The Clare Echo 05/08/21

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2 NEWS

Index NEWS

THURSDAY, AUG 5 2021

PULL LIKE A DOG ‘Uplifting

response’ to Autism Awareness

2-13

GREENER CLARE

14

ENTERTAINMENT

15

COMMUNITY

17

BUSINESS

20-21

MERCHANT SQ

22-26

SPORT

27-34

A

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

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

NEWSDESK

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

SALES

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

lINCLUSION: Clare GAA became only the third county in the country to hold an

Autism Cúl Camp. Children attended the three camp in Cusack Park on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in what has been hailed as a very successful event

Photo by Joe Buckley

CTIVE promotion and engagement with the ‘Autism Aware in Clare’ pilot is needed, an outgoing county councillor has said.

In what was her final West Clare Municipal District meeting, Cllr Susan Crawford (GP) detailed that four online autism awareness training workshops have been held with sensory kits distributed to churches and community centres with communication boards specific to each area of West Clare to be designed.

There has been a great response to autism awareness in Miltown Malbay, Cllr Crawford stated. “It is really uplifting to see people engage with the process”.

Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) paid tribute to Cllr Crawford for her work in this area, “It is wonderful to see the work she is doing with groups around the county and the vibe that is coming off it”. The design of the new park in Lisdoonvarna will put a focus on autism awareness, he said.

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4 NEWS

THURSDAY, AUG 5 2021

We are afraid of becoming ‘homeless pensioners’ PÁRAIC MCMAHON

C

paraic@clareecho.ie

LARE homeowners whose houses are infected by pyrite have expressed their fear that they are going to become “homeless pensioners”.

Three houses situated within half a mile in Newmarket-on-Fergus are among the 60 plus that have tested positive for the presence of defective concrete blocks. Founder of the Clare Pyrite Action Group, Dr Martina Cleary previously told The Clare Echo that hundreds if not thousands of homes across the county are impacted.

Efforts to extend a pyrite redress scheme to Clare are ongoing but to date have not had the desired outcome.

At the age of 73, Joe O’Donnell has had to continue working part-time in order to maintain an income to prepare for the collapse of his family home in Ballycalla which has been diagnosed as category four pyrite which is the worst stage.

The home of his neighbour, Veronica Griffin is deemed to be category three which over time could progress to category four.

Both houses were constructed by the same builders, the O’Donnells in 1989 and the Griffins a year later in 1990, problems for the Griffins first began to emerge in 2008 while both families only realised last year that it was pyrite related.

“This is the biggest, scar-

iest thing that has ever happened, we thought we were doing okay, we were keeping our house intact by painting and filling, once the lads finished college we had the intention of renovating the house, we talked about having someone take down the plaster and put up new plaster, how naive were we,” Veronica reflected.

She added, “None of us are looking for handouts, we do not think this is the Irish Governments problem but the vast percentage of the pyrite group are either retired or in in the latter stages of their working life, no financial institution will give us money nor do we have the earning power to pay that money back, someone has to help us.

“We’re heading towards retirement, our biggest fear is that we will end up as a group of homeless pensioners then we become the

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l PYRITE: Veronica Griffin outlines the running cracks along the walls of her family home in Newmarket-onFergus Photo by Joe Buckley

State’s problem and a statistic, we are trying to keep ourselves out of the homeless bracket, our houses are falling down around us, it is the most terrifying and devastating thing to think that your life’s work is falling down around you”.

This is the latest in a series of setbacks for Joe, “I’m 73 years of age, I’ve come through cancer, COVID and now I’m faced with pyrite, who is going to loan me money”.

He was confident Clare

would eventually be included in a redress scheme but was very frustrated with remarks from the Tanáiste, Leo Varadkar (FG).

“We have Leo Varadkar talking about the taxpayer, he should be ashamed of himself, he is pitching one tax payer against the other. I was in Dublin for the protest march, were they all taxpayers, the same taxpayers that are paying his wages and expenses, he should be ashamed of himself for pitching one of us against

the other when we need our politicians to get behind us and sort this problem out.

“If you have a person in Dublin who has cancer and a person in Caherciveen who has cancer, they are both entitled to the very same treatment even though one might cost €10,000 and the other treatment might cost €250,000, this is cancer inside the blocks of that house”.

Both households are paying property tax for houses valued at between €250,000 to €300,000 but which they describe as worthless. The anxiety has taken its toll, Veronica revealed, “The stress of COVID and worrying about an elderly parent only then to be told your house is category three for pyrite in the middle of a bloody pandemic when the country was on its knees, there was days when you wouldn’t want to get out of bed”.

There is a sense of dread from Joe when he thinks of the winter ahead, “we were told years ago by the Government to put as much insulation into the house which we did and we pumped the walls, now that is adding to our problem because the water gets into the insulation in the cavity, when it freezes it expands and frozen water will crack an engine block never mind a concrete block”.

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l WORRY: Joe O’Donnell pointing out the cracks

from pyrite and moving step at his family home in Newmarket-on-Fergus Photo by Joe Buckley

NEWS 5

THURSDAY, AUG 5 2021

Clare 'way ahead' in remote working curve says Minister PÁRAIC MCMAHON

C

paraic@clareecho.ie

LARE is “way ahead of the curve” when it comes to remote working, the Minister for Rural and Community Development has said.

Speaking during her tour of Co Clare on Thursday, Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys (FG) commended the manner in which the county has capitalised on the potential for remote working.

Minister Humphreys officially opened the new digital hubs in Cross and Ennis as well as launching the new DigiClare strategy. She also visited the Vandeleur Walled Gardens in Kilrush, Kilmihil’s People Park, the Lissycasey Community Amenity Area and Cnoc na Gaoithe Comhaltas Cultural Centre in Tulla.

Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) quipped in Cross that when he

l RED RIBBON: Cllr PJ Ryan, Minister Heather Humphreys and Cllr Paul Murphy with Cllr Gabriel Keating and Cllr Johnny Flynn at the opening of the Ennis Digital Hub

Photo by Eamon Ward

told friends in Cratloe the night before he would be with the Minister for the day that they responded that she was “the Minister with the quare accent”.

With the Bishop of the Killaloe Diocese, Fintan Monahan and several Government officials present in Cross, Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG) remarked that the West Clare parish brought Church and State together again.

Close to €4m was invested

into the Ennis hub which is also the home of the Civil Defence.

It is now one of 10 digital hubs in the county and houses pods to enable smaller enterprises to work in an office setting at much cheaper rates.

Clare County Council’s broadband officer, Urban McMahon was commended by Minister Humphreys during the visit. “I was delighted to launch the strategy DigiClare and to see their

ambition and what they have invested in terms of a remote working hub. Clare is way ahead of the curve, they had a vision a number of years ago, long before remote working became a reality and they have been investing in remote working spaces, they have ten remote working hubs and that is quite a lot for the county, it is great that they are available, I got to visit hubs on the west coast, people were coming down on their holidays and staying in Clare for three or four months at a time because they were able to work remotely, that is a huge boost to the local economy”.

Every opportunity in Clare has been grasped when it comes to remote working, Minister Humphreys told The Clare Echo. “The fact that we have these facilities in Clare means that young people might be able to choose Clare as a place to come to work, live and raise a family. Remote working is going to change rural Ireland I believe, it will breathe new life back into it and it will increase the footfall in our towns through the co-working spaces”.

LIS isn't 'dead in the water' Humphreys

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

A MEMBER of Cabinet has disputed claims from a Clare councillor that a Government scheme providing funding for local authorities to carry out improvement works on private and non-publicly maintained roads was “dead in the water”.

Between 2018 and 2020, 34 local improvement scheme (LIS) were completed in Co Clare with a total value amounting to €1,557,009. Across the county, there are 220 applications for the LIS that are unfulfilled, they have an estimated value of €9.04m.

On Thursday, Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys (FG) announced a total LIS allocation of €828,528 for Clare this year and believed this amount would reduce the backlog in Clare by three to four years.

“Before the allocations were made to the different counties, we asked the local authorities to identify the number of roads they could complete before the end of this year, they sent in their lists and they got their allocation based on their list, I think it will make a difference in some counties, it will reduce the waiting list by three or four years”.

She disputed previous claims by Cllr Shane Talty (FF) that the scheme was “dead in the water”.

