The Clare Echo 03/03/22

065 671 9021

clareecho.ie

MAR 3 2022

‘SCARED TO DEATH’ Mariya protests in Ennis as family members wait in Ukranian basement

Photo by Natasha Barton

FULL STORY pg 10

FULL STORY pg 4

2 NEWS

Index NEWS

THURSDAY, MAR 3 2022

STEPPING OUT IN STYLE

2-14

ENTERTAINMENT

15

GREEN CLARE

17

COMMUNITY

19

RECRUITMENT

20-25

GOLF

26-30

SPORT

31-34

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by PÁRAIC McMAHON

36C Abbey Street, Ennis, County Clare Telephone: 065 671 9021

NEWSDESK

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

SALES

Email: niall@clareecho.ie or sales@clareecho.ie This publication supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Press Council’s Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Press Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, Lo-call 1890 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie

Martin to visit Shannon

 BOW-TIE: Maccon Byrne and Fiona Loughman enjoying the St Breckans GAA 50th anniversary dinner dance

Photo by Burren Eye Photography

AOISEACH, Micheál Martin (FF) is to visit Shannon, this Friday.

He is to visit Shannon’s largest employer, Ei Electronics to officially open its state of the art extension. The three storey, 10,000m2 building adjoins its existing headquarter and includes additional manufacturing capacity, R&D, and office space, and significantly expand its current production capacity over the coming years.

Ei opened a centre of excellence in 2017, their new building is the first ‘Near Zero Energy Building’ (NZEB) in Shannon. Over 750 people are now employed by Ei Electronics which opened in Shannon in 1963.

The company exports to 30 countries worldwide and also employs 100 people in its 5 wholly owned overseas subsidiaries in the UK, Germany, France, the USA and Poland.

Since becoming Taoiseach, the Cork native visited Clare for the annual commemoration for Eamon de Valera but was unable to launch the Ennis 2040 strategic plan.

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THURSDAY, MAR 3 2022

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4 NEWS

THURSDAY, MAR 3 2022

Relations gone 'very sour' over Ennis walking bus

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

R

ELATIONS are said to have gone “very sour” between management of Ennis National School and the owners of Westpoint Business Park as the impasse regarding the country’s biggest walking bus continues.

In September, an investigation was launched by Clare County Council into the cancellation of the walking bus to Ennis NS which had used Westpoint Business Park as its assembly point for eight years, the situation changing following the opening of an HSE outpatient department in March of last year.

The school said it had been refused admission by the owners at the “eleventh hour” at the start of its term while the business personnel involved stated they advised in July that parking controls would be implemented and that temporary solutions “were ignored” At Tuesday’s meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) asked that the legal advices be shared with elected representatives on the rationale for the planning department’s decision not to pursue the matter from a planning enforcement perspective. Executive planner, Gareth Ruane in a written response said the planning authority cannot publicly comment on enforcement matters on investigation.

Board of management at the school shared their concern “at the lack of willingness” from Westpoint Business Park to continue with their facilitation of the walking bus. She said it was “uncomfortable”

to accept a situation where conditions were not enforced for developments, “it is a motion of local importance, to the health of our children”.

Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Ann Norton (IND) referenced the “huge amount of communication” between the school and local authority.

There is “huge frustration” among the Board of Management, Cllr Mary Howard (FG) noted. She expressed her disappointment with the Council failing to share the information on the reasons for not pursuing the enforcement.

Enforceability of conditions for planning on a private authority in the future by law “remains to be seen,” Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) observed. He acknowledged that the walking bus contributed to the recent success of Ennis Tidy Towns. Permission granted at the site for the application lodged in 2018 “requires the facilitation of the walking bus,” Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) emphasised.

It is time for Plan B, Cllr Pat Daly (FF) maintained. “This is a very delicate matter, I know Brian Lohan, Martin O’Malley and Brian Troy well, I know communication is nil and it is gone very sour, I don’t even like it being discussed in public,” he told Tuesday’s meeting. He suggested that the grounds of Éire Óg be considered as the new assembly point for the walking bus.

Senior executive officer, Leonore O’Neill confirmed a meeting will be held on Friday with the Board of Management, principal, Cllr Norton, Cllr Murphy and staff from the Ennis MD, liaisons with the owners of the Business Park are a matter for the planning section, she added.

Two years of construction ahead for Blake's Corner

 TRAFFIC: Blake's Corner

Photo by Bob Singer

CONSTRUCTION of the inner relief road in Ennistymon for Blake’s Corner will have a two year period if works are given the green light, writes Páraic McMahon.

An oral hearing for the N67/N85 Inner Relief Road Ennistymon (Blake’s Corner) compulsory purchase order (CPO) was held by An Bord Pleanála via Microsoft Teams in June last year yet no outcome as been reached seven months on. It took twelve months for the oral hearing took place after Clare County Council published the CPO. The CPO will be either granted or rejected by the planning authority.

Seán Lenihan of Clare County Council’s project management office outlined that if a positive decision arose, there would be a period of one year set aside for detailed design plus tender documents and competition. From here, a subsequent period of two years would be set aside for construction.

Speaking at a recent sitting of the West Clare Municipal District, Lenihan said “much progress has been made of late” regarding Blake’s Corner. “It is a long-standing legacy problem but we’ve made serious inroads to a solution,” he added.

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THURSDAY, MAR 3 2022

NEWS

5

6 NEWS

THURSDAY, MAR 3 2022

Mary Lou snub was final straw for Violet-Anne C

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

LARE TD, Violet-Anne Wynne (IND) has revealed a snub from Mary Lou McDonald (SF) was the “straw the broke the camel’s back” leading to her exit from Sinn Féin.

Late on Thursday night, the Kilrush woman sent political shockwaves across the county and further afield by announcing she had not renewed her membership of Sinn Féin citing a campaign of “psychological warfare”.

Deputy Wynne joined Sinn Féin in 2012, one year after moving to Co Clare. The Offaly native was elected to Dáil Éireann in the 2020 General Election becoming the county’s third ever female TD. She will continue to represent the constituency of Clare but as an Independent TD. In her two years as a TD, Wynne has had three parliamentary assistants, the first wasn’t hired until July 2020, “I was one of the

last TDs to get a parliamentary assistant,” she recalled. She had no input into the hiring of this person with the interview process completed by party officials. Frustration was also experienced with the opening of her constituency office in Parnell St which had “a considerable delay”.

Mary Lou McDonald made no contact with Deputy Wynne following the birth of her sixth child, Collins, a story which received national attention as the birth took place in an ambulance outside Kilrush Golf Club.

“It was the straw that broke the camel’s back, I thought it was such an easy and normal thing to do,” Violet-Anne said of Mary Lou’s inability to congratulate her on the baby’s arrival.

She told The Clare Echo, “I was not looking for something grandiose but just a phone call or text message, that is camaraderie and I would think is common place within party, it would have really helped the situation”.

PARTING WAYS: Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne and Cllr Donna McGettigan

“It confirmed the feeling I had been having, I mentioned gas lighting in my statement, those comments confirmed what I felt and that was of being not wanted

Photo by Joe Buckley

and hoping I would eventually give up.

A gift did arrive from Mary Lou to mark the birth but only after it became known the Tánaiste, Leo

Varadkar (FG) sent a letter to Kilrush congratulating Violet-Anne and her partner John on their new arrival.

Like Mary Lou, Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) has also not been in touch with Deputy Wynne since her announcement. Violet-Anne said her relationship with Donna changed after her election to the Dáil. “I don’t know who is the cause of it but the organisation did not help in anyway, an awful lot was said with the information not being direct, if there was issues or difficulties, people were not picking up the phone and ringing me direct, it was like Chinese whispers and I have a feeling it was made worse each time”.

Cllr McGettigan confirmed to The Clare Echo she has not spoken to Deputy Wynne but wished her well. “Any issues we were made aware of locally and nationally, we tried to resolve them. I won’t get into the ins and outs because a he said she said won’t do anyone any good”.

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8 NEWS

THURSDAY, MAR 3 2022

Organised begging 'a lucrative market'

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

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NNIS is viewed as a “lucrative” market for professional beggars, elected representatives have claimed.

Calls for an investigation by An Garda Síochána and Revenue

into “what appears to be organised street begging” was requested by Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) at Tuesday’s meeting of the Ennis Municipal District.

Businesses based in the town centre have voiced their belief that it is organised street begging. This view is shared by Ennis MD coun-

cillors.

Senior executive officer, Leonore O’Neill advised that the Ennis MD “does not have authority to instruct or advise another State agency on the particulars of how to carry out that agency’s role”. She explained that a complaint could be filed with the Gardaí or raised

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via the Joint Policing Committee.

Speaking at Tuesday’s meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, Cllr Flynn noted the brewing concern. “Ennis is one of the safest towns in the country, I’m very proud of what our Gardaí are doing locally but criminality has to be called out”.

He added, “This is systematic. Retailers see these individuals being dropped off and told the different locations to beg at, some of them are collecting €150-200 per day.

This is very significant money”.

Flynn said both Garda sources and local businesses are aware of the issues, “We’re told that they are not locals or not homeless in Ennis”. He claimed, “if it wasn’t lucrative, they wouldn’t be doing it” and flagged that female business people were “confronted by these people in their doorways”.

An intervention from Gardaí is needed to see why the activity is taking place, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) maintained. “The generosity of the people of Ennis has been taken advantage of, these are not local people and they are not homeless, if it was not lucrative for them to do this and be more productive in our society, then they would not be doing it”.

Previous attempts from Gardaí to remove the beggars have prompted a negative reaction from the public, she recalled.

“We need to be mindful that these people are not as we think.

Your generosity is not well placed, our country is well founded on protecting the vulnerable, we have a strong social welfare system, begging on the streets is not necessary for these people”.

“It is organised, that is the reality,” Cllr Mary Howard (FG) said firmly. “We have found out and are aware that they are not locals, they are not homeless”. She encouraged members of the public who want to help people in need to support organisations such as Mid-West Simon or give a cup of tea and sandwich rather than cash to people on the streets.

Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Ann Norton (IND) acknowledged that begging “is an issue” in Ennis.

“Nobody wants to see people in the type of situation where they can’t afford to eat or provide for their families. We live in a country where there is a lot of social welfare payments, we have a good system to support people, I would hate to think people are coming in from other counties and begging, this money is being taken away from a huge amount of charities that are collecting on a day to day basis”.

This is not a new activity, Cllr Pat Daly (FF) outlined. “Begging is going on in this town since I was a young fella, you would always know the genuine people. Organised street begging is illegal like and it is needs to be dealt with, I would hope the Gardaí investigate it”.

Disgust raised over increase in flight prices

by PÁRAIC McMAHON AN ENNIS woman originally from Ukraine has expressed her disgust at Ryanair’s decision to increase the price of flights from Poland as hundreds of Ukrainians attempted to flee their country following Russia’s invasion.

Mariya Nikishanova was attempting to purchase plane tickets from her Ennis home for her god-daughter, her two siblings and mother when she was redirected back on Ryanair’s website only to notice an increase of almost 200 zloty.

Speaking to The

Clare Echo, Mariya recounted, “I have my god-daughter, her mother and two daughters I invited them here, they are now crossing the Polish border, they have managed to get there.

I was buying the tickets for Ryanair from the Polish town.

"The price was 543 zloty, she gave me the names and I put the correct spellings in, I started to buy and when I pressed pay on the Ryanair site it said to go back, I went back and the price was 715 zloty”.

“In a few minutes because there is a de-

mand they raised the price by 200, it is almost 30 to 40 percent.

I can pay that amount but imagine other people, it could be the last bit of money they have, why did they do that, send more flights, you will make your margins but don’t do this, it is nonsense, I know they do it a lot for its business model but this money is blood money,” she added.

A spokesperson for Ryanair told The Clare Echo that it has over 700,000 flights on sale equating at 130m seats at any time and “pricing is subject to demand”.

NEWS 9

THURSDAY, MAR 3 2022

ESB urged to move away from Russian coal at Moneypoint

by PÁRAIC McMAHON ESB will be requested to consider purchasing their coal from sources other than Russia.

Elected representatives of the West Clare Municipal District unanimously agreed on Tuesday to write to the ESB asking them to consider buying their coal for Moneypoint from a different location in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Last year, almost all of the coal burnt at Moneypoint came from Russia, the value of this is believed to be in the region of €300m based on current prices.

While their counterparts in Sweden and Denmark have made the decision to stop buying coal and biomass from Denmark, ESB have not ruled out maintaining business dealings with Russia, "ESB had discretion in terms of suppliers of coal, subject to normal commercial arrangements, the technical specification of the coal and the potential for imposition of sanctions,” a spokesperson outlined.

Officials in the Department of the Environment have acknowledged that Mon-

eypoint has become more important for security of supply in recent months due to wider issues in the electricity grid which led to the fear of power cuts over the winter.

“The ESB sources coal for Moneypoint on international markets. The ESB has stated that coal sourced from Russia currently makes up a significant element of this.

ESB keeps sourcing options under review, as a matter of course,” the Department said.

Speaking on Tuesday, Cathaoirleach of the West Clare MD, Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) led the call for ESB to stop buying Russian coal for Moneypoint, “I think it is inappropriate, it behoves us as councillors to send a letter to ESB and ask them to consider where they are purchasing their coal from. We are an MD with this at our heart, it is utterly inappropriate”.

His stance was fully endorsed by Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) who commended the groups involved in the collections for the people of Ukraine.

Cllr Ian Lynch (IND)

flagged that a “considerable Russian entity” is operating on the Shannon Estuary and voiced concern of a potential impact to Rusal Aughinish and the 500 people working at its huge alumina smelter on the Estuary.

Constituents made contact with Cllr Joe Killeen (FF) offering to make an apartment available to a Ukraine family for up to a year, he queried what agency would be the point of contact for this type of humanitarian work. Ways in which the public can help needs to be widely disseminated in the media, Cllr Lynch responded.

Clare TD, Michael McNamara (IND) this week tabled a parliamentary question asking the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan (GP) “to outline if deliveries of Russian coal to Moneypoint power station have been disrupted because of EU sanctions on Russia; to confirm if alternative sources of coal supplies for the power station have been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter”.

No response has yet been received by the Minister.

Mags will be 'sorely missed'

 OPPORTUNITY: Artist's impression of an offshore wind farm

PÁRAIC MCMAHON

O

by PÁRAIC McMAHON O’BRIENSBRIDGE has bid farewell to a staunch community member following the death of Margaret O’Connor.

Formerly of Shanakyle, Parteen, Mags made quite the mark in O’Briensbridge serving as the community group chairperson and playing an active role in seeking improvements in the locality whether it be wastewater infrastructure or road safety.

She was to the fore in paving the way for the opening of a memorial garden dedicated to Cratloe patriot, Nan Hogan which opened in August 2016, Nan was a former leader of the East Clare Cumann na mBan Brigade who died at the age of twenty five due to the effects of hunger strike. The garden commemorates the anniversary of the 1916 Rising with all those involved remembered.

An active member of Sinn Féin, Mags was particularly pleased to see the party run a candidate in her locality for the 2019 local elections when Seán Naughton was the youngest candidate across the county to appear on the ballot paper.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) paid tribute to Mags, a friend for the past ten to twelve years. “She wasn’t just a colleague or a comrade but a close friend, it was very sad that she got cancer but for someone so small she packed a mighty punch, she was amazing during the 1916 commemorations”.

