THE CLONES CULTURE MAPAn Online Resource For The People Of Clones

Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design & Technology 2014

This report will outline the cultural mapping of Clones town in County Monaghan in order to provide an overview of the town’s cultural assets and an assessment of its cultural identity. The document outlines the results of research carried out using three separate surveys and conducting interviews with residents involved in the Arts and cultural events in Clones. The development of a participatory online map to accompany this document is also outlined. It is hoped that this report will prove to be a useful resource in the future development of culture in Clones.

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Table of ContentsIntroduction 4.....................................................................................................................................................The Map 4..........................................................................................................................................................The Surveys 5....................................................................................................................................................Interview"Surveys" 5".........................................................................................................................................................

Methodology" 5"............................................................................................................................................................

Strengths" 5"..................................................................................................................................................................

Weaknesses" 5"..............................................................................................................................................................

Opportuni=es" 5"...........................................................................................................................................................

Threats" 6"......................................................................................................................................................................

The"Ques=onnaire"Surveys" 6"...........................................................................................................................................

Clones"School"Survey"" 6"...................................................................................................................................................

Methodology" 6"............................................................................................................................................................

Ques=on"1:"What"do"you"like"about"Clones?" 7"...........................................................................................................

Ques=on"2:"What"events"and"venues"do"you"visit?" 7".................................................................................................

Ques=on"3:"What"would"you"like"in"Clones?" 8"............................................................................................................

Clones"Online"Survey"" 8"...................................................................................................................................................

Methodology" 8"............................................................................................................................................................

Clones"Street"Survey"" 10"..................................................................................................................................................

Methodology" 10"..........................................................................................................................................................

Ques=on"1:"What"do"you"like"about"Clones?" 10".........................................................................................................

Ques=on"2:"What"events"and"venues"do"you"go"to"in"Clones?" 11"..............................................................................

Ques=on"3:"What"else"would"you"like"to"see"in"Clones?" 11"........................................................................................

Conclusion 12....................................................................................................................................................

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Acknowledgements

We wish to thank the following people and organisations for their help and support in completing this project.

We also wish to thank everyone who completed our survey questionnaires including the teachers and students of St. Comgalls and Gael Scoil Eois secondary schools. Finally, we wish to thank the people of Clones for their hospitality, especially our gracious host Patrick McCarville and all the staff at the Creighton Hotel.

Brian McNamee Clones Photography Group

Catherine McQuaid Clones Branch Library

Carol-Ann McKenna Clones Concert Series

Colm Lynagh Clones Resource Centre

Dara MacGabhann MOPOSOGS

Deidre Kelly Clones Community Forum

Eileen Ferguson Professional Artists

Eileen McManus Municipal District of Ballybay-Clones

Eugene Hamill Photography Society

Fergal Corrigan Peace Link Sports Facility

George Knight Historian

Harry Cleary Clones Drama Group

Jessie Knight Liberty Belle Vintage Shop & Spa

Joanne Behan Artist

John Fitzpatrick Clones Photography Group

Josephine McKenna Cassandra Hand Centre

Maire Treanor Clones Lace

Nicola Payne Peace Partnership

Paddy McCabe Musician

Pat McCabe Comhaltas

Paula McQuillan Clones Film Festival

Rory McMahon Clones Notice Board

Sarto Quigley Clones Soccer Club

Shirley Clerkin Monaghan County Council

Somhairle MacConghail Monaghan County Council

Steve Masterson Clones Theatre School

Tony Morgan Clones Chamber of Commerce

Una McCarville Clones Development Society

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IntroductionAs part of their studies, the IADT Business in Cultural Event Management students have developed a cultural map of Clones. The intention is to provide an online arts and culture information resource for the community. It is also hoped that this resource will aid in the long term arts and cultural planning process and be a tool for the provision of tourist information. As an open source, the culture map will be freely updatable by anyone in Clones and its environs with an interest in publicising their cultural event or group. As part of the mapping process it was decided to carry out a survey of opinion in Clones with regard to arts and cultural development.

