Cuimhneamh an Chláir has been gathering and archiving the stories of Co. Clare for the last 15 years. Those stories are strongly linked to place and landscape and to our sense of identity as Clare people. In 2024 Cuimhneamh an Chláir invites you to walk through those landscapes in the company of local people who will act as your guides and tell you the stories that are important to their native place .  Walks are free of charge.

The Village of our Childhood with Patsy Carrucan and Joe Queally is the third Talking Landscapes walk on Sunday 26 May.  The walk takes in the memorial at Craggagh Cemetery to Guard Thomas Dowling, killed in 1925. We'll also see the deserted village at Loch an Uisce. We'll visit the sacred ground where the Tinkers camped.  We'll take a look at the Old School in Fanore and hear details of the 'Fanore School Case.'  We'll unearth the ‘old penal chapel’ hidden in hazel bushes in the Caher Valley and take some time out  to share in a healing experience at the lighthouse at ‘Blackhead, Ceann Dubh’,  on the shores of Galway Bay.

This walk is Easy to Moderate, 4 km over 3 hours.

Our guides Joe Queally and Patsy Carrucan are natives of Fanore and intimately acquainted with its every corner.

Walks will take place bi-monthly throughout the year, mostly in rural locations, but Clare towns will feature too. The walks are free but must be booked in advance. After booking you’ll be sent details of starting location, as well as Health and Safety information particular to the walks.