Arts Activities

part in national programmes including Healthy Ireland, Creative Ireland, Bliain na Gaeilge and Work Matters. Clare Library was chosen in one of the categories of Excellence in Local Government awards competition for outreach work with Kilmaley Daycare Centre. On average 1,000 events are programmed across the library network each year and this will continue in 2019.

Children and young adult programmes continued during 2018 with some new initiatives - The national ‘Spring into Storytime’ programme was delivered in 14 branches of Clare County Library. Its focus is on promoting reading as a family activity which benefits children and parents equally. A total of 45 storytime sessions took place overall in Clare library branches during this period. Another new initiative was a partnership with the Clare Family Learning Project and Scoil Chríost Rí, Ennis as part of the Right to Read policy. Twenty four first class children along with their parents read a range of chosen picture books each night over a six week period. The project included visits to their classroom by their parents where all involved explored reading-based activities. Library visits and special events also formed part of the programme. Events were held in libraries as part of Cruinniú na nÓg, a Creative Ireland initiative that took place in June. The ever popular “Summer Stars Reading Adventure” ran for children in all library branches during July and August. Approximately 2,200 children registered in their local libraries. Family orientated events took place in all library branches over the two months including storytelling, chess classes, Cool Planet Talks and presentations from Dogs Trust. Many branches also ran a specific summer activities programme over a week or two week period for children. Programming will continue at this level during 2019.

Arts Activities

The core arts programme of the Arts Office will continue with the support of the Arts Council of Ireland. In 2019, under the Framework for Collaboration, Clare County Council will enter into a 3 year “Memorandum of Understanding” with the Arts Council, which will see strategic arts programmes earmarked for development. These programmes will include an Education Programme/Artist in Schools Scheme; the expansion of Clare Youth Theatre and the ongoing development of the Embrace Arts and Disability Programme. Artforms targetted for development include the Visual Arts and Traditional Arts. Particular attention will be focussed on the provision of youth arts and on cultural diversity.

The Arts Council are also substantially funding the Vision Symphony, an initiative of the Arts Office which involves visually impaired musicians performing new music with the Irish Memory Orchestra. The Arts Office will continue to support Arts & Health projects in Raheen Hospital,