“She was an amazing, inspirational woman, for someone so small she was a large presence,” Donna added. “We often went out for lunch, we ended up sitting for so long that it ended up being a dinner. We talked about everything, it was not just political.

She was very motherly yet tough and strong,

Offshore wind farms a 'game changer'

paraic@clareecho.ie

 RIP: Mags O'Connor

she will be sorely missed”.

Given her activism, the fact that Mags never ran for election may seem a surprise but Donna insisted she always rowed in behind the party. “Despite what was happening over the weekend, we put it aside and gave Mags a send off that she rightfully deserved, the family felt the party showed their love for Mags, it was an honour for me to be able to attend and help organise. I’m hoping she’s up there with Mike McKee and Jim McDonald and proud of what we did for her”.

Mags died peacefully at Milford Care Centre. She is predeceased by her brothers Simon, Pat and Tom sisters Kathleen and Bríd. She is survived and deeply missed by her loving family, husband Joe, daughter Triona, son-in-law Diarmuid, grandsons Joey and Daithí, brothers John, James and Mike, sisters Ellen, Esther and Pauline, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, extended family, neighbours and a large circle of friends.

FFSHORE wind has been described as “possibly the biggest opportunity” West Clare has ever had.

Calls to set up a working group leading on engagement and consultation with any stakeholders involved in offshore wind energy developments were backed by elected representatives of the West Clare Municipal District.

Elected members of the West Clare MD, Clare’s Oireachtas members and senior executives from each service directorate of Clare County Council are to serve on the working group.

In response to the joint proposal from Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) and Cllr Joe Killeen (FF), acting senior executive officer, John O’Malley stated, “resources at senior executive level from each directorate will have to be identified that are available to this proposed working group”.

“Offshore wind is a game-changer,” for West Clare’s future, Cllr Murphy maintained, “it is possibly the biggest opportunity we’ve ever had”.

The assembly installation and deployment of floating offshore wind energy could stimulate hundreds of jobs in the locality, he emphasised. Establishing Moneypoint’s base in Killimer “could easily have been developed in another location, the fact it wasn’t is due to the intense lobbying of Oireachtas members like Brendan Daly and Sylvie Barrett. If we’re not shouting now, then the opportunity could pass us by”.

Action is needed from Clare’s seven Oireachtas to make sure the area benefits accordingly, the Kilkee man maintained.

“Our Oireachtas members need to step up, if they fail on this it will be a very visible failure and the communities won’t forget it”.

Ireland’s position as one of the most westerly countries in the European Union coupled with its offshore wind speeds heightens its potential to become a “global leader in wind-powered generation,” Cllr Killeen outlined.

“It is not a competition with the East coast of Ireland but obviously it is a competition because we will have to decide where wind generation is going to be based”. The input of outside agencies like the Western Development Commission can maximise the amount of jobs in the sector, he believed, “we need to be organised and get all our troops together”.

“It is very much a competition,” Cllr Ian Lynch (IND) stressed. He voiced his annoyance with Clare County Council for allowing their Limerick counterparts get two to three of the major players in turbine manufacturing to Foynes and in the process “bypassing one of the deepest ports in Europe”. Political weight and industry involvement is key to make inroads, the Kilrush councillor said.

Foynes’ “really ambitious plans” were also referenced by Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) while asking for industry experts to address a future meeting of the West Clare Municipal District.

While admitting his standing as “a great supporter of wind energy and turbines,” Cllr PJ Kelly (FF) quipped that the proposal go further by seeking to invent “a special type of turbine that could harness political hot air” to which Cllr Murphy queried if it was already “powered very heavily in Lissycasey” only for the long-serving councillor to say the special turbine could only be located in Leinster House.

10 NEWS

THURSDAY,MAR 3 2022

'I never felt horror like it in my life'

 CRISIS: Mariya Nikishanova

Photo by Natasha Barton

PÁRAIC MCMAHON

A

paraic@clareecho.ie

N ENNIS family narrowly avoided war, having planned to arrive in Ukraine on the day of Russia’s largescale invasion which has been described as the largest conventional warfare operation in Europe since the second World War. Mariya Nikishanova had tickets booked to return to her native Ukraine to mark the seventieth birthday of her beloved mother with her husband and two children also set to make the trip from Dublin Airport.

While they were in Dublin, they received notification that all flights to Ukraine were cancelled as the world looked on in panic.

“When I woke up to get the flight I saw the news, I don’t re-

ally remember the day well. After a few hours, they started to bomb Gostomel which is four or five kilometres from my mother’s house, it was just horror, I never felt like that in my life to be scared of death like that,” Mariya recalled.

An SAP project manager with General Motors in Dooradoyle, Mariya has lived in Ennis for the past five years and currently sits on the Board of Management at Holy Family NS. They are happily settled in Co Clare but are anxious for her mother, Nataliia, sister Alyona and niece Mariya who remain in their family house in Irpin located “just on the war line” which is used by the Russians as the main access point to Kyiv.

She explained, “they are sitting in the basement. For the last two days, they have not left at all because they would be killed on the streets. They were a bit slow and then they couldn’t leave, there was a small window of time to leave but they missed it”.

Every two hours Mariya contacts them via Viber and Skype, “without it, it would be a complete nightmare, there’s not much we can do already but at least you can see they are still alive”.

Nataliia had stocked up on supplies to prepare for the planned arrival of Mariya’s family, because of this, they have enough food in the basement to last a week. The reaction of her seventy year old mother has made Mariya very proud. “My mother is stable, I was really worried that she could have a heart attack or something, the very first day she was waiting for us, I called her on Thursday morning to tell her we couldn’t come and she was devastated. " I’m proud of her, she is better than me, she understands. The basement is underground, she needs to go down the ladder to get there, for a woman of seventy years old it is not easy for her but she is amazing. My sister is younger and has more responsi-

bilities with her daughter but she is fine. I don’t know how I would react, maybe I would be pissed off, I can’t really judge from here, if I was there I could be dead in a second”.

Her father is Russian and is living in Crimea, she said he supports the action of Putin. “I’m half Russian but what is in your blood is okay but what is in your head is absolutely different, it cannot be the same”.

She points to 2014, the year of the Donbas War and the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation as a time when her view of Russia changed, “before that I was really thinking rations and they were vicious but they are not that dangerous, after 2014 it changed a lot until the situation could be war, people were saying it could happen and they were right”.

Over the weekend, Mariya held demonstrations at the Daniel O’Connell Monument, meeting

people from her native country that she never knew existed never mind lived in the same town as her. Looking to the future, she told The Clare Echo of her hope, “It is difficult to separate what I think will happen and what I want to happen.

The Ukrainian Army and people are much stronger than anybody in the world thought, of course Putin didn’t expect that and even European countries didn’t expect to see that, this is changing the whole game so I think what will be happening on the good side the Ukrainians will continue to fight and fight successfully, on the bad side because of these failures Russians will start to use tactics which they did in Donbass”.

“I’m hopeful, I am a positive person, I think there is a possibility now to make sure Russian troops leave not just Ukraine but we can get them out of Donbass and Crimea, there is a chance,” she added.

'I am ashamed to be Russian' – Tatiana speaks out

by EVAN RUANE A RUSSIAN woman living in Clare says her WWII veteran father would be rolling in his grave following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Piano teacher Tatiana Timofeeva, who lives in Ennis, has condemned the invasion

and pledged to make a donation to help fund the Ukranian military defence. “I am ashamed to be Russian now,” she told The Clare Echo. “Russia was one of the heroes of the second world war, and now we are in the place of Hitler.”

Tatiana recounts the terrible experience of hearing the first reports of the invasion.

“When I saw the news, I was absolutely terrified and devastated. I don’t have words, I got sick. My blood pressure got up…it’s unbelievable,” says Tatiana who is married to Doonbeg native Bill McNamara.

Tatiana was born in 1961, while the Soviet Union was still in power. Her father, Vasily, was a decorated WWII commander, who according to Tatiana “would be rolling in his grave” at the actions of Vladimir Putin. At the time of Putin’s rise to power, she was initially supportive of his presidency. “In 2000, when Putin came to power, I was glad: he was young, he was vibrant, he had charisma. For his first term, he did many good things. The people of Russia were quite happy with him.”

Soon however, Tatiana’s optimism was not to last. “[When] he came back to power, that started the disaster”.

She points to the annexation of Crimea as a tipping point for Putin’s aggressive policies. “[It] showed Putin was aggressive. I watched the situation for years, and it was down, down, down.”

Tatiana believes Putin’s increasingly reckless and dangerous behaviour are linked

to “psychological problems”.

Despite moving to Ireland in 2003, she still maintains close relationships to her friends and relatives in Russia, who are equally shocked and terrified by Vladimir Putin’s actions. “My friends and relatives – most of them hate him, but everybody is afraid to [speak out]…everybody says ‘Oh, what can we do, if we go out we will be beaten by police and put in jail’.” However, Tatiana also acknowledged that this belief is not shared by all Russians. Tatiana expressed confidence in the Irish Government’s ability to level sanctions against Russia, “There is no doubt that Ireland, with its history of colonisation, they are in full support of Ukraine. Ireland will know what to do [about Russia]…They don’t like [Putin’s] aggressive politics”.

Tatiana pledged to support Ukraine herself in any way she can. She has donated money to UNICEF, and has plans to send more money to support the Ukrainian Army. “It’s needed” she said, “it’s the least I can do”. She also intends to join a protest march in support of Ukraine.  DEVASTATED: Tatiana holds a photo of her father Vasily, a decorated WWII veteran

NEWS 11

THURSDAY, MAR 3 2022

Supporting the people of Ukraine:

by EVAN RUANE

N

UMEROUS charitable efforts to support Ukraine have been established in Clare and nationwide, with support from local government, businesses, and ordinary citizens.

Volunteers in Ennis are collaborating with WOSP (the largest independent charitable organisation in Poland) to transport vital items for Ukrainian refugees at the Pol-

ish/Ukrainian border. All donations are to be dropped off at Tracklands Business Park, Clonroad More in Ennis, every day from 10AM to 6PM ending Sunday March 6th.

Additionally, donations can also be delivered to CBS Primary School, New Road, Ennis, this Saturday from 10AM to 3PM. The initiative has also received support from Clare County Council and Clare Civil Defence.

Shannon Swimming & Leisure Centre in Shannon Town has also

established itself as a drop-off point for emergency supplies, with Love Shannon Community Council and local volunteers coordinating the collection and sorting of goods.

Due to the overwhelming support from the local community in the last few days, SLC will only accept medical/supplies and equipment for the near future. “[The support is] unbelievable, it’s been absolutely amazing” says Karl Fogarty, General Manager of SLC, speaking to the Clare Echo.

“Next week, we have a fundraiser concert on Wednesday from 7:30 to 9:30, with the proceeds going to humanitarian funding to Ukraine.

We’re also trying to organise a giant fitness class”. Details of the concert and of fundraising events will be posted on Shannon Leisure Centre’s social media pages.

An Post revealed new plans to support Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees in Ireland. They have waived fees for financial donations for the UNICEF and Red Cross

Ukrainian crisis appeals. As such, all money donated will go directly to the two charities. Ukrainian Citizens who arrive in Ireland will be provided with an An Post Current Account for everyday banking, and also have access to An Post’s Address Point service. An Post and the Communications Workers Union have put their trucks and drivers at the disposal of the Irish Red Cross, for the purpose of transporting supplies and equipment to Ukraine.

ITEMS NEEDED INCLUDE:

 AID: Local volunteers Edwina Radford, Julian Czucha, Cllr Mary Howard, Pawlina Podstawska, Dara Glynn Principal of CBS Primary School. Missing from photograph is Fintan Quinn and Noel Carmody from Clare Civil Defence.

 Thermal blankets, sleeping bags, sleeping mats (with foil insulation)  Care products: body washes, toothpastes, toothbrushes, hairbrushes  Hygiene products: towels, tampons, panty liners, cotton wool, baby wipes  Disposables: plates, bowls, cutlery, cups  Baby formula, baby food (with long best before date)  Disposable gloves and face masks  First aid bands with dressings  Corn removal plasters  Bandages: regular and elastic  Powerbanks, USB charging cables  Battery operated flashlights  Batteries  Noise cancelling headphones and earplugs  Thermal Flasks/Mugs

Shannon family raises €10k

by PÁRAIC McMAHON A SHANNON family have raised €10,000 to help the people of Ukraine while the people of the town and surrounding areas have rowed in behind areas to support the eastern Europe country.

Twenty five year old Dmytro Petriv led the way by launching an appeal on social media to help raise funds to aid the people of Ukraine buy protection and medical equipment in the wake of Russia’s invasion.

Originally from Lviv in Western Ukraine, Dmytro has lived in Shannon for the past 15 years and is a past pupil of St Patrick’s Comprehensive School and now works in Chemifloc.

His grand-parents and cousins remain in Ukraine with the Petrivs ringing them daily for updates, “they are okay as we’re closer to the Polish border, there isn’t as much of a panic at the moment but it is getting closer”. The move by Vladimir Putin was one of “pure aggression and greed for land, it is just about power,” he maintained.

In an attempt to help the people in their home country, Dmytro and his parents Mykola and Maria decided to act. “My father collects parcels going to Ukraine every month, he used to anyway but he can’t send any parcels now because there is no one to take them across the border so the only way to help is collect funds, buy protective gear and help the people to get food”.

Between them, they have managed to raise €10,000. “I’ve raised just shy of a thousand euro, I put a thousand euro in myself, my parents raised €8k. Every little helps, some people are giving a tenner which to some might not seem much but back home this is a lot,” Dimi told The Clare Echo.

He is accepting donations via Revolut via Revolut to 085 200 7497 and is also willing to meet people in person if they want to help their efforts.

Goodwill has been evident throughout Shannon with over two truckloads of donated items departing the Airport town on Monday evening. What started as an idea floated on social media transpired into an amazing show of solidarity by the people of the town and surrounding communities such as Sixmilebridge, Newmarket-on-Fergus and Cratloe. Shannon Leisure Centre set up tents and offered up space so that volunteers had a base to organise themselves from with the public chipping in with donations of clothing and food, local companies such as DB Schenker, Mentor Graphics and Thermoking supplied boxes, packing supplies and offers of transport while Don Murphy of Smitz Café and the local Lidl store gave food and donations.

Co-founder of Love Shannon Community Council, Niamh O’Callaghan admitted, “this is the whole of Shannon pulling together and I couldn’t be prouder to be from Shannon”. She acknowledged the efforts of Eimear McNamara, Karl Fogarty and the growing number of volunteers involved.

“It is terrible and horrific what is going on but it shows you what Shannon is, it really does, there was cars pulling up and I’d say will continue to pull up with people so eager to help”.

General Manager of Shannon Leisure Centre, Karl Fogarty described the response of the people of Shannon and surrounding areas as “first class”. He was blown away by the unity on show, "it went from an idea to a full-scale project, it happened so quickly and organically”.

1800 827 555

12 NEWS

THURSDAY, MAR 3 2022

SHANNON NEWS in association with

US Ambassador visits Shannon Airport PÁRAIC MCMAHON

U

paraic@clareecho.ie

S AMBASSADOR to Ireland, Claire D. Cronin made her first visit to Shannon Airport since presenting her credentials to President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins earlier this month.

A fortnight after commencing her new role, the Massachusetts woman whose grandparents hail from Donegal met with Shannon Group Chairperson Pádraig Ó Céidigh and Shannon Group CEO Mary Considine where she was briefed on activities at Shannon Airport. She arrived in Ireland on February 9th.

