Lecture about Christmas Traditions
Back to the Beginning: The Magic and Rituals of Christmas
Lecture by
Shane Lehane
Thursday November 30 2023
at
8pm
in
Clonakilty GAA Club, Ahamilla
Shane is Course Director of Cultural and Heritage Studies in Cork College of Further Education and Training, Tramore Road, Cork. He has lectured in archaeology, folklore, history, and the arts for over 30 years and has developed a programme of studies that facilitates both young and mature students to progress to Arts and Humanities programmes at 3rd level.
Shane is noted for delivering dynamic, illustrated, and entertaining lectures on a variety of topics relating to Irish custom, tradition, and belief. He has specialised research interests in Irish material culture, folklife, vernacular traditions and food and the interaction of material culture and time. He is an archaeologist and has worked for many years as a demonstrator in the Department of Celtic Civilisation. In folklore, he has been the main motivator and contact for overseas students through the years, overseeing the Early Start Programme and this core course FL2111 Aspects of Irish Folklore.
Shane’s recent publications include:
‘Honey and Beekeeping in Ancient Ireland’ in Irish History Food: A Companion edited by Máirtín Mac Con Iomaire and Dorothy Cashman (EUT+ Press, 2023)
‘Tents, Ale-Poles and Pattern Pies: An Examination of the Temporary Shelters and Food of the Pattern Day 1700 – 1950’ in Holy Wells of Ireland: Sacred Realms and Popular Domains Edited by Celeste Ray and Finbar McCormick (Indiana University Press, 2023)
‘The Skellig Lists’ in The Book of the Skelligs edited by John Crowley and John Sheehan, (Cork University Press 2023)
Flaming Sods of Turf and An Old Rope Beard: The Cosmogony of Kerry’s New Year Traditions in Béascna 12 2022, 100-113
‘The Cailleach and the Cosmic Hare’ in Charms, Charmers and Charming in Ireland: From the Medieval to the Modern edited by Ilona Tuomi, John Carey, Ciarán Ó Gealbháin, Barbara Hillers (University of Wales Press: New Approaches to Celtic Religion and Mythology 2019)
Shane appears on many television and radio programmes exploring many different aspects of Irish folk tradition. He is a resident folklorist and very popular contributor on the National Television Network (RTÉ) on ‘The Today Show’ expounding many different aspects of Irish folk custom. Shane is also a beekeeper and advocate of Irish vernacular craft.
Clonakilty 1798 Journal being updated and re-published
A sub-committee of Dúchas Clonakilty Heritage is currently working on the republication of the 1998 “Battle of the Big Cross” journal published 25 years ago as part of the bicentenary commemoration of the battle which occurred on 19th June 1798.
As well as re-publishing the journal there will also be a number of new chapters which will include accounts, and photos of the June 2023 commemorative events (225th anniversary), and also articles relevant to the Battle of the Big Cross and participants not previously published.
It is planned to have this ready by the end of October and printed for early November.
They appeal to anyone who has any information that could be included to make contact as soon as possible to ensure the associated articles can be written up and prepared for the journal.
Information such as participants in the battle (both sides), folklore passed down about it, songs or poems, photographs of past commemorations, etc. will all be considered by the editorial committee.
Contact DuchasClonHeritagePRO@gmail.com, phone 086-2202029 or send a message via the dedicated Facebook page www.Facebook.com/BigCross225
Clonakilty Journals on sale
Clonakilty Historical & Archaeological Journals are available from Coolim Books HERE
(Please note the Biblio website takes a little bit of time to load)
Recording of Dúchas Tribute to Dick Barrett and Sean Hales
The link to the recording of our Sean Hales and Dick Barrett commemorative event held on November 18:2022 is HERE
Historic coastal village of Timoleague: Duchas Film documentary
For Heritage Week 2022, Dúchas Clonakilty Heritage has once again decided to do a film documentary. As part of our celebrations, we will be visiting the historic coastal village of Timoleague which is situated at the mouth of the Airgideen river estuary on the cusp of Courtmacsherry Bay. It is a picturesque place steeped in historical fact, along with myth and legend, and to take us back over the centuries our guides are Diarmuid Kingston and Michael O’Mahony.
We hope that the viewer will enjoy our visit to this historical coastal village and its hinterland with its spectacular scenery and rich folklore. It is indeed a place of historical importance with its ancient abbeys and wonderful artistically endowed churches. It is only by a visit that their beauty and uniqueness can be fully appreciated.
Click here to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6s9pgGBst8
Third Dúchas Clonakilty historical journal now on sale
Dúchas Clonakilty Heritage's third volume of the popular “Clonakilty Historical and Archaeological Journal” is now available at local outlets costing €10. It contains 12 excellent articles examining different aspects of local history and built heritage, focusing on the seventeenth to twentieth centuries, as well as many interesting photos - some of which have not been published before.