The Clare Echo 01/03/2018

065 671 9021

clareecho.ie

editor@clareecho.ie

facebook.com/clareecho

twitter.com/ClareEcho

1 Mar 2018

Red alert in Clare Schools and businesses shut due to weather red alert

ELAINE TUBRIDY

A

news@clareecho.ie

lBABY IT’S COLD OUTSIDE: A snowy scene near Lough Derg yesterday Photo by Eoin O’Hagan

STATUS Red weather warning has been issued for Clare for 4pm today (Thursday), which will remain in place until noon tomorrow.

A status red warning, Met Eireann’s highest warning level, follows an earlier yellow warning in the Banner County however more snow than had been expected fell and that is gradually making its way into the west of the country.

It means that all schools and colleges across Clare will be

closed today and Friday following the status upgrade. All people have been advised to be at home by 4pm today for safety reasons.

Social Welfare payments usually issued on Friday will be available today. The Government has also doubled the fuel allowance for this week.

Meanwhile supermarkets and a number of local businesses have confirmed planned closures across the county.

Clare Echo THE

BUSIN

S FeatuES re

QUIN RD. BUSIN

ESS PARK,

Business feature

ENNIS

QUIN RO AD BUSIN

Eat out Children Kitchen shop ping Fur ’s Activity nitur Centre Agricultu e stores Toy stores ral Centre Flooring

SEE OUR FEATURE INSIDE

ESS PARK

2 NEWS

THURSDAY, MAR 1 2018

Index COMPETITION TIME

6

ASYLUM SEEKERS

7

SNOW ON THE WAY

8

AOIBHÍN GARRIHY

10-11

QUIN RD BUSINESS

15-25

EOIN NEYLON

26

PROPERTY

32

CLASSIFIEDS

36-37

GET IN TOUCH

Inside The Clare Echo FEATURE: PAGE 15-25

Quin Road is the Business

We visit the Quin Road Business Park to see what makes the area so attractive to shoppers. We give you home and DIY tips as well as putting focus on local businesses

NEWS: PAGE 6

SPORT: PAGE 34-35

Setback for the Banner hurlers

Mother’s Day giveaway...

Clare came back empty-handed from Wexford last weekend but is there more to learn from the loss than another win? Our man James Mulvilhill reports

With Mother’s Day coming, here at The Clare Echo we like to celebrate those most important to us. Check out details of this amazing giveaway on page 6

RECEPTION

The Square, Ennis, County Clare Telephone: 065 671 9021 Email: monica@clareecho.ie

EDITOR Telephone: 065 671 9021 Email: editor@clareecho.ie

NEWSDESK Telephone: 065 671 9021 Email: news@clareecho.ie

NOTES

l DIVIDED LOYALTY: Ann Quinlivan Cavinagh from O’Callaghans Mills and now residing in Gorey Co. Wexford with Cormac, Elly, Paraic and Diarmuid Cavanagh Photo by Martin Connolly

Telephone: 065 671 9021

Jack’s the lad in Clare

Email: elaine.tubridy@clareecho.ie

SALES Telephone: 065 671 9021

Email: ciara.farrell@clareecho.ie ger.naughton@clareecho.ie

PLACE AN

ADVERT To learn how we can promote your business call us on 065 671 9021 or email ciara.farrell@clareecho.ie.

ELAINE TUBRIDY news@clareecho.ie

J

ACK is the most popular new baby boy’s name in Co Clare, according to new CSO figures.

Meanwhile Emily, Amelia and Aoife are the three names to come out on top for the newborn baby girls in the county, with Clare following the national trends when it comes to the most popular names.

Jack and Emily were the most popular baby names nationally in 2017.

Jack was the most popular baby name in 13 other districts and was the most popular across Munster as a whole.

It’s more of a mixed bag for the girls though, as Emily only appeared in one other county in the province.

Emily was more popular along the north-west coastal counties, as it was

the top newborn baby girl name in Galway and Mayo.

Aoibhin and Theo were the highest climbers, meanwhile, with both names making their first appearance in the top 100.

Going back 50 years, things appear to have changed.

John, Michael and Patrick were the most popular names in Ireland in 1966, while Jack, James and Daniel were the top names of 2017 according to the latest results.

Meanwhile Mary, Catherine and Margaret were top for the newborn girls in 1966, while Emily, Emma and Amelia were the most popular in 2017 among new parents.

For a free hearing check call us free on 1800 480 480

Please quote ref: BX WP 03

bonavox hearing specialists

www.bonavox.ie

Visit Visitus usat: at: Haven HavenPharmacy Pharmacy Holly’s Holly’s 23 Abbey Street 23 Abbey Street Ennis EnnisVisit us at:  Often mishearwhat others are saying?  Find it difficult hearing on the phone?  Is it hard to hear in noisy backgrounds?  Often ask people to repeat themselves?

Talk to us and find out how you can hear better again!

Enjoy better hearing with bonavox

THURSDAY, MAR 1 2018

ADVERTISEMENT 3

First Choice Roofing and Guttering Quality Roof and Roofing Services in all areas of Clare and Limerick, Cork and surrounding areas throughout Munster We are experts in Roof Repairs Flat Roof Roof Leaks Guttering Fascia and Soffit First Choice Roofing and Guttering First Choice Roofing and Guttering are registered roofing contractors serving our customers for over 30 years across Ireland.

We run a highly professional roofing contractor service and undertake all manner of domestic roofing, commercial roofing jobs, including insurance work, grant work, roof repairs, gutters, fascia, down pipes etc.

A highly skilled team of roofers, we have extensive experience and we can offer advice on all aspects of roofing and roofing materials.

WE C OVER ALL A REAS IN MUNS TER

First Choice Roofing and Guttering have a large client base and is an accredited member of CIF. Health and Safety is a major priority for us. All of us are trained to the highest standard and hold safe passes, skills cards, manual handling certificates. We are fully insured for over â‚Ź6million and are C2 registered. All our projects are supervised personally by our experienced foremen.

Ennis, Co Clare Contact us today on 065 671 5211 or 085 179 5815 www.firstchoiceroofingsystems.com

4 NEWS

THURSDAY, MAR 1 2018

Clare schools among first to implement PE subject €�

STUART HOLLY

LDCAL EI\ITl:liPlilSE V\/1:EI< �()18

Oifig

Fiontair Aitiuil

Local Enterprise Office

editor@clareecho.ie

S

05-09 MARCH

Programme of Events Clare S tart

End

Charge

The Oakwood Hotel, Shannon

08.00hrs

10.00hrs

Free

Monday 5th March

Location

Cyber Security Breakfast Briefing Digital Marketing Programme

Clare Education Centre, Ennis

13.30hrs

17.00hrs

€70

Setting Up and Selling at Farmers Markets

CO-OP Building, S carritt

14.00hrs

17.00hrs

Free

Ideas Generation Workshop

The Junction Building, Ennis

14.00hrs

17.00hrs

Free

Tuesday 6th March

Kitchen to Market: SVOB from Home

The Falls, Ennistymon

10.00hrs

13.00hrs

Free

WIB Regional Networking Event

Bunratty Castle Hotel

14.00hrs

17.00hrs

Free

Marketing your Business Programme

Hotel Woodstock, Ennis

18.00hrs

21.00hrs

€120

Old Ground Hotel, Ennis

08.00hrs

11.30hrs

€15

09.00hrs

13.30hrs

Free

09.00hrs

13.30hrs

Free

Wednesday 7th March

Retail Therapy for Retailers.

Student Enterprise Awards: Juniors/ Intermediates

Tracey's West County Hotel, Ennis

AINT Joseph’s Secondary School Spanish Point and St Patrick’s Comprehensive Shannon are among 80 secondary schools nationwide, which will be part of the first phase implementation of Physical Education (PE) for Senior Cycle programmes.

Minister for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market & Data Protection Pat Breen welcomed the announcement. “I am delighted that both St Joseph’s Secondary School Spanish Point and St Patrick’s Comprehensive Shannon are included in the pilot scheme for schools to study Physical Education at Senior Cycle. Students beginning the senior cycle this year in these schools have the opportunity to be among the first in the country to take the Leaving Cert exam in PE.” “In total 80 schools will implement either the examinable Physical Education Leaving Certificate subject or the new Senior Cycle Physical Education Framework which is not for examination, or both. It will be rolled out to all schools from 2020 so all students in Clare will benefit from this before too long.

“I am particularly pleased to see physical education getting the recognition it deserves in our secondary schools. We are all well aware of

the importance of a healthy lifestyle for our general well being, but all too often this can be over looked as the pressure mounts in exam years for successful exam results and points.

“By bringing physical education central to the curriculum for those who wish to study it as an exam subject, and as part of the general final two years of school under the Senior Cycle Physical Education Framework, we are officially recognising the importance of a “healthy mind and healthy body,” said Minister Breen.

“Students taking the new Leaving Certificate subject from September 2018 will sit the first Leaving Certificate Physical Education (LCPE) exam in 2020. The subject can be taken at both higher and ordinary levels. The new Senior Cycle Physical Education (SCPE) Framework, will provide a new modern curriculum for teachers to teach PE to all students.

“The assessment process will have 20% going to a physical activity project; 30% to performance assessment and 50% to a written examination.”

“The Fine Gael Government is taking physical education seriously for the health of our nation and this announcement is part of the overall focus on encouraging healthy living.

We want to support fcommunities in Clare to make healthy choices. The announcement is also a key commitment in Minister Bruton’s Action Plan for Education, which aims to make Ireland’s education and training system the best in Europe by 2026.”

Thursday 8th March

Student Enterprise Awards: Seniors

Tracey's West County Hotel, Ennis

Writing A Business Plan

Templegate Hotel, Ennis

09.30hrs

17.00hrs

€30

PR & Media Skills Workshop

The Junction Building, Ennis

14.00hrs

17.00hrs

€10

Trading Online Voucher Evening

Kilrush Gateway Hub

17.30hrs

20.00hrs

Free

National Enterprise Awards Evening

Old Ground Hotel, Ennis

18.00hrs

Advanced Facebook Adverts Workshop

Clare Education Centre, Ennis

9.30hrs

Friday 9th March

a

Don t delay - book today

••••

Registration and networking for all events open 30 minutes before the start time above.

·•-·-·.­ 20.30hrs

Free

17.00hrs

€20

BOOK NOW! Call 065-6821616 E-Mail: localenterprise@clarecoco.ie On-line: www.localenterprise.ie/clare

#localenterprise www.localenterprise.ie/clare

Comhair1e Contae an Chlair �

Clare County Council

Doolin wins green award HOTEL Doolin won the prestigious Green Organisation of the Year Award 2018 at the 10th Annual Green Awards which took place in the Clayton Burlington, Dublin.

The judging panel which included Senator Grace O’Sullivan, the environmentalist best-known for her high profile activism during her 20-year career with Greenpeace said that Hotel Doolin struck a chord with the panel.

Initiatives implemented over the

last year include a complete ban on the sale or purchase of plastic bottles of water & soft drinks. The hotel has reduced the Landfill per guest by 21% over the last 12 months additional to a food waste reduction of 4% per guest.

Approximately 75% of the produce that is bought by Hotel Doolin is from within a 25 mile radius of Doolin.

Hotel Doolin’s Green Team Leader Áine Martin said that the award was a “particularly special” one.

THURSDAY, MAR 1 2018

ADVERTISEMENT 5

Based in the Quin Road Business Park, Ennis, Classical Decor Furniture Showrooms offer you a great selection of furniture to suit all homes

20% OFF ALL MATTRESSES AND BEDS this Thursday Friday Saturday open 9.30 to 5.30

Contact:

Phone: 065 6841605 Email: info@classicaldecor.ie

6 NEWS

THURSDAY, MAR 1 2018

Win an amazing treat for mammy THE Clare Echo has teamed up with some of our favourite businesses in Clare to create an amazing, luxurious Mother’s Day giveaway to one lucky reader.

With thanks to the Temple Gate Hotel, C&C Executive Travel and Eden Hair And Beauty, the chosen winner will win a special day of pampering and the winner will be able to take one person along for the ride.

The winning mammy will be picked up and chauffeur-driven by a professional driver from C&C Executive Travel to Eden Hair & Beauty where she will be treated to a hair and make-up treatment followed by an exquisite afternoon tea with a friend at the Temple Gate Hotel in Ennis.

We are asking our readers to nom-

For all your Printing and Signage Requirements

Gort Road Business Park, Ennis, Co. Clare 065 68 68 108 info@d2print.ie www.d2print.ie

NS G I S T PAV E M E Nolour Graphics W i t h Fu l l C

S A L F -

H

E L A S

SALE NOW ON 20% OFF Discount Code ECHOPAVE20%

We design. | We print. | We care.

inate a deserving person for the winning prize by telling us what makes her so special.

Online entries have already started coming in and we’ve been so impressed by the mammies out there so get working on your entry for this amazing prize.

We want you to write to us outlining the reason your chosen mammy is so special You can nominate your chosen mammy by either emailing your chosen mother to editor@clareecho.ie or by sending your entry via post to The Clare Echo, O’Connell Square House (above Serry Fitzgerald), Ennis Co Clare.

Entries for this competition must be submitted by March 8.

NEWS 7

THURSDAY, MAR 1 2018

Clare-bound asylum seekers have ‘very complex needs’ ELAINE TUBRIDY

elaine.tubridy@clareecho.ie

F

IANNA FÁIL Councillor Richard Nagle has said that it would be unfair to bring asylum seekers to Lisdoonvarna without making sure the proper resources are in place.

It’s not yet known where the asylum seekers are expected to come from and a number has yet been confirmed for the mooted arrival - although it’s understood that the town wouldn’t be equipt to take more than 30 people in totoal.

