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DEC 2 2021
065 689 3540 WI DE RANGE OF INSTAX CAME RAS , P RINT E RS OR INSTAX F IL M
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‘I thought news of rates increase was a joke’ - restauranteur PÁRAIC McMAHON
paraic@clareecho.ie
D
ISMAY has been expressed by hoteliers and restaurant owners across Clare following the introduction of a 3.8 percent increase in commercial rates.
Clare County Council’s budgetary meeting on Friday saw councillors vote 16-10 in favour of bringing in the rates increase with many elected representatives in rural areas citing a fear of cuts to their General Municipal
Allocation as a reason for backing the €138m Budget. Owner of Henry’s Bistro & Wine Bar, Dermot Fetton admitted he presumed the initial talk of a rates increase was a joke. He described the increase as unacceptable, “It’s like a death by a thousand cuts”. Lahinch’s Michael Vaughan expected it would result in an increase of “a good few hundred quid”. Allen Flynn of The Old Ground Hotel flagged that the approach was at odds with the level of support shown by the Government. “Government supports are keeping us going and then we have an individual authority that decides to increase the rates, it was a kick in the teeth to businesses more than anything”.
FULL STORY pg 16
l Isabella Sydney with twin brother AJ and her mother Clare at home. Isabella stole the hearts of people across the nation thanks to her appearance on the Late Late Toy Show
Photo by Natasha Barton
2 NEWS
Index NEWS
THURSDAY, DEC 2 2021
THE BEST BROMANCE OF BODYKE HURLING
2-24
GREENER CLARE
25
COLUMNISTS
28
GIFT GUIDE
29-35
RECRUITMENT
37
CLICK FOR CLARE
38-39
SPORT
40-43
36C Abbey Street, Ennis, County Clare Telephone: 065 671 9021
NEWSDESK
Email: editor@clareecho.ie paraic@clareecho.ie news@clareecho.ie
SALES
CELEBRATIONS: Gearoid Devanney congratulates Colin Molloy following Bodyke’s Junior C championship final win over Scariff
Email: niall@clareecho.ie or sales@clareecho.ie
Photo by Ruth Griffin
This publication supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Press Council’s Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Press Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, Lo-call 1890 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie
€457,000 Lotto win for one lucky Ennis player ONE Lotto player from Ennis is €457,080 richer following Saturday night’s draw, writes Páraic McMahon. Saturday’s record breaking €19.06 million jackpot draw
continued to roll without a winner. The winning numbers in Saturday’s (27th November) draw were: 01, 05, 15, 23, 39, 47 and the bonus was: 30. Over 166,000 players across
Ireland won prizes in Saturday night’s Lotto and Lotto Plus games including one from Clare who shared the Match5+ Bonus prize pool worth €914,160 with a Donegal
individual. The player in Ennis purchased their winning Quick Pick ticket on the day of the draw at the Tesco store in Ennis Shopping Centre.
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4 NEWS
THURSDAY, DEC 2 2021
Hidden Truths behind domestic abuse explored in new exhibition CLARE HAVEN SERVICES have launched a new multi-media art installation to increase awareness surrounding domestic abuse, writes Páraic McMahon. Shannon native and presenter of Morning Ireland, Rachael English launched ‘Hidden Truths Behind Closed Doors’, a new multi-media art installation which explores the themes of domestic abuse in Co Clare at the offices of Clare Haven Services on Wednesday evening to mark the sixteen days of activism against gender-based violence. There are 11 rooms in the exhibition, each of which has a different message to impart and tells its own story whether it is the reasons people don’t come forward, the endless red tape for a woman trying to leave an abusive marriage, the hope that life will improve and resilience and bravery of women who come forward. Dr Siobhán O’Connor, Manager of Clare Haven Services outlined that the exhibition took “a long time” to put together. Paul Corey and Rachael McManus were the project managers and creators of Hidden Truths with Birgit Schneemann, Michelle Hickey, Katie Elger, Jules Greystone and Mick Loughnane also involved as artists and technical designers. Speaking at the launch, proj-
at
Gardaí ‘not taking cancelled 999 calls seriously’ - Wynne
A
by PÁRAIC McMAHON
ART: Rachael English launches Hidden Truths
ect manager, Rachael McManus admitted, “the normalness of domestic abuse struck me, it seemed so wrong”. “We wanted to highlight elements we learned but it is not possible to illustrate all elements of domestic abuse”. She said of people that inspired the works, “they are not victims, they are survivors,” she added. Michelle Burke, a native of Shannon recently graduated from the Limerick School of Art and Design said it was a privilege that this was her first exhibition to be involved outside of college. “We must try to understand more, we need to stop turning
Photo by Paul Corey
our heads and break down the economic barriers that are stopping women from leaving abusive relationships”. To have any involvement with the exhibition was “an honour,” Rachael English stated. She commended the work of Clare Haven Services. “It is a thought provoking and incredibly powerful piece of work,” she added.
Viewings of the exhibition are by appointment only between 10am and 4pm from Monday to Friday. Groups are limited to 20 people. To book call Anne or Elaine on 0656842646 or email clientcare@haven.ie
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N GARDA SÍOCHÁNA are not treating the issue of cancelled domestic violence calls seriously enough, a Clare TD has
said. Information provided by callers was not accurately recorded resulting in Gardaí being sent to wrong locations, an independent report into the cancellation of 999 calls has found. The interim review commissioned by the Policing Authority found that supervision, quality control and procedures for managing people were either not followed, not effective or weak. The report was carried out by former Chief Inspector of Police Scotland Derek Penman. Over 200,000 emergency calls between 2019 and 2020, 3,000 of which related to domestic violence were improperly cancelled. Of the 3,000, approximately 30 were in Co Clare, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris stated. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne (SF)
stated, “An Garda Síochána is not taking seriously the cancelled Domestic Violence 999 calls”. She added, “Ever since the news broke that there had been several thousand unanswered domestic violence calls too 999 earlier this year, I have smelt a rat. I feared, and this interim report has confirmed that this is symptomatic of a deeper, structural and systemic issue”. She flagged that groups such as Clare Haven Services have “been shouting from the rooftops that women are more exposed than ever to domestic abuse”. Wynne added, “I questioned Garda Commissioner Drew Harris on this issue at Clare’s Joint Policing Committee meeting in October and he was quick to dismiss it by reassuring me that there were ‘less than 30 calls’ originating from Clare. This answer simply isn’t good enough. It’s also noteworthy that Mr. Harris was quick to attribute at least partial blame to the force’s antiquated computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system – but the report rejects this claim”.
Clare Haven Services record increases across the board in appeals for support by PÁRAIC McMAHON INCREASES have been recorded across the board in the amount of support offered by Clare Haven Services over the past two years. An 11 per cent increase in admissions has been noted between 2019 and 2020.
Families could stay an average of six weeks in refuge last year. Women seeking refuge as individuals rose by 21 percent from 62 in 2019 to 75 in 2020, provisional data from January to August of this year detailed 49 admissions of women.
UR UP O IN K C PI GUE ALO CAT RE NOW STO
Riverside Business Park Quin Road, Ennis, Co. Clare
0656842388 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: Clare Haven Services Manager Dr Siobhán O’Connor
Photo by Paul Corey
Child counselling and play therapy sessions at Clare Haven Services have increased by 129 per cent with 32 sessions held last year. From January to August of this year, 419 women availed of outreach support, this is higher than the total figures for 2020 (308) and 2019 (246). Clare Haven Services have also had an increased demand for support calls, emails, texts and helpline calls. A 315 per cent increase in support calls were recorded in 2020 while over the first nine months of this year, the tally of 1810 is more than double the 688 received in 2019. Six support emails and texts were received in 2019 with this rising to 280 (emails) and 871 (texts) last year representing increases of 4567 percent and 14417 per cent respectively. COVID restrictions led to a reduction in the amount of support visits, court accompaniments and one on one sessions. Domestic violence support sessions and adult counselling were among the new services that began last year for Clare Haven.
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THURSDAY, DEC 2 2021
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6 NEWS
THURSDAY, DEC 2 2021
‘Temporary UL hospital needs to reopen to ease pressure’ PÁRAIC MCMAHON
by PÁRAIC McMAHON
O
paraic@clareecho.ie
NGOING pressure experienced at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) necessitates the reopening of a temporary hospital in the region, a former Clare General Election candidate has said. Overcrowding at UHL was described earlier this month as “out of control” by members of the Irish Midwives and Nurses Organisations (INMO). A fortnight ago, a record breaking 95 patients were waiting on trolleys at UHL. In order to overcome the problem, new ideas are needed, 2020 General Election candidate, Joseph Woulfe argued. He flagged that thousands of operations have been cancelled in the Mid-West since the onset of the pandemic, “a mountain of work is building. “Can one hospital do it all, Ask any man, women or child on the streets, it simply cannot. So we need a short term hospital to help with COVID and a new hospital to be built to ease the pressure of UHL”. Speaking to The Clare Echo, the Quilty native claimed that health issues
Pyrite homeowners left with broken promises as houses deteriorate
CRISIS: The now closed temporary facility at UL
Photo by Sean Curtin/True Media
other than the virus are causing bigger problems for the wider public as they are going unnoticed and undiagnosed. He suggested the intermediate care facility that was opened at the Arena in the University of Limerick be reopened to house patients recovering from COVID-19. “Sadly the Government decided to close this wonderful hospital in October 2020, COVID didn’t go away, this
building’s purpose was to take pressure off the main hospital. What they do now is cancel appointments. We are seeing COVID is not going away, and new variants are here once again. We have to oopen the UL Arena Hospital again, the extra 70 beds are needed again. Covid is back. Let us have a Christmas with less worrying, and futureproof this region with a new Hospital that can cope,” Joseph added.
ANSWERS will be sought from Clare’s Oireachtas members this Friday as homeowners in the county face the prospect of missing out on a pyrite/mica redress scheme. Between 6,000 and 7,000 properties will be covered under the €2.2bn mica redress scheme for Donegal and Mayo with grants capped at €420,000. Minister for Housing, Darragh O’Brien (FF) has not ruled out the inclusion of additional counties such as Clare where it is believed that over 200 houses are impacted by the presence of defective concrete blocks. Clare Pyrite Action Group will hold a public meeting this Friday at 8pm in Treacy’s West County Hotel. Here, the county’s Oireachtas members are to come under pressure to provide answers as to why devastated home-
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owners have been let down. They will also be quizzed on whether they will support the proposed scheme when it is put through a vote in the Dáil. Dr Martina Cleary, founder of the Action Group stated, “We are no closer to getting any indication of when, and if similarly impacted homeowners in this County will have access to it. Instead we have been given a list of ever changing, vague and broken promises, as our houses deteriorate around us.She added, “We need everybody on board now, because it is very clear that this Government only pays heed to those who come out on mass to protest, to stand up for themselves, their families and their homes”. “Political footballing with peoples homes must end,” Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne (SF) commented.
NEWS 7
THURSDAY, DEC 2 2021
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ITH the year coming to an end, why not treat yourself or your loved one to the best Christmas gift. The holiday season is all about relaxing and unhinging from all the worries and hustle and bustle of the year. After all a good sleep is the best step to a healthy lifestyle. So, the best gift to wish from Santa this year is a “MATTRESS” Home Trends on Parnell Street, Ennis can make your wish come true. We have extended our BIGGEST MATTERSS Sale due to its phenomenal success and all stock has been reduced. With up to 50% off you are guaranteed to save money and have the Mattress of your dreams. Since opening our doors to the public in
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8 NEWS
THURSDAY, DEC 2 2021
No injuries as car crashes into wall at Blake's Corner
New walking trail will create ‘Adare of Clare’
by PÁRAIC Mc MAHON
N
O injuries were reported after a car collided with a wall at Blake’s Corner in Ennistymon. At lunchtime on Saturday, a BMW car mounted a wall at Blake’s Corner. Two American tourists were in the vehicle at the time and sustained no injuries. The wall which the car hit was damaged. Gardaí from Ennistymon Garda Station attended the incident with delays for over half an hour causing congestion in the North Clare town as the vehicle was removed. Last June, a planning application was formally submitted Clare County Council to address congestion at the traffic blackspot. The local authority plan to develop an inner relief road including a new vehicle bridge crossing of the Inagh/Cullenagh River, 80 metres upstream of the existing bridge. The development also includes the demolition of two retail units and one residential unit. Fourteen objections had been received for a compulsory purchase order for two properties since the plans were lodged.
TOURISM: Newmarket-on-Fergus
Photo by Maura Considine
An Bord Pleanála to decide on Blake's Corner hearing held six months ago by PÁRAIC Mc MAHON AN BORD PLEANÁLA have yet to make a decision following an oral hearing held in June to determine the future of Blake’s Corner. A virtual oral hearing took place on June 9th and 10th via Microsoft Teams. It followed a compulsory purchase order by Clare County Council for two properties at Blake’s Corner in Ennistymon, fourteen objections had been issued for the CPO. Speaking to The Clare Echo on Wednesday morning, a spokesperson for Clare County Council confirmed that the local authority has not received an updated position from
An Bord Pleanála to the hearing. “Clare County Council is still awaiting the An Bord Pleanála decision regarding confirmation or otherwise of the CPO following the Oral Hearing which was held in early June 2021. A decision is hopefully expected from An Bord Pleanála before the end of the year and this will inform our next course of action in relation to the overall project,” the spokesperson outlined. Chairperson of Save Ennistymon’s Heritage, Denis Vaughan was concerned that no update had been provided to the local authority. He referenced Saturday’s incident where a car mounted the wall at Blake’s Cor-
ner, “besides causing traffic chaos at the busiest corner in Ireland and creating avoidable congestion, it is clearly dangerous! This situation is likely to continue and we shouldn’t have to put up with it”. “Two years ago, Clare County Council voted to build a bypass in Ennistymon. And what had been done since? Not enough. Surely two years is long enough to get construction started. We are calling for the Council to get Ennistymon moving again as a matter of urgency,” Vaughan added. “Ennistymon has waited for over 70 years for this development. We have waited long enough. Enough is enough”.
DEVELOPMENT of an outdoor adventure project in Newmarket-on-Fergus is the first step in making the village “the Adare of Clare”, writes Páraic McMahon. Under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS), funding of €286,500 was announced for three Clare projects. Of this amount, €180,000 is for the Newmarket-on-Fergus walking trail, €56,500 is for Ballinruan Bog Walk and €50,000 for the Ballyalla Lake Amenity Enhancement Plan. Community Development Officer with Obair in Newmarket-on-Fergus, Siobhan O’Driscoll explained that the progress of the trail has been sphearheaded through local collaboration. The accessible walking trail will run from O’Regan Park to Lough Gash before linking with the Mid Clare Way. This is part of bigger aspirations for the village, she outlined. “We want to make Newmarket-on-Fergus the Adare of Clare. This is the first step, we will be able to develop a walking trail to increase visitor numbers and then encourage more businesses to open on
our main street”. O’Driscoll believed visitors to Bunratty Castle and Dromoland Castle, both of which are in the parish of Newmarket would be enticed to the village thanks to the trail. Ballyalla’s inclusion comes on the back of the recently completed 7km loop walk which it received €40,000 for. Chair of the Ballyalla Blue Flag Working Group, Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) is to propose before the December meeting of the Ennis Municipal District that the first phase of works focus on upgrades and raise “if necessary sections of dangerous footpaths around the lakeshore areas which often flood in winter”. A timber board walk is to be developed in Ballinruan, Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) remarked, “I’ve seen these in other parts of the country and they work extremely well. They are simple but very effective”. Deputy Crowe added, “Outdoor facilities are massively valuable for people to have in their localities – not only for those living locally to get out and enjoy them but also in terms of attracting visitors from further afield”.
Contests for top positions on GAA Executive by SEAMUS HAYES Clare County Council is currently inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the below competition. Clare County Council will, following the interview process, form panels that will be used to fill sporadic vacancies that may arise subject to sanction approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage.
• PART-TIME CANTEEN ATTENDANT PANEL (SPORADIC COVER) Completed applications must be emailed to: recruitment@clarecoco.ie not later than 4.00 p.m. on Thursday 16th December 2021. Application forms and further particulars may be obtained by requesting same from the Human Resources Department, Clare County Council at 065-6846251, via e-mail: recruitment@clarecoco.ie or can be downloaded from the following website: www.clarecoco.ie Clare County Council is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sectors of the Community. Scriobh chugainn as gaeilge más fearr leat.
A NUMBER of contests on the Executive of Clare GAA have been confirmed following the close of nominations for the upcoming County Convention. Contests are expected for the roles of Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer. Elected to the position of chairman for the first time last year, Cratloe’s Jack Chaplin has confirmed that he is seeking re-election to the post. He will be opposed by the current vice chairman Kieran Keating who told The Clare Echo this week that he believes “there is an appetite for change in how we do things and I have the skillset to manage and help deliver that. My focus and objective is delivering on the strategic plan. I am looking for the position for 2022 and the scorecard
on how I perform will be determined by how much we deliver on the strategic plan recommendations”. Three people have been nominated for the position of vice chairman and they include current P.R.O. Michael O’Connor who informed fellow officers and clubs by text this week that he is a candidate for the post. Current Éire Óg secretary Paddy Smyth is also nominated for the position and he confirmed to The Clare Echo that he will be a candidate. The Ennis man went on to say that his “reason for going for the county vice chair post is to ensure that the strategic plan recommendations are implemented. I was fortunate to see Clare win 3 All-Ireland hurling titles, under 21 All-Irelands and a Munster senior football title and I want to ensure that the youth of today will be able to have a similar
opportunity. We have to move on. We have to ensure that we can replicate that and the strategic plan is the roadmap. I am deeply respectful of all in the present board, all are volunteers who have given of their time freely and I mean that sincerely. They brought this along the road and its time to move on. We need to get to where Cork are with the facilities they have now. To keep people interested we have to be able to give them the best,” he said. O’Callaghans Mills clubman and current Coiste na nÓg hurling chairman Neil O’Brien is also nominated for this position. He contested the position last year when he lost out to Kieran Keating. The club referee said he is presently considering whether or not to seek election this year. “After two seasons in which our fixtures have been greatly disrupted because of Covid,
we have done a lot of work in drawing up a schedule of games for 2022 bearing in mind the changes in the age groups which have been introduced”. Outgoing treasurer Michael Gallagher (Doonbeg) is set to be opposed by Rebecca Sexton from Kilmurry Ibrickane where she is the club treasurer, a position she has held for the past three years.Meanwhile former Bord na nÓg football secretary, Niomh Madigan from the Kilrush club which she has served in a variety of positions, is seeking election as assistant treasurer, a position which is currently held by Eire Óg clubman Tony Brohan. Both treasurer and assistant treasurer have confirmed they are seeking re-election. The remaining officers will, it is understood, be returned unopposed.The convention is set to take place on Tuesday December 14th.
