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Cuimhneamh an Chláir The Clare Oral History & Folklore Group |
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Projects |
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Just some of the projects we have started… Cuimhneamh an Chláir Life Interviews Cuimhneamh an Chláir’s Cuairteoirí continuously undertake Life Interviews with elderly people throughout County Clare as well as conducting Day Care centre and group reminiscence. We are also interested in exploring folk life themes such as · Blacksmith and Forges · Town and Village Life · Folk Cures · Seasonal Customs and Traditions
Raheen Hospital and Daycare Centre Project Cuimhneamh an Chláir have begun a project at Raheen which we hope to expand to other community hospitals and daycare centres. At Raheen we aim to record the memories of the elderly residents and day attendees of this service. To date we have conducted a number of recorded group reminiscence sessions with the visitors to the daycare centre. Memories are triggered using objects from yesteryear along with questions designed to encourage discussion of life in East Clare in the past. Topics which have come up so far include the creameries, Biddy Early, schooldays, fairs and markets, emigration, courtship and marriage.
RAPID Oral History Initiative Cuimhneamh an Chláir have begun an initiative to record a number of people from the Travelling community in Ennis. Areas for discussion include Traveller medicine, cures, traditions and religious practice. In addition, members of the settled community within the RAPID area are being recorded with a view to eventual cross community group reminiscence that will explore identified commonalties and interests.
Focail an Chláir While we have been out ‘on Cuairt’ we have noticed the numerous Irish words that are used by our elderly people all across County Clare. We decided to compile research and explain these words for the broader Clare public. See Focail an Chláir
Traditional Foodlore Recipe Cards Cuimhneamh an Chláir have researched, designed and produced four Traditional Foodlore information and recipe cards with information and recipes associated with Seaweed, Wild Garlic, Heather and Apples.
Chicago Oral History Initiative Talks have been developing between Cuimhneamh an Chláir, the National University of Ireland Galway, the Irish Immigrant Support Group in Chicago in relation to a international Oral History Initiative that will document and record the memories of elderly Clare immigrants now living in Chicago. The memories of Clare people who left their native county in period of high immigration is essential to the social and cultural history of County Clare and this exciting project will help to tell this story.
Cuimhneamh an Chláir Public Lectures Members of Cuimhneamh an Chláir’s Executive Committee have given several public lectures about the initiative during 2009. These included the Milwaukee Irish Festival’s Hedgeschool Series, Kilkee Civic Trust, Clare Roots Society, Kerry Folklore Conference and the University of Limerick Oral History Summer School. |
