The Clare Echo 03/01/19

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3 Jan 2019

Shannon loses out on 1million Galway fliers PÁRAIC MCMAHON

S

news@clareecho.ie

TAFF at Shannon Airport ‘are operating with one hand tied behind their back’ while 1 million Galway passengers are flying out of Dublin Airport each year.

At the December meeting of Clare County Council, Matthew Thomas, CEO of the company which is responsible for Shannon Airport, Shannon Heritage, Shannon Commercial Properties and IASC gave a presentation to elected representatives on the local authority. He stated

lKISS-MAS DAY PRESENT: Ronán Burrenn and his dog Bubbles taking time out on the beach in Lahinch after the Annual Christmas Day Swim.

Photo By Martin Connolly

CHECK OUT OUR 191 GUIDE INSIDE

that outside of Dublin, Shannon is the fastest growing airport in Ireland.

Independent councillor, PJ Ryan questioned Thomas on why buses are travelling from Eyre Square in Galway to Dublin Airport with passengers going on transatlantic flights instead of coming to Shannon Airport.

“Shannon Group is doing a fantastic job on the tourism and property side but I’m not so sure on the airport side of things. Are you happy with the Irish aviation policy, are the numbers increasing in Shannon if you took out the US troops where would numbers be”.

“There are fleets of buses leaving Eyre Square for Dublin Airport every day and the same thing is happening in Limerick City, how come we can’t get them to fly Shannon.

Full story PAGE 9

2 NEWS

THURSDAY, JAN 3 2019

Index 9

FRONT PAGE STORY MAYOR MOLLOY HEALTH & FITNESS

11 12-13

ENTERTAINMENT

14

MOTORING 191

17-24

RONAN SCULLY

25

PETER DUGGAN

26

CLASSIFIEDS

28-29

The Square, Ennis, County Clare Telephone: 065 671 9021

NEWSDESK

Email: editor@clareecho.ie or news@clareecho.ie

SALES

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

l SPRINTING INTO 2019: Swimmers, paddlers and toe wetters lining up before the start of the Christmas Day swim in Lahinch Photo by Martin Connolly

Clare ‘only county’ that can match Kerry for tourism product PÁRAIC McMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

N

O INCENTIVES are given to tour bus operators that travel to the Cliffs of Moher.

Clare is home to Ireland’s second most popular tourist attraction and subsequently large amounts of tour buses travel to the Cliffs of Moher daily. Individuals involved in the hospitality and tourism sector have spoken about the how the amount of people visiting the Cliffs does not equate with those staying in hotels and dining in restaurants in the area.

At Clare County Council’s December meeting, Fianna Fáil general election candidate, Cllr Cathal Crowe asked the local authority to “furnish details of incentives given to large tour operators that include the Cliffs of Moher site in itineraries.”

In an official reply, Director of Rural Development, Leonard Cleary outlined, “Clare County Council does not give incentives to large tour operators that include the Cliffs of Moher site in their itinerary. The fact that the Cliffs of Moher is the second largest visitor attraction in the country presents a situation whereby tour operators need to offer this visit to their customers. This creates large visitor flows, which tend to concentrate between 11am and 4pm daily. If the customer wishes to choose to visit the Cliffs of Moher out-

side of these peak times, then lower price rates are available. This seeks to influence customer behaviour by diverting visitor flows to the off-peak hours. This could have a second benefit in that the customer may choose to overnight in Clare resulting in a higher visitor spend in the county. The key principal of this dynamic pricing is that the customer chooses the time and price of their visit”.

“There are countless tour operators that whisk into the county and have no bed nights. They make four stops in county but have breakfast and dinner in Dublin”, Cllr Crowe stated. He flagged that there is a constant pattern in that they only stop at four Clare locations, The Burren, Doolin, The Cliffs of Moher and Bunratty. “When ye negotiate terms push the boat in 2019, we want to encourage people to come to Clare, we are probably the only county in Ireland that can match what Kerry has to offer”. The Meelick councillor welcomed the visitors but added, “we just want them to stay for longer”.

Cleary agreed with sentiments expressed by Crowe, “The new model is called dynamic prices and those negotiations are going on at the moment. Second point I want to focus on, majority of business at Cliffs is FIT (Free Independent Tourists), they have an entire spend and our focus going forward is to maximise that”.

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NEWS

THURSDAY, JAN 3 2019

Kirby leads Resistance on RTÉ with star role STUART HOLLY

editor@clareecho.ie

C

LARE ACTRESS Simone Kirby will further enhance her growing profile this weekend as she takes a starring role alongside Brian Gleeson in the much-touted historical drama Resistance.

Kirby, an Ennis native who attended Coláiste Mhuire before embarking on a successful acting career, is expected to be watched by in excess of half a million people this Sunday, January 6, on RTÉ's five-part series which acts as a sequel to last year's dramatisation of the 1916 rebellion (aptly named Rebellion).

Kirby has starred in a number of large productions in recent years, including Jimmy's Hall, Love/Hate, Alice Through The Looking Glass and Peaky Blinders, where she played an IRA woman.

‘Resistance’ will focus on a war between the Irish Republican Army and British forces in Ireland during the War of Independence. Additional acting talent for the upcoming

production include Aoife Duffin (My Life for Ireland) and Natasha O’Keefe (Will). Brian Gleeson will return as Jimmy Mahon, a Dubliner who took part in the Rising.

The original ‘Rebellion’ series was nominated for eight awards at the

IFTA Film & Drama Awards 2016.

It earned 619,000 viewers and a 41% share of the available audience for its first episode in January of last year and went on to sell internationally to Robert Redford’s Sundance Channel.

Resistance is set during the War of Independence and four years after the events of Rebellion. It follows a group of characters as they fight for their lives and their future, while exploring how the events of the War of Independence changed Irish society.

As the official synopsis states: "Everything is double - two states, two armies, two judicial systems – and with each of those states working overtly and covertly to destabilise the other, parents and children, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives are all forced to live double lives themselves, and can no longer trust each other. The destruction and collapse of the state is echoed in that of the families and the relationships of our character. Everyone is fighting for their lives, and for the future."

The series consists of five hourlong episodes.

lCOOKING UP A STORM: Lisa Vaughan from Liscannor got into the Christmas spirit, at the Christmas Day Swim in Lahinch Photo by Martin Connolly

LIVES PUT AT RISK IN CORROVORRIN PÁRAIC McMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

LIVES are being put at risk by motorists attempting to exit Corrovorrin while business owners in Turnpike need to sit down with members of the Ennis Municipal District, a council meeting heard.

Councillors have requested an update on plans for Corrovorrin, after Cllr Pat Daly highlighted, “It is a nightmare to exit Corrovorrin, it is a serious health and safety issue. People are putting their lives at risk to get out of there”. Cllr Mary Howard stated, “It is really prevalent when there is funeral in the area. There is plenty of space

for a fried egg roundabout and I would like to see a resolution”.

Independent councillor, James Breen brought up the issue of parking in Turnpike, saying, “I have a photo on my phone from 09:05 of a car parked on a bend”.

Howard added, “Can I propose we meet with businesses and homeowners so that we can sit down, have a chat about what’s going on”.

“I want to make it categorically clear I don’t want to interfere with anyone’s business in the Turnpike, I want the place to be safe and for business to be thriving”, Cllr Breen replied.

Council Engineer, Barry Conway was in agreement with Cllr Howard’s proposal to meet businesses in Turnpike.

l TRICKY: The intersection at Corrovorrin

Photo by Vagelis Art

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8

NEWS

THURSDAY, JAN 3 2019

Wardens not policing 'old parts of Ennis' PÁRAIC McMAHON

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paraic@clareecho.ie

RAFFIC wardens are not policing all parts of Ennis resulting in illegal and dangerous parking on double yellow lines in certain areas.

Cllr Ann Norton at the December meeting of the Ennis Municipal District asked that funding be put into Simms Lane, Cornmarket St and Considines Terrace “on health and safety grounds”.

A response from Senior Executive Engineer, Eamon O’Dea revealed that the MD had been contacted by residents on the Old Mill Rd “regarding concerns for the safety

of pedestrians going to and from the pedestrian crossing at Cornmarket Street”.

An examination of the current layout, traffic and parking controls on the Old Mill Rd have since taken place with a proposal drafted for consultation with local businesses and residents. O’Dea expected the consultation to be completed in December with a draft proposal to be ready for councillors in the New Year.

Norton was very pleased with the reply.

“Until you go out and walk an area you don’t realise the difficulties some residents are having, the frustration there is getting greater and greater. I put the motion down with the hope that the Ennis Municipal District

would actually look at it, I’m delighted there is contact there. It is a very old part of Ennis and needs to be upgraded”.

She added, “When you look around, the footpaths are not in good condition, they’re uneven and there is a lot of illegal parking, there is yellow lines but people are still parking there, there is a carpark there but people do not have tickets on their cars and we need a warden to police the area. There is a junction with no signage so it’s beyond me how people have not had accidents. With the response I’ve got I’m happy there will be consultation, there are a number of businesses that need to be spoken about that have things too far out preventing

men and women from walking with prams, people on wheelchairs and the elderly”.

Fianna Fáil’s Pat Daly seconded the motion.

“There is parking all over the place, we need to look at it seriously, a lot of people aren’t using the car park because people don’t want to pay”. Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy also supported the motion.

For Cllr Johnny Flynn, the motion brought back memories of his youth when he played soccer for Hermitage FC. “It is an area that needs revitalisation and it needs to be made attractive to bring in young families. I had the pleasure of playing soccer for Hermitage in this area and we won a Clare Youths title way back,” he recalled.

lBRAVING THE COLD: Polish natives now residing in The Banner, Anina and Derek Stenzel with Carolina Serwiti made an early plunge in Lahinch on Christmas Day Photo by Martin Connolly

'BIZARRE' CALLS TO EXTEND LIMERICK CITY INTO CLARE

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LARE and Limerick’s neighbourly rivalry has erupted once more with calls for a boundary extension causing anger.

Cllr Kieran O’Hanlon a former Mayor of Limerick at the Metropolitan District meeting called for an extension of the administrative boundary of Limerick City and County Council into Co Clare. He maintained residents in Shannon Banks and Westbury feel more connected to the Treaty County as opposed to the Banner.