Ms Considine said the visit of the Ambassador was timely as Shannon prepares to welcome back US tourists and businesses persons with the restart of transatlantic air services. “Shannon has a proud tradition of

WELCOME: US Ambassador to Ireland Claire D Cronin and Shannon Group CEO Mary Considine Photo by Arthur Ellis

welcoming visitors from all over the world.

Statesmen and women, movie stars, celeb-

rities and every US president since John F Kennedy have been welcomed at Shannon

Airport over the years. And we were delighted to continue that tradition by welcoming the first female US Ambassador to Ireland since Jean Kennedy Smith in 1998, who was a regular visitor to Shannon”.

Transatlantic services will recommence from Shannon Airport on the 10th March with the return of the Aer Lingus Shannon to Boston service, followed next day by the recommencement of the Aer Lingus New York service. The 28th March will see the return of the Newark service with United.

During the Ambassador’s visit a special tour was facilitated by the Airport Operations Director Niall Maloney, who showed Ambassador Cronin the airport’s aviation gallery and wall of fame and the famous faces which adorn it. Ambassador Cronin also received a tour of Shannon Duty Free, the world’s first duty free and was given a demonstration of the new airport security screening system. She met with the airport’s US Customs and Border Protection team and received a tour of the facility.

Upset in Shannon at destruction of Antonov

by PÁRAIC McMAHON SADNESS has been expressed in Shannon following the destruction of the world’s largest aircraft.

Within the aviation world, the Antonov AN-225 has cult status and has been a frequent sight at Shannon Airport since 2005, touching down on seven occasions.

Ukrainian authorities confirmed that the aircraft named “Mriya,” or “dream” was parked at an airfield near Kyiv when it was attacked by “Russian occupants”. Ukrainian state defence company Ukroboronprom, which manages Antonov, on Sunday issued a statement saying the aircraft had been destroyed but would be rebuilt at Russia’s expense, a cost it put at $3 billion and a time period of five years.

Dmytro Kuleba, the youngest ever Ukraine Foreign Minister in response to the attack stated, “Russia may have destroyed our ‘Mriya’. But they will never be able to destroy our dream of a strong, free and democratic European state.

We shall prevail”.

At a distance of 3,199m, Shannon Airport has Ireland’s longest runway and

is the only airport in the country capable of accommodating the plane which has a wingspan of 88 metres and has 32 wheels.

In June 2020, the Antonov landed at Shannon from China carrying the single largest consignment of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to be flown into Ireland on a single flight. It contained almost 900,000 medical gowns for distribution in Ireland as part of the country’s efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19, it took 20 men on shift rotation 15 hours to hand load 6,249 boxes weighing 18 kgs each.

Shannon based photographer Joe Buckley first snapped the aircraft in 2005. He recalled the ef-

forts to get the best angle while racing to the backroad in Stonehall alongside Ben Coady, members of the Shannon Camera Club and Shannon Spotters. “It’s terrible, it’s an awful shock to the plane enthusiasts in Shannon and to the Airport with the revenue it brought in, Swissport used to handle it and all their employees used to offload”.

Joe outlined, “I got photos at night-time before all the big hype, it’s been coming for years, the hype came because of what it was bringing, the Christmas trees and tonnes of PPE”.

He added, “People came from all over Ireland to see it, they travelled 80/90 miles to see it, it wasn’t just Shannon, Clare or Limerick people that enjoyed seeing the Antonov”.

MRIYA: The Antonov landing in Shannon

Photo by Joe Buckley

13

THURSDAY, MAR 3 2022

in association with

Lees Rd misuse leads to curtailment PÁRAIC MCMAHON

U

paraic@clareecho.ie

SE of the running track at Lees Rd has been curtailed at weekends due to members of the public using bikes, roller skates and scooters on the facility.

Moves have been made to limit the accessibility to the running track on weekends in order to stop parents bringing their children onto the track with bicycles, roller skates and scooters, an action which is likely to damage the impressive 400m synthetic track.

Reports that a runner was hit by a child by a tricycle were not known to a spokesperson for Clare County Council when questioned

by The Clare Echo.

Demand by athletes and clubs for the running track at John O’Sullivan Park, Lees Rd “is increasing, especially at the week-

ends,” the spokesperson outlined.

Efforts are to be made to prioritise the track for its intended purpose in the light of growing numbers of tricycles, bikes and scooters wrongly using it.

“During the Covid-19 lockdown periods the track became an extension of the playground whereby those using the park used the track for bikes, roller skates and scooters. Given that all clubs are back training with many athletes preparing for the season we need to prioritise the track for the purpose it was intended and for clubs who book the facility”.

Subsequently, limited access of the running track is now in place at weekends.

“This is to ensure the safety of all using the track. There is sufficient free space within John O’Sullivan Park for recreational use by members of the public on bikes, scooters and roller blades. Currently there are no restrictions on use of the track during the week, however as demand increases for

the track and once the upgrade works are complete it is likely that

AN APPEAL by the Retailers of Ennis group to give a presentation to the Ennis Municipal District with their “street by street” vision for the town has been rejected.

Officials in Clare County Council declined the attempts of the Retailers of Ennis Group which was shared by Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) at Tuesday’s meeting of the Ennis Municipal District.

In a proposal, he said a twenty to thirty minute presentation from the group

PRESENTATION: Abbey St

which has representatives from each street in Ennis would help county councillors “in the preparation of the Ennis volume of County Development Plan” by sharing “their vision street by street”. There are sixty independent retailers in the Retailers of Ennis group according to John O’Connor of Custy’s Music.

Acting senior planner in the Council’s planning department, Gareth Ruane outlined that consultation events were recently held

the investment in the resource,” the spokesperson added.

ATHLETICS The synthetic track is being damaged by bikes, rollerskates and scooters

Retailers denied chance to share vision at meeting

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

access to the track will be managed going forward in order to protect

on the draft development plan “which were open to all members of the public to attend, in Ennis and other areas of the county”. He confirmed that there would be an opportunity to liaise with Council officials with a stall as part of the St Patrick’s Day festival.

Ruane added, “We are currently accepting written submissions on the draft Plan up to the 28th of March and it is considered that this would be the most appropriate mechanism for the ‘Retailers of Ennis’ group, or any other group, to make a formal submission and outline their points to us. All submissions will be considered as part of the Managers Report on the Plan” .

Senior executive officer, Leonore O’Neill stated in response to Cllr Flynn’s motion, “Councillors need to be aware of the equity of facilitating a meeting with one particular group and not other interests groups”.

As he encouraged the public to make their submissions to the draft, Cllr Flynn said he thought rate contribution equating at 30 percent of the Council’s budget at county level warranted their involvement in a briefing or presentation.

Photo by Eamon Ward

14 NEWS

THURSDAY, MAR 3 2022

Page ready to turn as EBCF to come back with a bang PÁRAIC MCMAHON

B

paraic@clareecho.ie

OOK lovers will descend upon Ennis from all over Ireland this weekend as the hugely popular Ennis Book Club Festival (EBCF) makes it long-awaited return to in-person events.

Greatly curtailed over the past two years due to the pandemic, EBCF is back with a bang and nineteen headline events taking place in different venues across the county.

In what will be the sixteenth staging of the EBCF, there is a vibrant programme aimed to please all ages. It will begin by discussing Irish literary feminism on Friday evening and end with a garden visit to Kiltumper, the home of the acclaimed Niall Williams and Christine Breen.

Among the many highlights are Joe Queally dissecting his book ‘Echoes from a Civil War’, a conversation between celebrated author and playwright Michael Harding with EBCF artistic director Dani Gill while her predecessor Paul Perry chats about his debut novel The Garden on Saturday in St Columba’s Church.

Claire Keegan takes to the glór stage on Saturday evening to talk about her long awaited novel Small Things Like These, praised as ‘a haunting, hopeful masterpiece’.

Regarded as one of the fan favourites, the Sunday Symposium opens the final day of the Festival. Reflections on Ireland will be the focus with special guests Fintan O’Toole, Declan O’Rourke, Sophie White, and Derek Scally. The panel discussion will be followed by an audience Q&A session. On Sunday afternoon EBCF moves to the goat shed on St. Tola Cheese Farm, Ennistimon for a unique event to please the foodies.

For Dani Gill, it will be the first time in her tenure as Artistic Director that COVID-19 hasn’t been as prevalent. “Definitely being able to have live audiences and not a capped capacity is a massive advantage, we are really delighted about that, we only knew a few weeks ago really that it was the case, in terms of planning, we were hoping to be at maybe 70 percent capacity, to be up to 100 percent is great and to have a clearer climate is brilliant, it is really nice to think of a live festival with the authors and attendees on site, that is a huge part of what festivals are about, they are very social”.

It had been difficult to try put together the festival in a primarily online capacity, she admitted.

“I think it is hard creating something when it feels you’re in a bit of a vacuum, we’ve all been in a type of a vacuum with COVID and now we’re slowly emerging from that.

Programming events at the end of the day is about an audience and a connection with an audience, I do think there is a huge difference between online and personal engagement, there is no real comparison between the two, I’m definitely excited to be out of my apartment and in some venues, for venues it has been a very uncertain time with

COVID and not knowing what restrictions would be in place, it’s great for glór and other venues to be open again, it will hopefully be a return to a different type of normal, it is a chance to restart”.

Fintan O’Toole viewed as one of the country’s greatest writers is no stranger to Co Clare and he is very excited to make a return to the EBCF. “The Ennis Book festival is fantastic, I’ve done it before and came out of this book club idea, I love Ennis, I think it is one of the nicest towns in Ireland, it has an ordinary and that is a word we use dismissively but it has that sort of day to day architecture in old parts of Ennis is absolutely beautiful, it has a wonderful buzz about it, I love being there. It is a great place for the festival because you have glór and the other great venues but I think the ethic of the festival was always very democratic and open, it is a great festival.

"We’re doing an event on the Sunday morning in glór, it is a broad conversation, I’m really looking forward to it, it is probably appropriate that people will go there on the Sunday morning rather than going to mass, they can hear from the new bishops and clergy of Ireland”.

Having previously leading a procession through the streets of Ennis when reenacting the funeral of Brian Ború in the early nineties, it is likely to be a more low-key affair for Michael Harding. “I’m genuinely – this is no joke now- I genuinely love coming to Ennis because I worked there with theatre omnibus, I spent a summer in Ennis and I had a great time. We did a street parade with theatre omnibus in Ennis one time many, many years ago, and also I used to go to the Feakle festival, the music festival there and I’d often be sitting on the stones listening to people like Tommy Hayes”.

Derek Scally will be discussing his book ‘Best Catholics in the World’ and the Berlin Correspondent with The Irish Times is hopeful to get involved in conversations with the people of Clare.

“Irish Catholic past is part of our past, it was always part of our past, a survivor of sexual abuse said to me, many people now think that by not going to mass anymore that it is their contribution with coming to terms with our past, that doesn’t help society, it doesn’t help me or our past, my book is a very gentle invitation for people to look at their own history because they know best how things were and I’d be very interested in hearing from the people of Ennis what their experiences were, we haven’t dealt with this past, we’ve dealt with it on a legal level but not on an emotional level, we have to start somewhere and maybe discussing the book in Ennis is the start”.

For in-depth interviews with Evelyn Conlon, Fintan O’Toole, Michael Harding, Derek Scally and Dani Gill keep an eye on www. clareecho.ie.  BOOK LOVERS: Artistic Director of the Ennis Book Club Festival, Dani Gill

Photo by Julie Dunin

Arts & Entertainment 15

THURSDAY, MAR 3 2022

Ennis photography snaps up more awards

West Clare Drama Festival celebrates 60 years with critically acclaimed show  LIVE THEATRE: Pauline O’Driscoll

PÁRAIC MCMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie

A

N ENNIS photographer has added more gold medals to her growing collection of awards in the field.

Beata Rosik originally worked as a primary school teacher for twelve years in her native Poland. Since 2007, she has been happily living in Ennis which she now regards as her home.

Not long after arriving in Ireland, Beata was diagnosed with cancer, during her treatment and recovery she discovered a passion for photography. Her style developed and using her life experiences and current affairs for ideas, found techniques to bring her own signature style of art to her photographs.

Having represented Ireland by claiming accolades in photography over the past seven months, Beata in the last month claimed two gold medals in the Nicosia Photographic Society in Cyprus International Contest as well as the Best Female Entrant Award.

Since July 2021 her photography has been recognised around the world. She has won many prestigious international awards including the Federation of International Art Photography (FIAP) Gold, Photography Society of America (PSA) Gold and Global Photography Union (GPU) medals, and two Blue Pin Awards which is the best award a photographer can get in an international competition.

Her photos have received other awards and have appeared in exhibitions in Canada, India, Iceland, Georgia, Sri Lanka, Romania, Bosnia

by ELAINE TUBRIDY  SNAP HAPPY: Beata Rosik and Herzegovina, Serbia, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Portugal, Cyprus, Ukraine, Tunisia, North Macedonia to name a few. She received the GENIUS (G.APS) Distinction Award from Agile Photographic Society in Bangladesh.

She hopes to continue to develop her fine art photography career in Ireland, with exhibitions and hopefully sell some of her art. She is willing to share her ideas on portrait photography through workshops and to encourage children to enjoy taking photos looking at everyday places and things with new eyes.

Anticipation harping up with return of Tuamgraney festival ANTICIPATION is growing for the return of the Tuamgraney Harp Festival this May, writes Páraic McMahon.

A volunteer led community festival, it returns to Tuamgraney on the weekend of May 13th to 15th. Workshops, exhibitors, competitions in harp, fiddle and concertina will take place, along with a gala concert at St Joseph’s church. The 2020 concert

was cancelled while last year’s event was held online.

Traditional music sessions are a regular event at Nuala’s throughout the year with Tuamgraney also steeped in other aspects of the Arts. Adjoining villages host a range of events throughout the year such as the longest continuous amateur drama festival in Ireland.

First held in 2016, the Blossom Harp Festival was set up

with the aim to rejuvenate interest in the harp, by supporting ensembles and integration with other traditional instruments. Workshops have been held at introductory, intermediate and advanced level, but also in the fiddle and concertina, all facilitated by renowned musicians. A competition for solo harpists and combination groups was introduced in 2017.

TO CELEBRATE their 60th Anniversary the West Clare Drama Festival will host the professional production, Seven Ages of MAM, in Doonbeg on Wednesday March 9.

Billed as Mam’s hilarious and thought provoking take on motherhood, sexuality, grief, infidelity, ageing, love, lust and loneliness, this new, laugh-out-loud funny yet poignant one woman play stars Pauline O’Driscoll.

Pauline may be recognised as Pat Shortt’s wife in the IFTA nominated drama series Smalltown, or the hospital doctor trying to talk some sense into The Young Offenders in the Christmas Special.

Having been nominated best new play at Brighton Fringe in 2019, the play written by Mark Evans & Pauline O’Driscoll only began touring Ireland at the end of 2021 (due to Covid) and has

been wowing critics and audiences alike, garnering 5-Star reviews along the way.

“We’ve been blown away by the audience response. People are hungry for this type of show, something real but funny, something that makes them laugh and brings a tear to their eye. You just have to read the audience reviews on Facebook to see that” says American born director Tom Kibbe.