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6 NEWS

THURSDAY, AUG 5 2021

'Lifetime bans needed for persons who abuse animals' CIAN O’BROIN

A

cian@clareecho.ie

WEST Clare animal rescue owner has pleaded with the public to value their pets and respect animal rights more, following a large influx of kittens throughout the pandemic.

Rhona Lucas was born in England but frequently returned to the family home and pub in Whitegate, where her father was raised.

After pursuing a degree in criminology and a career specialising in child protection and child forensic psychology, Rhona returned to her favourite holiday destination to establish a pet rescue centre more by fate than design.

Admitting that she always had an affinity with animals, her rescue has grown from two dogs and two cats 12 years ago, and now includes over 200 cats as well as donkeys, hens and dogs. Now only limited by land and money, she “didn’t plan to run an animal rescue. I wanted to garden. I now do something which occupies 17 hours of the day every week. It’s a true labour of love,” she stated.

An Cat Dubh Sanctuary now takes animals that aren’t well in addition to those with spe-

l RESPECT: Rhona Lucas cial needs. It also offers palliative care, taking in animals when owners are sick and look after them for the rest of their lives. Their main focuses are worming, neutering and spaying

animals as well as taking in cats with chronic eye conditions.

The pandemic has brought many challenges to the rescue, which sees a monthly food

bill of €2,400 each month at Precious Pets in Ennis. Throughout restrictions, Dr. Rhona was reliant on the benevolence of neighbours and benefactors, who were generous with donations and who left food outside the gates frequently. This year, the rescue will lose out on vital funding of €4,500 from the Department of Agriculture due to complicated instructions. “This time round we only had two and a half weeks to apply, which was during our busiest time for rescues. I simply couldn’t.”

Having a transparent “open door policy” is the only way to ensure that animals rights are being upheld, she informed. “It’s the rescues that you can’t go in that you need to worry about,” she added. Feeling undervalued as a rescue worker is a direct result of a lack of value put on the lives of animals. She also offered that Ireland’s record for animal welfare is not good on the world stage and that despite laws providing sufficient protection, it is the lack of enforcement that does the damage.

“We need to see more lifetime bans on keeping animals for those that abuse their rights. It seems that you have to do something really awful to a large amount of animals in order to be penalised. We need to hit them where it hurts, in their pockets,” she stated.

Pender qualifies as an €6m allocation for Clare Airman in Irish Air Corps healthcare services

by PÁRAIC McMAHON A NEWMARKET-ON-FERGUS man was among the members of the 74th and 75th Apprentice Classes who qualified as aircraft technicians with the rank of Airman in the Irish Air Corps, on Tuesday last.

Oisin Pender, a past pupil of St Aidan’s National School and St Caimin’s Community School is part of the classes which qualified to become Class 2 Technicians, and graduate with a BEng (Tech) in Military Aviation Technology, as well as having passed the EASA exams as Category B Aircraft Technicians.

The ceremony marked the completion of four years of training, ranging from Military training, to theoretical knowledge training, practical workshop training, and almost 500 hours of ‘on-the-job’ training within operational units where supervised maintenance was performed on the Irish Air Corps fleet.

Irish Air Corps have said the newly qualified technicians will now commence their careers working and undergoing specialised courses on the aircraft and systems within the various units of the Irish Air Corps.

A former member of the Clare minor hurling panel, Pender was the sole Banner representative included in the classes.

by PÁRAIC McMAHON HEALTH facilities in Clare have been allocated a €6m investment under the 2021 Capital Plan.

Announced in recent days, the allocation has been described by Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) as “a massive investment”.

Ennis General Hospital is to receive a total allocation of €1.9m which is split across three separate projects.

It includes the Phase 1B redevelopment of the Hospital consisting of the fit out of vacated areas in the existing building to a local injuries unit (€1.3m), the equipping of a new outpatient department, provision of an X-ray room and diagnostics (€0.4m) and the upgrade and extension of the existing theatre and radiology departments (€0.2m).

Existing facilities in Bushy Park are to be replaced as part of a €1.89m investment with a fit for purpose residential addiction treatment service to replace them.

75 long stay and 25 short stay beds are included in the €0.95m plans for the community nursing unit at St Joseph's Hospital in Ennis.

The two 50 bed blocks are to be constructed on a greenfield site according to a Department of Health memo.

Funding of €1.29m has been set aside for Raheen Community Hospital to guarantee compliance with HIQA guidelines following the completion of the first and second phase of a €2m extension which will see a new ward built.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Deputy

l UPGRADE: Ennis General Hospital

Photo by Firestone

Crowe commented, “Clare has for too long been unable to offer state of the art healthcare facilities”.

He believed the allocation from the Department of Health would greatly improve the offering in the county.

Senator Timmy Dooley (FF) labelled the allocation as very important and felt it would allow for more patients to be treated in day procedures at Ennis Hospital.

“I’m particularly pleased to see that the community hospital in Raheen is to be supported in reaching the highest standards.

Considerable work has been done there and this will enable that great work to continue. Likewise, the development of vacant areas at Ennis General Hospital is very important”.

NEWS 7

THURSDAY, AUG 5 2021

'Never-ending and cruel'

l ANSWERS: Pat Nugent

PÁRAIC MCMAHON

F

paraic@clareecho.ie

AMILY members of the late Pat Nugent have described their search for answers into his 1984 death as “never-ending” and “cruel”.

An inquiry into how Gardaí investigated the death of Pat Nugent in Bunratty 37 years ago was completed by former judge Patrick Clyne and issued to the Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee (FG) in November of last year. Despite Minister McEntee issuing commitments that the report would be published fairly soon after, the Nugent family have yet to receive the report.

A complaint into the handing of the investigation was lodged by the Nugent family in 2014, a year later an inquiry was granted, it began in 2017 with the report issued to Minister McEntee in November 2020.

In October of 1985, a jury at the inquest into Pat’s death said it was satisfied that he had been struck by a person or persons unknown, causing him to fall to the ground and that car no 643 KIE (owned by William Ryan, a well known chef from Shannon) accidentally hit him, causing internal injuries from which he died. The incident had come in the early hours of the morning, at a party to celebrate the 40th wedding anniversary of Ryan. While Pat died after being struck by the vehicle, what has not become apparent even now is how the 23-year-old hotel manager, who had been in charge of running the celebration, came to be lying on the ground and who he had been referring to in his dying words which were “he clocked me, he clocked me, he clocked me”.

With Minister McEntee on maternity leave, Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys (FG)

has been acting as Minister for Justice since April. Speaking to The Clare Echo during her visit to the county last week, Minister Humphreys said the Attorney General had been asked to review the report. “Obviously this has been very difficult for the Nugent family. I have the report, I’ve asked the AG to look at the report and when I hear back from the AG, I hope to be able to share that with the family as soon as possible”.

Following a parliamentary question by Michael McNamara TD (IND) in May, the Department of Justice also stated that the advice of the Attorney General was to be received before the report could be published.

When asked what was the delay in securing the advice of the Attorney General, Minister Humphreys replied, “There has been a lot of work there and when you think of all the regulations that have had to be signed because of COVID-19 and different things.

I hope to be in a position to come forward with that very shortly”.

She expected that it would be before November when the Nugent family would have contents of the report issued to them.

Members of the Nugent family have expressed their frustration at the failure to provide them with accurate timeframes on when the report will be published or sent to them. “The report has been with the minister and the department for 9 months now.

Minister McEntee assured us through a PQ raised by Deputy Michael McNamara that the report will be published. We have been patient, however we are at pains to see why we have not received the report yet. Minister Humphreys stating that we will have the report soon is of little comfort to the family at this stage. Again, no actual time frame has been given, so this could mean anything from weeks to months,” one family member told The Clare Echo. “It seems neverending.

It's cruel,” they added.

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8 NEWS

THURSDAY, AUG 5 2021

Power tools stolen in three West Clare thefts

by PÁRAIC McMAHON KILRUSH Gardaí are investigating a spate of power tool thefts which were carried out in West Clare at the end of July.

A shed in Carrowreagh East, Cranny had two chainsaws stolen from it during July 21st to 28th.

The first is a red hedge cutters saw and the second is a Stihl chain saw.

Over the weekend period from July 24th to 26th, more power tools were stolen from a shed in Ballyartney, Labasheeda.

The first is a Husqvarna chain saw and the second is a Stihl chain saw.