The survey was carried out in two ways, as a questionnaire and through a series of interviews. Public opinion was surveyed via the questionnaire both online and in Clones itself. Stakeholders with a more in depth knowledge of what’s happening ‘behind the scenes’ were interviewed over several days during the second week of November. The survey was carried out with a limited window of time available, the survey team could not reach as many people or groups as they would have liked to. The Cultural Map survey should not be regarded as an attempt to provide definitive insights; rather it should be seen as a limited snapshot of both public and stakeholder views at this time.

The MapThe Clones Culture Map is a participatory online map. This is a form of mapping which combines traditional cartography with Geographic Information System technology. It is an open, live and community based source of information. The map allows users to add information and location details about arts and cultural groups active in Clones. At its core, the map seeks to empower the community and promote a broad sense of cultural ownership by allowing the people themselves to culturally map Clones and inform the wider world. Participatory mapping has emerged in recent years as a powerful tool with the potential to allow a broad spectrum of opinion in the community to be seen and heard by government authorities, local decision makers and other stakeholders. The Clones Culture Map also has the potential to become an important resource for visiting tourists, providing as it does, a truly democratised source of local information.

At present the map hosts 5 layers of information (1) Spaces & Places (2) Arts & Cultural Organisations (3) Heritage (4) Clubs & Groups and (5) Festivals & Events. The map tags (when clicked on) provide a brief informational summary, a link to further information as well as images or a video of that organisation, location or event. Going forward, the Clones Cultural Map can also be further developed by the community to provide even deeper levels of information for the local community and visitors.

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The SurveysInterview Surveys

MethodologyTwenty three people actively engaged in the arts and cultural life of Clones were interviewed as part of the mapping process. The following section contains a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) Analysis of what our interviewees believe is good and bad with the development of arts and culture in Clones. The Information gleaned from each interview has been gathered into four distinct sections. Each of the four sections represents a distillation of opinion around what people see as the main strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats affecting arts and cultural development in Clones.

StrengthsClones has a rich cultural history and is graced with a number of heritage sites of national importance. A major strength for Clones is the fact that it is home to a profusion of organisations and individuals committed to further developing the town’s arts and culture sector. The Clones business community is an active organiser and sponsor of arts and cultural events in the town. And there is a high level of goodwill and support for arts and cultural development from all sections of society.

WeaknessesOur interviewees identified a number of issues which they felt were constraining arts and cultural development in Clones. There is currently no purpose built multifunctional arts venue in Clones, this is a problem for organisations or artists who need the stability of a dedicated performance and gallery space. Several factors are combining at present to make state funding or the lack of it an issue for arts and cultural development in Clones. Even with available resources being thinly spread throughout Monaghan there are funding opportunities which remain untapped by the Clones arts and culture community. Some interviewees report that the E.U sponsored PEACE programme is unnecessarily prescriptive in its allocation of funding; making it difficult for arts groups to access much needed financial aid. Another major issue affecting the long term health of arts and culture in Clones is the severe economic degeneration which has seriously impacted the community. It has been suggested by a number of interviewees that there is room for a greater degree of communication and mutual support between cultural groups in Clones.

OpportunitiesWhilst it is true that the arts and cultural sector in Clones has significant challenges to overcome it is also true that opportunities to meet those challenges exist. Our interviewees presented us with a range of ideas which could be explored in pursuance of arts and cultural development. Several ideas were put forward in response to the lack of a multipurpose performance venue. St. Patricks Hall has been used in the past as performance space by both the Clones Theatre School and the Drama Group; it was suggested that with a comparatively small investment the hall’s stage could be extended and rooms within the building refurbished to create a performance venue with adjoining spaces for rehearsal and other activities. This plan would naturally require the agreement of the Halls current owner. The Clones Film Festival and the Clones Drama Group

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have formed a partnership with a view to redeveloping the Old Courthouse as a performance venue which can double up as a cinema space. Although this building is currently in use for both of these purposes, an investment is required if it is to realize its full potential. It has also been proposed that former jailhouse buildings at the rear of the Old Courthouse could be included to create space in the redevelopment plan for other arts. With central Clones in need of regeneration it has been suggested that some of the vacant outlets on Fermanagh Street could be leased to crafts retailer/manufacturers or artists with a view to creating a small cultural quarter in the heart of Clones. It has also been suggested that the soon to be refurbished Old Market on the Diamond could be similarly developed as an arts/crafts centre. Perhaps cultural entrepreneurs, if given the chance, could play an important part in re-energising the centre of Clones.