Previously, the Fianna Fáil councillor has received hate mail for expressing such views but he was adamant that it made sense to extend the boundary. His comments came following the announcement that Clare County Council intends to build a Strategic Development Zone close to the University of Limerick creating 3,500 jobs over the next

decade. “We can’t have a situation where people are just putting towns on the edge of the city to piggy bank on our success”.

His party colleague in Clare, Cllr Cathal Crowe described the proposal as “bizarre”. He rejected the claim that those living in Shannon Banks and Westbury feel more of an affinity to Limerick City.

“How are we ever going to achieve a counter balance to Dublin if we are stuck in parochial squabbles.

We’re tied into a strategic planning policy where Limerick and Clare are to work side by side. The elements we’re putting forward from a Clare end allow for the expansion of UL which the most senior people in UL will say cannot expand any more on the Limerick side it’s so saturated, UL has to expand on the Clare side”, he said on Clare FM’s Morning Focus on Wednesday morning.

INCREASE IN ROAD DEATHS THERE has been a welcome record low in national road deaths for 2019, however in Clare a bleak year was recorded in terms of fatalities.

Some 149 people lost their lives on the road of Ireland in 2018, the lowest since records began and a four per cent drop when compared to the previous year. The caveat to the positive figures was an increase of pedestrian victims, which rose from 31 to 41 in 2018.

Co Clare, meanwhile, saw a rise in the number of road deaths last year, from two in 2017 to six people in 2018.

Irish roads have seen a constant improvement in the number of road fatalities since they peaked in the 1970s, with a shocking 640 road deaths recorded in 1972 at its worst.

Commenting on the road safety performance Mr Shane Ross, Minister for Transport, said; “Although the figures are marginally improved, they are not good enough. Speed continues to kill (130,000 drivers were detected committing speed offences in 2018). Drink driving persists and unaccompanied learner drivers continue to break the law. Reckless road users cannot be allowed to ruin the lives of innocent others and their families. In 2019 the crusade to improve road safety and save lives will accelerate.”

THURSDAY, JAN 3 2019

NEWS 9

1 million Galway passengers choose Dublin over Shannon

PÁRAIC McMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

S

TAFF at Shannon Airport ‘are operating with one hand tied behind their back’ while 1 million Galway passengers are flying out of Dublin Airport each year.

At the December meeting of Clare County Council, Matthew Thomas, CEO of the company which is responsible for Shannon Airport, Shannon Heritage, Shannon Commercial Properties and IASC gave a presentation to elected representatives on the local authority. He stated that outside of Dublin, Shannon is the fastest growing airport in Ireland.

Independent councillor, PJ Ryan questioned Thomas on why buses are travelling from Eyre Square in Galway to Dublin Airport with passengers going on transatlantic flights instead of coming to Shannon Airport.

“Shannon Group is doing a fantastic job on the tourism and property side but I’m not so sure on the airport side of things. Are you happy with the Irish aviation policy, are the numbers increasing in Shannon if you took out the US troops where would numbers be”.

“There are fleets of buses leaving Eyre

l BUS SHORTFALL: Passenger numbers in Shannon are impacted by a lack of bus services between Galway and Shannon, it has been claimed Photo by Arthur Ellis

Square for Dublin Airport every day and the same thing is happening in Limerick City, how come we can’t get them to fly Shannon, 70% of Eyre Square flyers are

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going transatlantic”, he claimed.

Cllr Ryan criticised Minister for Transport Shane Ross for his input to Shannon since taking on the role in May 2016. “Peo-

ple down there are operating with one hand tied behind your back, ye should have a way stronger position in getting airlines to fly into Shannon. I don’t want to shoot the messenger but what I’m feeding back to you is what people are telling me in the Shannon electoral area. I have no questions on the property side, ye are doing a fantastic job but there is not enough emphasis on the airport”. Fianna Fáil’s Pat Daly added, “The people of Galway and Mayo are using Dublin Airport which is very sad”.

In response, Mr Thomas stated that passenger numbers would remain the same regardless of military traffic. “The picture would be the same if we excluded military traffic, our amount of military traffic is lower than in 2012. A million passengers a year from Galway are flying Dublin, people’s habits in travelling by air is to do what they did the last time, it takes time to change that, 25 buses a day go between the two cities. We will be investing more than we have done but we have to drive the commercial performance of the business so that we can invest in marketing.

Our catchment area absolutely extends up to Mayo. We have invested significant amounts in Galway, Tipperary and Kerry”.

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10 NEWS

'Gender imbalance must be addressed at council'

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HETHER or not he - as Clarecastle’s only public representative on Clare County Council - will receive a backlash in May over Roche’s looming closure is something Cllr Paul Murphy is unsure about but he’s certain on the gender imbalance that exists on the local authority.

Roche is set to close its Clarecastle facility in nine months following the decision of the Swiss pharma company to put it up for sale in 2015 along with three other facilities. Of the four, Clarecastle was the only one not to secure a buyer. Murphy is hesitant to say if he expects this will damage his vote in the village.

“Being realistic the power of a councillor doesn’t go to that level, I can make representations to Roche but that’s a far bigger picture unfortunately. A multi-national company goes beyond the remit of a county councillor”.

A quick scan of Paul’s profile on the Fine Gael website highlights that he is “committed to

the issue of gender quotas”. Seeing as Clare County Council has just three three female elected representatives, he says the shortcomings are clear to see.

“It’s quite good in the Ennis area but of course across the county there’s a glaring imbalance. It speaks for itself, there’s only three members out of 28 that are female. That could be due to a variety of reasons.

"I don’t mean to sound sexist but there would be a view there that women are seen as the stay at home parent rather than males but on a personal level I would have bucked the trend in that I was very hands on in rearing my own two kids, I do realise and recognise the time and commitment involved to try and make a political career and being a parent, to make it work can be a challenge. How you go about it is another question, in the past I would have proposed a motion that some kind of childcare facilities may be provided in local authorities which may help but it’s anyone guess as to why there aren’t more women involved in

l EQUAL RIGHTS: Cllr Paul Murphy (right), beside Cllr Ann Norton, wants to see more women represented Photo by Gary Collins

politics and it goes for all politics be it Macra na Feirme, the IFA or the GAA - it tends to be a male dominated world”.

A seat will be lost on the Ennis Municipal District following the boundary changes. Paul explained to The Clare Echo how he will plan to ensure it is not his place that goes as a result.

Locals set for tree throwing in Ennis

MEMBERS of the public are being invited to break a unique Guinness World Record as well as drop off their Christmas tree for recycling on Sunday, January 6 from 1pm to 3pm when the annual Irish International Christmas Tree Throwing Championship takes place at Active Ennis Tim Smyth Park.

Organised by Clare County Council’s Active Ennis Unit, the eighth annual event is a novel way to turn Christmas tree recycling into a sport, while at the same time raise funds for a needy cause with this year’s proceeds going to Cahercalla Hospice.

“To promise people fair and decent representation as I have always done and what I aspire do, I never make false promises - just try and represent people to the best of my ability. I’ve a fairly good strike rate in getting my representation dealt with in the Council, it’s all about being myself and being true to the people”.

THURSDAY, JAN 3 2019

Kilrush site secured for gaelscoil A NEW site has been secured for a new school building for Gaelscoil Uí Choimin, Kilrush which has been purchased by the Department of Education through the offices of Clare County Council. Currently, there are 62 students in the Gaelscoil.

Fine Gael TD, Pat Breen visited the site earlier this year with Minister for Education, Richard Bruton. “I was struck by how small the classrooms were and the urgent need for a larger school building. I am delighted therefore that the site of the school building has now been secured, and look forward to continuing to work with the Board of Management in 2019 to ensure the new school is open as soon as possible.”

Breen is hopeful it will “serve the children of Kilrush for generations to come”. “With the right building it has the potential to attract many more students. Already demand for places in the Gaelscoil in Kilrush outweighs capacity, so the building will also serve a growing need in west Clare,” the Minister of State added.

Independent councillor from Kilrush, Ian Lynch praised Breen and Carmel Greene of Clare Co Council for the announcement.

“I have worked hard with several others to try and bring this to fruition, finally we are going forward. We looked at lots of options, lots of properties and was delighted to get the call last month that a decision and approval to purchase lands had been given the green light. The development of the land will see a number of uses the main being a new school which is long overdue.”

The Championship, which is based on age-old lumberjack traditions, sees members of the public competing to achieve the longest distance for throwing a standard 1.5 metre tree. There will be trophies for the longest throw in various age categories with a trophy for the overall champion.

John Leahy of Lissycasey was named overall winner of the 2018 Irish Christmas Tree Throwing Championships after he beat more than 200 competitors.

Visit clarecoco.ie, activeennis.ie, or Facebook (/clarecountycouncil) for more details.

l IN THE THROWS OF IT: Martin Piotrowski with young Mikal and Mikolai taking part in the Christmas Tree Throwing Championships at Tim Smyth Park, Ennis last year

Photo by Eamon Ward

NEWS 11

THURSDAY, JAN 3 2019

Getting to know the Ennis Mayor

Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy 'entered politics by way of volunteerism and fundraising'

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news@clareecho.ie

SELF-DESCRIBED “newbie” when elected to the Council four years ago, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy is counting on her increased profile and track record to ensure she retains her seat.

She has been selected to run in the Ennis Municipal District alongside Cllr Pat Daly for May's local elections. At the recent Fianna Fáil convention for this area, both Bernard Hanrahan and Mark Nestor put their names forward, however party headquarters wanted just two selected on the night.

At least one more individual should be added to their ticket according to Colleran Molloy.

“What we’ve had happen is a change of boundaries in the Ennis Municipal District that has adversely impacted on two Fianna Fáil councillors, that being myself and Cllr Tom McNamara. It hasn’t adversely impacted the three Fine Gael councillors because their geographic area hasn’t changed at all really.

"You also have a reduced amount of councillors so I would be supporting the call to run an increased number. Whether that is three which is what Fine Gael are doing or four I don’t know”.

Of the elected representatives in the Ennis MD, Clare received the fewest first preference votes four years ago. She is adamant that her profile is much stronger now than it was then.

“I would say to you that back in 2014 I was a newbie, unknown personality entirely and when you think about it that was my first foray into politics and to be fair the ballot sheet in Ennis in 2014 was the longest running ballot sheet in the history of the

State, one of my fellow councillors recently said ,with 28 names on it.

"I sat at number nine from the first count to the 20th when I jumped into the eighth position.