The play is a contemporary reimagining of Shakespeare’s most famous soliloquy - but from a Mam’s point of view!

Mam has a lot to say about the role of women and mothers in society and how that role has and is shifting across the generations.

Does society really value the contribution of mothers? What does it mean to be a mother?

How do you give all of yourself and yet not lose yourself? Are this gener-

ation of mothers better off or worse off ? How do you raise happy, healthy, balanced future adults in an era of social media? Is having kids and being a mum the last taboo?

“Yes it’s a female centric piece about what it means to be a woman and a mother,” Pauline says, “it appeals to men and women alike. Anyone who is a mum, knows a mum or ever had a mum relates to this play .... yes, in other words everyone!

“One male audience member actually told me he laughed and cried and next day took his mum to lunch. I loved hearing that. On behalf of mothers all over the world, it made my day”.

Catch Seven Ages of Mam at Doonbeg Community Hall on Wednesday, March 9 at 8pm (doors open 7pm). Tickets cost €15 (suitable 14+ yrs). Visit www.westclaredramafestivaldoonbeg. com for booking.

16 OUT & ABOUT

THURSDAY, MAR 3 2022

ST BRECKANS CELEBRATE GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY ST BRECKANS GAA Club eventually celebrated their 50th anniversary with a dinner dance in Hotel Doolin on Friday evening last February 25th after a number of previous cancellations due to COVID-19.

Formed in 1971, the North Clare club was fifty years in existence last year. St Breckans has enjoyed much success at many levels over the past five decades.

They reached the Clare SFC final in 1985 and 1996 but lost out in these deciders, under Donie Garrihy’s watch they were crowned Clare IFC champions in 2019 and have become one of the main contenders for the Jack Daly since their return to the senior ranks.

Last year, Neil Hawes guided their U21 side to victory in the B championship where they defeated Lissycasey.

l 50 YEARS: Enjoying the St Breckans 50th Anniversary dinner dance were (Clockwise from top right): Some members of the St Breckans 1985 Senior County Final team; (L to R) Aiden McDermott, John Petty, Donie Garrihy, Joe Garrihy, Pairic Fitzpatrick, Frankie Sheedy, Noel Shannon, Pat Cosgrave and Gerry Fitz; Chairman Paul O’Loughlin, Melzi O’Loughlin, Treasurer Seán McNamara and Fiona McNamara; St Breckans defender Jack Sheedy with Danielle Ahern; Niall Sweeney and Michelle Horan; Marian and Frankie Sheedy; Grainne Howley, Fiona Loughman and Aisling O'Brien

Photos by Burren Eye Photography

FEATURES 17

THURSDAY, MAR 3 2022

GREEN CLARE

Illegal dumping ‘ruining reputations’ of businesses PÁRAIC MCMAHON

F

paraic@clareecho.ie

AILURE to use CCTV cameras in towns and villages across Clare to clamp down on fly tipping is “ruining” the reputation of some businesses, a county councillor has

claimed.

Fly tipping remains an ongoing issue in West Clare, Cllr Ian Lynch (IND) flagged while seeking an update on the use of CCTV cameras in the county’s town and villages along with measures to tackle the problems of illegal dumping “with specific focus on the bottle banks in Kilrush car park”.

Utilising CCTV “for monitoring and investigating Illegal dumping is one that requires careful consideration as it impacts on the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR),” senior engineer in Clare County Council’s environment section, Cyril Feeney advised.

Neither the Litter Pollution Act 1997, the Waste Management Act 1996 nor the Local Government Act 2001 “are sufficient” for the deployment of CCTV for law enforcement purposes, the Data Protection Commissioner previously concluded. The Circular Economy Bill which is to be discussed in the Oireachtas “aims to provide for the GDPR-compliant use” of technologies such as CCTV for waste enforcement purposes,” Feeney observed.

In January, Limerick City and County Council were fined €110,000 for the im-

proper use of CCTV without a lawful basis and reprimanded by the Data Protection Commissioner. Persons who are found to be responsible for, or involved in, the unauthorised disposal of waste are liable to a maximum fine of €5,000 on summary conviction and/or imprisonment for up to 12 months, and to a maximum fine of €15 million on conviction on indictment and/or imprisonment for up to 10 years.

Efforts to tackle illegal dumping and littering in Clare would be strengthened by the technology, Feeney acknowledged. He said checkpoints are carried out with An Garda Síochána “in order to target the illegal transport and disposal of waste materials. The checkpoints are conducted outside of normal business hours and across a number of locations”. Households which do not have a waste collection service are to be identified under the Waste Management Bye Laws to ensure correct disposal.

Regarding recent works at the bring banks in the Place de Plouzane car park, Feeney said the damage wall was repaired with new fencing erected “to deter waste being dumped behind the bottle bank boundary wall”. He committed to the removal of the existing temporary bottle banks.

Speaking at a sitting of the West Clare Municipal District, Cllr Lynch admitted there had been “huge frustration in Kilrush” surrounding the bottle banks. He said it was obvious the local authority were trying to clamp down on fly tipping but said the clean-ups associated with it was “costing the Council a fortune”.

Members of the outdoor crew were ex-

posed to bags of household rubbish “every Monday morning” in Kilrush, Lynch commented. He criticised the “laziness” of some sections of the public not to put their items in the bottle banks correctly, “you are not being an active citizen but a plague on society”. He said ongoing dumping was “ruining

businesses’ reputations”.

Cathaoirleach of the West Clare MD, Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) recalled that one of West Clare’s beauty spots recently had to have a specialist contract “recover what was the contents of an entire house” in dumped items.

HOW TO MANAGE GREEN WASTE. Green waste includes:    

GRASS CLIPPINGS HEDGE CUTTINGS BUSHES LEAVES AND MOSS

 PRUNINGS  WEEDS AND FLOWERS  OTHER WOODY MATERIAL

LIKE ALL WASTE, OUR GREEN WASTE MUST BE MANAGED CORRECTLY. It is illegal to discard green waste in common or public areas.

Dumped green waste can attract other forms of Illegal dumping, can attract vermin, can cause flooding, can result in the spread of invasive species and releases methane gas that contributes to climate change

SOLUTIONS FOR MANAGING OUR GREEN WASTE  We can reduce our green waste from our garden by designing and managing our garden to minimise waste  By cutting our grass regularly, grass can be left on the ground. A mulching lawnmower is useful to cut grass into smaller particles  We can home compost our green waste. Remember for it to work we must have the right mix of "greens" and "browns" For more information visit www.stopfoodwaste.ie

GREEN WASTE CAN BE DISPOSED OF AT THE FOLLOWING FACILITIES: • • • •

Central Waste Management Facility, Inagh - t (065) 6836960 Lisdeen Recycling Centre & Transfer Station, Kilkee - t (065) 9060175 Shannon Recycling Centre - t (061) 364483 Ennis Recycling Centre - t (065) 6893705

Beoline Bruscar Frith - Anti Litter Hotline t: 1800 606 706 | 065 6846331 @GreenerClare @GreenerClare e: enviroff@clarecoco.ie | www.clarecoco.ie

Bottle banks have become a hotspot for illegal dumping in some areas

18 FEATURES

Begin again RONAN SCULLY

enjoy the beauty that is all around you.

Thought for the week

T

HE Season of Lent which just began this week, the 40 day period leading up to Easter, is my favorite season of the church calendar. I have many reasons for this. First, who doesn’t love the lengthening of the days, shoots of new life springing up all around us and the warmer temperatures of Springtime?

Also Lent is a season I view as an opportunity to renew our spirits as we move through the natural rhythms of the year, from the hibernation of Winter to the life awakening all around us of Spring. In the same way that we anticipate the earth’s awakening once more as new life strains to burst forth from the ground, we can also take steps to cultivate the growth of our souls and lifegiving spirits.

What is Lent for me

For me Lent is a time to take a good, long look in the mirror and come to terms with what’s working about our lives and what’s not. It’s time for a change of heart.

We all need a conversion experience in our lives. We all need to come to terms with the ways that our brokenness and selfishness and small-mindedness diminish our relationships with one another and especially with our God. Lent is a time to reach for something more, together and to discover that God is reaching back. Lent is a new beginning, a path towards continual conversion of our hearts. Jesus revealed to his disciples the deepest meaning of his mission when he told them of his passion, death and resurrection, in fulfilment of the Father’s will.

He then called the disciples to share in this mission for the salvation of the world. In our Lenten journey towards Easter, let us remember the One who “humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross” (Phil 2:8). During this season of conversion, let us renew our faith, draw from the “living water” of hope, and receive with open hearts the love of God, who makes us brothers and sisters in Christ.

Traditionally Lent is a season of penance, repentance, and

preparation for Easter. A season of fasting, giving alms, and remembering what Jesus did leading up to his crucifixion. These three disciplines, in particular, have proven to be effective in helping us renew our relationships: Fasting sharpens our will and helps us evaluate things we might be attached to in an unhealthy way; almsgiving, or service and charity, opens our eyes to those in need; and prayer deepens our relationship with God. The heart of Lent is an invitation to reflect on what matters most, to find beauty in simplicity, and to encounter the love of God in our brokenness and to begin again. When we allow ourselves to be filled to the brim with God’s lavish love, that love spills over beyond ourselves; like water, it rushes and flows, touching everything in its path. Lent for me is a time to struggle with our selfishness. A time to struggle with our lack-lustre performance on many fronts, a time to improve. A time to struggle with insensitivity in our dealings with family, with colleagues, with friends.

A time to struggle with attitudes that are negative.

A time to struggle against our compulsions to eat too much, to drink, to smoke, to waste time, to talk too much, to talk too little. A time to struggle with the things that knock us off the path of friendship with God. A time to struggle to be more of what we might be. A time to struggle to live our life on a new loving faithfilled level. A time for new timetables and good resolutions. Jesus struggled. An inner struggle, inner turmoil, inner distress. The kind of struggle that drives people mad. Or the kind of struggle that makes saints.

So if you can this Lent, Give up complaining and focus on gratitude.

Give up harsh judgments and think kindly thoughts.

Give up worry and trust Divine Providence. Give up discouragement and be full of hope. Give up bitterness and turn to forgiveness. Give up hatred and return good for evil. Give up negativism and be positive. Give up anger and be more patient. Give up pettiness and become mature. Give up gloom and

Thought for the week

As your thought for the week, remember that Lent is a grace-filled time when we can look at our lives in relation to God, to others and to ourselves. Lent is a journey that involves our whole life, our entire being and it is a time to return to God. It is a time to reconsider the path we are taking, to find the route that leads us home and to rediscover our profound relationship with God, on whom everything depends.

Lent is not just not about the little sacrifices we make, but about discerning where our hearts and souls are directed.

Lets always make them directed towards God with the help of this Lenten prayer that is a great help to me on my journey through Lent and beyond, “God, heavenly Father, look upon me and hear my prayer during this holy Season of Lent. By the good works You inspire, help me to discipline my body and to be renewed in spirit. Without You I can do nothing. By Your Spirit help me to know what is right and to be eager in doing Your will. Teach me to find new life through penance. Keep me from sin, and help me live by Your commandment of love.

God of love, bring me back to You. Send Your Spirit to make me strong in faith and active in good works. May my acts of penance bring me Your forgiveness, open my heart to Your love, and prepare me for the coming feast of the Resurrection of Jesus. Lord, during this Lenten Season, nourish me with Your Word of life and make me one with You in love and prayer. Fill my heart with Your love and keep me faithful to the Gospel of Christ.

Give me the grace to rise above my human weakness.

Give me new life by Your Sacraments, especially the Mass.

Father, our source of life, I reach out with joy to grasp Your hand; let me walk more readily in Your ways. Guide me in Your gentle mercy, for left to myself I cannot do Your Will. Father of love, source of all blessings, help me to pass from my old life of sin to the new life of grace. Prepare me for the glory of Your Kingdom. I ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever.

Amen.

Eoin Neylon

THURSDAY, MAR 3 2022

An inside look at Clare’s political spectrum

We cannot be neutral in the face of tyranny

T

HE past week has been nothing short of extraordinary. World events are hard to keep up with at the best of times, but this is the largest attack by one sovereign state on another in Europe since the second world war.

The shocking scenes were well flagged in advance by various western security and intelligence services as Putin attempted to lay out a fabricated grounds for war.

Having written in this column recently about Ireland shoddy “neutrality” argument, that policy has well and truly been exposed as farcical in the modern world.

Hence, the moves by the Irish Government, in unison with our European allies, to roundly condemn Russia and support Ukraine is a welcome one.

In the face of tyranny and barbarism, one cannot be neutral.

UN sanctioned or not, I personally have no issue with Shannon airport being used to facilitate the supply of Ukraine with supplies and munitions as they fight for their very survival.

It is apparent that the misinformation campaign, more commonly known as propaganda, from Russia has been a total failure.

A regime well known for its ability to fund and sow seeds of misinformation, from the Brexit campaign to US and French elections, and potentially within Ireland too, has completely failed

to convince even its own people of the merits of invading a neighbouring country.

Scarcely ever has the reply from the international community been so swift.

Russia finds itself all but cut off from the western world, and even some of its allies have turned their backs on the Kremlin.

China has stayed out of it, watching on in trepidation at the tsunami of economic and cultural sanction that have befallen Russia.

Safe to say, the response may well temper any Chinese plans for Taiwan in the future.

On the flip side, the power of social media for good has been highlighted by the outpouring of messages from Ukraine, from ordinary citizens and elected officials and even enlisted military personnel, has helped galvanise support for the country of 44 million in the face of such a horrendous attack.

The Irish response has been channelled mainly through European institutions in lock step with other EU nations, proving once more post Brexit that the 27 remaining countries are well capable to move with unity.

Nevertheless, 2 of Ireland’s MEP’s still remain steadfast in letting the country down.

Dublin’s Clare Daly and Mick Wallace of Ireland South (including Co. Clare) voted this week not to support Ukraine and even to delay indefinitely EU membership for the country.

Given all that has transpired in the past 10 days or so, their voting on our behalf remains wedded to the Kremlin line, regardless of what few words they publicly utter on the topic.

They were two of just 13 MEPs across all of Europe to vote in such a manner. This is something I do hope Clare voters keep in mind when we’re asked to vote in European election again in just over two years.

In the interim, Ireland and the rest of the world needs to stand square on the side of decency, against misinformation, against tyranny and show the world that if you act a rouge state and endanger and threaten others, the consequences will be dire, even if they are not military consequences themselves.

Few moments in world history have a sea change feel about them.

This is certainly one of them. Putin’s invasion will reshape the world, but it is too early to know just exactly how it will reshape in the aftermath.

Will we see a new Cold War, or will Putin’s regime end up deposed, or, God forbid, could this even lead to all out war?

I am no military expert, nor one on Russian internal politics, so, like everyone else, I too shall wait with bated breath with one eye on Ukraine for the time being, praying that a peaceful solution can be found sooner, rather than later.

After all, we have more in common with the people of Ukraine than the Clare colours!

COMMUNITY 19

THURSDAY, MAR 3 2022

Community QUIN TIDY TOWNS SPRING is in the air and a new Tidy Towns committee has been formed. Gabriella Hanrahan has taken over the chair and we wish her the best of luck going forward. Mike Reddan is Treasurer and Colette Colleran is Secretary. Thanks to all who attended the recent AGM and the feedback

CONTACT

NEWSDESK 065 671 9021 news@clareecho.ie

KILRUSH and suggestions were much appreciated.

