, Sorcha Nic Lochlainn, ( Rathlin); musicians and singers fom Cape Clear including Máire Ní Laoire, Tadhg and Emer Ó Drisceoil and Fiachra and Róisín Ó Tórna,

Jesse Smith and Fiona Nic Gloinn, The Aranmore Pipe Band, Proinsias Mac a’Bhaird, (Arainn Mhór); Billy Gallagher, the O’ Toole family, Niall Mc Cabe, Patrick O Toole, ( Clare and Turk).

Produced and directed by Mairín Seoighe, Scannáin Dobharchú.

Ceol na nOileán

Sraith de cheithre chlár a thugann léargas ar an gcultúr saibhir dúchasach a bhaineann le hoileáin na hÉireann ó thaobh thraidisiún an cheoil, na hamhránaíochta agus an damhsa de. Is iad na hoileáin atá i gceist ná Reachrainn, Oileán Chléire, Árainn Mhór, Oileán Cliara agus Inis Tuirc.

Tugann gach clár léargas ar an stair a bhaineann le traidisiún ceoil agus siamsaíochta an oileáin sin, an chaoi a d’fhorbair sé i rith na mblianta agus an staid ina bhfuil sé inniu. Tá an tírdreach sonrach a bhaineann le gach oileán mar eilimint ghníomhach i ngach clár agus taispeántar íomhanna tarraingteacha ó thimpeallacht an oileáin le cur le mothúcháin an phíosa ceoil nó an amhráin atá faoi chaibidil. Chomh maith leis na ceoltóirí, amhránaithe agus damhsóirí, déanann beirt nó triúr saineolaí cur síos ar scéal an cheoil i ngach oileán faoi leith. Baintear úsáid as ábhar cartlainne idir físe agus fuaime maraon le sean-ghriangraifeanna.

I measc na rannpháirtithe atá sa tsraith tá Mary, Frances agus Michael Black, Sorcha Nic Lochlainn, (Reachrainn); Máire Ní Laoire, Tadhg agus Emer Ó Drisceoil agus Róisín Ó Tórna (Cléire), Jesse Smith agus Fiona Nic Gloinn, Banna Píb Árainn Mhór, Proinsias Mac a Bhaird,(Arainn Mhór); Billy Gallagher, clann Ui Thuathail, Niall Mc Cabe, Patrick O Toole;(Cliara agus Tuirc)

Léiriú agus stiúriú – Mairín Seoighe Scannáin Dobharchú.

Programme & transmission times:

Ceol na nOileán Rathlin 25/9/11 @ 22.00 & 30/9/11 @20.30:

features performances from Mary, Frances and Michael Black and younger members of the Black Family, as well as local singers Teresa Mc Faul and John Mc Curdy . Sorcha Nic Lochlainn and Gusty Mc Curdy explore the musical tradition of this well-known island and the influence its close connection with Scotland had on that tradition.

Ceol na nOileán Cape Clear – 2/10/11 @ 22.00 & 7/10/11 @20.30:

explores the music,song and dance tradition of the Cork island. Musicians featured include Tadhg and Emer Ó Drisceoil, Máire Proinsias Ní Choitir, Fiachra and Róisín Ó Tórna and the Mary Tisdall Group. Gearóidín Ní Dhonnabháin and singer Máire Ní Laoire and speak of the important role music played in their lives while growing up on the island.

Ceol na nOileán Árainn Mhór – 9/10/11 @ 22.00 & 14/10/11 @ 20.30:

features the vibrant tradition of music, song and dance of the Donegal island. It includes performances from Jesse Smith and Fiona Nic Gloinn, traditional singers Anna Ní Ghallchóir and Aoife Nic Gloinn, the Aranmore Pipe Band, and dancer Darren Ó Dónaill. The musical heritage of Róise Rua is explored as well as the influence of tragedies and emigration on the island’s repertoire.

Ceol na nOileán Clare and Turk – 16/10/11 @ 22.00 &21/10/11 @ 20.30:

The strong musical tradition of two Mayo islands is explored in this programme. It features the box playing of Clare island locals Billy Gallagher and Micheal Mc Namara and the O’Toole family, Inis Turk. Myles Ruddy, Patrick O Toole and Anne O Toole demonstrate the rich singing tradition of both islands with Neil Mc Cabe representing the younger generation. The Clare island half set is also featured.

ENDS