Nuacht Chláir March 2015 by Nuacht Chláir

Nuacht Chláir

Further Expansion Planned for Glynn’s Centra Carnmore

The free community-curated newsletter for Claregalway March 2015 | Vol.19 iss.6

news

page 7

Children’s Cancer Support Centre Opens in Oranmore events

pages 8–9

Photos from the first Féile do lá le Padraig features

page 10

Brocolli Cheese Soup à la Móna sport

page 28

Unique Piece of History for Coláiste Bhaile Chláir Girls For more local news see www.Claregalway.info

Liam Glynn (right), owner of Glynn’s Centra Canrmore, pictured with Store Manager Paul Clarke and staff member Ewa Matalicz

Liam Glynn, a native of Lydican, is owner of the award-winning Glynn’s Centra, Carnmore. He is an entrepreneur extraordinaire who, since his initial lease of the then Airport Stores in 1991, has presided over almost unbelievable changes.

chooled in Claregalway NS, Moneenageisha, and later the National Botanic Gardens Amenity Horticulture programme, Liam won a scholarship to study further in the USA in 1985–6. On his return to Ireland in 1991, Liam clearly perceived an excellent retail opportunity and, along with Geraldine– herself a very busy local solicitor, leased the shop in February 1992. They purchased the stores outright in 1995 and have only paused very briefly in the succeeding 19 years— to get married in 1996 and then to launch a series of carefully planned but imaginative and forward looking expansions and developments. Continued overleaf

1996

New canopy, pumps, storage tanks

2001

Joined Centra franchise, totally replaced original premises, expanding from 600ft2 to 2400ft2.

2009

Totally replaced house, installed new 24 hour self-service diesel pumps and doubled the size of the parking area.

2014

Expanded shop to 4000ft2, added seating area, expanded forecourt and parking area once again.

Continued from cover Over the years, Liam has added numerous additional convenient features, in addition to the major expansions listed above. These include an in-store ATM, daily (5pm) postal collection, full hot and cold delicatessen and takeaway pizza service, car wash (including mini-valet), Parcel Connect drop off/collect with Fastway Couriers and Topaz 24 hour fuel service. Immediate future plans include expansion of the hot and cold delicatessen and lunch operation, which is already growing rapidly. Liam and Geraldine have three children—Ellen (15), Jane (13) and Rory (10). Without a doubt, ably supported and assisted by Geraldine, Liam is an immensely active and go-ahead local businessman. As anyone (of a very large number) of his customers will attest, he has developed a quality product and has plans to optimise the business in the immediate future.

Ewa Matalicz, Shane Sheridan and Liam Glynn

He is the first to acknowledge the huge contribution made by his loyal and growing customer base as well as the massive significance of his staff of 21—drawn almost exclusively from the locality. In addition to being a significant local award-winning business (11 successive years of Emerald Status from EIQA— Excellence Ireland Quality Awards), Liam has been a consistent supporter of local GAA (main sponsor for past 13 years of Camogie club) and other sporting clubs, Compántas Lir and, of course, Nuacht Chláir. What tiny residual leisure Liam has he enjoys spending reading, walking, a bit of cycling and hacking (I mean golf). Words by Brian Place Photos by Josette Farrell

An nuachtán pobail le haghaidh Baile Chláir, Co. na Gaillimhe

You can submit stories & photos by posting to Nuacht Chláir, ‘Currach Ruadh,’ Creig Buí, Baile Chláir, Co. na Gaillimhe.

Editorial

by emailing news@Claregalway.info

by Josette Farrell

by phoning Josette on 086 391 3852 / 091 798 430 via our website www.Claregalway.info or via our Facebook page www.facebook.com/Claregalway.info

We are always on the lookout for new local contributors. If you would like to share some local news, photos, events or stories, just get in touch. We are constantly updating our website Claregalway.info, where you can keep up to date with local news, sports, features, notices and events, read up on some the history of Claregalway, or check out our ever-expanding local business directory. If you have any suggestions for features you would like to see on the site, let us know. Finally, don’t forget to like our popular Facebook page at facebook.com/Claregalway.info where we share local news, links, events and photos. Nuacht Chláir is an open access publication and we try to include everything that’s submitted, subject to the law of the land, and editorial judgement. This judgement is exercised by the volunteer production team in order to preserve balance in the newsletter. We hold no political bias. The views & opinions expressed in the articles are those of the individual contributors and are not necessarily those of the production team.

www.Claregalway.info

Welcome to the March issue of Nuacht Chláir, the community-curated newsletter for Claregalway. This newsletter is published by Claregalway.info with the support of local sponsors. We hope you are enjoying the brighter days and (occasionally) warmer weather. March in Claregalway always signifies Drama time! Compántas Lir goes from strength to strength every year. Well done on their excellent performance The Memory of Water which opened the Drama Festival this year. We have lots of photos from this year’s wonderful festival on our Facebook page, with a selection printed on pages 16–17. You can also catch Compántas Lir’s The Memory of Water in the Taibhdhearc in Galway this week from 25th–27th of March. Booking can be made at 091 562 024. People have become so reliant on cars to ferry children to school. Car pooling is an idea that could be taken on as it recudes carbon dioxide emissions thereby lessening the harmful effects of climate change. We need to become less reliant on our cars and avail of public transport. More time is spent commuting than with family in a lot of cases. If we had a proper transport system that could alleviate this stress and allow us to participate more in our community. Access to public services such as water, healthcare, education, transport and childcare should always be taken into consideration when building new homes. The Claregalway Community is flourishing with very active committees helping to make it a better place to live in. A great example of this was the first Féile do Lá le Padraig St Patrick’s Day Festival which took place in Hughes Courtyard. There was a great turnout and it was a very enjoyable day for families so your support would be much appreciated. Well done to the organising committee and everyone who worked hard to make it such a success. Line Dancing Classes continue every Thursday in the SMA Centre from 10.30am–12.30pm and it’s a great way to learn a few steps and keep fit in the process. All are welcome to come along. As always, your feedback and opinions are greatly accepted. We are half way through our nineteenth volume and you can check out our archives online all the way back to issue one in August 1996! We now have more than 5,000 likes on our Facebook page Claregalway.info so if you haven’t already, like our page to keep up to date with local news, events and photos. Until next time, Josette

Fitness FUNdamentals Coming to Claregalway

itness FUNdamentals is a multidiscipline exercise programme for children designed to develop the Fundamental Movement Skills leading to long term athletic development and healthy living. In short, to promote and develop athleticism and health in children. It is designed for Children aged 5 to 12 years, who are grouped age appropriately. Where & When: Claregalway Community Centre on Saturday mornings 9:45–11am starting April 25th, ending May 30th. The Irish PE curriculum provides unique opportunities for children to move with ease and confidence and develop the Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS) of skipping, hopping, jumping, running, throwing, catching etc. It is widely accepted that children who develop these skills go onto to become better all round athletes and healthier adults. It is counterproductive to expect a child to develop complex sports specific skills without first gaining mastery of the essential FMS. Ireland’s provision of PE is third from the bottom of 36 European countries surveyed (EU Eurydice Network) and children’s lifestyles are becoming increasingly sedentary and physically unchallenging. How: Four 15 minute stations covering; Games (soccer, football, basketball, tag, hockey etc), Gymnastics, Athletics, Dance, Yoga and Outdoor Adventure and Activities. In addition we aim to have Health Promoting Presentations by experts from various health related professions. 6 week programme costs €40. Come along Saturday April 25th and give it a try for free without obligation. If you enjoy it you can register afterwards. For registration, further details and updates contact Paul Kilgannon on 086 330 4062, Tomás Mannion on 087 783 7519, email: fitnessfundamentalsgalway@gmail.com, like us on Facebook @FitnessFundamentalsGalway, or follow us on Twitter @fitfungalway.