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10 NEWS
THURSDAY, DEC 2 2021
'It was amazing' - Isabella still on cloud nine after Toy Show PÁRAIC MCMAHON
I
paraic@clareecho.ie
SABELLA SYDNEY is still on a high following her unforgettable appearance on The Late Late Toy Show. Friday night's Late Late Toy Show on RTÉ was one of the most watched programmes on a single channel on record in Ireland. It drew an average audience of 1.56 million on the night, representing 81% of the available audience. The Toy Show Appeal also reached the heights it set in its first year in 2020, raising €6.6m, €1.1m of that was donated by Revolut co-founder Vlad Yatsenko. Pupils of Ennis CBS on Tuesday presented Isabella with a cheque of €1,200 for the Toy Show Appeal. Ennis’ very own Isabella Sydney managed to win over the hearts of the nation when she made her appearance in the final part of the show presented by Ryan Tubridy. Such is the impression she made that the RTÉ presenter in his only post about the Toy Show on Instagram shared a picture of him interviewing the Clare native. She was born with a very rare condition called Lumbosacral Agenesis from birth
which necessitates her using a wheelchair as her legs were amputated at the age of 7. Her love of art and fashion was discussed during her chat with Tubridy and she was left shocked when he announced that the Syndey and Mulvey family would be heading to Paris in a trip sponsored by Aer Lingus that would also include stops at the Louvre and Disneyland. Speaking to The Clare Echo on Tuesday morning, Isabella admitted that she was still on cloud nine following the excitement of appearing on one of the country’s most watched television shows. While the Mulvey and Sydney families have been busy fielding calls of congratulations and well wishes via text. Bed-time has become more lenient in the days that followed, her mother Clare who as reported in last week’s Clare Echo was the county and provincial carer of the year. “She got up at half one on Sunday, half one in the day, I went in to check if she was alright, she was breathing heavy and I said ‘oh my God she is still out for the count’ and I woke her then because we were going over to my sister’s house to watch her little part together with my aunty Rita. It’s been a good few days, we’re exhausted”. Any nerves or doubts were put to ease by
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Tubridy during the 3pm rehearsal on Friday, Isabella recalled. “I was really nervous going into rehearsals but then I met Ryan and he was lovely, I felt reassured”. Appearing towards the end of the show also helped to calm the nerves while watching alongside her mother in their own dressing room as her father Darum and twin-brother AJ watched from the hotel, “I feel like getting to watch everyone else calmed me down a bit”. “It kept us calm, we watched the show inside on the TV and it was nice. I wasn’t one bit nervous, I knew she would be fine, when she met him in rehearsals he wound her up to the last, they got on great and I knew she would be fine, he was so good I thought, if there was an awkward silence he’d fill it,” Clare agreed. There was no mention of the surprise trip to France in the rehearsal, mind. “I was really shocked and surprised that I was going. I’m looking forward to seeing the Eiffel Tower at night-time because there is meant to be a lights show and it is really cool”. Her twin-brother AJ is more looking forward to going to Disneyland and possibly seeing Kylian Mbappé in action for Paris Saint-Germain. Aunty Mairead was given special mention during the Toy Show, “Yes, we go shopping together and stuff,” Isabella said while admitting she is spoilt by her aunt. Indeed it was Mairead that assisted with the application as Isabella submitted a video of her making slime before getting called to an audition where she made yet another positive impression. Huge support from Isabella and AJ’s classmates at Ennis CBS was clear to see and hear both before and after the show, Clare outlined, “we drove in around the school last week, they were all outside with banners last week and they were screaming, you could have heard it up town it was so loud, the cra-
PROUD: Isabella Sydney with her twin brother AJ, mother Clare, Aunty Mairead and grandparents Tony and Margaret Mulvey at the CBS School in Ennis where she was presented with a cheque for €1200.00 for the Toyshow Appeal 2021
Photo by Natasha Barton
ters were out in the rain, they were roaring and screaming with the excitement”. Isabella added, “We had to go around four times. I loved it”. Even Ed Sheeran couldn’t take Clare’s attention from her beloved Bella backstage following the show. “She was being presented with these izzy wheels and Chris Judge had sent her two illustrations so we were looking at them, Ed walked past us but I was so caught up with her. I was so excited and focused on my star”. “It couldn’t have got any better, it was really exciting, it made me really happy to read all the nice comments. It was amazing.”
Availability can be immediate OR within next 12 months All options considered All replies treated in strictest confidence
PLEASE CONTACT Hogan & Co | Accountancy 4 Abbey Street Ennis County Clare Telephone (065) 6824894
THREE CHEERS: Isabella Sydney with her best friends Clara Mulcaire and Sinead Perill and pupils of Ennis CBS National School who raised €1200.00 from a recent Christmas Jumper wearing day Photo by Natasha Barton
THURSDAY, DEC 2 2021
NEWS
11
12 NEWS
THURSDAY, DEC 2 2021
Losses at Trump Doonbeg more than double to €3.59 million
T
by GORDON DEEGAN HE impact of Covid-19 closures and restrictions resulted in pretax losses more
than doubling at the Donald Trump owned Doonbeg golf resort to €3.59m last year. According to new accounts for the company behind the
luxury Trump Doonbeg resort, TIGL Ireland Enterprises Ltd recorded the surge in pre-tax losses as revenues tumbled by 68.6pc or €8.23m from €11.99m to €3.76m last year.
The pre-tax loss of €3.59m for 2020 follows a pre-tax loss of €1.37m for 2019 - a rise of 162pc. The pre-tax loss last year takes account of hefty non-cash depreciation and amortisation charges of
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For more information and bookings see www.retrodrivein.ie Patrons attending this event are advised to follow government Covid-19 guidelines applicable at the time of the event.
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€1.6 million. The business in common with enterprises throughout the hospitality sector last year availed of Government Covid-19 wage supports and the accounts confirmed that the company received €496,565 in Government grants last year. The business last year lost more than half its workforce as numbers employed declined by 118 from 230 to 112 as staff costs reduced €6.5 million to €3.5 million. According to the directors’ report, the hotel and resort was closed for long periods in 2020 due to Covid-19 restrictions. They state that “this has had a direct impact on the group’s results for 2020”. They add that the restrictions continued into 2021 and the hotel and resort re-opened in June and the business “has returned to pre-Covid-19 levels of trading since”. They add: “Nonetheless, the ongoing impact of Covid-19 will continue to present challenges and risks for the group and the hospitality sector as a whole.” Eric Trump and Donald Trump Junior are directors of the company and concerning the resort’s future developments, they add that they are in the process of upgrading facilities at the Trump International Hotel and Golf Links resort at Doonbeg. They state that “it is expected that this will enhance the customer experience and have a positive impact on the company and group’s trading results”. On the progress of the business this year, the directors state that with the roll out of the National Vaccination Programme and the Government’s re-opening strategy, they are confident that the business can achieve
its budgeted results for the remainder of this period and return to normal trading conditions in the near future. The Trump Organisation has ploughed more than €40m, including the purchase price, into the resort since it came under the ownership of the Trump Organisation in February 2014. The new accounts show that a further €1.5 million was ploughed into the resort by its owners last year and this followed a capital contribution of €1.8m in 2019. The Trump organisation purchased the resort for a knock-down price and since then the former US President Trump has visited the resort seven times. The most high profile visit was in June 2019 which was the businessman’s only visit to Ireland while President of the United States. The two night visit by the President provided a wind-fall for the resort when it received €107,625 for providing food and catering to Gardai on overtime protecting the President. At the end of last year, the company’s shareholder funds totalled €17.8 million. This was made up of €15.4m in accumulated losses and €33.2m in other reserves. The company last year recorded a gross profit of €3.2m and administrative expenses of €5.69m offset by ‘other operating income’ of €496,565 resulted in the operating loss of €1.98m. Former President Trump and his daughter, Ivanka stepped down as directors from the company on January 19th 2017 - one day prior to President Trump’s inauguration. The accounts were signed off by directors, Eric Trump and General Manager, Joe Russell on November 22nd.
Hotel Doolin wins Red Cross Award HOTEL Doolin has been awarded the Corporate Impact Award for its Green Team Programme in the prestigious Irish Red Cross Humanitarian Awards. The hotel became Ireland’s first carbon neutral hotel in 2019 and has continued to implement innovative changes to lead the way in the hospitality sector in Ireland.
Aine Martin, Green Team leader at Hotel Doolin, said: “To be shortlisted for an Irish Red Cross Award is a testament to the wonderful work of the very special Hotel Doolin team. The last year and a half has come with its many challenges, however we always aim to overcome our challenges in a positive way.”
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14 NEWS
THURSDAY, DEC 2 2021
More electric charging points needs to become a priority
frastructure in our county it is very hard to be encouraging people to do so”. Since purchasing an electric car in 2017, John Casey has clocked up 175,000km in his EV. “I wouldn’t go back, it is a tremendous pleasure to drive a full electric, it is so smooth, comfortable and is pretty
much emissions free”. While the cost of purchasing an electric vehicle even with the assistance of a grant can be expensive, the Ennis resident flagged that the selection of EVs available is growing. “They have incentives in terms of half-price tolling for full electric vehicles but people look at the upfront cost of the car and that additional amount that you have to pay for an electric vehicle as opposed to a petrol or diesel and they think it is quite expensive, if you are doing any amount of driving you will recover that over a number of years. The running costs are substantially less than running a petrol or diesel car and it is only going one direction with the increasing price of petrol and diesel. “I’m charging my car predominantly on night-rate electricity at my home at an absolute fraction, maybe a quarter or less than the price of filling a car with petrol or diesel”. Speaking to The Clare Echo, Senator Garvey noted that Clare County Council have yet to avail
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PÁRAIC MCMAHON
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paraic@clareecho.ie
LARE’s existing infrastructure is too weak to encourage more people to drive electric vehicles, a Green Party senator has acknowledged. Fast charging points for electric vehicles can be found in Ennis, Lahinch and Shannon with up to fifteen street chargers located in places such as the county town, Kilkee, Lisdoonvarna, Newmarket-on-Fergus and Sixmilebridge. East Clare is deprived of charging points, one electric vehicle driver in the area told The Clare Echo. “There are no public charging points if you go from Ennis to Portumna and back to Nenagh. Businesses and tourist attractions should be considering installing charging points to try and encourage to stop at their premises and stay local”. Senator Roisin Garvey (GP) has acknowledged bids to entice
GREEN: John Casey at an EV charging point in Ennis
Photo by Natasha Barton
people to get behind the wheel of an electric vehicle have been hindered. “There isn’t enough infrastructure, it is very hard to say to people go to electric cars because they are not very affordable, I’ll be waiting for a second hand one myself, until we can give people confidence with the e-charge in-
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of SEAI’s on-street public charge point scheme for local authorities. “There has been no limit to the amount of funding and support available to the local authorities from the Department of Transport because I’ve raised the issue myself wondering why we don’t have more charging points, I know from talking directly to the Minister for Transport there is no shortage of funding for e-charge points for local authorities. Just recently, he announced funding for communities to apply for e-charging points”. A spokesperson for Clare County Council told The Clare Echo, “The government initiative for EV charging points in residential areas provides for part funding of EV chargers on public streets or public carparks which provide overnight parking for local residents. A strategy is being developed in Clare County Council for the provision of these EV chargers suitably located in residential areas where users predominately do not have access to off street parking. Funding applications will be made to SEAI for these charger points in 2022”.
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16 NEWS
THURSDAY, DEC 2 2021
COUNCILLORS VOTE IN €138 MILLION BUDGET PÁRAIC MCMAHON
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paraic@clareecho.ie
RATES: Clare County Council HQ
HOW THEY VOTED
FOR: Cllr Joe Cooney (FG), Cllr Pat Hayes (FF), Cllr Pat Burke (FG), Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF), Cllr John Crowe (FG), Cllr Michael Begley (IND), Cllr PJ Ryan (IND), Cllr Pat McMahon (FF), Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND), Cllr Pat O’Gorman (FF), Cllr Shane Talty (FF), Cllr Joe Killeen (FF), Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG), Cllr Bill Chambers (FF), Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG), Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF). AGAINST: Cllr Mary Howard (FG), Cllr Mark Nestor (FF), Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG), Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF), Cllr Paul Murphy (FG), Cllr Ann Norton (IND), Cllr Pat Daly (FF), Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF), Cllr PJ Kelly (FF), Cllr Ian Lynch (IND). NOT PRESENT: Cllr Liam Grant (GP), Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF)
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LARE’S county councillors have adopted its revenue budget voting against a calls for a deferral of the decision. Sixteen councillors voted in favour of the budget with ten against the proposals while two were absent when votes were called. Businesses in the county will now face a 3.8% increase in their rates, it is the first time since 2009 that there has been a hike in the commercial rates collected across the county. An expenditure of €138.7m is provided for in the revenue budget representing an increase of €7.3m over the previous year, housing and roads combined account for 44% of this allocation. The projected capital expenditure over three years is €409m subject income, grants and matching funding. Chief Executive of Clare County Council, Pat Dowling told Friday’s budgetary meeting that pragmatism and realism was required when assessing the challenges created by COVID-19. He flagged that close to €50m in business supports was provided by the Council in the past 21 months. An uncertain period of inflation has muddied the waters, the Kilkee resident professed. Confirmation has yet to be issued on what will happen to the €2.8m in rates lost to the Council when Moneypoint is to close. “There has been a significant reduction from our former vibrant tourism sector which has added to the burden of balancing our finances in 2022”. Dowling continued, “for over 25 years leading to 2016, Clare County Council carried a deficit on its accounts, at its height it had a deficit of €9m”. He warned that the anticipated income for 2021 was concerning and may see the trend of the last five years reversed. “We are determined not to slip back, the climate has never been so difficult but we must keep to seek our finances on an even keel”. Head of Finance, Noeleen Fitzgerald advised the meeting that in excess of €5m was included as a loss in their forecast for 2021, “that loss is driven primarily by loss of income resulting from restrictions on business but also additional expenditure incurred during the year, some of it as a result of the pandemic but also the inflationary costs across energy and construction sector as we maintain and carry out refurbishments to buildings”. The proposed spend of €410m from 2022 to 2024 in the draft capital budget was labelled as “very ambitious”. Arguments put forward by councillors who were supporting the budget hailed the importance of the General Municipal Allocation which remained at €1,273,000 for the coming year in supporting local projects. “People might say cut community grants but it is imperative that businesses see the value of these grants,” Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) stated. Without an increase, Clare already had the sixth highest rates valuation in the country, Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) highlighted. He said the county was failed by its Oireachtas members in that money collected for the Local Property Tax (LPT) was not remaining in the county. “It is inherently unfair, it is sending out a dreadful message on Black Friday when businesses are on their knees”.
Similar views were expressed by Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF), to enforce a rates increase of 3.8% was “very unfair”. He felt the LPT was “the elephant in the room” as he voiced his annoyance with the equalisation fund. Up to €2m from LPT collected in Clare does not remain in the county as it is used to make up for losses in other counties. “We’re not going to carry the can for the inadequacies and inefficiencies for their lack of a voice around the national table in Dáil Éireann”. Any cuts to the GMA would result in local businesses being asked to support more projects in their area, Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) believed. “We voted overwhelmingly to increase the local property tax, we asked ordinary homeowners to put their hand in their pocket for services during a very difficult time, it would be disingenuous not to ask businesses to do the same”. Businesses have experienced “a serious loss” over the past two years, Cllr Pat Daly (FF) outlined. “Pubs and hotels in this town have been hammered”. Discretion is limited in the Budget, Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF) observed. He felt the decision was very tough but said as a rates-payer himself he was facing an increase of €91 if the Budget was passed. The alternative to not supporting the Budget would see potential cuts to the county’s Fire Service or financial backing to community groups. Nationally Clare’s rates are “already high” without a further increase, Cllr Ian Lynch (IND) noted. He pointed out that businesses will find it easier to trade solely online and this may reduce their need to have a physical shop which will hurt the Council. Ambition and investment is needed to make Clare an attractive place to live and work, “that’s what keeps the tills ringing,” Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) maintained. Protections are included in the Budget to support smaller businesses and the hospitality industry, Cllr Shane Talty (FF) felt. “I am a rates payer for 11 years, I didn’t go seeking votes to increase costs on businesses, I looked for the opportunity to represent people to get investment and improvements in our towns and villages. Do we kick to touch on investment and ambition or try to continue with as fair a Budget as we possibly can”. Rates were labelled by Cllr Mary Howard (FG) as “undemocratic tax on businesses”. She felt there was parallels between the present and 2009 when “the bubble had burst”. Only three counties are considering upping their rates, she highlighted. “They say turkeys don’t vote for Christmas but Cllr O’Callaghan and Cllr Talty are rates-payers and they are in favour of the Budget,” Cllr Pat Burke (FG) noted. He said the value of the GMA and what it brings to East Clare such as footpaths, street furniture and public lighting serves as a boost to local businesses. The GMA was hailed by Cllr Pat O’Gorman as “a lifeline to all of our communities”. Businesses are “hanging by a thread,” Cllr Clare Colleran-Molloy (FF) warned as she accused the Council of rolling over on a challenge. Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) argued that businesses would benefit from a balanced budget. Pleas issued by Cllr PJ Kelly (FF), Cllr Ian Lynch (IND) and Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) to adjourn the meeting so that different solutions could be put forward were rejected. Kelly announced that it would be the first time he was voting against the Budget.
NEWS 17
THURSDAY, DEC 2 2021
'Death by a thousand cuts' - Shock at rates increase
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by PÁRAIC McMAHON USINESSES in Clare have expressed their surprise and annoyance with the decision of county councillors to vote in favour of a 3.8 percent increase in commer-
cial rates. Clare, Leitrim and Cork are presently the only local authorities to have increased their commercial rates during the pandemic, a move which has left business owners in the county shell-shocked. Calls from Ennis and Shannon Chambers to defer the vote on Friday’s budget were defeated with the representative groups frustrated to only have had forty eight hours notice of the measures following a briefing with Council Chief Executive, Pat Dowling. In a joint statement to The Clare Echo, Ennis and Shannon Chamber on behalf of their 500 member companies expressed their disappointment, “the decision is very much at odds with Government decisions and acceptance that businesses still need support to enable them to overcome the challenges they have faced since the onset of COVID-19 and continue to face, as cases rise, and a new variant has been detected”. Dermot Fetton of Henry’s Bistro & Wine
Bar (inset) admitted, “I actually thought it was a joke, I didn’t think it could be true, when I realised it was true I was absolutely flabbergasted”. He was adamant the timing was awful for such an increase, “we’ve been in it together since March 2020 and we need to support hospitality, we can’t stand for this, it is not acceptable at this time”. “It’s like a death by a thousand cuts, it is all these little things and they all add up. As an industry, it has been so hard to hold onto your people, we’ve been very lucky in Henry’s Bistro we’ve held onto everyone through the whole pandemic. These kind of things don’t make it any easier, it is exasperating,” Dermot told The Clare Echo. Up to 13 per cent have been missed in rates collections, Lahinch based Michael Vaughan flagged as he questioned the thinking behind the Council’s decision. “Nearly every councillor I’ve spoken to agreed with me that the optics weren’t good. The Council management played a fantastic game, they told their councillors that their GMA others might call it a slush fund would come under threat. A single councillor I spoke to wasn’t prepared to vote against the increase, the rural councillors seemed to fear more than any that they would lose this discretionary spend”.
