Clare Libraries History Week 2025
23 September 2025
Clare Libraries History Week takes place from October 4 to 10, giving the public an opportunity to engage with the history of the county. All events are free of charge and will include a range of talks and exhibitions held around the county and online.
Speaking about the week, Senior Executive Librarian Dolores Meaney said, “Clare Libraries History Week gives us an opportunity to showcase the historical research related to our county and hear the voices of local historians and researchers. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a scholar, or simply curious about the past, this week is designed to be welcoming and accessible to all.”
Starting on Saturday October 4, Karen J. McDonnell will hold a workshop on writing into family and local histories. Monday will see two lectures, an online presentation of High and Parnell Street in Ennis by Lucille Ellis, and a discussion of music in Clare by Ollie Byrnes.
Tuesday and Wednesday will feature talks and exhibitions from a variety of presenters, such as Brian Crowley’s ‘The Liberator in Chains’ lecture about the O’Connell movement, Kirsten Mulrennan’s Shannon Development Photographic Archive, and a talk on The Colleen Bawn by Pat Fitzgerald and Joe Queally in Kilrush Library. Wednesday also features a showcase of the digital imaging project in Clare Abbey and Clare Museum’s talk on the Ardnacrusha hydroelectric power plant.
Thursday sees Genealogy Day, where at the De Valera Library in Ennis, Jane Halloran Ryan will be available for family history taster lessons. Brian Gurrin will talk about the Clare’s census records in the Virtual Treasury of Ireland project, and the Clare Roots lecture by Aoife Kelly will examine family histories through Kilfenora’s musical traditions. Clare County Librarian Helen Walsh stated, “History and genealogy play a major role in Clare Libraries and provide us with invaluable insights into our roots and the events that have shaped our world.”
Finishing the week will be John Rattigan’s Curator’s Talk and a lecture remembering Paddy Hannan with Quin Heritage Group.
History Week has been funded by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport. A full list with further details of the programme of events for the week is available at: https://clarelibraries.ie/projects/history_programme
Page last reviewed: 23/09/25
Content managed by: Library Service
Back to topThis is just for feedback on our web site, not comments or questions about our services.
To tell us about anything else, go to our contact us pages.