‘Clare’s Stained Glass’, an extensive online archive documenting the county’s stained glass heritage, will be officially launched on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
Supported by Clare County Council’s Heritage Office, the launch will take place on Zoom from 7pm to 8pm. To attend, email ican@museum.ie.
Created by Clare-based researcher and photographer John Glynn, this archive brings together more than five years of research into stained-glass windows from more than 130 religious and secular sites. The project highlights a significant yet often under‑recognised aspect of Clare’s cultural heritage, spanning seven centuries from the 14th century to the present day.
Dr David Caron, a leading authority on Irish stained glass, will officially launch the archive after an introduction by Clare County Council Heritage Officer, Congella McGuire.
The archive documents over 1,000 images of stained-glass windows and their buildings, alongside detailed information including location, Eircode, GPS coordinates, and history. Each window has its own description and high-quality image with a summary of its title, location, studio, inscriptions and donors. Designed for use on computer or mobile devices, the archive is intended as a resource for researchers, heritage professionals, students, and the wider public.
Artists and studios represented include Harry Clarke Studios, An Túr Gloine, Earley Studios, Watsons of Youghal, Murphy‑Devitt Studios, Phyllis Burke, George W. Walsh, Willie Earley and Clare-native Catherine O’Brien. The archive also includes Bunratty Castle, home to over 100 medieval and pre‑19th‑century stained-glass windows sourced from England, Switzerland, Germany and the Benelux region.
The project is supported by The Irish Community Archive Network, National Museum of Ireland, The Heritage Council and Clare County Council Heritage Office.