de Valera Library, Ennis.
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| President Mary McAleese at de Valera Library, Ennis. |
A number of library projects were launched by President Mary McAleese on her visit to de Valera library, Ennis on Tuesday. On her arrival she was met by Clare County Council chairman, Sean Hillery and Clare County Manager, Willie Moloney.
Before she officially launched the library's new children's picture book promotion and associated website "Picture This" - a select list of 75 titles in English and Irish suitable for pre-school children - the President was introduced to library staff by the County Librarian, Noel Crowley. This literature promotion is a joint project between Clare County Library and the National Reading Initiative and covers such topics as growing up, home and family, and friendship and caring.
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| President Mary McAleese launching the 1901 Census of Population for county Clare at de Valera Library. |
The President then launched the library's 1901 Census Project. This entails making the 1901 census of population for county Clare available on the library website (http://www.clarelibrary.ie). The first 10,000 records of a projected 100,000 were launched by the President enabling people from all over the world to access this major genealogical resource. She then met the young trainees from the Clare Local Studies Project (CLASP) - a FÁS community response programme based in Library Headquarters - who are preparing this database, the board of CLASP and FÁS personnel. The President was presented with a number of the CLASP publications (including The Clare Anthology and The Folklore of County Clare) and a bouquet of flowers from the library.
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| President Mary McAleese watching a performance of 'Ex Libris' at de Valera Library, Ennis. |
The 'Ex Libris' website, part of an Arts and Libraries project, was also launched by the President, who enjoyed a short performance arranged by some of the young people involved in this novel project. She was also shown around the Ex Libris exhibition on display in the library by the County Arts Officer, Siobhan Mulcahy. The project aims to explore the role of libraries in our society, both locally and as a concept - a marrying of the local with the universal through the medium of the library service, literature and the arts.
The President then visited the "Dodge Car" used by both Presidents O'Ceallaigh and de Valera which is housed on the library complex.
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| President Mary McAleese at de Valera Library in Ennis. |
The President also met the members of Ennis Civic Trust in the library, and a number of sculptors who have been engaged in the Ennis Sculpture Initiative. She then proceeded to the River Side Walk to view a number of sculpture pieces where she was met by Tom Coughlan, Chairman, Ennis Civic Trust and also Donal Griffin, Director of the Ennis Sculpture Initiative and Community Service Manager, FÁS, who introduced her to the FÁS outdoor workers who are working on the site.