On Monday last (July 26th) at approximately 5.30am, further power tools were stolen from a shed in Effernan, Kildysart when a male walked into a farmyard and stole a Husqvarna garden strimmers and chainsaw.

Members of the public who have information on these thefts or have been offered the items for sale are asked to contact Kilrush Garda Station on 0659080550. Scan the QR code for more information on how to contact the station.

Career of Grand National jockey Jason Titley honoured in Quin CIAN O’BROIN

A

cianobroin@clareecho.ie

COMMEMORATIVE plaque was unveiled on Saturday to honour the decorated career of former grand national winning jockey Jason Titley.

The plaque, which lists the Shannon native’s career achievements including Grand National glory in Aintree in 1995, was presented in front of friends and family opposite the Monks Well Inn, which was bought by Jason’s mother when he returned from the UK twenty years ago.

Surrounded by a “fantastic community” of horse trainers and breeders in Quin the successful pre-training yard owner in Latoon, where he educates young thoroughbreds, said that he is “humbled by it all” and enjoyed the “great turnout and support shown” on the evening.

Paul Carberry, one of Ireland’s great jockeys unveiled the plaque on the day, which was put together and organised by Quin native Pat O’Brien.

Reflecting on his achievements now two decades into his retirement in 2001, which stemmed from fatigue and a constant battle to keep his weight at 10 stone, the 1997 Irish

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l NATIONAL TREASURE: Jason Titley Grand National winner quipped to The Clare Echo that “the plaque left out one of my proud-

est achievements, a Junior B football medal with Clooney-Quin”.

Better collaboration sought between Clare and Tipperary Council

by PÁRAIC McMAHON DISCUSSIONS are to be held on the possibilities of County Councils in Clare and Tipperary entering a shared partnership when it comes to services in Killaloe and Ballina.

Since the beginning of July, the Killaloe-Ballina Town Enhancement and Mobility Plan has been on public display. It was drafted in collaboration between Clare County Council and Tipperary County Council.

Acting senior executive officer in the Killaloe Municipal District, Morgan Lahiffe explained, “The Draft Plan outlines a coordinated approach from both Local Authorities to public realm enhancements within Killaloe and Ballina, providing a clear vision for Killaloe and Ballina as linked settlements in the context of the changing transport and mobility profile of the towns. The outcomes of this plan will

set specific objectives for both Councils to deliver on.

This will require both Councils working collectively towards the provision of more services for both towns”.

Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF) had asked that discussions be instigated between the local authorities “with a view to having a shared partnership in the provision of services to our community of Killaloe and Ballina”.

Lahiffe detailed that Clare County Council acknowledged “the fact that Killaloe and Ballina form two towns but one community.

Many services are currently provided to the communities from one side of the Shannon or the other. An example of this being the provision of Library services which is located in Killaloe whilst the provision of swimming pool facilities is located in Ballina”.

He added, “The motion

has merit in the form of exploring any efficiencies that can take place in relation to items such as localised litter management, the possible provision of equipment to serve both communities”.

Both Councils have an opportune time to sit down and engage with the development of the Mobility and Enhancement Plan, Cllr O’Brien stated. “Share services such as the road sweeper, instead of workers stopping halfway on the bridge that there be a shared responsibility. I think it would be to the benefit of both communities to have a depot or workforces to share responsibilities for work”.

Importance of community co-operation was stressed in the motion, Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) believed. “We have a real opportunity here with the mobility plan,” he said. A previous working group with Nenagh Municipal District was recalled by the Maghera native.

NEWS 9

THURSDAY, AUG 5 2021

Three years of success for The Country Store STUART HOLLY

T

editor@clareecho.ie

HE Country Store in Broadford celebrated three years in business on Tuesday this week.

The milestone took on added significance, according to proprietor Karen O’Connell, who reflected on the last year and a half of operating a business in rural Clare during a pandemic.

Having experienced continued growth in the business up until March of last year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic Karen saw her staff base fall from 26 down to 16. This has increased again to 24 and the south-east Clare businesswoman is proud to note that at no point did The Country Store rely on Government supports to employ their staff.

“When the pandemic hit, I didn’t think I’d see the end of last year but thankfully it didn’t work out that way,” she tells The Clare Echo.

“The first part of lockdown was the scary time and we followed each protocol as needed. In January this year when we were up to 8,000 cases per day, that was a difficult time.

You just felt you can’t have people in the shop. Thankfully I had invested in a hatch window and I

ran the business from the hatch for those couple of weeks and we did a lot of home deliveries. A lot of people in the area are elderly and we would have received calls from their family to supply them with dinners.”

With the exception of the café, The Country Store is now operating as usual with the additional use of the hatch - which Karen says helps to maintain a safe shopping experience for customers – however she is currently working with Des Kingston Design to create a permanent outdoor area starting in September, linking the café to outside.

Karen explains that Broadford as a community has been very resourceful during the last 18 months and the local hurling and camogie clubs have been integral in reminding people that the community has The Country Store to lean on. She adds that she has felt the same support from the management of 12 O’Clock Hills and the newly-opened Kilbane Glamping, which has been a huge hit with tourists.

“The general vibe is appreciation for The Country Store because it’s the hub where people can still feel normal and meet people. With both pubs back open again it also gives people in the area an opportunity to socialise slowly again.”

The Country Store supplies the community with services including Lotto, solid fuels, diesel, green diesel and kerosene, freshly baked goods are made daily, homemade tarts and cakes, and wines.

And despite the local post office closing recently, The Country Store has been designated as a Post Point, which is a subsidiary offering where people can avail of some An Post services. The post box was moved to The Country Store and next week people will be able to come in and send parcels, get stamps, and pay their television licence and some utility bills through the payzone.

On marking three years, Sixmilebridge business Bits, Bobs N’Balloons were enlisted to decorate The Country Store while customers were supplied with complimentary treats while a raffle with great prizes takes place Friday.

Karen adds on the business’s success, “To achieve three years with 18 months in a pandemic and lockdown, we’re proud to provide services to the area and it’s down to local customers, staff and friends that made sure this day has happened. I look forward to many more to come.”

The Country Store in Broadford is open Monday-Friday 7am-7pm; Saturday 8am-6:30pm; and Sunday 8am-4:30pm.

lSWEET TREATS: Karen O’Connell

‘No more windfarms’ WEST Clare councillors have called on Clare County Council’s planning department to cease the granting of permission for the construction of onshore wind farms in the area, writes Páraic McMahon.

Tabled by Cllr Ian Lynch (IND), the proposal cited the “current density, short and long term disruption to communities, the destruction of habitat, and the ability of offshore energy production to more than meet the needs of Ireland’s energy demands” as he urged the local authority to stop granting planning permission for onshore wind farms in the West Clare Municipal District.

Acting senior planner, Helen Quinn outlined that the assessment of a planning application is “an executive function”. She detailed that “it is not considered appropriate or legal, to impose a cessation on the granting of planning permissions for onshore wind farms”. The publication of new Wind Energy Guidelines at a national level are awaited by the Council.

Impact of wind farms is currently unknown, Cllr Lynch told a recent virtual sitting of the West Clare MD. “This isn’t an anti-Green motion, it is about

protection of human habitats.

These are becoming a problem.

We as a Council have backed the off-shore windfarm at Moneypoint, is there any point anymore in developing the intensity of these on-shore windfarms.

I accept that it is an executive function and not something we can change through motion”.

Implementing the motion was labelled as “absolutely essential” by Cllr Susan Crawford (GP). “I really think we have to respect the populations where an excess of windfarms are going into and they are not community driven, they are dividing communities which is horrendous.

“So many families made the decision to stay and live where they are because of the peace and tranquillity of the area, we have to respect them. I really think we have to give voice to everyone in this regard”.

Cathaoirleach of the West Clare MD, Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) believed the area has already played its part in the generation of on-shore wind.

“The less contentious places have been used up and we’re now moving into a space of higher propensity for dispute with more populated areas”.

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10 NEWS

Delaying ceremonies ‘illogical’

by PÁRAIC McMAHON CLARE TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) has called for an immediate roadmap to be issued for the safe resumption of communion and confirmation ceremonies from September.

A Church and State clash has been rumbling this week with Bishops defying public health advice on the hosting of communions and confirmations.

Deputy Crowe told The Clare Echo, “I think the continued prohibition of communion and confirmation ceremonies is illogical given that up to 50 people can now attend a wedding and people are regularly attending church for Sunday Mass and funerals”.