On Tuesday 10th of March the children of Bawnmore National School arrived to find the place covered in snow. It didn’t take them long to persuade their teachers to let them out. They began by having a snowball fight and then quickly changed into snowmen making competitions. The children made snowmen, snow-forts, snow-animals and I think even some snow-teachers were made. Everyone had a great time and would love a snowy day every week.

Picture is Paul Nash presenting thirty jerseys to Bawnmore National School. Huge thanks go to Paul Nash Travel for sponsoring the jerseys.

An nuachtán pobail le haghaidh Baile Chláir, Co. na Gaillimhe

Ten Years Ago in Claregalway This is a snippet of local ‘news’ (now history), printed in the Nuacht Chláir ten years ago.

Deputy Grealish Welcomes Broadband for Claregalway Originally published in the March 2005 Nuacht Chláir

rogressive Democrats TD Noel Grealish has welcomed the announcement by Eircom that it is to provide broadband to Claregalway as part of its ongoing rollout. Following numerous representations to Eircom over many months Deputy Grealish is delighted that Claregalway is to finally benefit from broadband technology. I have lobbied hard for this over the last number of months and I have made numerous representations to Eircom on the matter. I am delighted with the decision by Eircom that they are providing broadband to the village.

‘This is a huge boost for Internet users in the area,’ said Deputy Grealish. ‘Not only will it increase the speed of internet usage by 50 times but it will also enhance communications links.’ Broadband is central to the development of Ireland as a knowledge and information based society and its availability in smaller communities like Claregalway is a huge boost. It levels the playing field for businesses and enables faster and more efficient communication. I look forward to the benefits that broadband will bring to the community over the coming months and years and I am certain that it will bring huge benefits to business users in the Claregalway area. www.Claregalway.info

Pictured is Claregalway Castle around 2001, shortly after the restoration began. Photo via Claregalway Historical & Cultural Society on Facebook.

Also in March 2005... A new housing estate is currently being built in Claregalway, behind the Nine Arches Bridge. King Developers are asking you, the community, to come up with a suitable name for this estate—bilingual of course! It is encouraging to see that developers are including the community in this process. After all, the name chosen will be there for eons to come! So get your thinking hats on and decide upon a name for this estate. Claregalway Hotel are offering a prize to the person who comes up with the name that is used when it’s built.

Read news from 1996 onwards at Claregalway.info/archives or check out the Parish History at Claregalway.info/history 5

Local Notices The Claregalway & District Day Care Centre is now open five days Monday–Friday from 9.30am–4pm. For more information please drop in, contact 091 739 385, 086 445 8989, or visit claregalwaydaycarecentre.ie. Claregalway Parent & Baby/Toddler Group meet every Wednesday from 10am–12 noon at Claregalway Community Centre. All welcome. Contact Yvonne 087 943 7410. Walking Club meets every Sunday at the Arches Hotel at 10:30am and on Wednesdays meet at Claregalway Church at 7.30pm. All are welcome. For info contact Edel—085 102 0611. Legion of Mary meeting every Monday from 7.15–8.15pm in Cairdeas. New members welcome. Kids Singing Class for ages 7–10 started back on January 19th in Lackagh! Build confidence, learn new songs and improve breathing. One-to-one lessons and exam prep available. Fully qualified teacher. For more information contact Siobhán on 0878527760.

Adult Music Classes, subject to demand, are being offered at Lackagh Village Centre on Button Accordion, Tin Whistle, Keyboard, Bodhrán & Céilí Drums. For further info call Padraig on 086 3166 972. French for all! Qualified teacher and native speaker Aline O’Connell is giving afterschool classes in Cregmore NS, Claregalway NS, Claregalway Educate Together NS. Private grinds also available, and preparation for Junior and Leaving Cert. Classes tailored for all needs, good rates and great results! For more information, contact Aline 087 743 88 10. Claregalway/Carnmore Active Retirement meeting every Friday at 10.30am in Cairdeas. New members are always welcome. Claregalway/Carnmore Senior Citizens Cards and bingo held every Monday night at 8pm in Cairdeas Parish Meeting Room. You can share local notices online at www.Claregalway.info

An nuachtán pobail le haghaidh Baile Chláir, Co. na Gaillimhe

Lending a Helping Hand

Late Late Show host Ryan Turbridy did the honours to officially open Ireland’s first dedicated Children’s Cancer support centre in Oranmore on Monday 23rd of February.

The victorious Bawnmore National School Girls team who won the Mini Sevens Blitz in Corrandulla on the 20th of March. Well done girls!

he Hand in Hand Centre will provide priceless respite for families across the country with children who have been diagnosed with cancer. And it marks a new chapter too for the charity which has been an invaluable source of assistance to distraught families since it was set up in 2006 by a Claregalway mum whose young daughter Caitlín was diagnosed with cancer. Karen Doherty, aided by a small group of friends and neighbours, set up Hand in Hand to help others going through the same ordeal as they travel up and down to Dublin for medical treatment and try to keep the household together for other siblings left behind. The centre will offer peer support groups for parents of children with cancer and for parents who have been bereaved, and sibling support programme for the brothers and sisters of the children with cancer. The new facility was made possible through so many fundraising initiatives—in particular this time from the Civil Service Charity Fund which provided a grant of €5,000 to carry out the refurbishment. The charity is totally dependent on donations from the public and this year hopes to raise at least €140,000 to keep the same level of services in place. There is one full-time worker and another on a work placement with the service reliant on mainly third-party fundraising. Hand in Hand pays for laundry to be done at a local launderette, organises for meals to be delivered, homes to be cleaned and arranges Garda-vetted childcare for the other children in the home. Other practical help organised by the group included before and after school pick-ups. Initially a service offered to families in the six counties of the west coast, from Donegal to Limerick, it has now been spread to fifteen counties and has so far helped out eighty families.

www.Claregalway.info

The Solar Eclipse on 20th of March at 9:15am, above Claregalway Corporate Park, as pictured by @IMSMarketings on Twitter.

Congratulations to a very special couple Malachy and Patsy Qualter who celebrated their Ruby Wedding Anniversary recently. Warm wishes to you both and wishing you many more years of happiness together.

Claregalway’s First Féile do Lá le Padraig Claregalway’s first St Patrick’s Day Festival took place on March 17th from 12–2pm in the Courtyard of Hughes SuperValu. Well done to the Organising Committee for a great day—no doubt this will be the first of many more to come in future years.

Fr Brendan Dunning on guitar at the SMA House

Martina and Eva Hughes of Hughes SuperValu St Patrick himself (Fr Eugene) en route to the Féile

Aoife Dempsey with her Mum Marie

Tom Spellman and Seamus O’Connell

For more photos visit Claregalway.info/photos or our page on Facebook

Mad Scientist Craig Stevens The community-curated newsletter for Claregalway, Co. Galway

Coláiste Bhaile Chláir’s brilliant trad group

The Growing Tree Montessori students performing

www.Claregalway.info

In like a Lion & Out like a Lamb This is one of our most familiar weather proverbs here in Ireland. It refers to the fact that the month of March begins with cold wintery winds, only to be replaced by warmer Springlike weather as it leaves us. If the past few weeks are anything to go by, we are in for a few cold, wet and snowy weeks ahead!