Speaking to The Clare Echo about the issue, Cllr Nagle said, “Many of them have been through a very traumatic time. They have very complex needs and there is no information on how any of this is going to be dealt with.

“We have been told that there will be people from different cultures, varying nationalities with different languages. How is that situation going to be dealt with?,” he added.

He confirmed that the people of Lisdoonvarna are concerned that the town’s facilities are already at full capacity and would not be able to cope with a sudden surge in population.

“The crèche is at full capacity. The local

national and second level schools are also at full capacity and no one has been able to provide answers as to how these people are going to be catered for and how these services are going to be provided,” Cllr Nagle said.

The new direct provision centre at the King Thomond hotel has the capacity to cater for 115 people.

A public meeting was held in Lisdoonvarna last night and a secret ballot was to be held to decide the overriding public opinion on the matter.

The Direct Provision Group Lisdoonvarna expressed their views on their Facebook page, stating that while they want to support those in need, they also want to stand up to the Government.

“The conflict of supporting the world’s suffering souls while potentially losing our livelihood as a tourist centre is paramount.

“The fear of being criticized for being strong enough to stand up to a national government that has bullied and shamed many Irish towns into supporting their sometimes misguided and clearly mismanaged policies on refugees is daunting,” the Facebook post reads.

l LOCAL SUPPORT: Members of the Miltown Malbay Melting Pot Group with asylum seekers from Knocklisheen Direct Provision Centre, who enjoyed a holiday in West Clare last weekend thanks to the efforts of a fundraiser set up by the Melting Pot group

Elderflower & Forest Fruit Lemonade Captains Mango & Passion Fruit Daiquiri Very Berry Smoothie West Clare Huevos Overnight Oats

Armada Eggs Benedict

Potted Irish Strawberries

Burren Smoked Salmon

Chicken Caesar Salad

Smoked Haddock & Sweet Potato Fish Cake Hot & Spicy Chicken Wings

Belgian Waffles Johnny Burkes Knickerbocker Glory

Classic Fish & Chips

8

FEATURE

THURSDAY, MAR 1 2018

Status red alert for Clare with threat of heavy snow

STUART HOLLY

A

editor@clareecho.ie

STATUS Red weather warning has been issued for Clare for 4pm today (Thursday), which will remain in place until noon tomorrow.

A status red warning, Met Eireann’s highest warning level, follows an earlier yellow warning in the Banner County however more snow than had been expected fell and that is gradually making its way into the west of the country.

It means that all schools and colleges across Clare will be closed today and Friday following the status upgrade. All people have been advised to be at home by 4pm today for safety reasons.

Scatterings of snow covered Co Clare on Wednesday however traffic was unaffected for the most part with the eastern part of the county seeing the heaviest snowfall - while Shannon Airport was left to deal with a huge influx of flights from Dublin as the country's capital saw treacherous snow conditions.

l FROZEN VEG: A vegan snowman created by Una Pearl, of Una’s Café in Scariff

Photo by Eoin O'Hagan

We must learn from Brú na Sionna - Harty STUART HOLLY

editor@clareecho.ie

CLARE’S Independent TD has welcomed the Government’s intention not to oppose Fianna Fáil legislation to bring vulture funds under the control of the Central Bank of Ireland. Dr. Michael Harty said that home owners whose distressed loans are sold by banks to vulture funds must not lose any of the protections currently available to them.

“I have no doubt that if these mortgages are sold to the vultures, home owners will be picked until the carcass is cleaned to the bone. These unregulated entities will do it swiftly and without mercy or compassion. There should be no prevarication on this by Government, they must protect as far as is possible the interests of Irish citizens,” he said.

Dr. Harty added that he was quite happy to look at amendments which the Government might have and to adopt a flexible reasonable attitude provided that the core element of the Fianna Fáil proposal remained intact – to bring potential unregulated buy-

ers of distressed mortgages under Irish regulation.

He continued: “We must learn from the unfortunate situation at Brú na Sionna estate in Shannon which was sold by NAMA to a vulture fund although NAMA appears to have known about fire safety concerns. Now about 240 home and business owners are faced with the prospect of finding €2.5m to fix the properties. The County Fire Officer seems satisfied to allow the occupants to remain in their apartments or units for the time being but the fire service is looking for an assessment from the owners’ management company about the implementation of remedial works.

“This raises a number of key issues as I cannot see how the owners - who already have heavy mortgages - could possibly come up with the cost of carrying out the necessary remedial works.

“I want the Minister for Finance to review the terms of the sale by NAMA to determine if the State body was in any way negligent."

The upgrade comes after some areas in the country saw up to 16cm of snow falling throughout the early hours of Wednesday.

In Clare, the big freeze known as 'the beast from the East' began to take hold in pockets with icy conditions reported in a number of areas but particularly around Broadford, Sixmilebridge, Corofin, Kilshanny and Ennistymon, according to Clare FM updates yesterday morning.

A number of events have been cancelled, including the Thursday Mart sale due to take place this afternoon - it will now be held this coming Monday at 1pm.

Clare County Council has already been working around the clock to grit the roads and have been advising residents to be 'winter ready'.

The Mayor of Clare is calling on neighbours, family and friends of older people to ensure that the elderly, particularly those living alone, are kept warm and have sufficient food during the period of cold weather.

Cllr Tom McNamara said, “It is important that people across the County do their bit to assist elderly neighbours and family members.”

FEATURE 9

THURSDAY, MAR 1 2018

Search for lovely Rose T

editor@clareecho.ie

HE 2017 Clare Rose of Tralee Aoife Murray officially launched the search to find the Banner County’s representative for the Rose of Tralee International Festival in August.

Aoife Murray from Sixmilebridge, who currently works with Bank of Ireland in Dublin, remembers fondly the past 10 months as the reigning Clare Rose. Despite the worry of taking the leap of faith and submitting her application, the little nudge of encouragement she was given to enter has resulted in one of the best years of her life.

Aoife explains: “Looking back my experience as the Clare Rose, it really has been the best experience of my life. I’ve been lucky enough to do so much more than I ever expected in the last year, attending over 30 events to date and with two more big trips to come. More importantly, I was so proud to represent my family, friends and the great people of Clare.

I’ve made so many amazing memories to cherish forever, with so many lifelong friends.”

Aoife continues: “Thinking back, I know that it seemed so daunting to put myself out there in public, but I am so delighted I got the little push I needed through the support of my sister and family to just click that apply button. I can honestly say the little risk was well worth the rewards, which are still coming thick and fast!

‘‘

‘‘

STUART HOLLY

It really has been the best experience of my life

Next week I’ll be heading with a group of Roses to aid Adi Roche in her Chernobyl Children’s orphanage and in March I will get to walk down 5th Avenue in the New York St Patrick’s Day parade. I would highly recommend all young girls from all parts of Clare to get involved in the Festival, because you never know what can happen once you make this your year and apply today.”

‘2009 flood proof that Ennis was very vulnerable’ STUART HOLLY

editor@clareecho.ie

CLARE County Council has received confirmation from Minister Kevin Moran that funding totalling €8.6m has been allocated to Clare County Council for the River Fergus (Ennis South) Flood Relief Scheme.

The Scheme represents the final phase of flood defence works throughout the town and includes the townlands of Clonroadmore, Ballybeg and Clareabbey.

Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Paul Murphy, commented, “Since 2007, I have been seeking through my membership of Clare Co Co to secure the necessary funding to complete a flood relief scheme that would protect Ennis and its environs. The 2009 floods illustrated how vulnerable the town was to serious flooding and I am confident the completion of this project will protect businesses and homes from the devastating consequences of flooding,” “News that construction of the River Fergus (Ennis South) Flood Relief Scheme can begin will be welcomed by the owners of over 120 residential properties and five

commercial properties, as well as the students and teachers of St Flannan’s College Secondary School. I now hope the project can progress as quickly as possible bearing in mind the increasing regularity of flood events in this country,” added Mayor Murphy.

Mayor of Clare, Councillor Tom McNamara, said, “The delivery of flood defences throughout Ennis in recent years has prevented the widespread flooding of November 2009 from reoccurring. We witnessed at first hand the benefits of completed flood defences in late 2015 when river levels were on a par with those seven years ago but did not cause significant flooding.”

Pat Dowling, Chief Executive of Clare County Council, welcomed the announcement. “I want to acknowledge Minister Moran, the OPW, Director of Physical Development Anne Haugh, Senior Engineer Tom Tiernan, all of the engineering staff of Clare County Council and the Elected Members for their commitment to this flood relief scheme.”

The selection is open to all females between 18 and 27, who are of Irish ancestry or citizenship, unmarried or never been married and who would like to represent Clare in the 2018 Rose of Tralee Festival.

The Coordinator of the Clare Rose of Tralee events, Ciarán O’Connell said: “Aoife has been a fantastic ambassador for Sixmilebridge and county Clare as a whole, and has done her family, friends and parish extremely proud. She has really put Clare on the map, not only in the Dome last August but also at the many local, national and international events and reunions she has attended as our County Clare Rose.”

“This year we are reaching out to all the Clubs and Parishes across the county... to nominate or suggest a local lady to come forward.

“In return, you will have the honour of seeing your young lady proudly representing your local area, town, village or business while promoting her best qualities and gaining confidence, presence and energy in a fun environment. You will also get to attend a great night at the live selection event on Friday the 27th of April at The Inn at Dromoland, and possibly even in the Dome in August!”

l PRIDE OF CLARE: 2017 Clare Rose Aoife with Nico Hernandez Manager of the Inn at Dromoland

10 COLUMNIST

THURSDAY, MAR 1 2018

HAPPENINGS CRIME NIGHT WITH LIZ NUGENT, JULIE PARSONS & ANDREA CARTER. Join Clare FM’s Gavin Grace as he meets three women at the forefront of Ireland’s crime writing in a unique evening as part of the Ennis Book Club Festival on Friday 2nd March at 8pm at glór. Tickets €12 at glor.ie FUNDRAISING WELLNESS WEEKEND Join Orchard Wellness Centre as they offer a fantastic array of health and wellness treatments, workshops and talks all in aid of Elevate for youth wellness on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th March in Harmony Row, Ennis. See orchardwellness.ie for more info.

FESTIVAL CLUB WITH TRAD SESSION Another Ennis Book Club Festival highlight takes place on Saturday 3rd March at 10:30pm as fiddle player Pat O’Connor leads the sesh in the cosy surrounds of The Rowan Tree Cafe. Entry free of charge.

Aoibhín Garrihy

LOVE

CLARE

always a truly inspirational evening honouring the every day unsung heroes.

I’m really looking forward to it. I’m also delighted to take part in the wonderful “Gala Gifts for Schools” initiative (valued at €20,000) this week, providing primary schools across Ireland with an opportunity to secure funds for extremely worthwhile projects... so if you know a school that could do with the cash and have a really great idea, go to www.gala.ie to enter now!

THE NOTEBOOK

W

E’RE all anxiously anticipating this “Beast from the East”...in the meantime save those daffodils and wrap up warm folks!

We had a great night last week at the Gossies in Dublin where the little sis was the host with the most and had the room in knots!

Doireann Garrihy was MC on the night and also managed to nab the gong for Best Radio Show for The Zoo Crew on Spin103.8 I was also chuffed to bring The Most Stylish Lady title home on the night (despite struggling this weather with a rapidly growing bump!)

We caught up with Marty Morrissey on the night before the Marty Party sadly came to an end on Sunday night’s Dancing with the Stars.

He did us all proud and will be sorely missed from our screens every weekend...no doubt he won’t be gone for long though.

This weekend sees the annual Rehab People of the Year Awards take place at the Mansion House and it’s

lGOSSIES MC: Doireann Garrihy

lGREAT INITIATIVE: I’m delighted to take part in the wonderful ‘Gala Gifts for Schools’ initiative

COVET IN CLARE

COLOUR POP This is one beast from the east we can all be happy about...Lennon/ Courtney’s brand new SS18 collection blows in to Dunnes Stores today and is sure to get your teeth chattering for the right reasons!

GOOD GENES OR JEANS? Brass Boutiques’s latest Tiffosi Jeans find guarantees a tummy tuck and a bum lift as part of the bargain! With four fabulous colours to choose from these jeans will see you right through SS18. Brass Boutique, Ennis

WELCOME TO THE WORLD Looking for the perfect gift for a newborn or mum to be? Look no further than thestorkbox.ie with a unique range of stylish, custom designed children’s wear and accessories this Irish company fronted by a sister duo is all kinds of adorable.

KILL THE COLD Wrap up this weather with Kilkenny Shop’s fabulous range of snug scarves and cosy throws in a range of fabulous fabrics and vibrant colours. Stop into their Ennis store for full details.

FOR MUM A little lippy goes a long way!

Packed full of hydrating ingredients in a range of gorgeous shades, Clinique’s Marimekko new Pop Splash Lipgloss is the perfect Mother’s Day treat.

COLUMNIST 11

THURSDAY, MAR 1 2018

lAWARDED: Aoibhín was named ‘Most Stylish Lady’ at The Gossies.

Aoibhín was looking her best (as usual) at the awards, thanks to her entirely Clare based glam squad

Top 5 P laces To Do Weekend Brunch RANDADDY’S, LAHINCH

1

Lahinch is always a good idea to blow away the cobwebs and soak up the fresh sea air...when you’ve got the ultimate foodie spot with the heartiest of ingredients in a brand newly refurbished restaurant, you’re on to a winner. Expect creativity, signature dishes and delicious detox juices!

2

JOHNNY BURKE’S PUB, ARMADA HOTEL

Sometimes a roaring fire, dimmed lighting and a cosy corner is all you want the morning after the night before!

Johnny Burke’s Pub Brunch Menu is your answer to an easy breezy brunch with the perfect balance of healthy and indulgent options.