He believed the logical thing to do was to wait until the new school term in September before staging communions and confirmations.

Growth of Two Mile Gate predicted

by PÁRAIC McMAHON ‘THRONGING crowds’ to Two Mile Gate have been welcomed as staycationers continue to choose Clare as their go-to destination while renewed appeals for traffic calming by the amenity and in Ogonnelloe have been lodged.

Cathaoirleach of the Killaloe Municipal District, Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) urged Clare County Council to make an application for funding to put traffic calming measures in the village of Ogonnelloe at the Two Mile Gate “in the interest of road safety”.

Officials within the Council are to meet the Ogonnelloe Community Group at the end of the summer “with a view to putting together a safety scheme or Active Travel scheme that could potentially be funded in the future,” senior executive engineer Niamh Madden outlined. Further growth in Two Mile Gate is predicted by the local authority in the coming years.

Two Mile Gate’s importance to East Clare was voiced by Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF). “It is a fantastic amenity and it uses our greatest natural resource, it is our Kilkee and Cliffs of Moher and it is fantastic to see the crowds thronging there. Something needs to be done around times of peak use where traffic is abandoned all over the place. I wouldn’t like to see an accident there that would be highlighted and detract from all the work down there”.

Success of Two Mile Gate and Ballycuggeran brings its own challenges to the Council, Cllr Pat Burke (FG) acknowledged.

“It is a huge success but that success brings challenges, I would expect extra land may have to be acquired for parking. It is a hugely popular area, the amount of people when the sun shines is unbelievable”.

THURSDAY, AUG 5 2021

Newlyweds reuinited with Cliffs of Moher photographs l A DAY TO REMEMBER:Andela and Mateo at the Cliffs of Moher

CIAN O’BROIN cian@clareecho.ie

A

NEWLY wedded couple were reunited with their estranged impromptu photographer following an error in communication on Saturday.

Amateur photographer Kevin Hennessey visited the Cliffs of Moher on the weekend with his

family, hoping to take advantage of one of the most visited tourist sites in Ireland, having travelled all the way from Wicklow.

Spotting the couple who were traipsing along the Cliffs and posing for photographers by the friends who were all using their phones, Kevin sought the opportunity to put his passion into practice and offered to mark their visit with his two professional cameras that he had with him at the time.

After a brief exchange, four photos and 40 seconds later, the photography podcast host realised that his family had pushed on much further out of sight and decided to head out after them. Reflecting on the encounter later on over Twitter, he admitted, “What I did not ask, was for their contact details.”

Posting the photos online, Kevin admitted to The Clare Echo that he was astounded that in three and a half hours, he

Photo by Kevin Hennessy

had managed to reach 25,000 people and located Andela (bride) and Mateo (groom).

He attested to the power of social media, “which gets a bad rep, but otherwise something like this wouldn’t be possible.”

Andela was “delighted and thankful” having been reunited with the photographer and explained that the couple had visited the cliffs having been married in Dublin, where they live, on the same day.

Boosting Kilrush businesses a goal behind website revamp

by PÁRAIC McMAHON PROMOTION of Kilrush businesses is one of the key aspirations behind the revamp of Kilrush.ie.

Kilrush Town Team, a volunteer led group of local people, who have been working to promote the West Clare town as an ideal place to live and work. They have revamped and relaunched the website.

The redesigned website highlights the range of activities and educational options available in Kilrush, while it also focuses on the range of businesses, which are located in the historic market town.

There are approximately 160 businesses, across all sectors, in Kilrush, employing a locally based workforce of more than 700 people.

Kilrush.ie incorporates a directory, which allows local businesses the opportunity to promote their business, along with providing links to their products and services. Kilrush Town Team is also keen to hear from

businesses not featured to contact them with a view to establishing how Kilrush.ie can support them.

The website also provides a platform for local information, community organisations, sports activities and schools, while it highlights tourism activities, heritage, places to eat and drink as well as accommodation providers based in the town.

Kilrush Town Team has appointed Trigger Communications to develop a new branding and marketing strategy for the town.

The brand development project focused on creating a Kilrush Town logo featuring the tagline ‘Time For You’. The group also works with a marketing and PR specialist to build on and position the town brand into the future.

Chairperson of Kilrush Town Team, Charlie Glynn outlined that highlighting what Kilrush has to offer has never been more important. “It is vital that we highlight the importance of effective framing and positioning of Kilrush as a key market and service

l PROMOTION: Kilrush

Photo by Home Tought Productions

town in West Clare, but also as a destination town within the mid-west region. In order to rejuvenate the town centre and attract increased footfall, a focused branding and marketing strategy is critical. Coupled with the drive toward digitisation of economic activity, Kilrush.ie can support local businesses with an online presence”.

NEWS

THURSDAY, AUG 5 2021

7

Days Out in Clare that our Readers Loved

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Some of the comments from our readers Wonderful on what they have enjoyed Experiences to around Clare…

We recently asked readers what they loved most during their trips around Clare. Here is just some of their feedback.

Enjoy in East Clare

Clare’s lesser-known 12 O’Clock Hills, Belvoir, treasures are great for days Sixmilebridge is wonderful out if you want to avoid the beaches to visit at any time, on your own or and AST the busier just for gem now.that has beenwith a group. I love the variety it offers, Clare areas, is the hidden Clare’s best kept secret -untilMooghaun now! Sitting in Ireland’s We took a stroll through withHidits forest walks, its fairyland, picnic den Newmarket Heartlands, on it’s Fergus, all aboutand getting off theareas, beaten Woods, and different loop walks and track, embracing outdoors and all it hastrail to offer. afterwards visited thethe beautiful Quin routes. Lots of parking available Here arestopping some interesting things to try out whiletoo. in East Abbey, at Quin for takeaway It is very well maintained and is Clare: coffee and treats. It was a really constantly being improved. I love it.

Evelyn, from West Clare enjoyable afternoon.

Béal Ború (Brian Boru’s fort) Teresa, from South Clare

E 1

Béal Ború (Brian Boru’s fort) a large ring fort in a serene and spectacular setting, overlooking Lough Derg on the River Shannon.

Just one mile north of the picturesque village of Killaloe, it may have We loved the wonderful been positioned to allow its forces to control an important cross- Cliff Walks in Kilkee. The The Gleninagh Loop ing point from Clare to Tipperary.

“Béal Ború” is said to mean “the views were breathtaking. panoramic Walk in the and Burren was to legend this mouth of the cattle tribute”, according is the spot where the Dál gCais (Dalcassian) tribal leaders collectedWe theirfollowed bovine this up with a delicious a straightforward track to the posttakeaway taxes.

It is the ancient seat of Brian Ború, the most famous Highlunch from the Pantry on lockdown paradise. The extraordinary King of Ireland from 1002 until his death in 1014 AD. O’Curry Spend some Street – where we got the landscape of Burren was like a time reflecting here and soaking up its history. nicest homemade soup we’ve had

Visiting Clare and Need to Keep in Contact with your Work?

restorative balm for the soul, and the in years. contrast between the silvery landscape McKernan Woollen Mills, Tuamgraney If you need gifts, this is the place.

There are so many colours Trudy, fromand Ennis and blue water was particularly soothing.

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designs choose from. The ancient looms are a sight to behold.

Ance, fromto Ennis If your time is right, you might even get a change to have a go.

Ballycuggeran Looped Walk My trip from Doolin to Take a hike and enjoy some stunning views.

This walk with give I had a fantastic day out in your legs a good stretch over the 7kms and takes about 2 hours Inis Oirr with other mums Clare. We started with slightly south andoftheir kids was amazing. We to complete. Trailhead: Crag Wood out car park, Ballya flightAmenity simulator at Shannon Aviation visited the island’s wonderful cuggeran Area.

V I S Isandy T B A L LY C U G G E R A N Museum, flying to Stansted without playground, and took a horse and cart Mooghaun ever leaving Hill the Fort ground! We then went trip around the island. We had a picnic Take a trip around this impressive hill fort near Newmarfor a walk in Cratloe Woods, stopping the fabulous white sandy beach ket-on-Fergus. You’ll be surprised you have neveron visited here at the tobe take the views. overlooking the turquoise Atlantic before.

