The Clare Echo 04/02/21

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FEB 4 2021

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Shannon jobs boost amid talks

KEEPING UP WITH THE JONES’S

PÁRAIC MCMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie

S

HANNON has received a huge jobs boost this week with plans in the offing for 150 additional posts at the former Molex facility while it has emerged that Amazon are considering setting up a distribution facility at Shannon Airport.

Advanced discussions have

Five year old Shauna Harrington Jones is pictured with her father Patrick Jones feeding warm milk to their one day old lambs at their mixed farm in Scarriff Co. Clare on Tuesday. The two Charolais Lambs were one of the first to be born in the country on the first day of Spring.

Photo by James Treacy

been projected to lead to 150 jobs in Shannon at the 125,000sq ft facility that up until last Friday was home to Molex for the past forty years. UMR Group, specialist company in site revitalization and metals recycling are leading the talks to move a client on site.

The Clare Echo previously reported that Aerogen were to create a manufacturing operation at the facility resulting in up to 100 jobs.

A tenant is expected to be announced in the second half of this year for the former AVARA

Pharmaceuticals site leading to additional job creation.

Separately, talks are ongoing between Shannon Group and Amazon on the possibility of the e-commerce giant establishing a significant distribution facility in Clare.

Amazon are assessing the potential of having their distribution facility located at Shannon Airport along with other infrastructure. The development would serve as “a lifeline” for the International Airport, Clare TD Cathal Crowe (FF) stated.

Cemetery flooding hell in Kildysart DEVASTATED families have called on Clare County Council to prevent future flooding of Kildysart Graveyard.

Regular incidences of flooding at the graveyard has led to families removing personal ornaments from resting places due to the prevailing fear of the

items being washed away again.

A raising of the Fergus Estuary Embankment has been sought as locals told The Clare Echo the continued ability to carry out works is disrespectful to the deceased.

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Email: ger.naughton@clareecho.ie or niall@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

lSCORE: A total of 10 Clare athletes were among the 78 students that received the Limerick Institute of Technology Sports

Scholarship this academic year; including GearĂłid McMahon, Chloe Towey, SeĂĄn Rouine, Gavin Cooney, Killian Nugent, Robin Mouney, Aisling Morrissey, Lee Devitt, Meg Brennan and Tara McEvoy

Private developments acquired to help ease social housing crisis PĂ RAIC MCMAHON

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paraic@clareecho.ie

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The Garden Guy 087-090-4185 087-697-9775

OMPLETED private housing developments in Co Clare are being acquired for use as social housing.

The Clare Echo has learned that the recently constructed 32 units at Gleann Cora in Newmarket-on-Fergus has been purchased by Co-operative Housing Ireland (CHI) Planning permission had originally been granted in 2006 for the development of the estate, the latest works are part of an extension to the existing units.

Objections had been filed with An Bord PleanĂĄla on the proposed extension but were rejected in 2018.

The development was carried out by Datcha Construction Ltd. It has now emerged that the extension has been acquired by CHI who will allocate the properties based on nominations forwarded from Clare County Council’s housing list. The local authority stated that the fee paid by CHI was a “commercially sensitive transaction�.

A spokesperson for Clare County Council told The Clare Echo that they will be regularly scoping the market to secure land or developments to meet an “acute housing need� meaning several equivalents to the Gleann Cora example are likely to follow.

More than 2,500 households are on the social housing waiting list in the county.

The County Council have highlighted that “it is incumbent on the housing authority to secure developments to meet this housing need�.

Nationally set targets relating to the delivery of additional housing units through different streams such as direct build, leasing, approved housing body delivery and acquisition including turnkey developments have to be met by the local authority. “To that end we regularly scope the market both through private sales and via an expression of interest process to secure land and/or development to meet this acute housing need. “The delivery of social housing units through turnkey construction/ acquisition is one of the current approved streams of delivery to meet housing need while this Council continues to pursue its own construction programme,� the spokesperson added.

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Keating Construction collapse leaves €30m debt PÁRAIC MCMAHON

K

paraic@clareecho.ie

EATING Construction’s collapse has left debts in excess of €30m.

In the past week, liquidation was granted for the West Clare company which was founded in 1987. The marine, civil engineering and building firm had offices dotted around Ireland and the United Kingdom and developed a reputation as a leading multidisciplinary contractor in engineering.

Employees at the Kilmihil plant were informed on Friday that the High Court was lifting court protection and that a liquidation process was to ensue, this will entitle workers to a statutory redundancy. Court protection had been sought due to pressure from creditors, in August 2019 some creditors were owed a combined €9.9m.

An examinership process led by KPMG failed to yield any potential saviours for the company after it unearthed debts of €30m which will be nursed by creditors. Only two Keating companies - L & M Keating Ltd and Kilmihil Rental Store – were subject to the examinership application.

Prior to the discovery of financial woes of the company in July, Keating had up to 200 employees, between 20 to 25 of which were located at its Co Clare offices up until July.

L&M Keating had 91 full-time employees, 45 of which were temporarily laid off when plants closed, no direct employees were attached to Kilmihil Rental.

Louis Keating founded the Clare company and established a very successful operation.

He sold L&M Keating in 2018 at a time when it had a turnover of €60m.

It was acquired by Dublin based CBD Capital who led an extensive rebranding and appointed Gordon O’Regan as CEO and Managing Director. O’Regan was headhunted to run the company, speaking in April 2018 he confirmed work had began on a five-year business plan, “We hope this plan will see us double turnover from €67m now to about €120m in five years’ time. Organic growth here in Ireland will be a part of that but a lot of that growth will be in the UK”.

O’Regan departed the company in the early part of 2020 and is now the Managing Director of United Living New Homes.

CBD Capital had intended to build on the earnings of €7.7m in 2018.

They earmarked diversifying into higher-margin and European markets as ways to

drive revenues to €150 million by 2025, with the target to increase earnings to €12 million.

Members of the Executive team including Lorchan Hoyne (operations director), Ian Lynch (HSEQ manager) and Keith Conmy (civils contract manager) left their posts in recent months to take up new roles with Monami Construction, Erith Contractors and Glenveagh Properties Ltd respectively.

O’Regan’s successor as Managing Director, Marcus Carne departed his position in December.

A High Court sitting in October heard that a detailed report from an independent expert

lLIQUIDATION: (left) Keating Construction will be entitled to statutory redundancy

Locals appeal Bunratty housing development to to An Bord Pleanála CIAN O’BROIN

cianobroin@clareecho.ie

PLANNING permission granted for 41 houses in Bunratty has been appealed following fears from local residents that the village would lose its identity as a 'crucial tourist location'.

The development which initially included plans for 48 residential units, was submitted for planning by Bunratty Acquisitions Ltd, a private limited company

with an address at Station Road, Ennis.

The proposal comprised of 14 detached houses, 28 semidetached houses and six terrace houses with car parking, water attenuation as well as connection to a local sewage supply. It also included pedestrian access via a new junction off Bunratty West Holiday Village connecting to the L3126. Submissions from concerned locals cited that the 48unit development would be 'inconsistent with the character of Bunratty', 'that the village lacked

lTOURISM: Locals submitted concerns about ‘visual impact’

the necessary infrastructure' and that the 'density of housing would have a visual impact on the town,' resulting in the loss of Bunratty as a tourist village.

In the build up to the application proving successful, a further information request was lodged

by Clare County Council on January 30, 2020. Several issues were flagged, including an inappropriate design and layout, lack of pedestrian connectivity to central areas, a revised Nature Impact Survey that addressed local otters as a key feature of the Lower River Shannon Special Area of Conservation (SAC), noise pollution and proximity of houses to existing power lines.

Further observations noted that the infrastructure of the village would be incapable of supporting an extra 200 people that the development would attract.

It was also pointed out that Bunratty is classified as a large village within the Clare County Development Plan 2017 – 2023.

Chapter two of the plan sets out population targets for each town and village, with table 2.4 setting out an increase of just 99 persons for Bunratty, equating to 36 fur-

expressed the view Keating had a reasonable prospect of survival post restructuring based on the fundamental strength of their core marine engineering business and subject to a number of conditions. The companies projections for 2020 revealed a fall in turnover of about 70 per cent and a total Ebitda loss for the year of some €3.6 million.

Significant contracts had been won by Keating as part of its expansion into the UK market, it had expected to benefit from the UK’s increased investment in its ports as a result of Brexit.

They were contracted to receive revenues of €6 million before the end of 2020 and a further €5 million for 2021/22 with a pipeline of projects including the €14m County Library in Ennis, however Clare County Council will have to appoint a new tender following Keating’s financial difficulties.

Questions have been raised by employees as to where the finance obtained from selling equipment and their plants in recent times will go.

Multiple efforts from The Clare Echo to contact a representative of Keating and KPMG proved unsuccessful.

ther households.

The submission also added that the village preschool, primary and secondary schools were all at maximum capacity and that commercial and general services would be unable to support such an increase in population.

A revised application by Bunratty Acquisitions Ltd. Including designs for a reduction to 41 residential units was approved

by Clare County Council, who stated that the newly proposed population density fit within the County Development Plan. Alterations to the design scheme of the units was also deemed acceptable. It was also noted, following analysis of a revised NIS, that 'the proposed development will not have a significant negative impact on the integrity of European Sites.'

Planning permission was officially granted for 41 residential units under 25 conditions on December 21, 2020.An appeal has since been lodged with An Bord Pleanála against the decision of the planning authority on January 27, 2021 with a final submission date prescribed as February 23, 2021.

Carrigoran Wellness goes virtual CARRIGORAN Health and Wellness Centre went virtual last week with its first zoom meeting after 11 months of being closed, writes Tadhg Holland.

The health and wellness centre on the grounds of Carrigoran House in Newmarket-on-Fergus provides day services for older people in the community which includes everything from computer classes to a hair beauty salon complete with a bus service to and from the centre.

Due to the pandemic the centre has been closed since March 2020 but the hardworking staff at Carrigoran managed to bring it back with a zoom coffee morning last Thursday.

"The centre is absolutely crucial for older people in the community" said Claire Kane who works at Carrigoran "Some would say it's the highlight of their week to come in here and socialise and have a chat with their friends."

Chris Meehan who attended the zoom coffee morning spoke to The Clare Echo about his love for the centre.

"I'm retired for 10 years and I've been going to the centre for I reckon about nine years and I love it" said the Newmarket-on-Fergus native who will be turning 74 this year, "It's a wonderful opportunity to meet people with similar mindsets."

Over 30 people attended the virtual get together last week.

Carrigoran Health and Wellness centre hopes to repeat the success with a zoom quiz this coming Thursday.

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CIAN O’BROIN

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cianobroin@clareecho.ie

COMPLETION date of 2025 has been earmarked for the West Clare Greenway.

An active travel webinar chaired last Thursday by Senator Roisin Garvey (GP) was told "the West Clare Greenway will be one of the best in the world".

Senior engineer in the project management office of Clare County Council, Seán Lenihan made the comment and also outlined that the Greenway would span a distance of 110km to 115km and be completed by 2025 in the event of "no legal challenges".

Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan TD (GP) was among the 185 persons listening to the address. A fund of €50m announced in December is to be made available to local authorities for investment in walking and cycling projects.

Clare County Council last year obtained €225,000 under the Department of Transport's Carbon Tax Fund.

Lenihan stated that the old railway line is a tentative route and severs privately owned land throughout the county.

"I am fully aware that farmers, homeowners and property owners have yards or farming practices that would be too much interfered with by the development. We are

very happy to talk to anybody to find a mutually beneficial solution to these issues".

Connecting with towns, villages and scenic areas were labelled as vital to the success of the Greenway.

It will serve as an expansion of the former route of the West Clare Railway.

"It will start in the Clare capital with fantastic walks and woodlands in Lees Road, onto Corofin which is the gateway to the Burren, moving on to the cascades in the heritage town of Ennistymon, down the coast to Lahinch, onto Miltown Malbay, the blue flag beach of Spanish Point and down to Doonbeg. Finally, it passes through the world class Marina in Kilrush and onto Kilkee," Seán explained.

There may be a period of two to three years before necessary planning permissions are put in place, Lenihan highlighted.

"Following planning permission, design and tender will be next. Once we have a defined line on a map then, we will be engaging with landowners".

"Further to planning, further to timely consents and further to agreements with landowners, a good wind behind us and the availability of funding from the Department, we will be talking about two years for construction. The bottom line is I would be hopeful of opening for business in 2025," he concluded.

l ACTIVE TRAVEL: (left) The Greenway could span up to 115km

Built environment 'excluding physical activity' DIVERSE community involvement is required in order to maximise mobility within Clare towns and villages, writes Cian O’Broin.

Founder of Better Ennis, Síle Ginnane stressed that active mobility must be given a competitive advantage and that towns and villages must focus on attracting people in and keeping them there as opposed to simply "allowing them to pass through."

Last year, the former physiotherapist carried out a mobility audit of the town of Ennis, identifying key issues such as the reallocation of road space to pedestrians and cyclists, the need for segregated cycle lanes and to avoid shared road space at junctions as well as better air quality, signage and speed limits in many built up areas.

Speaking at an active travel webinar, Síle shared the view that the design of the built environment excludes physical activity, "what we want to do is to design it back in".

Places for people to stop and sit down are

2025 the target for opening of West Clare Greenway

also required, she said.

Reducing motor traffic is one of the key objectives in enabling Clare towns and villages to embrace Active Travel.

She hailed the temporary pedestrianisation of Ennis as a success in allowing families feel "safe walking the streets with their kids once again".

Messaging is also important, we are not closing off our streets to people, we are actually opening them up, Ginnane asserted.

Senator Roisin Garvey (GP) also chimed in on this idea, putting the question to Transport Minister Eamon Ryan TD (GP) who was in attendance if "Clare speed signs are simply inputted by someone in an office in Dublin who has never seen the design or nature of the road."

She added: "There are 4,000 kilometres of roads in Co Clare, many labelled with 80 to 100 km/h zones, particularly local roads. We need to think about road signs in the county. It's a low-cost measure that will save lives."

Plans in place to alleviate traffic dangers outside primary school PÁRAIC MCMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

PLANS to install a pedestrian crossing near the Dairygold Co-Op Superstore in Newmarket-on-Fergus is hoped to alleviate long-standing concerns regarding traffic speed in the vicinity of a local primary school.

Noted by elected representatives as one of the most consistently discussed subjects within the Shannon Municipal District, the speed limit outside Clonmoney National School was back on the agenda at its January sitting.

Cathaoirleach of the Shannon MD, Cllr Pat McMahon (FF) asked Clare County Council and An Garda Síochána to liaise regarding the permanent reduction of the speed limit to 50km/h in the vicinity of Clonmoney National School and for a zebra crossing to be put on the tunnel exit near the Co-Op store plus for the road to be gritted during frosty weather.

Under the Active Travel allocations received for regional and local roads, it is proposed to provide a controlled pedestrian crossing to the M18 underpass near the Dairygold Co-Op at the Hurlers Cross, Shannon, senior executive engineer Tom Mellett revealed. "Appropriate design solutions" will be progressed "as soon as practicably possible in the early part of

l CHILDREN CROSSING: A pedestrian crossing will be put in place outside Clonmoney School

Photo by Joe Buckley

this year".

Councillors recently received "a very comprehensive letter" from the Chairperson of the School's Board of Management, Cllr McMahon stated. "This is an ongoing situation, it won't go away until we get satisfaction. An accident is the last thing we want to happen, there has been huge growth in the school which lends itself to extra traffic".

McMahon's consistency on the matter was praised by Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND).

The Shannon representative believed a "regularisation of the parking area" was required to "ensure as much traffic as possible can fit there". Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) supported the call for traffic calming measures by the school.

Elected representatives have received "a serious amount of correspondence regarding Clonmoney National School," Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) observed.

He expressed his surprise that children from Cratloe and Sixmilebridge were attending the school.

"The type of road lends itself to speeding because it is very safe. Reducing the speed limit and putting in a pedestrian crossing would alleviate this problem".

Further support was voiced by Cllr Pat O'Gorman (FF) who repeated his call to include the road for gritting on next year's programme. "I was told the speed limit review could take three to four years, at leave we got a temporary speed limit".

"There hasn't been so many motions put in about a particular place only this school," Cllr John Crowe (FG) noted.

He described the current situation as "extremely dangerous" and pointed out that work on the extension of the school has started which has the potential to add to traffic problems. "I turned down that road a fortnight ago, my tyres weren't great but I made a couple of waltzes down that hill, the gritting would be very important," he commented.

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Repeated flooding at Kildysart Graveyard shows no respect PÁRAIC MCMAHON

R

paraic@clareecho.ie

EPEATED instances of flooding at Kildysart Graveyard has caused devastation for families.

Roughly 300 burial grounds are located at the graveyard in Kildysart with up to a third of these affected by flooding.

Locals in Kildysart have described the scenes of floating items in the graveyard as horrific. They are seeking works to the Fergus Estuary embankment.

Former county councillor Oliver Garry cited climate change as increasing the incidence of flooding at the location. He recalled an assessment by consultant engineers hired by the Council in 2014, "they came up with a plan that would entail about €500,000 worth of works being done at Lisheen in the Ennis side of Kildysart and Carnacalla in Kilrush, there were quite a

few breaches of the embankment.

There was money earmarked for the graveyard at the time, when they used up the money to get the other breaches done on the Estuary they came to Kildysart and said the consultant engineers didn't recommend that the area be repaired".

Michelle Cogley (neé McNamara) of the Quay Rd moved back to Kildysart in 2013. Her two parents, Michael and Nancy and her baby daughter Emma are buried at the graveyard. "The first time it happened all of my daughter's grave, all of the angels and butterflies on the grave were scattered around the graveyard, it took me ages to go around and locate them.

“Thereafter anytime we hear of a storm or possible flooding, we go down and take off all the little ornaments and bring them home just so it doesn't happen again, it is absurd and I shouldn't have to be doing it," she said.

When her father was buried in 1978, Michelle noted that the area at the front was known as "the driest part of the graveyard". Re-

grettably, that is no longer the case and she has been forced to place ceramic pots on their graves and also remove any little angels from her daughter's resting place. "We just want respect to be shown to the people buried there. People will say to me not to think about it and that it is only their remains and they are

l DEVASTATING: Flooding at Kildysart Graveyard

Switch off and be creative Starting with a plan to do one small thing that will keep you well is a great way to look after your mental health and wellbeing.

The ‘Keep Well’ campaign is aimed at showing people of all ages how we can mind our own physical and mental health and wellbeing by adding healthy and helpful habits to our daily and weekly routines.

Simple activities like being creative, learning something new, spending time in nature or practising relaxation, can help to restore and revive our spirits and help us to keep ourselves well.

Switching off We are receiving information about Covid-19 constantly through TV, radio and social media.

It can become overwhelming for both you and your family. While it is important to keep up to date with the latest messages, it is also important to step away and take a breather.

Make a plan With everything that we all have going on in our lives, be it looking after children, working, managing the home, or caring for elderly relatives, it can be really hard to find the time for ourselves. Making a plan that includes this time for self-care can really help with your overall wellbeing. Having a scheduled time dedicated to ourselves will help us to feel more in control and less overwhelmed.

Switching off and giving some time to yourself to do the things you enjoy doing is so important in looking after your mental wellbeing.

not there, all of that is fine but it is all we have left to take care of belonging to them, it is why it upsets us so much when it does happen".

Retired Council worker Joe McNamara admitted that the sight of graves covered in water was terrible. "Disrespectful is a mild word as far as I'm concerned, it is beyond

Photo by James Truett

talking, the poor craters are gone to God, they're buried out at sea the way things are".

His parents are buried at the grave, Joe felt memories of loved ones are tarnished by the flooding.

"You'd be devastated to witness it, you remember the people when they were alive and a lot of them were our neighbours or our friends, they are laid to rest and this is how they are treated.

“It is a health hazard. It is by no means healthy to have the tidal water flowing around there. If that was in a priority area like Drumcliffe or somewhere that is considered more important we might be taken care of ".

Cllr PJ Kelly (FF) recently asked the West Clare Municipal District to alleviate flooding at the graveyard.

Acting senior executive engineer with the Council's project management office, Steve Lahiffe said “the land required for the works is in private ownership currently and Clare County Council are not in a position to acquire the lands".

Find ideas on what you can do and what’s available in your local community at

clarecoco.ie/together So make sure to carve out some time to engage in an activity that you enjoy and that will allow you to be distracted from what is going on around you.

An enhanced range of services to help you switch off is available from Clare County Library, Arts Service, Heritage Office and our partners. Visit www.clarecoco.ie/together for more information.

Community Response Helpline A helpline is available to respond to the needs of vulnerable members of our community. If you need practical supports, like your shopping delivered, or you just need someone to talk to you, the Clare Covid-19 Community Response Helpline is here for you.

Call Freephone 1800 20 36 00 or email clarecommunityresponse@clarecoco.ie

Follow Clare County Council on social media

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THURSDAY, FEB 4 2021

'Dithering' from Minister Ryan delaying university town PÁRAIC MCMAHON

A

paraic@clareecho.ie

FORMER Mayor of Clare has accused the Minister for Transport of "dithering" on the progression of the Limerick Northern Distributor Road (LNDR).

Providing a transport link between the eastern and western fringes of Limerick City and a link to South Clare to facilitate economic development in this region has been listed as a fundamental objective of the LNDR. The second phase of the LNDR was not included as a priority in this year's Budget.

Design and construction of approximately 10km of a distributor road from Coonagh to Knockalisheen which will tie in with the R445 (Old N7) in County Limerick will also include a crossing of the Ardnacrusha Tailrace and the River Shannon, with possible crossings of the Blackwater and Mulkear Rivers.

Improved accessibility between Clare and Limerick City along with reliving pressure on the existing river crossing in the City Centre is proposed under the scheme. The need for the scheme was identified in The

Limerick Planning, Land Use and Transportation Study for Greater Limerick prepared by Clare County Council, Tipperary North County Council and Limerick City and County Councils.

The Fitzgerald Report Addressing the issues of Social Exclusion in Moyross and other disadvantaged areas of Limerick City (April 2007) has recommended that a distributor road to the north of Limerick City be progressed to develop economic activity and end the isolation of this deprived area.

Access to the South Clare Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) which would become Europe's first 21 century University town will also be aided by the LNDR. An application for the SDZ is expected to be finalised in the first quarter of 2021 with legal teams for local authorities in Clare and Limerick "working through complex legal details".

Deputy Joe Carey (FG) has confirmed to The Clare Echo that he has written to Minister Ryan seeking an immediate reinstatement of works on the LNDR. "The estimated cost of the project is €58 million and as you will be aware considerable preparatory works have already taken place resulting in €19 million being expended on advance work contracts, land acquisition, planning and design and archaeology. This year €5 million has been allocated by your Department for the further development of

Coonagh – Knockalisheen," he wrote. The Clarecastle native added that an investment of "almost €20 million of taxpayers' money has been pumped into the scheme".

Speaking at a recent meeting of the Shannon Municipal District, Cllr Michael Begley (IND) noted that the LNDR was "dithering" at the hands of Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan (GP). "I'm wondering what impact would that have on the SDZ project given the huge emphasis on the LNDR on that".

Director of Economic Development, Liam Conneally explained, "Phase one is crucial to the commencement of the build-out of the LNDR which in turn is crucial to the SDZ. We are working with our colleagues in Limerick who are leading on stage one of the LNDR construction to push things on. I know Carmel Kirby has been providing all of the justification that she needs in terms of phase one and other phases of the LNDR. We need both from an Executive and political perspective to keep pushing in terms of the importance of the LNDR for our Municipal District and Clare".

"It is very important that the LNDR goes ahead, there seems to be a bit of a slowness at the minute, it has been going on for a few years. It seems the contract has been awarded to somebody else. It is a very important piece of infrastructure in the area, one of the most essential things is the Limerick drain-

PRAYERS OF HOPE

l GLOW: Candles lighting at St Brigid’s Well in Liscannor on St Brigid’s Day

Photo by Caitríona Considine

age pipework needs to be extended beyond it to facilitate drainage problems in Meelick," Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) commented.

Any plans must recall the opening of the gate at the back of the University of Limerick by Gillogue Bridge "and the mayhem it caused," Cllr Pat O'Gorman (FF) stated.

Minister Ryan has said he is considering the project as part of a review into the National Development Plan. "The Minister believes investment in local rail could provide much improved connectivity for people across Limerick," a spokesperson for the Department of Transport outlined. Limerick TD, Brian Leddin (GP) added, "People are expecting something to happen very quickly but what the Minister is saying is that a better plan can be produced".

l DELAY: Cllr Michael Begley (IND)

Photo by John Mangan

Council to request extension of pyrite scheme to Clare A SUBMISSION by the Department of Housing has been requested from Clare County Council regarding the potential extension of the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme to affected homes in Clare, writes Páraic McMahon.

Up to 35 homeowners in Clare have reported significant cracking of external walls due to the presence of pyrite (inset) in the building blocks used to construct the houses.

Engagement has been ongoing between the Irish Government and Clare County Council on the matter since November. In August, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O'Brien (FF) announced a new defective concrete blocks scheme for Mayo and Donegal offfering five remedial options.

Separate grant limits apply to each option, ranging from €247,500 for the complete demolition and rebuilding of a dwelling to €49,500 for the demolition and rebuilding of the outer leaf of affected walls only.

Funding is subject to option limits or 90% of the eligible works, whichever is the lesser.

Clare County Council have been requested by the Department to make a submission to justify any scheme extension.

The local authority will soon commence the process of procuring a consultant en-

gineer to assist with the overall submission. Test data from five private properties potentially affected will be included.

Deputy Michael McNamara (IND) has previously flagged the matter in Dáil Éireann. He believed it was "basic equality" to extend the scheme to Clare.

"One manufacturer of concrete blocks in the Mid-West links all of those buildings. It is an issue which goes beyond Clare. I understand 35 people are involved in an action group and approximately 33 houses have been identified in Clare.

“Unfortunately, there is a belief that the problem extends outside of Clare to other areas in the Mid-West because it is a result of concrete blocks from one particular manufacturer".

He added, "If the Government saw fit to fund a scheme like this in respect of Mayo and Donegal, which I welcome, I see no reason whatsoever my constituents and any other constituents in the country who suffer from exactly the same problem should not be treated in exactly the same way by the Government.

“It is a matter of basic equality. I welcome the Department's decision to request Clare County Council to put forward a case that could lead to the scheme being extended to Clare".

THURSDAY, FEB 4 2021

NEWS

9

10 NEWS

THURSDAY, FEB 4 2021

Woman unconscious after serious assault in Ennis GORDON DEEGAN

A

WOMAN remains in an unconscious state in hospital and has sustained serious head injuries after she was allegedly assaulted by her boyfriend in the Market area of Ennis on Thursday evening.

At a special sitting of Ennis District Court on Saturday evening, Patrick Ballard (34) of Ashford Court Hotel, Ennis was charged with the assault causing harm of his girlfriend, Sharon Bennett in Ennis's Market area on Thursday evening.

Giving evidence of the arrest, charge and caution, Det Garda Noelle Bergin told the court that after caution at 6.22pm on Friday evening, Mr Ballard replied "I'm sorry for what happened."

Mr Ballard was first arrested concerning the alleged assault at 6.30pm on Thursday evening and

was later questioned by Gardai after being medically assessed.

Det Bergin stated: "The alleged injured party has been in an unconscious state since the alleged assault as a result of sustaining serious head injuries."

Det Bergin stated that pending more medical evidence it is likely that a more serious charge will be considered by the State.

Det Bergin stated that Gardai has received a number of independent eye witnesses statements concerning the alleged assault as part of their investigation.

The detective stated that CCTV footage from a number of premises in the vicinity of the alleged assault has also been harvested.

Opposing bail, Det Bergin stated that Gardai have a fear that Mr Ballard would seek to interfere with the injured party as he has all knowledge of her personal information.

Det Bergin stated that Gardai were also opposing bail concerning the seriousness of the charge before the court.

Det Bergin stated that Mr Ballard is a drug user and an alcoholic.

Solicitor for Mr Ballard, Tara Godfrey told the court that Mr Ballard has been living under the care of the Simon Community at the Ashford Court hotel in Ennis.

Ms Godfrey stated that due to the Covid 19 pandemic, upcoming trials for Ennis Circuit Court have been cancelled and the reality is that if that Mr Ballard doesn't obtain bail, he will be on remand in custody for a significant period of time awaiting trial.

Ms Godfrey stated that Mr Ballard suffers from significant psychiatric difficulties and has spent the last number of years more often than not homeless.

Ms Godfrey stated that Mr Ballard was willing to abide by strict bail conditions and that there is no evidence that he would interfere with any witness in the case.

Insp Helen Costello told the court that the evidence in the case would clearly indicate that the alleged assault "is at the upper end of a Section 3 assault causing harm

charge".

Insp Costello stated that "there is very strong evidence to support the charge before the court".

Judge Mary Cashin refused bail and remanded Mr Ballard in custody to appear at Ennis District Court via video link on Wednesday (yesterday).

Judge Cashin granted legal aid to Ms Godfrey to represent Mr Bal-

lard and also asked that Mr Ballard receive immediate psychiatric assistance while in custody.

On Wednesday, Patrick Ballard appeared via video link at Ennis District Court and Judge Patrick Durcan further remanded Mr Ballard in custody to March 3rd for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to provide directions in the case.

lCHARGED: The scene of the alleged assault and (inset) Patrick Ballard

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THURSDAY, FEB 4 2021

150 jobs for Shannon PÁRAIC MCMAHON

A

paraic@clareecho.ie

MAJOR employment boost is on the cards for Shannon. 150 additional jobs for the former Molex facility have been projected while a tenant for what was previously the Avara site is to be announced in the second half of this year.

As first reported by The Clare Echo, Aerogen’s intentions to create a manufacturing operation of the Molex facility will result in up to 100 jobs.

UMR Group, a Mid-West based specialist company in site revitalization and metals recycling, has now projected a further 150 additional jobs are on the horizon.

Headquartered in Limerick, UMR Group says it is in advanced discussions with another significant employer to create a further 150 jobs by year end at the 125,000sq ft facility.

Additionally, the company expects to be announcing a

tenant for the former AVARA Pharmaceuticals site, also in Shannon, in the second half of the year, leading to additional job creation.

On Friday, Molex closed its doors ending a 40 year era in the Shannon Free Zone. 500 jobs were lost when it announced in October 2019 its intention to shut.

Avara employed up to 114 people when the High Court in July 2019 ordered that the company be wound down after it emerged that it was insolvent with losses to the

tune of €9.5m and was unable to pay its workers. Efforts to source a replacement buyer between the IDA and United Meals proved unsuccessful.

Jointly owned by the Hegarty and Donlan families, UMR Group have said the outcome of additional posts at Molex in transforming a redundant industrial facility is a positive.

Tony Donlan of UMR Group outlined, “We have a long history with the site as members of our team have been working with Molex as

lBOOST: The Molex and Avara facilities are based in the Shannon Free Zone

its environmental contractor for 40 years. We knew the site inside out and recognized its potential”.

He revealed that the company is in advanced talks with another client to move on site.

“We expect to have contracts signed shortly with a second company and for them to move onto site by early in the second half of the year with the creation of 150 jobs.

“On top of that, we are well advanced in terms of occupancy at the AVARA site, also in Shannon. We are currently reconfiguring the site for manufacturing and are very confident about its future, with an announcement expected in the second half of the year.

“Individually and collectively this will be a huge boost to Shannon and, moreover, for the people who will be employed here. It will further validate UMR’s capacity and track record for transitioning former industrial sites into viable employment centers. It’s also a vote of confidence in the Mid-West as an attractive location for inward investment,” Tony said.

NEWS 11

Wynne criticises lack of emergency accommodation A CLARE TD has criticised the efforts of Clare County Council in securing emergency accommodation in West Clare, writes Páraic McMahon.

Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne (SF) criticised the County Council for not providing sufficient emergency accommodation in West Clare. "It has been highlighted time and time again, that West Clare suffers from a deprivation of homeless services, lack of social housing and few rental properties available. The nearest emergency accommodation is over 40km away and the situation is unsustainable".

Vacant units in Kilrush are among the highest in the country, Deputy Wynne said. "It would seem obvious that these units could be obtained to provide emergency accommodation for families and individuals who are extremely vulnerable.

"It is deeply concerning that during a pandemic there has been no sign of any increased efforts to address the lack of homeless accommodation in West Clare, particularly when the need for isolation units might arise for families and individuals in homelessness, to help keep people safe from the virus".

A spokesperson for the local authority said the Homeless Action Team (HAT) "work diligently" to support the homeless or those at risk of homelessness in Clare. "Homeless services are delivered in the main from Ennis as the county town as this is where the Council has access to facilities and support services. It is not reasonable or cost-effective to provide homeless services in every town and village in the county".

Kilrush's "particular need for homeless accommodation" forms part of a proposal submitted by Clare County Council to Limerick City and County Council as the regional lead to seek support to submit a funding proposal to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH).

12 NEWS

THURSDAY, FEB 4 2021

Councillors seek greater budget transparency SHANNON councillors have expressed their frustration with the operation of the General Municipal Allocation (GMA) citing "a lack of clarity and transparency" in the process, writes PĂĄraic McMahon.

A total of â‚Ź1.273m is shared between all 28 councillors in Clare under the GMA which is a funding mechanism for members to support local community initiatives. This is divided among the four Municipal Districts with the West Clare MD receiving the largest amount (â‚Ź409,179) followed by both the Shannon and Ennis MD (â‚Ź318,250 each) and the Killaloe MD (â‚Ź227,321).

Local councillors have previously stated that for every â‚Ź1 spent on the GMA it resulted in a â‚Ź3 benefit for the local community. Council Chief Executive, Pat Dowling remarked that it has been shown to have "a fivefold benefit".

Clare County Council were requested by Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) to establish a schedule of works programme for the Shannon MD concerning the GMA detailing an indication of remaining funding available from last year and proposals for 2021. He wished to see more urgency to the application of funding.

Flynn stated, "The current situation is not working as there is a lack of clarity and transparency in my opinion and can be very frustrating when funding is available but not spent in a timely manner. I would also suggest that projects identified by the Elected Members and in most cases in consultation with the Senior Engineer are costed and if sufficient Council workers are not available for this work I would suggest that the work be put out to tender and prioritised for delivery".

An agreement on the package of measures for funding for the GMA is due to be discussed at a meeting between the Shannon MD and elected representatives, senior executive engineer Tom Mellett outlined. Works agreed will be scheduled for completion in 2021 while he confirmed the programme of works "will also allow for completion of any outstanding works from 2020".

Holding meetings to discuss the GMA are important, Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) maintained while Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) who seconded the motion commented, "It is always hard to stretch it here and there but we need to work out what we are going to do and what we have done".

Summaries on total expenditure and remaining balances should be provided at the meeting, Cllr Michael Begley (IND) believed. "Sitting down with the team is very important. Half the battle is won if we can sit down and discuss the issues. We're all working on the one team, we are the Shannon Municipal District team. Sitting down and discussing it is the only way to sort any issues," John Crowe (FG) argued.

Amazon in talks over possibility of Airport distribution facility PĂ RAIC MCMAHON

T

paraic@clareecho.ie

ALKS are ongoing between Amazon and Shannon Group regarding the possibility of setting up a significant distribution facility at Shannon Airport.

Reports emerged on Monday via The Irish Independent of the ongoing talks between Shannon Group and Amazon on the potential of the distribution facility being established in Shannon along with other infrastructure.

The Clare Echo has learned that talks are indeed in motion but the decision for a development of this nature would not be made in the near future.

E-commerce giant Amazon is also in the process of securing a 650,000 sq ft warehouse in Baldonnell in west Dublin for packing and shipping out Irish orders

locally.

The Dublin facility would be the company's first full-fledged fulfilment centre and would speed up deliveries to Irish customers.

A spokesperson for Shannon Group acknowledged that there were plans for a new landside/airside cargo facility at the airport.

"Shannon Group is uniquely positioned in that it has a significant supply of landside/airside development sites suitable for distribution of goods by both air and road," the spokesperson outlined.

In the last five years, one million sq ft of new and refurbished aviation, office and manufacturing property solutions have been delivered by Shannon Group. New tenants including Jaguar Land Rover, Edward Lifesciences and MeiraGTx have moved to the Shannon Free Zone.

Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) described the reports of Amazon setting up a facility in Shannon as "hugely signif-

icant".

He commented that a new cargo role for Shannon is required and outlined that future pathways for the Airport formed part of a lengthy conversation between him and the Taoiseach, MicheĂĄl Martin (FF) in the days before Christmas.

Deputy Crowe stated, "Amazon is an extremely well-established company and has flourished during the Covid-19 pandemic, with record profits of $6.3 billion US dollars in the final quarter of last year. “To have a company of this calibre looking at Shannon is massive and would be a huge endorsement of the potential of Shannon Airport and the Midwest region as a whole. “This would be a lifeline for Shannon Airport at an extremely difficult time in its proud history.�

Last July, Amazon announced 1,000 new jobs in Dublin and Cork which were roles to support its Amazon Web Services operations and data centres in Ireland.

It is not known how many people would be employed at the new Dublin fulfilment centre or the scale of employment that would ensue if a distribution centre was created in Clare.

'Close working relationship' needed for growth SENIOR officials in Clare County Council have said they are "working closely" with the new owners of Shannon Town Centre, writes PĂĄraic McMahon.

Urban Green have recently acquired the shopping centre and have began with a rebrand naming it Shannon Town Centre to replace the previous SkyCourt Shopping Centre tag. The owners already have Castletroy Shopping Centre in their portfolio.

Vacant units have been opened with lights switched on over the past month to give potential buyers a look at prospective retail spaces.

Clare County Council are keen to develop its role in the town centre which was demonstrated in socially distanced events organised before Christmas, senior executive officer Jason Murphy referenced at a recent meeting of the Shannon Municipal District. Numerous meetings have been held between senior officials from the local authority and Urban Green owner Tom Coughlan.

Director of Economic Development, Liam Conneally noted that the new owners now possess "a significant swathe of property and the area covered" that a close relationship is important between both parties.

A delay has been experienced with the completion of the spatial masterplan for Shannon Town. Originally due to be finished in October of last year, the plan is now due to be finalised in the first quarter of 2021. Funding of â‚Ź100,000 was allocated for the plan under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF). A category A application had been made for URDF to try construct The Venue, a planned community, civic, cultural and interpretative centre for Shannon, instead category B funding was awarded.

Some key projects from the plan will require co-operation

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from Urban Green, Conneally outlined.

lOPPORTUNITY: A unit to let in Shannon Town Centre

Photo by Joe Buckley

Arts & Entertainment 13

THURSDAY, FEB 4 2021

Blonde bombshell Olivia Legowska

LAW STUDENT SETS SIGHTS ON MISS BIKINI IRELAND CIAN O’BROIN

E

cianobroin@clareecho.ie

NNIS woman Olivia Legowska will feature in this year’s Miss Bikini Ireland (MBI) Finals in the coming months.

The 21 year-old Law and Tax student at LIT is one of 65 contestants that will take place in the 2020/2021 competition. The Rice College Ennis graduate admits that acceptance into the competition has been a real confidence booster and is looking forward to getting out on stage and “just being herself.”

Her first brush with the modelling world began in 6th year, when she spotted a sign on a window looking for local models to take part in a photoshoot. Thankful for the experience, Olivia decided to focus on her Leaving Certificate while also working as a waitress. It wasn’t until second year of college that she received her first paid gig.

“I started to realise that I can actually do this as a job. It then became a part-time job, where I had to balance college life whilst also working as a waitress in Limerick. It wasn’t until Miss Bikini Ireland commented on one of my photoshoots that I actually applied,” she commented.

She credits her diet as the staple of her preparations, particularly in the midst of gym closures in recent months.

“It is a competition, and I would like to win. Saying that, all the contestants are so nice. I found it stressful to talk to them at first and I had assumptions that they would be a little stuck up, but I was wrong. We have a group chat where we talk regularly. We have organised meet ups for after Covid. They have been so supportive,” she states.

The final, which was due to take place in January, has been postponed to March or possibly further.

Olivia concedes that the final, which includes a catwalk, is unfamiliar territory. “It’s different to photoshoots, which is what I have done. I have

been researching how to pose. You can’t prepare too much though. I’m trying not to overthink it and am eagerly awaiting the day.”

Acceptance into the contest has helped open other doors for Olivia, who recently featured in a threepage spread in ISO Magazine. One of these photos was also picked up

by Swimsuit International’s Instagram page, which has 16,000 followers. Olivia touts the power of social media and Instagram in allowing the modelling industry to flourish even further.

Olivia will finish her undergraduate degree this year and is already looking at applying for a master’s at the University of Limerick. She also intends to do her FE-1’s. “I would like to do modelling as a part-time job. It’s never really full-time due to there being no guaranteed income.

Saying that, I will keep doing it for as long as I can. I really enjoy the experience and meeting people,” she concludes.

Vote for Olivia through her Instagram Page: @oliviaaa_livv.

Take back your life in 28 days

COROFIN resident Niall Minogue has hit back against the negativity of life by creating a pocket-sized book whereby people can document the positive aspects of their day, writes Cian O’Broin.

Take Back My Life 28 Days is Niall's way of giving something back to the universe.

Last year, life hit Niall and his family of four quite hard. In August, his wife Oonagh suffered a stroke at the age of 36.

"You hear a lot of stories of people getting strokes and their lives being destroyed after it. My wife survived. We are very lucky. We've almost won the lotto in that way," he states.

Oonagh began to experience anxiety as a result of the trauma caused by the stroke, Niall explains. A follow up hospital appointment led to the discovery of a hole in two chambers of her heart. In November, Oonagh received A Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) Repair. In the same week, their daughter Sophie got her tonsils out and Abbie decided to join in and got her

appendix out, he informs.

"I sat down with the kids to create something for my wife, so that she could document what made her feel good. Initially we called it 'The Minogue Magic Book.'

It allowed her to document all her happy thoughts," he states.

Niall decided to test out his creation over Christmas, printing 20 copies and handed them out to friends and family that were feeling the pain of the pandemic. Each page contains quotes and challenges as part of the 28-day structure. One such quote featured on the back page comes from the Dalai Lama, "The purpose of life is to be happy." Niall decided to opt for a pocket-sized book so that people could open it when they are feeling down and look back at the positive times.

Niall stresses: "This is a time where people need to look at the positives of life. I remember some old lad saying to me 'you should be treating your mind like your stomach. If you're eating McDonalds

every day, something will eventually go wrong. If your mind is thinking of negative thoughts the whole time, something will go wrong.'"

The feedback and interest in Taking Back My Life 28 Days is something Niall "never dreamed would happen." His initial target was 200 books. He admits that orders have skyrocketed up to 800 so far, following a live interview on national radio station Today FM. Niall has also been balancing orders with a very dedicated family life and a full-time job with Cummins Tarmac Limited.

Initially the book contained several detailed pages of Niall and Oonagh's challenging year but Niall decided to scale back the personal information to a single page. "I want people to think of their own story when they pick up the book, not ours," he adds.

Copies can be purchased online on https://takingbackmylife28days.com/ for €4.95 each.

lPOSITIVE MINDSET: Niall Minogue

14 NEWS

CIAN O’BROIN

F

cianobroin@clareecho.ie

UNERAL Directors in Clare have stressed the strains and hardships on families in burying a loved one throughout the pandemic.

Undertaking requires all aspects of a funeral to be organised for families including issuing notification of the death to national papers, radio and RIP.ie as well as organising clergy, grave diggers, crematorium, music and flowers.

"It's an important time for families," stated Daniel Kennedy of Kennedy Funeral Directors Ennis.

"Families are looking for someone to put all these things into place for them. We do our best but Covid has changed funerals dramatically".

THURSDAY, FEB 4 2021

‘We do our best but Covid has changed funerals dramatically’ Representing the fifth generation in the business, Daniel highlighted the extra heartbreak endured by families when a death occurs in the pandemic. "When someone dies of COVID-19, that is the real problem. We can get over restrictions, if the family can spend some time with the deceased to say goodbye". When funeral directors are informed that the person has contracted COVID-19 before dying, they must follow strict HSE protocol. This involves collecting the corpse and then disinfecting and keeping the coffin closed.

"This is to stop it spreading to family members who are hugging or kissing their loved one for the last time. It's very high risk. That's the real hard part, trying to explain to the family that the coffin must be kept closed at all times. That's the real killer," he explained.

Despite the fact that the business

has yet to conduct a funeral related to a COVID-19 death, Michael Cusack of Cusacks Funeral Directors Kilrush noted that single day funerals with no reposal is "tough" and "not the natural way of doing things".

A stalwart figure of the business in West Clare, Cusacks have been operating for over 90 years. "It's different in country areas, undertaking is only a part time profession.

No public displays are tough, particularly for country people. One thing about them is that they like to turn up and pay their respects. They usually stand outside their homes but all that has changed now," the third-generation undertaker added. The Cusacks also trade as builders and design and sell headstones too.

"I think the government's protocols around funerals are ridiculous," revealed Niall Smyth of

Smyths Funeral Directors, who have been operating part-time in Feakle since 1978. Niall feels that current restrictions allowing only 10 individuals to attend the service is causing serious problems. "Low numbers inside, creates problems outside," he outlined. He felt the difference in church sizes and their capacity to cater for different levels of social distancing has not been taken into account.

"Inside you can control but outside, that's where the real spreading starts," he adds. His take is that the internal numbers should be decided on by the funeral director and the local parish priest.

A cap of 10 mourners leads to very difficult decisions for families, Kennedy said. "If you have four children and they are all with their spouses and other family. How do you decide who goes? Who stands outside and who comes inside? It's

incredibly tough on the families".

Live recording of all funerals has been a positive development, the trio agree. Niall explained, "Some churches have their own streaming service. This is just one camera on the priest.

“Our guy Matt Purcell works with more than one camera and follows the readings, the remains and all other activity. This is better for the families. I believe this is here to stay, especially for those living abroad in Australia and the West Coast of America. Here it will always have its place".

They also believe that funerals will return to normal post-COVID but not anytime soon. "One thing we did well here is funerals. Between the wake and reposing people get a good send off. It'll be a long time until it goes back to what we know as Irish funerals," Smyth concluded.

West Clare hairdresser encourages women to leave their locks as Shannon barber tells men get the shears ready TADHG HOLLAND

news@clareecho.ie

AVOID cutting your hair is the advice for women from a West Clare salon owner while men should determine who the most creative person in their house is if they are to trust them with a razor according to a Shannon barber.

Colm McGuinness who owns and runs Calvin Arthur Barbers and Scoundrel's Chop Shop in Shannon was among the first barbers in the country to close last year when the virus emerged. Since then, running the business has been "really tough. Closing and opening and closing and opening you know it's quite stressful".

Sarah Gould who owns Riverside Hair & Beauty in Cree outlined that the opening and closing has been "nerve wrecking" for staff but also a cause of uncertainty for clients.

"When we are open we're busy but when we're closed we're closed there's nothing we can do".

During their closures, both businesses found alternative ways to bring in money.

Some local businesses in Shannon that remained open such as Zimmer Biomet and DB Schenker bought vouchers and products from Colm's barber shops.

Sarah with the support of the Clare Local Enterprise Office's trading online voucher set up an online beauty shop at rsbeautyshop.ie.

Government supports proved extremely helpful especially during the early days of the pandemic, Colm recalled. However, he felt with the proper safety procedures in place that barbers were safe to remain open.

"There wasn't tonnes of outbreaks from barber shops and then also I think people are comparing it to the likes of going into Tesco, going into Lidl, going shopping and stuff like that it's not anymore dangerous in a barber shop".

Home cuts have returned in this lockdown. For the men experimenting Colm recommended getting inspiration from YouTube and trusting "the creative person in the household by giving them the shears and let them at it".

Avoid cutting your hair is the advice from Jessica O’Sullivan and Sarah Gould of Riverside Hair & Beauty for women maintaining

their locks during the lockdown.

"The best thing to do is avoid cutting your own hair definitely leave the heat tools down like the hair straighteners and that and give the hair a break and just try and use a sulphate free shampoo and conditioner for your hair at all times it just helps to keep the colour as fresh as possible as well just until we reopen again.

“Avoid using box colours if you can because it does more damage than good so when we do reopen you're putting extra work on the hairdressers".

For the month of February, their doors will remain closed.

Colm admitted, "It's difficult to see how it's all going to pan out. We'll probably reopen in March at some point and hopefully they'll start being enough vaccinations.

“Hopefully we can put it all behind us by the end of the year but I feel like half of the year is going to be written off as well so it's going to be another tough year for the hairdressing industry".

l TOUGH TIMES: Barber Colm McGiunness

FEATURES 15

THURSDAY, FEB 4 2021

GREEN CLARE

Blubber Book hopes to entice kids into world of Irish marine life CIAN O’BROIN

T

cianobroin@clareecho.ie

HE Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) located in Kilrush has officially launched ‘Ireland’s Blubber Book; Flukes Junior Vol 1.’ The comprehensive workbook is designed for school children aged between 9-12 and hopes to entice aspiring marine biologists into the world of cetaceans found within Irish Waters.

Copies of the new educational resource have been sent out to teachers, who will then take note of queries, concerns and the interests of their students, in order for a tailor-made workshop to be delivered by IWDG’s Education and Outreach Officer SibĂŠal Regan. Her work involves designing and creating workshops for members as well as engaging with schools in demonstrating the work and value of marine biology as a viable option on the CAO. “I remember when I was in secondary school, I was quite a focused child and knew I wanted to do marine biology. I remember my guidance counsellor not even having heard of it and asking me if I was sure I didn’t want to be a nurse or a teacher. When I came into this role, I wanted to make sure as many students knew what the job would

be like and have a point of contact,� SibÊal states.

The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group was founded in December 1990 on St. Andrew’s Street, in Dublin. It held its first official meeting in March 1991, where an official proposal was sent to the then Taoiseach, Charles J. Haughey to designate Ireland as a Whale and Dolphin sanctuary.

On the 7th of June 1991, the Irish Government declared Ireland an Irish Whale and Dolphin Sanctuary, meaning that the group had achieved the directive that governs its core philosophy to this day. Dr. Simon Berrow is Chief Science Officer and Acting CEO of the IWDG and a founding member. He is Project Manager of the Shannon Dolphin and Wildlife Foundation based in Kilrush.

One of the IWDG’s main aims is to improve ocean literacy. Ireland’s Blubber Book is one such tool in educating the people of Ireland on the lives of cetaceans such as whales and dolphins.

SibĂŠal states: “Some of the material is quite advanced. There are a lot of concepts.

We look at an eco-system approach. It talks a little bit about ocean acidification, carbon sequestration and how whales can help with that. In picking the age between 9 and 12, you are able to give a lot more content. It’s still simplified and interactive. There isn’t anything for them at that age. It’s either too simple or too complicated. I noticed that in my research before writing and structuring the book.�

lEDUCATION: The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group’s latest publication have been sent out to teachers

SibÊal aspires to improve ocean literacy by informing school children of the challenges facing biodiversity in the water. By engaging with them, hopefully the correct tools can be learned and applied to make a change. It’s about giving them the knowledge and see how they can make a change, she asserts. All follow up workshops will be delivered virtually in light of Covid-19 restrictions. SibÊal is looking forward to registering responses from interested teachers that are looking to add the workbook to their curriculum.

Ireland’s Blubber Book is sponsored by Inis, Energy of the Sea, with Irish Ocean Lit-

eracy Network member John Joyce donating illustrations and cartoons for it. Copies can be purchased from the IWDG’s website for ₏12. SibÊal informs that the first 500 IWDG members under the age of 16 will receive a copy of the book for free. Members also enjoy workshops, with the next one to be delivered on the topic of dead stranding. It will inform eager citizen scientists how to take samples, photos and to recognise possible natural trauma caused to cetaceans by a beach or land stranding.

Visit https://iwdg.ie/ for more information.

16 COLUMNIST

THURSDAY, FEB 4 2021

Kearney Cooks

SHOW ME YOUR MUSSELS

W

INTER is the best time of year for mussels and these shiny shellfish are particular favourites of mine.

We are blessed to live on the Atlantic coast and have an abundance of these beauties on our doorstep.

So I wandered into CS Fish on the turnpike in Ennis (great shop with wonderful produce and helpful staff) the other day and picked up a decent sized portion for myself. €2.50 for 650grams of mussels is a steal.

I decided to get a little spicy with these fellas and cook them with some curry spices and serve them with some chips.

FOR THIS DISH YOU WILL NEED: • 650 g mussels • 100 ml chicken, fish or vegetable stock • 1 small diced carrot • 1small diced chilli • Half an onion diced • 2 cloves of diced garlic • One tsp garam masala, cumin, turmeric and mustard powder • 1 chopped spring onion as a garnish Step one Give your mussels a good wash and remove any beards that are on them

TASTY: The finished result

R

ebecca O’Neill

Step two Put a drop of oil into a pot and heat it up on a medium to high heat. Add your diced onion carrot and chilli and spices , and allow them to soften.

Step three Add in your mussels and stock and cover with a lid and allow to cook for two minutes. When the mussels are fully opened they are cooked (don’t eat any mussels that aren’t fully opened, yucky).

Step four Take off your lid and add in your cream, allow it to bubble away for a minute and then scoop it up into a bowl and garnish with your spring onions.

Step five Horse into these beautiful little sea beasties Irish seafood is world class and a real asset to this country. I have said it once and I will say it again, Irish produce is the best in the world and I will die on this hill.

If you’re a local producer or supplier and have produce that I may be interested in please feel free to slide into my dms on Instagram. Just search Kearney Cooks or stevekearney37 Enjoy

Steve K

FRESH: The counter at CS Fish

Online shopping fix This week, Miss Clare Rebecca O’Neill shares her top five favourite online clothing shops

W

E CAN all relate to the fact that we love to treat ourselves.

Coming across some online clothing sales can be extremely hard to ignore, seeing someone wearing something you just have to have.

I am going to talk about my favourite online shops that are also sustainable.

I have been really working on trying to only buy from sustainable clothing brands. With this, comes a bigger price tag but better quality clothing. My top three favourite local shops are:

This boutique also has the most beautiful floral tops and very elegant dresses.

If your looking to stock up on occasion wear or casuals, this is such a reliable shop to get what you need.

1 CORNUCOPIA

Shopping local while buying your favourite clothes is so important which I have come to realise during the pandemic. You will always feel so much better about yourself knowing you have supported your local businesses while updating your wardrobe.

I also would love to encourage people to try their absolute best to support sustainable brands as these are beneficial for our environment. Ending with a very fitting quote “style is a way to say who you are without having to speak” - Rachel Zoe.

A great online business that is also local. From great quality clothes to accessories this boutique offers so much. My personal favourite is their great quality jeans. If your looking to invest in some good quality clothing I would highly recommend this online shop as it never disappoints.

2 WILLOW

This online shop has some amazing unique styles and it’s so affordable. My personal favourite is the knitwear styles.

3 BRASS BOUTIQUE

This well renowned boutique is noted for their amazing styles. They also have a winter sale on currently! Brass offers footwear, accessories from bags and jewellery, to the most tasteful clothing. They always have new arrivals coming in stock so you always have the option to be on trend.

FAB: Rebecca models her online purchases

17 COLUMNIST

THURSDAY, FEB 4 2021

Clare Echo

With

THE

Nominate Your Lockdown Hero

With With

A sense of hope is emerging on the farms of Clare as the cycle of rebirth begins but an anti-farming agenda is developing on RTÉ, Joe Melody writes in his latest column

A

S I sit down to write this week’s column on St. Brigid’s Day, the green shoots of spring are already emerging, sprouting up through a green but saturated winter landscape.

The green shoots are evident not just in the emergence of the daffodils coming nearer and nearer to their spring showing of sunshine like blossoms.

There is the ever lengthening evenings that play backdrop to the birth of new calves and lambs.

This is always my favourite time of year as the cycle of rebirth begins and creates a sense of hope and excitement for the year to come.

With all the positivity

of the spring, one might be forgiven for thinking that there would be ample content that RTÉ or other broadcasters might like to cover about nature and farming in order to give the public something positive to look to rather than the exceptionally grim news on offer daily.

On the RTÉ news there was a piece on the Six One News to announce spring has arrived, it was about baby dairy calves. Was it about the beauty and wonder of new life?

Perhaps it was about the maternal bond between mother and calf? None of these themes of course.

The piece discussed the concerns that exist around exporting these calves to

ď ŹJOY OF SPRING: A new life joins the Melody farm

the continent.

It didn’t address the fact that the export of these calves is heavily regulated requiring several stop offs on their trip to the continent.

The trucks the calves are exported in are well ventilated, bedded with deep warm dry beds of fresh straw. They enjoy fresh air through a ventilation system also.

Why did the piece fail to address any specific perceived issue with the live export of calves?

Well maybe its because the argument is built upon pillars of sand and a vague argument against export will suffice because it sits well with RTÉ and their every growing anti farming agenda.

At home we are easing ourselves into a steady drip of calving that is so far so good.

We emptied all the slurry in the tanks on the home farm at the weekend. This was spread using our contractor’s new umbilical system or colloquially known as “the pipe�.

I was extremely impressed with how it worked as we were spreading slurry on land over a kilometre from the slatted tank.

No damage was done on the land and as it has a dribble bar fitting, the slurry went into the sward neatly and hopefully there will be a boost in extra grass growth from its early application.

From what I can see on the swards, early nitrogen in either chemical or organic form will be needed more than ever as some swards have a yellow tinge owing to all the rain we’ve had since August.

This has led to a washing of soil, making it hungrier than normal for nutrients so we intend to spread urea at a rate of 23 units on any of our paddocks that didn’t receive slurry this year.

Do you know someone who has gone above and beyond to help a person out during the pandemic?

If so, nominate them as your lockdown hero by emailing editor@clareecho.ie or by post to 36C Abbey St, Lifford, Ennis, Co. Clare and in less than 100 words explain why they should win.

Include where they are from and leave your own contact number.

PRIZES INCLUDE . ONE B&B PLUS DINNER FOR TWO IN THE IMPERIAL HOTEL CORK . SPA TREATMENT + AFTERNOON TEA FOR 2 IN THE FALLS HOTEL ENNISTYMON . WASH/CUT/BLOWDRY ASH HAIR STUDIO ENNIS . â‚Ź50 VOUCHER THE COUNTY BOUTIQUE ENNIS . â‚Ź50 VOUCHER FOR BRASS BOUTIQUE . â‚Ź100 VOUCHER FOR PATRICK BOURKES . â‚Ź50 VOUCHER FOR HOLLY'S PHARMACY ENNIS . 1 NIGHT BED & BREAKFAST FOR 2 AT THE ARMADA HOTEL

18 FEATURES

Operation change

RONAN SCULLY

Thought for the week

T

HE phrase ‘to dwell and to listen to oneself and go forth and lead' was said to me by Mother Teresa when I worked with her on the streets of Calcutta. It was a phrase that took root in my soul.

First of all, I wondered why I should try to listen to myself at all and then how? But gradually, as I tried to still the incessant chattering of my overdriven, under confident, insecure, fidgety mind, I began to wonder why I had never before tried to listen to myself and how on earth have I managed to live for so long without ever truly stopping to listen for something and someone deeper within.

After some research and soul searching I have discovered that our brains are hard wired! Well mine is anyway and especially after almost a year of Coronavirus and various types of lockdown and restrictions!!!! And they are hard wired to search for meaning, to strive for purpose, to fashion a true sense of identity, to work out our values, and to live by them and to go and lead by true example and be a true role model especially for the children and young people in our lives, to go in search, I suppose, of how our own little story fits with and flows into the greater unfolding story around us, that of Life itself and indeed life during a worldwide global pandemic.

You see I feel that deep down, we know we are fragmented and that we long for wholeness. We know we are disconnected and we long for reconnection. We know we haven’t flourished as we could have flourished and we long to realize our potential more fully. I do believe most strongly, that we are all hard wired, somehow, to sense that all is not as it seems; that there must be more to life than work and play and especially now that we have had almost a full year to think about things which has been brought on by these lockdowns and worry about the coronavirus.

I also believe that we have within us the ability to awaken, to begin to see the world through fresh, wondering eyes; to respond by living and being the change, and to pass on the benefits to others, especially our children and those in need in our world. I also believe that we should try as much as possible to live everyday as if it is our last and to enjoy it as much as possible, the present moment of life.

Never ever give up and let nothing stand in the way of your dreams and always remember that each day is a gift and that is why it

is called the present.

First Steps

Changing the self is how one can ‘be the change’. Always remember that this is your world; the things that happen here are directly affected by you. There are no ordinary moments; there are no trivial actions. Everything you do, everything you say (or don’t say) matters. Look at every action and reaction and ask yourself, "Am I being the change I want to see in the world?" Who we are now is not who we were last year, last week, yesterday or even a minute ago.

Life never stands still, no matter what we do. Change is the very nature of existence--our thoughts, feelings, beliefs, ideas, even our relationships are as changeable as rain and sunshine, or night and day. But, as much as change is inevitable, it is not always welcome or easy to deal with. It can upset our world and generate many conflicting feelings. However, it is in those very moments when everything looks hopeless that we have a real chance to grow into something better: what the caterpillar calls the end of the world, we call a butterfly! Sometimes the way of the human condition seems to be a desire to accomplish noble acts, to be the change, to inspire others to greatness. A fireman rushes into a burning building to rescue a mother and child.

In every walk of life people seek to find ways to be needed, to be important to others, to accomplish things that will benefit mankind.

And presently we have stopped meeting our loved ones or hugging those close to us because we want to keep everyone safe from the coronavirus. Our outer world is a mirror of our inner world, with no exceptions. To change our outer world, we must start with our inner world. If you want more prosperity, be more generous and be open to receive generosity from others.

Thought for the week

As your thought for the week, be the change for good you wish to see in your world. The late US President Theodore Roosevelt said, “It is not the critic that counts; not the person who points out how the strong person stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done better.

The credit belongs to the person who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and again, because there is no

effort without error and shortcoming; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement. And at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that their place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.” To me life is a series of destinations and those destinations are the dreams and things I want to achieve. If you don’t set yourself these destinations and don’t do everything you can to get to them then you are never going to achieve what you want out of life. To me life without dreams would be a life that I wouldn’t want to lead.

To really change the world, we have to help people change the way they see things. Global betterment is a mental process, not one that requires huge sums of money or a high level of authority.

Change has to be psychological and spiritual. So if you want to see real change, stay persistent in educating humanity on how similar we all are than different. Don't only strive to be the change you want to see in the world, but also help all those around you see the world through commonalities of the heart so that they would want to change with you. This is how humanity will evolve to become better and hopefully it will do so after this time of Covid-19. This is how you can change the world. The language of the heart is humankind's main common language. A prayer that I pray to help me be a change for good goes as follows "Oh Lord, whose voice I hear in the wind, whose breath gives life to all the world. Hear me now for I need your strength and wisdom. Let me walk in beauty, and make my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset that is given to us each day.

Make my hands respect the things you have made and my ears sharp to hear your voice make me wise so that I may understand the things you have taught all of humanity.

Help me to remain calm and strong in the face of all that comes towards me. Let me learn the lessons you have hidden in every leaf and rock. Help me seek pure thoughts and act with the intention of helping others. Help me find compassion without empathy overwhelming me. I seek strength, not to be greater than my fellow human being, but to fight my greatest enemy - Myself. May I be easeful, may I be peaceful, may I flow with the changes.

And enjoy each moment of each given to me with gratitude, as it is a precious gift! Make me always ready to come to you with clean hands and straight eyes. So when life fades, as the fading sunset, my spirit may come to you without shame. Amen"

THURSDAY, FEB 4 2021

Scariff Bay Radio to apply for 10 year broadcasting licence PÁRAIC MCMAHON

S

paraic@clareecho.ie

CARIFF Bay Community Radio are in the process of applying for a 10 year broadcasting licence that would staple their future on the airwaves.

An expression of interest for a 10 year licence from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has been submitted

by Scariff Bay Community Radio who are keen to maintain their strong presence in East Clare for years to come.

Launched in July 2015, Scariff Bay operated as an online only service for a year and a half before obtaining their first temporary (thirty day) licence which allowed them to broadcast every Saturday on FM from March to September 2017, they did the same for 2018 and "took a step up" for 2019 and 2020 by successfully applying for a pilot licence which requires more professional studio facilities and disability access.

All community radio stations in the country are companies limited by guarantee.

Jim Collins (inset) is Chairperson but is also one of Scariff Bay's co-founders, having drank plenty of coffee "and our fair share of biscuits" with Brendan Magill to help get it off the ground.

He is confident they will be victorious in their quest to secure the ten year licence. "We would have upwards of 50 volunteers in the radio station overall. People are very dedicated and anxious that the radio will succeed, I've no doubt there will be a few hiccups but that we will be awarded a licence to broadcast on a 10 year licence".

When their current licence expires in May, Scariff Bay will operate online only for a period as they wait for a decision from the BAI, Jim outlined. If the bid is successful, the former Inis Cealtra NS principal admitted that it was unlikely to result in a major expansion of their offering but hinted that a Friday evening service could be introduced depending on available resources.

Although presenters may compare their initial broadcasting set-up to a confession box and broom cupboard, the station has gone from strength to strength.

The sporting combination of Leo Doyle

and Pat McNamara has been lauded with other contributors including Jim, Geraldine Colleran, John S Kelly, Marie McNamara, Trish Nugent and Pat O'Brien also popular.

There has been an increase in listenership for the East Clare community station during the pandemic. Online listenership is measured and peaked at 10,000 individual ears last April. Covering the rival clash of Scariff and Tulla in the intermediate hurling championship also saw more than 1,000 listeners tune in online at the one time.

Broadcasting Sunday mass every weekend from Scariff has proven to be a success with weekly listeners as far away as Florida and Cape Town coupled with their regulars in Flagmount and Caher.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, the Mountshannon man expressed his delight with the success of Scariff Bay Radio to date. "We are very happy with it but we're not complacent either. We're not trying to compete with RTÉ, Spin South West or Clare FM, we provide a different service, we look at our community in North-East Clare and we try to provide information, sports coverage, traditional music and what people in East Clare are interested in because they are our only constituency".

The station manager added, "It is a community radio station, it is a service for the people of East Clare and to use as they want particularly organisations be they sporting or community to spread their message of what they are doing and tell people what they are doing. We will try and continue to provide coverage of all that is going in East Clare, any kind of support we can be to groups, organisations or businesses that is what we want to do."

COMMUNITY 19

THURSDAY, FEB 4 2021

Community ONLINE

CONTACT

NEWSDESK 065 671 9021 news@clareecho.ie

ENNISTYMON MACRA LAUNCH

lFUN RUN: Due to the covid restrictions, the very popular Run Clare series had to

go virtual for 2021. Numbers were limited to 500 and this sold out in the weeks leading up to the first event. Run Clare is a series of runs that goes from 5 kilometres to 10 miles from January to April. Organisers are hoping that the next live event will be the summer solstice 10k in June! Pictured taking part in the virtual event are Robert and Niamh McNamara

THE launch of new club Ennistymon Macra took place recently online via Zoom. The launch of the North Clare based club brings to four the total number of active clubs within the county (along with Ennis, Sixmilebridge/ Kilmurry and the recently launched Kilrush).

Guest speaker on the evening was Lahinch resident Ruairi McKiernan. Ruairi is the bestselling author of "Hitching for Hope", a former presidential appointee to the Council of State, and founder of the SpunOut.ie national youth information website. He described himself as "a passionate champion for active citizenship" and noted his pleasure in being able to speak to Macra members on the night.

He outlined how community and "meitheal" (co-operative system of working together) have been central themes in his life. He feels Macra embodies this community spirt in terms of how clubs and counties interact while simultaneously enabling personal development.

Macra National President Thomas Duffy and Munster Vice-President Sean Wallace also attended the launch. Both congratulated everyone in getting Ennistymon Macra up and running and wished the new club committee well for the year ahead.

Thomas highlighted that Ennistymon were the first ever club in Macra history to be launched in a virtual, online environment, and this was testament to the hard work and creativity shown by everyone involved within Clare Macra. Senator Roisin Garvey was also in attendance and noted how she

was "blown away" by the scale and variety of opportunities that Macra had to offer young people in the locality, and that she was available to assist the newly formed club in whatever way she can.

Elected to the new Ennistymon Macra committee on the night were Eoin Collins (Chairperson), Bryan Hughes (Secretary), Dan McInerney (Treasurer) and Mary-Kate Clancy (PRO). Eoin commented that "It's an honour for me to be elected as Chairperson of Ennistymon Macra. There is an excellent range of activities and opportunities available through Macra to all young adults in the locality. There are significant geographic opportunities for this club in terms of the local population Ennistymon can pull in from all over North Clare and I urge anyone thinking about joining us to just bite the bullet and go for it!"

Clare Macra PRO Kieran Harvey added some interesting historical background noting that the original Ennistymon Macra was founded almost exactly 55 years ago (30th Jan 1966) in the old Town Hall (where the Community Centre was later built). His father Maurice Harvey won an election against well known matchmaker Willie Daly to become the club's first ever chairperson. Kieran noted it was lovely to see the club back up and running 55 years later and wished the new club committee well going forward.

Anyone looking to get involved with Ennistymon Macra were advised to join online at https://macra.ie/pages/join-macra and also to check out the Ennistymon Macra Facebook page.

ONLINE FÉILE BRÍDE ONLINE EVENT

THE ancient celebration of Imbolc, starting on St Brigid's Day, ushers in brighter days to come. For almost 30 years Irish peace and justice organisation Afri has been celebrating this time at the annual Féile Bríde event in Kildare. The event goes online this year meaning it's more accessible than ever. The line-up this year will feature two Clare-based contributors and organisers are especially keen to extend an invitation to the people of Clare.

The virtual event, which is free to attend, takes place from 3-5pm this coming Saturday February 6th and features a combination of inspirational talks, poetry and music, combined with the live-streaming of the annual tree planting ceremony.

Afri coordinator Joe Murray says he's looking forward to the event. "We're surprised by the huge volume of registrations already this year. It feels like people are particularly

hungry for hope in these times and that is understandable given all that is going on in the world.”

The host for the event is Lahinch-based campaigner and Hitching for Hope author Ruairí McKiernan and he will be speaking on the theme of 'new hope'. Other speakers and performers include Ennistymon poet Grace Wells, Sinéad Fortune from the Gaia Foundation in the UK, Karen Jeffares and Gareth Conlon from the Síolta Chroí nature education centre, musician Dee Armstrong from Kila, direct provision campaigner Sikhulekile Ruth Ndlovu, poet Pete Mullineaux, and musician RoJ Whelan. The Feíle Bríde online event is part of a week-long series of events organised by the Brigidine Sisters and Cáirde Bríde through the Solas Bhríde centre in Kildare.

The Afri Féile Bríde event takes place from 3-5pm on Saturday February 6th. Registration is free. Visit www.afri.ie for info.

ONLINE VIRTUAL RUN

THE Bunratty Cratloe FC virtual 10k/5k family fun walk and run will take place on Valentines weekend. Register now for only €15 per adult or €30 per family. Free BCFC crested snood with every adult entry. Additional snoods available for €6.

Virtual walk/run to take place any time be-

fore February 14 2021. The sooner the better! Win an overnight stay (B&B) for two at the fabulous Woodstock Hotel, kindly sponsored by the Lally family.

Free entry for this draw with every registration. Please keep safe and stay within your 5km limit as advised by government Covid-19 guidelines.

lELECTED: New Ennistymon Macra Chairperson Eoin Collins

KILRUSH OVER 55S

Spring is in the air. West Clare Family Resource Centre have a variety of weekly and monthly online activities for all people, over 55 years, to join. There is Sit Fit, Singing, Tai Chi, Crafts and Social Chat groups on every week and Down Memory Lane and

Book Club groups meeting once a month.

If you need help getting online or have questions about computing or the internet or zoom please contact us for advice and support. We are here to help. Call us on 065 9052173 or 086 7524377 for more information.

20 THURSDAY, FEB 4 2021

ONLINE SHOPPING

CLARE

Skincare from the heart of the Burren

W

ITH the Burren on their doorstep, Kevin Lynch and Tina Robinson have no shortage of inspiration for their luxury soap and skincare products, all with nature at the heart of their design.

The Airmid story began in 2009 as a truly home-grown enterprise. They have held on to one principle as they have grown the range: if it doesn’t come from nature, you won’t find it in any of their Airmid products.

It’s that simple.

They now sell over 40 products including luxury body oils, perfume oils, lip balms, beeswax lotion bars, shaving and grooming products which all have a focus on natural and organic ingredients.

A great deal of care goes into creating the Airmid range. Raw honey and beeswax are sourced from the Burren and all products are handmade in their workshop, using plastic free and sustainable packaging from Irish suppliers.

Airmid won the Prestige Award for Best Soap Business in Ireland in 2020, based on areas such as service excellence, quality of the product, innovative practices, value, ethical and sustainable methods of working, as well as consistency in performance.

10% Discount for all Clare Echo readers - Use code: CLICKFORCLARE For more information on the Airmid story go to www.airmidsoap.com

Members of Guaranteed Irish, Design & Craft Council of Ireland, Design Ireland, Doolin Tourism & Burren Ecotourism Network.

Clare second largest

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OUNTY Clare recorded the second largest increase in new .ie domain registrations in Ireland in 2020.

IN an analysis of domains by county conducted by dot. ie, every county in Ireland recorded a year on year increase in .ie domain registrations. However it was the Banner County which emerged among the most active counties for website registration as consumers turned their attention to online shopping in their droves.

According to the research, Clare recorded a massive 70.5% increase in domain registrations while also recording a year on year increase every month in 2020. By comparison, our neighbours in Tipperary recorded a 45% increase while Limerick and Cork each experienced a 30% increase.

Nationwide, 65,113 new .ie domains were registered in 2020, the highest ever figure and an almost 30% increase on 2019. Peaks and troughs in new .ie registrations generally followed the Government’s restrictions on travel and business.

According to analysis of the report by irishtechnews.ie, the highest peak occurred in May when 7,003 new .ie domains were registered, the highest number ever registered in a single month.

“This occurred approximately six weeks after the closure of non-es-

sential retail. This peak began to drop off from June, as restrictions eased, but moved up sharply in October, peaking again in November corresponding to the announcement of the second national lockdown.”

David Curtin, Chief Executive of .IE, Ireland’s national registry for .ie domains, says that the increase demonstrates a “mass mobilisation of digital in every part of the economy and society” in response to the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Businesses migrated online, many for the first time, in direct response to the lockdowns,” he said. “They realised that having an online presence, and in many cases, e-commerce capabilities, would at the very least minimise the damage of reduced or non-existent footfall.

“Some businesses have fully embraced digital, using multiple platforms to communicate with and sell to their customers. For example, some restaurants are using their own websites to advertise special offers but redirect customers to third-party apps and platforms for food ordering. Delivery is then outsourced.

Many who have pivoted their business model in this way have reaped the rewards and stayed afloat, even thrived, in an intensely challenging period.”

“The nationwide increase in new .ie domain registrations is very encouraging,” said Mr Curtin. “It suggests

THURSDAY, FEB 4 2021

ONLINE SHOPPING

21

CLARE

‘Largest stock of excavator attachments in Ireland’ CIAN O’BROIN

news@clareecho.ie

Q

uin based Buckets.ie specialises in excavator buckets and attachments, with owner Joe Leyden predicting a busy season ahead once machinery and construction returns in the coming weeks.

Established in 2016, Joe informs that the company has branched out into garden machinery as well as farm equipment. “We now have the biggest stock of excavator attachments in Ireland,�

Joe states. Some of the most popular attachments are excavator buckets, saw heads and rippers. Joe also points towards the popularity of rakes in the springtime and is looking forward to an influx of business once governmental restrictions are lifted.

Supporting both the agricultural and construction industries is a point of

pride for Joe, who operates the business on his own. The sale of farm machinery has allowed for Buckets.ie to remain open throughout the lockdown.

All items are on display in a yard outdoors which “thankfully has made social distancing a viable option.�

Joe also offers a custom design service. Any attachment can be tailor made to suit the needs of the customer. “If someone is looking for a customised bucket, we can do up the specifications as well as design and manufacture it,� he states.

Adding: “We also offer next day delivery and we have the best deals around.

This is the reason to choose Buckets. ie.� Contact Joe to arrange a time to meet at the yard and view any of the items in stock.

Contact can be made by calling +353 87 696 7210 or by emailing info@buckets.ie.

Joe Leyden (right)

in .ie domain increase that businesses and public services, regardless of county or whether they are in a city or a small town, were able to quickly and easily set up an online presence and meet local demand.�

Late last year The Clare Echo reported that Clare businesses had reported a surge in online sales resulting from business conditions created by the pandemic.

The pandemic also affected the online identities chosen in 2020, which is evident in the words used in new .ie domain web addresses. “Health� and “Covid� were the second and fourth most common keywords respectively.

315 .ie domains containing the word “mask�

BUCKETS.I

or “facemask� were registered in 2020 compared to just 6 in 2019; 61 containing the word “remote� (e.g. remote work) were registered in 2020 compared to 5 in 2019.

General health-related keywords, including “wellness�, “supplement�, “pharmacy�, and “fitness�, increased 92% year-on-year.

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22 RECRUITMENT

THURSDAY, FEB 4 2021

Recruitment €55m boost for tourism welcomed A NEW nationwide €55 million investment by Fáilte Ireland will provide a welcome boost for tourism businesses in Clare Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway has said.

The Tourism Business Continuity Scheme was secured in Budget 2021 and Fáilte Ireland is responsible for developing and administering the scheme.

Senator Martin Conway said: “I am confident this will have a positive impact on the industry in Clare and will be key to helping it survive and thrive in the year ahead.

“The first phase of the Scheme opens for applications on the 11th February 2021 to businesses including outdoor activity providers, visitor

attractions not eligible for CRSS, caravan and camping providers registered with Fáilte Ireland and Cruise Hire companies who meet the eligibility criteria.

“The Government will continue to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy and ensure that appropriate supports are in place. We are now developing tourism for survival through the pandemic and recovery in the medium and long term.”

The National Tourism Development Authority also announced 'Survive to Thrive', with domestic marketing plans, investment commitments in outdoor dining and urban animation and its priorities for 2021 outlined.

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Airports need long term support STUART HOLLY

T

editor@clareecho.ie

HE stark reality of COVID19’s impact on every part of the global aviation value chain was outlined by Eamonn Brennan, the Director General of EUROCONTOL, the organisation that manages the European Air Traffic Network, when he addressed a Shannon Chamber webinar to share his views on the path ahead for the sector.

While aviation is a very resilient sector, Mr Brennan said this slowdown caused by a health crisis, is very different.

“COVID-19’s impact on aviation is global; flight movements throughout the globe are now at 52% of their 2019 figure,” he stated.

“Seat capacity (2020 vs 2019) on all continents has been reduced, with Eu-

rope the hardest hit. Europe has witnessed a 55% reduction in flights; 51% of its aircraft are parked; passenger movement is down by 1.7 billion; 191,000 permanent aviation jobs have been lost in areas such as ground handling, car parking, fuel supply, catering and back-end jobs that make up the sector’s eco-system, and traffic management charges have declined by 59%,” he stated.

Commenting on the devastating impact this air traffic plunge has had on Irish airports, Brennan said that Dublin, given its pre-COVID traffic volumes, is the worst affected airport in Europe. The average daily movements at Irish airports for the week 18-24 January 2021, versus the levels for the same week in 2019, showed an 81% reduction at Dublin, 75% at Cork and 71% at Shannon, with cargo accounting for a percentage of current movements.

Advising attendees not to expect any form of return to short-haul air travel until earliest summer 2021, he said that

this will be dependent on the speedy and effective roll-out of the vaccine. Longhaul will take longer to recover, maybe not until 2024, with vaccination becoming a necessity for international flights.

Cautioning that regional connectivity cannot be impacted by the focus on sustainability, Brennan said that air travel is the only viable connectivity option for an island nation such as Ireland, further adding that Shannon is a really important hub for regional connectivity.

Brennan commented that the Government must have a clear long-term plan and provide support now to seed the recovery of the sector.

“The aviation sector in Ireland cannot recover by itself. Airports such as Shannon need long term financial support, over a five year timeframe, to fund reduction in, or elimination of, airport charges and the marketing funds that will be required to reinstate UK and EU routes, particularly connections to major hubs.

Aldi hiring 24 staff among 7 stores in Clare and Limerick

WE ARE HIRING Manufacturing Employee Denmac Stainless Fabrication Limited require a manufacturing employee.

Would suit person with a keen interest in the metal industry and work well as a team.

ALDI are seeking to recruit an additional 24 employees for its stores in Clare and Limerick, writes Páraic Mc Mahon.

Throughout 2021, Aldi Ireland have announced their plans to hire 24 employees across its stores in Clare and Limerick, 18 permanent positions are on offer across the discount supermarket chain's seven stores in Clare and Limerick.

Across the country, Aldi plan to hire 1,050 new store employees including 700 permanent and 350 temporary posts. A 15.2 percent growth in sales has been recorded by Aldi in the past 12 months.

Plans have previously been submitted

by Aldi for a new store in Shannon as part of its ambitious store opening programme.

Group Managing Director of Aldi Ireland, Niall O'Connor outlined that "a major increase in customer footfall" has been observed during the pandemic. "Our staff have played a central role in ensuring people have had access to essential best value groceries in a safe environment".

O'Connor added, "We take pride in being one of the best employers in the country, employing over 4,500 colleagues and paying industry leading wages".

Apply in writing to the Personnel Manager, Denmac Stainless Fabrication Ltd, Stonehall, Newmarket-On-Fergus, Co.Clare or email info@denmacstainless.ie Telephone: 061-363777. l FRESH: Aldi are giving a jobs boost to the Mid-West

BUSINESS 23

THURSDAY, FEB 4 2021

BUSINESS

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

Katie's Coffee is the beans knees CIAN O’BROIN

K

cian@clareecho.ie

ATIE Dixon has fashioned one of the world's most cherished commodities of coffee, into a neatly marketed business venture.

Katie's X21 Coffee was started by the LCA2 student, who attends Coláiste Mhuire in Ennis. With many other career options looking 'dead-end' by their nature, Katie decided to look at a 'recession proof' option and at the age of just 18, set up her own coffee company.

Maths, marketing and digital media are all life skills that Katie has been learning with her father Mark in the early stages of her career.

Katie and Mark started tasting different coffees from Colombia,

Guatemala and Ethiopia. "Colombia was a definite favourite," she states. Adding that this version wasn't as strong as Mediterranean blends, "making it more Irish in taste." This led to the final product, which is single sourced 100 per cent Arabica Columbian Ground Coffee in individual sealed bags.

Market research was conducted by Katie through the development of a questionnaire to put to the public on their coffee tasting preferences. The coffee bags were designed by Conor, a friend of the family. After establishing a business relationship with both Food Haven and Fiddle and Bowe in Doolin, Katie and Mark now sell their coffee at both food retail outlets. Orders can also be taken online on their website.

With an eye to the future, Katie hopes to generate sufficient interest and capital to open a retail

coffee shop and roastery in Clare.

'X21 HQ' is the business name in mind. "What we hope to do is open ourselves up to people with similar conditions as Katie who may benefit from it," Mark informs. He adds that there are many locations throughout the county which the pair are eyeing up, however "First and foremost we are trying to build up a following. Lots of places try and fail. We are hoping to use the power of the press to get a sponsor or a food distributor," he adds.

The pair envisage being doggy friendly when they decide to open their business to the public. Ruben is the name of their much-loved family dog and the trio enjoy sitting out together to have a coffee in Ennis, despite a lack of availability at the moment.

"The main plan would to be offer slots to other kids with similar issues," Mark concludes.

l IN THE BAG: Ennis student entrepreneur Katie Dixon

Brexit is here and it will affect small businesses in Clare. If the UK is part of your supply chain, you need to prepare.

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Sport Clare Echo THE

04-02-21

pg 25

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

One of Clare’s top sportsmen Paul Costelloe dies SEAMUS HAYES

T

HE death took place at the weekend of one of Clare’s best known sportsmen, Paul Costelloe.

A native of Kilkee, he achieved success in a variety of sports including football, badminton and squash.

He played football for his beloved St Senans, Kilkee for many years helping them to gain senior status in 1970 when they swept the boards at junior level. In the league final that year they scored a one point win, 1-8 to 0-10 over Lissycasey with Paul scoring the all important goal. He served as club secretary for a decade, was a selector with and helped train a number of club teams.

Paul also had a keen interest in

Clare’s first squash champion Paul Costelloe (second from right) at the 21st anniversary of Clare Squash with (l-r) ladies champion Margaret Lacheiner, Willie Griffin and Mike Conlon

hurling and helped train a number of Kilkee-Bealaha teams He was particularly prominent at basketball and he helped Clare win two Munster basketball titles in the early seventies.

In 1976, he joined the One Mile Inn squash club and he had the distinction of winning the first Clare squash championship, the competition being organised for the first time at the end of the 1976/’77 season. In the final he defeated Colm McLoughlin, now the CEO of Dubai Duty Free.

Costelloe was a member of the One Mile Inn team which captured the Limerick area league title that season. They were runners up in Munster where they lost out to Minnies from Dungarvan. The other members of that squad were Denis Maurer, Colm McLaughlin, Dickie Pyne, Rory O’Keeffe, the late Tony Lillis and the late Paddy Kelly.

When Kilkee golf club built a squash court, Paul helped coach

and train the members while he managed teams from the club competing in the Clare leagues. Paul was also a keen badminton player.

He was also part of the committee which wrote ‘A Sporting Odyssey’, a history of sport in Kilkee. Published in 2009, the book took three years of research, Paul worked on this alongside Ger Keane, Paddy McDonnell, Jimmy Fitzpatrick and Danny McCarthy.

A private cremation took place with a funeral service and interment of his ashes to be held at a later date in Kilkee. Paul is survived by his brothers Eugene (KIlkee), John (England), sisters Mary (Kilkee), Teresa (England) and Monica (England), brother-in-law Tony and sister-in-law Marj, nephews, nieces, cousins, neighbours and friends.

Clare duo signed up PÁRAIC MCMAHON

Caoilfionn Madden has joined Galway WFC and (inset) Amy Madden has teamed up with Treaty

paraic@clareecho.ie

T

WO Clare teenagers have put pen to paper on new deals with U17 League of Ireland sides.

Caoilfionn Madden has signed for Galway WFC and will line out with their U17 side.

She had previously been a key player on underage teams for Tulla Utd and also at Gaynor Cup level for her county.

In a statement paying tribute to her move, Tulla Utd said Caoilfhionn’s departure brought “pride and lots of sadness”. She featured on club teams at U14 and U16 level last season. “She has been with Tulla Utd AFC since she started playing four years ago.

We have seen her develop into an outstanding player over the years. We will miss not only her ability on the field but her wonderful attitude off it”.

Amy Madden will also be competing in the U17 League of Ireland. The Newmarket-on-Fergus native has transferred from Ballingarry AFC to Treaty Utd. A second year student at St Patricks Comprehensive in Shannon, Amy is also a noted camogie player with the Blues, her mother Elaine McMahon was

the first woman to captain Newmarket-on-Fergus to senior championship glory in 2001.

Amy also represented Clare at Gaynor Cup level and featured in the U15 Munster Schools competition.

Newly appointed Treaty Utd U17 manger, Craig Hurley welcomed Amy’s addition as an “excellent singing”. He succeeded Ennis woman Irene Hehir as manager last month.

04-02-21

Clare Echo THE

pg 26

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

THE CUTTING EDGE

WITH MARK O’DONNELL

‘Use of language has enormous impact on development of athletes’

A

S SPORTING activity remains on hold, The Clare Echo will for the next few weeks share the insights of coaches to aid trainers across the county as they prepare for a return to action. This week, LIT GAA Games Development Officer, Mark O’Donnell tackles language – the good, the bad and the ugly.

In a number of weeks, when restrictions allow us to do so, people will return in their droves to clubs nationwide. Players loving to be back amongst their friends. Parents even happier to get out of the house. Coaches eager to impart their knowledge. Huge energy and enthusiasm in the air, it’s almost palpable.

After the “welcome back” chat and brief warm-up games, the coach is ready to go with his/her

session. Two players execute a quick demo, questions arise, feedback is provided and just before the whistle blows … “Whatever ye do now lads, DON’T drop the ball!” Does this sound familiar? Language has an incredibly powerful impact on our lives, especially athlete development.

You just had to say it coaches, didn’t you? We’ve all sought crisp teamplay before an important match, wanting our players going 100mph without misplacing a strike or kick-pass. However, the final lingering thought has now become … DON’T drop the ball. Many of us may be unaware that our sub-conscious brain is unable to process the word “don’t”.

Don’t drop the ball short when

shooting, the ball lands in the clutches of the goalkeeper; don’t overcarry the ball, free out for taking too many steps; don’t foul … you guessed it! We are programming our players into paralysis with the inclusion of “don’t.”

“Every pass goes to hand” or “soft hands, wrap up the ball” magnifies the importance of securing possession without negative connotations.

This enforces our coaching point and gives players a clear message on a task.

Fidelma Marrinan is one of Clare’s fastest, most technically gifted footballers, marrying both speed and technique into her game. She doesn’t think of “don’t” when playing at the highest level - embracing the inevitable mis-

takes associated with sport and re-enforcing positive language to excel at her game.

“Bend your back” … an aggressive order which often contains another expletive that’s not very newspaper friendly! In this case, the coach wants players to get into a low, athletic position when performing the crouch lift (football) or jab/roll lift (hurling). To maximise the chance of gaining possession in a congested ruck, getting low towards the ground is vital for protection of the ball. Bending of the back is not something humans are configured to do – why ask players to do it?

Coaches could instead use “bend your knees & hips” or “get low and strong, head over the ball.” Players thrive off accurate, relevant feedback, as opposed to generic utterances that have no meaning after the third/fourth repetition. When Cian O’Dea or

Chloe Morey perform a crouch lift/jab rise, they’ll adopt a wide stance in a quarter squat or lunge position with their head directly over the ball. This enables them to maintain balance and protect themselves from opponent’s ferocious tackling, without risking a turnover. Challenge yourself and your coaching vocabulary to become more specific!

Take stock of your current coaching philosophy, review the strengths and areas for improvement, and reach out for support.

Coach education is paramount if we want our games to continue to evolve. We can begin this process by a simple change of phrase, and better utilisation of our language & communication skills. May I suggest leaving “bend your back – don’t drop the ball – …” in 2020?

“Mean what you say, and say what you mean,” for a more enlightened 2021!

Bling Bling Paul is fancied to bounce back

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SATURDAY’S final of the The Epic Hero Leger Winner 2020 Sweepstake at the Limerick Track on this will be the main focus of attention for Greyhound people this weekend.

Clare will be well represented with three runners in the line up. Paradise Mozart owned by Sean Meade of Miltown Malbay a heat winner in the semi-final looks to be a greyhound who is improving with every run and is sure to be in the shake up. Boyhero trained by Páraic Campion has strong Clare connections in the guise of Tommy Hegarty and Seanie McMahon but Bling Bling Paul owned

by John Meehan of Newmarket-on-Fergus is tipped to bounce back and claim the title. Meehan’s young dog could only manage to fill third position last week-end after breaking poorly.

The quarter-finals of the Paul McKenna Memorial A5 575 Yards Stake formed the backbone of last Saturday nights card at Galway Greyhound Stadium. All eyes online were on the Mullins-Curtin Syndicate of Gort owned Kiss An Angel in the opening quarter-final and the litter sister of Miss Joss and Dana Point certainly did not disap-

point as she routed her rivals by upwards of twelve lengths in 31.68.

Flyers Job owned by Kilrush duo Colm Fitzgerald and Cathal Meaney claimed the third quarter-final. The winner led at halfway before drawing clear to defeat reserve Merciful Grace by seven lengths in a time 32.12.

In the A2 graded sixth contest over 525 yards, the John Collins and John Browne of Ballyea owned Rathmeehan May but up a fine performance as she made most of the running to defeat Office Bar by four and a half lengths in 29.14.

Death of Christy Kelly: All in greyhound racing

reacted with sadness to the death of Mullagh’s Christy Kelly last weekend. Christy who was in his ninety second year was predeceased by his wife Claire.

Coming from Mullagh an area with a strong tradition in coursing and track racing, the trip to Clonmel for the annual meeting was one he really looked forward to.

Christy was involved in the dogs from a very young age, Over the years he would

keep a bitch for breeding, rear a litter of pups train and race them under the Finure Prefix. About two years ago he decided to purchase a greyhound with his niece Marie and neighbour Gerard Sexton, they would form a syndicate known as the Finure Syndicate, the Greyhound was named Finure Storm and put into training with a long time friend of Christy’s, Denis P O Malley.

The syndicate had an eventful journey with Finure Storm, he was won twelve races with his most recent coming last Thursday night in Limerick. It was a win of mixed emotions for all involved with the greyhound with Christy’s funeral the following day.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions a private funeral mass for family only was celebrated on Friday in St Mary’s Church Mullagh by Fr Donagh O Mara assisted by Fr Tom Ryan. He is survived by his daughters Pat, Claire & Geraldine, son John, daughterin-law Loretto, grandchildren, Shane and David Kavanagh, Niamh, James and Sean Kelly, brother Timmy, sisters in law, nephews, nieces, grand nephew & grand nieces, neighbours & many friends.

pg 27

04-02-21

Clare Echo THE

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Fahy stays with Whitegate as Broadford enlist O’Brien SEAMUS HAYES

W

H I T E G AT E have opted for continuity as they stick with the same management of their senior hurlers for 2021.

Terence Fahy remains in the role of manager with the North-East Clare side. The former manager of Laois club Borris-In-Ossory Kilcotton has played a key role in the improvements of St Josephs Tulla in recent years with the secondary school reaching the quarter-finals of the Dr Harty Cup under his stewardship last year.

A Munster SHC winner in 1998, Fahy enters his third year as Whitegate manager. Kenneth Doyle and Patrick Minogue will act as selectors for the coming season.

Limerick’s Dave Moriarty will take responsibility for strength and conditioning of the side. He was S&C coach with the Laois hurlers last season while he was part of the backroom team involved with Cork club Glen Rovers as they won back to back senior titles in 2015 and 2016.

In last year’s campaign they Eugene Foudy has been named junior coach

Photo by Burren Eye Photography

lost out to Feakle (0-21 to 0-16) in the opening round before going down to champions Sixmilebridge (0-20 to 1-13) in round 2. In the senior B championship they bowed out when losing to Clarecastle (1-17 to 2-10).

As previously reported by The Clare Echo, Whitegate senior hurler Brendan Bugler has been appointed manager of Offaly side Birr for 2021.

Meanwhile, former Clare senior selector Jimmy Browne remains in charge of the Broadford senior hurlers for 2021 and he’ll be joined by an All-Ireland winning coach.

Last year, Broadford reached the quarter-finals of the Clare senior hurling championship bowing out to eventual winners Sixmilebridge on a scoreline of 0-21 0-12 in what was regarded as a positive campaign for the East Clare men.

As a result of this, the 2019 intermediate champions have re-appointed the management team which is headed up by Clonlara’s Jimmy Browne. The Vice-President Corporate Services & Capital Development at Limerick Institute of Technology previously managed Monaleen to success in the Limerick IHC. He also served as selector on

Laois recruit O’Donnell as Mills return confirmed

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

Brendan Bugler in action for Whitegate Photo by Gerard O’Neill

the Clare U21 hurling teams that won three Munster and All-Ireland titles from 2012 to 2014, moving onto the senior ranks for Donal Moloney and Gerry O’Connor’s three year spell in charge of the county seniors. The Clonlara man is also the manager of LIT’s Fitzgibbon Cup team.

Speaking to The Clare Echo following their championship exit last year, Jimmy described their 2020 endeavours as “a good step forward for the club”.

John Corcoran has stepped down from the management citing work commitments while the club have secured a big coup by enlisting Aonghus O’Brien, a coach with the Limerick senior hurlers and a former Clare senior hurling coach in 2016 to their set-up.

Ex Clare selector Kieran Corcoran and Padraig Boland also form part of the Broadford management. Garath Walsh is the side’s strength and conditioning coach.

O’Connell finalises senior set-up as Foudy named junior coach

by SEAMUS HAYES WHILE all the indications are that it will be some time yet before competition returns for many sports, Clare camogie will be ready to go once the green light is given.

Inter county team managements have been put in place and plans have been drawn up by those in charge.

Clonlara’s Ger O’Connell, Clare’s All-Ireland wining minor hurling goalkeeper from 1997, will manage the senior team for a third successive season. Meelick’s Conor Dolan will again be the team’s head coach while the selection committee includes Francis O’Halloran, Éanna Mulvihill and Barry O’Connell. Stephen Cusack and Maeve Conneely will be in charge of S&C. Nollaig O’Sullivan will be the team’s sports psychologist while Trish O’Donnell is the team’s physiotherapist.

The seniors will compete in division 1 of the league. They were in the running for a place in the final last year following away wins over Offaly and Kilkenny and

a home Lockdown led to the cancellation of their home game against Cork and the competition wasn’t concluded.

Ann Marie McGann and Tim McGrath have been re-appointed managers of the county junior side. Eugene Foudy is joining as coach and the selectors are Ann Marsh McMahon and Bryan O’Loughlin.

The juniors were Clare’s only unbeaten team in 2020 having defeated Louth in the league and Offaly in the championship while they beat Limerick in the LIT cup.

Eleanor Walsh from Scariff-Ogonnelloe will manage the minor team in 2021. The backroom team will include John Hanrahan (Crusheen), Niamh Cooney (Parteen), Mike Beddows (Ballina) and Eileen Gleeson (Clonlara), who has stepped down from the senior management to be part of the minors backroom team. Ann McElhinney will be nutritionist while Nollaig O’Sullivan will be the team’s sports psychologist, a role she also fills with the seniors.

Walsh succeeds Dervilla Moloney who led the side to the 2019 All-Ireland decider.

O’CALLAGHANS Mills manager Donach O’Donnell has been named as new coach of the Laois senior hurlers.

Coach of the Limerick senior hurlers that tasted provincial glory in 2013 but later exited the championship to Clare who finished the year as All-Ireland champions, O’Donnell has taken on an additional role for 2021.

He guided O’Callaghans Mills to a first senior county final appearance since 1993 last season when they came up short against Sixmilebridge. Donach was announced this week as a member of Seamus ‘Cheddar’ Plunkett’s Laois management team alongside former Laois football and Kerry U20 boss John Sugrue, ex Galway coach Francis Forde, Leo Tiernan, David Matthews and Arthur Dunne.

Over the weekend, O’Callaghans Mills held their AGM which confirmed O’Donnell’s return as senior manager.

Fergus Donovan is in the hotseat as intermediate boss with Jack McNamara in charge of the Junior Bs. No management was appointed for the club’s U21 hurlers.

Thirty members of the East Clare club attended the virtual AGM. Chairman Joe O’Gorman thanked fellow officers for their work in the club and congratulated the senior team and management on contesting the county final, the Junior A team on winning the championship and the O’Callaghan’s Mills/Bodyke team winning the County Minor B championship.

O’Gorman stepped down from his post and no successor was appointed which has prompted the need for a reconvened AGM. Patrick Hogan succeeded Patsy Neville as secretary. Club membership fees will stay the same as 2020, the meeting agreed.

Club president: J. P Guinane Vice president: John Fitzgerald Patron: Fr Donal O’Dwyer.

Chairman: Vacant Vice Chairman: Brendan Hannon Secretary: Patrick Hogan Assistant secretary: John Cooney Team secretary: Joe Meaney Treasurer: Michael Jones Assistant treasurer: Billy Murphy County Board delegate: Robert Frost Registrar: Michael Jones PRO: Pat O’Brien and Marty Baker Membership officers: John Cooney and Niall O’Donovan Child welfare officer: Caroline Hickey Health wellbeing: Kate O’Gorman Players representatives: Barry Heffernan and Bryan Donnellan Pitch bookings: Joe Cooney and Brendan Hannon

28

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THURSDAY, FEB 4 2021

PLANNING NOTICES Clare County Council Further Information/Revised Plans Planning Ref: P20/811 Development Description: to retain extended road Location: Tiermaclane, Ennis

Take notice that J. Kelly has lodged significant further information in respect of planning application P20/811. 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, 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.

of receipt by the Authority of the application.

Clare County Council Ballycorey, Barefield, Ennis, Co. Clare.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL BREAFFA WEST, LISSYCASEY, CO. CLARE

Take notice that Michael Keating Dip. Arch. (phone 085-8421780) intends to apply to Clare County Council, on behalf of Edward O’Grady & Deborah Pigott, for full permission to construct 1 no.

Dwelling House. Connect to new proprietary Waste Water Treatment System. Connect to public services and to public water supply, and carry out all ancillary site works at the above address.

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

I Declan Donnelly, wish to apply for planning permission for the construction of an a slatted agricultural livestock unit, dungstead and all associated site works, at Breaffa west, Lissycasey, Co. Clare.

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 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 ARDBOOLY UPPER TULLA CO. CLARE

Take notice that Rory Stephens & Niamh Ni Thuathail intend to apply for Planning Permission to: a) To construct a detached dwelling house, waste water treatment system including all ancillary site services and works. b) Change of Use of Existing Cottage from residential to use as agricultural and general storage including all ancillary site services and works at the above address The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority, Clare County Council, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare during its public opening hours.

A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority, in writing, on payment of a fee of â‚Ź20,

within 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the Planning Application.

Clare County Council Nr 1 Tullyvarraga Heights, Shannon, Co. Clare

I, Paul Feeney, intend to apply to the planning authority for permission to construct an extension and carry out alterations to an existing dwelling house.

The 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 Co Council Caher, Ogonnelloe, Co Clare

Permission sought to retain the

PLANNING

29

following: (a) to retain garden room structure as constructed to the rear of existing dwelling house (b) to retain and continue temporary use of same garden room structure for residential purposes for a period of three years (c) to retain a garden shed to the rear of existing dwelling house (d) to retain and complete construction of roadside boundary and (e) all ancillary site works and services at above address, applicant Paul Blake.

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.

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Sudoku is a logic puzzle where you have to populate the grid with numbers. A number can appear only once in each row, column and house. Each puzzle can be solved using logic from the given information and requires no guesswork.

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Sudoku is a logic puzzle where you have to populate the grid with numbers. A number can appear only once in each row, column and house. Each puzzle can be solved using logic from the given information and requires no guesswork.

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Sudoku is a logic puzzle where you have to populate the grid with numbers. A number can appear only once in each row, column and house. Each puzzle can be solved using logic from the given information and requires no guesswork.

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The Clare Echo Crossword

ACROSS DOWN 1 Outdated (8) 2 Gross mistake 6 Floor covering (3) (7)

9 A shade of pur3 Poem (3) ple (5) 2019 unit 4 Monetary

10 Wind-storm (7) of Portugal (6) JAN 11 Slimmed down 5 Meet (9)

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13 Combine (5) Zealand (5) 14 Small prawn (6) 7 Immediately Solve

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15 Intense or vio(5,3,4) now puzzleDate=20190131) Cold lent effort (6)

Captivity (12) 18 Of the nose (5) 8 12 Finished (9) 20 Perpendicular

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21 Voted into office . Ardent () 17 Miscellaneous (7) ()

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QUIZ 31

THURSDAY, FEB 4 2021

The Clare Echo Quiz

THE COVID-19 QUIZ FIRST WAVE Novel Pandemic Health Emergency first COVID-19 case beTeam 1 Clare’s came known on what date?

Who introduced a National Stay 7 at Home Message on March 27th 2020? part of the county was this 2Which case located in?

February 19st 2020 January 31st 2020 March 4th 2020

NPHET was created to co-or6 dinate the national response to the pandemic on January 31st 2019,

Stay two metres apart Wash your hands Hold firm

Can you spot the difference? Spot the 7 differences.

The answers will be revealed in next weeks edition.

6. National Public Health Emergency Team

Spot the Difference

7. Leo Varadkar

what does NPHET stand for?

Now Please Help Everyone Tune-In National Public Health Emergency Team

ANSWERS

ic?

1. March 4th 2020

Which public health message 10 became a slogan for Joe Duffy’s Liveline during the pandem-

protest in Ennis?

2. NORTH CLARE

December 28th 2019 January 18th 2020 February 5th 2020

lQUESTION 9: Which measure introduced because of COVID-19 led to a

8. Cusack Park

When did the first meeting of 5 the Coronavirus Expert Advisory Group take place?

. Level Five lockdown restrictions . Pedestrianisation of the town centre . Health Minister Stephen Donnelly saying trampolines were as risky as going to school in a pandemic

3. NINE

Swine Flu Spanish Flu

9. Pedestrianisation of the town centre

was the last pandemic be4 What fore COVID-19 to hit Ireland?

Which measure introduced 9 because of COVID-19 led to a protest in Ennis?

10.Wash your hands

Nine Fifteen Twenty One

Bunratty Castle & Folk Park Sixmilebridge Mart Cusack Park

4. Swine Flu

How many cases had been 3 known on the island of Ireland before Clare’s first case?

A drive-thru testing centre was 8 set up at which iconic Clare location?

5. February 5th 2020

South Clare East Clare North Clare

Tony Holohan Leo Varadkar Linda Martin

Last weeks Answers . Strap on guitar different . Wall plaque missing . light holder missing . Line on window missing

. Writing on guitar missing . piece on base of guitar missing . Harpist’s ring missing

Gardaí liaise with anti-mask protestors in Scariff. Photograph: John Mangan