ROWAN TREE CAFE, ENNIS

3

Another favourite weekend haunt is situated in the heart of Ennis along the river so whether you choose to dine al fresco or stay cosy indoors this experience is one not to be missed...personal favourites...Homemade, Eggs with avocado and sourdough or the breakfast bap...yum!

4

WOOD & BELL, KILLALOE

Situated on the Main Street in Killaloe, the charismatic and super quaint brand new Wood & Bell Cafe, is a real Brunch treat. Grab a window seat and try those scrumptious baked eggs.

DODI, LAHINCH

5

As mentioned above, Lahinch is a serious Sunday drive destination and Dodi is just another reason to head for the coast.

12 OUT & ABOUT

THURSDAY, MAR 1 2018

The scene

CONTACT US WE’RE ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM #CE

Fair play

twitter.com/ClareEcho facebook.com/clareecho instagram.com/theclareecho

PICS THE Inn At Dromoland was the place to be last week where the beautiful establishment held their Spring Wedding Open Week.

The week concluded on Sunday with the Spring Wedding Showcase and The Clare Echo was there to capture the showcase event, where over 30 trade stands showed off their ware along with a full Bridal Fashion Show with Catwalk Modelling Agency, which was presented by Marietta

Doran, Fashion Stylist.

Couples ready to take the plunge sampled The Inn At Dromoland’s scrumptious wedding menu and were treated to a glass of bubbly while they explored everything that will be on offer for their special days.

For more information, contact The Inn At Dromoland Wedding coordinator on 061 368 161.

PLEASED TO EAT YOU: Mary Meere and Zara Kearse check out the stunning wedding cakes and (above) Katie Geoghan on the Catwalk Photo by John Mangan

l INN IT TO WIN IT: (Above) Ciara kelly and Ethan McCarthy chat to Louise Eustace and Annette Olstoorn from Grace Events; (below) the team from The Inn At Dromoland including Tom Shanahan, Claire Coughlan, Marietta Dorn and Nico Hernandez Photos by John Mangan

COMMUNITY 13

THURSDAY, MAR 1 2018

Wave farewell to school After four decades serving as principal in Mountshannon, Jim Collins will continue to serve East Clare on the airwaves

W

elaine.tubridy@clareecho.ie

HEN Jim Collins took up the post of principal at Iniscealtra National School in Mountshannon in 1979 the school didn’t even have a telephone, let alone an iPad. Jim hung up his hat at the end of January after almost 40 years as principal and while the teaching tools and methods have transformed beyond recognition, he says the students haven’t changed a bit.

“The pupils are still pretty much the same. I haven’t noticed a huge amount of change in terms of pupils. They come in with their own hopes and dreams and strengths and weaknesses and they’re pretty much, in many cases the same,” he adds.

He has seen his fair share of changes, all the same.

When he started out as principal, it was common for people to call up to the school to look for help with filling out forms.

“People would arrive in with a form they got from some Department or other and they would say ‘Would you have a look at this and give me a hand to fill it’,” Jim says.

Anyone beyond a certain vintage will remember their teacher standing at the top of the classroom and droning on for an hour about your times tables or Discó Na Mbó, while an inch-thick layer of chalk dust clung to every surface.

That’s no longer the modus operandi.

“It was totally chalk and talk in terms of methods of teaching, nowadays you have interactive white boards, you have touch screens, in many places you have very fast internet and iPads and all those aides where as back years ago you didn’t have any of that,” says Jim. One thing that has not changed for the better is the level of paper work young teachers must contend with.

As Jim quips, “If it’s not written down, it didn’t happen”.

He feels these endless reams of paper take away from what it truly is to be a teacher - actually spending time teaching the bright eyes looking up at you.

“The amount of non-teaching work that has to be done by not just the principal but all teachers is huge... it burns energy.”

Jim, in his role as principal, explains that he put huge emphisis on enjoyment at school for kids, teachers and even parents.

He believes that the school should be enjoyed by the whole community, even by those who do not have children attending.

“I feel strongly that any school should be at the very centre of community activity. People in the community, whether or not they have children in the school, should feel proud of their school, should feel that they are part owners of the school. If the school is central to the community then the community will benefit and the school will benefit,” he says.

Like a lot of principals, Jim had to juggle his teaching post with running the school and he is adamant it would not have been possible without amazing staff around him.

“Thanks be to God I’ve always been blessed with very good staff. Without staff that you work well with and give their all to the school, the job becomes much more difficult but thank God we’re very lucky in Mountshannon. The staff have been of great assistance in that department,” he says.

Of course, aside from being a much loved principal, Jim also wears many other hats and he certainly will not have time to sit around twiddling his thumbs.

He is the Irish Officer for Scariff GAA, he sits on the Parish Council and he is one of the driving forces behind Scariff Bay Community Radio.

The popular community radio station has been on the airwaves since July 2015

‘‘

I feel strongly that any school should be at the very centre of community activity

‘‘

ELAINE TUBRIDY

and Jim is committed to making it a success.

The radio station is about to be granted its second licence by the BAI meaning it will soon be able to broadcast on FM, rather than solely over the internet. The not-for-profit, voluntary organisation aims to give a platform to the people of East Clare.

“We look at the community here in East Clare and we try to reflect what’s going on in the area. We also try to give a platform for people in the community to have their say and to get involved in what’s happening and influence opinion as well.

“We cover all sorts of things in terms

l FAMILY TIME: Jim with his grandaughter Caoilfhionn Walsh

of community activity and all organisations, sports groups and community groups all have total access to our station. We like to find out what’s going on all over East Clare and bring that to the wider public,” Jim says.

He hopes to help develop the radio station further in the coming years, already having a growing reputation for sports coverage.

They spotted a gap in the market for covering

Photo by Eoin O’Hagan

camogie matches and it has gone down a storm.

“Those games haven’t been covered live before so we try to do that. It’s a niche that’s there and we have found that the Clare Camogie Board are great to work with so we are delighted to bring the games to all our listeners,” he says.

Jim may be retired, but he is definitely more than just a principal and we can’t wait to see.

14

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

THURSDAY, MAR 1 2018

Ronan Scully

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK Author spreading the word of positivity

Opening ones heart ‘The spiritual practice of compassion is often likened to opening the heart’

F

OR us to further our journey through life, we must be able to look at the pain and the suffering of others, understand it, feel it, empathise with it and learn to show compassion. Real compassion is an emotion that is a sense of shared suffering, most often combined with a desire to alleviate or reduce the suffering of another; to show special kindness to those who suffer. Compassionate acts or acts of kindness are generally considered those which take into account the suffering of others and attempt to alleviate that suffering as if it were one’s own.

The spiritual practice of compassion is often likened to opening the heart.

First, allow yourself to feel the suffering in the world, including your own and that of others close to you. Don’t turn away from the pain, move toward it with caring and kindness.

The practice of compassion and opening ones heart increases our capacity to care, love and to show mercy. It reinforces charity, kindness, empathy and sympathy and it is a very good exercise for your heart muscle!

GIVE FREELY

We will all face suffering and challenges in our life, albeit some more so than others, but we will all drink from the same cup at one time or another. Our suffering allows us to become more understanding and tolerant of others who are suffering.

This in turn creates a compassionate heart, and a desire to reach out to others who are in pain. It brings us in tune with others, with no consideration of backgrounds, race, religion or educational levels. Suffering is something we all understand, and compassion

and kindness is the language that heals all suffering. We all have this gift to give to others through our eyes, our embrace, our presence and our words, through shared tears or a hug or a smile or a kind deed or prayer. There is no cost in compassion, and many times the giver gets out of it just as much as the receiver.

In this busy world we should never be a stranger to compassion or kindness. It is the fertile soil in the garden of peace, mercy and forgiveness. We must welcome compassion into our hearts and teach it in our homes and communities. Compassion must be cultivated and nurtured like the most precious of our possessions.

Compassion must embrace all you do. Embrace it with all your spirit. Understand that compassion never hurts or offends; it just heals and empowers. It is only with true compassion that we can begin to mend what is broken in our world. So give freely to the world your gift of compassion.

Do not concern yourself with how much you receive in return, just know in your heart it will be returned.

BE KIND

I like to believe for me that a compassionate merciful world is a peaceful world. I pray, light candles and I believe that a compassionate world is possible when every man, woman and child treats others as they wish to be treated, with dignity, kindness, compassion, equality, justice, forgiveness, love, mercy and respect.

I like to believe and pray that all human beings are born with the capacity for compassion, and that it must be cultivated for human beings to survive and thrive.

Please I ask everyone, actually I beg everyone to don’t ever give up being loving, caring and compas-

FULFILLED LIFE: Born of our deep interdependence, compassion is essential to human relationships and to a fulfilled humanity

sionate to and for one another.

Don’t ever give up your goodness, forgiveness and kindness and doing good in pointing our children in the right direction to make things and life better for one another.

Even if people around you are unkind to you. Compassion impels us all to work tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of our fellow brothers and sisters on the journey we call life, to dethrone ourselves from the centre of our world and put another there, and to honour the inviolable sanctity of every single human being, treating everybody, without exception, with absolute justice, equity and respect.

There is a wonderful expression that says: “Be kind for everyone you know is struggling hard.” It doesn’t matter what age we are, if we’re in these bodies we now inhabit and live on planet Earth, it’s not easy. That doesn’t mean that we’re always slaving away or that life is bad, it just means life can be really challenging at times and we all know through world events at this present time how challenging life is! Because we are conditioned to pull away from suffering, awakening a compassionate heart requires a sincere intention and a willingness to practice compas-

sion. It can be simple if you work hard on it.

As you move through your day and encounter different people, slow down enough to ask yourself a question. “What is life like for this person? What would it be like to be in that person’s shoes? What does this person most need?” If you deepen your attention and awareness, you’ll find that everyone you know is living with vulnerability of some sort or another.

Everyone is living with fear, with loss and with uncertainty at some stages of our living. Everyone, on some level, needs to feel safe, loved, cared for and seen. To be kind and compassionate, we need to slow down, look, listen and notice the people and the world around us especially those of us in need and especially our children in need.

Compassion is not afraid to be fully present, hopeful, or lighthearted. It does not turn away. It is never afraid to see beauty or find humor or share a fractured heart.

For compassion comes simply to say hello, to be a companion on the journey in whatever circumstance presents itself. Compassion has come to simply listen, cry or laugh, to accompany whatever is taking place without expectation or the need to make things better.

Because compassion believes that things are as they are meant to be.

And it believes that all circumstance can be shared.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

As your thought for this week, never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person’s life.

Remember, if love is defensive, it’s not love. If love is offensive or unkind, it’s not love. Love is pure, kind, and compassionate. Let’s begin today for God knows our world needs it too. We urgently need to make compassion a clear, luminous and dynamic force in our polarized, troubled and lost world.

Rooted in a principled determination to transcend selfishness and greed, compassion can break down political, dogmatic, ideological, religious and physical boundaries.

Born of our deep interdependence, compassion is essential to human relationships and to a fulfilled humanity.

It is the path to enlightenment, and indispensable to the creation of a just economy and a peaceful global community. Please Open your Heart and let real love and compassion flow!

Clare Echo THE

BUSINESS

Feature

QUIN RD. BUSINESS PARK, ENNIS

QUIN ROAD BUSINESS PARK Eat out Kitchen shopping Furniture stores Toy stores Children’s Activity Centre Agricultural Centre Flooring

Excellence, convenience Upgrading a home, fixing the lawnmower, business supplies or killing time with the kids, Quin Rd Business Park has an answer THE Quin Road Business Park is a onestop destination for all your home and family needs.

The easy to reach, easy to park, and easy to browse set-up are among many reasons to visit the Quin Road Business Park - but it’s the quality of business that will make you stay and keep returning as your first port of call.

The Quin Road Business Park has gained a reputation as a go-to location for home improvement shopping - and as we’ll discover here, that title is well deserved.

But it’s much more than that - so here The Clare Echo takes a look at some of our favourite and most useful businesses at the Quin Road Business Park.

BUSINESS / EVENTS Secure Self Storage

A new service to Ennis, secure self storage provides residential storage, commercial storage and document and

file storage for businesses. The secure self storage units are based in the Quin Road Business Park. To enquire about rates call 086 812 5723.

Realprint

Do you need logo design, business stationery or signage, personal printing for weddings, birthdays or any of life’s events?

Realprint provides expert printing and design services to businesses and individuals throughout Ennis, the mid-west and nationwide.

What they say: “We have the best printing solutions, creating the right impression, at the right price. Printers with 20 years of experience ready to work for you with cutting-edge design and modern printing technology.”

Contact: 065 68 44545

HOME IMPROVEMENT / GARDEN HARDWARE

US Wholesales

US Wholesales are importers and distributors of Craftsman, EGO, Weibang, DeWALT and Hitachi. Established in Ennis since 1998, US Wholesales aim to give customer the best quality machinery at the lowest possible price and maintain 100% customer satisfaction.

What they say: “With our wealth of knowledge over the years of garden machinery, ride-on mowers and grass care management, we are able to provide professional, helpful advice regarding the choice of machine to suit customer needs.

“Whichever model you choose the one thing you can be sure of is that you will be delighted with your new ride on mower.”

Contact: 087 051 5323

Barry Smyth DIY

Contemporary or traditional kitchens, fitted bedrooms, sliding wardrobes, Barry Smythe DIY has you covered.

& choice on the Quin Rd Barry and the team can boast a personal and creative design service, bespoke manufacturing and high quality installation service.

Also agents for leading appliance brands including Neff, Nordmende, LG, Elica, Franke & more.

What they say: “We pride ourselves in offering an unique and exceptional service to all our customers in order to give that personal touch to your bedroom or kitchen.”

