Heritage at the Heart

Liz Chirsty, artist and weaver shows Shirley Clerkin, Heritage Officer around her studio and working looms where she crafts luxurious scarves inspired by art, nature and the Monaghan landscapes. Recorded at Swallow Studios, Annyalla 

Dermot Brannigan, Chief Fire Officer and others chat with Shirley Clerkin, Heritage Officer on the top of windy Sliabh Beagh to talk about the bog, damage caused by fire and how by working together to produce a wildfire management plan is creating benefits for biodiversity and climate.  Also features Paul Sherlock of the CANN project, and Paddy Sherry, local stakeholder.  

Kevin, Clare and their son Mide welcome Shirley Clerkin, Heritage Officer to their restored vernacular farmhouse where they discuss the challenges and benefits of working and living in an old building. Accompanied by some pet dogs! 

Alexis Fitzgerald, botanical recorder for County Monaghan meets Shirley Clerkin, Heritage Officer on the shores of Lough Muckno, Castleblayney to talk about what inspires him in the natural world, and his forthcoming publication on the flora of the county. 

Sammy Leslie, of Castle Leslie talks to Shirley Clerkin, Heritage Officer about managing a historic estate, her plans for rewilding some of the woodlands and pastures, all with a focus on climate change. Recorded in Castle Leslie, Glaslough.

For this episode, Shirley Clerkin is joined by local historians Martin Brady and Larry McDermott, and architectural author Kevin Mulligan in Castleblayney to talk all about the history of market houses, towns and how big old buildings can help regeneration of towns and villages. 

Music – Landmark and The Seed in March by Michael Gallen

Recording and editing – Noel Murphy.

Funding – Podcast is funded by the Heritage Council and Monaghan County Council.

Shirley Clerkin is in Donagh Old Graveyard with sculptor Marc Kelly and local historian Paddy McQuaid where they discuss the style and symbolism of the memorials in the graveyards in Monaghan from the seventeenth century onwards.  They look at cherubs, skulls and crossed bones and decipher their meanings and how the folk art traditions took hold in the county.

Music – Landmark and The Seed in March by Michael Gallen

Recording and editing – Noel Murphy.

Funding – Podcast is funded by the Heritage Council and Monaghan County Council.

Shirley Clerkin is joined in Clones by heritage enthusiasts James Sheerin and Larry McDermott to tease out some placename meanings from Clones and elsewhere, and the heritage of the land that can be gleaned by diving into an exploration of what places are called. 

Music – Landmark and The Seed in March by Michael Gallen

Recording and editing – Noel Murphy.

Funding – Podcast is funded by the Heritage Council and Monaghan County Council 

Heritage Officer Shirley Clerkin is joined by environmental scientist Jennifer McAree for a stroll along a diverse, abundant hedge in Ballinode to discuss the wildlife of hedges, good management, trees and history of hedges in Ireland. 

Music – Landmark and The Seed in March by Michael Gallen

Recording and editing – Noel Murphy.

Funding – Podcast is funded by the Heritage Council and Monaghan County Council.

Heritage Officer Shirley Clerkin is joined by local heritage experts Mary Kerley and Paddy Sherry for a walk to a holy well in the townland of Aghavilla or Achadh an Bhile (the field of the sacred tree), where they talk about the traditions and patterns associated with these venerated sources of water.  

Music – Landmark and The Seed in March by Michael Gallen

Recording and editing – Noel Murphy.

Funding – Podcast is funded by the Heritage Council and Monaghan County Council