Móna Wise For more of Móna’s stories visit her website at WiseWords.ie or facebook.com/WiseWordsMona

The March wind roars like a lion in the sky, and makes us shiver as he passes by. When winds are soft, days are warm and clear, just like a gentle lamb, then spring is here. —Author unknown

arch brings turbulent weather, but also brings more daylight. Already, by 6:45am, the skies have lightened enough for a gal to ramble around the house without turning a light on. The evenings too have a grand stretch in them and there are more people in our neighbourhood out taking a walk after supper; Hibernation season has well and truly come to an end thank God. But with all this turbulent weather, we are scrambling to make sure the kids are kept warm and well fed at school. With busy schedules and us all running around like chickens with our heads cut off, lunchbox prep in the morning can be a nightmare. So I have been trying my best to make a few large pots of soup for the kids to have in their flasks or a bowl at home as soon as they get in from school. When we lived in America, one of the soups you could get on a regular basis, at any restaurant or café, was Broccoli Cheese. It is still one of my favourite soups and once you make I’ll bet it will be yours too. Móna Wise

Brocolli Cheese Soup Ingredients • 1kg Broccoli (cut up into small florets) • 3 carrots, peeled and grated • 500ml milk • 500ml chicken stock

• 400g cheddar, grated • 1 large onion, diced • 2 Tbsp flour • 1 Tbsp butter • 1 Tbsp olive oil

Method Sauté onion in olive oil on medium heat for 15 minutes until the onions have softened and have a little colour. Remove them from the pot and set aside. Add the butter to the pot then the flour and mix thoroughly until a roux/ paste forms. Pour in the milk and whisk until the flour paste has mixed into the milk, lump free, then add the chicken stock. Add the onion back to the mix, then the broccoli florets, the grated carrot and the cheese. Once the soup cooks a little (Medium heat until it starts to simmer) taste it and add salt and pepper as needed. Serve with a few nice slices of fresh sourdough bread.

The community-curated newsletter for Claregalway, Co. Galway

Proverbs New Photographer for Nuacht Chláir We’re delighted to announce a new collaboration with local professional photographer Paul Fennell who is to be the official photographer for Nuacht Chláir.

aul is an experienced photographer who has been regularly published locally (Connacht Tribune, Galway Advertiser, Tuam Herald), of course by ourselves and also nationally. Paul is a people photographer who works from his Studio in Claregalway Village (located above Hughes SuperValu) and specialises in families, children and babies—pets also welcome! The studio location is hugely convenient with lift access and free parking. To ready yourself for your photo-shoot, dare we say, some people may wish to sign up with Mary at Slimming World, or you could avail of yoga classes pre- or post-shoot to aid your relaxation. Slimming World and Yoga Classes are also located upstairs at Hughes SuperValu. Furthermore you could combine your photoshoot with a leisurely lunch in Treat Café in the Courtyard or even just with a bit of shopping from Hughes SuperValu with its extensive product range. We are truly blessed here in Claregalway to have such a range of services on our doorstep, both in Claregalway Shopping Centre and in the wider community. We hope this new relationship between Nuacht Chláir and Paul Fennell Photo will enhance our local news service and we again put the call out to local individuals, groups and businesses—if you have local stories to share or promote be sure to let us know.

Bainigí taitneamh as 11–20. Cuirfímid fáilte roimh bhur gcuid tuairimí. Feedback welcome! Seo thíos roinnt dena sean-fhocla 11–20: 11 Níl luibh ná leigheas in aghaidh an bháis There’s no herb nor cure against death (The inevitability of death) 12 Muna mbíonn agat ach pocaide gabhar bí i lár an aonaigh leis If you only have a puck goat be in the middle of the fair with him (Don’t undersell your stock) 13 Is fearr cara sa gcúirt ná bonn sa sparán A friend in court is better than a coin in the purse 14 ’Sé éan na maidne a fhánn an phéisteog The early bird catches the early worm 15 Ni lúide an trócaire í a roinnt Mercy is not diminished by its being shared around 16 Is minic a déantar snaidhm leis an teanga nach féidir a scaoileadh leis na fiacla The tongue can often make a knot which cannot be loosened by the teeth (Can the spoken word be ‘unspoken’?) 17 Is minic gur bhris béal duine a shrón A broken nose acquired due to something said 18 Is fearr súil le muir ná súil le huaigh Emigrants can be expected to return but from the grate there is no return (Era when travel had not developed as we know it) 19 Ní thagann ciall roimh aois Sense does not come before age 20 Ní féidir ceann críonna a chur ar ghuailne óga You cannot put a wise head on young shoulders

by Tom Monahan

www.Claregalway.info

Grow It Yourself March 2015 Tomatoes have a long growing season so to get good fruit you need to plant early (if you are growing from seed). I sow my tomatoes in the potting shed in mid February, so by March they have germinated

his year I am sowing five varieties of tomato: the delectable cherry, Sungold, Lucky Leprechaun (Irish Seed Savers variety), Black Russian, Tigerella and Sweet Aperitif. I sow ten tomato seeds in a 9cm pot (one pot for each variety) and pretty much as soon as they germinate, I move each seedling on to its own individual 5cm pot..

out of the pot, holding it very gently by the leaf. I then place the seedling in to the hole in the new pot, sprinkle a little compost in around it, firm it in gently and water. With the cold nights, I am also covering my seedlings with fleece at night time. I’m struck by how quickly space on the heating mat becomes prime real estate. From just 5×9cm pots of toms, there are now 50 individual little 5cm pots (one for each seedling). The growing year is hotting up..!

It’s important to keep a close eye on seedlings at this time of year—a daily check-in to see if they need watering is important at this very vulnerable stage in their development. This process is called pricking out (which is a term that would put me in to a fit of the giggles if I was really immature, which I might add, I am not) and it’s the act of moving very young seedlings from the pot they’ve germinated in to another container or bed to provide more space. It’s a little different to transplanting, which is where we move a more established seedling to its final growing position in the soil. Pricking out is a delicate little operation, and you have to be very careful not to damage the root or stem of the seedling. Having filled the 5cm pot with seed compost, I make a decent sized hole in the compost with my finger. Then using a plant label I ease one of the seedlings

Tip of the Month As we have now moved in to March, this week I tried my first sowing (on a heating mat indoors in the potting shed) of lettuce, annual spinach and oriental greens (mustard, pak choi, rocket) for later transplanting out in to the polytunnel. This is the start of my monthly succession sowing of all these vegetables, which I will sow at the start of each month between now and August. In the potting shed ( for later transplanting), I will be sowing my celeriac crop and the first succession sowings of calabrese, cauliflower, celery and scallions.

The community-curated newsletter for Claregalway, Co. Galway

From Cradle to Grave by Fiona Place

To Do in the Garden this Month Continue to prepare ground—there is still time to prepare a plot to grow veg this year. Fork or rake over existing beds, breaking up large clods of earth. Cover new seedlings with fleece if a frost is due. Start your daily slug patrols and lay beer traps. Don’t let new-season weeds take over—get on top of them with weekly hoeing.