Contact: (065) 682 4323

Contact: (065) 689 1010

HOME DECORATION Classical Décor

Based on the Quin Road Business Park, Ennis, the Classical Decor Furniture Showrooms offer you a great selection of furniture to suit all homes.

Whether you want to make your dream wardrobe come true, personalise your home with decorative on-trend accessories, or just pick up high-quality Irish made products from carpets to dining furniture, Classical Décor is well placed to meet your every need with their top class customer service and wide selection of furniture.

Contact: (065) 684 1605

FARMING Kerry Agri

Kerry Agribusiness works closely with all its customers and in particular with the 3,250 milk suppliers in the south-west of Ireland.

Patrick O’Connor and the team in Ennis look after customers relating to management of all activities relating to farmers, ensuring the efficient production of grass-based, sustainably produced and high-quality milk, thereby making it a source of premium-quality dairy and nutritional products for customers across the globe. Contact: 065 682 0330

FOOD

The Peppermill

Banner Carpets There’s always a warm welcome at the Peppermill Restaurant.

A firm favourite to the people of Ennis and its surrounding areas, the Peppermill is open from 7am, 7 days a week serving breakfast, soup and sandwiches and delicious hot lunches throughout the day.

What they say: “We are recommended by

top food guides including Taste of Ireland, and our breakfasts are famous.

“Our food is all homemade and with plenty of free parking and a relaxed atmosphere it is the perfect place for a hassle free, satisfying lunch..

“Have a look at our sample menus and we look forward to seeing you soon.”

Rory O’Connor, Quin, established Banner Carpets & Flooring in early 2010 with the aim of providing all your flooring needs under one roof.

With up to 60 rolls of carpet & vinyl Banner Carpets are confident that you will not find a better range of flooring from which to choose!

They also claim to have the largest range

CONTINUED PAGE 18

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 of quality laminate flooring in the county, incorporating brand leaders such as Quick-Step, Balterio and Kaindl.

What they say: “Our mantra is simple..

We aim to perfect your home. We do this by focussing on the three most important aspects of any flooring business.

“We do not use sub-contractors when it comes to our fitting. All our fitters have a wealth of experience and, more importantly, skill. We guarantee all our fitting because we have huge confidence in our craftsmen.

Contact: 065 6842111

Ennis Home Furniture

Ennis Home Furniture are an Ennis based furniture company offering a huge range of high quality pieces to our clients.

The team has more than 20 years of experience in the furniture industry. From modern to contemporary pieces, Ennis Home Furniture have something to suit all tastes and décor.

What they say: “Our showroom has everything from living room furniture, to mattresses and occasional pieces. Call in and see our furniture up close. Our team are more than happy to help you find the right piece. We offer a free delivery service, so you never need to worry about getting your furniture home safely.”

Contact: 065 6866704

Best Price Tiles

Whether it’s tiles, stoves, fireplaces or flooring, Best Price Tiles has a great range of stock.

With a stunning and huge showroom,

Best Price Tiles will be one of your first stops for browsing if you’re looking to upgrade your home or if you’re a first-time buyer who wants to put your own stamp on the place.

David O’Connor and his team offer great customer service and high quality produce.

And they’re also open on Sundays from 2-6pm.

(065) 686 5658

Hogan Furniture

Hogan Furniture & Flooring Ltd based in the Quin Road Industrial Estate, specialises in traditional hand-crafted mahogany furniture.

From beautifully designed kitchen furtniture to bedroom mattresses, Hogan Furniture has esquisite pieces to suit all tastes.

Excellent quality furniture & friendly knowledgeable staff.

Contact: (065) 684 3647

HOME ENTERTAINMENT Ennis Electrical

Operating since 1976, Ennis Electrical supply both domestic and commercial customers throughout Ireland.

Ennis Electrical, which also trades on Parnell Street in Ennis Town Centre, operates a trade counter supplying electrical components for use in commercial and domestic electrical installation in addition to its retail counter.

Ennis Electrical is a family run business, who pride themselves on good customer relations.

What they say: “Our staff are well trained and are very knowledgable in all our

products. With branches on Parnell St and Quin Road Business Park, Ennis. Ennis Electrical are part of Expert one of the largest electrical retailers in Ireland.

Contact: 065 682 9684

Dunnes Stores

QUIN

LAST BUT NOT LEAST ...

FOR THE KIDS

Clare Mart

Toymaster

This place really needs no introduction – and the Ennis store is located in a beautiful unit …. Selling wide range of toys for boys and girls both indoors and out + nursery department instore!

Contact: (065) 684 2388

ENNIS

Dennis’s Den – Funworld

LIMERICK

Dennis’s Den is an Irish owned, family run business.

The owner, Patricia Taaffe, was a nurse for ten years before setting up Dennis’s Den in November 1997. Patricia has five children of her own.

Patricia has completed courses in Health and Safety, First Aid, Food Hygiene and Marketing.

Health and Safety is practised with all new staff on arrival and the play area is properly supervised at all times.

“The safety of all our customers is very important to us.”

Open 10 to 6 PM 7 days a week.

Contact: 065 682 9648

Parking is free at Quin Road Business Park

BestPrice

QUIN ROAD BUSINESS PARK

Expert in the showroom stakes Celebrating 40 years; and experience shines through at Ennis Electrical showrooms ENNIS Electrical has recently celebrated its 40th anniversary of supplying leading electrical goods from its premises on the Quin Road Business Park and at Parnell Street, Ennis.

The family-run local stores specialise in a wonderfully wide range of fully modern domestic appliances.

These include home appliances, commercial appliances and TVs. Expert staff are specialists in built-in appliances and can guide you through every step of your home fit-out or renovation.

With large showrooms and specialised kitchen layouts, Ennis Electrical offers you an unrivalled opportunity to visualise your dream home.

The showrooms are also branded together, showcasing universal wares from the likes of leading brands like Rangemaster, Miele, Siemens, Neff,

Bosch, Whirlpool and Electrolux.

Other major TV and appliance brands sold by Ennis Electrical include Sony, LG, and Samsung.

From cinematic LED televisions to sound systems, washing machines, dishwashers and much, more, Ennis Expert Electrical has what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for!

With expertly-trained staff, they provide knowledgeable advice to all consumers, helping them to make the right choice for their lifestyle and home.

They also offer free delivery nationwide, covering all areas of the county each week.

The stores at Quin Road Business Park and Parnell Street are both open Monday to Saturday each week, where you can contact them on 065-6829684 or shop online at enniselectrical.com.

THURSDAY, MAR 1 2018

BUSINESS FEATURE 21

Home DIY: have you got the skills We bring you the do’s and don’ts when it comes to tackling the job yourself

THE Quin Road Business Park is the perfect place to start if you’re planning on doing some DIY - whether it’s materials, or just as important, advise from the experts. Here’s our do’s and don’ts for tackling a DIY project.

Start small. Change a lightbulb, then DO: move on to hanging a picture. Then you might be ready for painting the kitchen.

Before long you will be tiling the bathroom.

DON’T: Tackle something unless you are sure you can do the job. The last thing you want is to have to hire someone to clean up your mess. It will be expensive, not to mention embarrassing.

Make sure you have all of the equipDO: ment you need before you start the job. There’s nothing worse than finding out

half way through a task that you have to run to the hardware shop for supplies.

DON’T: Touch anything electrical. There’s a reason electricians have to train for years before they are qualified. Messing with wires poses a serious health risk, with a good chance of electrocution or creating a fire hazard.

Clean up after yourself. When workDO: ing on your own home, it’s tempting to leave the mess for another day. But remem-

ber that a professional wouldn’t leave without cleaning up and neither should you.

DON’T: Take short cuts. When you are doing a job, it’s tempting to take an ‘ah sure it will be grand’ approach. Trust us, you are better off to do the job properly.

Follow the instructions. Whether DO: it’s machinery that you have never used before, or assembling a cot, take your time and make sure you read all the steps.

And no, there are no spare parts!

DON’T: Be afraid to enlist some help. Going the DIY route doesn’t mean that you have to go completely lone wolf. Ask a friend or family member to help out and make sure you return the favour for them some day.

Wear protective equipment. It goes DO: without saying, but sometimes it’s necessary to point out the obvious. Protective

eye wear is especially important and make sure you wear a dust mask for any jobs that are well…dusty.

DON’T: Forget to enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done. Follow these instructions and make sure you give yourself a pat on the back for Doing It Yourself. l TEAMWORK: Don’t be afraid to enlist some help when tackling a DIY project

BUSINESS FEATURE 23

THURSDAY, MAR 1 2018

Quin Road Business Park, Ennis, Co. Clare, Ireland OpenIng Hours: Mon to Fri 8am to 6pm Sat 9am to 5pm

Tel: 065 6844790 Email: sales@uswholesales.ie www.uswholesales.ie

US WHOLESALES HAVE AN EXTENSIVE RANGE OF NEW & USED RIDE-ON, WALK-BEHIND AND BATTERY POWERED LAWNMOWERS, HEDGETRIMMERS, STRIMMERS, CHAINSAWS AND GARDEN EQUIPMENT

Ennis 4x4 Car Sales

CONTACT JUST SOME OF OUR LARGE SELECTION OF USED CARS  2014 Kia Carens 7 Seater, 1.7 Diesel, 13,400 miles  2014 Volkswagen Passat 2.0 Diesel, 73,500 miles  2012 Ford Focus 1.0 Eco Boost, 41,700 miles  2017 Renault Captur Auto, 1.5 Diesel, 4,170 miles  2014 Citroen DS5 2.0 DSport, 25,400 miles

John: 087-2541972 Martin: 087 051 5323 Damien: 086 045 9462 Dermot: 086 811 9061

Call and Visit us in our SPACIOUS STATE OF THE ART PREMISES in Quin Road Business Park

WHAT WE SELL WE SERVICE We are stockists of:

Doing up the home?

Interior design and renovations can be daunting - so we bring you five tips before visiting the Quin Road

l PICTURE PERFECT: Creating the perfect spaces at home and filling them with the right furniture is difficult - so it’s a good idea to be prepared when shopping

THE Quin Road Business Park is the quintessential stop for all your home interior needs - but before diving into splashing out on a beautiful table or luxurious curtains you’ll need to consider what will suit your home.

It’s always worth starting out by browsing what’s on offer before returning to the drawing board. Here are five tips well worth following when shopping for your home at the Quin Road Business Park.

3

Fail to prepare, prepare to fail: Don’t go hell for leather into ripping your home apart without taking the time to really consider what you want.

Sit down with your partner (and kids if you have them) to see what your family really needs from the nest.

Do you really need that second sitting room? Is it really a good idea to put the kids’ playroom next to your chill space?

1

4

2

5

Ask around: Similarly, it’s always a good idea to get a quote from a few different contractors. Get some recommendations from friends rather than hiring a company you have never heard of.

Where possible, go with a local contractor. They need the business and the money will go back in to your local area. Stick with your head rather than

your heart and if an offer seems too good to be true, it definitely is.

Theme it up: For that expensive interior design feel, try to keep a constant theme going throughout your home. Something as simple as a constant colour theme can really add a touch of class to your home. Keep paint muted and add a pop of colour to your soft furnishings. Think ivory walls throughout and dot teal cushions, lamps and blankets in different rooms around your home.

Go for quality: It’s all well and good picking up a cheap flat pack cabinet that will do the job for a few years, but it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that you are better off to invest in something that will stand the test of time. Investing in a few quality pieces will save you money in the long run and they will age a lot better, too.

Ommmmm: Your home should be your haven. A refuge from the outside world where all your daily stresses melt away.

So with this in mind, try and create a space in your home where you can totally chill out.

Treat yourself to a ginormous bathtub, or why not make yourself a little meditation spot?

l PARTNERSHIP: Ozone boss Mike with Mary Moloney of Cahercalla Hospice

Cahercalla’s in the ‘zone

A

Health Club based in Quin Road Business Park has devised a unique way of donating to charity on behalf of its clients.

Ozone Health and Fitness has partnered with Cahercalla Hospice to help with fundraising at the centre. But with one major difference.

Mike Hogan, Ozone Manager, said: “We are donating on behalf of our clients and their activity so they don’t have

to put their hands in their pockets.”

Ozone will run activities throughout the year where they will donate on behalf of a client’s participation but the simplest way for Ozone to donate is by a client checking in on social media.

“It’s a win win for clients at Ozone.

They get healthier and fitter by attending their training and they give back by Ozone donating on their behalf when they check in for their session, at no cost to them.”

26 COMMUNITY

Community

THURSDAY, MAR 1 2018

CONTACT NEWSDESK

065 671 9021 news@clareecho.ie

ENNIS NATIONWIDE TOUR ARRIVES IN ENNIS TO CELEBRATE ‘PRO-LIFE CHOICES’ (The following is a press release from pro-life campaign) Ennis mum Maggie O’Brien and her 11-month-old son Maximillian were among the crowd that attended a prolife roadshow in Ennis this week (27nd February).

Organised by the LoveBoth Project, the ‘Lives Saved’ tour is visiting towns and cities around the country between now and the summer, highlighting the estimated 100,000 lives that have been saved by the 8th Amendment.

The ‘Lives Saved’ campaign features personal stories of women who faced a crisis pregnancy and whose babies owe their life to the 8th Amendment.

The event took place at Daniel O’Connell Monument, February 27, at 1pm.

A spokesperson for the LoveBoth Project, Katie Ascough, said: “We were very excited to be bringing the “Lives Saved” Tour to Ennis as part of a nationwide journey that will provide a new perspective on the abortion debate in Ireland.”

“According to an independent study carried out in 2016, 100,000 people are alive in Ireland today thanks to the 8th Amendment. When that figure is broken down, you find that 2,000 people in Clare have been saved by the 8th. These people, and their families, were the focus of our event here today.

