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series in January and February, one of which was based on Creative Ireland excavations at Derrybrien. Both were well attended.

The museum was closed to the public from 13th March until 16th July. Initially work continued from home but later on, staff engaged in cataloguing of the collection to the new Adlib Database which was up-and-running in January - over 320 items were catalogued during the year to date, the second highest annual total so far. Over 3,100 items are now accessioned as property of Clare County Council, in keeping with the Museum Standards Programme for Ireland requirements.

The temporary exhibition on the 1914 hurling team was taken down and a new temporary exhibit of War of Independence items from the museum's reserve collection was installed. The museum engaged with the public online via social media, seeking donations of photographs or objects associated with the pandemic experience, and providing videos and photos online for the public. One item, on a cannon ball discovered in May in a garden in Newmarket-on-Fergus, reached over 12,000 people online and was featured on TG4 news.

As the Creative Ireland excavation could not continue during the year, funding was instead spent on analysis and conservation of the finds. A Heritage Council grant was obtained for the purchase of camera and studio equipment for the purpose of photographing the collection for use online, the creation of videos for social media and the livestreaming of future educational workshops and public talks. Another grant, from the Department of Heritage, Culture and the Gaeltacht, was obtained to run a programme of public talks on the intangible culture of Clare for the benefit of 'staycationers', though this has now been disrupted by the increased restrictions and the closure of hotels.

Looking ahead to 2021, the cataloguing will continue. The museum will update its education policy, create a new strategic plan and update its documents with a view to applying for maintenance of full accreditation status in June. Work on this will begin before the end of 2020. A new programme of public talks and education workshops, both with livestream options, will be made available so that the museum can to continue to offer a service even if closed to the public. The uploading of photographs, providing material for promotion on social media and for the creation of education projects for local schools will continue. The museum is presently in discussion with the LCETB regarding the use of the Clare Embroidery Collection as inspiration for their sewing classes.

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Due to COVID-19, glór’s business and operations have been massively affected, with the building closed to the public from April - August and currently closed since early October due to Level 3+ restrictions.

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January -March 2020 was an extremely busy and strong period for glór prior to the initial lockdown, with a wide range of community, cultural and commercial events. Following the lockdown, glór curated a series of free online performances which ran April-July, featuring 7 artists presenting approx. 30 min performances and an additional 18 artists were featured as part of the online “glór sa Bhaile”. Across 2020, glór will have presented 138 events, including 20 digital performances, with 14,680 people attending ticketed performances at glór and a further 42,000 attending free events, including viewers of the digital performance series. Partnerships with the National Gallery, Creative Ireland for Criunníu na nÓg, Culture Night in partnership with Clare Arts Office, and collaborations with Music Network on a number of music events have all enhanced the programme.

Whilst capacities have reduced by 92% in the Theatre, which makes most performances untenable, glór has developed a Programme Plan, on the assumption of a Level 2 status through the whole of 2021 and with the support of its key funders, Clare County Council and The Arts Council, and the government’s Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme, it shall continue to present arts activity in a hybrid range of channels, including live events, digital content and livestreams, non-digital outreach, and remains committed to supporting artists, particularly those based in the midwest region.

With funding support, glór will play a more active role as commissioner and producer of new work and will ensure supports are offered to a range of artists to help protect their livelihoods. glór’s artist development initiatives will be re-focused to respond to artists needs in particular, creating networks through digital platforms, and mentoring support, as well as Research and Development opportunities. The newly appointed Curator in Residence, Dr. Moran Been-noon, will programme the majority of visual arts event in the 2021 programme.

In addition, glór continues to manage the glór café and aims to refresh the café identity, build footfall and increase sales, notwithstanding COVID-19, to improve the café’s viability. Clare County Council is planning to invest in an upgraded Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning system including new gas boilers in 2021, which is welcomed.

Importantly, glór will mark its 20th Birthday in 2021 with a range of commissions and a Birthday event in November as well as other new collaborations and events.

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