Positive actions have been made by the local authority in recent years such as its investment in Lahinch prior to the Irish Open, the owner of Vaughan Lodge Hotel acknowledged. “I’ve never given out about an increase in other years but solidarity is the order of the day at the moment and it wasn’t achieved. A rate is a tax and you’ve no way out of it. From my point of view, it will amount to a good few hundred quid of an increase, I’m facing a revaluation next year anyway and will have an additional increase in my rate of 25 percent, that will happen because I added some rooms on in 2019. “It’s not going to be catastrophic for the business, I will find a way and I will pay the rate but we’re looking for our public services to be lean and efficient and to have efficient means of operating their business and I’m not sure Clare County Council has achieved full efficiency in their business yet”.
Allen Flynn owner of The Old Ground Hotel said he was shocked to hear of the increase. “Government supports are keeping us going and then we have an individual authority that decides to increase the rates, it was a kick in the teeth to businesses more than anything”. He said the biggest disappointment was the rejection of calls to defer the vote. “It’s more the principle of it. If we’re working together to come out of the COVID situation which we’ve all been in for two years, we would certainly have asked that there be more consultation with the Chamber, I believe the Chamber only got two days notice that the rates were going up. “All the Ennis councillors voted against it and they brought up that it would have been great to know there was a period of consultation where other areas could have been looked at in terms of cost reductions as opposed to increasing rates for a hospitality industry which is already on its knees”.
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18 NEWS
THURSDAY, DEC 2 2021
Colm brings rich history of Dromoland back to life PÁRAIC MCMAHON
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paraic@clareecho.ie
ROMOLAND CASTLE’s rich history has been brought back to life in a new book. Colm Liddy published ‘Long Ago in Newmarket-on-Fergus’ this April and he has followed that up with the release of ‘Long Ago in Dromoland’ chronicling over 1000 years of history, it was published in September but launched earlier this month in the Castle. A huge cast of fascinating characters feature in the book which goes into detail on the O’Brien family whom Colm felt were “key players in Irish history, that hasn’t been fully appreciated”. He acknowledged the importance it has played in the locality providing “a massive boom in employment” for
residents of Newmarket-on-Fergus and surrounding parishes. He said of Dromoland, “from the outside it’s a handsome castle but there’s far more to it than that. The people who dwelt inside, the O’Brien family, lived lives of uncommon variety. “They were good, they were bad, they were everything except boring. And across 1000 years, through every twist and turn of Irish history, there was usually an O’Brien involved, in some way big or small”. Dromoland was owned by the O’Brien family from 1642 to 1968 beginning with Sir Donat and ending with Sir Donough, they had roots in Clare stretching back over a thousand years. Eight of the O’Brien family are covered in the 164 pages of Colm’s book. Their eras ranged from becoming a dominant force in Irish horse-racing, friendships with Arthur Guinness, involvement in
the construction of the Grand Canal, a political rivalry with Daniel O’Connell not to mention a World War or two. “I have got so interested in this place and the family that lived here,” the Trinity College graduate admitted. The author of two books published by Penguin, Colm has focused on local history in recent years which has been embraced by followers of the Long Ago in Newmarket-on-Fergus social media pages. Among the high-profile individuals to have visited Dromoland Castle since it became a five-star hotel after it was acquired by US citizen Bernard McDonagh from the O’Brien clan for £66,000 in 1963 are Nelson Mandela, Johnny Cash, Richard Nixon and Teddy Kenndy, “John F Kennedy intended to,” Colm revealed. During the height of Beatlemania, George Harrison and John Lennon accompanied by Harri-
HISTORY: Colm Liddy Photo by John Mangan
son’s then girlfriend Pattie Boyd, a Vogue model and Lennon’s wife Cynthia spent five nights in the newly opened Dromoland Castle Hotel in March 1964. They booked one double room and two singles in the name ‘Boyd’ and arrived from Heathrow in disguise. “At the height of Beatlemania, they made Dromoland their playground,” Colm stated. Initially their stay was idyllic but word of their rumoured presence began to spread and cameras began appearing, George and John agreed to do a photo shoot with the Daily Mirror, the results of which appear in the book. When fans began to surround the hotel, the duo whisked away to the Cliffs of Moher, unconfirmed reports of a trip to Wall’s to purchase a pair of shoes or attending a music session at McHugh’s in Liscannor where they were told to quieten down are recalled. Then it was time to leave Dro-
moland and a plan was needed to get Pattie and Cynthia off the grounds, to avoid the scrums they had to dress up as chambermaids. “While John and George left through the front door, the girls wheeled a large laundry basket down to the service exit, then jumped inside. The lid was closed and the basket hoisted into a waiting van. They remained inside it, tangled up and shaken about as it sped away to Shannon Airport,” Colm detailed.
Trading at €30, Long Ago In Dromoland can be purchased at Halpin’s Garage, Varden’s Pharmacy and at Newmarket-on-Fergus Family Butchers. Further enquires can be made to colmliddy@eircom.net. He is hopeful of releasing a second volume to Long Ago in Newmarket-on-Fergus in the coming months.
Locals afraid to cross the road in Spancilhill by PÁRAIC McMAHON FEAR is building that a “serious accident” will occur at Spancilhill with residents appealing for a reduction in the speed limit in the locality with people afraid to cross the road. Two separate motions were tabled by Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) regarding Spancilhill at the most recent sitting of the Ennis Municipal District. She asked that it be zoned as a ‘settlement’ in the new County Development Plan and also for a drop in the speed limit from 80km/h “to a lower and safer speed”. Acting senior planner with Clare County Council, Helen Quinn outlined that Spancilhill was defined as a cluster within the county settlement hierarchy in the 2017-2023 Development Plan. She explained, “Clusters are described as the smallest type of settlement in the County Settlement Hierarchy and each cluster has a defined boundary. The draft new Clare County Development Plan is currently in preparation and the continued inclusion of Spancilhill as a defined
APPEAL Spancilhill Cross Photo by John Mangan cluster within the over settlement hierarchy for the County will be considered as part of the plan-making process”. National speed limit reviews are initiated every five years by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) with the most recent one in Clare completed in 2018, senior executive
engineer Eamon O’Dea advised. “The Low Cost Safety Works at Spancilhill will be installed this month and further speed surveys will be undertaken following the installation of additional speed limit signs,” he added. Worry and concern is rife among residents of Spancilhill, Cllr Colleran Molloy
highlighted, “the bottom line is that these people have fear in their lives that there is going to be a serious accident on this road”. A road improvement scheme completed in recent years “was welcomed” but has led to further problems, Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) felt. “It was a dangerous road but it has led to higher speeding and it has cut the community in half, the road is so busy that people are not crossing the road to families and neighbours”. Drivers must obey the speed of the road, O’Dea said in response. “It is also a requirement on person driving a car on a public road to obey the rules of the road. At some stage, we will have to come to a sense of thought on road safety. There is a responsibility on drivers to consider what they are doing. God forbid if a child is knocked down, how will they live with that”. “Personal responsibility has to come into it,” Cllr Mary Howard (FG) agreed. “Drivers are breaking the limit when they see the good surface. Often times it takes a fatal accident before something can be done. It is an accident waiting to happen”.
NEWS 19
THURSDAY, DEC 2 2021
Clarecastle student awarded prestigious STEM scholarship STUART HOLLY
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editor@clareecho.ie
LARECASTLE engineering student Sarah O’Rourke is one of only 16 women in the University of Limerick to be awarded the WiSTEM2D scholarship from Johnson and Johnson. WiSTEM2D stands for Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Manufacturing and Design. This marks the sixth year of J&J’s award, continuing to inspire women in STEM studies and encourage them to pursue a
career in this field. The WiSTEM2D programme underlines J&J’s commitment to develop and implement high impact strategies. Sarah has expressed her excitement to work with and learn from the leading members of the WiSTEM2D group. The third-year biomedical engineering student has said she feels that STEM is the way forward for the future. “I would like to encourage and promote the STEM subjects for
young women starting in primary school and continuing throughout their secondary education progressing to the STEM courses and jobs of the future," Sarah added. The past pupil of Colaiste Muire mentioned that she was very fortunate in her education as she was encouraged and mentored in the STEM subjects. “I was very lucky to have had very progressive teachers throughout my education who believed that anyone who had an interest in science or engineering should pursue it. Women have so much to offer in Engineering, they add a new dimension to any team and I think engineer-
ing needs more forward thinking women to mould and shape it in the future," she said. University of Limericks President, Professor Kerstin Mey congratulated the recipients at a virtual awards ceremony on November 29th. The award recipient was given a bespoke framed glass artwork created by Fermoy based artist, Suzanne O’Sullivan. In the coming months, Sarah will be working with a team who will research the changes needed to alleviate obstacles experienced by females in STEM education in primary and secondary schools. FUTURE: Sarah O'Rourke
Council owned vacant properties to be occupied by Christmas VACANT Council owned properties in Whitegate are set to be occupied before Christmas, writes Páraic McMahon. Two vacant properties at Lakyle Park in
Whitegate were added to Clare County Council’s energy retrofit scheme and at a minimum are expected to reach a B2 BER energy level. Their inclusion in the scheme
allowed for the provision of an air to water heating system. Tony Neville, a senior executive engineer in the Council’s housing department detailed that the completion dates for the two properties was pushed back from October to the end of November. He expected they would be allocated shortly after their completion. An update on when the properties would be made available for letting was sought by Cllr Pat Burke at the most recent sitting of the Killaloe Municipal District. He referenced the nationwide “housing crisis” as a reason for appealing for an update. “People are struggling to rent in the private sector, the process is so slow. One of these houses is vacant for twelve months, to leave a house vacant for twelve months in a housing crisis drove me to put down the motion. It is twelve months since one of these houses became available”. He acknowledged the pressure in the building sector presently with a “shortage” of materials and workers. “People are desperate to get their hands on a local authority house,” the Whitegate representative commented as he voiced frustration that the houses were left “lying idle”. Cathaoirleach of the Killaloe MD, Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) felt it was “welcome news that
the houses will be ready by the end of November and will be occupied by Christmas”. He outlined that contractors were under a lot of pressure to source materials in the current climate. Director of Service, Anne Haugh explained of this year’s Council Budget that vacant stock “is up there in red lights and will continue to be in future budgets”. Returning vacant stock to the market is heavily reliant on funding, she stressed. “Some houses can be turned out quickly but in a large amount of cases, significant works have to be done. When houses are vacant, we look at all aspects of upgrades that can be done at the time. “There is a funding issue. We try to seek alternatives from other funding sources, the energy retrofit programme is another resource”. Issues other than funding are delaying progress, Cllr Burke flagged. “If you had all the money in the world where can you turn around the projects quicker if there are no workers. Are they going to fall out of the sky. The shortage of young fellas and ladies going into trades and apprenticeships is a very serious issue going forward. “It needs to happen quicker. The shortage of young people going into apprenticeships and trades is a concern”.
20 Arts & Entertainment
THURSDAY, DEC 2 2021
glór celebrates 20th birthday
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by PÁRAIC McMAHON WENTY years of glór have been marked this week, exactly two decades on from its official opening. Since opening its doors in 2001, more than 900,000 people have attended over 8000 ticketed performances and events at glór. Its official opening took place on Friday November 30th 2001 by former Clare TD and then Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands Síle de Valera (FF) before a specially invited audience, over 60 great Clare performers - three generations of the best players of Clare music took to the glór stage, including Tony McMahon, Paddy Canny, James Cullinan, Tony Linnane, Noel Hill, Siobhan Peoples, Martin Hayes, Josephine Marsh, Maura O’Connell, the Tulla Ceili Band, and the Kilfenora Ceili Band, to present a night of music such as has never been heard before. With Martin Hayes and the Sawdoctors performing over the next two nights, glór in its opening weekend produced one of the best three nights of music ever staged in Clare.Built at a cost of €8.5m, glór was the largest investment in the Arts in County Clare. With two auditoria, seating 485 and 65 people respectively. glór hosts local, national, and international music, theatre, talks, dance, comedy, and visual arts events throughout the year, and since 2015 has initiated a number of Artists in residence and Artist mentoring programmes for Clare artists. Dr. Dave Flynn was appointed glór’s first Associate Artist, later joined by theatre makers Catherine Ireton, and Jacinta Sheerin in
GLÓRIOUS: Some familiar faces at the opening of glór 20 years ago
2018. In 2019, glór appointed a Curator in Residence, Dr. Moran Been-noon who has curated both digital and physical exhibitions for the venue since her appointment. Most recently Clare Sands was appointed RESONATE Music Network Artist in Residence, culminating in a performance of new work with collaborators Steve Cooney and visual artist Liadain Ní Bhraonáin this November. Some of Ireland’s most respected theatre makers have done co-productions with glór. Sweet About Me by Jacinta Sheerin premiered in glór in March 2019, and in June 2019 co-produced Cleft by Rough Magic starring Ennis’ own Simone Kirby. Most
Three centuries recalled in new Killimer Local History book OVER 1,500 photographs and stories across three centuries of West Clare are shared in a new book, writes Páraic McMahon. Killimer Local History Group will virtually launch ‘Living on the Wild Atlantic Way Through a Lens’ at Knockerra Church on Saturday December 11th. The launch will take place following 6pm mass that eve-
ning. For those unable to physically make the launch, it will also be broadcast via killimerparish.com. There are over 1,500 photographs and stories in the book which is 667 pages. Stories from across three centuries are told in the publication which is expected to have a wide appeal throughout West Clare
and further afield. Such is the demand for the book that all hardback copies were snapped up within two days, even before the launch. Paperback copies of the book will be on sale for €40 at the launch next weekend. LOCAL HISTORY: The book contains over 1,500 photos
recently in 2020 glór co-produced and premiered Flights by Clarecastle playwright John O’Donovan. The MÓRglór concert continues to be a much-loved event in glór’s calendar since the first tribute concert to Muiris Ó Rochain in 2013 . MÓRglór recipients are Corofin Traditional Music Festival (2014); Eoin O’Neill (2015); Frank Custy (2016); Geraldine Cotter (2017); Chris Droney (2018); Mary MacNamara (2019) and The Shannon Family in 2021. Doors were closed for almost eighteen months at glór because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these challenges glór
continued to work behind the scenes supporting Clare artists with successful mentoring schemes, pairing an established national mentor with an emerging Clare artist, and through the 2020 digital programmes. Works from Mick O’Dea, Lorraine Wall, Walter Verling and Jean Regan are among those to have been exhibited in the glór gallery. The venue also works with a wealth of programming partners including Fishamble, The Abbey, Ballet Ireland, Druid Theatre Company, Music Network, Branar Teatár do Phaistí, Access Cinema, Ennis Book Club Festival, Ennis Players, The Pantaloons, Clare Youth Theatre and Clare Youth Trad Orchestra. There are five full-time members of staff at glór with thirty part-time employees. Director, Orla Flanagan said of the milestone, “glór has so much to be proud of as we reflect on the first twenty years as a centre of excellence for the arts in Clare, above all the commitment of the many staff and the Board, the passion of the artists and the support of our partners has enabled so many memorable arts experiences and events at glór. I want to particularly pay tribute to the support of our voluntary Board and our brilliant staff team who have navigated the last two challenging years of the pandemic, and we look forward to many more artistic endeavours and exciting exhibitions and performances in our third decade”. This year glór will celebrate its 20th birthday quietly with a small gathering of friends but looks forward to celebrating its 21st birthday in style in 2022. To celebrate the 20th milestone, glór is running a fantastic giveaway with a prize of a pair of tickets to every event in the programme in 2022.
NEWS
THURSDAY, DEC 2 2021
Christmas at glór With fun festive events
Box Office Opening hours
VISUAL ARTS glór presents Eggs & Butter: Emma Brennan, Emily Waszak and Rachel Macmanus Runs until Saturday 8 January glór gallery is open 10am - 3pm Monday to Friday │ 10am - 4pm Saturday ---------------------------------------------------------------
EVENTS Finghin Collins Thursday 2 December 8pm €20/€18 Conc./€10 Under 18s
Riverbank Arts Centre presents Pure Mental by Keith Walsh Wednesday 8 December 8pm €18/€16 Conc.
10am – 2.30pm Monday – Friday, 10am – 4pm Saturday Ballet Ireland presents Nutcracker Sweeties Thursday 16 December 7:30pm Friday 17 December 4pm & 7.30pm €25 Adult/€20 Conc./€18 Child/Family Ticket €80 75 mins Ages 8+ The Clare Christmas Concert: Proceeds support the local homeless community Saturday 18 December 8pm €25/€22 Conc. Pantaloons present Cinderella Thursday 23 December (relaxed performance) 3pm Monday 27 December to Saturday 1 January 3pm €15/€50 Family of 4
Great gig gifts
Reeling in the Showband Years, Jan 6 Keith Barry, Jan 7 Kilfenora Céilí Band, Jan 8 – 9; An Evening with Johnny McEvoy in Concert, Jan 14 Mike Denver with special guest Brendan Shine, Jan 20 Des Bishop, Jan 21 Tommy Fleming: 30th Anniversary Tour, Jan 22 Neil Delamere, Jan 29. Give a glór gift voucher and let them choose from lots of events throughout the year Give yourself or someone you love a Christmas present that lasts all year – a glór Friend’s subscription is the gift that keeps on giving with complimentary tickets, dedicated Friends’ Nights, discounts in the café and much more. glór Café is open 10am – 3pm One-hour free parking Pre-book your tickets on www.glor.ie or on 065 6843103. Please note that €1 booking fee applies. Please see www.glor.ie for further information on making your visit safe Face Coverings must be worn in the building. Proof of vaccination required under current guidelines.
