Social Development directorate

Library Service

Our library service provides book lending for adults and children, including audio, large print titles and a growing range of online services (e-books, e-audio, e-magazines, e-online courses including languages, and e-newspapers),  music (on CD) and film (on DVD) collections. We have free public access internet PCs and free WiFi in all branches except Kildysart.
Our larger branches also provide printing, photocopying and scanning services through Surfbox (Ennis, Shannon, Ennistymon, Kilrush, Scariff and Kilkee)  and we have a calendar of events spanning the year with 1,000 free events annually. Our libraries are also involved in the following national initiatives: Work Matters, Right to Read, Creative Ireland, Decade of Centenaries, Healthy Ireland, Age Friendly County Programme as well as programming for children and adults. Our Local Studies Centre is the repository for all historical data relating to the county which includes support to genealogy enthusiasts. Library membership is now free of charge to all. Self Service technology is active in Ennis, Shannon and Kilkee branches.

There are number of sensory gardens in Kilkee, Shannon and Ennistymon and all branches carry a sensory box available to those with sensory needs. Information for public with intellectual needs including those on the autism spectrum wishing to visit their nearest library can be found on our website www.clarelibrary.ieunder each branch as a social story.

The new library for Ennis will open in early 2024.

Arts service

Clare Arts Service works to develop and promote the arts countywide by offering supports to artists, encouraging participation by the public in the arts, developing audiences for the arts and devising new and exciting arts events and programmes. We also support and assist film production in the county.

We run programmes countywide including youth theatre, artist in schools schemes, arts and disability programmes, the Riches of Clare traditional music concert series and the PRISM Street Art Scheme. We provide training and professional development opportunities for artists across all disciplines (art, music, literature, drama, dance etc.) as well as offering grants to artists and arts festivals in the county.

We hold more than 30 exhibitions annually in Kilkee, Ennis and Scariff and we run artist studios in Tulla and Ennis. We also programme Culturlann Sweeney theatre in Kilkee and the new gallery in Ennis will open in early 2024.

Annually we support Music Generation Clare, the Ennistymon Courthouse Gallery and Studios, the WRAP Audio Visual Fund and the Engine Shorts Film Project.

Archives Service

Clare County Archives is the designated repository for the management, custody care and preservation of the archives of Clare County Council and its predecessors. Additionally, the archives hold private collections relating to the history, heritage and culture of the county.

Collections are processed, listed and indexed at item level by the archivist before making them available for research. Exhibitions of collections are held annually showcasing collections from our repository in addition to collaborative projects with the Heritage Council and Creative Ireland.

Digitation of our collections is ongoing and consequently these collections will be made accessible on-line through the Digital Repository of Ireland. Digital Repository of Ireland | Digital Repository Ireland (dri.ie)