We look forward to our annual “Martin Bourke” evening at Cultúrlann Sweeney; when Martin will present: The “Nelson Eddy” Profile.

Kilkee Civic Trust
Summer Talks Schedule 2018

Venue: Cultúrlann Sweeney O’Connell St., Kilkee.
All Tickets: €10
Book your tickets at: Cultúrlann Sweeney, Kilkee. or Book online here.
Website: www.culturlannsweeney.ie
Telephone: (065) 906 0769
E-mail:


Music Event Format
The audio-visual presentation, with an interval & raffle, will include a generous selection of music and photographic slides recounting the story of Nelson Eddy’s very interesting life.
These Profiles, undertaken on a pro-bono basis, in aid of Kilkee Civic Trust, are devised, researched, scripted and presented by Martin Bourke; who has a lifelong interest in the career and vocal art of classical and light classical singers, together with a passion for collecting recordings and biographies of these artists.
The following information about Nelson Eddy will afford you an insight into what this Friday evening’s performance is about and, hopefully, will convince you to come along and support this Musical event!

American Singer and Actor who appeared in many musical films in the 1930s & 1940s, as well as Opera, Radio & TV. A classically trained Baritone; he is best remembered for the musical films when he co-starred with Jeanette MacDonald. In his heyday; Nelson Eddy was a superstar and the highest paid singer worldwide.
In the second of a three-part series, Martin Bourke will profile this remarkable man on Friday 10th August 2018; as, during July, Martin presented part one: The “Jeanette MacDonald” profile. This series will be concluded at a later date with a profile of their intertwining lives, their careers together, their screen romances and enduring friendship despite the rumour, innuendo and gossip.

These Profiles, in aid of the Kilkee Civic Trust, are presented by Martin Bourke who has given us Profiles on the composer Stephen Foster, the singers Mario Lanza, John McCormack and Richard Tauber.

Every good wish,
Joseph McCloskey
Honorary Secretary,
Kilkee Civic Trust

Tonight, Saturday 14th July at 8pm, we look forward to our annual “Martin Bourke” evening at Cultúrlann Sweeney; when Martin will present: The “Jeanette MacDonald” Profile.
(This is the first of two evenings in the 2018 series, as, on Friday 10th August, Martin will present part two: The “Nelson Eddy” profile).

Kilkee Civic Trust Summer Talks Schedule 2018

In the 1930’s and ‘40’s Jeanette MacDonald was a movie superstar recognised and acclaimed throughout the world. The release in Hollywood of a film featuring Jeanette MacDonald with one of her stable of leading actors such as Clarke Gable, Spencer Tracey, Tyrone Power, Ramon Novarro, Maurice Chevalier and of course Nelson Eddy, was a major event, which was frequently covered by global press agencies. She was the toast of fellow artists, all the film studios, Paramount, MGM & Universal, their producers and directors, politicians, U.S. Presidents, the U.S. Army, Navy & Air Force, the media and gossip columnists and above all the film going public. Over fifty years after her death in January 1965 there is still a vibrant Jeanette MacDonald International Fan Club.
Who then was Jeanette MacDonald? A talented performer from the age of 5, vaudeville artist, Broadway Chorus Girl and Solo performer, film actress, musical, operetta, grand opera and concert singer, professional dancer, the ‘Iron Butterfly’, the ‘Lingerie Queen’ and the ’Lux Lady’, daughter, sister, wife and woman, she was all these and more, much more. She appeared in 35 live stage productions and starred in 29 films, 7 of which were nominated or received Hollywood Oscars

DIARY DATE:
On Friday, 10th August, we look forward to Martin Bourke’s second evening, in the 2018 series, when he will present: The “Nelson Eddy”profile.


Every good wish,
Joseph McCloskey
Honorary Secretary,
Kilkee Civic Trust

The summer season of weekly events continues this Wednesday, with the ninth Talk at 8pm, at the Cultúrlann Sweeney, O’Connell St., Kilkee.
Closing Address for 2018 KCT Summer Season by Michael Houlihan, Chairman, KCT

KCT Summer Schedule 2018

Ireland was neutral during the Second World War but the war still had an impact on life in Ireland. The little-known story of the coast watchers’ contribution to the safety of the country and the story behind their lookout buildings is very interesting.

About the Speaker:
John Williams , a Pharmacist by profession, with the support of his wife Elizabeth, ran the successful Kilkee based Williams’ Pharmacy & Williams’ Hardware for many years. Now retired; John Williams is actively involved and contributes enthusiastically to many social activities, commercial and development initiatives in and around Kilkee. He is a champion supporter for all things positive for Kilkee, the Loop Head Peninsula, and the wider West Clare area. John is a founder member of Loop Head Tourism, Kilkee Chamber of Commerce, Kilkee Tourism, Kilkee Social Housing Association and Kilkee Civic Trust. It is entirely fitting that John’s Kilkee Civic Trust talk is our Heritage Week event this year.