It’s lake said to thein largest hill fortWe in Ireland. ended our day by enjoying an outdoor ocean, with the Island of Ireland in the Aistear lunch at Park, Durty Mountshannon Nellys. distance! It is surprising that more Take a trip to Lough Derg and the gorgeous village of MountSarah, from Ireland experience this day out. I would shannon. You can explore the maze with your familydon’t playing hide recommend it to anyone. and seek. This beautiful village park has a small playground and lots of space for a picnic with spectacular views over Lough Laura, Derg.from Ennis

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Use a DigClare Hub! Hot Desks Meeting Rooms Privacy Booths Clare is a wonderful place to holiday, relax, and V I Sforget I T Q U about I N A B Bthe E Y pressures of modern life. However, if you need to keep in occasional contact with work or clients- use one of our DigiClare Hubs.

We have a network throughout County Clare.

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The Poulnabrone Dolmen Ballycuggeran Amenity Area myknown favourite place. I can It has lots of wide This area is is also as Two-Mile-Gate. openitspace there are barbeques visit againand and again, and everyavailable time for use at this gor- Keeping it simple, the family geous area. There is also an aqua park in operation over the loved spending the day at theamenity experience is different.

Standing summer months with lots of thrills and spills for adventure seekers. the beach in Lahinch, followed up by against the amazing Burren landscape, fresh fish and chips and ice cream there Abbey are so many secrets it could tell Quin Visit our website for dessertsabfrom Spooneys.

Take a wander into this magnificent 14th century Franciscan if stones could talk. locations, facilities, and bey in Quin.

The cloisters, which remain one of the abbey’s most Stephen, from West Clare Soo Ling, from East Clare prominent features, were constructed in the 15th century. You can services or to book your enjoy a hearty breakfast or lunch in the Abbey Tavern just across the road. space online. SCAN ME #VisitClare Although I’m a Clare man (well, a blow-in!), exploring the County during lockdown was an eye-opener to the simple things we can do without #VisitEastClare travelling far. This included taking a trip to West Clare for the “catch of the day“ www.DigiClare.ie #DiscoverLoughDerg from the food truck at Spanish Point to enjoying the ‘far’ east of the county and #Irelands Hidden Heartlands the majesty of Slieve Bearnagh and kayaking on Lough Derg.

VISIT THE MCKERNAN WOOLLEN MILLS, TUAMGRANEY #KeepDiscovering Tim, from East Clare

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www.Clare.ie

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s!!!

12 NEWS

THURSDAY, AUG 5 2021

Potential for public amenity at Drumgeely PÁRAIC MCMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie

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N AREA bounding the N19 in Shannon has the potential to become an amenity for walking and cycling, a county councillor has suggested.

Citing the proposed N19 Shannon Airport Access Road Improvement Scheme, Cllr Pat O’Gorman (FF) appealed to the Shannon Municipal District to give consideration to “integrating the green area” which runs between the two roads from Tola Park to the Drumgeely roundabout.

He believed by removing the wild shrubbery and briars, the area could become “an amenity for walking and cycling”.

Senior executive engineer, Tom Mellett detailed that options would have to be discussed with the TII as the area bounds the N19 on one side. “Any works would need to give primacy to the safety of road users and pedestrians alike”.

lFIRST IMPRESSION: An architect’s drawing of a potential new look at the Drumgeely Roundabout Speaking at Thursday’s meeting of the Shannon MD, Cllr O’Gorman outlined that the stretch was roughly a kilometre in length.

“There is approximately 11,000 people com-

ing into Shannon working, more than half don’t know where Shannon Town is. This is another way of opening up the town. Open up the town of Shannon, let people see the

shops and amenities in Shannon. It would be another amenity for Shannon.

O’Gorman insisted that the trees could be left at the location, “I don’t know how many people like briars and bushes growing around the place,” the Cratloe representative commented. Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) backed the motion to tidy up the area.

Although he admitted to supporting the “merits” of what Cllr O’Gorman outlined, Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) said he was “more interested” in the views of the senior executive engineer. He recalled that measures were put in place when the road was created to deaden the sound from the main road and protect families. “There was some dangerous trees removed and shrubs cut back from the bus shelter from Drumgeely to Tola Park, that cleaning up has helped and there is another bit of work to be done. Local knowledge is a great thing and I’d like to think we have a lot of it in Shannon”.

O’Gorman concluded, “Cllr Flynn said local knowledge, I’m in Shannon everyday looking at it”. He claimed that 90 percent of workers in the Shannon Industrial Estate don’t know where the town centre is.

Hope not lost for restoring Aer Lingus Shannon base

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

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A CLARE TD has said hope is not lost when it comes to restoring Aer Lingus’ base at Shannon Airport.

On Friday, Taoiseach Mícheál Martin (FF) held a virtual meeting with four representatives of the Aer Lingus cabin crew based at Shannon Airport.

Aer Lingus recently announced that it would not be laying off its staff at Cork Airport temporarily when the runway closes later this year.

In May, Aer Lingus announced that it would no longer maintain its base at Shannon, where 83 cabin crew are employed. The company reiterated to an Oireachtas committee last month that the decision would not be reversed.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Cathal Crowe TD (FF) detailed that workers had the “sympathetic ear” of the Taoiseach during the meeting. He stated that a further meeting is to be held this week.

According to Deputy Crowe, Aer Lingus management have had a potential change of heart when it comes to keeping staff on.

“In Shannon we’re in stoppage time, it was a good

meeting and no one in Shannon is giving up yet”.

Keeping jobs and the Aer Lingus cabin crew base in Shannon were described

by Deputy Crowe as mutually symbiotic.

He acknowledged that an “extremely big jump” is required for Aer Lingus to change their future plans for Shannon. Crowe flagged that it was not solely a political issue and the national flag carrier had a big responsibility as a commercial entity.

“I wouldn’t be confident

on anything but I won’t give up hope. I love sport and I have seen Champions League finals won three minutes into stoppage time,” the Meelick native commented. “Hope doesn’t fully fade when there is dialogue,” he added.

Workers had until Tuesday of last week to outline to the airline if they wishto be deployed from Shannon or take a redundancy package. As part of the next phase, Human Resources staff within Aer Lingus are to visit Clare to meet with its Shannon employees for one on one meetings.

lPOTENTIAL: Taoiseach Mícheál Martin (FF) has held a virtual meeting with four representatives of the Aer Lingus cabin crew based at Shannon Airport

13

THURSDAY, AUG 5 2021

in association with

Sheehan appointed GM of Microsoft PÁRAIC MCMAHON

E

paraic@clareecho.ie

NNIS’ Anne Sheehan has been appointed as the general manager of Microsoft Ireland.

Starting from the beginning of October, Anne will take on responsibility for the sales, marketing and services business across the island of Ireland.

She succeeds Cathriona Hallahan who is retiring from Microsoft Ireland after more than 35 years with the company, she was one of the first Microsoft Ireland employees when the tech giant set up its Irish outpost in the 1980s.

From the Cahercalla Rd in Ennis, Anne joins Microsoft from Vodafone UK, where she is currently the enterprise director with responsibility for sales, brand, product and solution design, services and government relations across multiple lines of business.

Before this, she ran Vodafone Ireland’s enterprise business for four years.

Prior to that, she worked at IBM for 16

lGENERAL MANAGER: Anne Sheehan

years in a number of senior positions including vice president of sales and services for the Nordic Region, sales and services director for IBM Ireland, head of channel,

21 year old Murphy puts his best paw forward for Clare

by CIAN O’BROIN A 21 year-old rescue dog in Clare has been chosen to represent the county in the Nose of Tralee.

Murphy, who is a Dandie Dinmont, had seven homes before he was united with owner Annette O’Shea from a rescue centre in Australia. Despite his age, Annette admitted that he is eager to play and full of energy. The pair came to Ireland from Australia in 2009.

In the selection process to represent Clare, three choices were narrowed down, with one judge stating that Murphy was “the cutest thing since sliced bread.”

Dandie Dinmonts date back to the 1600s in the UK and Scotland, and are character-

ised as an independent, smart and proud breed. Their typical lifespan stretches from 11 to 13 years of age. Annette informed that the breed are “extremely rare” and that when she picked up Murphy in the rescue centre he was already neutered.

Having won the Nose of Clare, Murphy, who lives with Annette in Clarecastle, is looking for public votes in a bid to take home the Nose of Tralee, a national competition that looks for the cutest dog within the country and that Annette labels “a bit of fun.” The competition, now in its eight year, is run by Pet Sitters Ireland and sponsored

by Tesco.

To vote for Murphy before the deadline of August 24, visit Pet Sitters Ireland’s website.

lSTILL GOT IT: Murphy at home in Clarecastle Photo by Joe Buckley

and head of infrastructure & technology services.

On her new role, she stated, “I am delighted and honoured to join Microsoft. It

is a company I have admired and worked in partnership with over recent years. Microsoft has been on a very exciting journey in Ireland. I look forward to working with the team to take the business forward in a market that has huge opportunity.

“I am motivated by working with great teams, collaborating with our customers and winning in the market. I am passionate about fostering an environment where learning, being curious, bold and ambitious are core to achieving our goals.

“I feel incredibly privileged to be joining such a great team, and I look forward to us working to support our customers on their digital transformation journey together,” she added.

Cindy Rose, president, Microsoft Western Europe, said: “I’ve had the pleasure of working with Anne in the past, during my own time at Vodafone. I was always impressed by her high energy and pace, her growth mindset and customer obsession.

I know she is passionate about partnering with businesses and the public sector, whatever their size, industry or ambitions, to help them find ways to use technology to drive success now and in the future”.

14 FEATURES

THURSDAY, AUG 5 2021

GREEN CLARE

Documentary maker calls for larger Marine Protected Areas CIAN O’BROIN

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cianobroin@clareecho.ie

O CUMENTARY maker Ken O’ Sullivan is calling on the Irish Government to increase its Marine Protected Areas (MPA), stressing that Ireland is far behind its European counterparts.

The award-winning Clare filmmaker and ocean conservationist pointed to a lot of “human caused damage” in our oceans, and that the implementation of these designated areas would ensure that “certain amounts of the ocean can be protected “from these harmful activities.”

He wants the Irish Govern-

lCOLLECTIVE: Ken O’Sullivan

ment to promise to make 30 per cent of its oceans MPAs by 2030.

It currently sits at just two per cent, in total. These areas constitute a globally connected system for safeguarding biodiversity and maintaining marine ecosystem health and the supply of ecosystem services.

“Our percentage of MPAs is very low compared to Europe. We also don’t have policing of these areas, which is a huge part. In implementing them, we can’t just go to locals and dictate. It’s a collective effort that should involve all the stakeholders. We need to work with them and for a solution,” the underwater cameraman stated.

He pointed to the Shannon Estuary in Clare, which is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), meaning that it is afforded some protections but “what does it mean” as there “are still activities

going on here”, he opined. In his time filming for RTÉ, of which he is currently working on a new Atlantic Series for the national broadcaster for two years, he has seen fisheries and supertrawlers operate at the expense of richly diverse coral reefs located off the west coast of Ireland.

“These fisheries are occurring both at surface water and mid-water. These trawlers are coming into our waters to fish. Some are as big as 140 metres long. If they were sitting in Croke Park, they wouldn’t even fit on the field.

“One of the ends would be in the terrace. There is no incident monitoring out here on these, watching what they do. There is a lot of bycatch and it is certainly not a sustainable practice,” he stated.

Ken who works with Irish Wildlife Trust, hopes to see more artisan fishing going forward, “where

families would be directly benefitting instead of large companies.”

He is urging the Irish Government to implement 30 per cent of its oceans as MPAs by 2030 and admitted that a target of 10 per cent by 2025 would be both “reachable” and positive”.

“This would be a vital steppingstone and show commitment to a

medium term target.

“We are at a critical time now environmentally and with our oceans. We have a government who are interested and listening to environmental issues. We see countries such as Scotland implementing these at a far greater rate.

They are way ahead of us,” he concluded.

Arts & Entertainment 15

THURSDAY, AUG 5 2021

Sharon shows off the Shannon in new series PÁRAIC MCMAHON

S

paraic@clareecho.ie

HARON Shannon has joined forces with Fáilte Ireland and TG4 for a four week series which begins on Wednesday (August 11).

Ruan native Sharon will showcase Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands across the River Shannon in ‘Heartlands’ alongside her niece Caoilinn Ní Dhonnabháin.

The series will encourage and remind more Irish people to discover the joy of holidaying in Ireland.

Sharon and Caoilinn will slowly cruise the River Shannon discovering Ireland’s hidden gems while catching up with a host of musical friends, such as Liam O’Maonlaoi (Hothouse Flowers), Steve Wickham (The Waterboys), Eleanor Shanley, Nathan Carter, The Henshaws, Seamus Begley, Mundy, Gerry ‘Banjo’ O’Connor and Susan O’Neill.

Building on Fáilte Ireland’s current domestic marketing campaign, ‘Keep Discovering’, the new TG4 series ‘Heartlands’ will air from Wednesday 11th August at 8.30pm running each Wednesday for four weeks. The series was supported by TG4, Fáilte Ireland, Waterways Ireland and all nine Local Authorities along the Shannon from the Shannon Pot to Lough Derg (Cavan, Roscommon, Leitrim, Longford, Westmeath, Offaly, Galway, Clare and Tipperary).

Viewers will have to wait until the final

lSAIL AWAY: Sharon Shannon

episode (September 1st) for Sharon to visit her native county. She will stop off at Derg Isle and Holy Island in East Clare before having a chat and a tune with Susan O’Neill in Killaloe.

“It’s only when you get a chance, like I have, to explore what’s on our doorstep, that you truly realise the wonderful gems we have around Ireland, and in particular along the River Shannon in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands,” Sharon said of her involvement in the programme.

She added, “It’s been such a joy to be involved with this wonderful programme

‘Heartland’, combining my great love of Ireland and music with Fáilte Ireland and TG4 and I truly encourage everyone to go and explore for yourself the host of things to see and do along our very own River Shannon”.

TG4 Commissioning Editor, Proinsias Ní Ghráinne explained, “Heartlands is a highly entertaining and visually rich series which literally goes to the heart of Irish music and storytelling on the shores of the Shannon. TG4 is delighted to package such top-class musical content into four half hours to be broadcast in our primetime schedule”.

Doolin dad scoops €5k in radio competition

by PÁRAIC McMAHON A DOOLIN man scooped a €5000 cash prize to mark the Bank Holiday Weekend.

Father of two, Roy Thomas who works as a construction supervisor became €5000 richer after entering a radio competition on Spin South West.

He correctly said U2 was the Irish rock band that The Edge

was a member of.

Roy was at the cinema with his son Michael when the call came through to reveal he had won the cash.

With his phone on silent while watching ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’, Roy almost missed the all-important call.

“I’ve entered a lot of these

competitions and you never think you’re going to win; I was delighted to get the call and glad I didn’t miss it,” he said of his winnings.

He plans on taking his family on holidays to Portugal for a well-earned break with the prize. lWINNER: Roy Thomas

Ennis Book Club Fest to return ENNIS Book Club Festival will return in September with a vibrant day of events, live and in person in glór, Ennis, and will feature a mix of major international, national, and local authors.

Saturday 11th will kick off with the Beyond Borders Book Club at Ennis Museum from 11.30am with guests from Mexico and Africa, hosted by Irish poet Sarah Clancy.

The launch of the Salmon Poetry Memory Book by Jessie Lendennie will take place in the afternoon, at Ennis Bookshop. Jessie Lendennie is celebrating 40 years of publishing with this publication, specially commissioned

by Ennis Book Club Festival.

Little John Nee will perform music and storytelling on O’Connell Square, entertaining passers-by with his original songs and writings, and creating fun, colour and a festival atmosphere.

Canadian author Patrick DeWitt, acclaimed author of Ablutions, The Sisters Brothers Under Major Domo Minor, and his most recent novel, French Exit will talk with Ennis Book Club Fest’s Artistic Director Dani Gill in the afternoon. French Exit has been made into a film by Sony Pictures directed by Azazel Jacobs and starring Michelle Pfeiffer as Frances Price.

Writer and Artist, Sara Baume will be part of The Alphabet of Birds, her spellbinding audio-visual essay, covering the multitude of rituals that fill our daily lives with meaning.

Baume's new essay is inspired by four short documentaries depicting artists at work on land and sea. These films will be screened accompanied by a live soundtrack of Sara’s words and live music.

Douglas Stuart will join Elaine Feeney in conversation on the glór stage in the evening.

Douglas Stuart’s debut novel, Shuggie Bain, won the 2020 Booker Prize and has been published in over 30 territories. Douglas will be joined by writer and lecturer, Elaine Feeney whose debut novel, As You Were was shortlisted for Irish Novel of the Year among other accolades such as the recent win at the Dalkey Book Awards, Winner of the McKitterick Prize 2020, and the Kate O’Brien Award.

Artistic Director Dani Gill says, ‘It is exciting for audiences and for the team to have the prospect of meeting in person, and experiencing the magic of live, literary events. With two major international writers on the ticket for Saturday 11th, it is extra special, especially to be hosting the Booker Winner Douglas Stuart at his first in person event in Ireland.’

Tickets for the live events are limited, in line with the government guidelines on attendance at events. All events will be available to book on www.glor.ie from Friday August 13th.

There will also be on demand tickets after the events available for digital viewing.

Please note that some events are limited capacity, so early booking is advised. See www.ennisbookclubfestival.com for full details on all events.

16 FEATURES

Be compassionate

RONAN SCULLY

Thought for the week

T

HINKING this week after a few reflective walks, about what it means to “Be Compassionate” and how Compassionate our world is. If our hearts are to be truly moved by compassion then we will necessarily desire to do something good and loving about it. Each of us is called to change the world we inhabit in some way or in some sort of prayerful way, and for most of us that means in small acts of love, prayer and compassion. We begin in our homes and with our families, and we extend those acts of love, prayer and compassion to our friends, work colleagues, and wider communities. Responding with compassion is different for each of us, because we all have different gifts and calls.

But the main ingredient of compassion is a call to relationship, which is essential if we intend for our homes, our towns, our cities, our country and our world to be transformed by and through love, prayer and compassion. And relationships and prayer life include real encounters with the people that have been placed in our lives, which means that we must be intentionally compassionate and loving every day in the way we interact with everyone we meet. Love through compassion is activated through human interactions, including touch, eye contact, and a heart and soul that is present to simply be with someone who is deeply suffering. In turn, love leads us to act, heal, care and encourage.

The world is healed through our hands, our hearts, our compassion, our mercy and our prayers. It’s easy to convince ourselves that one conversation, one prayer, one hug, one lighted candle or one smile does not matter much in the grand scheme of things or that it is just a drop in the ocean, but let me tell you many drops make an ocean. The truth is that our call is to love compassionately from our hearts and souls, every day, in ways both visible and invisible.

What is Compassion for me

For me I believe that if you want to find happiness in this fast paced world of ours, then you have to make "compassion" a regular practice in your life. Compassion for me is something you do, not just something you feel. It means to help a person in need, to rescue the poor, the downtrodden, the homeless, the abused, the abandoned, the orphaned, the unwanted and uncared for in our world. Compassion is a desire to relieve the suffering.

Simply saying, “I feel your pain and suffering” is not compassion.

Compassion is meeting the need and doing something about it, not just feeling it. Real compassion is love plus action and service. So if you see a person without food, you give them food. Without water, you give them water. That is compassion.

Compassion is seeing a person who is lonely and bringing them comfort and companionship. So if I see a problem and think, 'Oh, that is so sad.

That breaks my heart,' it might be pity. But if I say, “That is so sad.

I am going to do something about it,” that is compassion. Compassion, for example, is doing more than simply applauding the charity work being done on our behalf by various charities both local, national and international and by many church groups and caring organisations.

Compassion is more than making a financial contribution, it should also be giving a time contribution toward those efforts. It is actually doing something about it. “Blessed are the merciful,” Jesus said, “for they will be shown mercy.”

The more positive, helpful, caring, kind and compassionate a person is, the more merciful they will be.

And the more negative, unhelpful, uncaring and unkind a person is, the more harsh and critical they will be.

What we need to realize is that if we know anything of God’s forgiveness and compassion in our lives, then we should forgive and be compassionate to others. Forgiven people are forgiving people. Thomas Adams said, “He that demands compassion, and shows none, ruins the bridge over which he himself is to pass.”

Compassion requires you to treat people better than they deserve.

Compassion drives you to show compassion to people you have good reason to ignore. Compassion leads you to care about people's pain even when these very people have caused you pain.

Compassion insists that you seek reconciliation with those who have offended you. Just try being compassionate - it takes the strength of God to show compassion, trust me on that!! When we ask for God’s compassion, we are essentially asking him to relieve us of a heart that is in misery and pain. And our hearts can be in a state of misery and pain not just from our mistakes and I know mine has been on many occasions, but also in misery and pain from the deep hurt caused by a broken relationship with a family member or friend, from the suffering of infertility, from the pain of a physical or mental illness, from losing a job, from being betrayed or

abandoned, from the loss of a loved one, from spiritual or physical poverty, and so on. But as Pope Francis said recently, "Let us be renewed by God's mercy and compassion, let us be loved by Jesus, let us enable the power of his love and compassion to transform our lives too; and let us become agents of this mercy and compassion, channels through which God can water the earth, protect all creation and make justice, love, kindness, truth and peace floIrish.

THURSDAY, AUG 5 2021

Jade takes on 250km triathlon for two charities

Thought for the week

As your thought for the week, say this beautiful prayer of compassion which has become a favourite of mine this past year called "Prayer of Compassion" that I have by my bedside that I read to encourage me to do the best I can with the life I have and to live a life of love, prayer and compassion towards myself and the people I come into contact with.

"Dear Heavenly Father, We confess: our lifestyles are too busy, our focus self-centered, and our world is consumed with fear, greed, and pride. Sometimes, Lord, we react to the pains of others with a flippant “who cares?”

Yet, in our more receptive times, when Your Voice calls to our innermost beings, We know with absolute certainty two things we desperately need: To be loved…and to love.

Lord, enlighten my mind and heart with truth, love, mercy, gratitude and compassion. Give me the courage to follow you daily in faith, love and hope. On my busy day help me to think of you now and then. Make me aware of the needs of the people around me. Help me to be grateful for what I have and help those with so much less. Help me to be gentle towards every person I encounter today, in thought, word and deed.

May I recognize that others are facing difficult circumstances which I know nothing about. Oh Lord, that others would encounter You when they meet me today! Still my tongue and open my heart. Fill me with a spirit of forgiveness and generosity.

As it be Your will Lord, place the words in my mouth that others need to hear today.

Lord, I thank You for caring for me, tending my hurts with Your inexhaustible compassion. As we begin this new week together, renew my mind and my heart. Help me to share Your unfailing compassion with all people, especially those with whom I live and work. Be with those whose hearts are broken, demoralized by life’s blows; those who mirror to us that unfairness and suffering is not lightened by pat answers or avoidance, but is made bearable because of fellow travelers who truly do care, and show it.

Walk with us, God. Our trek is not always easy, our vision shortsighted, our love often hidden. May we seek the deeper places where our compassion, our joy reflect You, the God who is Love. In Your Mighty Name I pray, Amen."

lCHALLENGE: Jade Hoynes with Sejare House Clinical Nurse manager Michael Hunt

A

T THE end of this month, Killaloe native Jade Hoynes will embark on her toughest challenge yet. The 27 yeasr old will be taking on a 250km Triathlon within 24 hours. The grueling test will consist of a 4KM swim of Lough Derg, a 200 KM cycle and finally finishing off with a 46KM run. The demanding undertaking is to raise funds and awareness for two charities that are incredibly important to both Jade and her family, Samaritans Ireland and Sejare Adult Respite House, Limerick.

Jade recalls her first experience with the Samaritans: “Throughout my teens and early twenties, I suffered from General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and trichotillomania. In spring 2014, things had gotten much worse.

I came across the Samaritans on the internet, I decided to use their walk-in service at the branch in Limerick. It took me a while to build up the courage and knock on their door, but the staff were so reassuring, offering me tea as they showed me to one of the private rooms where I waited to speak to a volunteer. It was a huge relief to have had the support for those few hours. There was no rush while I was there, I could stay there and talk for as long as I needed. It was all confidential, non-judgmental and free. I didn’t realise at the time but that was a very important step for me, I needed to talk, and I am so thankful that their doors were open. The funds I hope to raise will help the Samaritans offer their life saving support to those who really need to talk and who are struggling with their mental health, just like they helped me all those years ago.”