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THURSDAY, DEC 2 2021
SHANNON NEWS in association with
Students beginning to shine as The Comp launches new music programme PÁRAIC MCMAHON
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paraic@clareecho.ie
T PATRICK’S Comprehensive School in Shannon are the first school in the country to partake in a new music programme. Le Chéile Le Ceol: Ar Scoil is an initiative that was created by Damian O’Rourke of Cuppa Tea TV. The Shannon man is a past pupil of The Comp. He has adapted the programme to work with schools and young people. For the first music session of Le Chéile, Damian led a special music circle encouraging young people to show their voice in a safe and
SQUIRCLE: Damian O’Rourke leads the programme
comfortable environment. One third year music class performed a selection of their favourite songs with further sessions planned at The Comp. It is hoped that other schools across Clare will express an
interest in running the programme with Damien keen to form a collaboration with St Caimin’s Community School in Shannon. Damian explained, “Le Chéile Le Ceol is a music circle session I
started in the courtyard of Hotel Doolin near the end of the summer this year as a once off to bring people together through music, sit in a circle and play an instrument, sing a song or recite a poem”. It was then added to the schedule at the Doolin Folk Festival in September, “the seating was in a square formation at this which brought about the name music ‘Squircle’ (square and circle)”. After a number of sessions, Damian felt it would be a worthwhile exercise to conduct with young music makers. “After a quick chat with Jacquie Murphy at The Comp, the wheels were set in motion and a date arranged with the help of Jacquie, Ciara and Marguerite. Le Chéile Le Ceol Ar Scoil was born”.
Music teacher, Ciara Golden expressed their delight at working with Damian once again having previously done so for the Youth in Music project. “The most important element of this project for me as a teacher is to see students, who might struggle with confidence or who might not usually feel comfortable standing in front of crowd, shine musically in this ‘Squircle’. “Going forward, we hope to work on having the ‘Squricle’ as part of our school community and being a part of our school’s Wellbeing Programme.We really look forward to continuing on this wonderful initiative into the future and hope that it will become a part of our wonderful music culture here in The Comp”.
Consultation is key for traffic calming measures by PÁRAIC McMAHON ENGAGEMENT with Corrib Drive residents has been flagged as crucial if traffic calming measures are to be advanced in Shannon. Installation of traffic calming measures was requested by Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) for Corrib Drive with residents worrying “about the speed of cars and the fact that children use the road”. Corrib Drive consists of two one-way lines, both of which are approximately 500m in length. It serves a number of residential developments with a church, national school and soccer club at its south eastern end. Senior executive engineer in the Shannon Municipal District, Tom Mellett detailed
that a speed survey for each line would be organised to “determine the extent of the problem”. Staff in road design office will be pressed to identify suitable traffic calming measures. He acknowledged, “a number of residents with properties fronting onto the road, park on the road edge”. Whatever ideas are put forward, residents “need to be engaged”, Cllr McGettigan affirmed and she suggested this be done by means of a survey. “Local people expect public consultation would happen when it is possible to do so,” Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) stated. He described Corrib Drive as “probably the most beautiful area of Shannon with traffic coming both ways”.
RESIDENTS: Corrib Drive Photo by Joe Buckley
NEWS
THURSDAY, DEC 2 2021
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THURSDAY, DEC 2 2021
in association with
Controlled pedestrian crossing sought for St Flannan’s College PÁRAIC MCMAHON
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paraic@clareecho.ie
ITH a pedestrian entrance to return to St Flannan’s College for the first time since the 1970s, calls have been made for a controlled crossing to be introduced to complement these works. In October, planning permission was granted to reopen a pedestrian entrance at St Flannan’s College. At present, the school has vehicular access through its entrance on College View Rd with two existing pedestrian access points. Board of management at St Flannan’s College successfully applied to the local authority for permission to re-open the entrance on the boundary wall to the Clare Road, as well
as erecting a barrier and gate. The access was previously used as a pedestrian access point in the 1970s and was the school’s main access location in the 1940s and 50s. Preliminary meetings have taken place between St Flannan’s College, consulting engineers Punch and Clare County Council regarding the potential construction of a controlled crossing point adjacent to the proposed entrance. At the November meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, Cllr Pat Daly (FF) asked the local authority to put down a controlled crossing on the R458 Clare Road. He stated, “It is important a controlled crossing is put in place fairly soon to accommodate students. Final grant of planning must be issued before the Ennis MD will proceed with a Section 38 traffic calming public consultation for a controlled pedestrian crossing, senior executive officer Eamon O’Dea responded.
‘Beatha teanga í a labhairt’ by MUIREANN McGRATH TÁ COMHORDAITHEOIR Pleanála Teanga le beith fostaithe mar pháirt do phlean teanga na hInse. Tá an Clár as Gaeilge ag cur an phlean i bhfeidhm. Tá sé mar pháirt don aidhm atá acu chun Gaeilge a spreagadh ar fud Chontae an Chláir. Ón am a bunaíodh é in 2002, tá an Clár as Gaeilge ag obair an t-am ar fad chun Gaeilge a chur chun cinn anseo in Inis. Ritheann said imeachtaí cosúil le Féile na hInse, Féile Scoil Dramaíochta, ranganna Gaeilge agus iomaíochtaí eagsúla eile chun an aidhm seo a bhaint amach. Cé gur mheas daoine go raibh an Gaeilge “neamhfhaiseanta” agus “neamhriachtanach”, ceapann an Clár as Gaeilge go bhfuil athrú tar éis a theacht ar mheoin an phobail le cúpla bliain anuas. I mí Mhéan Fómhair na bliana seo, fuair siad 80 milliún i gcomhair an phlean Gaeilge nua. Thosaigh an t-ullmhú don phlean teanga chomh luath le 2015 nuair a chur an Clár as Gaeilge iarratas chuig Foras na Gaeilge chun Inis a ainmniú mar bhaile Líonra na Gaeilge. I ndiaidh sin, bronnadh an teideal “Baile Líonra Gaeilge” ar Inis chomh maith le Baile Locha Riach, Cluain Dolcáin,
Carn Tóchair agus Iarthar Bhéal Feirste. Thosaigh an pleanáil tar éis é sin. Rinne an Clár as Gaeilge taighde le muintir na hInse chun a fháil amach céard go díreach a bhí uathu sa phlean teanga agus tar éis roinnt blianta ag scríobh agus ag áthscríobh bhí an plean déanta acu in 2019. Ghlac an t- Aire Joe McHugh leis an bPlean in 2020 roimh a lainseáladh é faoi dheireadh in 2021. Mar sin, céard atá ag tarlú anois? Tá a lán beartais curtha le chéile acu i gcóir an chóras oideachais, an earnáil gnó, seirbhisí poiblí agus rudaí eile chun plean a dhéanamh amach dóibh. Mar shampla, tá airgead curtha ar leataobh chun scolairí a thabhairt ar turais go dtí an Ghaeltacht agus agus chuig campaí samhraidh chun a gcuid Gaeilge a fheabhsú. Anois, tá an foireann ag fanacht go dtí go mbeidh Comhordaitheoir Pleanála Teanga fostaithe acu chun na beartais seo a chur i bhfeidhm “Tá sé soiléir dom san oifig go bhfuil muintir na hInse sásta Gaeilge a labhairt” a dúirt Marc Mac an Adhastair, an tOifigeach Forbartha don Chlár as Gaeilge “Tá mana againn anseo. Beatha an teanga í a labhairt. Má tá orainn Gaeilge a thógail amach
as na seomraí ranga agus a chur ar na sráideanna nó isteach sna hamharclanna, agus sna tithe tábhairne, sin céard a dhéanfaimid. Fiú mura bhfuil agat ach cúpla focail cosúil le Dia dhuit, Slán nó Go raibh maith agat is leor sin. Mar a dúirt an seanfhocail is fearr gaeilge briste ná béarla cliste. An t-aon rud atá muid ag iarraidh ná níos mó Gaeilge a chloisteáil. Níor thosaigh an plean seo inniú ná inné. D’oibrigh muintir na hInse ar feadh 40 bliain chun an Ghaeilge a spreagadh. Is 40 bliain rathúla a bhí iontu agus tá súil agam go mbeidh 40 bliain eile rathúla againn”. Ba é Inis an chéad bhaile as an liosta chun a bplean a lainséail agus leanfaidh an Clár as Gaeilge ar aghaidh ag obair chun Gaeilge a chur chun cinn anseo i gContae an Chláir.
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Cllr Mary Howard (FG) detailed previous motions she tabled on foot of two incidents where students were knocked down. Once the gate reopens, a pedestrian crossing is
needed, she maintained. “Going forward it will be a great asset to the school and the town of Ennis,” Cllr Mark Nestor (FF) maintained.
SAFETY: St Flannan’s College
FEATURES 25
THURSDAY, DEC 2 2021
GREEN CLARE
‘Farmers should be fined for neglecting to cut hedges’ PÁRAIC MCMAHON
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paraic@clareecho.ie
ARMING groups such as the IFA have “a greater role to play” to encourage landowners to meet their obligations when it comes to hedge cutting on roads across Co Clare. Lives are endangered at present due to the manner in which the current hedge cutting policy is policed across the county, Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) stated as he called for a review “in view of the failure by some land owners to meet their obligations under Section 70 of the Roads Act”. Hedge cutting can only be carried out between September 1st and the end of February each year. Landowners that observe the regulations are to be commended but several of their counterparts are showing no regard for the policy which needs to be strengthened, the Shannon representative outlined. “The public are entitled to use public roads that are properly maintained and are not a health and safety risk”. Senior engineer with Clare County Council, John Leahy explained that its policy was set against the background “that local authorities have an overseeing role and responsibility to ensure that public roads are free of obstruction and impediment including the requirement that overgrown trees, verges, hedgerows etc do not interfere in any way with the effective and safe operation of
the public road network”. Under Section 70 of the Roads Act 1993, landowners are responsible for trees and hedgerows on or inside their boundaries adjacent to public roads. The Act obliges landowners and occupiers to take all reasonable care to ensure that such trees, hedges and other vegetation are not or could not become a danger to people using or working on a public road. Section 40 of the Wildlife Act, 1976 as amended by Section 46 of the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000 restricts the cutting of hedges during the growing season i.e. between March 1st and August 31st each year. €95,000 was provided by the Council to facilitate hedgecutting on “the most strategically important routes across the county,” this year, Leahy confirmed. He added, “The Council can cut roadside edges where there is a risk to public safety and do not require authorisation from the Department of Transport”. He said the policy could be reviewed at Municipal District level. Speaking at the November meeting of the Council, Cllr Flynn remarked that the motion was more relevant and accused his colleagues of tabling motions that were more suitable to the Oireachtas. “It is a flawed policy that needs to be reviewed, it has to be strengthened, health and safety on public roads is a priority. The current approach is endangering the lives of people”. An inconsistency in approach by landowners is very frustrating, Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) highlighted as he praised those that cut
their hedges while acknowledging the “limited budget” available to the Council in this area. “It is time to stop pussy footing around landlords not doing their duty, is is awful to see one landlord doing a fantastic job and then go 100m up the road and another landlord is doing nothing whatsoever,” Cooney commented. Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF) suggested farming groups be utilised to tackle the neg-
ligence from some landowners. “The IFA needs to be brought into this, if someone is receiving a single farm payment it should be looked at. Maybe the total onus shouldn’t be put on Clare County Council but the IFA and a possible deduction from farm payments, they are liable for them at the end of the day. It is not easy to navigate a lot of these places especially where you have a lot of overhanging trees.”
HOW TO MANAGE GREEN WASTE. Green waste includes: GRASS CLIPPINGS HEDGE CUTTINGS BUSHES LEAVES AND MOSS
PRUNINGS WEEDS AND FLOWERS OTHER WOODY MATERIAL
LIKE ALL WASTE, OUR GREEN WASTE MUST BE MANAGED CORRECTLY. It is illegal to discard green waste in common or public areas. Dumped green waste can attract other forms of Illegal dumping, can attract vermin, can cause flooding, can result in the spread of invasive species and releases methane gas that contributes to climate change
SOLUTIONS FOR MANAGING OUR GREEN WASTE We can reduce our green waste from our garden by designing and managing our garden to minimise waste By cutting our grass regularly, grass can be left on the ground. A mulching lawnmower is useful to cut grass into smaller particles We can home compost our green waste. Remember for it to work we must have the right mix of "greens" and "browns" For more information visit www.stopfoodwaste.ie
GREEN WASTE CAN BE DISPOSED OF AT THE FOLLOWING FACILITIES: • • • •
Central Waste Management Facility, Inagh - t (065) 6836960 Lisdeen Recycling Centre & Transfer Station, Kilkee - t (065) 9060175 Shannon Recycling Centre - t (061) 364483 Ennis Recycling Centre - t (065) 6893705
Beoline Bruscar Frith - Anti Litter Hotline t: 1800 606 706 | 065 6846331 @GreenerClare @GreenerClare e: enviroff@clarecoco.ie | www.clarecoco.ie
WINTER WARMER: Hedge cutting Photo by FCI
A candle lit
26 FEATURES
RONAN SCULLY
Thought for the week
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HE lighting of candles at Advent and at Christmas is one of the most beautiful of all Irish traditions and if anyone knows me well enough, will know I adore lighting candles for people who ask me to light one for them and I love to do it all year around but love it even more at Advent and Christmas time when I light my candles especially my Advent candles for everyone to see. A story from my Nana Scully’s prayer book by a famous author Leo Tolstoy might help explain.
The Candle in the window
“Gusting winds blew the falling snow into little eddies and drifts, but otherwise the streets were quiet, everyone was at home, preparing for Christmas. Well, not everyone. On a cobbled street there lived a tailor named Leo who was hard at work, sewing and trimming and hemming. Leo liked to stay busy, for when he stopped working, he thought of his beloved wife, Sonia, who had died a few months earlier. He could not imagine a celebration without his Sonia. So he decided to ignore all holidays, even Advent and Christmas. Suddenly Leo heard a knock, but before he could answer, an elegantly dressed lady swept into his shop. “I need this dress fixed for tonight, no later than sunset,” she said, thrusting a bundle at him. Leo peered at her. “Impossible,” he began to say, but she cried, “Fail me, and everyone shall know that Leo the tailor is no longer good at his work. I’ll see that you are ruined.” Then she was gone. Leo stared at the badly torn dress, impossible to repair. “I’m ruined,” he groaned, and in despair he lay down on his rickety cot and pulled the blanket over his head. Soon he was asleep and dreaming, and a beautiful girl with golden curls appeared to him. “You must celebrate, Papa Leo,” she said cheerily. Leo looked into her face, and he saw his beloved wife. “Sonia?” he whispered. Sonia was the only person who had ever called him Papa Leo, and this was exactly as she had looked when they first met. “Is that you?” “Yes,” she said, “and look at this mess!” She began to tidy up around the room, and then disappeared into the kitchen, reappearing first with an exquisite gingerbread house, decorated with candy canes and covered in icing, then with the creche Leo had hidden in the back of his shed. “You’ve forgotten this,” she said, placing the creche upon the floor. “And our holly wreath,” she added as she hung this upon the door. Leo watched, amazed. In his
dream, Sonia was just as she’d been in life, joyful and lively. He listened to her sing his favorite carols, the music he’d refused to listen to all season long. Now his heart was bursting with pleasure. “One more thing,” Sonia said, and she carried a candle to the window. When she lit it, the room seemed to glow. As the light flickered over his face, Leo sat up and rubbed his eyes. “Sonia!” he cried, but now there was no one in sight. And yet the gingerbread house stood upon the table, the creche upon the floor, the holly wreath hung on the door, the candle glowed in the window. Leo smelled bread and cookies baking and soup boiling. “Sonia?” he called again, but there was silence. Dazed, he heard a knock. When he opened the door, he saw a woman with a baby cradled in her arms. “I’m sorry to bother you, but we were drawn to the candlelight in the window as we were walking home,” she said. “Come in,” Leo said, and he watched the woman’s eyes light up at the sight of the creche. “How beautiful,” she said. “I once lived beside a church where there was a creche exactly like this one. May I touch it?” Leo nodded, and as she touched the figures in the manger, she wept with happiness. “Please,” Leo said, “take it. For you and your baby.” The woman’s tired face seemed to light up. “You are too kind. This would make our Christmas perfect.” “It is yours,” Leo said. “Merry Christmas.” The woman gathered up the figurines and left with a parting smile. But soon another knock came, and when Leo opened the door, he saw a man in tattered clothing, his face dirty from dust. “Excuse me,” he said, “but I am a road sweeper. With this snow, I have no way to make any money for a meal. When I saw your candlelight in the window, I felt you might welcome a poor man.” “Come in,” Leo said, and the man followed the scents toward the kitchen, where he discovered freshly baked bread and a pot of soup. “Eat, eat,” Leo said, and the man sat and ate heartily, seeming to grow healthy before Leo’s very eyes. “How can I thank you?” the man asked Leo. Leo leaned close and said earnestly, “I believe the Christ child plans to visit me tonight, so I need nothing. Do you think I’m mad?” Before the man could answer, another knock came, and now the imperious lady stood before him, demanding her mended dress. Leo handed her the bundle, but he said nothing. “You’ve done no work at all!” she cried, furiously. Leo only smiled. “You shall have to dance
in another dress, my lady. Merry Christmas to you,” and with that he led her outside and closed the door. The street sweeper stared at Leo. “Aren’t you afraid of such rich people?” he asked. “You shouldn’t waste your time on poor men like me. You should have mended her dress.” “Nonsense,” Leo said. “I have done what is right.” The poor man peered up at Leo. “All I have to thank you with are these small boots I found when I was sweeping,” he said, handing them to Leo. “Perhaps these will fit the Christ child?” he asked. “Do you think he will truly come?” “I’ve a feeling that all will be well,” Leo said, and he took the boots and reached into his closet. He pulled out a long woolen coat. “And you shall take this coat for warmth. I have two and need but one.” “But sir ...” the beggar began to protest.”Merry Christmas,” Leo said as he walked the man to the door. There he stood, looking at the fresh coat of snow, and then he looked up at the bright moon. Then Leo heard a whisper at his feet and looked down to see a little boy dressed in rags. “Sir, I saw your candle lighting in the window and I wondered if you might have some food for a poor child.” “Come in,” Leo said, and then he realized the gingerbread house was for this boy, and the boots, of course, the boots from the street sweeper. They fit the poor boy perfectly. Leo’s spirits danced with the light flickering from the candle. “Why are you so happy?” the little boy asked as he devoured the cookies and drank some soup. Leo smiled. “Listen to this,” he said, and he reached for his Bible. “Come, ye blessed, inherit the kingdom prepared for you. For I was hungry and ye fed me; I was thirsty and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger and ye took me in. Naked, and ye clothed me ...” “Have you done all this for the Christ child?” the boy asked. His eyes were as big as saucers. “I have,” Leo said, “for the Book of Matthew tells us: ‘As ye have done it to one of the least of my brethren, so ye have done it unto me.’” “What does that mean?” the little boy asked. “It means, child, that my beloved Sonia is an angel, and that we who give are blessed.” And Leo looked into the candle’s dancing light and understood he had always been surrounded by love.”