When: Wednesday 22nd of August at 8pm
Where: Cultúrlann Sweeney
Admission is FREE of charge

A donations box is available, at each KCT Talk, to assist us in defraying essential and necessary expenses
Every good wish,
Joseph McCloskey , Honorary Secretary,
Kilkee Civic Trust
Email:

The summer season of weekly events continues this Wednesday, with the ninth Talk at 8pm, at the Cultúrlann Sweeney, O’Connell St., Kilkee.
Closing Address for 2018 KCT Summer Season by Michael Houlihan, Chairman, KCT

KCT Summer Schedule 2018

Under the 1891 Act establishing the Congested Districts Board any district electoral division with an average annual rateable valuation per household of less than 30 shillings was eligible for ‘congested’ status, meaning it was entitled to receive substantial State investment in grants, training, infrastructural improvements and other supports. The Board had a second condition: a minimum of one-fifth of the total population of the county must not exceed the rateable valuation of 30 shillings per household. Unfortunately, Clare, with its mix of small holdings and large ‘ranches’ did not satisfy the Board’s strict criteria. So, although the west of the county had particularly large numbers of landless households living in difficult, congested circumstances, they failed to qualify for the reliefs applied to other counties in the west.

About the Speaker:
Dr. Críostóir Mac Cárthaigh makes a welcome return as a KCT Speaker to our 2018 Talks series. For family and other reasons, West Clare is very familiar to Críostóir. He is currently Director of the National Folklore Collection at University College Dublin. With a background in folklore and archaeology, he has written widely on different aspects of Irish oral literature, vernacular architecture, traditional boats and fishing, especially so in relation to County Clare.

When: Wednesday 29th of August at 8pm
Where: Cultúrlann Sweeney
Admission is FREE of charge

A donations box is available, at each KCT Talk, to assist us in defraying essential and necessary expenses
Every good wish,
Joseph McCloskey , Honorary Secretary,
Kilkee Civic Trust
Email:

The summer season of weekly events continues this Wednesday 15th August at 8pm with the seventh KCT Talk at the Cultúrlann Sweeney, O’Connell St., with “Clare Person of the Year 2018”, John Burke

Kilkee Civic Trust
Summer Talks Schedule 2018

All donations at the door, as you enter and leave this KCT Talk, will be donated to the Elevate Foundation
The Elevate Foundation is a not-for-profit initiative. Its aim is to reach out and connect with young people in Clare, utilising independent organisations and professionals specialising in youth mental health and youth wellness. Elevate was founded by this week’s Speaker John Burke in April 2017. He established the foundation to develop a project he is very passionate about – promoting wellness in young people and providing them with the tools they need to fulfil their potential. Elevate Foundation on facebook

On the 16th May 2017, for the very first time, the Clare flag was raised on the top of Mount Everest. John Burke, who hails from the flat lands of Spanish Point, achieved his 10-year personal goal of standing on Top of the World. While the task of climbing Everest is a feat of unique physical endurance; John attributes his survival and success to the mental strengths which he prepared and honed well in advance. Overcoming many challenges along the way; John stared death in the face on a mountain that has claimed the lives of 1 in 10 who summit. His story of preparation, planning, and mental training, will touch many; whatever their own Everest may be. In this KCT Talk; John Burke will provide some reflections and insights from the lessons he learnt along his 10-year epic journey. He promises to bring along photographs, and some videos, from one of the most hostile yet spectacular places on our Planet Earth; a place we can now say was home to a Clare person; if only for a short period of time.

About the Speaker:
John Burke, a native of Spanish Point, achieved his 10-year personal goal of standing on Top of the World in May 2017. He climbed Mount Everest, returned home safely, and will tell us about his great adventure. In everyday life, as well as being an accomplished sportsman, John is the Managing Director of the well-known and renowned Armada Hotel at Spanish Point; a business established by his late father, (also named John), and built up from the original Public House to be one of Clare’s best hotels and an ever-popular Wedding & Conference Venue. Last year; John founded “Elevate”, a youth wellness organisation and, over the past 12 months, “Elevate” has delivered Wellness Programmes to young people throughout Co. Clare; in areas such as Resilience Building, Mindfulness, Inspiration and Individuality. In its first year; “Elevate” has worked with approx. 9,000 young people. John says that plans are in active formation to grow the “Elevate” Programme further in the year ahead. Finally; John Burke was recently awarded the title “Clare Person of the Year 2018”.