ThreatsThe most salient threat to arts and cultural development in Clones is the extremely weak state of the economy. High unemployment and the social deprivation which accompanies it severely curtail the ability of people actively engage with arts and cultural. It would be easy to believe that arts and cultural development in Clones is entirely dependent on the performance of the wider economy but arts and cultural entrepreneurs can play a part in the economic regeneration.

The Questionnaire Surveys

Clones School Survey

MethodologyVisiting schools and surveying children was a vital part of the process of culturally mapping the town of Clones, it was significant because it included an essential demographic in the development of the town. Prior to our visit to Clones, preparation was carried out for gathering maximum information in a limited period of time. Firstly, a survey was prepared by focussing on the questions that needed to be asked in order to accurately map culture in Clones. It was decided that the questions needed to have both qualitative and quantitative approach gain an overall comprehensive result. Moving forward, we researched schools in the local area and made contact to arrange site visits on the day. Once in Clones, we carried out our site visits. In speaking to the students, we decided to facilitate informal dialogue on culture to inform students of the purpose of the survey and simultaneously gather qualitative information. Then concluding the discussion, we circulated our three question survey. With this, we then analysed the results by collating both the discussion results and survey answers. Finally, we moved to interpret these results by collating the answer with respect to both approaches. For the quantitative approach, we analysed the data and formed results by using pie charts and with the qualitative approach we collated the response under recurring themes.

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Question 1: What do you like about Clones?The response to question 1 regarding Clones was overall positive. The discussion of aspects of Clones that was well liked by the students related to facilities, the students strongly linked sport and the arts facilities as positive attributes of culture in Clones. 35% of the students surveyed thought the play park was a valuable amenity to Clones, especially as a space to congregate. With 26% alluding to sport and sports facilities, such as St. Tiarnach’s Park being an integral part to G.A.A. in hosting the Ulster finals. The Peace link Sports Centre which provides excellent facilities to other sports such as athletics. The library (13%) was

identified as beneficial for activity, with exhibitions and workshops for participation and the library itself as a resource. Festivals (17%) were thought to be inclusive to this demographic as the Film Festival provides entertainment for children and the St. Patrick’s Day provided opportunities such as window dressing for the day.

Question 2: What events and venues do you visit?During the discussion, there was a vast amount of information and responses to collate. The students identified a number of events and venues relating to varied aspects of what they considered culture. Heritage was a huge part of culture in Clones; the sites they identified in Clones were the abbey, the round tower, the high cross, the post office, court house, church and the famine memorial. With all these landmarks, they communicated it made up the character of Clones which led

into a discussion about notable people of both Clones and Monaghan, among these were Barry McGuigan, Eugene and Patrick

McCabe, Tommy Bowe and James Connolly’s parents. Heritage related strongly to their classroom activity, curriculum and tours taken as part of their time in school, however, this did not reflect in the quantitative figures. Literature and were also pointed out as significant to Clones culture, events ‘one book, one county’ was referred to with the students reading ‘12th of July’ and MS Readathon, 26% identified this with the library in association again with activity within the classroom. The students also singled out language as culture including their participation in ‘Rith’ which is an event for the Irish language,

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Facilities that were mentioned as important for culture were the canal stores, Cassandra Hand Centre and the James Guthrie centre; however, a focal point for activity outside the school was St. Josephs Hall where 26% tied classes such as boxing, drawing and bingo as part of culture.Tradition and custom featured as again St. Patrick Day was distinguished but interestingly music was also singled in the local Comhaltas group as well as the Clones’ part in hosting the Fleadh in 1964 which is understood to have been a turning point in the festival itself which was then remembered this year on its 50th anniversary.