It was a very good result for somebody who was unknown then, five years since I would like to think my profile has been enhanced based on the work I have been doing in the Council at county level, based on the fact that I ran in the 2016 General Election and based on my most recent role as the Mayor of Ennis. All I can do is hope the people do see that I do love doing the work that I’ve been elected to do, that I’m doing good and I do hope to

continue the work. This is why during my year as Mayor, in light of the fact that I’ve entered politics by way of volunteerism and fundraising efforts nationwide, it was natural for me to use my role to raise funds and awareness for Ennis Municipal based charities”.

When initially asked by Fianna Fáil to contest the 2016 General Election, the Quin native declined and said it was the most difficult decision of her life. Now that her native parish and that of Clooney have been removed from the EMD, The Clare Echo asked how tough she

found it to branch away from her strong pool of support. “It wasn’t a decision I needed to make, it was made for me. I live in Ennis in the parish of Ballybeg, I vote in Ennis, my post office is Clarecastle and I shop in Clarecastle.

I would have preferred if they had left it alone because the Quin and Clooney area would have my childhood friends and family that would still be there and I would be fairly confident they would still support me. I would still feel that the decision for me to run in the Ennis Municipal District is the right decision, it’s the best chance I have of retaining my seat. If you look at the situation in Killaloe,

there’s five seats and there was six so it’s reduced by one and those five councillors are incumbent so I would have had a very difficult battle to retain my seat if I had ran in Killaloe. I’m very happy to be running in Ennis, I’ve been living in Ennis since I returned from the States back in 2002 so it sits right with me”.

As it stands, Clare, Ann Norton and Mary Howard all based in Ennis are the only female representatives on Clare County Council. After May, she is hopeful there will be even more women gathered around the Chamber. “It’s

a good of thing to have a breath of experience, perspective and diversity come to any organisation be it the public local authority or a private entity.

There is a certain understanding and appreciation by all that a greater perspective be they race, gender or what have you being brought to decision making means there will be better outcomes in the decisions that are taken.

With respect to whether I would welcome greater female representation in the 28 councillors in Clare there is no question about that.

“In 2016 when I ran in the General Election I was in fact the highest ranking number one getting councillor but that doesn’t necessarily translate into the Council... It is unfortunately the case that I’m the only Fianna Fáil female candidate thus far for the local elections. We had a surprise move with Cllr Michael Hillery deciding not to go again, it would be a great thing if there was a female out in North Clare putting her hat in the ring for Fianna Fáil”.

Currently Clare is the Mayor of Ennis, it’s a time consuming role but one she doesn’t feel will negatively impact her campaigning over the coming months. Though she very much enjoys being a councillor, Colleran Molloy has found it difficult not being able to solve all problems that are presented to her.

“I’ve loved it. What I like very much about it, I’ve been a practicing lawyer both here in Ireland as a barrister and solicitor and in the United States as an attorney I even taught the law, I’ve done a lot in my prior life. I’ve loved this work in the public arena as a public representative because of the variety of the work that you’ve dealt with from day to day, the opportunity to help people where you can and to let people know when you

l PASSION FOR COMMUNITY: Clare Colleran Molloy and her Sister Caroline Collins sing the beautiful song The Dutchmanl at the Mayor's recent fundraiser lunch for Alzheimer's at the Old Ground Hotel and (inset) with disibility activist Dermot Hayes Photo by Martin Connolly

‘‘

Many continue to believe that the councillor can magically sort a housing problem but that is not the case, there simply isn’t enough supply.

can that you can’t.

“There are times and especially in these hard times with regard to homelessness and lack of social housing it’s one of the most difficult issues being faced by councillors right now because many continue to believe that the councillor can magically sort a housing problem but that is not the case, there simply isn’t enough supply. I had a case last week with a mother of two children, she’s been living in emergency accommodation in bed and breakfast now since April in Ennis, Christmas is approaching and she doesn’t have any

‘‘

PÁRAIC McMAHON

family in Ennis. I called the housing department and they explained her situation is ranked along with many others who are on the list, that is the most difficult part right now most definitely.

Eventually these houses will be built but it’s taking a lot of time, a lot of hardship and a lot of adverse impacts on the children in particular.

On whether she is confident enough they will reelect her, Clare replied, “You’d never ever say you’re confident, I will work my damdest to be reelected and I won’t take anything for granted”.

12 HEALTH & LIVING

Health&Living Fitness & Mindset Corner with Cillian Keane Fitness, Personal Trainer

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THURSDAY, JAN 3 2019

Build up your confidence and take some chances: Did you find that 2018 was the year you became more confident in yourself. Well, make 2019 an even better one. Do things out of your comfort zone that you know will help your progress and improve in your career or even your fitness. Life is short so I’m sure you don’t want to to have those regrets later in life of all the things you wished you had achieved. Be brave in all that you do. Opportunities begin to happen outside of your comfort zone.

Meet new people: There are so many different activities or social events that you can go to meet different people. Join a fitness class, join yoga, join a choir, join a football team or even the Tennis Club. The opportunities to meet new people are abundant. So make the effort to go and make 2019 a year to remember.

Spend more time with people that matter the most to you.

Catch up with your close friends more often, go for coffee, go for weekends away or even go for weekend hikes or excursions. Spending quality time with those that make you feel good is so important for your own mental health and well-being.

I hope 2019 is a great one for you and that you will achieve all your New Years Resolution over the coming months.

Top 5 resolution ideas 4 to get 2019 on track

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ITH the New Year upon us, there are so many things people have on their list that they want to achieve.

Some New Year Resolutions may seem so far out of reach but breaking them down into simple steps will avoid all that overwhelm.

I have found with my own Personal Training clients that taking a step by step approach

for any goal or resolution is vital for long-term success.

I’m going to run through my Top 5 New Year’s Resolutions that may spark some ideas for you that you can go on to achieve yourself.

Start exercising and become more active: Losing weight is top of the list for many people after the Christmas period, but find yourself a sustainable plan that will get you the results and that you can keep the weight

1

off for good. There is so much information out there but find a reputable trainer that has the knowledge, that will get you the results you desire and get you the best results in the most sustainable way.

Start eating healthier. It can be a tricky one but switching to a healthier diet can slowly help you develop healthier habits over time.

What would I recommend to someone that wants to eat

2

healthier in the New Year?

I see so many restricting their favourite foods and not actually enjoying the foods they eat. It leads them to fall off the wagon and then giving up altogether.

The best food or nutrition plan is one you can see yourself doing a year or two from now. It has to be something you can see yourself sticking too. A sustainable food plan is one you can do with ease and includes all the foods you like in moderation that will get you to your desired goals.

5

Cillian Keane is a personal trainer at Hustle Fitness in Ennis. If you are looking to kickstart your fitness regime, email cillian.keane87@gmail.com.

THURSDAY, JAN 3 2019

Clare girls worth weight in gold...

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S SLIMMING World enters its 50th year, two consultants from Clare are celebrating half a century of success for the organisation by meeting TV personality Rylan Clark-Neal.

Rylan, who shot to fame after appearing on hit show The X-Factor, co-hosted the annual Slimming World Awards with the organisation’s founder and chair Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE. Margaret opened her first Slimming World group in 1969 and over 50 years the business has grown to become a leading group-based weight-management organisation, today supporting nearly a million slimmers.

Caroline Rynne, who runs a Slimming World group at Treacys West County Hotel, Ennis every Thursday, said meeting the TV host was a wonderful way to round off a great year at Slimming World, as well as a brilliant way to lead into 2019 — Slimming World’s Golden Year: “I couldn’t be prouder of the members of the Clare groups. Not only have they lost fantastic amounts of weight throughout 2018 – with many of them hitting their target weights – they’ve also improved their health, boosted their confidence and are heading into 2019 with new healthy habits that will stay with them for life.

“Watching people change before my eyes and start being able to do things that they didn’t think possible before losing weight absolutely amazes me.

Every week I feel privileged to play even a small part in supporting people towards these achievements and to celebrate with them, so I felt especially honoured to represent our groups at the Slimming

World Awards. Rylan was blown away by the difference Slimming World makes to people’s lives too.”

Rylan said he was thrilled to meet Caroline and Ruth at the event, held at Birmingham’s International Convention Centre. “I met so many people who had lost incredible amounts of weight and made a huge difference to their lives. While the stories I heard were obviously very personal, the one thing they all had in common was how much support they received from their ‘Slimming World family’ and how so many of them were achieving their dreams. Every one of them spoke passionately about how they couldn’t have made those changes to eat more healthily and become more active without the support of their Consultant and group every week, so people like Caroline and Ruth are clearly worth their weight in gold.”

Ruth Sheridan, who runs a group at Oakwood Hotel, Shannon every Monday, continues: “We’re hoping our Golden Year will be even more successful and we have a string of exciting activities planned to celebrate our 50th birthday in style, including the launch of brand-new websites and apps, golden events and special publications.

“So, this New Year I truly believe that joining a local Slimming World group is the best way for people to lose weight, learn new habits and make long-term healthy changes.”

To make your weight-loss dreams come true and with Slimming World call Caroline on 085 2133149 or Ruth on 0874571411 or visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk to find your nearest group.

HEALTH & LIVING 13

l THEY’VE GOT THE X-FACTOR: Slimming World Consultants Caroline Rynne and Ruth Sheridan meet singer and presenter Rylan Clark-Neal

Entertainment

NEW YEAR AT GLÓR

T

AKE THE POINTS is the new show from Des Bishop coming to glór in February. That’s good advice on the pitch but an even better metaphor for life especially when you don’t take advice well. How hard can it be for a man to say “point taken!”

Des Bishop’s new show tries to digest the incredible changes we have seen in society in the last year and a half. Me too, consent, trump, the 8th and how divided everyone is online. Everyone welcome, snowflakes, the easily offended, those that complain about people being offended, PC and non P.C. people, religious people and atheists. We all have points to take and goals to come!

Now a massive star in Ireland, native New Yorker, Des moved from Queens to Ireland in his mid-teens in 1990.

He first came to prominence with his extraordinary TV series The Des Bishop

Work Experience (2004), where he lived on minimum wage in a series of different jobs in Ireland. Mixing this documentary footage with stand-up, the series became one of the most talked-about of the year, and propelled Des into national stardom.

Des has appeared on many live stand up shows including Edinburgh Comedy Festival Live (BBC), Live at the Comedy Store (Comedy Central) and Australian music themed quiz show Spicks and Specks (ABC).