Sow Indoors: lettuce, aubergine, peppers, cucumbers, celery, celeriac, sweet corn, basil, leeks, summer cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, parsley, courgette, French beans. Sow outdoors or under cover: broad beans, red cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, spinach, kale, Brussels sprouts, onions, leeks, turnip, peas, radishes, early lettuce, asparagus. Plant your first early seed potatoes, as soon as weather conditions allow. Harvest This month you could be enjoying (from the ground and from storage) onions, leeks, parsnips, potatoes, some varieties of lettuce, mint, sprouting broccoli, kale, rhubarb, chard, the first of the spring cauliflowers and cabbage, and spinach (perpetual, spinach beet).

www.Claregalway.info

Annabelle Born 12/06/72 at 15.00 Died 12/06/72 at 15.02 Always remembered by your loving family Never forgotten I look at your grave and wonder What would you be doing now? If God had not called for you so soon Too soon, two minutes, too cruel You would be a year older than me Probably married to some handsome, rich man And the envy of all your friends You’d probably be a successful businesswoman Or maybe not Maybe you’d have got caught up With the wrong crowd Made and corrected mistakes And still ended up with some handsome, rich man I think about what you might look like Flowing blond hair, blue eyes A smile, a dimple, sallow skin The hour glass figure I envision But you’re not here, you’re down there No eyes, no hair, no dimple All gone I leave your grave, shake myself Two minutes, not enough I carry on

Fiona Place is based in Galway. She has been writing poetry for a number of years and finds it very therapeutic. Her ideas come from her own experiences.

Easter Mass Times 2015 Palm Sunday, 29th of March Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament (for World Peace) after the 11am Mass until Rosary and Benedictions at 4pm Spy Wednesday, 1st of April Mass at 9.30am

Sorcha Carrick was awarded 1st place in singing and 3rd place in acting in the Irish speaking school competition, Féile na hInse, held in Ennis each year. Comhghairdeas Sorcha, táim bródúil agat as ucht do ghaisce—maith thú!

Holy Thursday, 2nd of April Mass of Chrism at 11am in the Cathedral This is the only morning Mass in the Diocese today Here the Holy Oils will be blessed by the Bishop Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 8pm Adoration at the Altar of Repose until 10.30pm Good Friday, 3rd of April (A Day of Fast and Abstinence) The Lord’s Passion 3pm The Lord’s Passion Play 8pm Holy Saturday, 4th of April No Morning Mass, Easter Vigil at 8pm. Easter Sunday, 5th of April Dawn Mass at 6am in the Abbey, Claregalway Masses at 9am and 11am in the Church

Claregalway Educate Together NS, Connacht Champions 2015! We are beyond excitement here in CETNS. We have booked a spot in the All Ireland Finals for the first time in our school history. We played and won six matches against teams from Mayo, Sligo, Longford and Galway. Cormac, Jane, Oisin, Laura, Liam and Siofra played out of their skins & did us so proud!

Congratulations and best wishes to Mary and Martin Casserly who celebrated their Ruby anniversary recently. Wishing you both many many more happy years of happiness together.

The community-curated newsletter for Claregalway, Co. Galway

For Willie by Edward Coppinger Farewell my old friend in your last sleep In a grave where the Clare flows past your feet, It isn’t your parish but I know you won’t mind, Your plot shared amongst your own kind. Friend of my youth from boyhood to man The last of your line—the last of your clan. We followed your hearse on the Galway road To join your family in their holy abode. In sight of the Castle you knew well its lore, And all who lived there and gone long before. By the old Abbey you’ll always be near And the rippling river so sweet to the ear. You spoke of that Abbey as if still in use Before its desecration and wilful abuse, Urging us to seek whatever the trouble— The stonemason’s mark, un cut agus da rubail. The world you talked of was music to me Of deserts and wars and wild ocean seas, The man I became was made in them days, Oh God how I longed to break out of my cage. Did you as a Guru plant seeds in my brain, To escape from a land of sorrow and pain, Of ancestors who lived in Famine years, That word never used because of the tears. You told me parish history and local folklore That nobody thought worth telling before, Of Redcoats mapping the new route of the Clare Or guarding gunpowder stored near to there. The land you spoke of was mine as well About people and times you so liked to tell, You were a rarity in my world then grey, How you loved the past of our old Galway. I remember the grave when we laid you to sleep, Where blackwater Clare almost laps your feet, During the prayers and rituals at your last rest I mentally recited the poem you loved best. It was your books that opened my door To a world closed to me for so long before, You always knew well education was the key, Thank you old friend for setting me free.

Willie: A native of the same village as the author. Had a connection with Claregalway and chose to be buried there, at a good age. Redcoats: British Army Royal Engineers had some role or roles during the Clare river bypass work, in Famine years. (Hearsay) www.Claregalway.info

Claregalway Church Sacrament Times Daily Mass Sunday 9 & 11am Thursday 7:30pm Monday 9:30am Friday 9:30am Tuesday 9:30am Saturday 9:30am Wednesday 9:30am Vigil (Saturday) 7.30pm Sacrament of Baptism Baptismal preparation training night takes place on the second Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm in Cairdeas. Baptisms are celebrated on the first Sunday of the month at noon and also the third Saturday of the month at 4pm. Booking forms are available from the Parish Office. Sacrament of Marriage Please contact Parish Office for a booking form.

Tune in to 106.4FM to hear Mass in Claregalway Church live every day. St James Choir practice at 8.15pm every Tuesday in Cairdeas Meeting Room, beside the Church. New members are most welcome. ClaregalwayParish@eircom.net www.AssumptionAndSaintJamesParish.com Radio Mass FM106.4 Facebook ClaregalwayParish The Parish Office, operated by Teresa Payne, Secretary, is located in Claregalway village beside the Church. Contact 091 798 741 / ClaregalwayParish@eircom.net We welcome with great joy Matthew Finn, Bláithín Concannon, Ava Mellotte, Mallaigh O’Connell & Michael John Connell, Harvey O’Flynn, Natalia & Zuzanna Malinowska, Maksymilian Sadowsky & Adam O’Donnell into our Christian community. Congratulatons to their parents and Godparents.

R.I.P. Kathleen Duggan, Lakeview R.I.P. Michael Powell, Rockwood & Aran Islands

Claregalway Festival of Drama 2015 Photos taken by Josette Farrell throughout this year’s Festival of Drama, which took place in Claregalway Community Centre from 12th–20th of March.