When:Wednesday 15th August at 8pm
Where: Cultúrlann Sweeney
Admission is FREE of charge

A donations box is available, at each KCT Talk, to assist us in defraying essential and necessary expenses. (Please note, as previously mentioned, all donations on this occasion will be given to the Elevate Foundation (Link)
Every good wish,
Joseph McCloskey , Honorary Secretary,
Kilkee Civic Trust
Email:

The summer season of weekly events continues this Wednesday, with the sixth KCT Talk at 8pm, at the Cultúrlann Sweeney, O’Connell St., Kilkee.

KCT Summer Schedule 2018

An exploration of how the Great War impacted upon Ireland; particularly County Clare; together with the consequences politically, economically and socially for the people of that era, and the echo down the years since this complex time.

About the Speaker:
Dr. Joe Power was born in Clarecastle in 1951. He is a passionate historian specialising in local history. He greatly enjoyed his 43-year career teaching history and geography at Kilrush CBS / Community School. Dr. Power has published several books about his native parish, namely; A history of Clare Abbey and Killone, 1987; The GAA in Clarecastle, 1987; A history of Clarecastle and its environs, 2004; The latter is largely based on his Doctoral Thesis. Dr. Power also edited An Ennis Miscellany, 1990. His most recent book is titled Clare and the Great War, 2015. Apart from his above-mentioned published books, Dr. Power has written many articles, concerning the history of County Clare, for local publications such as The Other Clare. Such is Dr. Power’s enthusiasm for his subject; he has a proud tradition of delivering many talks to societies such as Shannon Archaeological and Historical Society & Clare Archaeological and Historical Society. He also lectured at the Merriman Summer School in Lisdoonvarna.

When: Wednesday 8th August at 8pm
Where: Cultúrlann Sweeney
Admission is FREE of charge

A donations box is available, at each KCT Talk, to assist us in defraying essential and necessary expenses
Every good wish,
Joseph McCloskey , Honorary Secretary,
Kilkee Civic Trust
Email:

The summer season of weekly events continues this Wednesday, with the fifth KCT Talk at 8pm, at the Cultúrlann Sweeney, O’Connell St., Kilkee.

KCT Summer Schedule for 2018

The story of “An Cailín Bán” is well known. In this Talk; Joe Donnellan examines the story afresh and explores a number of interesting and intriguing connections pertinent to the era and its aftermath.
About the Speaker:
Joe Donnellan returns to speak for KCT; having previously delivered his first KCT Talk during our 2017 series, entitled: Three International Musicians from Limerick. Joe is a Limerick man, a past pupil of Crescent College, a sports enthusiast and former President of Old Crescent RFC, a well-known business-man and insurance broker; having run his own firm for many years. Theatre lovers will know him well from his many appearances for The Cecilian Musical Society.
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When: Wednesday 1st August at 8pm
Admission is FREE of charge

A donations box is available, at each KCT Talk, to assist us in defraying essential and necessary expenses
Every good wish,
Joseph McCloskey , Honorary Secretary,
Kilkee Civic Trust
Email:

The summer season of weekly events continues this Wednesday, 25th July, with the fourth KCT Talk at 8pm, at Cultúrlann Sweeney, O’Connell St., Kilkee.

KCT Summer Schedule for 2018

As humans, on our journey so far, and on the way forward, we all share one key experience: – no one truly knows what tomorrow will bring. In this KCT Talk, Margot Slattery will share her thoughts and perspective on the ever-changing world of work, its integration with family life, the implications and challenges of continuously developing information technology systems, her vision for leading the response to ever faster computers & the dominance of the internet in how we all live, work and play. Workplaces are changing, some might say undergoing a revolution, and Margot will speak about diversity, inclusion, equality & evolving work practices; so as to transform the quality of life lived, both at work and at home.
About the Speaker:
Margot Slattery is Country President for Sodexo Ireland & Northern Ireland. A Limerick Girl, from Dromin – Athlacca, (near Bruff), Margot comes from a dairy farming background.
Her early experiences of Farm Fresh Food, and a family heritage of good cooks, inspired her to train as a Chef. Margot’s career has evolved constantly since those early days at Cathal Brugha Street. Later; an application for a job as Trainee Manager, at a predecessor of Sodexo, led her to develop her skills in Food Management Services. Today, Margot is responsible for Sodexo across Ireland, with over 2,100 employees across 200 plus client locations, serving 90,000 people daily. Sodexo’s original core business was in the area of what many would know as Contract Catering. Time has moved on, and with food & catering services remaining a core sector, Sodexo has enhanced its offering, delivering services that improve quality of life in the business and industry, education, financial, and healthcare sectors. This is achieved by providing clients with an integrated offering, from reception, concierge, safety, maintenance and cleaning, to foodservices, facilities and equipment management.

When: Wednesday 25th July at 8pm
Admission is FREE of charge

A donations box is available, at each KCT Talk, to assist us in defraying essential and necessary expenses
Every good wish,
Joseph McCloskey , Honorary Secretary,
Kilkee Civic Trust
Email: