Today we have the benefit of being able to conduct much of our research online for genealogical or other historical research purposes. However, we should not forget the importance of interviewing elderly relatives and friends who can also provide us with a treasure trove of memories and details about local myths, traditions, cultures and events, as well as valuable lore about placenames and peoples from long ago.
Our Colleagues in Our Public Records have created a great guide to help people interview their elderly family members for genealogical research, and how to get the best experience and understanding from those interviews. You can see it here: https://ourpublicrecords.org/interview-elderly-relatives/ This is well worth looking at as amongst much else, it has invaluable tips for preparing for an interview, brainstorming relevant questions to ask, best practices for recording and transcribing an interview as well as how to analyse and interpret interview data.
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Saturday 16th March 2024
Clane Local History Group members and Grand Marshals of the Clane St Patricks Day Parade, Brendan Cullen, Jim Heffernan and Larry Breen will conduct a history/heritage walk around Clane as part of the Clane St Patrick’s Day Festival. The walk will begin at 11.00 am on Saturday 16th March at the Parish Centre on the Main Street Clane. The walk will include all the places of historical interest in the town and there could be a”cuppa” on offer. All welcome Clane Local History Group Committee Members honoured as Grand Marshals
The theme this year for the Clane St Patrick’s Day’s Parade is History and Heritage. Consequently, the organisers of the parade chose Clane Local History Group committee members, Brendan Cullen, Jim Heffernan and Larry Breen to act as Grand Marshals of the parade. This is in recognition for all the work that the committee have done in organising history/heritage events over many years and in appreciation for the huge contribution that this has made to the local community. Brendan, Jim and Larry have been stalwarts in promoting the study of local history in the community for twenty years and more, organising walks, talks, exhibitions and also publishing the Annual History Journal, Coiseanna, now in its thirteenth year of production. They will also be receiving the special achievement award for their contribution to the local community. Brendan, Jim and Larry would like to thank the parade organising committee and in particular, Mary Dunne for this great honour, The St Patrick’s Day Festival will run until Monday 18th March with an array of interesting events taking place daily. So come along on the St Patrick’s Day, we look forward to meeting you all, Slán agus beannacht agus Lá fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh Hello everyone,
We hope this finds you all well, On behalf of the Clane Local History Group committee we would like to extend seasonal greetings to you and your families, We hope you have a very Happy Christmas and enjoy good health and happiness in the New Year, Stay safe and take care, Brendan, Jim and Larry Hi everyone
Although the group has faded into the sunset the Local History Group Website will remain in place courtesy of Lorcan Harney. As well as pdf copies of all issues of Coiseanna, it contains numerous old photographs of local people and places and other features can be accessed by the following link: https://clanelocalhistorygroup.weebly.com/coiseanna-journal.html I have back numbers of all issues of Coiseanna except for the years 2012 and 2013 which can be obtained for free by contacting me. Regards Jim Heffernan Contact details: Tel Mobile 087 948 0542 E-mail [email protected] Hello everyone, we are writing to update you on the situation with regard to the future of Clane Local History Group. After due consideration and careful thought we have decided that it is time for us to step back from the running of the society.
We did signal this and to that end called a special meeting to discuss the best way forward. We will not dwell on it but the attendance was disappointing and too small to make any meaningful plans for the future. In the absence of new blood coming forward and an organising committee in place we unfortunately have to now wind up the group. We regret this decision but are hereby giving notice that the Society will be ceasing to operate as Clane Local History Group. The Society can be proud of its record in serving the local community over so many years and particularly the contribution our Journal Coiseanna made in enriching the history and heritage of the area. We remember at this time our departed friends Pat Given, Una Heffernan, John Noonan and Tom Mc Creery who made such a huge contribution to the society over the years and which will not be forgotten. We plan and hope that we can continue to host the Society Website as a conduit and means for history and heritage communication in the community. There will be some loose ends to tie up which we will do in due course and keep everyone informed. Who knows, there is nothing to stop the society from renewing itself in the future if there is the will and interest to do so. It has been a pleasure working with you all over the years and many thanks for all your support. Jim Heffernan, Brendan Cullen and Larry Breen It has been decided that in place of our normal talk in October we hold a special meeting of the Clane Local History Group in the GAA Centre Prosperous Road on Thursday 19th October.
We would ask that all members attend if at all possible. The committee, Jim, Brendan and Larry feel that it is time to review where we are with the history group and to make plans for the future. We are not getting any younger. An injection of new blood to take and share responsibility is essential to ensure the future of the group. This will be an open meeting with no fixed agenda and we welcome an input from all in attendance. Clane Local History Group has made a very important contribution to the local community over many years in promoting its history, heritage and helping preserve the rich stories of its many unique people, places and events. We feel that it is important that this service to the local community should continue. To this end we look forward to seeing you all on the night. Best regards, Jim. Brendan and Larry, Committee Clane Local History Group Federation of the Local History Societies visit Scotland Sunday 14th – Thursday 18th May 2023 Larry Breen and Jim Heffernan of Clane Local History Group joined the Federation of Local History Societies on a memorable trip to Scotland this May. Members from 21 different local history societies across Ireland participated in this enjoyable trip to various historic places across Scotland including its Highlands, Loch Ness, Clachan Bridge, the prehistoric monuments of Kilmartin, Mac Craig's Tower, Inveraray Castle, Luss Castle, Bannockburn battle site and the Robbie Burns Centre. Please open the link below to read Larry's account of the trip
AGM 2023 – CARLOW CO. CARLOW - 6-8th OCTOBER The Federation is holding this year’s AGM in Carlow in what promises to be a great weekend. A chance to catch up on what is happening in local history circles around the country. Enjoy a welcome break in convivial company, meet old friends and make new ones. It is a weekend event but delegates are also welcome to attend daily over the weekend. All are welcome and we look forward to seeing you In the words of the song - Why not “follow us up to Carlow” – A warm welcome awaits you!!
Wednesday 16th August 2023 8.00 pm Clane GAA Club
Canals were a very important form of transport well before the advent of road or rail and have historically been a feature of the world’s landscape for a very long time. This talk will explore the development of canal life and the impact it had on the local community in Kildare. We are fortunate that this part of the county was served by the Grand Canal since its inception in the 1700s and created a way of life never to be forgotten. Construction of the main line took fifty years, commencing in 1756 and its commercial life ended with the departure of the last Guinness barge in 1960. The history of canal life is a fascinating story of a unique form of transport from the original horse drawn barges to the modern steel and engine propelled boats of more recent years. The many different types of boats, their unique identification numbering system, the people who worked them and their ports of call presented a way of life now long gone but not to be forgotten. The talk tells the story of the halcyon days on the canals, their eventual demise and then the rebirth of canal activity with the fabulous work of boat restoration by canal enthusiasts all over the country. The talk includes many great illustrations of boats, people and places which paints a picture of this wonderful period in our local history both commercially and socially. The canals are now a paradise for many boat lovers enjoying the peace and tranquillity they offer in our modern hectic world. |