Jean and Clement Shevlin

Corn Mill Theatre Group on stage with their excellent production of The Dead School on the 14th of March

Julie McKenna and Mary Loughlin

Some of the Claregalway Drama Festival team, Mike Hession, Fidelma O’Rourke and John Brennan

Brothers Frank and Gerry Moran

For more photos visit Claregalway.info/photos Bernadette and Francis Flaherty

The community-curated newsletter for Claregalway, Co. Galway

Ruth O’Driscoll and Síle Hession

Albert Conneely and Valerie Greaney

Bridie Cox with Fr Seamus Nohilly and Rona Lyons

Eoin McCarthy and Sinead O’Keefe

The winners of this year’s Festival of Drama, pictured at the awards ceremony on the 20th of March

www.Claregalway.info John Brennan and Gus McCarthy

What is Tooth Decay? Claregalway Dental Surgery (091 798 333) has shared this information on tooth decay. Tooth decay, known technically as dental caries, is one of the most common health complaints in the world. The incidence is declining in societies where water is fluoridated or where toothpaste containing fluoride is used. It is particularly common in children and young adults, and rates have been fuelled by an increase in sugars in the diet, and poor dental hygiene. Causes and risk factors The problem is caused by sticky deposits called plaque that collect, in particular, around the gum line, the edges of fillings and the grooved surfaces of the teeth. Plaque is made up of food debris, saliva and the bacteria that are normally present in the mouth, and convert food into acids. If plaque is allowed to collect over time it will harden into a substance called tartar. Both tartar and plaque contain acids which, over time, can dissolve away the protective, hard enamel coating of the tooth, and create holes, or cavities. Most cavities form over a period of months, or even years. They are usually painless, but they can grow very large, and damage the much softer internal structures of the tooth such as the dentin and the pulp, which is found at the core. If they remain untreated, they can kill the nerve and blood vessels of the tooth, and ultimately the tooth itself. Eating a diet rich in sugar increases the risk of tooth decay, and sticky foods can be a particular problem because they are more likely to remain on the surface of the teeth. Frequent snacking increases the amount of time that acids are in contact with the teeth. In the absence of good oral hygiene, it doesn’t take long for damage to begin. The acids generated by the breakdown of food stuff in the mouth can begin to attack the tooth enamel within 20 minutes of a meal.

Symptoms The most obvious sign of tooth decay is toothache, particularly after hot or cold foods or drinks. However, pain may not be present until decay has reached an advanced stage. Infection may spread out from the root of the tooth and to the bones supporting the tooth. Plaque and tartar also irritate the gums, and lead to a gum disease called gingivitis which often leads to tooth loss even if the tooth itself is healthy.

decay, there is no way to repair it. However, if decay is picked up at an early stage its progression can be blocked. Decayed material can be removed, and replaced with a restorative material such as silver alloy, or plastic, known as a filling. If the decay is more extensive, then another option is a crown. The decayed or weakened area is removed and repaired and a covering jacket—the crown—is fitted over the remainder of the tooth. If the nerve in a tooth has died, either from decay or a blow, then a dentist will consider root canal work. This involves removing the centre of the tooth, including the nerve and blood vessel tissue. The root is then filled with a sealing material, and the process is completed with either filling or possibly a crown.

Treatment and recovery The best way to keep your teeth in health condition is to ensure that you have a healthy diet without large amounts of sugars and that you clean your teeth regularly to get rid of any plaque build up. Most dentists recommend that you clean your teeth at least twice a day. Flossing between the teeth is a good idea, as is rinsing out your mouth after eating sticky foods Easter Specials or sugary drinks. It is also important Free check-up for one child under to have a regular check up at the 16 with parent’s check-up visit dentist—once every Two-for-One on check-ups for six months to a year. Unfortunately, siblings under 16 years of age even good oral hygiene does not Offer applies from Monday 31st of prevent decay as the March–Friday 10th of April 2015. For bacteria congregate more information phone Claregalway in inaccessible areas. Dental Surgery on 091 798 333 or visit Once the structure ClaregalwayDentalSurgery.ie. of a tooth has been damaged by

An nuachtán pobail le haghaidh Baile Chláir, Co. na Gaillimhe

Thought for the Month

Lend a Helping Hand

When we allow ourselves to understand the impact our actions have on ourselves, we realise the necessity to take loving action. We each have the power to correct conditions within as well as to affect the world we live in. There are so many ways to apply love in our everyday lives. by Ronan Scully

et, if we do not take care of ourselves and one another, it is virtually impossible to feel and share love with the world around us. As an act of self-love, we can begin to educate ourselves and learn to take care of our physical bodies as well as keep our thoughts and feelings positive and loving. Nurturing ourselves also teaches us how to nurture life around us and lend each other a helping hand. Practice constant acts of kindness and you bring kindness upon yourself. Forgiveness is the easiest and most powerful act of kindness you can make. It promotes unity and harmony. Our lives are filled with opportunities to experience love, tolerance, peace and joy. When we, as individuals, realise our potential to love unconditionally, we transform ourselves and one another and the world we live in at the same time. The choice is ours to create a world of happiness, love and goodwill. Every moment of every day is a new beginning. The meaning held in these words opens us to a new way of living and experiencing life. Start each day, each week and each year as a new journey of self-discovery. Let go of yesterday and tomorrow and embrace the power of now. Remind yourself daily of the newness of life in the moment and learn to lend each other a helping hand. An old Irish fable might help to explain what I mean.

Trip to Heaven & Hell Paddy died and passed onto the next life. When he appeared before God, he was allowed to enter Heaven. He thanked God, but before he left for Heaven, he made one request. “May I visit Hell to see what it looks like?” he asked. The request was granted and Paddy stood at the fiery gates of Hell. The sights and the sounds stirred him to his depths. Paddy was puzzled. Each person held a knife and a fork in their hands but everybody was suffering the agonies of starvation. There was plenty of food, so why the starving? Paddy noticed that people were able to pick up the food with their knives and forks, but were unable to get the food into their mouths because the knives and forks were too long. And the one unalterable rule of Hell was that each person must hold the knives and forks at the very end. This was Hell. Each one was centred on his or her own needs, unable to get satisfaction.

Then it was time for Paddy to go to heaven and, when he got there, there was the joy and glory and happiness that he had hear about. But, like Hell there was something in heaven that he had also not heard about. Here he found a strange similarity to the conditions that prevailed in Hell. There was the same pair of unusually long knives and forks.The exact unalterable rule was in effect, that each one must hold the knife and fork at the very end, which again made it impossible for each person to reach their own mouth. But there was one big difference. Each person was feeding their neighbour and each in turn was being fed by their neighbour. This was definitely Heaven. Each person was completely concerned about the needs of others. In this concern for their neighbour, their own needs were completely satisfied.

As your thought for the month, remember beautiful hands are those that weave bright threads of joy in lives that grieve. Beautiful lips are those that speak to comfort the mourner and hearten the weak. Beautiful eyes are those that glow with the light of a spirit pure as snow. Beautiful souls are those that show The Spirit of God wherever they go. You can read more of Ronan’s Thoughts online at Claregalway.info/tag/thoughts

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Local Notices

Bridge Column

Naíonra Clúidín na mBabaí Enrollments are now being accepted for Naíonra preschool (beside Claregalway community centre) for September 2015. The Naíonra is a preschool through the medium of Irish. Free ECCE places are available for children born between 2nd of February 2011 and 30th of June 2012. Tá fáilte roimh cách. No previous knowledge of Irish is necessary. Phone Lisa at 087 2070558 (Mon–Fri 9.15am–12.15pm)

Dealer North, Both vulnerable North — AQ2 K 10 9 4 2 AK984 West 10 8 6 5 2 J5 73 7653

South QJ94 10 9 8 7 6 AQJ6 —

East AK73 K43 85 Q J 10 2

Bidding N E S W 1D Dbl 1H P 3C P 4C1 P 4S2 P 6D3 P P Dbl P P P 1 is is Gerber, asking for aces. 2 shows two aces. 3 is rather optimistic and is based on (a) great diamond support and (b) 6 loser hand opposite at worst a 6 loser hand (partner opened 1D and leapt to 3C). East’s double is based on his unannounced AK of spades.