The outgoing Committee were thanked for all their work last year.

Plans for this year will be finalised over the coming weeks and again we are seeking more volunteers to help with the many aspects of keeping our lovely village in tip top shape.

COUNTYWIDE NCBI LOCAL ADVOCACY Local people who are blind or vision impaired are invited to attend NCBI’s Midwest Region Local Advocacy Network Meeting on Thursday 24th March from 7 – 8 pm. The Local Advocacy Network provides a platform for people in the

local community to work together to break down barriers they are facing in their area. You can find out more information about the Local Advocacy Network, including the link to register to attend on www.ncbi.ie, by calling us on 1800 911 250 or emailing campaigns@ncbi.ie.

ENNIS CLARE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY The talk this month is by Fiana Griffin and takes place on Tuesday 8th March in the Old Ground Hotel, Ennis at 8 pm.‘The Golden Age of Irish stained glass: Harry Clarke, Evie Hone and

An Túr Gloine’ - in the first half of the twentieth century, Harry Clarke, The Harry Clarke Studios and the artists of An Túr Gloine created a Golden Age in Irish stained glass. This is a free lecture.

Hope you can join us! Enquiries to Frances at fogorman51@gmail.com or Mary at 0878362491.

COUNTYWIDE HIKE FOR CHARLIE JOIN Rise and Swim Clare in climbing the county’s highest peak, Moylussa, on April 2.

Start time, 11am. Donations to the Irish Motor

Neurone Disease Association and Pieta House.

As will Charlie Bird light a candle on Croagh Patrick for everyone with a terminal illness, we will light a candle on Moylussa.

MACRA: On Friday night Andrew Naughton from the Kilrush club won the Clare Macra Titles Night and will go on to represent Clare at the Mr. Personality Festival in Kilkenny on the weekend of 8th-10th April. Thanks to Tom Lane and Mary Howard for judging

HANDY OAT AND RAISIN COOKIES Kearney Cooks

I

HAVE had a crazy busy week, work was flat out, I had a few family commitments as well, and as such I didn’t get a chance to do the shopping yet. So I had a nose around my presses to see what ingredients I had to hand, and as luck would have it I just happened to have the exact ingredients for some lovely oat and raisin cookies. I also had the ingredients for liver and onions, but my kids have assured me that the cookie recipe would go down better.

YOU WILL NEED • 100g butter • 150g brown sugar • 1 large egg • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 100 g plain flour • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon • 1/2 tsp baking powder • 1/2 tsp salt • 120g porridge oats • 80g raisins Step One Preheat the oven to 200c and beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, then mix in your egg and vanilla extract until well combined.

Step Two Horse all your dry ingredients into the mixing bowl and stir well until thoroughly mixed.

Step Three Form the dough into balls, you should get enough for 12 cookies.

Bake on a lined baking tray for 12 to 15 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool on the baking sheet until they are solid enough to handle.

These cookies are a fantastic treat for kids and grown ups alike. The sugar content isn’t over the top and you could add other dried fruits or nuts to the recipe to boost the healthy content. These cookies are also very easy

to make and good fun to get the kids involved in the baking process.

As usual if you have any questions about this recipe or others please feel free to message me on Instagram @ stevekearney37. Also keep an eye on the Clare Echo Facebook page or my Instagram page for the instructional video that goes with this recipe.

Enjoy

Steve K

20 RECRUITMENT

THURSDAY, MAR 3 2022

Mixed views on binning masks Ballyvaughan Co Clare Tel: 065 7077036 Email: fiona@aillweecave.ie

We’re Hiring !!

Would you like to work at our newly refurbished Award Winning Attraction? Why not come to our

Recruitment Evening Friday 11th March 2022 From 4.00pm—7.00pm At the Main Cave Building @ Aillwee

Full and Part time Positions available & Summer Season Positions Vacancies: Duty Managers Greeters Tour Guides Farm Shop Assistants Catering Assistants Retail/Gift Shop Assistants Please bring an up to date Curriculum Vitae Experience an advantage but not essential as in-house training is provided Aillwee Cave Co Ltd is an Equal Opportunities Employer

MANDATE: Darragh O’Connor and Siobhán Walsh pictured dumping a face mask outside O’Connor’s Spar in Shannon Photo by Joe Buckley MIXED views have been expressed from retailers and hoteliers regarding the lifting of the mask mandate, writes Páraic McMahon.

As of Monday, the wearing of masks in retail settings and on public transport is no longer mandatory. Darragh O’Connor from O’Connor’s Spar in Shannon explained that they have an optional approach on masks for both staff and shoppers, a custom replicated right across the

county. “What we’re doing is not forcing anyone to wear masks, nobody will be frowned upon if they are wearing them or not.

Lahinch hotelier, Michael Vaughan admitted that a cautious reaction has been evident from the public in the seaside town.

“The older generation and retired people seem to be more cautious about wearing masks and continue to wear them."

RECRUITMENT

OPEN EVENING

FRIDAY, 4TH MARCH 2022 7 PM TO 9 PM WHAT'S WAITING FOR YOU? Enjoy an exclusive preview of the re-developed Armada Meet and greet with our team Delicious Canapés by Chef Sebastian Bring along your CV and chat with our team

All welcome!

Armada Hotel Spanish Point, Miltown Malbay V95 R883, Co. Clare Tel: 0657079000 www.armadahotel.com www.jobsbythesea.com

NEWS

THURSDAY, MAR 3 2022

Local Enterprise Office Clare

To book visit localenterprise.ie/clare

In partnership with

21

22 RECRUITMENT

THURSDAY, MAR 3 2022

Doolin Inn - 10 years and a bit in the making

I

N OCTOBER 1986 at the entrepreneurial age of 9, Anthony turned the sod on what was then the Doolin Hostel, with his sister Tricia, writes Stuart Holly.

Taking a sabbatical for a number of years, Anthony graduated at Shannon College of Hotel Management, explored the world, and developed his skills of hotel management in a number of international and Irish hotels, before returning home 10 years ago with his wife Deirdre and children Emily and Isabelle, to take over the family business of hosteling in Doolin.

On their first night opening on March 3rd, 2012, with 3 backpackers, taking a grand total of €43.05, it's been a continuous journey of improvements since, with the mantra of "improving a little every day".

Starting out, Deirdre and Anthony, with a little luck, a great opportunity, lots of reinvestment, and a lot of hard work revitalized the Doolin Hostel quickly into a top-class sustainable hostelling experience.

With the onset of Covid 19 in March 2020, they met the challenge

FAMILY: Anthony, Deirdre and the team

head-on and opened a restaurant on-site with a focus on flavour and friendly service, showcasing the best of what the Burren has to offer, under the guidance of Chef Tomas Walsh from Ennis.

Going from strength to strength over the last 10 years, they have received many awards for their sustainable approach, customer service, and quality, and in 2021 the Doolin

Inn was rated in the Top 10 Inns in Ireland by Tripadvisor. Starting as a team of two with seasonal hostels, the Doolin Inn now operates yearround with a team of 20, and with more projects and ambitions in the pipeline the Doolin Inn is looking to hire and increase the team to 40 persons this year, which to date is their proudest achievement, creating year-round meaningful jobs.

TOURISM JOB OPENINGS IN COUNTY CLARE Five permanent roles are being created in County Clare. The new positions will form part of a subsidiary company of Clare County Council that will oversee the management, development, and promotion of a portfolio of signature visitor attractions and sites throughout Clare.

General Manager East Clare - The successful candidate will have operational responsibilities for Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Knappogue Castle, Craggaunowen – Bronze Age Park, Cliffs of Moher gift shop and Inis Cealtra Visitor Experience (currently under development). There will be a significant change management dimension to the role.

Sales & Marketing Manager East Clare - The successful candidate will oversee all aspects for the day-to-day promotion of the services, brand, and bookings of visitor attractions, namely Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Knappogue Castle, Craggaunowen – Bronze Age Park and Inis Cealtra Visitor Experience.

ICT Project Manager - The successful candidate will manage the upgrading and centralisation of ICT infrastructure from several sites to a hybrid cloud model, including hardware, networks, and software, recommending, and developing upgrade strategies, working with internal teams and third-party contractors.

Procurement Officer - The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and implementing procurement policy and strategy, coordinating procurement practices to ensure compliance, minimising risk, and maximising savings and benefits available to the organisation from procurement activities at its portfolio of visitor attractions and sites.

Digital Marketing Assistant - The successful candidate will create dynamic and engaging digital content aimed at marketing the organisation’s visitor attractions and destination Clare. The Digital Marketing assistant will be responsible for creating, editing, and publishing accurate and up-to-date information on relevant digital channels.

HOW TO APPLY / FURTHER INFORMATION:

If you are interested in applying, or want to know more about an individual position, contact Máiréad in The Hr Suite on 066 7102887 or email your CV to jobs@thehrsuite.com Closing date for applications Monday 28th March at 5pm.

24 RECRUITMENT

THURSDAY, MAR 3 2022

BUSINESS 25

THURSDAY, MAR 3 2022

Junior Health Sciences Academy Early Careers Virtual Event 2022

S

TUDENTS from across the Mid-West region gathered recently at the Clinical Education and Research Centre (CERC) at UHL to help launch this year’s virtual Junior Health Sciences ‘Early Careers’ Event 2022. Careers in healthcare will take centre-stage at the virtual event on March 1st and 2nd which is aimed at Transition Year and Fifth Year students who would like to learn more about a career in healthcare.

More than 20 healthcare professions will be showcased at the second annual event organised by

the Health Sciences Academy with Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board and Limerick Education Centre. Students will hear from clinical staff from UL Hospitals Group and HSE MidWest Community Healthcare, as well as academic staff and students from the health programmes at University of Limerick who will provide workplace insights, guidance on subject choices and career opportunities. Special guests will include Spin SW broadcaster Louise Cantillon and guest sporting stars and there will be ample op-

l#SEEYOURFUTURE: Students Rian McArthur, Emily Byrne, Clara Blake and Hugh Costello from St. Annes Killaloe Community College pictured with Health Sciences Academy manager, Miriam McCarthy and Spin South West presenter Louise Cantillon at the launch of the Junior Health Sciences Academy Early Careers 2022 at the CERC building at University Hospital Limerick recently

Photo by Brian Arthur

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER GRADE VII Initial Duties – Capital and Procurement (Buildings Officer) Specific Purpose Contract Ref. No. 011141 Applications are invited for the above post.

Online application form and further details are available on www.lcetb.ie Closing time and date for receipt of applications is 12 noon Monday 21st March, 2022.

Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

Canvassing will disqualify.

Provision co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union.

Có-mhaoinithe ag an

AONTAS EORPACH Co-funded by the

EUROPEAN UNION

learning works

portunities for Q&As and engagement with the guests. All students

are welcome, and registration is essential, at https://www.ul.ie/hsa/

upcoming-events ture

#SeeYourFu-

Golf g Clare

26

Clare well served by courses as numbers playing golf grows SEAMUS HAYES

A

S THE numbers playing golf continue to grow, it’s fair to say that Clare is very well served with top class courses throughout the county.

There are ten golf clubs across the county while clubs just over the border in Galway (Gort and Portumna) and Limerick can boast many members from the Banner county.

Courses such as Lahinch, Trump International at Doonbeg and Dromoland are consistently rated among the leading clubs in the country attracting huge visitor numbers each year.

Dromoland (pictured right) will host the Irish La-

dies Open later this year and ahead of that event, huge works are currently being carried out on the course.

The course which was designed by Ron Kirby and J.B. Carr was originally a 9 hole course which moved to 18 holes in 2003.

The Covid 19 lockdown allowed the course which had been particularly busy to recover from the heavy traffic of the previous year.

Under the watchful eye of the club’s director of golf, Eamonn O’Donnell, huge work was carried out on bunkers, greens, fairways and the clearing out of water hazards. Those works together with the work that is currently being undertaking will ensure that competitors in the upcoming Ladies Irish Open event will face a top class challenge.

Known for the welcome accorded to all who visit

their club Kilrush in West Clare is another golf club that has a huge volunteer input. Over many years the club has relied heavily on volunteers and their involvement has ensured that

the 18 hole facility continued to be a huge attraction.

The club also has a vibrant junior section with close on 100 members who come from all parts of West Clare as well as from Kilrush town

Established in 1966 Shannon Golf Club (pictured above), which was designed

by John D. Harris, is well used to the hosting of major events and has welcomed golfers from all over the

world including many professionals and a host of U.S. stars. The club has hosted both the Irish and European amateur championships as well as the men’s amateur Irish close championships.

Kilkee is an 18 hole course on the Wild Atlantic Way. The old 9 hole course, which was built in 1886, has been developed into a challenging 18 hole course which was opened in 1994.

The club fields teams in the various GUI and IGU inter club competitions while the club committee hosts a variety of competitions each summer.

Ennis and Spanish Point, promote many competitions for members and visitors alike each year while they also have teams competing in a variety of inter club competitions.

Woodstock eye Costello Cup

WOODSTOCK GOLF CLUB: The Costello Cup is is played for annually between Ennis and Woodstock golf clubs and the 2022 competition will take place in Ennis Golf Club on Saturday and Sunday March 26/27.

The format is Scotch foursomes (both players hit tee-shots, pick the best drive and play alternate shots until holed). Holders Woodstock had just one point to spare over their neighbours last year. The tee-times available in Ennis for the upcoming event are as follows: March 26 (7.30am-10:00am) and on March 27 (7.30am-12.50pm).

Meanwhile the Spring league team scramble winners last weekend were Cathal Nagle, Noel Moloney, John Dempsey and Eugene Killeen with 45.9 nett from Kevin Toner, Seosamh O’Riordan, Matthew O’Brien and Tom O’Donoghue with 44 nett. The

OUR NEW CUSTOM FITTING

ROOM IS NOW OPEN

club scramble was won by Niall Reynolds, Hugh McGrath, Gerry Hayes and Michael Lynch with 44.2.

The club seniors 15 hole scramble was won by Pat Barry, Eugene Morrisroe and Sean Howard with 46 points.

KILRUSH GOLF CLUB: Dominick Enright (16) was the winner of the weekly Spring league singles at Kilrush with 28 points. He had one to spare over Andrew Egan (12) with third filled by Sean Lyons (11) also 27 points.

SHANNON GOLF CLUB: Winner of the 15 hole singles at Shannon last week was Stephen Bourke (17) with 35 points. After two weeks of the Winter league the leaders on 149 points are E. Fanneran and J. Pearse, P.O’Rourke and A. Carr, P.Clancy and T.McNamara.

Golf g Clare

Another busy season on the cards at Woodstock SEAMUS HAYES

W

ITH upwards on 700 members, Woodstock Golf Club continues to be extremely busy.

The popular club on the outskirts of Ennis benefited from a huge influx of new members last year and the indications are that there will be another big influx of new members this year.

“Applications are coming in steadily,” explained manager Anne Marie Russell this week.

Like all clubs there was a big drop off in income as a result of the Covid lockdown with a huge loss in the number of societies and golf classics at the club.

Thankfully, with the lifting of restrictions many regular societies have returned to hold their annual events at the club and Anne Marie

can be contacted regarding dates and arrangements.

At the recent annual general meeting of the club, Ollie McNamara was elected to the post of president succeeding Matt Power. Kieran Drummy has succeeded Liam O’Connor as Captain while Mary McNamara has been appointed as the Lady Captain in succession to Fiona Landy. Sean Howard is the 2022 Senior’s Captain taking over from Brian Logue.