“Our campaign features many personal stories of women who faced a crisis pregnancy and whose babies owe their life to the 8th Amendment. It is these women and their personal stories, which the media rarely focuses on, that we want to remind people of: because abortion hurts women and it hurts babies.

“Thousands of people are alive today because their mothers made a choice to continue with a crisis pregnancy. It was a choice that did not hurt either the mother or the baby. It was a choice that, truly, they could both live with for the rest of their lives. This is ‘real choice’.

This is the message that the LoveBoth tour is bringing to every corner of Ireland. We think it’s a message worth celebrating.”

LoveBoth spokesperson Katie Ascough said the campaign has been a widespread success because its

ADULT EDUCATION INFORMATION EVENING There’s so much on offer at the Ennis Further Education and Training Centre, we could nearly fill the whole newspaper just by listing the courses.

Which is why those interested in changing their lives by way of further education should head along to the their information evening on Monday, March 5 from 7 to 8pm at The Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis.

The LCETB are holding the information evening as part of the National Adult Learner’s Festival, which takes place from Monday, March 5, to Friday, March 9.

The LCETB provides adult and community education in County Clare through three programmes – Back to Education Initiative, Community Education and Clare

Ennis mother Maggie O’Brien and her 11-month old son Maximillian at the pro-life roadshow in Ennis earlier this week

message is upbeat and positive.

“It’s been a massive success because it’s a message that fully respects women and babies. The LoveBoth message is simple: the solution to a crisis pregnancy is to end the crisis, not the pregnancy. Babies are the most vulnerable and innocent of members of society and they need society’s protection. And offering women ‘choice’ in the form of abortion is not doing what is best for women or their babies.

“Our message is simple: if Ireland had abortion at a similar rate to other European countries over the past 20

Adult Basic Education Services.

The authority’s Further Education and Training Division delivers courses to over 25,000 learners each year and has responsibility for 33 Further Education and Training Centres.

Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board plays a leading role in the provision of high quality education and training in Limerick and Clare.

The authority achieves this by transforming the lives of our students, our learners, our communities and the social and economic prosperity of the region through responding to student/ learner, community and enterprise needs.

They work with Community groups in approximately 300 locations across the region.

Adult learner Sean said the LCETB has changed his life, after

he enrolled in the General Learning course in September 2017.

“After having worked in industry for a long number of years, doing the same job and meeting the same people, a fresh challenge was needed. Joining an adult education course has given me a fresh impetus,” he added.

The General Learning Course is a mix of different subjects like maths, IT skills, cooking, communications and work experience.

“Adult education differs from educating children in that adults have gathered knowledge and work experience which can add to the learning experience.

Nora Mc Gurrin was a chef for 30 years before joining the LCETB as a tutor.

“It’s very rewarding in lots of ways and frustrating in other ways, the same as every other

years an estimated 100,000 people would not be alive today – that’s the population of Kilkenny,” said. “What other law in Ireland can you point to that has saved that many lives?” she said.

“Before Ireland considers scrapping the 8th Amendment, we are asking the Irish people to think carefully about the consequences of removing a pro-woman, pro-baby law that has saved an estimated 100,000 lives over two decades?”

job. You come across a big mix of people. A big mix of interests, abilities and at the same time, all adults bring huge experience to catering and any class that they are doing,” Nora added.

“I’m constantly learning myself.

It’s great to see people coming in from other countries. You do

get to learn about other situations,” Nora added.

Visit http://limerickclare.etb.ie/ further-education/ for more information.

COMMUNITY 27

THURSDAY, MAR 1 2018

Community

CONTACT NEWSDESK

065 671 9021 news@clareecho.ie

l EUROTRIP: Pictured at the European Parliament, Strasbourg with Ireland South MEP are Nina Koistinen, Kilmaley and Marie Vaughan, Broadford.

The students were part of a delegation of law students from UCC to understand the workings of the EU institutions.

WEST CLARE COMEDY AND DRAMA FOR WEST CLARE The 57th West Clare Drama Festival will take place from Saturday the 10th to Monday the 19th of March at Doonbeg Community Hall with an exciting line up of plays to suit all audience performed by groups from Clare and beyond competing in the All-Ireland Drama Circuit. Four of the plays will be performed by Clare groups, reflecting the strong tradition of drama in the county. In addition, the West Clare Drama Festival will welcome groups from Tipperary, Waterford, Galway, Cork, and Wexford. The committee of the West Clare Drama Festival is delighted to welcome Jackie Scanlan, Ennis native and National Chairperson of the Drama League of Ireland, to Officially Open the Festival. Jackie is serving his second term as Chairperson of the Drama League of Ireland and also acts as Secretary of the DLI/ADCI Joint Committee.

The West Clare Drama Festival also has a very popular Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WestClareDramaFestivalDoonbeg which posts daily pictures and news during the festival. Doors will open at the Festival each night at the 7.00pm with Curtain Up at 8.00pm. Admission is €12 for Adults and €6 for Children. Adult Season Tickets at €70 and Child Season Tickets at €35 can also be purchased to attend all 10 night. Tickets are available at the door each night.

ENNIS CHARITY RIDE A Charity Ride will be held in Aid of Clare Suicide Bereavement Support Group, leaving from The Shibeen, Doora, Co. Clare on Sunday March 18th 2018 at 12.30pm.

This is our 7th Annual Charity Ride and with the help of people such as you, it has gone from strength to strength each year. All proceeds go directly to our charity - Clare Suicide Bereavement Support Group.

This year we are holding a raffle and auction with fan-

MILTOWN MALBAY SHOWJUMPING star Rhys Williams (13) did Clare and Miltown Malbay proud in Ocala, Florida last weekend.

Having arrived in Florida a week early to choose a horse, something which was organised by the Chef D’equipe Michael Blake from Tuamgraney - and having tried horses from all over the world to compete with the following weekend - in a twist of fate Rhys soon learned that the horse he picked was Irish bred.

After further education, Rhys found out it was in fact bred in West Clare by a Mary McInerney and sold to a close friend of his family, Michelle Fox from Miltown Malbay. From there she brought it to Cavan Young Horse Sales where it was purchased and shipped to Florida.

With this in mind, the young 7-year-old, named Malbay Dreamer was bound to be lucky.

On the first day of the show he had a great start and jumped in the FEI Welcome Classic and was placed 4th. On day 2 he jumped in the City of Ocala, Longines Grand Prix he was in contention to win it until the very last entry that pipped him at the post and ended up 2nd. The final day he jumped for Ireland in FEI The Nations Cup, The Irish COH Show jumping team (Under 14) finished second, after a three-way jump off against the clock. tastic prizes to be won, such as days hunting with our neighbouring hunts - East Clare Harriers, Co. Limerick, Stonehall Harriers & The Galway Blazers. Other prizes include equine clothing, equine tack & equipment, restaurant vouchers, hampers & hair & beauty vouchers to name but a few.

ABAIR FUAR Despite the Beast from the East,

Rhys in action in Florida

Caint agus Comhrá the Best in the West for warm Irish conversation will get together this weekend as usual, in Peckish on Friday; Bia agus Caife on Saturday; Zest on Monday.

All venues at 11:00AM. Fáilte roimh chách. Contact: caintaguscomhra@ eircom.net FEILE NA HINSE Féile na hInse will be on from 2-10 March 2018. Events will take place

in the Auburn Lodge and Gaelscoil Mhichíl Cíosóg, Gort Road, Ennis.

Come along and see band, singing, recitation and debating competitions, along with presentation of prizes for art and essays.

We also have a storytelling competition for primary schools and many more.

Contact us at feile ag feilenahinse@ gmail.com or 065-6864474 for further information about the events.

28 OPINION

THURSDAY, MAR 1 2018

Eoin Neylon

The much-heralded 2040 plan has promised €116bn, but Clare could be living on scraps says Eoin Neylon

An inside look at Clare’s political spectrum

No twenty-twenty vision shown in 2040 plan...

P

OLITICS is often seen as a game of balancing shortterm investments and developments in order to garner votes, versus longer term investments to keep the country on the right track.

It’s not easy to have a vision for the country yet stay in power long enough to ensure that vision is realised.

Then again, promising big budget developments have always played well with the electorate ahead of elections in the past.

It’s true to say that boom-time “Giveaway Budgets” were a favourite of the Ahern era Governments and they seemed to effortlessly make electoral capital from those announcements. Fast forward to the Varadkar era and it appears little has changed.

Ireland 2040 was billed, ahead of its reveal, as a strategic and targeted plan to ensure the continued, balanced development of Ireland into the middle of this century. Whereas the vision is to be commended, as is the fact that the plan would appear to pay significant attention to climate change, we in Clare have a right to feel slightly miffed when the whole plan is taken in context.

Overall, the Government’s Ireland 2040 plan will cost a total of €116 Billion. It’s a staggering figure but a vital one when you examine Clare’s place in it.

In all, towns like Ennis and Kilrush get no mention in the plan. Nor do villages up and down the west coast and in the Shannon basin, all crying out for flood defences and coastal erosion protection.

Throughout the plan, only Shannon and Killaloe get specific mention. The

€150 million promised for Shannon development is a welcome one, as is the confirmation that the Killaloe relief road is to go ahead. However, as no figure is specifically mentioned for the new road, this leaves the €150 million as the only specified figure earmarked exclusively for Co. Clare. That represents a measly 0.13% of the overall budget. Yes, you read that right, roughly one eighth of 1% of the overall budget for a county that represents 2.5% of the population and 5% of the landmass of the country.

Fine Gael politicians will be at pains to point to the €1 Billion fund set aside for towns/villages of under 10,000 people and €2 Billion for towns above that mark. That’s of scant value though in the absence of any information as to what the fund is going to be specified for, what priorities will be attached or even how or to whom to apply for said fund.

No, it’s quite fair to say that the €116 Billion is being massively targeted at projects in and around the big cities and that rural Ireland is largely going to be forgotten about once again.

What’s even worse is how the Government are selling this, largely detail-less plan to the people.

It emerged over the weekend that the one-page advertorials about Ireland 2040 that appeared in select local and regional papers were bought and paid for by the Government. Taxpayers’ money being funnelled through Leo Varadkar’s €5 million “Strategic Communications Unit” to instruct local papers to run adverts for the new plan and ‘to make them look like news article’,

as it has been reported.

As Donald Trump might say; fake news! And what’s worse, some papers bought into the idea hook line and sinker. This surely represents a low point for local journalism when they’ve been relegated to mouth pieces for the Government. But such is the nature of the precarious financial position of certain members of the local press are in that they simply can’t turn down such offers.

The most telling part of the

“new” plan, which included 179 previously announced projects, was the inclusion of Metro North in Dublin. This marks the 5th time the project has been “announced”. The previous 4 announcements came no more than 9 months before an election. It seems like the boom is back and with it, the worst of stroke politics. Varadkar’s Fine Gael have learned them all from Ahern era Fianna Fáil and are not hesitant to use

them. It’s time for politicos the country over to get the canvass shoes at the ready. The Government have apparently fired the first shots of election 2018.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR email: editor@clareecho.ie post: The Clare Echo, The Square, (above Sherry Fitzgerald), Ennis, Co Clare

FALSE, SELF-SERVING SPIN Dear Editor, I am very disappointed with the article “Get informed on the 8th” (Clare Echo, Feb. 22). It reads as if it were based upon a template from an abortion campaign handbook.

The distinct impression is given that the Oireachtas Committee on the 8th was fair. Nothing could be further from the truth. The committee hearings were totally one sided, unfair and frightfully incomplete.

For example, none of the 100,000 plus who are alive today precisely because of it were allowed to appear, while those who deeply regret having lost their baby to abortion, were also excluded.

During the hearings various experts wandered far beyond theircompetencies. Dr. Peter Boylan expressed his desire to have abortion-on-demand here, while Dr. Veronica O’Keane said that she saw her role as not to offer scientific expertise but rather her personal opinion.

Less than half way through the hearings, the committee voted for repeal. In the immediate aftermath of this, when the whole process began to be seen for the farce it was, the Committee chairman Catherine Noone, made a public call for experts to present the Pro-Life case. Although some offered, none were accepted. This is astounding given that it was medical professionals who initiated the campaign for this 1983 amendment and who working in accordance with it – free from the interference of political ideology – have given us the best maternal-health outcomes in the world.

Following the Report’s publication, committee member Billy Keller TD said that the Committee on the 8th had fulfilled its role to frame the debate. No wonder we had to endure a succession of so called “experts” from all aspects of the abortion industry “selling” their message and intent upon sowing doubts.

Concerning the tragic death of Savita Halappanavar, it

is important to reiterate that three enquires (by the HSE, HIQA, and the coroner inquest) all said that it was due to sepsis. Subsequently the HSE apologised and paid out hundreds of thousands in compensation, not because the law banned abortion, but because of the mismanagement involved. It is profoundly misleading and most disingenuous to link her death to our Constitution’s protection for the right to life of the unborn.

Concerning Down syndrome (DS) children, I believe public alarm is justified. For example, each and every one of the 156 babies diagnosed with DS in Denmark in 2010 was aborted. Something about legalising abortion erodes our innate sympathy for such children and our inclination to behave humanely.

Finally, while the question of “12 weeks” has dominated the media’s coverage, the Committee, has not proposed any (gestational) limits on abortion, if the mother’s health is in danger. Of course it is never necessary to abort the baby in order to give the mother all the necessary treatment she needs, however, this same “mother’s health” grounds is given for 97% of abortions in the UK, where 1 in 5 pregnancies end in abortion.

Our choice in this up-coming Referendum is between trusting the medical profession whose decades of experience show that abortion always means an avoidable death, and all too often a devastated mother. On the other hand there is the false, self-serving, deceptive spin of the abortion industry.

We all know that “to live and let live” is the very basis of civilised society, that no woman regrets keeping her baby, while everyone speaks of abortion as a tragedy.

The 8th demands that the State protect both the mother and the baby what could be better?

Yours, Gearóid Duffy, Ennis

Motoring X APPEAL

MOTORING EXPERT NEIL BRISCOE GIVES HIS VIEWS

ROAD TEST: OPEL GRANDLAND X

W

E all know the deal with being late to a party. It’s easy to do — it takes you longer to get ready, the babysitter was late, or there was terrible traffic en route — but the secret to arriving late and now having anyone mind that you did is to do so in style. Sweep in the door to the opening strains of Isaac Hayes’ Shaft, perhaps. Or rock up with a couple of bottles of Bollinger, instead of cheap Prosecco from the shop on the corner.

Has Opel managed to do that? It is very, very late to the crossover party, it must be said. Nissan, Hyundai, and Toyota have already eaten all the canapés and picked out the good playlists on Spotify, but there seems to be room yet at the buffet, so to speak. And at least Opel can rest easy in the knowledge that it got here before Ford (which still hasn’t made a convincing Qashqai rival, and don’t start me with the Kuga, because that’s too big and expensive).

Happily too, Opel has made another good decision for a latecomer — use some proven technology. Because basically this, the new Grandland X, is the same underneath as a Peugeot 3008, a car which has been picking up the critical and sales awards for a year already.

How has this happened? Because Opel is now part of the same PSA Group as Peugeot and Citroen, having been sold last year by its long-time owner, America’s General Motors. That makes this Grandland X a hugely significant car for Opel.

It’s not quite the first new model to be launched under its new French owners (that would be the smaller Crossland X lBRISK PERFORMANCE: Grandland X

and the Insignia saloon) but it is the first to be operating in such a huge chunk of the market. Everyone wants a mid-size family crossover these days, and at last Opel has a product which might interest them.

So, under the skin, you’ll find the same mechanical package as the Peugeot 3008; the same EMP2 platform (which you’ll also fund under such models as the Peugeot 308 and 5008, and the Citroen C4 Picasso) which means it’s off to a good start. It also gets the same engines as the Peugeot, with 1.6 and 2;0-litre diesels (which are, slightly confusingly, different to the home-grown Opel 1.6 and 2.0-litre diesels found in the Insignia and Astra) and, as we’ve tested here, the 1.2 petrol.

Now, I know that there are still some of you who will look askance at a medium-sized family car with an engine displacement that small. But, you have to look past such things, remember that this little three-cylinder engine is packing a turbocharger, and look at its power and torque outputs — 130hp and 200Nm are extremely competitive. The good news is that in practice, the Grandland engine proves more than up to the task. Performance feels brisk and strong at all times except if you ask for full acceleration in a high gear (well, what did you expect?) and it’s delivered with refinement and a pleasant off-beat thrumming noise under load. The six-speed manual gearbox shifts cleanly and accurately, and the whole powertrain makes you wonder why we’ve bothered with diesel for so long.

Well, because of economy of course, and here the Grand-

land does fall down slightly. Over a week, covering a lot of kilometres, we managed to squeeze an average of 7.7-litres per 100km from the Grandland, which is fine, but a touch disappointing. It’s also limited by the fact that the fuel tank is quite small, so on longer journeys you’ll be stopping to fill up more frequently. It’s not terrible, and for those doing shorter mileages, or driving mostly around town, it’s most definitely the right choice, but if you’re out in the sticks a bit, or covering lots of motorway miles, then diesel is still worth considering.

In the cabin, the Grandland is generally quite impressive. It lacks some of the surprise-and-delight details that you’ll find in its Peugeot cousin, but the upside is impressive build and material quality. It also has fabulous seats (signed off on by the German bad back association) and, in this Elite spec car, impressive equipment including the big touchscreen, sat-nav, leather trim, and heated and ventilated front seats.

It does all the practical stuff well too — the rear seats are reasonably roomy, and the boot is deep and square, so as a family hack-about, it should do well. Impressive in the school car park? Perhaps a little less so than the more striking-looking Peugeot, but quietly handsome all the same.

So, while the Grandland isn’t quite sweeping in with Shaft and Boillinger, I think it’s still a welcome arrival at the party, however late.

FACTS & FIGURES: Model tested: Opel Grandland X 1.2 130hp Elite Pricing: €35,525 as tested.

Grandland X range starts from €28,995 Engine: 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol Transmission: six-speed manual, front-wheel drive Body style: five-door crossover CO2 emissions: 117g/km (Band A4, €200 per annum) Claimed economy: 455.3mpg (5.1 litres/100km) Top speed: 188km/h 0-100km/h: 11.1 seconds Power: 130hp at 5,500rpm Torque: 230Nm at 1,750rpm Boot space: 514-litres (seats up), 1,652-litres (seats down) EuroNCAP rating: Five-stars; 84 per cent adult, 87 per cent child, 63 per cent pedestrian, 60 per cent safety assist

30 MOTORING

THURSDAY, MAR 1 2018

Motoring News

PEUGEOT AIMS TO SHAKE UP SALOON MARKET WITH NEW 508

T

HE first images of the new Peugeot 508 have been unveiled. The radical new exterior design is sharper, sleeker, while the car’s spectacular interior includes an evolution of the iconic Peugeot i-Cockpit. Promising exemplary road-handling, new engines, countless technology features and a quantum leap in quality, the new Peugeot 508 sets a world class standard within the D-segment and further supports the Brand’s upmarket strategy.

It will be unveiled at the forthcoming Geneva Motor Show this March and goes on sale worldwide from September 2018.

Jean-Philippe Imparato, Peugeot CEO, said: “Following the success of our latest major launches and our SUV offensive with the Peugeot 2008, 3008 and 5008, we needed a vision for the large Peugeot saloon that would continue to shake up the market with a vehicle that rivals the best.

And in D-segment cars, we’re competing with the world’s greatest automakers. More than ever, the new Peugeot 508 embodies the ambition we’ve been stating for several years already: to make Peugeot the top high-end generalist automotive brand.”

At first glance, the new Peugeot 508 front end is impressive, even aggressive. The finely fashioned, chequered radiator grill asserts itself between the full LED

New saloon gets high-tech cockpit and frameless doors

headlights, inspiration for which was drawn straight from the brand’s latest concept car: Peugeot Instinct. With the famous lion centred on its radiator grill and the 508 logo upon the nose of the bonnet, the new Peugeot 508 pays tribute to its acclaimed predecessors, the Peugeot 504 and 504 coupé.

Low and sleek, the svelte coupé silhouette is further sharpened, thanks to frameless doors. There is no conventional overlap of the bonnet, glazing support and door frames. Gap and flush-fitting have been reduced in size with first-class know-how and the wheels have been adjusted to perfectly fill the wheel arches.

The roof aerial has been removed, now silk-screened.

Spanning the rear end is the glossy black horizontal strip and three-dimensional full LED rear lights. These lights are illuminated throughout the night and day, with adaptive intensity. Differing in appearance depending on side or full rear view, they are instantly identifiable and a clear signature of the brand. The back of the car also reveals an original feature of the new Peugeot 508: a deftly hidden tailgate that blends elegance with practicality, giving optimal access to the 487-litre boot.

Stepping into the new Peugeot 508 is like entering another world. The eye is immediately drawn to a spectacular, resolutely premium instrument panel and the 3rd generation Peugeot i-Cockpit. The essential components of the Peugeot i-Cockpit include a compact steering wheel, a 10-inch wide HD capacitive touch-screen (from Allure trim) in 8:3 format, a head-up display unit with a high-resolution 12.3inch digital screen. Customisable, thanks to six different display modes, the head up display unit is positioned above the steering wheel and presents all the necessary driving information within the eye line of the driver, reducing the need to take their eyes off the road. Seven toggle switches give direct access to the main comfort features: radio, air conditioning, navigation, vehicle settings, telephone, mobile applications and the i-Cockpit Amplify system, with its choice of 2 ambiences, Boost and Relax. The i-Cockpit Amplify system also controls the car’s driving performance, with a driving mode selector offering Eco / Sport / Comfort / Normal, as well as damping in the vehicles equipped with the electronic suspension.

The choice and quality of materials in the trim and uphol-

stery, and the attention paid to the finish, envelop the passengers in a soft, modern, refined environment. There is up to 32 litres of storage space spread out around the passenger cabin, as well as up to 4 USB sockets (trim dependent), one jack plug in the armrest and two 12V sockets, including one in the boot. The wide-opening panoramic sunroof is in a spoiler style and for the car’s premium audio system the brand has once again chosen Focal®, the acclaimed French acoustics firm.

In terms of driving pleasure, the new Peugeot 508 clearly benefits from the use of the EMP2 platform, undoubtedly one of the best platforms today, providing great dynamic qualities and weight-reduction (on average, 70kg less compared to the previous generation), to improve fuel efficiency and performance.

The new Peugeot 508 offers a wide range of latest-generation driving aids that notably meet EuroNCAP criteria, which is ever more demanding: standard or optional features, depending on the trim, include Night-vision, a first for the segment, collision-risk alert and the latest-generation automatic emergency braking that detects pedestrians and cyclists both day and night

at up to 140 km/h, active lane departure warning system (or verge-drift warning), driver-attention warning, automatic headlight control, speed limit recognition and recommendation, widened recognition of road signs (stop sign, one-way sign), adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go feature, lane-keeping assist (related to Stop & Go adaptive cruise control), active blind-spot monitoring.

The driver also enjoys aids like Visiopark 2 (360° vision) and the latest-generation Full Park Assist, with a flankguard perimeter feature; the system automatically controls steering, acceleration and braking to enter a parking space. The connected equipment is just as impressive, with the new Peugeot 508 offering Mirror Screen compatible with the Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with off-board voice-recognition via smartphone and Induction-based smartphone recharging.

With the exception of the1.5 litre BlueHDi 130 S&S 6-speed manual, all of the units will be mated to the new Peugeot eight-speed EAT8 automatic gearbox. A plug-in hybrid petrol drivetrain will be sold on the new model from autumn 2019.

MOTORING 31

THURSDAY, MAR 1 2018

Massive reductions on Used Cars 2017 Golf 1.0 TSI Highline 15000 kms

2017 Arteon Elegance 150 BHP DSG 10000 kms

2016 Tiguan 2.0 TDI Sport 30000 kms

2016 Passat TDI Comfortline 48000 kms

2016 Nissan Juke 19000 kms

2016 Jetta TDI Comfortline

2016 Golf TDI Trendline 33000 kms

2015 Passat TDI Comfort 75000 kms

2015 Passat TDI Highline Estate 119000 kms

2015 Jetta TDI Highline 52000 kms

2015 Ford Focus Titanium TDCI 90000 kms

2015 Corolla D4D Saloon 51000 kms

2015 Beetle 2.0 TDI Design 104000 kms

2014 Tiguan 2.0 TDI Life 95000 kms

2014 Skoda Yeti GL 1.6 TDI 71000 kms

2014 Jetta 1.6 TDI Comfortline 118000 kms

2014 Golf TDI Trendline 1.6 89000 kms

2013 Ford C-Max TDCI 7 Seats 95000mls

2012 Renault Clio 1.2 3DR 62000 kms

2012 Passat 1.6 TDI Comfortline 129000 mls

2012 Opel Insignia 2.0 TDCI 140BHP 130000 mls

2012 Nissan Qashqai Diesel 112000 kms

2012 Beetle Sport 2.0 TDI 140BHP 105000 kms

2011 Tiguan 2.0 TDI SUV 160000 kms

2011 Golf TDI Sport Pack 126000 mls

2010 Passat TDI Highline 122000 mls

2010 Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI 123000 mls

2009 Scirocco 2.0 TDI 140BHP Coupe 105000 mls

2009 Golf TDI 2.0 Comfortline 190000 kms

2008 Touran 1.6 7 Seater 142000 mls

The Home Of Volkswagen In Clare For Over 60 Years

Property

Beautiful homes all over the County UNLOCK YOUR DREAM

Ideal central location

P

12 CARMODY, ENNIS, CLARE V95PV40 ROPERTY is comprised of 1,500 sq.ft.

- Constructed in 2004 the property in brief consists of the following accommodation: Ground floor reception, 5 individual offices/beauty therapist/ training rooms, fully fitted out over three floors, with front and rear entrance and 2 staff toilets.

Located in Carmody Street Business Park, with communal parking bays and within walking distance of town centre. PSL 002295 Rooms Front Reception - 5.12m x 4.5m Laminate wood flooring, storage area, suspended ceiling and fluorescent lighting.

Ground Floor Office - 4.63m x 2.68m Laminate wood flooring, suspended ceiling with fluorescent lighting.

WC - 2.0m x 1.49m Wheelchair accessible- toilet and hand basin, suspended ceiling.

Rear ground floor entrance Tiled floor and concrete stairs to first floor.

First Floor Landing with carpeted flooring and concrete stairs to second floor.

Office 3/Treatment Room - 3.72m x 2.91m Laminate wood flooring, plumbed for sink with storage underneath, suspended ceiling and fluorescent lighting.

Office 4 - 3.97m x 3.76m

€140,000

Laminate wood flooring, suspended ceiling and fluorescent lighting.

Canteen - 1.63m x 1.59m Laminate wood flooring, single drainer sink, counter with storage underneath, suspended ceiling and fluorescent lighting.

WC - 1.95m x 0.8m Tiled flooring, WC and wash hand basin.

Second Floor Landing - Velux window, carpeted flooring.

Office 5/ Treatment Room - 4.61m x 2.71m Laminate wood flooring, plumbed for sink with storage underneath, two Velux windows and spotlighting.

Office 6 /Treatment Room - 4.0m x 3.64m Laminate wood flooring, Velux window, spotlighting, plumbed for sink with storage underneath.