The openness and honesty of his presenting style combined with his restless imagination and perceptive comic observations make Des Bishop a must-see for fans of unique, insightful and provocative comedy.

Des Bishop: Take The Points Saturday 16 February 8:30pm €25 Age Guidance: 16+

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EITH BARRY returns to glór with much anticipated brand new show Deception.

Keith Barry is the world’s leading TV hypnotist, mentalist and brain hacker. The internationally acclaimed Mind Magician is bringing ‘Deception’, his biggest and most spectacular production yet, on tour across Ireland this December 2018 to March 2019. Mind Control, Brainwashing, Subliminal messaging, Cults and every form of deception imaginable will be explored in this brand new show where Keith Barry will blur the line between reality and deception. If you want to laugh until your face hurts and be deceived badly then Deception is for you.

Keith Barry: Deception Friday 04 January 8:00pm €32 Age Guidance: 15+

16 COMMUNITY

Community ENNIS AREA TOONAGH WALK FOR HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE A date for the Diary...

The Annual Toonagh Walk in aid of The Huntington’s Disease Association takes place on Sunday January 13, 2019.

Registration in Toonagh Hall @ 11am, €10 per adult, children free, Three routes to suit all fitness levels. Hot & Cold refreshments, treats, home baking and a monster raffle. All are welcome. Contact Denise on 087 6731966 for more details.

Burn those Christmas calories and support a great cause.

WEST CLARE JUNGLE BOOK IN WEST CLARE Crack’d Spoon Theatre Company presents The Jungle Book as this year’s pantomime. The play is an adaptation of the classic story along with some panto fun, such as Jane (the dame) and two mischief makers (Chitter and Chatter). Mowgli the man cub has escaped the clutches of the ferocious tiger, There Khan, who is intent on revenge. Adopted by wolves, he learns the ways of the jungle from Baloo the bear and his friend Bagheera. Come along for an entertaining and magical show!

Knockerra Hall - January 5 Kilkee Community Centre - January 6 All shows at 3:30. Ticket at the door

SOUTH CLARE WATER RESTORED IN PARTEEN AND CLONLARA Water supply was restored to parts of Parteen and Clonlara on

Sunday.

Residents of the South East Clare areas were without water for two days after a water main burst in the early hours of Thursday morning. Supply was restored on Saturday evening while engineers had rerouted a series of pipes on Friday giving an amount of homes supply overnight. Alternative water supplies were made available at Lackyle Housing Estate, Ardnarcrusha and Westbury Shopping Centre.

Earlier this year, Irish Water customers in Pareen had to endure a six day outage while a further two faults also occurred on the same line in 2018.

Cllr Cathal Crowe has confirmed he will be tabling a motion for the January meeting of Clare County Council on the matter, “I will raise at a political level the need for serious capital investment by Irish Water in our locality. Enough is enough”.

The Wren as its known here in Ireland, is a custom originating in Europe and in Poland is known as Kolednicy.

The caroling or Kolędowanie traditionally starts on St.Stephan Day and lasts until Little Christmas.

Members of Inisowiacy Polish Folk Group are continuing their Polish traditions in Ennis for the second year; the group consisted of members dressed in traditional folk outfits belonging to the regions of Krakow and Zakopane in southern Poland.

Pictured right, the Inisowiacy Polish Folk Group visiting friends on St Stephan Day to celebrate Christmas.

Photo by Bogna Mroz

THURSDAY, JAN 3 2019

CONTACT NEWSDESK

065 671 9021 news@clareecho.ie

ENNIS

l COUNTY CHAMPS: Gaelcholáiste an Chláir / Ennis Community College girls football team being presented with their County Championship and 2018 Munster medals by Clare County Footballer Niamh O’Dea before the Christmas break. Back Row: Mr Brian O’Donoghue, Principal, Oilean Ni Laighin, Shannen Ní Dhonnabháin, Mia Ní Dhaibhéid​, Múirne Ní Chonaill, Ciara Ní Dhúgáin, Naoise Ní Shlatara-hÓgáin, Sarah Ní Cheallaigh, Treasa Ní Riain, Leah Ní Thailtigh, Katie De Faoite, Rachel Sanz, Nancy Ní hÉarain, Ms Rachel Ryan, Trainer. Front Row: Síofra Ní Chonaill, Meadhbh Duibhne-Ní Chochláin, Caoilionn Ni Chonaill, Neasa Ní Ainiféin, Aisling Ni Rinn, Elise Ní Riain, Elena Sanz, Emmanuela Moses, Aoife Nic Gruagáin​, Eve O’Connor, Niamh O’Dea.

Motoring MOTORING EXPERT NEIL BRISCOE GIVES HIS VIEWS

WHY AN MPV SHOULD BE YOUR CHOICE OF CAR IN 2019 FORD’S SENSIBLE S-MAX GETS SEXED UP TO TAKE THE FIGHT TO THE SUV BRIGADE

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ROAD TEST: FORD S-MAX ST-LINE ETTLE DOWN children and I’ll tell you a fairy story for New Year’s, one that you simply won’t believe. Yes, it’s true, there once was a time when not everyone bought a big 4x4 as their daily car, and people looking for space and practicality actually bought something called an MPV. What was an MPV? Well, children of the 21st century, it was an invention of the 1980s (well, kind of the 1950s if you believe the tales of the Fiat 600 Multipla, or the Volkswagen Kombi), when Renault and Dodge argued over who was the first to bring to the market a car that looked like a van, but drove like a car, and head seats like a bus. Sort of.

Dodge technically got their first, just, with the original Caravan, but Renault did it better with the original Espace, which pulled off the neat trick of looking like a TGV train on the outside, having a plush, seven-seat, velour-lined cabin on the inside, and having the kudos of being engineered by aerospace and Le Mans legends Matra.

It all seemed so hopeful, as if some kind of rational, sensible peace was to descend on the land. A land where clever people bought clever cars, cars with many seats, with long-haul comfort in mind, but cars which only took up the same road space as a humble Cortina. What’s a Cortina?

Ask your dad.

Then the Americans got involved, decreed that everyone should instead prelMPV: 150hp, 2.0 litre TDCI

tend to be MacGyver, or The Outlaw Josey Wales or something like that, and drive a big 4x4 for their daily car. Foolishly, we all listened, and since then MPVs have been on the downslide. It hasn’t helped that such public mouthpieces as Jeremy Clarkson have described buying an MPV as ‘social death.’

Here’s the thing, though. MPVs are great. They’re almost always bigger inside than a comparably priced SUV, with better visibility to boot. They have useful, flexible interiors and if you fold all the seats flat, you have a van for those house moves, those recycling centre runs, or even the odd camping trip.

And if you think that an MPV can’t look cool, or be fun to drive, well, just look at this — the Ford S-Max in ST-Line trim.

I, personally, have always thought that the S-Max (both the current generation and the preceding model which originally launched in 2006) to be an uncommonly good looking car. Always something of the Star Trek shuttlecraft about its pointynosed box shape, helped by the gentle descent of the rear roofline to give it a faintly more aerodynamic profile.

In ST-Line trim, it’s even better. ST-Line is Ford’s answer to Peugeot’s GT-Line or Volkswagen’s R-Line — taking the badge from proper, sporting models, and lending it to humbler family wagons with stylish bodykits. OK, so bodykits can be a touch — how can I put this? — chavvy at times, but I reckon this one looks really

good, and its muscularity gives the S-Max some much-needed extra road presence.

Inside, there’s a slight mix of materials on the dashboard which doesn’t always work, especially the large areas of plain black plastic on the centre console, but beyond that, the S-Max’s cabin is a pretty lovely place to be. The mix of digital and analogue instruments works really well (especially since Ford updated the software to include a digital speedometer in the centre of the gauges) and the cabin looks mostly pretty handsome.

Good too is Ford’s SYNC3 infotainment system, which is simple, clear, and easy to use (albeit its graphics are perhaps a touch behind the best VW systems). Seat comfort is little short of excellent — occasionally, sporty Fords have seats that are just too narrow across the shoulders to be properly comfy, but the S-Max manages to avoid that. And, of course, there’s space. Tonnes of it. Row two, which has three individual sliding, reclining, and folding seats, has acres of legroom while even in row three, a section of the cabin that’s often a bit of an afterthought in SUV-shaped rivals, there’s decent space for knees and feet. Not always the case, that.

Then there’s the way that it drives, which is almost entirely excellent. Now, as with the current Mondeo, with which the S-Max shares a chassis, there’s a sense that it’s not as sharp as it used to be. Buy boy is refine-

FACTS & FIGURES: Model tested: Ford S-Max ST-Line 2.0 TDCI 150 Pricing: Circa €39,037 as tested; S-Max starts at €37,358 Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel Transmission: six-speed manual, front-wheel drive Body style: seven-seat MPV CO2 emissions: 137g/km (Band B2 €280 per annum) Combined consumption: 54.3mpg (5.2-litres per 100km) Top speed: 198km/h 0-100km/h: 10.8 seconds Power: 150hp at 3,500rpm Torque: 350Nm at 2,000rpm Boot space: 285-litres (seven seats); 700-litres (five seats); 2,200-litres (all seats folded) Safety: Euro NCAP rating for Ford S-Max: Five-stars: 87 per cent adult; 87 per cent child; 79 per cent pedestrian; 71 per cent safety assist

ment excellent, up to Audi standards more or less. The 150hp 2.0-litre TDCI diesel engine is very quiet, and has good economy too, and in spite of its length, breadth, and height the S-Max never feels bulky nor wallow-y in corners. In fact, it’s hugely rewarding to drive, with sweet steering weight and balance, and a sense of grippy entertainment about it.

So, it’s 2019 now. Theoretically, the day of the MPV is over and done with, and the age of the SUV has dawned. But the S-Max, especially in this rather lovely, quasi-sporty ST-Line trim, shows that this shouldn’t be so. Yes, MPVs are rational, sensible, thoughtful cars and we, clearly, no longer live in a world that’s rational, sensible, nor thoughtful. But maybe we should. Maybe we should.

20 MOTORING

THURSDAY, JAN 3 2019

BEST BUYS FOR 191

YUP, IT’S JANUARY ONCE AGAIN AND THAT MEANS IT’S NEW-CAR SHOPPING TIME. THERE IS LOTS OF GOOD METAL ARRIVING ON IRISH SHORES AND IN IRISH DEALERS THIS YEAR. HERE OUR MOTORING EXPERT NEIL BRISCOE PICKS SOME OF HIS FAVOURITE BUYS FOR 2019

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KIA

IA looks set to have a bumper year this year. It’s just updated the ever-popular Sportage SUV (and is it just us or does it look more like a Porsche than ever, now?) but it’s also just launched the estate version of the award-winning Ceed hatcback, the Ceed SW. Either makes a compelling family car choice, with our nod going to the useful, handsome estate.

Those will be followed up very shortly by the new Proceed, which ditches the three-door coupe body for a slinky, sexy, estate-ish shooting brake look. Coming up later in the year is the e-Niro, an all-electric version of the Niro hybrid, which can go (potentially) for an impressive 455km on one charge. Will it be the car that truly kick-starts the electric motoring revolution in Ireland?

Guess we’ll see…

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F

FORD

ORD scored a big hit in 2018 with the new Focus, a car which looks sharper and smarter every time we see one on the roads. We’re still (slightly) sore that Ford doesn’t offer a Focus hatch in Ireland with the more sophisticated rear suspension, but at least you can get that on the estate. The still-brilliant S-Max we’ve talked about already this week, and there are more hybrid versions of the Mondeo coming in 2019, including the handsome (and huge) estate. Plus there’s the evergreen Mustang coupe, which you can now buy in a gorgeous dark-green Bullitt edition, as a homage to the classic 1968 Steve McQueen movie. With a 460hp V8 engine and a manual gearbox, that was some of the best fun we had behind the wheel in 2018, and one of our genuine dream cars for 2019.

NISSAN

ISSAN’S big news for 2019 will be an all-new Juke, but that doesn’t arrive until later in the year. It should be worth the wait, though, keeping much of the distinctive style of the current model, but adding a sharper new chassis, improved cabin space, and new engines. Those new engines, including a 1.3-litre petrol engine that’s shared with Mercedes, are already available in the updated Qashqai, one of the best-selling cars in the country, which itself is being updated for 2019, with new infotainment and an upgraded cabin. Oh, and on the electric motoring front, the Leaf, which is already the best-selling electric car in Ireland, will be getting a big-battery update in 2019, which should push its useable range above the 450km mark.

Up to €4,000 Scrap or Save bonus.

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AT Price ex V

0 5 5 , 3 1 € 5 9 1 € ith bonus w % h t n 1HP.f9 per mo inance From

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Greater reliability, greater trade in value and greater finance options like leasing, PCP and low cost HP finance... combine these with a choice of up to €4,000 scrappage or up to €4,000 savings and buying a 191 Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle becomes the smartest decision your business can make. Try before you buy with a 24 hour test drive at Al Hayes Motors Ltd. or visit www.alhayesvolkswagen.ie and we’ll come to you.

Try before you buy with a 24 hour test drive at Al Hayes Motors Ltd. Galway Rd, Portumna, Co. Galway

Tel. 090 9742200

www.alhayesvolkswagen.ie

* Prices shown in ad relate to Caddy PV TDI 75HP M5F. Typical Finance Example: Recommended OTRP €18,630, less €2,000 bonus/savings is €16,630. Deposit/Part Exchange €5,328. 60 monthly payments of €195. Total cost of credit €548. Typical APR 1.9%. Minimum deposit is 10%. Subject to lending criteria. Monthly rate shown is on the road price and includes a €2,000 bonus/saving on Caddy 75HP. Prices are subject to change. Offers are made under a hire purchase agreement and do not apply to fleet sales. Offer for business customers only. Volkswagen Bank GmbH Branch Ireland is authorised by the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority in Germany and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland for conduct of business rules. Terms and conditions apply. Bonus/Savings of €2,000 incl. VAT on Caddy, €3,000 incl. VAT on Transporter and Amarok, €4,000 incl. VAT on Crafter. Offers only applies to all orders placed by 31/12/2018. All offers are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Please contact your local Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle dealer for full details.

22 MOTORING

THURSDAY, JAN 3 2019

BEST BUYS FOR 191 VOLKSWAGEN TOYOTA A W

HAT E VER else happens, Toyota is going to have a massive 2019. It’s launching what can only be described as a hybrid model blitz on the Irish market this year. Arguably the most significant new model is the Corolla, the 12th generation of the famous name, and it’s making a return in hatchback and estate forms this time, replacing the outgoing Auris. There’ll be a four-door saloon too, and while you can have a conventional 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine, the focus will be on two hybrid powertrains — a 1.8-litre version with 120hp, and a new 2.0-litre version with 180hp, which should be pretty sporty. That hybrid setup will also be found in the new RAV4, which is now bigger, and has a more aggressive 4x4-ish bodystyle. There’s also more space in the cabin and the boot. Probably our favourite new hybrid Toyota, though, is the new Camry — a classic name making a welcome return to the Irish market. This one comes with the same 2.5-litre hybrid as you’ll find in the new Lexus ES and while a low Co2 emissions figure will be a big change from the Camrys of old, the new one has the same recipe of comfort, space, quality, and refinement as before. Yum.

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T SOME POINT in 2019, we’re going to see the all-new eighth generation of the all-conquering Golf, but that’s not to dismiss the current seventh-gen model — it’s still a cracking family hatchback, and now you can have it with probably the best engine in the whole VW family, the 150hp 1.5-litre TSI petrol. Those who fancy a small and chunky SUV should probably hang on for the new T-Cross, which launches later in the year and which will probably make hot cakes look like slow-sellers.

If you can’t wait for that, then the T-Roc makes a compelling choice for a 191 plate, especially (again) with that 1.5 TSI engine. Towards the end of the year comes the big one, though — the ID all-electric hatchback, for which VW is already talking about a range of close to 500km, and a price tag to compete with diesel rivals. Could it be the beginning of a new VW revolution?

SKODA

KODA will take on the mighty Ford Focus with its new five-door family hatchback, the Scala, which goes on sale shortly. Based on Volkswagen Group’s new MQB-A0 platform, it replaces the rather unsophisticated old Rapid and should offer big space, and high tech (including a massive ten-inch touchscreen) at an affordable price. It looks smart, too, which never hurts. Skoda’s gone big on SUVs lately too, and there’s going to be sporty variations of its 4x4s this year. The Karoq gets a Sportline version, which comes with sportier styling inside and out, while the Kodiaq seven-seater now comes as an RS model, with a 240hp twin-turbo diesel engine and a whopping €62k price tag. Worth it, for a Skoda? Maybe, yep — it’s the fastest-ever seven-seat car around the legendary Nurburgring race track.

Drive your future forward with Volkswagen.

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Request your quote online or visit us before December 31st to avail of these offers.

Western Garages, Volkswagen Clare, Quin Road, Ennis, Co Clare.

T. 065 682 8505. W. www.westerngarages.com Models shown are for illustrative purposes only. (T-Roc, Touareg, Tiguan) Fuel Consumption l/100km : combined 6.6 – 4.4. CO2 emissions g/km: 173-115. Increased weight of a vehicle, including higher trim levels and the addition of options may have an effect on the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions produced. *Typical Finance Example: Tiguan HL 2.0TDI 150HP. OTRP €39,925. Deposit / Part Exchange €12,092.50. 36 monthly payments of €349. Optional Final Payment €15,268.50. Total cost of credit €0. Typical APR 0%. 0% APR is available on selected new models. No minimum deposit required. Subject to lending criteria. This offer is made under a hire purchase agreement.

Volkswagen Bank GmbH Branch Ireland is authorised by the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority in Germany and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland for conduct of business rules. Offers available on orders before 31st December 2018. **Purchase Contributions only available on selected new retail sales financed through Volkswagen Bank. These offers are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time.

These offers do not apply to fleet sales. Information correct at time of print. See www.volkswagen.ie for details.

24 THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

THURSDAY, JAN 3 2019

Ronan Scully

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK Author spreading the word of positivity

A

IT’S UP TO YOU

S we look forward to another new year, it is a time for giving thanks for blessings received, asking forgiveness and mercy for transgressions committed, forgiving those who have aggrieved us, and asking for mercy, grace and strength for the future. Already, just as the New Year is about to begin, we are aware of needing to make decisions about both our past and future. We cannot reject the past, but we can allow it to be redeemed. We cannot determine the future, but we can allow it to be permeated with the love and the mercy of God. I can look back on 2018 and the resolutions or new beginnings that I made and see how often I have failed to live up to those. I can look forward in hope to trying to live my resolutions or new beginnings better in 2019, but, most of all, I can decide, here and now, to try to live today as it should be lived, because ‘today’ is all we ever really know. So, for me, 2019 will seek a renewed sense of purpose about what I am called to be and do and to try and love deeply from my heart.

look for a good and speedy resolution for them. Always keep trying and moving forward. Always consider the power of your words carefully as they can hurt for real.

Look at things from every angle before you make a decision or a statement for they too can hurt. Always pray for others intentions and if you’re like me, always light a candle for someone. Live for today and the present moment as it is special and real, for tomorrow might never come.

Make every one of your days here on earth count for the good of yourself and for

2019 is Up to You!

others. Choose life and love for something can be lost and gained in living life every day. Go to your doctor for checkups and look after your health, no one else will.

Help your friends and your work colleagues always or as much as you can for they are central to your life.

Life can surprise you. Meditate and keep the Serenity prayer always close by so that you can have the courage and the wisdom to be the person you want and can be.

Always, as much as possible, express your thanks and gratitude to people who have helped you along life’s way. To forgive or not to forgive is one of our life choices, I think from my experience in life it is always more freeing to forgive. Don’t give part time people in your life a full time position in your head. Don’t spend time hating or been envious. Try to always look on the good and bright side of life.

Take chances in a good sense. than to love someone or care for someone or be there for someone.

can show you care. One voice can speak with wisdom. One heart can know what’s true. One life can make the difference; you see 2019 is up to You!”

In 2019 remember that, “One song can spark a moment; One flower can wake the dream. One tree can start a forest, One bird can herald spring. One smile begins a friendship, One handclasp lifts a soul.

One star can guide a ship at sea, One word can frame the goal. One vote can change a nation, One sunbeam lights a room. One candle wipes out darkness, One laugh will conquer gloom. One step must start each journey; One word must start each prayer.

One hope will raise our spirits; One touch

New Beginnings for 2019

In 2019 try to rise with the sun to pray.

Pray alone. Pray with others. Pray often.

God will listen, if you only speak. Be tolerant of those who are lost on their path and pray that they will find guidance.

Search for yourself, be yourself. Do not allow others to make your path for you. It is your road and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you. Life can be so unfair and heartbreaking at times. But life can be good too.

I hope and pray that 2019 will be a good one for all of you. Friends come and go, but the real ones stay around or are part of your life when you really need them. Nurture the good ones. Being a person that’s kind, caring and loving really matters in life. When in doubt or afraid, just take one day at a time and try to live in and for the present moment, one step at a time. Life can be very short. Love and care as much as you can, for the time allotted to you is never known. It’s okay not to feel okay but it is always okay to ask for help or support.

In 2019 go after your dreams at all times when you can, especially if it involves genuine love and care. Try to do and be what you love. Be aware and work on your problems if you have them and always

Thought for the week

As your thought for the week and for the New Year, don’t ever forget for even a second how very important and how very special each and every one of us Are. Here is a story to finish this thought from my Nana Scully’s prayer book about a person asking God what he would wish for each one of us for the new year. “As God, what would you ask your children to do for the new year?” He said, “To learn that what is most valuable is not what they have in their lives, but who they have in their lives. To learn that a rich person is not one who has the most, but is one who needs the least. To learn that they should control their attitudes, otherwise their attitudes will control them. To learn that it only takes a few seconds to open

profound wounds in persons we love, and that it takes many years to heal them. To learn to forgive by practicing forgiveness.

To learn that there are persons that love them dearly, but simply do not know how to show their feelings. To learn that money can buy everything but happiness.

To learn that while at times they may be entitled to be upset, that does not give them the right to upset those around them. To learn that great dreams do not require great wings, but a landing gear, to achieve. To learn that true friends are scarce; he/she who has found one has found a true treasure. To learn that it is not always enough that they be forgiven by others, but that they forgive themselves.

To learn that they are masters of what they keep to themselves and slaves of what they say. To learn that they shall reap what they plant; if they plant gossip they will harvest intrigues; if they plant love they will harvest happiness. To learn that true happiness is not to achieve their goals, but to learn to be satisfied with what they already achieved. To learn that happiness is a decision.

They decide to be happy with what they are and have, or die from envy and jealousy of what they lack. To learn that two people can look at the same thing and see something totally different. To learn that those who are honest with themselves without considering the consequences go far in life. To learn that even though they may think they have nothing to give, when a friend cries with them, they find the strength to appease the pain. To learn that by trying to hold on to loved ones, they very quickly push them away; and by letting go of those they love, they will be side by side forever. To learn that even though the word “love” has many different meanings, it loses value when it is overstated.

To learn that they can never do something extraordinary for Me to love them; I simply do. To learn that the shortest distance they could be from Me is the distance of a prayer.” God bless and Happy New Year to each and everyone of you that reads or share my column and may the future be bright and safe for you and all your families, friends and colleagues. Please try to love deeply from your heart in 2019 for the good of everyone especially those most in need in our communities and world.

COLUMNISTS 25

THURSDAY, JAN 3 2019

Miriam O’Donohoe Join Miriam on her history tours to hidden locations of Clare

H

I ALL,

Hi all, Last week I purchased a new pair of hiking boots and couldn’t wait to try them out. I parked the car in Lahinch and decided to take the 3.7 km walk inland on the N85 which leads to the wooded valley of Ennistymon. On approach I was sweetly serenaded by the cascading streams of the Inagh river (how idyllic). Feeling a little dehydrated I decided to drop into Eugene’s pub for a coffee. Fascinated by all the historical memorabilia which

decorated the interior, I quickly found myself in a world of my own. To the right of me I spotted two locals at the bar, both deep in conversation with two creamy pints of Guinness keeping them company.

Being curious as to what they were saying, I decided to eavesdrop - turns out, they were talking about the island in Ennistymon. This was news to me. It transpired that back in 1564 the O’Briens of Thomand acquired a medieval castle in the elevated site where the Falls Hotel stands today. Back then this estate would

have been densely populated with mature Oak and Ash, an area (they both agreed )which was great for shooting and fishing at the time as it was understood that the Cullenagh river, also known as the Inagh river, surrounded the castle in the form of a mote which provided a circle of defense from attack during raids and ambushes.

This castle was known locally as the middle house, or Ennistymon House due to its location in relation to the other two neighbouring O’Brien castles, namely Glen/ Glan castle which was situated on the Ennis road and Dough castle

l HIRTORIC GEM: The Falls Hotel in Ennistymon was opened by Francis McNamara in 1930 after earlier being used as a barracks

on the Lahinch road. It is believed that Glen castle was destroyed

by Cromwell’s men as part of the English invasion, the largest land grab in Irish history (1649/50).

On the other hand Dough castle supposedly collapsed during the 19th century, due to a poor foundation which mainly consisted of sand. Much of Ennistymon Castle (middle house) was demolished in 1764 by Edward O’Brien in order to erect Ennistymon house, leaving only visible traces.

During the course of time Ennistymon house had been handed down to relatives of the O’Brien’s, this being until the War of Independence 1919. The landowner at the time, Henry Valentine McNamara, who actively supported the English crown, was ambushed near Lemanagh castle by the IRA where he received a gunshot wound, followed by notification in 1922 that his house would be seized and used as a barracks for the new Free State police force. Soon after Henry left for London and never returned, however his son Francis regained possession in 1930 and converted the barracks into the Falls Hotel.

Unfortunately Francis was not blessed with the characteristics of an astute business man; hence the 20-bedroom property had to be leased, which regrettably ended the almost unbroken O’Brien connection that dated back four hundred years. During the 1940s the hotel was run by a man called Brendan O’Regan, a very forward thinking man by all accounts. He believed that the most import-

‘‘

ant thing a person could do was to create work for others thus creating employment for the people of Ennistymon who were not enticed by the King’s shilling or the shiny brass buttons during World War Two 1939/45. Being a man of vision, he was also known to have delivered hot meals in hay boxes to the golfers in Lahinch, during times of economic depression when Ireland was plagued by poverty and emigration, 1922-60.

Since then the hotel has changed ownership on and off, until the current owners Dan and Eileen McCarthy bought it in 1986, nevertheless this building has managed to retain its medieval charm to the present day.

Then with a sigh of relief, one of the men (in the pub) lifted what was left of his pint and said “Well! If only the walls could talk, they would tell of four and a half centuries of war and conflict, romances and secret fortifications, dreamers, speculators and poets”.

Before the two men bid farewell to all, one mentioned that the walls of this eighteenth century mansion were adorned with memorabilia of historical events and figures.

So now I’m off to check these out for myself. Thank you for keeping me company along the way, and I hope you will join me on my next trip .

Bye for now.

PS: As with all historical sites, take nothing but memories, leave nothing but footprints.

Being curious as to what they were saying, I decided to eavesdrop - turns out, they were talking about the island in Ennistymon. This was news to me. It transpired that back in 1564 the O’Briens of Thomand acquired a medieval castle in the elevated site where the Falls Hotel stands today.

‘‘

The broken O’Brien connection at the Falls

26

SPORT

THURSDAY, JAN 3 2019

Duggan: I had nightmares about that free vs Galway Páraic McMahon

A

GAA ANALYSIS

l STERLING YEAR: Peter Duggan evades the tackle of Daithi Burke during Clare’s drawn semi-final with Galway last season Photo by Martin Connolly

gone 35 hours a week every week between travelling to training, training, meetings and everything, it is intense”.

He added, “I thought it couldn’t get more extreme a few years ago but it did and it’s slowly and surely getting further along. It’s

‘‘

In the Cork game I was awful and got taken off after 40 minutes, I could easily have been dropped

‘‘

RETURN to Croke Park for the first time in five years for the Clare senior hurlers stood out as one of the highlights of the sporting year in the county in 2018. With the new season already underway, Peter Duggan is hopeful 2019 will be as memorable.

Peter visited Clare Echo HQ becoming the first special guest on The Friday Echo Podcast. Reflecting on the year that was brought a sense of satisfaction to his face. “It’s been a different year to many others over the last few years, I will remember it forever, there’s a few mementos that I will cherish but at the same time as you’re coming to the end of the year you have to forget about everything that happened. The main thing is to try and become a driving force for everyone next year and making sure we go a step further”.

In the past month, he had to undergo keyhole surgery to remove some inflammation from his hand and repair a tear. “It’s been going on for two years. I’ve had awful pain with it, it used to hurt hitting the ball but I’ve been using cortisone injections to keep me going; last year I ended up using gel for most of the games to get me through”. Duggan is targetting to be back in action for the end of January which also sees the beginning of the League and the Fitzgibbon Cup. His confidence was high heading into the 2018 campaign given Clooney/Quin’s run to the 2017 Clare SHC final and so the question of deciding to stay on the panel was answered rapidly having taken some time to consider his options in previous years.

The Banner faithful are thankful, in his eight championship appearances in the year gone, Peter notched up a personal tally of 3-76.

“For the last two years I have been working very hard, we put so much time and effort into hurling, you spend your life known as a hurler and nothing else. When you put that much time into it you want to get any bit of a reward you want to get something back from putting in thirty or forty hours a week. I’ve been working hard on fitness and making sure my ball striking is up and it paid dividends this year but at the same time everyone is doing it, everyone does the training and the hard hours. I was very fortunate the way everything fell this year for me, I consider myself very lucky because I consider that Cork game in the first round I was awful and got taken off after forty minutes, I could have easily been dropped for the next game and if they had I would have been back of the pile and no-one may ever know I played hurling”.

While Peter opted to stay, several players on county panels have packed it in due to the ever increasing demands of the inter-county game. “It’s so easy for other people on the fringes of inter-county panels on any other team to walk away and you could never frown upon it either because the commitment that’s involved is scandalous, you’re

a young man’s game and lucky enough I consider I’m going through my peak now.

Looking back on Tony Browne finishing at 39, I’d be shocked if I was playing into my

thirties at inter-county, I’d obviously want to stay hurling as long as I can but body wise if we did half an hour of a session I’d be sore the next day, it takes a toll. The retirement age for hurling is going to drop drastically”.

Rewards have followed such as becoming the first Clooney/Quin hurler to win a coveted All Star. He is pleased with the accolades but as Donal Moloney and Gerry O’Connor will be happy to read, the 6ft3 attacker is determined to be as influential in 2019. “I’ll train harder this year than I did in any other year to make sure I won’t lose my spot and contribute more but it’s the mindframe you need coming into any sport”.