The club participates in the various Golf Ireland inter club men’s and ladies competitions and their honours lists includes two All-Ireland Pierce Purcell titles, a Munster mixed foursomes title as well as having had success in the J.B. Carr and Michael Cashman seniors competitions.

The club has a thriving junior section and two members have been particularly successful in recent times. Aine Donegan is currently on a golf scholarship in the U.S. while Aideen Walsh is this

week taking part in an amateur event in Spain. Both have helped Lahinch to success in the Ladies Irish Senior Cup. “All in the club are extremely proud of the achievements of both Aine and Aideen and we wish them continued success”, club manager Anne Marie Russell said this week.

The club provides a variety of competitions for members from singles to team events while also hosting regular open day events.

Founded in 1993, Woodstock is situated on the outskirts of Ennis.

Designed by Arthur Spring, it features a tough opening hole, a loop of holes (6-8) around a lake that can spoil a card early, and it provides six excellent finishing holes.

Holes six, seven and eight are known as Woodstock’s ‘Amen Corner’. The par-4 seventh features a tee-shot from an elevated position across the lake to an island fairway. The second shot requires a fairway-wood or long iron across the same meandering lake to a large two-tiered green protected by

Kilrush Golf and Sports Club Parknamoney, Ennis Road, Kilrush, Co Clare. V15 WO25

New Membership Year 1: €200

Year 2: €350

Distance Membership

Year 3: €525

Resident over 60 kilometres from Kilrush: €150.

Green Fees €25 including weekends

All men’s open competitions have free entry to green fees.

Junior Membership €70

During the summer months we have an extensive coaching programme for juniors.

Women in Golf Charter

The club will run lessons and mentoring programmes for beginner lady golfers in 2022.

Full Bar and Restaurant

Catering managed by Martina Burke and Staff.

Website www.kilrushgolfclub.com e-mail info@kilrushgolfclub.com Phone 065 905 1138

28

Tony Neville receiving the Club Championship Cup from 2020/21 Captain Liam O Connor; (below) Woodstock Golf Course

bunkers. The next is a par-3 that requires a full carry across water to a green protected on both sides.

“I knew on my first visit to Woodstock that we had an outstanding site on our hands.

Woodstock will quickly become a magnificent test of skill and shot making for players of all handicaps”, the designer previously stated.

Warm welcome at Kilrush VOLUNTARISM is the real strength of our club.

The secret to our survival and the secret to our future success is the willingness of so many of our members to give of their time and their talents to the betterment of the club.

Throughout the whole year every year, a solid core of volunteers work with our two green keepers to maintain and improve the course on a daily basis. The course has all the signs of their work and in a quarter of a century it has matured into 18 wonderful and distinct holes. The administration of the club and the upkeep of the clubhouse and grounds is also done by our members. Our senior members have played a big part in this. Some of them are working harder in their retirement than when they were when actively employed.

under the Golf Ireland Get into Golf women’s programme.

More importantly, a follow up series of scrambles and golf rounds with more experienced members was also arranged . This helped the new members get into the playing of the game which can be very intimidating for learners.

Under the leadership of Anne Gallagher and our Lady President Ailish Lorigan, these new lady beginners were mentored by the existing members and great strides made in their golfing development. This nurturing has ensured that most of the learners have continued their membership in 2022.

It is intended to run a similar scheme this year. We look forward to meeting all involved on the fairways in the near future.

JUNIORS Anyone who passes by our course on a Sunday afternoon in summer will be struck by the sheer numbers of our young members being coached and prepared for this wonderful, if frustrating, game of golf. All this, the future of our club, is only possible due to the dedication of Donncadh Nagle and Jim Young who give of their time and talents to train our young girls and boys in the skills of the game and who nourish their love for the game. The Junior Golf Convenor in our club is Seamus O'Doherty and last year for the very first time in our history, Kilrush Golf Club entered a girls team in the Munster Girls Championship staged at Adare Manor Golf Club.

SENIOR GOLF The Senior Men and Ladies are the most vibrant part of the club and they play once a week all year round. A lot of the volunteer work in the club is performed by our retired but not inactive senior members. However they still find time to play a round or two and socialise in our bar and restaurant. The catering in the club is very capably managed by Martina Burke.

LADIES The club adopted the Women in Golf Charter over a year ago. It aims to increase women and girls' participation and membership in the game of golf. To further this aim our ladies committee organised a programme of 6 weeks lessons for 40 beginner lady golfers

OVERALL We have been bringing golf to all sections of our community for over 88 years.

VISITOR AND DISTANCE MEMBERS We have a large number of visitors who come back to us year after year and they are most welcome.

Golf g Clare

30

Volunteerism to fore at East Clare

E

AST Clare Golf Club is a community membership driven club where volunteerism plays a huge role in the club’s success.

The club is now member owned, after reaching a settlement with their lenders in 2021. This move, which was made possible by the support and commitment of the members, has been greatly welcomed by all in the club.

Teams represent the club in various men’s and ladies GI competitions, while the club also has an active seniors section for both ladies and men along with attractive rates for young members.

The club is actively seeking new mem-

bers for 2022. It has a number of membership categories available including the Get Into Golf programme, which will be running again in 2022 for both men and ladies having proved very successful over the last few years and the get back into golf programme.

The influx of new members allied to the volunteerism ethic that is prominent in the club point to a bright future for East Clare Golf Club.

Recently the club was sanctioned for a sports capital grant and these funds will be used for essential drainage work and the upgrading of machinery.

At the recent annual general meeting of the club, T.J. McNamara was elected as

president with Kieran Kennedy and Maureen Clune appointed as the men’s and lady captains for 2022 with Willie Hayes and Rachel Whelan as their respective vice captains.

Breda McCarthy is the club chairperson with Helen Downey as secretary and Ben Rittweger filling the role of treasurer.

David Hickey was appointed as the club’s new head greenkeeper in September 2021.

He brings with him a wealth of experience to the position having worked at top golf courses all over the world, most recently in Sweden. He also provided additional support at the Open, the Ryder cup and the Players tournaments. David is accompanied daily by greenkeeping staff Tim Walsh and Cathal Shanahan.

The cuckoo comes out in East Clare at the end of April and one of the nostalgic attractions for golfers at the club is that they can hear the cuckoo sing as they play their

round of golf. Designed by the late Dr. Arthur Spring from Tralee, the course is just a stone’s throw from Lough Derg and the club has upwards on 500 members.

The facility was first developed as a 9 hole course but enough land had been purchased for 18 holes and the development of the second nine came quickly after its initial opening.

East Clare hosted the 1998 West of Ireland seniors championship when both touring professionals and PGA officials alike had high praise for the facility.

When you play East Clare, you experience an inescapable feeling of closeness to nature, peacefulness and tranquillity. A round of golf in East Clare provides a pleasant escape from the hustle and bustle of our busy lives. Visitors and friends alike are always welcome and you can be rest assured, a céad míle fáilte will await them.

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Clare Echo THE

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

NATIONAL HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION 1, ROUND 3: OFFALY 0-16 CLARE 4-20 AT O’CONNOR PARK, TULLAMORE

Lohan happy with youngsters BRIAN LOHAN, CLARE MANAGER: “We’re very happy with the finish. Traditionally, there would have been no real fear of Offaly and vice versa so regardless of the quality of both sides at different stages, both would always fancy their chances.

“This was a tough game against tough opponents in tough conditions and we weren’t really playing with great confidence. So to turn things around so much in the last 10 or 15 minutes showed great endeavour.

“We were conscious coming up that there were a number of younger players being introduced from

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

Tony Kelly made his return

the start today. Patrick Crotty, Darren O’Brien and Shane were either making their starting debuts or were close to their debut so it was a big ask for them as this is a tough competition but they’re well able for it and I’m delighted for all three of them to come through it.

“It was a good result and great to get the likes of Tony [Kelly] and Peter [Duggan] back on the field again... We’re facing the best team in the country against Limerick [next] so it’s a challenge for us and we’ll take it on.”

MICHAEL FENNELLY, OFFALY MANAGER: “We were happy for 55

minutes but the last 15 was very poor to be honest. The goals we conceded we wouldn’t be happy with at all.

“Overall, for 55 minutes, the lads did very well and created some good scores.

We probably needed to threaten the goal a bit more really so we’ve plenty to work on.

“It was important to stay in the game and we did that well and it was there for us but probably a few bad decisions in the backline cost us and when a few goals go in, it’s a killer. Clare really got on top at that stage and drove on because they were hungry for that first win as well.”

CLARE Frees For: 12 (6/6) Wides: 15 (9/6) Scores from Play: 3-13 Spread of Scorers: 7 Top Scorer: Tony Kelly (2-12 7f 1’Pen) Own Puck-Outs won: 17 from 26 (65%)

OFFALY Frees For: 13 (7/6) Wides: 10 (3/7) Scores from Play: 0-0 Spread of Scorers: 5 Top Scorer: Eoghan Cahill (0-11 10f) Own Puck-Outs won: 30 from 39 (77%)

REFEREE: Kevin Jordan (Tipperary)

Compiled by Eoin Brennan

Newmarket-on-Fergus duo combine for glory in Dundalk

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

NEWMARKET-ON-FERGUS duo Jessica O’Gorman and Aengus King combined for glory in Dundalk adding a new chapter to a long-running family friendship.

Owner of Cargo King, Aengus had reason to celebrate after sending out his first flat runner as jockey Jessica saw Miss Cunning in the Dundalk’s Book Online @ DundalkStadium.com Handicap on Friday.

Miss Cunning, a three-time winner for Kevin Prendergast ended an 18 race losing spell as King sent out his first flat runner. Pushed along by O’Gorman early in the home straight, the five year old mare battled to the front inside the final furlong and scored by a head from Sunset Nova.

Jessica recorded her first ever winner on the same horse at the same venue in August 2020. This time, she beat Amy Jo Hayes (on Sunset Nova) and Chloe Byrne (Chummie) into second and third to give King his first winner.

For over 20 years, Aengus has trained jumpers, Jessica started off with the Kings riding ponies which led to him getting to know her father Anthony who now helps out in the stables.

“She used to come and ride her pony

Jessica O’Gorman

every day and then she wanted to go and progress, but we have all national hunt horses so they weren’t really suitable. We got her in R.A.C.E. and then she got into Kevin’s [Prendergast] and she loves it. I’m

so delighted for her now,” Aengus noted.

“If we never have another result we’ll remember this one. It was just nice the way it turned out,” King added.

Parish off to flyer in minor leagues

by EOIN BRENNAN ST JOSEPH’S Doora/Barefield were the big winners from the opening weekend of GAA action for 2022 when completing an Under 17 double in the Minor Hurling and Football Leagues.

With these welcome competitions exclusively without inter-county contingents who will be embarking on their provincial campaigns in April, the Parish, off the back of a hugely encouraging 2021 season that included Under 15 Division 1 Football Championship honours, laid down an early marker with successive victories in the space of 24 hours.

On Saturday afternoon, they belied the difficult conditions to edge the opening Division 1 football spoils at the expense of Clondegad at 0-10 to 1-3 on home soil. 24 hours later, they made the short journey to Clarecastle and produced the performance of the weekend to come away with a commanding 1-24 to 0-9 Under 17A Hurling League triumph.

Eoin Lahiffe (0-11) and Eoin Ogie Fanning (18) were the chief destroyers for the visitors while Ian Williams, Mark O’Connor and defensive anchors Eoin McMahon and Francis Meaney were others to excel.

Being the only action of Group 2 of the Under 17A Hurling League that also involves Ballyea, Clonlara, Clooney-Quin and Cratloe, the fact that only one team emerges to the final after three rounds prioritises the need to hit the ground running.

In Group 1, Luke Fitzgerald was to the fore as was Ross Keane-Keating at the back as Éire Óg powered to an emphatic 7-13 to 2-6 win over Kilmaley while Inagh-Kilnamona and Sixmilebridge shared the opening spoils at 1-15 to 2-12.

In a repeat of last year’s Under 15A decider that saw Sixmilebridge snatch a dramatic victory thanks to an injury-time Eamonn Breen goal, this time it was Inagh-Kilnamona who finished the stronger with the last two points.

Gearoid Barry arrowed over a monster free before Cathal Ryan slalomed his way through to fire a worthy leveller after Eamonn Breen, Callum Phelan and Gearoid Barry had swapped early goals.

There were only two other hurling ties played, with Parteen edging matters in an eight goal Under 17B opener beating Newmarket-on-Fergus by 4-9 to 4-6 while in the C grade, Whitegate eventually cemented victory over Tulla by 3-16 to 3-11. Kalum Fahy (1-6), Cian McDermott (11), Michael Heffernan (0-4) and Jake Gibbon (03) led the home charge for Whitegate while the lively Emmet Mulcahy (0-9) and Cathal Culloo (2-0) kept Tulla in touch in a worthy first contest.

In the top tier of the football version, Doora/Barefield lead the way in Group 2 while in a repeat of last year’s Minor Division 1 Final, Ennistymon again managed to prevail over Kilrush/Killimer by 3-4 to 1-6.

In Division 2, there were first round wins for Clarecastle (Group 1), St Joseph’s Miltown (Group 2), Naomh Eoin/O’Curry’s/Kilkee (Group 3) and St Breckan’s (Group 4). With only the group winners in both divisions advancing to the knock-out stages, this weekend’s Round 2 football ties will be decisive.

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NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 2, ROUND 4: CLARE 0-10 DERRY 2-13 AT CUSACK PARK, ENNIS

Collins unhappy with ‘poor display’ byPáraic McMahon

defensively. It was a very poor display by us, there is no other way of dressing it up, if you are playing better teams you get punished and that’s what happened today.

“We struggled badly on our own kickout, that is the platform for launching attacks, it really put us under fierce pressure.

“We moved the ball slowly, we discussed this and the only way to get joy against Derry is to move the ball at 90 miles an hour when you turn them over, if you give them time to get their defensive structure in place then it is quite hard to get through, it didn’t happen quickly enough.”

RORY GALLAGHER, DERRY SENIOR FOOTBALL MANAGER:

“We knew it was going to be quite daunting, it’s not somewhere I’ve been too often definitely not as a coach, I played Clare a few times at home but the boys have never really been here. Obviously we respect Clare a lot but we respect ourselves so we came down and prepared really well to be ready to deliver, the boys love playing for their county and they enjoyed that”.

“To be honest we were a good bit the better team in the first half and only a point up, at one stage it was 0-06 0-03 and we should have been making it 0-07 0-03 but all of a sudden Clare got a bit of momentum but you’re not going to play a team like Clare or any team and dominate from start to finish, Clare are one of the top ten or 12 teams in the country”.

“Clare aren’t out of it but it looks like the game between ourselves Galway and Roscommon will have a massive bearing on it, we wanted to earn the right to be there, we’ve done that and looked after our business, we’ve got to make this an unbelievable two weeks to get ready for Roscommon”.

“We feel we’re pushing ahead of certain teams, we’ve made no doubt about it, we want to be one of the top teams in the country, in order to do that you have to come to places like here win, we would have taken a one point win to winning relatively comfortably and leaving a few goal chances behind us. It’s about us fulfilling our potential, we want to get the most out of ourselves”.