BER Details BER: D2 BER No.800613390 Energy Performance Indicator:512.69 kWh/m²/yr

Contact: Cormac O’Sullivan, DNG O’Sullivan Hurley Tel: 065 - 6840200 Partner Director

Bright & spacious Sought-after suburb

29 ARD NA MAINISTREACH, QUIN, CO. CLARE, V95 CK18

L

€159,950

€400,000

OPEN VIEWINGS: FEB 27TH, 5 - 5:30PM

OPEN VIEWINGS: FEB 27TH, 4 - 4:30PM MAR 3RD, 11:00 -11:20AM

OCATED in the much sought after suburb of Ennis Town and within close proximity to the M18, number 29 Ard Na Mainistreach represents an outstanding family home offering bright and spacious living accommodation throughout with exceptional finish standards. The property boasts an extensive rear patio area with garden shed and is located within walking distance of Quin Village and Quin National School. Viewing is strictly by prior appointment with Sole Selling Agents. PSL No. 002295 Features Double glazed PVC windows PVC fascia & sofitt Brick paved front drive Ample side access Mature shrubbery and landscaping front and rear

4 RADHARC AN LOCHA, ENNIS, CO. CLARE, V95 W6W0

Extensive rear patio area Garden Shed Entrance hallway, Spacious Reception Open plan kitchen/dining (slightly L-shaped) Three double bedrooms - master ensuite, main bathroom Oil fired central heating Built in 2006 Contact: Cormac O’Sullivan, DNG O’Sullivan Hurley Tel: 065 - 6840200 Partner Director

LOCATED in what is recognized as one of Ennis’ most sought-after suburb residential areas just 3km North of Ennis Town Centre, Radharc An Locha is an exclusive cul de sac of just 9 homes immediately opposite Ballyea Lake and Parkland. Each home is on a site of approximately 0.3 acres and all front onto a vast open plan green area. Number 4 is a bright and spacious and well-proportioned 4/5-bedroom detached home with a detached garage to the rear. The vast entrance hallway which features void space from ground to first floor gives access to the main reception via glass panel double doors, the open plan kitchen/dining and downstairs bedroom one/playroom. From the main reception, there is access to the sun lounge and into the kitchen/dining. This interconnecting space makes it ideal for entertaining and an excellent layout for family living. Also, at ground floor level is the utility and

downstairs WC. At first floor level are a further 4 bedrooms (master bedroom en-suite and walk-in wardrobe) and main bathroom. This is a rare opportunity to acquire an exceptional home in an outstanding location. Viewing is strictly by prior appointment with Sole Selling Agents. PSL No. 002295 Contact: Cormac O’Sullivan, DNG O’Sullivan Hurley Tel: 065 - 6840200 Partner Director

PROPERTY 33

THURSDAY, MAR 1 2018

Charming bungalow Turn-key condition MAGOWNA, INCH, ENNIS, CO CLARE, V95 P63F

€190,000

OPEN VIEWINGS: SATURDAY, 3RD MARCH: 11.30AM – 12.00PM WEDNESDAY, 7TH MARCH: 5.00PM – 5.30PM THIS charming, excellently maintained bungalow is located on the main Ennis to Miltown Malbay road on an elevated site with beautiful countryside views.

The property, which is bright and spacious is attractively set on a nicely landscaped site of c. 0.75 acres.

Internally the accommodation is deceptively spacious and comprises an entrance hall, living room, kitchen/dining area, utility room which leads to the garage, four double bedrooms (one with an ensuite and a bathroom.

Externally there is a tarmacadam driveway to the front and a large gravelled area to the side of the property. The gardens are mainly in lawn, there are gravelled flower beds to the front and side. To the side of the house there is a paved footpath

3 TOBARKEEL, GORT ROAD, ENNIS, CO CLARE, V95 X3YK

€235,000

OPEN VIEWING: SATURDAY, 3RD MARCH: 2.30PM – 3.00PM

leading to a beautiful elevated patio area and a “sun-house” which has the benefit of double insulation in the walls, electrical outlets and it enjoys the same countryside views as this fine home.

Viewing is highly recommended.

129.2sq.m (1,390.2 sq.ft) approx. BER No. 104683891 (240.59 kWh/m²/yr).

Contact: Tiernan O’Malley, Sherry FitzGerald McMahon Tel: 065 6867866

3 TOBARKEEL is a spacious linked family home that has been exceptionally finished and is presented to market in walk-in condition.

The home is an excellent 4 bed property with a private garden to the back and overlooking a green area to the front.

This much sought after development is just off the Gort Road and is within walking distance of 2 primary schools, 3 secondary schools, Lees road, Ennis Leisure Complex, shops in the Sheills retail complex and the county hospital.

It is also close to the N85 motorway link road.

Ground floor accommodation includes the entrance hall, generous living room, kitchen/dining area, utility, downstairs bedroom and an en-suite/ shower-room. On the first floor there are three double bedrooms (one with en-suite) and a bathroom. Not only is

this fantastic family home finished very well, it is also extremely energy efficient.

It has the benefit of extra wall and attic insulation along with “PV panels” on the roof which supplement the electicity supply and save approximately 40% of the house’s electicity bill.

It is rare that such a wonderful family home comes to market in such excellent location. Viewing is a must. 1224.4sq.m (1,338 sq.ft. approx.) BER C1. BER No. 103648788 Contact: Tiernan O’Malley, Sherry FitzGerald McMahon Tel: 065 6867866

HIGH SPEC FINISH

MODERN BUILD

S

THE LANE, NEWPARK, TULLA ROAD, ENNIS TUNNING contemporary new build own access home in an excellent residential location just off the Tulla Road.

The property is adjacent to another property currently under construction. This stunning A energy rated home will be just 2.6km from Ennis town centre. The property is situated on a beautiful wooded site. Construction to commence soon. This modern executive style 5 bedroom home will be finished to

€465,000

the highest standard with generous PC sums for the Kitchen, Fireplace, Tiling, Sanitary ware, Timber Flooring and Wardrobes. The most recently available building features, such as air to water heating system and a heat recovery system will be used to ensure an A building energy rating.

Contact: Diarmuid McMahon, Sherry FitzGerald McMahon Tel: 065 6867866

CARROWMORE, DOONBEG, CO. CLARE THIS well presented 4 bedroom detached house is located within 150 metres of the beach with fabulous views over Doonbeg Links Golf Course. Accommodation is well proporptioned with high spec finishes throughout. Currently accommodation is on the ground floor but there is huge potential to extend to the first floor which is currently floored. Due to the size and

€ 225,000

location of this property it would make an ideal holiday or family home. Viewings are highly recommended. BER C2. BER Number 110774585. BER Code 195.42 kWh/m²/yr.

Contact: Danielle Kavanagh, Sherry FitzGerald McMahon Tel: 065 686 7866

34 SPORT

THURSDAY, MAR 1 2018

Davy puts Banner to the sword NHL Division 1A Round 4 at Wexford Park

Hurling

‘‘

JAMES MULVIHILL

C

LARE’S unbeaten run in this league campaign came to an end after being overwhelmed by an intense Wexford side at Innovate Wexford Park on Sunday.

Jack O’Connor was used effectively as a puck-out target by the side from the south-east and his dominance in the air and ability to win clean possession was the platform from which Wexford could launch attacks. Clare didn’t have an answer.

Elsewhere, Liam Ryan was rock solid at full-back and manager Davy Fitzgerald will have been be very pleased with the performance of his team; with the Sixmilebridge man at the helm, Wexford will hold no fear going to Nowlan Park next weekend knowing they have secured a place in the knockout stages of this campaign.

An unbeaten Clare travelled to Innovate Wexford Park with high expectations and a strong starting side - however the bus journey home would have been a quiet one.

The Banner men looked disorganised in the second half, hitting aimless balls into their full-forward line.

John Conlon was the bright spark, scoring four points from play and working hard throughout this contest.

However it appears Clare as a whole still have work to do in terms of winning aerial battles and coming out with the dirty ball.

The Banner men looked disorganised in the second half, hitting aimless balls

‘‘

Wexford 0-20 Clare 1-13

Gerry O’Connor and Donal Moloney have started a similar backbone of players throughout this campaign, in what’s most likely a chance for players to familiarise themselves with one another - however with another chance to experiment against Waterford, surely the likes of Ryan Taylor, Gearoid O’Connell, Mikey O’Neill, Ian Galvin, Diarmuid Ryan and Conor McGrath will be chomping at the bit to impress ahead of the Munster Championship.

On Sunday, it was tit for tat for most of the opening half. Wexford started the better team with Paudie Foley opening the scoring which was followed by a placed ball from Lee Chin however a couple of well-taken John Conlon points levelled the sides before the Banner men took the lead for the first time with Peter Duggan on target (two frees). Conor McDonald and Lee Chin (free) responded for Wexford before a 65 was converted by Duggan.

The Clooney-Quin man was on target once again from a placed ball before a well taken point by centre back David McInerney left the score at 0-07 to 0-04 after 24 minutes.

However Wexford hit back through Kevin Foley thanks to great link-up play with Jack O’Connor - and Lee Chin reduced the gap to a single from a placed ball before John Conlon scored his third point of this contest after a great run.

Before the break, the

l BROUGHT TO A HALT: (Main) Peter Duggan being challenged by Wexford’s Paudie Foley; (bottom left) Podge Collins has nowhere to go as he is surrounded

by Wexford defence and (right) Collins with more time on the ball All photos by Martin Connolly

Slaney-Siders were awarded a 65 which was converted by Lee Chin to leave the score at the interval 0-08 to 0-07 in favour of Clare.

That was as good as it got for Clare as Wexford took control in the second half. Substitute Rory O’Connor got the opening score before Wexford hit the front once again thanks to two long range frees by goalie Mark Fanning.

Wexford created the first goal scoring chance when Conor McDonald found Jack O’Connor in space and his shot produced a very good save by the in-form Donal Tuohy, resulting in a point. Shane O’Donnell responded for Clare before Wexford went on a scoring spree landing six points in a 14-minute period which proved decisive by the end of this game.

Conor McDonald and the impressive Rory O’Connor extended the lead to four points.

The Clare attack struggled to win clean possession throughout the second half. Paul Morris scored his first point of this contest from a placed ball.

Then a long range free from Mark Fanning left the score at 0-15 to 0-09 after 54 minutes.

Kevin Foley and Rory O’Connor (65) extended the lead to eight points.

Clare, to their credit, didn’t give up and Peter Duggan scored his first point

of the half from a placed ball before the impressive John Conlon closed the gap to six points with a well taken score from an acute angle.

However scores by Cathal Dunbar and Rory O’Connor kept the Banner men at bay. Paudie Foley scored his second point of this contest before Clare were awarded a late free, Peter Duggan rifled the ball into the back of the net which proved to be the last score of the game.

Wexford: Mark Fanning (0-3fs); Damien Reck, Liam Ryan, Conor Firman; Paudie Foley (0-2), Matthew O’Hanlon, Diarmuid O’Keeffe; Kevin Foley (0-2), Shaun Murphy; Aidan Nolan, David Dunne, Jack O’Connor (0-1); Paul Morris (0-1f), Lee Chin (0-4,3fs,1 ‘65’), Conor McDonald (0-2).

Subs: Rory O’Connor (0-4,1 ‘65’) for Chin (H/T), Cathal Dunbar (0-1) for Morris (57 mins), Harry Kehoe for Dunne (59 mins), Aaron Maddock for Murphy (66 mins).

Clare: Donal Tuohy; Jack Browne, Conor Cleary, Jason McCarthy; Michael O’Malley, David McInerney (0-1), Seadna Morey; Colm Galvin, Cathal Malone; Niall Deasy, John Conlon (0-4), David Reidy; Shane O’Donnell (0-1), Peter Duggan (1-7,1-6fs,0-1 ‘65’), Podge Collins.

Subs: Ryan Taylor for Galvin (35 mins), Daragh Corry for Deasy (H/T), Gearoid O’Connell for McCarthy (55 mins), Mikey O’Neill for Collins (59 mins), Diarmuid Ryan for Morey (70 mins).

Referee: Colm Lyons (Cork)

THURSDAY, MAR 1 2018

SPORT 35

Last-ditch pain at Stradbally Laois 3-10 Clare 3-09

rinan’s point put the Clare side ahead, only for Laois to equalise once more. The match looked dead and buried when Laois got a goal in the 60th minute, but Clare were not to be denied, as Ailish Considine raided the goal again to bring the sides level at 3-9 each, 2 minutes into injury time.

Play went on for another 7 minutes when Laois were awarded a penalty, which they duly popped over the bar and broke Clare hearts.

It’s disappointing for any team to lose a match like that and both teams left everything on the pitch on Sunday. Final score: Clare 3-9, Laoise 3-10. Clare host Armagh on Sunday 4th March.

Ladies Football Division 2

TRISHIA DONNELLAN

C

LARE Ladies travelled to Laois hoping to get their league back on track after having only one win from their first 3 outings.

Manager James Murrihy made 4 changes to the side that faced Cavan a fortnight ago, with Siobhan Talty making her first 2018 league appearance in goals. Clare had to play without the services of Niamh O’Dea who suffered an ankle injury while on camogie duty for Clare on Saturday.

The sides were evenly matched and were level 5 times over the course of the hour but it was Laois who came out on top with a free deep into injury time, Clare 3-9, Laois 3-10.

The Banner side started brightly and by the turn of the first quarter were ahead 1-3 to 0-1 with all scores coming from the boot of Grainne Nolan, who has just returned from injury.

Laois eventually found their rhythm with a purple patch of 18 minutes where they fired across 2-4 without reply. Clare bounced

CLOSE-FOUGHT: Captains Laurie Ryan and Laura Maher with referee J. Murphy back with 2 scores from Ailish Considine to end the half with just a goal between the sides, Clare 1-5, Laois 2-5.