Claregalway Yoga Upstairs at Hughes SuperValu Morning & Evening Classes Monday Morning 10.30–11.30am All levels welcome Wednesday Evening 7.30–8.30pm Beginners gentle stretch Phone Claregalway Yoga 087 193 8495

East leads the spade ace, ruffed by North with the diamond 2.Taking stock, declarer can see a few options. If clubs are 4-4, he can generate 3 club tricks (A,K and the long club). If the heart king is right (very unlikely since East doubled), there could be a pile of heart tricks. However, even if the king of hearts is in East’s hand, giving that to East will probably lead to 4 possible heart tricks. Combining those, 4 hearts plus 3 clubs plus 5 diamonds is 12 tricks (provided all the later ruffs are taken in the south hand). Following this plan, having ruffed the spade ace, declarer plays AK of clubs, then a small club, ruffed with the diamond 6, a small heart to the Q, won by East’s king, who returns his last club, ruffed by the diamond J. Declarer then plays a small heart to his Ace (noting the fall of the J from west) and then plays a small diamond to the ace and the Q overtaken by the king of diamonds. All the trumps are now drawn, so declarer can enjoy his long club and then play the heart 2 to the established 10 and 9 to arrive at 12 tricks and An nuachtána pobail le haghaidh Baile Chláir, Co. na Gaillimhe doubled small slam.

Baile Chláir Ramblers (Claregalway Walking Club) meet Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings each week and all are welcome. Contact Anne 087 248 5559 or Peggy 087 298 1594.

Pilates Classes Tuesday and Saturday mornings in Corrib KickBoxing Club, Claregalway Corporate Park from 11am–12pm. Call Eileen on 0866088137 for more info.

Sports Injury Therapy Swedish Massage; Hot Stone Massage and Reflexology. Anne-Mullarkey-Moran, MNRRI, MGPP, ITEC, Pollagh House, Pollaghrevagh, Claregalway. 091 798 933 / 087 2485559 annemullarkey@eircom.net

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Registration is now taking place for the school year September 2015– June 2016. Government grants are available for Montessori tuition ECCE Scheme. Please telephone to make an arrangement to view the school at a suitable time and date for you on 091 798 160 or 087 943 0822.

Yoga with Gráinne Upstairs at Hughes SuperValu Tuesdays 10am, Thursdays 6.45pm Contact Gráinne on 087 923 4669

Bridge Club takes place Mondays at 7:30pm and Friday mornings at 10:30am in the Claregalway Hotel. 21

Local Tarot Readings If you have any enquiries/problems you’d like discussed, please write to Tarotman c/o Claregalway.info. Please give as much detail of your situation for a fuller reading. If you wish to shield your identity just sign your letter Patricia R Aries or something like that. Replies can be answered within five days and I also do home readings for €20. For more information phone 087 267 8004.

Art & Craft Workshop Space Available in Claregalway

I’m currently working for a great organisation. They treat their staff very well and I’m happy. However, I’m still very young and I don’t want to settle down just yet, I want to travel, see the world and experience different cultures. I know how fortunate I am to have this job and can’t decide whether to go and have greater life experiences or to stay in this position. I also don’t know if I want to do this job forever but I don’t want to regret leaving this company in the future either. Jenny

If you have a good work ethic and are well thought of in your job this should go some way towards getting a job there again should you decide to go travelling. From the cards I can see how torn you are to leave this good position behind. I do feel that you will break for the border and go for it. If you don’t go you won’t know and that is the crux of it. I hope this clarifies things for you and gives you some focus on the decisions you have to make.

This year I’ve made a huge decision in my life. I’ve packed up everything and moved to Australia but I keep looking back and wondering what impact it will have on my future. When I moved I left my long term boyfriend behind. This was mostly down to the fact that we wanted different things. He wanted to settle down and cement his career while I wanted to see the world. Now I’m constantly wondering if I’ll regret my decision in the future as I’m already doubting myself. Helen

Cruthú Art Studio’s beautiful space in the heart of Claregalway is available to rent for Art and Craft workshops. It is custom built with craft and Art classes in mind and has a kitchen area for the necessary tea and coffee. We are inviting local artisans who may like a space to teach their craft to pop in and see the space available. We would especially like to see some patchwork, jewellery making, card making, basket weaving or photography. In fact the studio is ideal for all kinds of crafts. Call us on 087 6866740 for information.

Congratulations and best wishes to Dawn Devitt & Paul Murray who were married recently in Cong.

Getting to travel and be in Australia was part of your dream so make the most of it. Doubt and regret only eat away at the soul. What we leave behind should be left behind. From the cards I see a strong love bond between you and your boyfriend back home in Ireland. Enjoy the blue skies of Oz while you can. You would not have been happy had you stayed on in Ireland. Cards show that you may not be happy in your work but it may be down to your own mind set and your current doubts. I feel you will make your own decision in your own time about what to do. You have a good man waiting for you whenever you decide. 22 The community-curated newsletter for Claregalway, Co. Galway

Congratulations and best wishes to Lorraine Godfrey & Wayne Brogan who were married recently in Claregalway Church.

Slapped Cheek Disease John Duffy MPSI of Claregalway Pharmacy (091 799 754) has shared this information on slapped cheek disease. For more information, call in and speak with any member of staff. by John Duffy MPSI

Slapped cheek disease is normally a mild, short illness. However, the rash may appear to be quite dramatic. No treatment is usually needed. However, it can cause harm to an unborn baby so women who are pregnant who have this illness need to seek medical advice. What is slapped cheek disease? Slapped cheek disease is sometimes called fifth disease or erythema infectiosum. It is an infection caused by the parvovirus B19 virus. It most commonly occurs in children aged 3–15 years, but anyone can be affected. It is infectious (can be passed on). The infectious period is for 4–20 days before the rash appears. By the time the rash develops, it is usually no longer infectious. Approximately 50– 60% of people in the UK have had this infection in the past, usually without realising it. You only have slapped cheek disease only once in a lifetime. This is because you make antibodies during the infection which protect you from future infections with this same germ (virus). What are the symptoms of slapped cheek disease? Typically, the rash looks like a bright red scald on one or both cheeks. It looks as if the cheek(s) have been slapped. Sometimes there is just a blotchy redness on the face. The rash is painless. Sometimes a more widespread faint rash appears on the body, arms, and legs. Occasionally, the rash on the face and body keeps fading and returning several times for up to several weeks. However, it is more common for the rash to come and go completely within a few days.

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Other symptoms Although the rash can look quite dramatic, the illness itself is usually mild. You will usually not feel too ill. You may have a headache, sore throat, runny nose or mild temperature (fever) that last for a few days and occur around 7–10 days before the rash appears. Occasionally, mild pain and stiffness develop in one or more joints for a few days. This is more common in adults than in children. You may have no symptoms. Around one in four people who become infected with this germ (virus) do not develop any symptoms at all. Some people just have a fever and feel generally unwell, without any rashes. Are there any tests? This condition is usually diagnosed by the appearance of the classical rash on your cheeks. A blood test is sometimes performed. This will show if you have the disease and can also show if you have had this disease in the past. If you have had the disease in the past (even if you had it without developing any symptoms) then you will be immune to it.