Thought for the week
As your thought for the week, let’s not give each other more stuff this Christmas and instead give each other more love. If you are going through dark days then I can only wish and sincerely pray and light my daily candle for you that you find the Faith, Hope, Mercy and Love required to provide the light you need to get through these dark days. Let’s not gift products but instead gift experiences such as experiences of connection, compassion, acknowledgment and belonging.
THURSDAY, DEC 2 2021
GOODEST GIRL RETIRES
PRESSING PAWS: Katie Liston pictured with Bonnie during the beloved therapy dog’s final rounds at the Children’s Ark paediatric unit in University Hospital Limerick
Scariff Bay calendar showcases the best of East Clare PÁRAIC MCMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie
E
AST Clare’s beauty is showcased in a new calendar produced by Scariff Bay Community Radio. Run by dedicated volunteers, Scariff Bay Community Radio broadcasts 88.3FM and 92.7FM plus it can also be listened to online via its website. An increase in listeners has been recorded during the pandemic which has pleased its cohort of approximately seventy volunteers. In order to cover costs, Scariff Bay run various fundraisers including a church gate collection. They have now released a calendar displaying the rich and varied landscapes of East Clare as photographed by Ruth Griffin with all funds raised going towards the community station. Presently, the calendars can be purchased at Rodgers Off Licence and Ted’s Fruit and Veg, both of which are situated in Scariff. All station volunteers are selling copies while they will be distributed more widely across East Clare next week. Founder and Chairman of Scariff Bay Community Radio, Jim Collins said it was the ideal gift for the county’s diaspora. “We have a 2022 calendar available for sale to the general public, if I may so myself it is an absolutely fantastic looking calendar, absolutely brilliant
with beautiful photographs from Ruth Griffin, photographs taken all over East Clare and I think every parish is included”. He continued, “There’s photographs of various people in the radio station as well but they are quite small, these are for sale in various outlets and from volunteers at the station, they are €5 and it’s an absolutely fantastic calendar for that price. It is an ideal Christmas present or something to send away to remind people of what they’re missing in East Clare with the most beautiful scenery not to speak of the people”. Adding a special touch is the local element, Jim believed. “It is very local, all the areas are local, it was printed locally and put together locally, there is nothing outside of Co Clare in it”. Co-presenter of Saturday Chronicle, John S. Kelly outlined that the calendar ticks all the boxes. “It is lovely, from an artistic point of view, a functional point of view and from a fundraising point of view it scores very highly”. O’Callaghans Mills’ Pat O’Brien who is a weekly contributor to the Local Media Show on Scariff Bay encouraged people to send the calendar far and wide. “It would be nice to send to people that are away over Christmas, we are urging people to go out and support the radio station. It is a nice production. The sponsors were our main way of collecting money to produce it, we’d ask everybody in East Clare to support our sponsors”.
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THURSDAY, DEC 2 2021
Community KINVARA
CONTACT
NEWSDESK 065 671 9021 news@clareecho.ie
KILMALEY
UMHL
MEITHEAL ANNUAL FUNDRAISER
lFOLKLORE: Jack Donohue and Anna Casey Donohue (Irish Language and Cultural
Officer Kinvara Gaa) at the launch of “KINVARA from all around”. The book is compiled of placenames/folklore/history of the parish by every age group and also contains projects from all the children from the three schools and Seamount College Every book sold is money for their GAA club and this in turn is used by the children in the parish.
Booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine are currently being offered to: • Everyone aged 60 and over • Healthcare workers
FOR 26 years now Meitheal has been holding its annual parish outing, not just as a community gathering but also to raise much needed funds for the coming year. Unfortunately this year is different again due to Covid –19. We have decided to postpone our annual walk until Spring 2022 but our funds need to be replenished to keep the Meitheal scheme going. Each year we experience the extraordinary generosity of the people of Kilmaley parish in support of Meitheal. The annual cost of running Meitheal is in excess of €10,000. This year we are again particularly proud of our ability to deliver 35 dinners each day to parishioners who were vulnerable during Covid 19. We are one of the few parishes in the county who have been able to provide this service since the temporary closing of the Daycare Centre due to Covid. Thankfully the centre is open once more. With the spirit of the people behind us, and your continued generosity everything is possible. We have set up a GOFUND ME PAGE for those who would like to make their contribution in this manner as well as sending out a parish newsletter with an envelope to every house in the parish. Please return your envelope to Mairead O’Rourke (Treasurer) Kilmaley Meitheal, Knocknacilla, Connolly, Ennis Co.Clare or contribute online at https://www.gofundme.com/f/kilmaley-meitheal-annual-fundraiser-2021
Right now, COVID-19 cases in the community are high and this increases your risk of coming into contact with the virus.
It is very important to take your booster appointment when it is offered.
Why do I need a booster dose?
What type of vaccine?
Your COVID-19 vaccine offers protection against hospitalisation and severe illness from COVID-19, but this protection may weaken over time. Infections and illness in people who are fully vaccinated can happen.
How will I get my booster dose?
• If you are aged 70 or over, you’ll be invited for your booster vaccine by your GP. • If you are aged 60 to 69, you will get a text message from the HSE with a vaccination centre appointment. • Healthcare workers will be invited for their booster vaccine at their workplace or at a HSE vaccination centre.
#ForUsAll
lPREMIE: Lisa Blennerhasset (middle) with Aerogen’s Ciara Power and John Power, marking World Prematurity Day last week. Lisa has written a beautiful book “Once Tiny, Forever Strong” telling the story of her little girl Ella, who was born at 26 weeks, weighing just 506 grams and spent many weeks in the NICU at UMHL. The book will be distributed to NICU units around the country with Aerogen’s support
For more information visit hse.ie or freephone 1800 700 700
You will be offered a single booster dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. You can get one of these vaccines even if you already got a different COVID-19 vaccine. You should get your booster dose around 5 months after your last COVID-19 vaccine. If you had COVID-19 since your last vaccine, you should get a booster dose at least 6 months after your positive test.
What about other groups of people?
People with high-risk health conditions and people aged 50-59 will be invited for their booster next. When it is time for your vaccination you will get a text message from the HSE with a vaccination centre appointment.
28 COLUMNIST
THURSDAY, DEC 2 2021
CHRISTMAS DINNER STUFFING Kearney Cooks
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FRIEND of mine got in contact with me the other day. It is his first time cooking Christmas dinner for his family and he was looking for some simple recipes that wouldn’t take too much stress and effort. So I sent him a few handy ones and over the next few weeks I will share them here with the Clare Echo readers. First up is stuffing, a must have for Christmas dinner in my view. The below recipe is very simple and can be made up the day before, so that all you have to do on Christmas day is bung it into the oven for half an hour. YOU WILL NEED • 2 cooking apples • 2 onions, finely diced • 500g potatoes, mashed • 60g butter • Salt and pepper • 2 tbsp dried sage Step 1 Cut your spuds into even sizes and boil until they are cooked through. Then mash them, cover them and set aside until they are needed. Step 2 Fry your onions in the butter until they are soft and nearly translucent. Whilst these are frying, peel your apples and slice them finely.
Step 3 Add your onions, apple, butter and sage to your hot mashed potatoes and mix through thoroughly. The heat of the mash should soften your finely sliced apples so the flavour will carry throughout the mix. Season with plenty of salt and pepper to taste. Step 4 Dish out with your turkey and ham, or lamb or nutroast or whatever you’re having for Christmas din dins, and enjoy. The above recipe is for four people
but there will be loads left over for sandwiches and whatnot (or if you’re like me, eating straight bowls of the stuff after one too many Irish coffees) As usual if you have any questions about this recipe or others please feel free to DM me on Instagram. Also keep an eye to The Clare Echo Facebook page or my Instagram page for the instructional video that goes with this recipe.
Enjoy
Steve K
Neylon New restrictions Eoin An inside look at Clare’s political spectrum are farcical
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NOTHER cabinet meeting, another set of Covid regulations, and once again a large swath of the population banging their heads in frustration at the utterly farcically inept approach to applying common sense regulation to an admittedly complex and constantly evolving situation. The latest set of travel restrictions, compelling all travellers arriving here to have a lab test antigen or PCR test, are not set out on any scientific basis but on political optics. Mass hysteria, also not based on any scientific data to date, surrounding the Omicron variant, has set in throughout the corridors of power and across broadcast media to the point that Government felt directed to do something, regardless of what that something was. With memories of last Christmas, variants, and large social gatherings at a time when not a
soul in Ireland had a vaccination, still fresh in the head, Government don’t want to face blame for any hypothetical outbreak, regardless of the actual cost. For the businesses of Clare, and in particular Shannon airport, this could not come at a worse time. Just as things were opening and returning on the path to normality, it looked like businesses could start planning for the future. Not so now as first the nighttime economy and now the tourism industry see themselves getting hammered once more for problems they are not responsible for. Instead of putting the cost of a professional Covid test down as further barrier to those returning from the UK to visit relatives this Christmas, the Government could have approached this sensibly with the British, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish Governments to ensure these islands, and the international border that exists on it, had a common approach. This would eliminate border irregular-
ities for a start; a border that sees some 25,000 people cross it every day, none of which will be asked for Covid passes or test results, including those landing on this island at Belfast international airport! But what’s more frustrating about the Government’s approach to the Common Travel Area, which runs contrary to the good grace the UK Government’s own regulations treated Ireland with, is the fact that this will unduly hammer Irish citizens that travel to the UK regularly for work. There are still a lot of Clare people who leave from Shannon airport every Monday morning, to return home to their families of a Friday which will now face the prospect of a £129 PCR test added onto the bill of their weekly commute. The alternative is that people who would fly into Shannon directly from their local airport in the UK now will change flights to Belfast, then get a bus to the train station, a train to Dublin Connol-
ly, a Luas across Dublin and then another train from Dublin Heuston to Limerick and onto Ennis. In the process, they will encounter multiple more people than they would just flying directly to Shannon. The alternative is to pay a private company in Britain for a test all because the Irish Government did not have the competency to lift the phone to London and coordinate a response. What’s most farcical about the whole situation is that our own Health Minister has already stated that there are many suspected cases of Omicron variant already in Ireland, meaning it is already here. This is the proverbial bolting the door after the horse has bolted and leaving the bill at the door of already pressed Irish people. It simply is not good enough from a government that seems to try proving, at every conceivable juncture, that they refuse to learn a damn thing about Covid and people’s behaviours no matter how
long the pandemic lasts. This isn’t a case of being simply out of touch with the people but failing to understand basic human nature. This is coupled with further mixed signals regarding school kids not going to see Santa and go to a play date, or a panto in the same week, yet no additional ventilation measures for schools, and you further get a picture of a Health and Education Minister that are floundering. They are dealing with two very difficult portfolios in literally the worst of times, but Taoiseach Martin knew neither Ministers Donnelly nor Foley had the required experience when he appointed them during a global pandemic. Now he’s seemingly stuck with them, being in too weak a position within his own party to afford to fire the pair. All the while, Fine Gael Ministers sit back in relative glee at the fact that they dodged a bullet in avoiding either portfolio.
29 02|12|21
Sparkle all the way
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THINK we can all agree, Christmas isn’t Christmas without a little bit of sparkle and a gorgeous piece of jewellery always makes the perfect gift. Seoidín, celebrating their 25th Christmas in Ennis this year, are gearing up to help their customers, new and old, to make the perfect choices for their loved ones this festive season. “We have been doing this a long time now” says Maureen, Seoidín’s founder, “and we generally have a knack for knowing just the right pieces to suggest to our customers. So even if they don’t know exactly what they are looking for, we’ll look after them.” We asked the girls in Seoidín what their customers are looking for this year. “Our emerald green pieces are always very popular,” says Andrea, who works in Seoidín on O’Connell Street. “We have gorgeous pendants and drop earrings that make a lovely gift when paired together and our antique rings are also getting a lot of interest too. They are re-
ally beautiful.” “We have had a lot of interest in our delicate bracelets this year too,” adds Maureen. “I think what’s great about jewellery in general is that it means a lot to people. It’s something that they can cherish and keep with them for a long time”. And to make giving the gift of Seoidín even more special, every Seoidín item, lovingly designed in Ireland, is presented in gorgeous packaging. The beautiful dusky green boxes are hand-tied with grey ribbon to secure those little gems and come fully ready to sit proudly under the Christmas tree. So, whether you are shopping for family, a friend or that someone special, drop in to any one of Seoidín’s 4 shops across Ennis, Limerick and Dublin, or online at seoidin.com, and find the perfect little gem for your loved one to treasure this Christmas.
ENNIS MOWERS & CYCLES
100’s Bikes to c hoose from
UNBEATABLE PRICES Gor t Road Business Par k 065 684 2300 SALES . REPAIRS . SERVICES
BIKE TO WORK E SCHEM
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The Burren Christmas Gift Guide L OCAL businesses in the Burren have come together to offer the best selection of gifts the region has to offer this Christmas. Compiled by the Burren Ecotourism Network, The Clare Echo is bringing readers a selection of our favourite gift ideas from the world-famous Burren, and in doing so, supporting and promoting local. For more information about all the businesses in the network and to learn more about our sustainability ethos go to http://www.burren.ie.
The Burren Basket Even if you can't travel to the Burren, you can still taste it, with 'Burren Baskets' which include the area's best artisan food products. Hampers are available in two sizes; medium and large. Products include seafood from Burren Smokehouse, St Tola Goat Cheese, Burren Gold Cheese from Aillwee, black and white pudding from the Market house Ennistymon, beetroot chutney from Burren Fine Wine and Food and brown soda bread mix from Stone Cutters Kitchen. Available from http://www.burren.ie Moher Cottage Moher Cottage is a family owned and run
destination gift and coffee store in Liscannor, Co. Clare. Renowned for its own fudge gift boxes, photography and local Irish Made gift boxes. To browse the full product range check their online shop on http://www.mohercottage.com
The Irish Chandler Celebrate a real Irish Christmas, with the delightfully fragranced candles and gifts from The Irish Chandler. Each candle is crafted by hand in the Burren. The Irish Chandler's range of soy wax candles are all wicked, poured and labelled by Lisa in her workshop situated just minutes from The Cliffs of Moher and The Burren; both areas that continue to inspire her to create new signature scents. The Irish Chandler's clean burning candles are all available to purchase online at www.theirishchandler.com using an exclusive coupon code BURREN for a 10% discount off your order (valid until 31st December 2021). The Falls Hotel Unsure of what to get them for Christmas? A gift voucher from The Falls Hotel & Spa covers a multiude. Let them choose from a wonderful break away in The Burren, a luxurious spa day in the
River Spa, catching up with someone special over Afternoon Tea overlooking the cascades, or marking an occasion with a gorgeous meal in our restaurant. Watch the smile grow on their face as they imagine how to spend their Falls voucher! Vouchers are valid for five years and are available online. For the country music fan, a gift of our legendary Country Music weekend in February will really brighten up their year. Irish country music greats Jimmy Buckley, Michael English and more will be here for a lively weekend on February 4 & 5 2022. Weekend packages are €230pps. Surprise them with this organised weekend, all they need to do is to show up! http://www.fallshotel.ie The Cliffs of Moher Give the gift of the most stunning natural visitor experience in Ireland with the Cliffs of Moher Family gift card. Experience awe inspiring views over the Wild Atlantic to the Aran Islands and visit the interactive visitor experience inside the award winning centre.The gift card priced at €20 is for two adults, two children. For information go to www.cliffsofmoher.ie
Vaughan’s Garden Centre
31 02|12|21
T’is the season of sending early!
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N POST remind customers of the last dates of posting and encourage all to send their cards and parcels early to ensure they reach their destination in time for Christmas Thursday 25th November, 2021: An Post has issued advice to customers nationwide to send early this festive season, as it’s their busiest time of the year – especially for posting abroad. Millions of Christmas cards and parcels will go through the postal system and be sent to all corners of the country – and the world! Whether you’re sending to Achill Island or Sydney, Australia – the resounding advice is to send early to make sure Christmas cheer arrives on time. An Post has turned the Christmas dial right up its new Christmas stamp collection for 2021 – a set of six different colourful illustrations that aim to add to extra sparkle to Christmas sending this year. An Post have asked that everyone pay heed to the last dates for posting, as some destination’s last dates are rapidly approaching. 9th December is the latest date for posting parcels and letters by standard service to the USA, and 13th December for European destinations (18th for cards). More information and other countries can be found at
www.anpost.com/Post-Parcels/Christmas/ christmas-postal-dates . Get ahead with posting messages and parcels of magic, joy and love to family and friends, so they reach their destinations with care this Christmas.
CHRISTMAS
GIFTS NOW IN STORE
SHOP ONLINE @
www.countyboutique.ie ENNIS 065/6821947
NENAGH 067/34933
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Carrygerry Christmas Shop Open from December 1st 2021 Range of Carrygerry Hampers made to order Gift Sets & Gift Vouchers Available
Order your corporate hampers today All budgets catered for
Rebekah’s best buys Style, Beauty and Lifestlye Rebekah Crerand
rebekah@clareecho.ie IT’S the most wonderful time of the year- Knitwear season that is! Well in fashion terms it’s the most wonderful time of the year. It’s my favourite season to dress for, it is so easy to look put together yet stylish when it comes to this season. There is nothing nicer than a big chunky knit, leather jeans, boots and a camel coat! Stylish yet so comfy and cosy.
BRASS BOUTIQUE
My final stop was of course Brass Boutique. What can I say about Brass only that it has everything for this season’s style, Ciara is honestly so customer focused as well as having extreme knowledge about the product, every time I frequent Brass (which is a lot!) I always leave with something and not because I am convinced into buying it but because the service and quality product I am getting for that price is next level. While in store last weekend I spotted this new and a little different to what I would normally wear but I fell in love with it, this beautiful mint oversize sweater. Extremely affordable and so versatile with that the buttons adding that extra detail! This knit would be so fab with a pair of black leather paper waist pants and a nice trainer.
WILLOW
Pre Order your Christmas Day Treats: Pate, Seafood Chowder, Tarts, Crumbles, Cheesecakes, Christmas Puddings, Cranberry Sauce etc
Restaurant Open Thursday to Sunday Restaurant Opening Times:
Thurs to Sat from 6.00pm - 9.00pm Closed 24th, 25th & 26th December
Sun from 1.00pm - 3.30pm
For more information or to make an enquiry please contact us at: T: 061 360 500 | E: info@carrygerryhouse.com | www.carrygerryhouse.com
I popped into a few boutiques over the weekend and found some beautiful staple knitwear items for all budgets. My first stop was Willow, one of my favourite shops of course, everything about Willow from the interior to the checkout is just a star service with a quality product always to go with it! I fell in love with this cream roll neck, and what a piece it is. The quality is brilliant and most definitely warm and cosy. It is more of a luxury jumper but like I mentioned they do have something for everyone’s budget. I have a vision of this jumper with a black pleated maxi skirt, black sock boots and some chunky gold jewellery!