Question 3: What would you like in Clones?The results of these questions once analysed identified similar patterns through the other surveys taken. The focus returned to economic regeneration and new amenities as desirable for the town of Clones. The quantitative analysis returned equal results of a swimming pool and cinema as facilities needed (44.5%). Commerce and revitalisation of the main street (9%) featured in the survey while qualitative analysis also alluded to this with a focus on opening up of Fermanagh

Street. Heritage also featured in discussion with the Canal being reopened as a possible asset to Clones as well as a 1916 memorial as a possibility.

Clones Online Survey

MethodologyIn co-ordinating our document online, an online survey was included in this as it was considered useful to collect information and data on the town of Clones from residents themselves. It was a

simple, effective and beneficial way to emphasise community involvement. The online survey also allows the group to reach public opinion outside the time constraints of the site visit. The website software allowed the online survey which made dissemination efficient and straightforward. In analysing the results, as with the other surveys the responses were all collated. A total of 36 people took part in the online survey with 35 people fully completing it. Of the ten questions asked, seven were multiple choices. 69.44% of people surveyed believed

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that Clones did in fact have a strong cultural atmosphere. However, only 19% visited cultural events in Clones more than ten times in the last year the majority of 41.67% frequented events between five and ten times and 38% visited less than five times. The experience of the events held overall appears to be positive.

The question was also asked “How often did you visit cultural events outside of Clones last year?” the results fluctuate by less than 10% and in the advantage of Clones. Only 16.67% ventured from Clones for their cultural fix more than ten times in the year. The majority at 47.22% visited cultural events outside of Clones less than five times and 36.11% went outside of their locality for cultural events between five and ten times throughout the year. When asked which cultural events they visited in Clones Festivals including the film festival were the favourite leading by 34.8%. This was followed by history and heritage events which came in at 12.1%. Library/literature events, culture night, sports, cross-border/ peace programs all shared equal value at 7.6%. Festive events such as Christmas markets, Saint Patrick’s Day and Halloween accounted for 9.1% of activities visited. Music and Theatre both came in quite low at 1.5% each.

Of the ten questions number 6 delivered the strongest response. “Do you believe culture should play a more central role in future development & strategy plans for Clones?” This question was by far the most definite with 100% of completed surveys saying yes (one participant declined to answer).

Another robust response was gained from the question, “Do you think further cross-border cultural initiatives should b e s u p p o r t e d ? ” w i t h 8 2 . 8 6 % participants saying yes. Communication (from both organisations and the community) was what most people felt was lacking in their town. Another highly rated problematic area is the lack of funding. The range of empty buildings and lack of commerce in town frustrated

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the majority, especially when most people recognised a real need for a multi-purpose arts centre or community centre. These issues were once again highlighted with the question “Culturally what improvements/supports would you like to see happen over the next 5 years?” Communication which also includes advertising and promotion is clearly needed in the town. One comment in particular from the online survey is confirms this deficiency.

“It is very important that a cultural brochure of Clones be developed in the next 5 years. Would you believe, until I visited your website, I didn't know we have a Roundhouse or a Famine Memorial. Honestly, I'm born and bred in Clones and I've never even heard of them, never mind know where they are!”

The main emphasis of the response to this question stressed a desire for economic regeneration and new amenities in Clones.

Clones Street Survey

MethodologyOn the day of the IADT visit to Clones, 44 surveys with members of the general public were carried out. The people surveyed were generally business owners in the town who were surveyed in their premises or people that the surveyors met in the street or particular locations such as the supermarket and library. There is no demographic breakdown of those surveyed as this detail wasn’t included on all the forms returned. In some cases people gave more than one response to a particular question. All responses gathered have been included in the analysis as all information gathered is of relevance to our study. If people listed more than one venue that they visit or expressed a desire for more than one new initiative, then all of these responses were collated and not just the first response given for any question. The responses have been gathered into the most meaningful headings possible so as to assist analysis.