Are there any complications from slapped cheek disease? Usually not. Rarely, the aching joint symptoms last for some time after the other symptoms have gone. The only times the illness may become more serious are: In children with some types of hereditary anaemia such as sickle cell disease, beta-thalassaemia and hereditary spherocytosis. This germ (virus) can cause these types of anaemia to become suddenly much worse. In people with a weakened immune system. If you have leukaemia or cancer, have had an organ transplant or have HIV infection then you may develop a more serious illness with this infection. What is the treatment? You do not usually need any treatment. If you have a headache, temperature (fever) or aches and pains then painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen will help. Those people who develop complications (which is very rare) may require other treatment.

Don’t forget to like Claregalway Pharmacy on Facebook, for regular updates & competitions!

Coláiste Bhaile Chláir March 2015 News SSPC Crystal-Growing Competition The Synthesis and Solid State Pharmaceutical Centre (SSPC) announced they were hosting a crystal growing competition as part of the International Year of Crystallography. A number of students at Coláiste Bhaile Chláir rose to the challenge. They researched their topic on the internet and each group came up with an experiment plan. They spent weeks’ worth of lunch breaks in the laboratory growing seed crystals and painstakingly tying fishing line to these small structures to allow for further growth in solution. All groups succeeded in growing impressive alum and/or copper sulphate crystals. Dr Sarah Hayes of the SSPC said, “The overall quality of the classes contributions was exceptionally high! They were competing with 5th and 6th years in some cases and still did so well!” Results which were announced on Friday 17th of February revealed that the competition had two joint first place winners, including Coláiste Bhaile Chláir’s own first year, Jason Folan. Oisín Tobin first year was runner-up with another excellent crystal. Jason has won an iPad mini and Oisín a pair of Dr Dre headphones. The SSPC has invited the whole class down to SSPC at the University of Limerick during March for some good science careers talks and to present them with their prizes.

SSPC crystal growing competition winners Jason Folan and Oisín Tobin pictured with fellow winners and Professor Mike Zaworotko, one of the world’s top twenty chemists.

Jason Folan’s Award winning crystal.

Oisín’s crystal.

Jason Folan pictured receiving his award from Professor Mike Zaworotko.

The community-curated newsletter for Claregalway, Co. Galway

#UpForSchool by Jade Sweeney, 2nd year Recently Katie, Andrea and I attended a meeting in the centre of human rights building with our teacher Ms Egan in NUIG to show our support for the launch of #UpForSchool. People have taken a lot of time to set this up and now it’s our turn to help them spread the word and get it started in our own area! The previous day to the meeting, Irish politicians from various parties showed their support for the campaign outside the parliament at Leinster House in Dublin—ahead of the official #UpForSchool launch in Ireland on February 27th. Up For School are trying to create awareness and tell people that every child has the right to go to school, without danger or discrimination. But there are children who can’t attend school because they are in danger. Girls can be attacked just for trying to go to school. It is over six months since the schoolgirls of Chibok in Nigeria were abducted by Boko Haram on April 14th. You can show your support for them— and for all children to go to school without danger or discrimination—by signing the #UpForSchool Petition, this is a global petition to eliminate barriers to education and learning.

We don’t need your sympathy. We need your signature. Help create a message no government, politician or leader can ignore and demand that every child can go to school safely. Nothing changes without pressure. Sign the #UpForSchool Petition. Act Now.

Maths Grinds This may be of particular interest to the students attending Coláiste Bhaile Chláir. If your son/ daughter is struggling with certain Maths concepts like Probability/Algebra/Trigonometry etc. A little extra help in reaching an understanding may be all that’s needed. I focus on helping students understand rather than just learning it. I specialise in Junior Cert Maths, both Higher and Ordinary. I work on whatever topics the student is having difficulty in. I am a final year Maths student in NUIG, located in Claregalway. For more information contact James on 085 185 1995.

www.Claregalway.info

Pictured are Katie Westbrook, Senator Healy Eames, Andrea Trill and Jade Sweeney. The Petition We, the world’s youth, teachers, parents and global citizens appeal to our governments to keep their promise, made at the United Nations in 2000, to ensure all out-ofschool children gain their right to education before the end of 2015. We are standing up to bring an end to the barriers preventing girls and boys from going to school, including forced work and early marriage, conflict and attacks on schools, exploitation and discrimination. All children deserve the opportunity to learn and achieve their potential. We are #UpForSchool In just five months, three million people around the world have signed the #UpForSchool Petition. Every day, on average, 20,000 people add their name to the #UpForSchool Petition. That’s fifteen people every minute taking the time to sign their name demanding action from world leaders. But we need even more to reach the target! If we could get all the pupils from our secondary school, the primary school and all the local people in the Claregalway area we could really help children who want an education, and all it takes is one minute of your time to do that! So don’t waste a second thinking about it—sign the petition!

Stand #UpForSchool Share on Facebook/Twitter and tell all your friends and family to help get as much signatures as possible so #UpForSchool can reach their target and give the right to education to children all around the world! Education is the light of our future. 25

NCBI Guest Speaker

Un spectacle Français à Coláiste Bhaile Chláir

by Amarachi Erugo, 2nd year

Today, Stuart Lawler from NCBI, a man who has been blind since birth, came into our school to give us a presentation on blindness. The day was very informal and broadened our knowledge on blindness. Stuart was blinded at birth by a tumor that formed on his optic nerve. The surgery that was done to remove the tumor blinded him. The presentation started off with Stuart introducing himself and Frances McGrath from NCBI. He talked about his childhood and how it was growing up. Stuart went to a boarding school for the blind from age 6, where he was taught how to read braille and use a brailler, which is a typewriter for the blind that types out braille. Stuart had said it was a big change going from a school for blind to just a normal school. It was challenging for him to often hear children talking about colours and trying to describe them to him, but he was never able to quite grasp what they were.

Someone had once tried to explain what blue was and told him “It was the sea.” Stuart said it’s the closest he’s ever come to knowing what the colour blue is. When Stuart first started college he did a course on using guide dogs. There were about five or six others doing the course with him but he was the only one who had been blind since birth. He talked about how those others often wanted things to be described to them. For an example when a movie was put on, there was a person giving a run through on what was happening and said “A girl’s getting out of a car,” and a man quickly yelled “Describe the girl.” Stuart never really understood why he needed her to be described or anything else for that matter. He said it didn’t matter to him. He felt that those losing their sight at some time in life meant they knew what they were missing while he didn’t. He and Frances showed us two different types of canes. A normal cane used for the blind and a symbol cane to say ‘I have low vision’. He said not many people are completely bind and that most often have some vision. He also showed us how he uses his iPhone to send texts, read emails and more. Stuart said that he lives his life as normal and that sometimes things may be challenging to him because he is blind but he doesn’t let it stop him. The presentation was a great experience and I felt lucky to get the opportunity of having Stuart come in as a speaker. 26

The French Theatre for Schools visited Coláiste Bhaile Chláir in February for an interactive language show for all first and second year French students.

The entire performance was through French and students were invited to get involved and practice their language skills. This very entertaining show was an excellent way for students to meet some native speakers and practice the target language.

For more news, stories and photos from Coláiste Bhaile Chláir, follow @ClaregalwayColl on Twitter or like Claregalway.info on Facebook.

The community-curated newsletter for Claregalway, Co. Galway

Mathletes Coláiste Bhaile Chláir are once again competing in the Mathletes challenge, Students from fourth to sixth class in primary school and first to third year in secondary school junior cycle are eligible for the 2015 Challenge. Students compete online through the Khan Academy website, and face to face against their peers, with over €20,000 in prizes and the title of Mathletes All-Ireland Champion on offer. Students can participate individually in the Student Challenge and/or with their school in the School Challenge, with top scorers advancing to county, provincial and national finals in May. We got off to a great start winning the overall secondary schools award and points per eligible student award in January.

