The Art of Place

'Placing place goes to the heart of this anthology. In so doing, our intention is to go within the spaces that places occupy, beneath topography, beyond physicality but that from whatever vantage point we view this place that we too can enjoy and exult in the gorgeousness of the topography, experience its physicality. And in doing so that you enter into the unique soundscapes, smellscapes, touchscapes, tastescapes and sightscapes of County Clare.' - Liam Ashe, from the Foreword In this anthology, thirty-one people have taken on the task of sifting through different shades of grey, in search of words and elusive metaphors to tell a story about themselves and others: their inner worlds. Sifting too outer worlds in which those inner worlds live. ... Stories within stories within stories. Love and loss. - Peadar King, from the Introduction

With a particular emphasis on the role of landscape and environs, The Art of Place brings together 30 captivating personal stories by some of the most creative people in Ireland, who all live in or come from County Clare"What are we if not our stories?" - Enda Walsh, Playwright Stories. Life stories. Stories of love and loss. Success and failure. Stories about people and place. Stories about the magical spark of creativity. Life stories that make us feel and that make us think. Stories that are stirring and inspirational. With a particular emphasis on the role of landscape and environs, The Art of Place brings together 30 captivating personal stories by some of the most creative people in Ireland, who all live in or come from County Clare. Featured contributors include writers and visual artists, musicians and composers, sculptors and crafts people, photographers and filmmakers. Their compelling and deeply personal stories will resonate not only with people from the West of Ireland, but with people worldwide who are enthralled by the creative process. Beautifully designed and including 30 specially commissioned photographic interpretations by award-winning photographer John Kelly, The Art of Place is a work of art itself, and a magnificent testament to the artistic spirit for which Ireland is justifiably famous.