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KNITWEAR SEASON
Gift Cards Available
COUNTY BOUTIQUE
The next store I went into was County Boutique, another gem in Ennis. One that caters for all ages! County Boutique is a favourite of mine especially this season with all the warm accessories on sale too. The ambience in this store is so luxurious yet again there is something for all budgets. Another reason I love this store is the staff, the staff in County Boutique are amazing and are always so friendly. They never fail to please their customers. Getting back to knitwear I found two beautiful knits in store. The first being this pink polo neck, the quality of this is excellent as a mix of soft alpaca and wool. The shade of pink is what caught my eye being your classic legally blonde bubblegum pink shade! A shade like this can be rare to find. I would go against all the winter fashion rules with this knit and pair it with a white skinny jean and a tan boot with a similar tan coat.
Chloe Gucci Kate Spade David Beckham Oakley POLO Ralph Lauren & more Give the gift of individual style this Christmas! We are experts in eye care, with unrivalled choice in quality eyewear to suit every budget.
Merchants Square. Ennis. www.horizonoptical.ie
HORIZON OPTICAL While we live in Ireland and it is freezing, there is still sun there, it may not be very visible however it is still very potent. We are great to look after our skin during winter but it is just as important to look after our eyes too! This means that even on the coldest days you have to be protecting yourself from those UV rays. Therefore why not look stylish and protect your eyes at the same time! I spotted some gorgeous sunglasses in Horizon over the weekend from some luxury brands including Gucci, Chloe and Oakley. While Gucci is very much on trend at the minute with the new House of Gucci film being a topic of everyone’s conversation it is more than that. Gucci as a brand and is timeless, exclusive and beyond a quality product. I also think it’s a great gift for Christmas as it is still that luxury product without breaking the bank the same way a handbag would! Gucci makes their sunglasses with that extra detail and style and how handy to be able to purchase their sunglasses in town! A particular pair I fell in love with which are most definitely on my Christmas list was this pair with the classic Gucci logo and striped colours, with the iconic sunglass shape. While still being elegant and classic they have that extra bit of glam. Another pair I fell in love with was this Chloe pair, a brand I love for being so feminine yet chic. This pair in particular caught my eye as I adore the shape and colour and of course anyone who knows me knows my love for sunglasses that are a little bit extra! Chloe is also more of a luxury brand but so worth it and a beautiful gift for that female in your life this Christmas. Horizon Optical has a huge selection in store and also offer prescription and non-prescription lenses in all of their sunglasses, they really cater for everyone. Horizon also sells gift vouchers so if you are not sure of what pair she or he might like a voucher is always a great options for Christmas! Check out our Instagram for our latest style update. Pop in to choose your perfect sunnies with Ruth, Rose or Tonia.
065 6822 599
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My top five hidden gems
Clare Echo columnist Rebecca O’Neill shares some of her favourite local businesses and encourages shoppers to support local this festive season
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UPPORTING local is talked about now more than ever before due to the pandemic. I have come to realise how significantly important it is to take care of our own when times are tough. A lot of us don’t realise the hidden gems that are on our doorstep. For this Christmas, I am going to list some local businesses that offer amazing stocking fillers for your loved ones. I haveve also included their Instagram details.
O’SULLIVANS PHARMACY ENNIS @ENNISOSULLIVANSPHARMACY This pharmacy has promoted itself as “the one stop shop for all things health and beauty” and indeed it is. This pharmacy tailors to your health needs and offers friendly staff assistance when shopping for the right product. They have gorgeous little sets from the likes of Bperfect Cosmetics, Vichy and Pestle and Mortar. This place is perfect for looking for those last few bits to wrap up and put under the tree. This pharmacy has great quality brands and very reasonable value. It is situated on O’Connell Street in Ennis. THE ENNIS BOOKSHOP @THEENNISBOOKSHOP This family run business offers the best quality books, stationery and cards. They have a wide range of different genres of the best fiction and non-fiction novels and the best range of birthday, Christmas or any special occasion cards. It also has stationery that kids love and tend to gravitate towards. The Ennis Book Shop is located on Abbey Street in Ennis. You can also shop on their website www. ennisbookshop.ie . CHOCOLATEGIFTS.IE @CHOCOLATEGIFTS.IE This business has hit the ground running since the minute it opened, offering some beautiful chocolate bouquets catering to your favourite sweet tooth needs. They make the highest quality sweet boxes and bouquets for any occasion you desire. Their Christmas range is now available which involves all Christmas themed bouquets, gift boxes and personalised gifts. Order online at www. chocolategifts.ie or you can visit their shop situated in Ballycasey Craft and Design Centre, Shannon.
LAVENDER BEAUTY SALON
LAVENDER BEAUTY SHANNON
@LAVENDERBEAUTYSHANNON
This well known beauty salon has been open for nine years and offers all different kinds of beauty treatments. Owners Sandra Lynch and Becky Power show passion for their clients and love to ensure the most comfortable experience in their salon. This business offers the finest skincare from a successful French brand called Payot which makes a huge impact on your skin. These products can be tailored to your skins needs and offer that luxurious spa sensation. These products make for great stocking fillers and allows for someone to consider self care in their daily routine. Products can be bought in the salon in Ballycasey Craft and Design Centre, Shannon or on their website www.lavenderbeauty.ie.
PharmacyStore Caring for your wellbeing
HAIR ART
HAIR ART @HAIR_ART_HAIRSALON This year old business has indeed made its mark when it comes to producing the best hair colouring and styling. With the most professional hair dressers, hair art tailors to their clients needs and offers a positive and comfortable experience. They have amazing hair care products to offer from the likes of brands called Eleven Australia, Semi Delino Alfaparf, Hairdryers and much more. This salon is also located in Balleycasey Craft and Design Centre.
Shannon, County Clare (061) 363 853
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Handmade Christmas Spectacular gift chocolates from Clare ideas at eye candy l Wilde Irish Chocolate owner Patricia Farrell
SHOPPING locally and supporting Co. Clares small artisan food producers this Christmas is made easy for you! If you are wilde about chocolate you can visit Wilde Irish Chocolates in East Clare on the shores of Lough Derg who have a huge range of chocolates that will tempt your tastebuds and are perfect for Christmas pressies. Everything is handmade there and the range is massive from chocolate bar varieties, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, fudge, chocolate boxes, hot chocolate varieties and chocolate slices and chocolate spreads. They even have sugar free and dairy free chocolate varieties and chocolates suitable for vegans. You can take a spin out to the picturesque Co. Clare village of Tuamgraney East Clare and see where they make all this wonderful stuff. And to warm you up in this festive season they even have a Hot Chocolate Café and Coffee Dock where you can sit down enjoy one of 8 varieties of hot chocolate or indulge in one of their handmade chocolates. But if you are shopping from home everything they make is also available on their website. Shipping to anywhere in Ireland is only €7.95 or its free when you spend over €70.00. Theres even click and collect!
A
S 2021 draws to a close we would like to thank all of our customers both new and old for their support throughout the year. Eye Candy Opticians has been an ever evolving practice on Abbey Street, since 2006, offering the values of a traditional Independent Opticians. Our experienced staff always endevour to offer an individual and tailored service for all our patients, aided by the latest state-of-the art equipment. This Chrisrmas we have some great gift ideas for all, such as Frames, Sunglasses, Swimming goggles and Contact lenses. We also have gift vouchers available to purchase not to mention stocking fillers such as magnifiers, chains / chords and anti fog wipes. Sunglasses are a great present for all. Our top selling sunglasses are the Maui Jim sunglasses because of their polarization plus properties as well as great frame designs making them suitable for any activity and especially winter time driving with the low sun.
A practical gift is always well recieved. Many spectacle wearers are having trouble with their glasses fogging up due to the mask wearing so we have trialled and tested multiple antifog wipes and our favourites are the No fog wipes for only €6.95 or the no fog microfibre cloth for €10.95 which is useable up to 200 times We also offer a range of eye tests for all ages along with an enhanced assessment of eye health involving a series of specialized scans ,to help us address your eye health concerns, putting your mind at ease with our knowledge, alongside the accuracy of our technology. We will help you to explore our range of niche frames , lenses and finishes to find that perfect eye style for you. Please do not hesistate to contact us on 065-6868800 and one of our team will be happy to help you with your query. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year From Linda, Fiona, Niamh, Mary, Eilis, Emma and Niamh.
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Shannon Heritage lends support to Christmas to appeal WEDNESDAY 1st December 2021: Shannon Heritage has stepped in to support a Christmas toy appeal for the Children’s Ark Unit at University Hospital Limerick (UHL). In place of this a special giving tree has been placed in King John’s Castle in the heart of Limerick City to allow people to donate toys to the Unit. “Being in hospital during the festive season can be very tough and our team at King John’s Castle were eager to do their bit this festive season to help spread a little Christmas joy to those who need it most. Gift donations are welcome at the King John’s Castle Giving Tree up to close of business on the Saturday 18th December. For more information visit www.kingjohnscastle.com/ christmas where you find information on other community activities taking place at the Castle over the festive period, among these are performances by the Unity Gospel Choir, and Sing Out With Strings.
BUSINESS & RECRUITMENT 37
THURSDAY, DEC 2 2021
Shoppers asked to #LookforLocal
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INCE the outbreak of Covid 19, the support of local consumers buying from their local businesses has played a key role in ensuring these businesses survive and continue to provide an invaluable service to local communities. This year the Local Enterprise Offices are urging
consumers to continue their support of local businesses when they are shopping for products, services and experiences for Christmas. The Look for Local campaign, supported by Enterprise Ireland and the Local Authorities, aims to highlight the importance of continuing to support our local businesses.
Every €10 spent locally on Irish products generates more than €40 of benefit to the local community in terms of employment, according to a recent ISME Shop Local Report Research has shown that Irish consumers were 83% more likely to look local for products and services in 2021. Launching the new campaign, An Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Cllr. P.J. Ryan said that it is more important than ever to look for local and support the small businesses in Co Clare. “We’re hoping for a really busy Christmas for our small businesses across the county. Over one million people are employed by a small business in Ireland more than the public sector and mu lt i - n at i on a l s combined. I encourage everyone to support these
jobs and look for local in their own community,” he added. Padraic McElwee, Head of Enterprise Clare said that since the onset of Covid-19, the Local Enterprise Offices have been working closely with small businesses across the country to help sustain them with financial supports, training, mentoring and consultancy for all areas
of their business. “Every Euro you spend with a local business is an investment in the community around it and the quality of goods, services and experiences on our doorstep is second to none. Not only that but it makes a positive environmental, economic and societal impact,” Padraic McElwee said. “This Christmas we are
asking everyone to Look for Local and support businesses and jobs in our communities,” he added. #LookforLocal PICTURED: Danielle Kenneally and Chantell Keane from Wix and Wax, An Cathaoirleach, Cllr. PJ Ryan, Garry Collins and Aoife Lenihan of Siar Photography, and Padraic McElwee, Head of Enterprise, LEO Clare
WE ARE HIRING
SALES SUPPORT POSITION BROTHERS OF CHARITY SERVICES IRELAND CLARE REGION INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY SERVICES SOCIAL CARE WORKER Region Shannon
Contracts Available Permanent Part-Time
Hours 70/78
INSTRUCTOR Region Shannon
Contracts Available Specified Purpose
Hours 46.8/78
SUPPORT WORKERS
Sherry FitzGerald McMahon have an amazing opportunity to join a top performing Sales team in our Ennis Office The successful candidate will be capable of working on their own initiative, have excellent verbal and written communications skills and work well as part of a team.
Strong IT skills including Microsoft Office (word, excel etc.)
Hours 0/78 to 60/78
Pro-active, ‘can do’ attitude
Strong organisational skills with ability to prioritise workload
0/78 to 78/78
Ideally have previous customer service and office experience
Kilrush
Contracts Available Permanent Full Time, Permanent Part-Time and Relief Permanent Part-Time, Specified Purpose and Relief Permanent Full Time and Relief
Position is a minimum of a 4 day week
Own car is a requirement
Various Locations
Permanent Part-Time, Specified Purpose and Relief
Various hours
Region Ennis Shannon
78/78 & 0/78
Further details available on www.irishjobs.ie Application via www.irishjobs.ie Applicants must, on date of Application, have a Full Clean Driving Licence Please note you may be called forward for interview at short notice
SHORTLISTING MAY APPLY ● PANELS MAY BE FORMED ● CANVASSING WILL DISQUALIFY ● EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER
If you feel you are looking to couple up first-hand experience with further education or simply want to be an integral part of our team, please send your CV along with a covering letter to:
Tel. 065 6867866 PSRA No. 001212
38 CLICK FOR CLARE
THURSDAY, DEC 2 2021
Scattery tours in thick of Kilrush Marina revival STUART HOLLY editor@clareecho.ie
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RENE Hamilton has just finished a day of Zoom meetings, when speaking to The Clare Echo this week. What you might assume to be downtime for the Scattery Island Tours’ owner, is in fact a busy period of marketing the business to the international market for the year ahead, and preparing and licensing the vessels for the next summer season, when Irene can “be out on the water, which is the place I enjoy the most, interacting with the customers”. The international market Irene speaks of is vital to businesses in West Clare, however it’s an audience they survived without in 2020 and 2021. “As a seasonal business, we’ve been luckier than many businesses who have had to work through this for a longer period. We were able to open at that time when there was a pent-up demand to get out and about and restrictions had eased during those summer months, so we were very blessed in that regard.” In developing her businesses,
Irene is grateful for funding and training supports from LEO Clare which helped prepare their website to target that domestic market, along with capital supports from CLDC. “Without the support of both, we wouldn’t be able to build a business,” says Irene, adding, “if I was to give advice to anyone starting a business, it would be to look for those invaluable supports because they are there”. Scattery Island Tours formed in 2017 and in doing so, Irene continued her familial links to the historic island. Her father, Brendan Griffin, a retired Shannon River Pilot was born on the Scattery and indeed the connection goes back to when families of the Kilbaha pilots relocated to Scattery in the 1840s. The Scattery pilots worked the Shannon Estuary, and at the time, used curraghs to service ships. Her uncle Gerry Griffin, another islander, was the previous operator of ferries to Scattery and Irene says it is “a great honour” to be able to continue the tradition. Scattery Island Tours upgraded their initial 12-capacity boat to a 70-seater catamaran in 2018 and business is building every year as the island’s profile as a popular visitor destination increases. “The
Failte Ireland's Geraldine Larner with Irene Hamilton of Scattery Island Tours off the Co Clare coast Photograph by Eamon Ward
OPW do a fantastic job in managing the monastic site and offer a great guided tour while on the island. Scattery offers a wonderful experience for visitors to West Clare and the town of Kilrush.” Irene has continued to branch out and develop other services on the Shannon Estuary. ‘Sionnan Luxury Cruises’ offers private excusions on the river in the com-
fort of a luxury cruiser while last year the Kilrush-based business moved into adventure tourism and launched ‘West Coast RIB Adventures’. “The more services we can offer in Kilrush, the more we can encourage people to come and spend a full day in the town and avail of other services, like having lunch or doing some shopping.” The Marina itself is becoming
what Irene describes as “a catalyst for water-based activities within the town” and through the work being done by ‘Kilrush Town Team’, of which Irene is a member, the town is marketing its natural assets like the Valdeleur Gardens, the Turret Lodge, Aylevaroo walking trail or crab fishing at Cappa. This summer, a dedicated tourist office was opened within the town, which was funded by CLDC & Leader. “The range of services available in the marina is growing every year. In addition to our own services, you also have Dolphin Watching and the Aqua Park. There is also a new dinghy park, which offers sail training courses and a new campervan park.” Irene is “cautiously optimistic” for 2022. “We can only hope the domestic market remains as active and suppotive of local businesses as it has been, and that we see SCAN WITH PHONE TO VISIT some level of CAMERA SCATTERY TOURS international tourists return. Scattery Island Tours will start operating its summer offering in May, 2022.
CLICK FOR CLARE 39
THURSDAY, DEC 2 2021
Sarah continues to shimmer in perfect West Clare foundations SCAN WITH PHONE CAMERA TO VISIT RS BEAUTY SHOP
STUART HOLLY editor@clareecho.ie
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IVERSIDE Beauty in Cree is one of the finest examples of an ultra-modern customer offering in rural Ireland. Its founder and owner, Sarah Gould, believes more opportunities exist in West Clare for her success story to be replicated. A Cree native herself, Sarah established Riverside Beauty in October, 2012, in a small rental shop in the village where her journey began as a self-employed beautician. A bold move to begin with in the midst of the global recession, Sarah had big ideas for her business and the village in West Clare would turn out to be the perfect location for future expansion in the coming years. Today, the business is unrecognisable. A bustling team of beauticians and stylists operate from a custom-built salon which Sarah opened in July, 2019. The ultra-modern premises is professionally fitted and stands as the only salon with custom-built wheelchair access in the west. This year, Riverside Hair and Beauty achieved All-Star Clare Beauty Salon Of The Year 2021, in recognition of the company’s commitment to standards of beauty care in the county. Alongside this, Sarah runs RS Beauty Shop online which offers customers nationwide a range of exclusive, professional products. “There were 12 of us working in the salon by September, 2019,” says Sarah, reflecting on Riverside Beauty’s growth. “That’s how busy it was, and the business was just growing. Previously we were only offering beauty services, makeup, nails, tanning, waxing, etc. The market research I had done, was more people were telling me that it would be great if we had hair as an additional feature. So I took a chance and when I was building the salon, I built on a hair salon with it... I just took a chance on it and so far, so good, I have five stylists now in a salon in West Clare.” Sarah’s long-term vision for Riverside Beauty was being fulfilled as 2019 drew to a close, however the gloss would soon disappear, as Government restrictions in March 2020 disrupted hair & beauty businesses across the country. Sarah refused to stay idle though and
when Covid-19 hit, rsbeautyshop. ie was born. Sarah explains, “I never had a website prior to Covid and when Covid hit, I thought ‘what can I do next’ and with the LEO grants available, I decided to build a website and open a beauty shop. A lot of people were at home and they probably tried to do beauty treatments at home and were looking after their own skincare, so I just persevered with building the website from March and had it up and running by May. It just took off. I sell everything hair and beauty related on it so it’s more a shop than a website for the salon and people gravitate towards that.” Sarah has experienced an increase in online customers of late and she believes some shoppers are nervous about increasing case numbers. “When I launched the website initially, it was a project to
keep myself busy but if restrictions came back, the website is there, ready to go and I do feel it would keep the salon and brand alive.” Sarah’s success story begs the question, does it surprise her that more business people don’t investigate business opportunities in rural Clare? “It does, there’s a lot to be said for having a small business in West Clare. Your overheads aren’t as expensive compared to being in towns… there are openings in any small village for any kind of a business, because there are a lot of people moving back west again so if I was to give any advice, definitely. “A lot of people were shocked when I was opening a beauty salon [in Cree]. Even my own dad who’s a business person was like ‘I don’t know if that’ll work’ and I said, ah we’ll give it a go. I was thinking, where are all the women going,
PICTURED: Riverside Hair & Beauty in they have to be going somewhere Cree and (inset) Sarah Gould to do their nails? So I thought if we have it in the local area, maybe they’ll be more inclined to spend local and stay local so I just took a chance and opened it and it’s gone from SCAN WITH PHONE CAMERA strength to TO START SHOPPING IN CLARE strength.”
To make an enquiry call (065) 905 9735 and to shop online visit https:// rsbeautyshop. ie/.
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Clare Echo THE
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Avenue & Ennis advance to last 32 of FAI Junior Cup by SEAMUS HAYES
IT WAS a great weekend for Clare soccer as two of the league’s premier sides advanced to round 4 of the FAI Junior cup when recording impressive away victories. HEHIR LANDS AVENUE WINNER Courtown Hibs 1 Avenue United 2
Avenue United’s impressive early season form continued at Wexford on Sunday when they proved too strong for Courtown Hibs. The game was five minutes into the second period when Dylan Casey gave the visitors the lead. Midway through the second half the home side tied up the game before substitute Tomás Hehir scored what proved to be the winner for the Clare outfit with nine minutes remaining. Speaking after their win, Avenue manager David Russell told The Clare Echo, “The minute we got the draw I contacted the manager of Evergreen, a top side in Kilkenny who had lost out to Courtown. He was able to give me a lot of information on them which was most helpful and we adopted that information. They were very physical with a partisan home crowd. There was no quarter asked or given and at the end of the day we deserved our win”. Avenue Utd (pictured) is the only Clare club to have reached the final of the FAI
Junior Cup, a feat achieved in 1990. Clarecastle man Russell acknowledged, “We are reminded regularly about this by Gearoid Mannion and Jimmo Purtill and we are trying to emulate what they achieved. The draw for our game in the last 32 of that competition will take place later this week. We will work hard over the coming weeks in training as we seek to advance in both the FAI and Munster Junior competitions.” For last week’s game the Avenue party departed Ennis at 9am and after stopping for a break, they arrived at the Courtown pitch at 1p.m. They were back in Ennis at 10.30pm. “It was a long day but the craic was great on the return journey, helped by the result. We had 18 players togged yesterday”, explained the manager who added that they will be without Ronan Kerin for the remainder of the season as he has gone to the Lebanon for six months. His replacement Eliaz Kunz has been excellent as have a number of other new signings”.
Avenue United; James Tierney; Cullen McCabe, Conor Hehir, Conor Mullen, Dylan Casey; Cian McDonagh, Stephen Jordan, Cian O’Dea, Eliaz Kunz, Alan Roche, Mark Roche; Subs: Eoghan Thynne for McDonagh; Tomas Hehir for Jordan
CLOHESSY BRACE FOR ENNIS Star Rovers 3 Ennis Town 4
This game played in Limerick was very entertaining
with plenty of goal mouth action. Ennis Town got off to a great start and went in front in the fourth minute when Tom Collins rose highest to head a corner from the right. The home team worked hard to get back into game and won four corners in quick succession but good defending by Town kept them out. Town increased their lead in the 38th minute when Conor Meaney running onto a pass from midfield, shot low past Diarmuid Whelan to the net. Tony Downey’s side took a 2-0 lead to the interval. At the start of second half Star pressed hard and scored in the 50th minute when Jason Daly’s well struck free kick hit the net from 25 yards. They were level in the 57th minute when Brian
Thompson got on the end of a cross from the right. Minutes later Town were back in front, when Lee Clohessy made a run into the Star area on the left and shot low past Whelan. Star hit back quickly, winning a free 25 yards out and again Jason Daly hit the net to tie the game at 3-3. However Town were not done and the lively Lee Clohessy outpaced the Star defence to score his second and ensure the Ennis side’s place in the last 32.
Ennis Town; Andrew Skerritt; Ultan Shields, Stephen Horgan, Johnston Mununkum, Sean Perrill; Peter O’Brien, Thomas Collins, Jashar Aliu, Conor Meaney, Lee Clohessy, Donal O’Halloran; Subs; Davy Keenan for Shields; Seun Olanrenaju for O’Brien; Robbie Gormley for O’Halloran.
MUNSTER JUNIOR CUP The draw for the next round of the Munster junior cup took place on Monday.
Glory for Conlon in Ulster Open
MIKE Conlon had glory in the Ulster Masters Squash Open in Belfast last weekend. He was among the sizeable Ennis CBS contingent that partook in the Ulster Masters Squash Open. A perennial contender in these provincial competitions, and a seasoned International to boot, Conlon was well-fancied to contest the latter stages – a fact reflected in his No.2 seeding. Conlon was dominant in his first round win, and continued to impress with tidy and concise play for a 11-4 11-2 11-4 semi-final triumph over Eamon O’Keefe. This qualified him for a final match with his recent nemesis, Peter Stevens, a player who had eked out narrow wins over Conlon in two previous encounters. Initially, Stevens started with a clear intent to continue his winning streak with a good 11-5 win and indeed he kept his momentum early on in the second to lead 9-5 over the CBS man. However, Conlon’s de-
cades of top-level experience gave him the belief to claw his way back in the match, saving a game-point at 9-10 to win a thrilling tiebreak 14-12. This proved to be a pivotal moment, with an exchange of momentum now shifting squaring toward Conlon. The Ennis CBS player then drove on strongly in the third, his general patience and superb drops allowing him to take an 11-6 win for a 2-1 lead. With the title looming in the foreground, it was important to make a ‘quick’ start in the fourth game and Conlon duly forged a 3-0 lead. Despite the strenuous efforts of Stevens, Conlon managed the game superbly, concentrating on good length into the back and putting Stevens on the defensive with tight serving. It remained a tough battle but Conlon closed out 11-7 for a famous victory and another addition to his already substantial collection of Provincial Open honours.
Other players from the CBS club that were competing in Ulster are Nuria Smyth who ended up third in the ladies section. John O’Shaughnessy had a good tournament until he had to pull up with injury in the play off for third and fourth spot. Clive Morgan had some magnificent battles over the weekend with John Hurley and Jeremy Hastings and secured seventh place.
Avenue United will have home advantage against Youghal but both Shannon Town A and Ennis Town will have to travel to play Cork opponents. Shannon take on Carrigaline B while Ennis Town will be away to Avondale. The games are expected to take place in January. Other pairings of interest include Fairview Rangers v Ballynanty Rovers; Pike Rovers v Regional United A, Prospect v Coachford and Carrick Unirted v Ashling Annacotty. PREMIER DIVISION Shannon Town A and Newmarket Celtic A kept up their challenge for Premier Division honours with wins over Bridge United A and Sporting Ennistymon respectively on Sunday. They clash in the competition this Sunday when Newmarket Celtic will enjoy home advantage. The recent transfer of Ian Collins from Celtic to Shannon adds extra intrigue to an anticipated clash. MONAGHAN HITS THE WINNER
Bridge United A 1 Shannon Town A 2 Venue: Sixmilebridge
Shannon Town took the lead in this premier league game played in Sixmilebridge five minutes before half time when Brian O’Connor found the target. Ten minutes from time the home side’s pressure paid off and they were awarded a penalty but Darren Whelan
saved from Kieran Quinlan. As the winners attempted to clear their lines, they were penalised and the home side was awarded a free on the edge of the area which Quinlan converted to level the tie. Shannon Town piled on the pressure and five minutes from time Brian Monaghan scored the winner from a free kick.
Shannon Town A; Darren Whelan; Aidan Leahy, Colum Treacy, Darren Griffin, StevenCarroll; Cody Waller, Gary O’Connor, Ben O’Neill, Brian O’Connor, Brian Monaghan, Colin Scanlan Subs: Chris Dunning for O’Neill; Rob Wall for Waller; Josh Lindsay for B. O’Connor. Bridge United A; Paul Tuohy; Dan Larkin, Jason Loughnane, Gavin Whyte, Storm Devanney; Jonathan Downes, Leon Kelly, Alex Collins, Brian Corry, Leon Daly, Jordan Downes. Subs; Conor Deasy for A. Collins; Michael Carr for D. Larkin; Kieran Quinlan for B. Corry; Stephen Stuart for J. Downes; Conor Maxwell for J. Loughnane.
NEWMARKET IN CONTROL Sporting Ennistymon 0 Newmarket Celtic A 6
Premier champions Newmarket Celtic, maintained their challenge to retain the title with this comfortable win over Sporting Ennistymon on Sunday. David McCarthy and Eoin Hayes both scored twice while Aaron Rudd and Daithi O’Connell also got on the scoresheet for the winners who led 2-0 t half time.
Sporting Ennistymon: Conor Gallagher; Jamesy McConigley, Jack O’Dea, Michael Leigh, Ciaran Monahan; Chris O’Brien, Thierry Bouton, Patrick Doherty, Ciaran McMahon, Sean McConigley, Shane Kearney; Subs: Mike O’Brien for Bouton; Matthew Crowe for C.. McMahon; Ross Doherty for Kearney. Newmarket Celtic A: Shane Cusack; David O’Grady, Paddy Purcell, Eoin O’Brien, Conor McDaid; Cathal Hayes, Eoin Kelly, Aaron Rudd, Kevin Harnett, David McCarthy, Eoin Hayes; Subs: Conor McCarthy for McDaid; Daithi O’Connell for P.Purcell; John Davoran for E. Hayes.
Munster final pain for Clare camogie clubs
REFIXED 2020 provincial camogie finals brought no joy for Clare’s representatives. Inagh/Kilnamona suffered a devastating one point loss to Tipperary’s Drom & Inch (1-09 1-08) with Aoife McGrath goaling in the dying moments from a free. Leading by a single point at the final water break, the gap was closed but an Andrea O’Keeffe point put Inamona one point in front with fifty four minutes on the clock and within reach of winning the Munster crown on their third attempt. With two minutes of normal time remaining, McGrath stuck a free past Rebecca Keating and despite Eugene Foudy’s side best efforts they were unable to break down the opposing defence when they worked the ball up in search of an equaliser. Inagh Kilnamona: Rebecca Keating; Laoise Ryan, Sinead Quinn, Michelle Mescall; Tierna Hegarty, Clare Hehir, Cathy Cullinan; Sinead Power, Fiona Lafferty; Andrea O'Keeffe (0-2), Aoibhinn Ryan (1-4 (1p, 4f), Aoife Keane (0-2); Clare Commane, Amy Keating, Danielle Griffin Sub: Helen Hehir for Commane (38)
Meanwhile, Feakle Killanena’s hopes of winning a Munster title ended as they lost out to Clanmaurice of Kerry, in the long awaited 2020 final played at Mallow on Saturday finishing 2-06 0-09 in favour of the Kerry outfit. Having played with the aid of the breeze in the first half they were behind by one point at half time. With both defences predominantly on top throughout the game it led to a low scoring encounter. The sides were level at the fifty minute mark and the next score was crucial for either team. Good pressure from Clanmaurice’s defence forced Feakle Killanena into some poor wides. The experience of having previously competed at this level stood to Clanmaurice. They converted three points without reply to run out eventual winners. Michael Conlon and Clive Morgan
Feakle Killanena: Roisin Quilligan; Rachael Mc Namara, Eileen Daly, Meave Brady; Aoife Tuohy, Regan Conway, Ella MacNamara; Evelyn Duggan, Zi Yan Spillane; Claire McNamara, Louise Keehan, Shauna Canny; Lorna McNamara (0-6F), Robyn Conway (0-2) Laura McGrath (0-1) Sub: Louise O Callaghan for Louise Keehan (H/T) Referee: Diarmuid Kirwan, Cork
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CLARE SENIOR CAMOGIE CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL REPLAY
‘Managing this group is unbelievable’ TRUAGH-CLONLARA 0-08 SCARIFF-OGONNELLOE 1-12 Venue: Glenomra Park, Broadford
DAVID SULLIVAN, SCARIFF/OGON’ MANAGER: “All the credit has to go to those girls today. The first 15 minutes we were on the ropes but like boxing it’s important not to suffer the knockout blow, to keep swinging and stay at it. We got to the water break and had to reassess things. We withdrew our full forward line to the half forward line our half forward line to midfield, our half back line to the full back line, we had to just sit in and eek out the period before half time. We got to the interval and drove on from there. We were making no mistakes today. “Our defence was unreal, Susan Vaughan, Susan Daly, Ciara Doyle, they showed their experience, they know the ins and outs of winning and once we swallowed up Eimear Kelly and Áine O’Loughlin we took away their scoring threat. “Managing this group is unbelievable, I said to the girls I didn’t want to just win a county title, I wanted to win with them. We have girls who come from Carlow, Galway and Cork for training and never complain. 104 sessions and no complaints, we slogged them so hard, they just did whatever they were asked. We will represent Clare now and I’m telling you it’ll take some team to beat us”. JOHN CONLON, TRUAGH/CLONLARA COACH: “All year we have been starting slowly but today we started great. We went six points to two up but we just couldn’t add to that and we seemed to struggle from there on. “Scariff/Ogonelloe were Munster champions and they showed all that experience and knowledge to win today and well deserved winners too. “Our girls never gave in and fought to the end. We will learn from this, playing two county finals in two weeks Scariff-Ogonnelloe celebrate their victory will stand to us.
SCARIFF/OGONNELLOE Frees: 17 (12/5) Wides: 3 (3/0) Scores from play: 1-06 Spread of scorers: 5 Top scorer: Aisling Corbett (0-04 4f) Bookings: None Own puckouts won: 10 from 15 (75%) TRUAGH/CLONLARA Frees: 14 (4/10) Wides: 7 (3/4) Scores from play: 0-06 Spread of scorers: 4 Top scorer: Eimear Kelly (0-05 2f) Bookings: None Own puckouts won: 8 from 16 (50%) REFEREE: Andy McMahon (Cratloe) SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT
Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
Day of firsts in Minor football finals Scariff Ogonnelloe ‘weren’t going home without the cup’ by EOIN BRENNAN
by DEREK DORMER SCARIFF/OGONNELLOE travelled to Broadford on Saturday with a purpose and a vengeance, their sole mission to secure the McMahon Cup. Ciara Doyle’s battle with Eimear Kelly was among the highlights of the drawn county final and the replay, Doyle edged out her Clare teammate
in the opening half the first day out while she stepped up to the mark once again in the replay to quieten one of the county’s top forwards. There was hurt in Scariff/ Ogonnelloe following their
semi-final loss to Newmarket-on-Fergus last season and it fuelled their desire to win back the McMahon Cup. “I’m lost for words. I’m absolutely ecstatic. You can see it on everyone’s faces how much it means to them, to the parish. We lost it last year and we wanted to back. We had to make up for losing last year. We were lucky the last day but today we were never going to lose. We have worked like dogs since last February, nobody would know the efforts we put in; players, management all of us and I’m just delighted,” Doyle told The Clare Echo. Even though they had a rocky start, Ciara was confident conditions would not decide the destination of the McMahon Cup. “A wind will never win you a match, we came back from four points down two weeks ago and we just had to dog it out today and when we did the girls got the scores then”. “We really deserve this. This title is ours and I’ve no problem saying it. We deserve it for the work we put in. We came here today with a vengeance. We were not going home without the Cup,” the defender added.
A HISTORIC hat-trick was created on Saturday as the Minor Football Championships concluded in dramatic fashion around the county. Ennistymon expertly carved out back-to-back Minor Division 1 crowns for the very first time in the club’s history when holding off Kilrush/Killimer by 0-8 to 0-5 in Hennessy Memorial Park. Never behind at any stage, Ennistymon were the more clinical side throughout, even when the West Clare amalgamation managed to regain parity at the start of the second period at 0-4 to 0-4. However, the leadership of joint-captains Brian McNamara and Eanna Rouine along with a brilliant display from the relentless Sean Rynne ensured that Ennistymon would rebuild with four unanswered points. Rynne, who had also soared to the man-ofthe-match honours in the Minor A Hurling Final with Inagh-Kilnamona, was one of seven dual Minor hurling and football winners, five of whom played on both days. Kilrush/Killimer inevitably rallied, despite losing county minor captain Dylan O’Brien to a leg injury but an elusive goal never arrived as realistically, they will rue their missed opportunities in the opening period despite strong displays from Conor Fennell and Sean Canny. In terms of history, that feat was surpassed in Cooraclare earlier that afternoon as Banner cemented a first ever Minor Football Championship title with a 0-13 to 1-7 Division 2 derby victory over Éire Óg. Steered by the ever-impressive Sean McMahon who finished with a cool ten point haul, Banner led
from start to finish and even held a five points cushion by the break at 0-8 to 0-3. Éire Óg’s comeback hopes, fronted by some excellent scores from Andrew McElwee, still came up short to a McMahon-inspired Banner who actually powered 0-11 to 0-5 clear by the turn of the final quarter. So despite a Fionnan Treacy goal in the 50th minute, Banner’s defence held firm thanks in the main to Ronan Kilroy and Justin McGrath. An afternoon of breakthroughs continued in Clareabbey when Clarecastle deservedly garnered the Minor Division 3 honours for the first time with a 1-9 to 0-7 victory over Cratloe. Having not fielded at minor football level in recent seasons, it was triumphant return for the Magpies in bridging a 21 year gap to their last minor football championship silverware of any kind.