The sides swapped points before Laois opened the gap to four points by the 38th minute. However, the unflappable Ailish Considine, who won an Ashbourne medal playing with UL on Wednesday, pelted the ball passed the Laois keeper and followed

this with a point to bring the sides level for the first time since the opening minute.

Siobhan Talty made a point-blank goal save but this was immediately followed by a Laois goal save, when Ciara Hickey had to settle for a point after collecting Orla Devitt’s blocked goal attempt.

The sides were deadlocked at 2-8 apiece with 46 minutes on the clock. Fidelma Mar-

Clare: Siobhan Talty (Miltown), Aine Keane (Miltown), Laurie Ryan-captain (Banner), Orla Devitt (Eire Óg), Louise Woods (Banner Ladies), Grainne Harvey (West Clare Gaels ), Roisin Considine (Liscannor), Tara Kelly (Cúil Gaels), Roisin Looney (Cooraclare), Sarah Bohannon (Cúil Gaels), Grainne Nolan (Banner Ladies) (1-4), Caoimhe Harvey (West Clare Gaels), Caitriona Callinan (Kilmihil), Ciara Hickey (Kilmurry Ibrickane) (0-1), Ailish Considine (Kilmihil) (2-3, 1f). Subs: Laura Egan (Kilmihil) for S. Bohannon (30 min), Aisling Reidy (Doora Barefield) for T. Kelly (34 min), Fidelma Marrinan (0-1), (West Clare Gaels) for C. Callinan (44 min), Emma McMahon (Cuil Gaels) for Ciara Hickey (58 min), Kayleigh McCormack (Burren Gaels) for O. Devitt (59 min)

Ennis can’t stop winning Ennis 25 Fermoy 7

Munster Junior Division 3 Sunday, 2pm, Showgrounds ENNIS RFC’s 1st XV continued their stunning form by accounting for Fermoy RFC at home.

The Clare men had to show character to come from behind after trailing by seven points at half-time – but came flying out of the traps in the second half to make it four league wins on the trot.

Young Ennis outhalf Ronan O’Halloran will be happy with his 15-point haul and the win means that Ennis have confirmed a high seeding after qualifying for the playoffs, with one remaining league game which will be played in West Kerry against Chorca Dhuibhne next weekend.

The first half was a frustrating affair for the home side, going down to a converted try early in the game and being starved of possession early on, with Fermoy controlling the early exchanges.

A scoring stalemate ensued until the half-time whistle, meaning the Cork side led 7-0 at the break.

However it wasn’t long before Ennis rediscovered their momentum, as they begun the second half with back rower David Flynn crossing the whitewash after a great carry from Cian Nugent. Ronan O’Halloran converted to leave the sides level at 7-7.

He followed up with a penalty to put Ennis 10-7 ahead and from the restart, David Flynn made an immediate break. The ball was quickly recycled and O’Halloran ran under the posts, before converting and putting his side 17-7 ahead.

The last five minutes of the game confirmed the win, with another penalty from O’Halloran being followed with another try, second row Enda Galvin dotting down, to leave the final score, 25-7.

A good win against a committed and physical Fermoy team. We’re on the road again next week with a trip to Dingle to finish out the league campaign before regrouping for the playoffs, with promotion to Division 2 up for grabs.

Ennis tries: D Flynn, R O’Halloran, E Galvin Convertions: R O’Halloran (2) Penalties: R O’Halloran (2)

FLYING FORM: David Flynn breaks a tackle from Fermoy with Cian Nugent in support Photo by Helen McQuillan

36 CLASSIFIEDS

THURSDAY, MAR 1 2018

Classifieds ACUPUNCTURE

COUNSELLING

CONTACT SALES

065 671 9021 sales@clareecho.ie

GARDENING

DOGGIE DAY CARE CAR REPAIRS GRINDS: ENGLISH GRINDS English Leaving Cert and Junior Cycle Grinds available with fully qualified teacher - 087 779 3132

JOBS

DIVORCE

CARPENTRY

Place your Classified here Phone 065 671 9021

CLASSIFIEDS 37

THURSDAY, MAR 1 2018

Classifieds KITCHENS

CONTACT SALES

065 671 9021 sales@clareecho.ie

TRAVEL

PLUMBING

WORK FROM HOME

PAINTING & DECORATING

Excellent home based opportunity for those who want to earn extra income. Work your own hours around day job. Full training provided.

CALL 087 290 7702 FOR MORE INFO.

PHOTOGRAPHY

RL Painting & Decorating. Interior & exterior, spray painting & hand paint kitchen cabinets. Power washing - drive ways & roofs. Clean gutters, fascia & soffits. Competitive rates. VAT registered and insured.

PHONE: 087 786 6481 EMAIL: info@rlpainting.ie WEBSITE: rlpainting.ie

PERGOLA

Be Seen, Be Heard

RUBBISH REMOVAL

BOBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s RuBBIsh RemOvAl FOR All TYPes OF RemOvAls House, Attic, Garage, Yard Clearance, White Goods, Earth, Rubble, Timber etc.

We will even call for ONE single item.

Fully licensed & insured. Receipts Available.

One Call Does It All Call (061) 457 979 or (086) 375 4717 Permit Number WCP-10-05129-05 52-26/1/19

Contact our sales team Ger or Ciara to place an ad 065 671 9021

38 CROSSWORD/HOROSCOPES

THURSDAY, MAR 1 2018

Your Horoscopes March 1 YOU don’t want to repeat recent events ever again. You may be torn between doing what your friends think you should do and what you really want to do. Luckily, your confidence is quite solid for now, and there’s someone interesting on the horizon -- someone you might actually find interesting enough to get to know better. Don’t worry -- it should all work out, maybe even better than you’d hoped!

Cancer

Leo

Virgo

YOUR skill handling tricky family situations -- especially for keeping certain people away from each other when things start to get really bad -- is well-known and much respected.

You can even maintain the peace when you’re not sure who’s right, or even what the real issue may be. That should come in handy today when an emotional battle at work or in a community group begins publicly -- and someone needs to step in quickly.

YOU’VE never been short on charm, and you know just how to use it to the utmost, so when someone in authority quietly (maybe desperately) begs you to help them out using your superpowers, you probably do so. In fact, you may help them win before the other side even knows what’s happening. You have to hope they appreciate you, because you give such devotion that you really deserve it.

FOR lots of us, anything that even feels like balancing a checkbook or paying bills is as stressful, bothersome or boring as dental surgery minus the anesthesia. You, on the other hand, not only keep from whining -- you blitz through it in record time, with great accuracy and a terrifically good attitude. Someone close may need some lessons.

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Aquarius

Pisces

l difficult - just lso an ideal

T

S

B

S

E

V

E

21 18

O 19

R

A U

T

R O

S

R

M

A

11

E

A

P

E

9

S

8

X

N

L

12

C

2

E

20

N

A

P

D

R

15

E E

T 3

O

O

10

N

13

4

A

L

S A

D

O

A A

G

16

T O

N O

E

A

A S

T

V T

P

D

S E

A

U

17

U N

R

L O

R A

M 1

R

O B

P

22

D

S I

U

E

I N

R 14

G

T

5

H

S

T O

N

I P

R

N I

A

A 6

S

E O

7

B

7 Simple dish — not as snob ate in mess (5,2,5) e 8 Needlewomen making a mess changing locks (12) 12 Crude oil in USA — and a state (9) 16 Governor initially permits means of execution (7) 17 Eager to have paintings around o study (6) 19 Material for some keys turned p by one (5) 22 Enclosure for female swan (3)

W

24

E

23

22

N

21

N

20

N

19

E

18

an

17

H

16

S

15

I

14

N

13

CROSSWORD ANSWERS O

12

2 Salesman in capital standing for ruler (7) 3 Dismissed when not at home? (3) 4 Reluctant poet’s work after first of April (6) 5 Car crime perpetrated by cricketers?

(3,3,3) 6 Grotto resident in pleasant area (5) 7 Simple dish — not as snob ate in mess (5,2,5) 8 Needlewomen making a mess changing locks (12) 12 Crude oil in USA — and a state (9) 16 Governor initially permits means of exe-

T

11

DOWN

S

10

A

9

24

8

7

Y

6

A

5

keys turned by one (5) 22 Enclosure for female swan (3)

S

4

cution (7) 17 Eager to have paintings around study (6) 19 Material for some

23

3

23 Express, for example (3) 24 When heavyweight is hard to shock (8)

ere

2

1 Eton chap designed memorial (8) 6 Audible cry is obvious?

Not entirely (3) 9 Former name of man or woman resident abroad (5) 10 Noise at gathering somewhere in Europe (7) 11 Playthings lost by people not all there (7) 13 Leaders of naval expedition are reconnoitring sea approaches (5) 14 Arrive with cycle at college (4,2) 15 Frightening creature from which dog ran? (6) 18 Odds? Yes and no (5) 20 As a celebrated striker Orlando must come out (7) 21 Cost of keeping soldiers in step (7) 22 Supporters for empty pits (5)

t 7 Simple dish — not as snob ate in mess (5,2,5) are 8 Needlewomen making a mess ) changing locks (12) 12 Crude oil in USA — and a state (9) 16 Governor initially permits means of execution (7) 17 Eager to have paintings around do study (6) 19 Material for some keys turned tep by one (5) 22 Enclosure for female swan (3)

1

ACROSS

)

The Clare Echo Crossword

YOU’RE feeling quite a bit impulsive than usual, so if you see something you want, you just can’t stop yourself from taking it for yourself. Remember this, especially if (or when) you run across a savvy salesperson. Telling you not to purchase what you like is a fool’s errand. You want the world to see your new luxury, no matter how much it costs you.

o

IF YOU’RE having doubts about the trustworthiness of someone close -- especially related to financial issues -don’t let those doubts slide. You have a nearly limitless intuition about the motivations of others, but it may not work so well with your finances for now. Don’t let anyone cheat you, no matter how small the amount seems to be at first.

for

YOU’RE rightly famous for your work ethic, so if you’re under pressure to get that big project done soon, don’t worry. The hard part is getting any cranky family members to steer clear of you (and each other) long enough for you to get the job done. Try closing the door and refraining from answering the phone. If that doesn’t work, you may need to be rude, but try to do so with the promise of future sweetness.

WHEN someone close needs a silver-tongued ally, they come to you -- as well they should! Your gifts are enviable, so it’s not surprising to find you standing next to someone you love, fast-talking any opponents and leaving them deeply unsure of themselves. In the end, all parties leave feeling like old friends, so you rarely create any new enemies.

?

YOU love secrets more than most people in most, if not all circumstances. Right now, conducting an intense probe at work is even more appealing than usual, and the nature of the issue isn’t at all relevant. Your curiosity is running on high, so your inner detective comes out in a big way. Make sure that no one who may be implicated hears what you’ve discovered.

IF you want to keep your feelings from showing, there’s just one way to make it happen: Put some distance between you and whomever you want to keep in the dark. Otherwise, there’s simply no way for you to do it. You’ve never been that good at deception, to start with, and right now, one needy look from someone who cares for you could bring on a veritable flood of too-much-information.

rst

YOU’VE been dealing with quite a lot recently, and you’ve probably managed to keep most of it secret -- even though your people doubted you could. For now, though, you’re done trying to keep it all under wraps. You may be ready to spill anything that’s hurting someone close thanks to a remaining secret. Before you do, make sure all other parties are in agreement.

ea

Gemini

1/1

cult - just n ideal

THE one you love is on top of your priority. You do have a reputation to keep in mind, though, so you’d never admit it -- even under threat of extreme suffering (or, worse, being forced to say ‘I love you, too,’ in public). If you have a partner, they already know how you feel, though, and that’s all that really counts.

Taurus

Aries

QUIZ 39

THURSDAY, MAR 1 2018

The Clare Echo Quiz NAME THE YEAR

In which year did the Killimer –TarIn what year did Mohammed Ali 3 11972, bert ferry commence? come to Ennis?

1969, 1977 2011, 2006, 2009 In what year did the first transEnnis man Neil Ryan represented 2 atlantic flight land at Shannon 4 Ireland in athletics at which year’s Airport?

Olympics?

1935, 1940, 1945

2000, 2004, 1996 Kilmaley won their 2nd Clare senior hurling championship in which year?

1999, 2004, 1994 In which year was Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann held in Ennis for the 2nd time?

1987, 1977, 1967 In which year did Ennis become the first information town?

1997, 1987, 1992 In which year did Donald Trump buy the Doonbeg golf links and hotel?

2014, 2012, 2010 In which year did Pat Breen first get elected to Dail Eireann?

2005, 2002, 2009 In which year was musician Sharon Shannon born?

1968, 1966, 1970

5 6

9 10

ANSWERS 6.1977 7. 1997 8. 2014 9. 2002 10. 1968

lU.S. PRESIDENT: In which year did Donald Trump buy the Doonbeg golf links and hotel?

l BOXING HERO: In what year did Mohammed Ali come to Ennis?

OLD IMAGES OF COUNTY CLARE

A neighbour pauses for a chat at the O’Halloran farm, Mount Callan, 1954 by US photographer Dorothea Lange

1. 1969 2. 1945 3. 2009 4. 1996 5. 2004

7 8

40 ADVERTISEMENT

THURSDAY, MAR 1 2018

Supreme Roofing & Guttering Munster We do what others promise Roofing services covering Munster for 20 years Roofing Guttering UPVC Fascia & Sofit Emergency services Roof Repairs & Re-roofing All Moss cleaned from Roofs New Roof Specialists & Old Roof Repairs All Our Work is Guaranteed FULL INSURANCE AND SAFE PASS CERTS PROVIDED ON QUOTATION James on 085-1932901 or 061-579335 www.supremeroofingandguttering.com