“Kickouts are a massive part of it and at the end of the day if you win more ball you defend less, it’s a very simple philosophy

REFEREE: Conor Lane (Cork)

Darren O’Neill tries to get through the Derry defence with Keelan Sexton in support

but it is hard to do. Clare are an established team but we feel since Conor Glass has come back into it and how Conor Lavery has pushed it on that we’ve strength around the middle of the field but it is only as good as your forwards shutting it down and I thought we did that quite well”.

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

COLM COLLINS, CLARE SENIOR FOOTBALL MANAGER:

“I’m disappointed with the manner of the loss, it was a very poor display by us to be honest about it. The second half I thought we didn’t really react to the goal we conceded, we let them boss the game and we were chasing the game after that which is difficult against a team which is very well organised

DERRY: Frees for: 10 (3/7) Wides: 7 (2/5) Spread of scorers: 11 Scores from play: 2-08 Top scorer: Shane McGuigan (0-04 4f) Bookings: G McKinless (43), O McWilliams (45).

Own kickouts won: 12 from 14 (86%)

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

CLARE: Frees for: 14 (9/5) Wides: 4 (2/2) Spread of scorers: 6 Scores from play: 0-06 Top scorer: Keelan Sexton (0-05 3f) Bookings: C Brennan (44), C O’Connor (46), P Lillis (52).

Own kickouts won: 10 from 22 (45%)

NATIONAL SENIOR CAMOGIE LEAGUE LITTLEWOODS DIVISION 1, ROUND 2: CLARE 0-10 KILKENNY 1-08 AT CUSACK PARK

‘I felt Clare were the better team’ BRIAN DOWLING, KILKENNY MANAGER: “We were very lucky to come away with the points today, we didn’t deserve it, we didn’t play well at all, we were missing our chances, our composure was poor at times but in fairness to the girls they stayed at it and we got a good score at the end to win by a point.

“It was a very frustrating game, I don’t think I was ever involved in a game where there was so many stoppages, there was no flow to it, everything seemed to be a free, it was very frustrating on both sides, we couldn’t tackle without it being a free. We’re coming away thinking camogie is being more physical and then it turns out that it is not, any neutral watching that game couldn’t say they enjoyed it, it was just stop start and that is very frustrating, there was no flow to the game”.

JOHN CARMODY, CLARE JOINT MANAGER: “We’re gutted, I felt we were the better team on the day, we deserved something from the game but we will take a lot from it, it is early days, it’s only February, when I got involved with Conor we spoke about it and the gap to the big three but I think over the last two weeks we’ve certainly shown we have the character, we have a small tight-knit group and by God they are showing pride in the jersey and no little skill out there today. We’re developing a game plan, you can see the structure, we have a few big players to come back from injury and we’re looking

forward to the year.

“We had to have a word with the referee after ten minutes, we thought he was only refereeing one team but he settled down after that”.

“Training has been disrupted by the conditions the last two weeks being honest, we haven’t had a session on a pitch in three weeks, we’re hoping to get four or five good sessions in between now and the Limerick game and see can we improve the performance again and hopefully get a result”.

“We’ve spoken about what Scariff/Ogonnelloe have achieved for Clare camogie, I’d like to think the performance last Sunday and today that players want to come in and be part of this group, it’s about coming in and putting on the Clare jersey and showing the pride that this group have, if we can add four or five players to this group then the sky is the limit for what this Clare team can produce.

“We’ve good players, we’ve a lot of work to do but thankfully we have a tight-knit group and they SCAN HERE FOR want to work and they MATCH REPORT are willing to work, as the evening’s stretch we’ll be going on and getting hurling sessions in we can only improve and improve massively, we’ve a lot to look forward to for the year ahead.”

KILKENNY Frees for: 10 (6/4) Wides: 8 (2/6) Spread of scorers: 7 Scores from play: 1-06 Top scorer: Miriam Walsh (1-00) Bookings: Tiffany Fitzgerald (58) Own puckouts won: 9 from 13 (69%) CLARE Frees for: 17 (10/7) Wides: 3 (2/1) Spread of scorers: 4 Scores from play: 0-07 Top scorer: Lorna McNamara (0-04 3f) Bookings: Eimear Kelly (49) Own puckouts won: 12 from 17 (71%) REFEREE: Andy Larkin (Cork)

Goalkeeper Doireann Murphy made an early penalty save

Burren Eye Photography

pg 33

03-03-22

KENNY DO IT? YES HE CAN

Kerry’s Keri-Ann Hanrahan gets to grips with Clare’s Fidelma Marrinan

Burren Eye Photography

Clare Ladies under pressure to beat Tipp

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

A SUCCESSIVE defeat has the Clare ladies footballers under pressure heading into Sunday’s clash with Tipperary.

Postponed a week previously, Clare and Kerry finally crossed swords in Division 2 of the Lidl Ladies Football National League.

There was drama in the lead-up to the contest with Kerry boss, Declan Quill voicing of its postponement, once Shanahan McNamara Memorial Park in Doonbeg was unavailable, they booked the 4G pitch at the University of Limerick but Clare did not agree to this request. Seán Lenihan, Chairman of Clare LGFA felt the insinu-

ations from Quill were not reflective of a proud footballing county like Kerry.

It was Kerry that did the talking on their field recording a 1-13 0-09 win on Sunday.

Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh goaled inside ninety seconds and the visitors kept Evan Talty’s scoreless at half-time, the margin of 1-08 0-00 meant it was effectively game, set and match at this juncture. The boot of Chloe Moloney through placed balls allowed the hosts put some respectability on the final score.

Clare must Tipperary this weekend to starve off a relegation battle.

Gavin guest of honour for Ennistymon social

SIX-TIME All-Ireland senior football winning manager, Jim Gavin is coming to Ennistymon, writes Páraic McMahon.

Former Dublin senior football manager, Jim Gavin will be the guest of honour for the Ennistymon football club’s victory social which is to be held at The Falls Hotel on Friday March 11th which kicks off at 7:30pm.

Five different teams will

be honoured on the night, they include the Minor A and Division 4 league winning sides of 2019 plus the sides which claimed championship glory at Minor and Junior last year alongside the 2021 Division 7 league winning teams.

Music will be provided by The Hazards and DJ Vinnie with tickets costing €10 available from any member of the Executive.

An All-Ireland winner with Dublin in 1995, Jim is regarded as one of the greatest football managers of all time leading the Dubs to six All-Ireland titles, seven provincial championships and five National Football League crowns during his tenure from October 2012 to November 2019. His parents Jimmy and Ann hail from Cree and Moy respectively.

Mark Rodgers’ injury not as bad as first feared

SCARIFF’S Mark Rodgers is to meet with a consultant today (Thursday) to get further insight on a knee injury, writes Páraic McMahon.

Rodgers hobbled off during UL’s dramatic Fitzgibbon Cup semi-final win over IT Carlow and later missed their final win against NUIG. The promising attacker who is in his second year on the county senior hurling panel has been on crutches with

reports that he was set to be on the sidelines for a long spell.

However, Clare manager Brian Lohan confirmed that the initial feedback is more positive than first feared.

“The scan has been read, it looks like there is a bit of a damage but not like you’d been expecting from the cruciate, it is not a nine month job,” he told Clare FM.

While wins have not been plentiful for Clare thus far in 2022, the exploits of Mark in the full-forward had been a real positive, most notably how he troubled All Star defender Dan Morrissey in the Munster Senior Hurling League.

Further detail on the extent of his injury will be known following this appointment with the consultant.

Nora Meaney presents The Denis Meaney memioral cup to James Kenny Kilmurry Ibrickane AC presented at the Bernie Meaney memioral race in Kilmurry McMahon last Sunday

Ennistymon CBS & St Joseph's Tulla still in hunt for schools success

by PÁRAIC McMAHON MIXED fortunes have been experienced on the schools front with Ennistymon CBS and Coláiste Muire tasting contrasting outcomes in their All-Ireland adventures.

Double aspirations remain on track for Ennistymon CBS after they overcame the challenge of St Columba’s Stranorlar (Donegal) 3-12 0-06 to advance to the All-Ireland Senior C Football Final. Corofin corner forward Joshua O’Brien kicked two goals in the tie, they welcomed Josh Guyler back to action but remained without Brendy Rouine.

Ennistymon CBS now face Laois’ Heywood Community School in the final. Attention now switches to the All-Ireland Senior C Hurling Semi-Final where they face St Killian’s College of Antrim in Whitehall-Colmcille GAA in Dublin this Saturday.

Three first-half goals proved decisive as Coláiste Muire lost out to Coláiste Bhríde,

Carnew on Friday evening in Stradbally. It finished 4-08 1-09 in favour of the Wicklow school who have a number of Wexford players in their lineup.

Managed by Barry Donnellan and Aidan McGuane, the Ennis school trailed 3-04 0-04 at half-time. Senior championship winner, Tierna Hegarty raided for their only goal, kicking the sliotar to the net when Clooney/ Quin’s Emma Considine picked her out with a concise pass. The Munster champions ultimately were not able to claw their way back into the contest.

St Joseph’s Tulla will be in action for the first time since their Dr Harty Cup glory when they meet famed Kilkenny nursery, St Kieran’s College in Nenagh this Saturday at 1pm. Hopes are high that the Ronan O’Connor captained side will continue their unforgettable run and seal a potential Croke Cup final date.

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pg 34

Bridge Utd & Fern Celtic among Clare Cup winners

by SEAMUS HAYES

ACTION will ramp up a gear in the Banner Flooring Clare Cup this weekend while Avenue Utd and Newmarket Celtic will be hoping to progress in both the FAI Junior and U17 Cups respectively.

BRIDGE EASE TO WIN

Shea, Mikey Carr, Jason Loughnane.

Bunratty/Cratloe: Conor Casey; Karl Fitzmaurice, Tom Purtill, Liam Hayes, Mark McPhillips; Derek Maxwell, Paudie Fitzgerald, Sean Burke, Emmet Costigan; Dylan Kerr, Adam Harrington. Subs: Rory Macbeth for Harrington; Barry Long for Costigan.

Bridge United A got their challenge for Clare Cup honours off to a good start when they accounted for neighbours Bunratty/Cratloe on Sunday.

The win has earned them a place in the first round proper where they will have another local derby as they face Newmarket Celtic B this Sunday.

Leon Daly, Steve Stewart and Jordan Downes were the goalscorers for Bridge Utd who led 1-0 at the break.

Ten minutes into the second half the winners doubled their lead and shortly afterwards an understrength Bunratty/Cratloe outfit was reduced to ten men when Mark McPhillips picked up a second yellow card.

Bridge United got through for a third goal but to their credit Bunratty/Cratloe battled on and pulled a goal back through Paudie Fitzgerald.

Time wasn’t on their side however and Bridge United held on for victory and a pace in the first round proper this weekend.

Fern Celtic advanced to the first round proper in the Banner Flooring Clare cup thanks to this victory over a fancied Manus Celtic side on Sunday.

Extra time was required to find a winner in this tie which was scoreless at the end of normal time. The victory has earned Fern a date with Rhine Rovers on Sunday.

Goalscorers in this win were Sean Culligan, Matthew Fahy and Sean Meaney.

Bridge United A 3 Bunratty/Cratloe 1

Bridge Utd’s Leon Kelly

Photo by Eoin O’Hagan

Bridge United A: Paul Tuohy; Dan Larkin, Leon Kelly, Alan Mulready, Jonathan Downes, Steve Stewart, Jordan Downes, Adam Fitzpatrick, Kieran Quinlan, Leon Daly, Brian Corry.

Subs used: Enda Boyce, Conor Deasy, Luke

FERN CELTIC HIT THE TARGET IN EXTRA TIME

Manus Celtic A 0 Fern Celtic 3 (after extra time)

Manus Celtic A: Andy Page; James Kelly, Phil Wiechcinski, Mikey Geraghty, Conor Whelan, Ethan McCarthy, Aidan Ryan, Scott Brack, Dylan Brown, Barry Morrissey, Mike Heneghan, Subs: Evan Wiley, Jack Murphy Fern Celtic: Mike Fitzpatrick; Louis Morrisroe, Declan Meaney, Cian Hannon; Mikey White, Liam Meaney, Matthew Fahy, Senan Flynn, Niall Cahill, Sean Meaney, Cody Killoughry.

Subs: Sean Culligan, Ethan Kerin, Aidan Clancy, Kevin Hanrahan,

FIRST ROUND ACTION DOMINATES Action in the first round of the Banner Flooring Clare Cup will dominate the domestic scene this week with fourteen ties listed for decision.

Title holders Newmarket Celtic A will make the short journey to Shannon to face Shannon Olympic. Seven of the ties have 11a.m kick off times with six kicking off at 2p.m. while

Kilkee’s Glasheen Velvet books a spot in final

by MICHAEL MAHER

SATURDAY night’s Galway card featured the semi-finals of the Bumblebee Kyne Novice 525 yards stake generously sponsored by Paddy and Paul Burke of the Bumblebee Kennels.

The second semi-final was quite a messy affair as on the run towards the opening bend there was plenty of scrimmaging with the favourite Maree Chaser the main sufferer as they rounded the opening bend. Turning down the back Glasheen Velvet kicked on from Aulton Super with Maree Chaser in further trouble forcing home back to the rear of the field.

Out front though, the Brendan Browne of Kilkee owned Glasheen Velvet was gone for home as Aulton Super gave chase but Glasheen Velvet (Velvet John Joe-Glasheen Queen) was clear off the home bend to defeat Aulton Super by four and a half lengths in 30.15 with Maree Chaser somehow powering home to claim third place right on the line.

In the early strides of race two in this novice 350 yards contest, Aulton Jewel and Knoppogue Black disputed the lead split by the width of the track but as they approached the opening bend the John Quinn of Gort owned Fast Fit Drop made ground to join the pair in the centre. Rounding the bend, Fast Fit Drop made his move and the son of Doratos Wildcat led by two lengths at the top of the bend. Off the home bend he began to draw clear as he scored by two and three quarter lengths from Aulton Jewel in 19.47.

The Martin Griffin of Lissycasey owned No Risk made it three wins from her seven career starts in this S6 graded contest on Friday night’s card as she made all the running to defeat Coolree Joy by two and three quarter lengths in 19.52. Away very smartly the daugh-

ter of Laughill Blake and Nebraska Scot led by three lengths approaching the opening bend from Highway One and Commanche Springs.

With some crowding behind the winner extended her advantage as she stormed clear for a convincing victory.

Knockdine Blake was narrowly beaten on his last outing at Limerick but he went on better for joint owners, Patrick Conlon of Cree and Helen O’Brien of Miltown Malbay at the same venue on Saturday night last as he made all of the running. Out in front wearing the black jacket, the 3/1 shot maintained a strong gallop throughout to come home a length and a half clear of Clonbrien Thelma in second. The time for the son of Laughil Blake and Mikeys Lass was a good 28.97.

In the second round heat of the Easter Cup at Shelbourne Park also on Saturday Fast Fit Paddy was pretty friendless from a tricky draw but those that took the 8-1 on offer were soon in clover as the Declan McDonagh of Liscannor trained star flew from trap four to really grab the contest by the scruff of the neck.

This was a dominant display from the son of Ballymac Vic and Rosmult Martha. Storys Peewee also came away racing but Fast Fit Paddy mastered his rival into the bend to turn in front.

The big two in the betting Coolavanny Duke and Crokers Spirit most mistimed the start and soon found themselves tight of room as the fast-starting Fast Fit Paddy edged inwards.