Less significant are the personal treats players consume on the rare occasion they are allowed let their hair down. As the Spancil Hill native has discovered, members of the public are always keeping their eyes on Clare panellists. “After a game we’ll say if you’re inside eating a pizza, you’ll have some smart man come up and say you shouldn’t be eating that, we’re more entitled to it than anyone else in the county but they’re the sort of things you’ve to get on with”.

“When you play inter-county there are so many kids that are glued to hurling, they absolutely adore it, there are kids that I’ve met that would know the age of every single player on the Clare team, how many games

they’ve played and their club. You can guarantee that if they spot you going through town, they’ll spot you or inside a pub - whatever you’re doing they’ll know so you’ve to be aware of that.”

Home comforts can be a help to sportspeople when it comes to the heat of battle.

For Duggan, being responsible for the cutting grass and lining the pitch at Cusack Park put his mind at ease for Clare’s two championship games there. “I loved my time inside in Cusack Park, for a finish I was doing all the maintenance for them. It was great craic. I remember coming into the Waterford game and seeing the field in good nick and it gave me a little bit of extra confidence into the game. It might not happen again, I’m finishing up with the college this year and we’ll see where that takes me. To have that experience, that was one of the moments I’ll remember being able to walk into Cusack Park and see I had done the lining and the cutting of the field, it was a thrill”.

Since the conclusion of 2018, Peter admits to having difficulty dealing with missing a free that would have levelled matters in Clare’s semi-final defeat to Galway. “It was a tough few months afterwards when you know you’re that close, I’ve had nightmares about that free but they are the things you need to use to motivate yourself to work harder next year. I’d be light-hearted enough, I know they’re not all going to go over it was just unfortunate it was one that was important. I approach the frees the same way at the start of the game to the end, sometimes they go over, sometimes they don’t and if you miss five frees you just don’t change what you are normally doing for the sixth one. Frees are a lot harder than people think, I wish it was as easy as putting the sliotar down on the ground and then over the bar”.

A holder of three All-Ireland U21 medals, Peter is of the view that players such as himself, Tony Kelly, David McInerney, Colm Galvin and Podge Collins face a decisive few seasons. “We as players, our age-group have a lot to prove, everyone wrote us off after 2014 saying we were no good, we have a big point to prove and that’s what we’re going to do. We’re all around the peak age, we’re all enjoying our hurling, we’re all getting on like a house on fire, we’ve no excuse but to progress and go further each year. Fingers crossed when we get one we’ll stay going and get another few”.

At the County Convention in December, Chairperson Joe Cooney spoke about Liam McCarthy returning to Clare in 2019, whether that is just crossing the border as the the trophy continues his tour across neighbouring Limerick or if it is to take up residence in the Banner remains to be seen. On what to expect for the year ahead, the LIT student stated, “You don’t want to be the lad that says ‘yeah it’s coming home’, we’ll prepare as best we can, we’ve a great setup, there’s about 50 people involved and everyone single one is on the same page, all they want is to bring Liam McCarthy back. I consider us one of the best teams in the country and it’s about getting it out for the full 70 minutes during every game. We’ll do our part and the Clare fans have bought back into it by travelling to away games which is a huge lift to us”.

SPORT

THURSDAY, JAN 3 2019

Guilfoyle goal gets Banner campaign off to a flyer JAMES MULVIHILL

MUNSTER LEAGE Clare 1-20 Cork 0-21

C

LARE opened their Munster League campaign with a narrow win over Cork in Cusack Park on Saturday. Clare trailed by four points going down the home straight, however substitute Colin Guilfoyle scored a great goal which proved crucial and points from Niall Deasy, Ryan Taylor and Diarmuid Ryan completed a remarkable turnaround.

Donal Moloney and Gerry O’Connor will be satisfied with the performance of the young players in the squad which included Gary Cooney, Aidan McCarthy, Rory Hayes and David Conroy.

Clare will travel to Waterford this weekend with a place in the final at stake.

Cork flew into an early three-point lead with scores through Declan Dalton (free), Jamie Coughlan and Cormac Murphy. Despite Clare hitting back thanks to Niall Deasy (free) and Gary Cooney, the Rebels took control and led by 0-10 to 0-04 after 26 minutes with scores through Declan Dalton (four frees) and Michael O’Halloran (three from play).

The next six points were shared through Declan Dalton, Jamie Coughlan, Michael O’Halloran, Niall Deasy, David Conroy and Diarmuid Ryan to leave the score at 0-13 to 0-07 in favour of Cork.

Clare started the second half with more intent scoring four points through Niall Deasy, Diarmuid Ryan, David Conroy and Cathal Malone.

The Rebels hit back thanks to a placed ball from the impressive Dalton but Clare responded again through Deasy and Gary Cooney to leave the score at 0-14 to 0-13 after 46 minutes.

Cork maintained that slender advantage heading into the final ten minutes which included a side-line cut from Dalton. The Rebels extended their lead to four thanks to two Dalton frees and a Jamie Coughlan point.

However Clare left the best for last and pounced to score the only goal when Colin Guilfoyle broke onto a loose ball and rifled past Pa Collins to leave the minimum between the teams. Clare scored the final three points thanks to scores by Niall Deasy (free), Ryan Taylor and Diarmuid Ryan to end a pulsating contest watched by 1,987 patrons.

Best for the winners were Gary Cooney, Diarmuid Ryan, Niall Deasy and Jack Browne.

Clare: Keith Hogan; Jason McCarthy, David Fitzgerald, Rory Hayes; Aidan McCarthy, Colm Galvin, Cathal Malone (0-1); Shane Golden, David Conroy (0-2); Diarmuid Ryan (0-3), Niall Deasy (0-10,7fs), Ryan Taylor (0-1); Gary Cooney (0-3), Aaron Shanagher, Mikey O’Neill.

Subs: Colin Guilfoyle (1-0) for Conroy (51 mins), Conor Cleary for Galvin (54 mins), Jack Browne for Fitzgerald (58 mins), Cathal McInerney for Shanagher (65 mins).

Cork: Pa Collins; Sean O’Donaghue, David Griffin, David Lowney; Robert Downey, Tim O’Mahony, Christopher Joyce; Conor Cahalane, William Kearney; Cormac Murphy (0-1), Michael O’Halloran (0-4), Aidan Walsh; Declan Dalton (0-10,7fs,2 65s,1 side-line), Jamie Coughlan (0-4,1f), Robbie O’Flynn (0-2).

Subs: Cormac Beausang for Kearney (63 mins), Paul Leopold for O’Halloran (70 mins).

Referee: Fergal Horgan (Tipperary).

Play golf at 90% for a smoother swing

P

LAY golf at 90 per cent. What I mean by playing at 90 per cent is the next time your on the course, try hitting the ball with a smoother swing rather than hitting the ball as hard as you physically can. The majority of golfers I see are losing control of their balance due to lunging their body towards the ball thinking that they will gain more distance, when in fact all this leads to is more inconsistent shots and a loss of clubhead speed and distance.

Personally, lately I’ve worked hard at the academy trying to hit a lot of 80-90 per cent golf swings and the first thing I’m noticing on the course is how much better my distance control has become. I’m also noticing my bad shots are not as destructive and I’m in play more often. What has also surprised me further is I haven’t lost distance because I’m finding the centre of the club face more often.

We have all experienced a shot when you are between clubs; an 8 iron isn’t enough but a 7 iron is probably too much and you try to hit a smooth 7 iron but you flush it and it goes further than your normal full shot. Typical isn’t it when you want to hit the ball shorter it flies further, but why is that? Quiet simply it’s because when you swing smoother you actually swing the golf club

l KING CONGA: Michael O’Neill pulled back by Stephen McDonald and (below) Aron Shanagher and David Griffin lose their hurleys as they collide while challenging for the sliotar Photo by Martin Connolly

faster and you strike the ball off the centre of the clubhead, rather than lunging your body towards the ball.

A drill on the course I use lately to help me swing smoother, is to choose one club more than I normally would hit. Knowing you have plenty of club in your hand helps you to swing smooth and teaches you how to swing at 90%.

Did you ever hear the saying, “Beware of the injured golfer”? It’s true golfers who get injured often play their best golf, in fact a client of mine won the weekly competition at Lahinch recently even though he is struggling with a bad back. We discussed why he played so well and he puts it’s down to swinging smoother, that he was afraid to swing at full speed in case he injured his back further. So the next time your at the driving range or your headed for the course try playing a round with a smoother golf swing and see if you can improve your consistency and score better.

Who knows you might also discover you hit the ball longer as well as straighter if you let the club do the work. I also think you will see an improvement in your distance control once you get used to the rhythm of your new swing.

I hope 2019 is your best year to date in golf and in life and I’d like to wish you all a Happy & Prosperous New Year.

PGA Golf Professional

#PadraigKnowsGolf

Padraig McGrath

GOLF ANALYSIS

The Scorecard in association with

ENNIS GOLF CLUB SENIOR MENS RESULTS FOR THUR DEC 27 TEAM OF THREE SCRAMBLE WITH 48 PLAYERS 1ST JOHNNY MCNAMARA , KEN O FARRELL , EAMONN CORRY 44.4 2ND PADRAIG RYAN , TOM GLYNN , JOHN GUILFOYLE 45.3 3RD J K CONSIDINE , P J HEHIR , FRANK COFFEY 46.0 4TH MARTIN COFFEY , PAT G MCINERNEY , FINTAN MCEVOY 46.2 5TH NOEL PILKINGTON , SEAN O GORMAN , BRIAN CONSIDINE 46.4 Christmas Scramble Dec 22 1st Tom Gallery, Pauric Larkin, Ken Morrissey, Roger Mc Mahon (66-4) 62pts

2nd Rose Enright, Steve Burns, Noel Pilkington, 61pts 3rd Leo Herbert, Tony Kinnavane, Tom Glynn (63-2) 61pts 4th Ann Casey, Ml Dempsey, Dominic O’ Connor, 60pts 5th Deirdre Molyneaux, Tim Kelly, Eamon Corry 58pts 6th Una O’ Reilly, Liam Pyne, Noel Connellan 58pts December 22/23 Team of 2 one score to count 1st Andrew Mc Gloin(12) & Eamonn Mc Mahon(18) 43pts 2nd Noel Normoyle(13) & Joe Carmody(16) 42pts 3rd Conor Gleeson(14) & Seamus Mann(19) 42pts

27

28 CLASSIFIEDS

THURSDAY, JAN 3 2019

Classifieds ACCOUNTANCY

CAR REPAIRS

CHILDMINDER REQUIRED Doora area. To mind 3 children Mon-Fri. Start Feb 2019, age 4,3 and 8 months either in their own home OR in minders home.