James Doherty’s assuredness from frees (seven in all) allied to the settling boost of a Niall Óg Tuohy goal just before the water break aided Clarecastle’s challenge despite the best efforts of Cratloe trio Danny Duane, Keelan O’Donoghue and Jake Higgins. In contrast, a grandstand finish complete with goals from Fiachra Kirby And Ciaran Connolly helped Clondegad to a dramatic minimum 2-4 to 0-9 victory over hosts Kilmurry Ibrickane in the Minor Division 1 Shield decider on Saturday morning. In the final underage hurling final of 2021, Sean Guilfoyle’s brilliant 16 point haul helped Wolfe Tones to finally see off home side Crusheen/Tubber after extra-time to claim the Under 14C Shield in Tubber on Monday night. PICTURED: Ennistymon minors celebrate their Division 1 title win
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MUNSTER SNR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER-FINAL
Ballyea ‘outclassed’
BALLYGUNNER 3-20 BALLYEA 2-06 Venue: Cusack Park Páraic McMahon & Seamus Hayes
DARRAGH O’SULLIVAN, BALLYGUNNER MANAGER: “It’s brilliant to be playing the best in Clare and next up, the best in Tipperary. That’s what these guys are playing for all their lives. It’s brilliant to have the opportunity and the lads know that. There were times and we didn’t think we would have any hurling. Hopefully we can stay on top of this thing (Covid), the numbers are worrying at this time. “It’s brilliant to be here. These are brilliant days. The lads were out of their beds are a quarter to six this morning and they were getting on the bus an hour later. This is what these lads enjoy. “A lot of the guys were injured in the county final and four of them were playing today. The break has stood to us in that regard. The reality is that the lads won Munster three years ago and they want to win it again”. ROBBIE HOGAN, BALLYEA MANAGER: “We have no complaints, we were outclassed in a lot of departments. They’re a serious club team. They backed up their eight in a row. They are the favourites for Munster for a reason and they are the second favourites for the All-Ireland. It will take a fair team to stop them”. “It’s been a long year, we are just a couple of days shy of December. With the dual commitment and the inter county involvement, it’s been a long season but we are not going to make any complaints. We were beaten on the day by a better team. We have a lot to be pleased with as the year draws to a close. Yes, it deflates a bit t the end SCAN HERE FOR of the campaign to go out MATCH REPORT like this but look, we are fiercely proud of the lads considering all that has happened during the year. We will take the Canon and be happy with it”. REFEREE: John O’Halloran (Limerick)
Amalgamation advance to U21A semi-final in dramatic penalty shootout by SEAMUS HAYES IT TOOK a shootout to determine who would face Ennistymon in the Clare U21A football semi-finals. Shannon Gaels/Kilmihil/ Kildysart/Coolmeen 2-17 Corofin 3-14 (after extra time) Amalgamation won 4-2 on penalties Venue: Corofin
Pauric Mahony hooks Brandon O’Connell
Photo by Gerard O’Neill
BALLYGUNNER Frees: 11 (6/5) Wides: 9 (6/3) Scores from play: 3-12 Spread of scorers: 9 Top scorer: Pauric Mahony (0-08 4f 3’65) Bookings: Paddy Leavey (41), Phillip Mahony (55). Own puckouts won: 11 from 16 (69%) BALLYEA Frees: 13 (5/8) Wides: 8 (6/2) Scores from play: 1-01 Spread of scorers: 3 Top scorer: Niall Deasy (1-05 4f 1’65) Bookings: Ryan Griffin (53). Own puckouts won: 20 from 34 (58%)
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Sunday’s game was a cracking contest which could have gone either way. In the end it took a goal from a free by Emmet McMahon in the closing stages of normal time to level the tie and force additional time. Helped by a goal from Robin Mounsey, the home side led 1-5 to 0-4 at the first waterbreak and stretched their advantage to five, 1-9 to 0-7, by half time with all their scores coming from play. Corofin led by a goal at the second waterbreak but the visitors had drawn level at 2-10 to 1-13 by the full time whistle. Corofin’s second goal came from Diarmuid Cahill while the amalgamation’s goal came from Gearoid O’Grady. At half time in extra time Corofin were two points clear, 2-13 to 1-14. The home side’s third goal came from Killian O’Connor while the winners had their second goal from Emmett McMahon. Both sides finished with 14 men having had players sent off, on straight red cards. The winners lost substitute Dylan Power while Robin Mounsey was the Corofin player dismissed in a game in which the amalgamation’s point scor-
ers were Emmett McMahon, Gearoid O’Grady, Seamus Casey, Diarmuid O’Donnell, Conor Hassett and Thomas Kelly. The win has earned them a semi-final vs Ennistymon. The point scorers for Corofin were Geroid and Diarmuid Cahill, Sean McNamara, Robin Mounsey, Killian O’Connor and Josh Ryan.
Sh. Gaels/Kilmihil/Kildysart/Coolmeen; Conor Cusack (Kildysart); Dylan O’Halloran (Coolmeen), Jack Reidy (Shannon Gaels), Stephen Sheehan (Kildysart); Gavin Downes (Kilmihil), Fergal Guinnane (Kildysart), Tadhg Kelly (Shannon Gaels); John Finnucane (Kilmihil), Emmet McMahon(Kildysart); Darren Crehan (Shannon Gaels), Gearoid O’Grady,(Kilmihil), Seamus Casey (Kildysart); Conor Hassett (Kildysart). Diarmuid O’Donnell (Kildysart). Thomas Kelly (Shannon Gaels); Sub: Dylan Power (Coolmeen) for Crehan Corofin: Luke Neylon; Gearoid Hanrahan, Marc O’Loughlin, Thomas Roche; Sean McNamara, Gearoid Cahill, Killian McGroary; Kevin Keane, Shane Punch; Cian Doolin, Diarmuid Cahill, Cian O’Loughlin; Robin Mounsey, Killian O’Connor, Josh Ryan; Subs: Ashley Brohan for Roche; Adam O’Loughlin for Doolin; Michael Cahill for C. O’Loughlin;
LISSYCASEY AND BRECKANS ADVANCE
Lissycasey and St. Breckans will contest the U21B championship final after they recorded semi-final victories over Naomh Eoin/O’Currys/St. Senans and Clondegad respectively on Saturday. Their meeting will revive memories of the first championship in this grade as these clubs contested the final back in 1975. That game was played in Miltown and Lissycasey, captained by Paddy Hill, emerged as he first winners of the title on a 2-7 to 0-8 scoreline.
MUNSTER INTERMEDIATE HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER-FINAL
Smith O’Briens’ fall short in Munster DUNHILL 0-13 SMITH O’BRIENS 0-11 Venue: Cusack Park
TONY GLEESON, SMITH O’BRIENS MANAGER: “After the first ten minutes we were after doing all the hurling, we hit four or five wides in a row and we needed to exploit them early having come to Ennis from Waterford, if you tag on those three or four scores early you will put a doubt in their head but we didn’t do that, them wides really told in the second half and the last four shots again were four wides. “When there’s a point in it at the end of the game, you’re ruing those wides but it has been a great year at the same time. The lads haven’t lost a championship match the whole way through the year to now so the experience of the heartache is nearly new to them since the Scariff game last year. It has been a great year but it is disappointing to go out with this result. “They trained really well for the last two or three weeks, they were very good, they really put their heads down the Saturday after we came back and they worked really hard, I was only saying to them maybe we got stale, we went through four battles and I think that takes a lot out of you from playing Tulla in Whitegate in the last game of the group to beating Tubber, then Tulla again and St Josephs Doora/Barefield, they were all won in the last two to three minutes and I think it started to tell today and I think they just need a break more than anything after a long year.” REFEREE: Kevin Jordan (Tipperary)
Compiled by Páraic McMahon
DUNHILL Frees: 12 (6/6) Wides: 6 (3/3) Scores from play: 0-06 Spread of scorers: 5 Top scorer: Shane Casey (0-07 6f 1’65) Bookings: Eoghan Casey (48), David Phelan (49) Own puckouts won: 12 from 23 (52%) SMITH O’BRIENS: Frees: 15 (5/10) Wides: 12 (5/7) Scores from play: 0-06 Spread of scorers: 5 Top scorer: Tommy Reddan (0-06 5f) Bookings: None Own puckouts won: 10 from 19 (52%) SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT
*Mikey O’Shea cuts through the Dunhill attack
Photograph: Ruth Griffin
pg 43
02-12-21
Double delight for Ballyvaughan’s Costello BALLYVAUGHAN’s Michael Costello had a double success in Galway last weekend while five Clare winners celebrated on Thursday in Limerick. With just Saturday racing due to the rugby game on Friday night, there was an 11 race card at Galway Track. The A4 graded third contest developed into a match from a very early stage as Pinnacle Rio and Orbsen Jet both matched strides towards the opening bend which the Michael Costello of Ballyvaughan owned Pinnacle Rio was limit-like as usual, taking a length out of his rival in the process. Down the back, Orbsen Jet closed on the leader’s outer and leaving the back a half length separated the pair. Rounding the home bend though Pinnacle Rio
(Rio Quattro-Fawn Samantha) railed superbly again as he stayed on well to score by a length and a half in 29.04. The kennel double was completed in the concluding A2 graded contest as Pinnacle Abbie (Laughill BlakeMaries Legacy) made all the running to defeat Blakemount Lotto by a length and a half in 29.32. Pinnacle Abbie trapped well in company with Blakemount Lotto and rounding the opening bend led by half a length. Racing down the back the advantage edged to a length and Pinnacle Abbie kicked on off the home turn to complete an excellent night for the kennel. Clare natives John Collins and Albert Long were celebrating as Brickhill Daisy recorded her eighth career success and third on the
bounce. In the tenth, an A2 graded 575 contest, Brickhill Daisy comfortably outpointed her rivals headed by Knockmeale Star by two and a half lengths in 31.91. The daughter of Droopys Sydney and Rathmeehan May led Croaghil Doris by over two lengths rounding the opening bend. Racing down the back the lead extended to five lengths and the winner, although tying up slightly close home, was never in any danger of been overhauled. There were five Clare winners in Limerick on Thursday. Cratloe’s Harry Galvin got the show on the road when Upland Grove recorded a career best in 29.28, a second career win for the son of Droopys Cain and Star Princess. Inissloky Romeo continued Mary Crotty of O’Briensbridge’s recent vein of form, leading from trap to line to record win number 12 in 29.42 for an A3 contest. Romeo is son of Romeo Recruit and Inislosky Swift. Gower Pam finished strongly to land the spoils for Ann and John Carey from Cooraclare, this was a second career win for this daughter of Droopys Roddick and Clounanna Pam and the winning time was 29.63. Parteen based, Shanakyle Syndicate under the dutiful care of Joe Collins were delighted when their great campaigner Aarons Sensation got back to winning ways. A son of Ballymac Vic and Sensation Shiraz, he notched career win 10 leading from trap to line in 29.00. And the bumper race of the evening went to Breda Casey from Newmarket-on-Fer-
When their racing days are over, we are there to care.
We’ve rehomed 3,435 retired greyhounds in the last two years.
Ballymac Merlin, winner of the 2021 Irish St.Leger Final in Limerick for Liam Dowling, Ballymac Kennels with Paul Geasley of Matchbook Betting Exchange & Shane Dowling of Ballymac Kennels
When their racing days are over, we are there to care. We’ve rehomed 3,435 retired greyhounds in the last two years. gus with Snuggie Rosie, a first career success for this daughter of Paddys Magic and Miles Girl in 29.57. All eyes were on Limerick
on Saturday as the Matchbook Betting Exchange Irish St. Leger came to a dramatic conclusion and despite heading into the decider at
8/1, it was Ballymac Merlin who produced a phenomenal performance to hand Liam Dowling a second St. Leger triumph in three years.
Woodstock’s autumn league reaches semi-finals by SEAMUS HAYES WOODSTOCK GOLF CLUB: After five weeks of competition the Autumn league at Woodstock has reached the matchplay stage involving the top four teams. Leading the way is Paul Coote’s team which includes Brendan McMahon, Fran Feighery and Chaye Kelly and they finished with 370.3. In second spot with 364.9 points are Tony Neville (captain), Liam O’Connor, Eilis Neville and Steve Lahiffe. They are followed by the team captained by Paul O’Brien which also includes Kieran and Brendan Quinn and Pat McMahon and they have 362.4 points. The fourth semi-final spot is filled by Paddy Meehan (captain), Eugene Conroy, Brian Kilker and Dickie Pyne and they had 359.7. The final week’s competition in the league was a singles and was won by Paul Coote (10) on 46 points. He won by two from Brian Logue (13) with third spot filled by Vincent McInerney (16) with 41. Pat McMahon (16) was fourth with 40 points while fifth was filled by Kieran Drummy (5), also 40 points. Last week’s club singles was won by Vincent McInerney (16) with 41 points from Andrew
Mason (8) with 40 points. Woodstock seniors played for their Christmas vouchers on Tuesday when the competition was won by Ollie McNamara with 40 points. Outgoing senior’s captain Brian Logue was second, he also scored 40 points while Tony Coote was third, also with 40 points. DROMOLAND GOLF CLUB: Recently announced as the club captain for 2022, Jimmy McManus was the weekend’s 18 hole singles stableford competition winner with 42 points. He had one to spare over Gerry McInerney with Ryan Enright a point further back in third spot. John O’Shaughnessy was fourth with 39 points while Seamus Cusack won the gross with 37 points. Mairead Toomey was the winner of the ladies turkey/wine/chocolate competition from Leslie O’Brien with Frances Bergin in third spot and all three had 20 points, one more that fourth placed Joan Ryan. KILRUSH GOLF CLUB: The weekly men’s singles competition at Kilrush was won by John Stapleton (14) with 31 points from Michael Miniter (10) with 29 and Dan Mulcahy (14) with 28 points.
SHANNON GOLF CLUB: Last week’s 15 hole turkey challenge at Shannon was won by Gerard Begley (14) with 41 points. Steven Litherland (14) was
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second with 38 points followed by Peter Collins (20) with 37 points. Brian Downey (10) won the gross with 30 points.
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46 CLASSIFIEDS
THURSDAY, DEC 2 2021
PLANNING NOTICES CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL LISSYCASEY, ENNIS, CO. CLARE Take notice that Lissycasey Community Properties are applying to Clare County Council for planning permission for the demolition of an existing squash court and community building and the construction of a new community hall incorporating meeting rooms, general purpose room and changing facilities, installation of new sewerage treatment unit & percolation area along with all associated site works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of Clare County Council during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL WOOD ROAD, CRATLOE, CO. CLARE Take notice that Carol & Declan Carey are applying to Clare County Council for planning permission for the demolition of part
of an existing dwelling house and construction of a new dwelling house, refurbishment of an existing dwelling along with all associated works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of Clare County Council during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application. KILCORCORAN, MILTOWN MALBAY, CO. CLARE Take notice that AISLING MC CAW intends to apply for permission to build a Dwelling House, install a Wastewater Treatment System & all other associated site and ancillary works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the authority on payment of the
prescribed fee of €20.00, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL ENNIS ROAD, TULLA, CO. CLARE V95 E3Y6 Take notice that Denis Murphy intends to apply for Planning Permission to demolish existing front porch and rear extension. To construct a new rear extension to the existing dwelling house and a detached garage including all ancillary site services and works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority, Clare County Council, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority, in writing, on payment of a fee of €20.00 within five weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the Planning Application. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL BALLYORTLA NORTH, ENNIS, CO. CLARE Take notice that Shane O’ Doherty intends to apply to Planning authority to
Spot the Difference Can you spot the difference? Spot the 7 differences. The answers will be revealed in next weeks edition.
construct dwelling house, garage, and treatment system and carry out ancillary site works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority, Clare County Council, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority, in writing, on payment of a fee of €20.00 within five weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the Planning Application. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL MONEEN, KILBAHA, KILRUSH, CO. CLARE Take notice that Joseph Bonfil intends to apply for permission for development, the development consists of the construction of a slatted cubicle unit and associated site works at the above address. The planning application maybe inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in
writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL GLENDREE, FEAKLE, CO.CLARE Take notice that David Hodgson and Enric Muniente Fillat intend to apply for planning permission for development at Glendree, Feakle, Co. Clare. The development will consist of change of use of shed and minor modifications of shed design granted planning permission under P21/27 to Alternative Healthcare Consultancy Room and associated facilities for the owners of the property to work from home. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL SRANAGALLOON,
CRUSHEEN, CO. CLARE Take notice that Cian Dillon intends to apply to the planning authority for permission to construct a new dwelling house and garage complete with a new entrance, sewage treatment system and ancillary works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, Clare County Council, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the planning authority of the application. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL FURTHER INFORMATION / REVISED PLANS Planning Ref: P21/4 Development Description: retention permission for the following a) the side and rear extensions to the existing house as constructed b) change of use from an existing house to commercial that allows for short-term accommodation c) the wastewater
treatment system and polishing filter d) modifications to the site entrance, front boundary walls and internal roads along with associated site works at the above address Location: Cronagort East, Doolin, Co. Clare Take notice that G. & J. Lodges have lodged significant further information in respect of planning application P21/4. This information and planning application may be inspected or purchased, at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority of Clare County Council, Planning Department, Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare, during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, not later than 2 weeks after the receipt of the newspaper notice and site notice by the Planning Authority or in the case of a planning application accompanied by an EIS within 5 weeks of receipt of such notices by the planning authority.
Last weeks Answers . Window missing above Costa . C missing in Costa . Line on ground missing . badge on Jaguar missing
. Women’s name on jackets missing (left) . ‘I’ missing ob womens jacket (middle) . Pocket of yellow coat missing (middle)
Mikey Gough of Smith O’Briens Photograph: Ruth Griffin
47
PUZZLEPAGE
THURSDAY, DEC 2 2021
THIS WEEKS PUZZLES DEC 2
WORD SEARCH
11/26/21, 10:00 AM
Abstruse
Unknown
Clouded
Weird
3
7
2
7
9
8
4
Dark
9
4
8
Deep
9
Eerie
7
Enigmatic
4
5
6 3
2
9 1
9 6
1
Mysterious
How to play
Occult
Sudoku is a logic puzzle where you have to populate the grid with numbers. A number can appear only once in each row, column and house. Each puzzle can be solved using logic from the given information and requires no guesswork.
ANSWERS 3
4
9
2
7
1
4
8
5
6
9
3
7
1
4
9
3
2
6
8
5
9
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5
2
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1
2
3 8
6
7
1
1 8 2 3 6 7
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3
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8 9
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6 7
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4
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11/26/21, 10:00 AM
Uncanny
6
Shrouded
3
Secret
4
Puzzling
1
Sudoku is a logic puzzle where you have to populate the grid with numbers. A number can appear only once in each row, column and house. Each puzzle can be solved using logic from the given information and requires no guesswork.
8
HOW TO PLAY
Mystic
5
8
2
2
2
1/1
Fathomless
7
6
5
Exotic
7
Esoteric
How to play
Cryptic
1
Veiled
Sudoku is a logic puzzle where you have to populate the grid with numbers. A number can appear only once in each row, column and house. Each puzzle can be solved using logic from the given information and requires no guesswork.
Arcane
SUDOKU
The Clare Echo Crossword
1/1
Daily Quick Crossword: 26 November 2021, 11/26/2021 Michael Curl
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Daily Quick Crossword: 26 November 2021, 11/26/2021
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15
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8
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