Ciarán Cannon TD and Isaac Burke NUIG present the Mathletes trophies to top first year students Daire Leonard and Sinéad King.

Doodle 4 Google Coláiste Bhaile Chláir is delighted to announce that two first year students, Emily Wall and Emma Malone have qualified as a Doodle 4 Google 2015 finalist with their doodle designs based on the theme My Perfect Day. Emma and Emily have had their designs selected from thousands of students around the country, with only fifteen designs making it through to the finals for their age category: 1st years, 2nd years and 3rd years, which is a huge achievement for our young students. The competition involved public voting which finished on March 20th and category winners and then overall winner of the 2015 Doodle 4 Google competition will be announced on the 20th of April, with the winning design taking over Google’s homepage for 24 hours. Emily and Emma are two extremely talented and hardworking students and we wish them the very best of luck!

Emma Malone’s ‘Doodle’—Art is all about expressing yourself in your own way. My doodle represents that art can give you inspiration. Google also inspires people with all the fascinating quotes, stories and images that can be found by pressing just a few keys.

Bodywhys Talk As part of Eating Disorders Awareness Week (23rd February–1st March), Coláiste Bhaile Chláir’s second year Home Economics students participated in the Be Body Positive schools programme. The Bodywhys representative conveyed to students that the majority of eating disorders emerge during the teenage years when body image and self-esteem can be particularly vulnerable to outside influences. The students found the talk very informative and it increased their awareness of this important issue. www.Claregalway.info

Emily Wall’s ‘Doodle’—My picture represents a fun day out in Paris. G=Arc de Triumph, O=Camera, O=Louvre Museum, G=French Man, L=Eiffel Tower, E= croissant.

Athletics Cross Country Coláiste Bhaile Chláir were represented in the Connacht School’s Athletics Final by four teams. Minor and Junior Boys and Girls teams. The finals were held at the racecourse in Sligo on Wednesday the 25th of February. Despite the very wintery conditions, muck and wet the students rose to the challenge and gave 100% in every race. Minor girls came 3rd in Connacht. Junior boys continued their great running form and finished first in Connacht. Second year student Aaron Brennan came 3rd in the Junior boys final. The All Ireland Schools Athletics final will be held this Saturday in Clongowes Wood, Clane, Co Kildare. We would like to wish the fifteen Athletes who have reached the All Ireland all the best on Saturday.

Girls Gaelic Football A unique piece of history for Coláiste Bhaile Chláir occurred with three sets of sisters starting for the Junior girls’ Gaelic football team.

Sisters pictured above L–R: Laura and Edel Flattery (Full back and wing forward), Sara and Hannah Coady (Goalkeeper and Midfield), Shannon and Amy O’Connell (Corner forward and wing forward). The match on Wednesday 25th of February was the first game for Coláiste Bhaile Chláir at this level.

And they’re off! Start of the Junior boys race at Sligo racecourse.

Success for Chess Club by Aoife Ryan, 1st year On Wednesday the 4th of March Coláiste Baile Chláir chess club entered one team in the Connaught Cup Competition and three teams in the novice competition in Moneenageisha College. In the Connaught Cup the team consisting of Thomas McStay, Kieran Spellman, Aoife Ryan and Oisín Noone came second. While in the novice competition our B team, Killian Goaley, Matthew Mohr, Luke Roberts and Thomas Regan came second and our A team, Michael Aherne, Simon Coyle, Ethan Kaya and Luke Adams came third. Our C team, Liam Molloy, Daire Leonard, James Keighrey and Jason Folan were just half a point behind third place.

Pictured are the Junior boys final winners Oisín Lyons (Calasanctius College Oranmore), Sean O’Hanlon (Rice College Westport) and Aaron Brennan (Coláiste Bhaile Chláir).

The community-curated newsletter for Claregalway, Co. Galway

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Useful Local Contacts Group Contact name

Contact number

Carnmore National School John Reilly

091 798 718

Compántas Lir Drama Dermot Hession

085 711 4352

Conradh na Gaeilge Anna Glynn

091 798 351

Claregalway & District Day Care Centre

Geraldine Carr

086 227 4139

Claregalway Cemetery Maintenance

Malachy Noone

087 133 3711

Claregalway Cemetery Caretaker

Seamus O’Connell

087 313 7282

Claregalway Educate Together NS Terri Claffey

091 798 356

Claregalway Folk Choir Anne Moylan

087 638 6626

Claregalway National School Carmel Burns

091 798 720

Claregalway Parish Office Teresa Payne

091 798 741

Coláiste Bhaile Chláir Alan Mongey

091 799 001

9 Arch Musical Society Annette Cavanagh

087 219 7772

Our Local Sponsors

Useful Local Websites

Claregalway Basketball Club

www.assumptionandsaintjamesparish.com

Claregalway Dental Surgery Claregalway Hotel Claregalway Medical Centre Claregalway Pharmacy Compántas Lir Drama Group Glynn’s Centra Carnmore Hughes SuperValu Claregalway Noel Grealish td Carnmore Paul Nash Transport The Arches Hotel Claregalway Treat Café Claregalway T Duggan Garage Claregalway This free community-curated newsletter is produced voluntarily. We rely on the generous sponsorship we receive from local businesses to cover printing costs and maintaining our website Claregalway.info. Please show your support for Nuacht Chláir, and the businesses that help make it possible, by shopping local when possible. 30

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The community-curated newsletter for Claregalway, Co. Galway

March Crossword

Brian Place Crossword Editor

Post completed Crosswords to: B.D. Place, Woodleigh, Creig Buí, Baile Chláir, Co na Gaillimhe.

1st correct Crossword opened wins a meal for 2 in the Arches Hotel, Cois Chláir, Claregalway. Our apologies. Last month’s crossword was printed incorrectly, and was therefore unsolvable!

Name Phone Across 1 Flat baked Italian pie (5) 4 Weekday (9) 9 Large pouch worn with kilt (7) 10 Capital—Tallinn (7) 11 Demonstration of truth (5) 13 Native Israeli (5) 15 Nearest star (3) 16 No (3) 17 Capital—Niamey (5) 19 Herb (5) 21 Gulf emirate (5) 23 Young owl (5) 24 Decay (3) 25 Organ (3) 26 Part of bicycle (5) 28 Consumed (5) 29 Capital of Lithuania (7) 31 Capital—Bujumbura (7) 33 Prisoner of Zenda kingdom (9) 34 Particle obeying Bose-Einstein statistics

December 2014’s solution

Down 1 Put off ’til later time (9) 2 Study of animal life (7) 3 Normal mixture of nitrogen and oxygen (3) 4 Fermented grape juices (5) 5 Female deer (3) 6 Additional (5) 7 Sequence of rulers from same family (7) 8 Have a strong desire (5) 12 Mycota (5) 14 Beryllium aluminium silicate (5) 18 Diminutive mythological being (5) 19 Heading of a chapter (5) 20 Addition to a house (9) 22 Robber (7) 24 Classifications according to grade (7) 25 Young eel (5) 26 Carpus (5) 27 Capital—Tripoli (5) 30 Transgression (3) 32 Costa (3)

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