Preschool drop/collect. Sept 2019, local school run TEL: 087- 2263101

CONSTRUCTION

CONTACT SALES

065 671 9021 sales@clareecho.ie

PAINTING

DOG SITTERS AT HOME 2 STAFFIES TO BE CARED FOR IN YOUR OWN HOME WHILE OWNER ON VACATION

• • •

Preferably person used to Staffies, energy/ strength Great with people/prefer not to mix with other dogs.

All food and bedding provided.

175 – 200 EURO PER WEEK 375 – 400 EURO FOR 2 WEEKS.

CLEANING & POWER WASHING

Geunine animal lover required Ennis 089 242 1071

FIREWOOD

ROOFING

mbs-clare-echo.indd 1

18/12/2018 22:08:41

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

CLASSIFIEDS 29

THURSDAY, JAN 3 2019

Classifieds STORAGE

TREE SURGEON

WINDOW AND DOORS

CONTACT SALES

065 671 9021 sales@clareecho.ie

FOR SALE Electric Generator Three in One 6,500 W 6 1/2 H.P Engine (065) 7079 823

The Clare Echo Classifieds Contact 065 671 9021 TARMACADAM

The Clare Echo Classifieds

The Clare Echo Classifieds

Contact 065 671 9021

Contact 065 671 9021

30 CROSSWORD/HOROSCOPES

Your Horoscopes JAN 03 You start the week off on Monday with a golden opportunity to make a sweet new connection (online or off) or explore new facets of an existing relationship. Carpe diem! Tuesday and Wednesday aren’t half bad, either; pour on a little extra sweetness and add some patience, and you can make progress.

Taurus

Gemini

You’re a romantic creature by nature, and the stars are bringing that out aplenty this week. Tuesday and Wednesday are lovely for love and you -- and anyone who’s lucky enough to be the object of your affections is sitting pretty.

Then just hold on until the weekend for more sweet stuff coming your way. Your feelings find voice in some amazing -- convincing, flattering and generally gorgeous.

Look for a bit of love advice you can use on Monday (ask for it, if necessary!). Tuesday and Wednesday may bring a challenge in the realm of romance, but engage your natural adaptability and find a sweet way to encompass some healthy change. Thursday and Friday are super for you personally and in matters of the heart. You’re extra-articulate, witty and fun.

Cancer

Leo

Virgo

Put romantic matters on hold on Monday -- when your reactions are knee-jerk rather than reality-based. But Tuesday and Wednesday give you extra capabilities when it comes to both getting things started and keeping them going -how will you use these powers in your love life? Those who think you’re predictable ... well, they see otherwise around Thursday and Friday, when if there’s a detour to take.

You might just be whistling while you work on Monday, whether from the glow of a good weekend or the excellent energy you’ve got going. Tuesday and Wednesday are a fine time to follow up on any ongoing romantic matters. If there’s a question in your mind, err on the side of taking a second look or giving a second chance. All things social are favored at the end of the workweek, with singletons especially shining at parties and such.

Look out for a little issue with your partner (if you’ve got one) on Monday; you’re not much in the mood to compromise.

However, Tuesday and Wednesday find you able to get along with just about anybody, mostly because you’re looking at things in an inquisitive light. Much can be achieved in this fine state of mind. Your mind’s going a mile a minute at the end of the workweek -- can your mouth keep up?

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Aries

1/1

Emotions, desires, relationships and the like are all in the stars the first few days of the week, and you’re being called upon to do your graceful, awe-inspiring balancing act. The coupled up should beware of possessiveness now. If you’re single, consider banishing expectations to increase your possibilities. A discussion of a new concept with someone you trust can lead to a most helpful heart-to-heart on Thursday or Friday, so let your conversations range far and wide.

Check your romantic schemes at the door on Monday; acting selflessly is key for your love karma now. You may encounter a force to be contended with around Tuesday or Wednesday, and its power is equal to your own -- could it be love? It sure is intense. Don’t be hasty, now. You love to push boundaries, but resist the temptation when it comes to a certain someone toward the end of the workweek; your action may backfire

Capricorn

Aquarius

A little romantic concern clouding your mind on Monday should be assuaged (or rendered irrelevant) by some rather terrific energy on Tuesday and Wednesday. Matters of the heart are definitely favored now -- you’re hot to trot. At the end of the workweek, if you’re single, you’d be wise to enjoy flighty people, but know those individuals’ limitations.

Those in relationships should cut to the chase rather than piddle along slowly

A small act of altruism on Monday not only feels great, but it might lead to an unexpected breakthrough, so do unto others -- and then some. On Tuesday or Wednesday, expect a reminder from the cosmos about a love lesson you’ve learned in the past, and take it to heart so you don’t have to start from square one. Thursday and Friday are all about romance -- hooray! -- so cook up a hot date or initiate some sizzling flirtation (or both!).

The Clare Echo Crossword 1

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Deprived child - no harp Father holds bird to display In Verdun Clemenceau has a Little Susan not last in canal (3)

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THURSDAY, JAN 3 2019

ACROSS

1 Transport black tool (3,5) 6 Naughty child with a little dimple (3) 9 Suspicious swimmer by end of quay (5) 10 Copper taking council tax from clergymen (7) 11 Regard rambling rose as ugly feature (7) 13 Boldness shown by opener very often (5) 14 Give thanks when coming back, having performed outside (6) 15 Hearty nonsense about transport (6) 19 Note on one instrument or another (5) 21 Composer providing composition for Iris and son (7) 22 Coat given to girl in play (7) 23 Look very displeased

Your romantic ideals seem within arm’s length on Monday, so why not reach for them? On Tuesday and Wednesday, everyday stuff you have to deal with may well overshadow your heart’s aspirations -- that’s just how it goes sometimes.

Your energy’s dual-natured at the end of the workweek, which means your love life could go either way (sweet, sour, lovely, even not so pretty).

ytl a y o r )4 yl bi s s ) 6( f ) 5( s e p a d n u or g

Pisces

) 9( g n or yl e vit

Your head’s probably in the clouds on Monday, and as for where your heart is, who can say? Just wait for Tuesday and Wednesday -- you’re tuned into your own and others’ emotions, and your magic touch is operating at full force. Your witty and lovely words especially hit their mark now. The end of the workweek may find you so busy that you’re nearly overwhelmed, but when the weekend comes, be sure to make time for ‘love sweet love’ -- it’s making time for you.

as boat left (5) 24 Regret finding a herb (3) 25 Oddly indigenous ones avoided underground cells (8)

DOWN

r of p u n e

2 Pets trained by a German sculptor (7) 3 Give money to personnel all year initially (3) 4 Bowman being comparatively coy? (6) 5 Wrong, or sure one is wrong (9) 6 Form of nitre put into the ground (5) 7 Adhesive for damaged tapes (5) 8 Not at home if deal is off (6) 12 Getting better, don’t possibly include macho types (2,3,4) 16 Fabulous supporter

ll a l n

d e di o v a )3 taob s

of royalty (7) display bone (5) ) 7( y ) 7( n 17 Some badger’s lair 20 In Verdun Clemtaken up for tests (6) enceau has a relative nac ni tsal ton nasuS elttiL 32 18 Deprived child - no)3( la(5) ro t ) 5 ( e vit al e r not last harp ordered (6) 23 Little Susan a sah uaecne melC nudreV nI 02 t 19 Father holds bird to in canal (3) ) 5( e n o b ) 6 ( e di st y al p si d ot d ri b s dl o h r e ht a F

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

p r a h o n D dli h c d e vi r p e D

S

N

O

E

G

N

U

D

E

U

R

52

S

R

L

W

O

C

U

A

S

H

42

N T

L

E

B

C

A

M 22

C

I

N

I

S

S

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P

M

R

E

N T

12

R

N

U

E

U

L

g ni rene yl g u s a m orf < at fo dne el p mi d e

F

02

O

81

U

32

A

91

) 6( d er e dr o

91

)

H

81

T

S

71

E

U

B

O

R

61

V

R

E

E

E

S

E

R

N

E

N

O

D

N R

A

I

O

S

Y

E

U

T

C

Y

H

I

S

I

F

01

A

N

R

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11

H

R

E

9

R

A

P

A 8

P

M 7

I

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N 5

A

L 4

P

T 3

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J 2

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L

21

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1

810

QUIZ 31

THURSDAY, JAN 3 2019

The Clare Echo Quiz NEW YEARS QUIZ 2019

Cleanliness, Winter, Doors and Gates

Shakespeare, Marty Morrissey, Davy Fitzgerald

became an official EU 6 Irish language on January 2 in which

l QUESTION 9: Janus. What was he the god of?

ANSWERS 6. 2007

Balls of fire, Their jumpers, Cats

1. 2011

5

Who said ‘the blast of January 10 would blow you through and through’?

In Scotland —where Hogmanay is celebrated—people parade down the streets swinging what?

7. an onion

Smoking ban, Introduction of Euro, Women are finally given the vote

was named after Janus.

9 January What was he the god of?

8. Christmas tree throwing

4

In 2002 what came into effect on New Year’s Day?

Largest grey beard competition, Christmas tree throwing, Dwarf throwing

2. Grapes

An outdoor knitting group, Protesting male drivers, An anti-war protest

competition is held in Ennis 8 What every year in January?

9. Doors and gates

In 2003 on Jan 4 - A group of 3 women begin what at a roundabout close to Shannon Airport?

rebirth

A pair of underpants, An onion, Turkey Carcas

3. an anti-war protest

Peanuts, Grapes, Brussel Sprouts

What is traditionally hung on 7 the front door of homes on New Year’s Even in Greece as a symbol of

4. Introduction of Euro

In Spain, there is a tradition of 2 stuffing your mouth with 12 of what when the clock strikes 12?

1977, 1997, 2007

10. Shakespeare

in Ireland?

1999, 2004, 2011

year?

5. Balls of fire

what year on January first, did 1intoInTheeffect Civil Partnership Act come allowing civil partnerships

OLD IMAGES OF COUNTY CLARE

Bunratty Castle, Co.Clare

Image NLI.ie / Collection: Lawrence Photograph Collection