*Patsy O’Grady.
Eugene Lambe has donated to Cuimhneamh an Chláir his important collection of video recordings of singers, musicians, dancers and storytellers from North Clare.
To celebrate this, Cuimhneamh an Chláir will host an illustrated interview with Eugene on Thursday (December 1st) at The Old Ground Hotel. Refreshments for the free event will be served from 6:30pm with the event starting at 7pm sharp. The interview will be recorded for Cuimhneamh an Chláir’s podcast ‘The Clare Oral History Podcast’.
Eugene came to live in Fanore in the 1970s, there he played music, made instruments, and listened intently to the older carriers of stories and music in North Clare. In the 1980s he engaged Paschal Brookes to travel with him around that part of the county filming some of these singers, musicians and tellers of tales.
They recorded in kitchens and pubs, heard the last remnants of the Irish language spoken in Doolin, listened to music played on fire tongs, Indian whistles and more besides.
This resulted in the creation of an engaging collection which creates a picture of a time that now seems much further back than 35 years ago.
In conversation with Paula Carroll, Eugene will introduce us to some of the stars of his archive: among them the legendary Paddy and John Killoughery at home in Ballyfaudeen, musician and funnyman Joe Cunneen, captivating singer Pat Keane from Aughinish Island, the inimitable Brud Petty from Lisdoonvara and Dinny Jim from Doolin, old style dancer Mick Carrucan, Doolin native Irish speaker Paddy Phádraig Mhichael Shannon and Kilfenora Céilí Band flute player Paddy ‘Organ’ Mullins. Mary Ellen Curtin from Doolin provides us with a rare (for the time) public glimpse of an older woman playing music outside her own home.
Cuimhneamh an Chláir / Clare Memories is an independent, voluntary group, which digitally records, archives and shares the oral heritage of Co. Clare, through interviews with the county’s older citizens in its diverse communities.
Also on the night, Cuimhneamh an Chláir will be launching their new website www.clarememories.ie and their strategic plan 2022-2025. Dr Maura Cronin, founder of the Oral History Centre at Mary Immaculate College is the guest for the launch.