It was a decisive manoeuvre from Fast Fit Paddy. Those familiar with John Quinn of Gort and Paul Horig’s charge were in no doubt what would happen. A powerful galloper, he eased clear of his rivals to hit halfway four lengths clear of Coolavanny Duke, who ran a remarkable second turn to go second.

the meeting of Ennis Dons and Shannon Hibs has a 2.30p.m. start AVENUE MAINTAIN STRONG CHALLENGE FOR LEAGUE TITLE

Avenue United A 4 Ennis Town 0

Avenue United kept up their strong challenge for a number of titles when they proved too strong for Ennis Town in this Premier Division tie on Sunday.

With a number of games in hand on title holders Newmarket Celtic A, the Ennis side’s hopes of dethroning the champions remain strong.

In this Ennis derby, Avenue took the lead after twenty seven minutes through Conor Mullen and they doubled their lead two minutes later when Elias Kunz scored.

Kunz struck again eight minutes later to push his side three clear and this was the position at half time. The striker could have had a hat trick ten minutes into the second half but he failed to convert from the penalty spot.

Midway through the second half Gary Roche struck for the team’s fourth to seal a comfortable win over what was an under strength Ennis Town outfit.

Avenue United; Paul Roche; Cullen McCabe, Conor Mullen, Dylan Casey, Jamie Roche; Stephen Jordan, Alan Roche, Eoghan Thynne, Philip Talty; Elias Kunz, Mossy Hehir.

Subs; Gary Roche for Kunz; Simon Cuddy for McCabe; Dylan Barry for Thynne; Cian McDonagh for Jordan; Callum Barrett for Hehir.

Ennis Town; Aidan Jordan; Steven Horgan, Eoin Keenan, Johnson Munumkum, Sean Perrill, Jason Cussen, Peter O’Brien, Lee Clohessy, Dean Hegarty, Dean Coughlan, Donal O’Hallo-

ran; Subs: Yashar Aliu for O’Brien; Declan Ensko for Mununkum; Robbie Gormley for O’Halloran; Graham Callinan for Coughlan; Emannuel Ikiebeye for Hegarty.

ANOTHER BIG DATE FOR AVENUE: Avenue United will carry the hopes of Clare soccer on this Sunday as they take on North End from Wexford with a place in the quarter finals of the FAI junior cup awaiting the winners.

North End will enjoy home advantage for this fixture as they come up against a very much in form Ennis club who are unbeaten this season. They are already through to the quarter finals of the Munster junior cup while they also have their sights set on the domestic double of Premier Division and Clare Cup. Under the watchful eye of manager David Russell and led by in form captain Dylan Casey, another win for the Ennis side cannot be ruled out.

North End are an experienced outfit and they will be hoping that home advantage will count while Avenue United, the only Clare club ever to contest the FAI Junior Cup final, will travel to Wexford confident that they can move a step closer to this season’s title.

Meanwhile in the FAI under 17 cup, Newmarket Celtic will face Corduff in a quarter final tie on this Saturday at 2p.m. at McDonagh Park.

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35

THURSDAY, MAR 3 2022

Recent Deaths Ann Quinn (née McGreene) Marian Estate, Kilkee, Clare Date of Death: Tuesday 1st March 2022 Jim Molloy Cahercalla, Ennis, Clare / Tipperary Town, Tipperary Date of Death: Monday 28th February 2022 Suzanne (Susie) Mooney Brosna, Kerry / Clare Date of Death: Monday 28th February 2022 Vincent O’Shea Ballycorick (Formerly of Lavalla and London), Ballynacally, Clare Date of Death: Monday 28th February 2022 Mary Kate Downes (née McMahon) Dereen, Liscannor, Clare Date of Death: Monday 28th February 2022 Mary McMahon (née O’Neill) Kells, Meath / Ennis, Clare / Cork City, Cork Date of Death: Monday 28th February 2022 Kathleen O’Connell (née Corry)

Clonkerry, Labasheeda, Clare Date of Death: Monday 28th February 2022 Dr. Eileen Hassett (née O’Neill) Ballyhannon, Quin, Clare Date of Death: Sunday 27th February 2022 Marie Thérèse O’Sullivan (née Cunneen) Knockgraffan, Ardnacrusha, Clare Date of Death: Sunday 27th February 2022 Mary Spellissy-Killeen Clonfeigh, Ennis, Clare Date of Death: Sunday 27th February 2022 Thomas Hogan Cragroe and Thome, Tulla, Clare Date of Death: Sunday 27th February 2022 Brendon John LOFTING Kilmaley, Clare Date of Death: Saturday 26th February 2022 Sr Maura CASEY Presentation Convent, Clondalkin, Dublin / Ennis, Clare Date of Death: Saturday 26th February 2022

Anniversary

Maura Frawley (née O’Neill) Cahercalla, Kilrush Road, Ennis, Clare Date of Death: Saturday 26th February 2022

Mary Garvey Ralahine South, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Clare Date of Death: Thursday 24th February 2022

Kathleen (Kay) Kiernan (née Malone) Lucan, Dublin / Lahinch, Clare Date of Death: Tuesday 22nd February 2022

Flan Gleeson Main Street, Kilkishen, Clare Date of Death: Saturday 26th February 2022

Tobias Green Avondale Court, Corbally, Limerick / Clare Date of Death: Thursday 24th February 2022

John O’Halloran Cahercalla Hill, Ennis, Clare / Kilrush, Clare Date of Death: Tuesday 22nd February 2022

James Kelly Roulagh, Ballina, Tipperary / Clare Date of Death: Saturday 26th February 2022

Joan Reddan (née Wallace) Church Street, Sixmilebridge, Clare Date of Death: Thursday 24th February 2022

Nancy Cunningham St. Michael’s Villas, Ennis, Clare Date of Death: Monday 21st February 2022

Mary Corry (née Reidy) Cloughmills, Antrim / Inagh, Clare Date of Death: Friday 25th February 2022

Phil (Philomena) Mullins (née Kennelly) Monastery View, Ennistymon, Clare Date of Death: Wednesday 23rd February 2022

Fiona Howard (née Gallery) Rockmount, Ennis, Clare Date of Death: Friday 25th February 2022

Peter Coughlan Cahercon, Kildysart, Clare Date of Death: Tuesday 22nd February 2022

Phyllis Cosgrove (née Cullen) Castlewood Park, Ennis, Clare Date of Death: Thursday 24th February 2022

Anne Cummins (née O’Grady) Loughnavatta, Roscrea, Tipperary / Crusheen, Clare Date of Death: Tuesday 22nd February 2022

PLANNING NOTICES CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL GREYROCK, LISDOONVARNA, CO. CLARE, V95V0N7 Take notice that Cora Commane intends to apply for permission to renovate and extend the existing Dwelling House, upgrade the existing septic tank with a new wastewater treatment system & all other associated site and ancillary works at the above address.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL SCHOOL ROAD, LAHINCH, CO. CLARE V95 A439 Take notice that Helen and Conor Hanrahan intend to apply for permission to revise the plans previously granted under reference P21/720; including the reduction of the overall extension area & all other associated site and ancillary works at the above

address.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL CLOONSHEEREA, TRUAGH, CO. CLARE Take notice that Kate Comerford and Cyril Collins intend to apply for outline permission to build a new Dwelling & all other associated site and ancillary works at the above address.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL UNIT 7, GORT ROAD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, GORT ROAD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE Take notice that Minds Applied Ltd are applying to Clare County Council for retention permission for alterations already carried out to the existing industrial structure including new roof profile and planning permission to complete the works on the proposed offices, stores and ancillary rooms to include elevational, roof and fenestration changes along with all associated works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of Clare County Council during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL TOBERANIDDAUN, LISSYCASEY, CO. CLARE Take notice that Ciara Coughlan intends to apply to the planning authority for permission to construct a new dwelling

house and garage complete with a new entrance, sewage treatment system and ancillary works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, Clare County Council, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the planning authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL LACKAREAGH, KILNABOY, CO. CLARE Take Notice that I Tiernan McCormack intend to apply to the planning authority for permission to demolish an existing ruin and build a new dwelling house with garage, install a waste treatment system, upgrade the existing entrance to the public road and all associated site and ancillary works. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the planning authority during

Kevin Moloney Carnane, Doolin, Clare Date of Death: Monday 21st February 2022 Paddy Hanrahan Leagard North, Miltown Malbay, Clare Date of Death: Monday 21st February 2022 Mary Ann Fallon (née Clarke) Knockmeal, Crusheen, Clare Date of Death: Monday 21st February 2022

its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL CAHERADERRY, LAHINCH, CO. CLARE Further Information/Revised plans Planning Ref: P21/1199 Development Description: permission to build a new dwelling house with garage, install a waste treatment system, creating a new entrance to the public road and all associated site and ancillary works.

Location: Caheraderry, Lahinch, Co. Clare Take notice that I Niamh Egan has lodged significant further information in respect of planning application P21/1199. This information and planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority of Clare County Council, Planning Department, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in

HAREN PADDY (1st Anniversary) In Loving Memory of Paddy who passed away 5th March 2021.

Although we sadly miss you we know you are not alone, for you are watching over us from a place you now call Home.

We think of you each day Sadly missed by all your Brothers, Sisters, Inlaws and Nieces, Nephews and their families at home and away.

Anniversary masses Catherdral Ennis Sat 5th March 11am Kilmaley Church Sat 7.30pm

relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, not later than 2 weeks after the receipt of the newspaper notice and site notice by the planning authority or in the case of a planning application accompanied by an EIS within 5 weeks of the receipt of such notices by the planning authority.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL WELL ROAD, KILKEE LOWER, KILKEE, CO. CLARE FURTHER INFORMATION/REVISED PLANS Planning Ref: P21/355 Development Description: Planning permission to extend the existing holiday park by way of the provision of an additional twenty no. serviced mobile home sites along with associated roads and services at the above address.

Location: Well Road, Kilkee Lower, Kilkee, Co. Clare.

Take notice that Cunningham’s Holiday Park has lodged significant further information in respect of planning application P21/355. This information and planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Plan-

ning Authority of Clare County Council, Planning Department, Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare during its public opening hours.

A submission or observation in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, not later than 2 weeks after the receipt of the newspaper notice and site notice by the planning authority or in the case of a planning application accompanied by an EIS within 5 weeks of receipt of such notices by the planning authority.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL 4 MILLBROOK, O’BRIENS BRIDGE, CO. CLARE I, Pat Murtagh, am applying to the above authority for permission for the following development on property at 4 Millbrook, O’Briens Bridge, Co Clare:Permission for the construction of a single storey extension to the side and rear of the existing dwelling together with all associated ancillary and incidental site works. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of mak-

Continues pg 32

36

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PLANNING ing a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL CARROWNAKILLY, OGONNELLOE, CO. CLARE We, Iona & John McGuinness, are applying to the above authority for permission for the following development on property at Carrownakilly, Ogonnelloe, Co Clare: Permission for the construction of a 2-storey dwelling, detached domestic garage, onsite wastewater treatment system and percolation area, bored well, connection to necessary services, new

entrance together with all associated ancillary and incidental site works. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL CLONBOY, BRIDGETOWN, CO. CLARE I, Nasir Mahmood, am applying to the above authority for permission for the following development on property at ‘Tonys Bar’, Clonboy, Bridgetown, Co Clare: Permission for change of

use of existing pool room attached to existing licenced premises to new use as a takeaway/delivery restaurant incorporating a commercial kitchen, new signage, new onsite wastewater treatment system together with all associated ancillary and incidental works The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL QUILTY EAST, QUILTY, CO. CLARE Take Notice that I Denis

Soft Washing  Window Cleaning Roof Cleaning Specialists Gutter Cleaning Service Contact Kevin Cosgrove Tel: 087 1385904 Web: www.enniswindowcleaning.ie

Murphy intend to apply to the planning authority for permission to demolish partly constructed dwelling house of previously granted permission (Pl Ref: P8/26220) Retain septic tank as granted under previously granted permission (Pl Ref: P8/26220). Construct new private dwelling in the same location as existing dwelling, construct new garage, create entrance to the public road extend site boundary to that of previously granted under (Pl Ref: P8/26220) and all associated site and ancillary works. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the

period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL CLONMONEY WEST, BUNRATTY, CO. CLARE Take notice that Ciara McInerney & Mark Geoghegan intend to apply for planning permission for development at Clonmoney West, Bunratty, Co. Clare. The development will consist of a new dwelling house, shed, site entrance & site access road, wastewater treatment system and associated site works.

The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the

The Clare Echo Classifieds Call 065 671 9021 or email sales@clareecho.ie

authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL DOONMACFELIM, DOOLIN, CO. CLARE I Aiden Fitzgerald B.Eng. MIEI of AF Engineering, Doolin, Co. Clare, 0879955689, intend to apply to Clare County Council on behalf of Kerry & Kathryn Simpson for planning permission at the above address, the development will consist of a front porch extension, a rear utility extension and a side conservatory extension to the existing dwelling house together with ancillary site works. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours.

A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within a period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

Continued from pg 31

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38

PUZZLEPAGE

THURSDAY, MAR 3 2022

THIS WEEKS PUZZLES MAR 3rd

WORD SEARCH

SUDOKU

2/28/22, 4:59 PM

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Daily Quick Crossword: 28 February 2022 ,2/28/2022 Michael Curl Creator Notes: A free daily online crossword that's not too difficult - just right for solving in your coffee break. http://bestforpuzzles.com

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The Clare Echo Crossword Daily Quick Crossword: 28 February 2022 ,2/28/2022 Michael Curl Creator Notes: A free daily online crossword that's not too difficult - just right for solving in your coffee break. http://bestforpuzzles.com

Supporting Journalism in Clare

QUIZ 39

THURSDAY, MAR 3 2022

The Clare Echo Quiz UKRAINE QUIZ

Grain Chicken Apples

3

What Ukrainian film was submit8 ted for “Best Foreign Language Film” at the 94th Academy Awards?

year did Ukraine debut in 4What the Eurovision?

many medals has Ukraine 9How won at the Olympics?

Brian McElduff Therese Healey Emer O’Connell

1997 2000 2003

The Guide Ukrainian Sheriffs Bad Roads

79 99 148

lQUESTION 1: What was Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s

previous profession?

language is not one of Ukrainian tradition became 10What the top 3 spoken in Ukraine?

5What renowned worldwide?

ANSWERS

Ukrainian Polish Russian

10.Polish 9. 148 8. Bad Roads

Candy Canes Easter Eggs Jack O’ Lanterns

Quiz by Evan Ruane

7. Grain 6. Kyiv

Spot the Difference Can you spot the difference? Spot the 7 differences.

The answers will be revealed in next weeks edition.

1. Comedian

Who is the Irish Ambassador to Ukraine?

2. August 24, 1991

August 24, 1991 December 25, 1991 October 27 1991

is one of the largest ex7Ukraine porters of what food?

3. Therese Healey

2

When did Ukraine receive independence from the USSR?

Dnipro Kyiv Kharkiv

4. 2003

Carpenter Comedian Journalist

is the most populated city in 6What Ukraine?

5. Easter Eggs

What was Ukrainian President 1profession?

Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s previous

Last weeks Answers . Helmet (right) different colour . POD missing on jersey . Boots different colour (middle) . Hurley grip different colour (left)

. Crest missing on player (right) . Band on hurley missing (mid left) . line missing on players top (right)

Clare v Derry Photograph: Gerard O’Neill