Question 1: What do you like about Clones?The answers to this question returned the most emphatic response of any of the three questions posed. Of the 49 responses gathered, 28 (57%) stated that the people of Clones and the sense of community was what they liked most about the town. From the surveyors point of view this is positive insofar as emphatic answers are instructive but also creates difficulties in that ‘people’ and ‘community’ are difficult values to define. Essentially, a great part of what is important to the people of Clones is tied up in an intangible, nebulous concept. Further research would be required to find the meaning behind these responses. It is not even clear if the respondents would necessarily be able to articulate their own feelings as to what part community plays in their lives. All of the other responses to the question received a similar level of significance with perhaps ‘heritage’ or places connected to the history of the town standing out somewhat from the rest.

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Question 2: What events and venues do you go to in Clones?Seasonal festivals appear to be the most popular events as suggested by this survey question with the largest p ropo r t i on o f answers (21%) attributed to them. For our research purposes this proves somewhat problematic as it does not tells us exactly which seasonal festivals are most popular. Furthermore, as the seasonal festivals are held in different venues, we cannot gauge which

venues are most popular in this instance. It is clear however, that sporting events such as GAA, soccer and golf appear to gather significant interest out of the sample of individuals surveyed. The third most popular event with 16% is the Film Festival which was widely and positively spoken about throughout the day. Clubs received 12% showing that group orientated activities are popular amongst those surveyed.

Question 3: What else would you like to see in Clones?The results of this survey question show that a large proportion of people surveyed (31%) answered that they wished to see more business in Clones. This reflected the general feedback which was vocalised through the street survey. Despite the main thread of our research involving a cultural mapping of the town, it should be noted that the economic situation in Clones and wish for further business is at the forefront of the findings in this survey question. Children’s activities and cinema facilities each

received 13% with parking facilities highlighted with 11% of people wanting to see better access and parking facilities.

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ConclusionIt is evident from the information we have gathered and the people who so kindly shared their thoughts with us, that while the major issue for Clones is economic there is also huge community spirit, a pride in the heritage of Clones and an engagement with the cultural life of the town. There is an active will on the part of the small businesses, the artists, the council and other key stakeholders in the community, as well as the public in general, to build on and improve the structures already in place, and that links and challenges, between culture, heritage and tourism highlighted in this cultural mapping of Clones may help identify opportunities for the future.

Executive Summary

The report provides an analysis of the Cultural Mapping of Clones. The main objective of this mapping is to feed into and inform a 5 year strategy plan for the town and surrounding area. This task involved a combination of qualitative and quantitative research. This research was then collated in order to allow the community of Clones create their own cultural uniqueness. 

The key findings of the data analysed showed that all of the people questioned, said that culture should play a more central role in future development and strategy plans for Clones. Another robust response was 82% said cross border cultural initiatives should be supported. Significantly, 35% of students surveyed thought the public Play Park an important facility, most especially as a social space for hanging out, whereas 26% referred to sports facilities. The Cassandra and James Guthrie centres were considered as important places of culture by respondents. The analysis returned equal results at 44% in favour of provision for a swimming pool and cinema in any future development plans for Clones. It was found that seasonal festivals are the most popularly attended. Another key finding in the analysis revealed that advertising and promotion of Clones is vital towards the town’s regeneration. Finally, it is noticeable the lack of commerce in the town frustrates the majority of respondents and many stressed a desire economic regeneration for the town. Because, our field of research is limited we recognise that our findings are somewhat tentative and further testing and review is recommended. 

The report concludes that the arts community of Clones faces significant challenges it is also true that opportunities exist that meets those challenges and these opportunities have been expressed in this analysis by the people of Clones. It is our belief that those interested are certainly capable of composing an artistic and cultural symphony that will establish an enduring presence in their town. 

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