The 4KM swim will place in Lough Derg at Two Mile Gate Park, Killaloe, while the 200KM cycle will begin at the park in Killaloe, travelling to Birdhill,

Portumna, Ballyshrule, Powers Cross, Gorteeny, Scariff and eventually passing Samaritans Ennis and Shannon and ending just outside Limerick city. The 46KM run will pass by both Samaritans, Limerick City Centre and Sejare Adult Respite Centre in Annacotty, passing through Birdhill and finishing off in Killaloe.

Commenting on the donation she will also be making to Sejare House: “When my younger sister Jasmin was 18 months old, she was diagnosed as being on the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Jasmin was always very happy, easy going and extremely affectionate when younger. As she grew older and especially in her later teens, her moods would fluctuate affecting her behaviour patterns. It was a challenge trying to organise a normal daily routine, requiring a lot of planning for basic activities to ensure there was no upsets.

If Jasmin was experiencing a crisis, our plans had to be quickly adapted to cope. In 2014 Jasmin was offered a placement at the DOC Lisnagry day services. Attached is a respite facility called “Sejare House”, a converted bungalow in Annacotty which offers respite to parents and families that are caring for a family member with additional needs.

They have a fantastic, very professional nurse led team on hand and offer a much-needed break for families. At the facility they treat all the service users with respect and genuine love.

Also for us a family, it allowed us to have some semblance of a normal family life, and we will be forever grateful for their support.”

100 per cent of donations will be split evenly between Sejare Adult Respite House and Samaritans. To donate, visit: Fundraiser by Jade Hoynes : 250km Triathlon for Samaritans & Sejare House (gofundme.com)

COMMUNITY 17

THURSDAY, AUG 5 2021

Community

CONTACT

NEWSDESK 065 671 9021 news@clareecho.ie

SIXMILEBRIDGE

COUNTYWIDE

STREET SWEEPING

DIRTY streets in Sixmilebridge has prompted a request for Clare County Council’s road sweeper to visit the village once a week, writes Páraic McMahon.

Cllr John Crowe (FG) issued the appeal at Thursday’s meeting of the Shannon Municipal District where he was supported by Cllr PJ Ryan (IND).

The MD currently has access to two road sweepers, one which is Council property and the other is hired primarily to support the roadworks programme.

Demand for the units “is understandably high” senior executive engineer Tom Mellett stated.

He explained, “any increase in frequency will need to be budgeted for”.

Bin collections in Sixmilebridge have increased from two to three times a week, he advised.

Traffic volumes in Sixmilebridge have “increased dramatically,” Cllr Crowe remarked.

“It is impossible for the different organisations and resident groups to sweep a lot of the roads with the amount of traffic whereas with the sweeper it can be done.

“The streets can get very dirty,” he added.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR lCYCLE LANE: A Riot of colourful cyclists descending on the Square in Ennis at last year’s Amazing Tour De Munster Day TOUR DE MUNSTER RAFFLE

In Association with the 21st Annual Tour De Munster Cycle Fundraiser, with Down Syndrome Clare are raffling a Corratec Dolomiti race bike worth € 1599 Raffle tickets cost €10 each, 3 for €25 or 5 for €40 https://www.idonate.ie/raffle/DSClareFundraiserTdM The Down Syndrome Clare Branch is very grateful to have this prize donated by the owners of Planet-Tri, Triathlon Shop In Killaloe. The Tour de Munster takes place this

year from Thursday 5th to Sunday 8th of August.

“After such a difficult year with many fundraising activities unable to go ahead, we hope that this raffle will contribute greatly to our efforts. Down Syndrome Clare is constantly striving for our members to be the best versions of themselves and all funds raised pay for essential therapeutic services for our members e.g. speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, home tutoring, different sports and social activities, etc.

Support this good cause today by buying

one or multiple raffle tickets and be in with a chance to win!

We are very thankful to everyone involved for their continued support which has such a positive impact on our branch here in Clare.

We wish everyone involved the very best of luck,” a spokesperson said.

Contact Down Syndrome Clare on 085 289 5478, Downsyndromeclare@gmail. com, https://www.facebook.com//Downsyndromeclare Scan the QR code above with your phone to buy raffle tickets.

College, I got to know and befriend many who were completing degrees in the Early Childhood Care and Education course. Their career paths have generally involved uncertainty and far lower salaries. This is wrong and needs to be addressed,” he stated.

SIPTU Big Start Organiser, Anne Craughwell stressed that the current childcare system is simply not working and must be reformed in order to create high quality, affordable and accessible services for children and families which are delivered by qualified educators with professional pay and conditions. She added that the 2022 budget could provide an opportunity for a brand-new system.

Early Years Educator and member of the Big Start National Committee Claire Casey highlighted that “degrees in Early Years don’t

afford the same respect when you compare the pay and employment conditions of both sets of teachers.”

She remarked that this is unfair and unjust.

“No matter how much we love working with young children, we need a professional pay scale and conditions in order to make a living and provide for our own families”.

Fellow activist Rhona Gomes said, “We now await the Government’s support in putting specific plans in place to facilitate defined career paths and professional pay scales for the sector.

“Let’s ensure the funding is targeted to reducing costs for parents while also ensuring a high-quality service for children and addressing the need for a professional wage among educators”.

COUNTYWIDE EMPLOYMENT REFORM

EARLY Years educators have reiterated their frustration with employment conditions, writes Cian O’Broin.

SIPTU Big Start activists met with Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) in recent days to discuss the recently launched ‘A New Deal for Early Years’ campaign. The campaign aims for the reform of the early years sector so it can provide improved services for children, families, workers and providers.

At a recent meeting held on the grounds of the Ennis Courthouse between SIPTU and Deputy Crowe, he outlined his support and commitment for the campaign.

“I worked as a primary school teacher prior to my election to the Dáil. When I was undergoing my training in Mary Immaculate

Dear Sir, The week before last (July 16th) The Clare Echo printed an article re. two County Councillors Mary Howard and Claire Colleran Molloy (sic) who were mentioned on Prime Time for claiming expenses they were not entitled to ie... “wrongly claiming expenses from their own local authority and from an external organisation for the same official absence.” Eoin Neylon political columnist for The Clare Echo claimed the two councillors deserved the public’s forgiveness for “expenses debacle”... the use of the word debacle I find strange as it certainly doesn’t describe what the councillors did...claimed expenses they were not entitled to...

Last week’s Clare Echo had an article about female councillors speaking about the need to remove taboos around conversations... of the councillors mentioned only one person got their picture in the paper...yes one of the councillors who claimed expenses she was not entitled to...

I cannot help wondering why The Clare Echo seems to take a very biased stance to Clare County Councillors... espcially some in particular. Do papers get subventions or grants or funding from local authority. Very...puzzling indeed.

What a pity we no longer have The Clare People!

Regards, Tom O’B Limerick Rd, Ennis

18 COLUMNIST

THURSDAY, AUG 5 2021

Kearney Cooks

SUMMER BERRY JAM

I

T’S the time of year when a lot of fruit is ripening. I have a lot of berry bushes at home, so I normally have a bumper harvest of fruits for jam making. Unfortunately for me though, this is the year that my kids figured out that they could eat the fruit straight off the bush so I was left with barely a kilo of berries to work with. Thankfully though that is enough for at least a few jars of jam, so I decided to feck all the berries into the one pot and make a Mixed Summer Berry Jam. YOU WILL NEED: • 1kg mixed summer berries (I used a mix of strawberries, raspberries and mixed currants) • The juice of 1 lemon • 1kg pack jam sugar Step 1 Before you start, sterilise your jars and put a plate in the freezer to chill.

Step 2 Horse the berries, lemon juice and sugar into a good pot. Gently heat, stirring from time to time with a wooden spoon, until the sugar has dissolved and the fruits are juicy.

Step 3 Bring to the boil and boil the bejaysus out of it for 5 minutes. Scrape any sediment off the top with a spoon as

R

ebecca O’Neill

B

it forms. Take it off the heat and drop a little of the mixture onto the cold plate. Push your finger through it, it should wrinkle and have set like jam.

If it doesn’t, boil for 2 minutes more, then test again and, if necessary, keep repeating until it’s ready.

STEP 4 Allow to cool and settle for 10-15 mins before spooning into sterilised jars and sealing. The jam will keep unopened for one year but, once opened, store in the fridge.

This particular jam is a firm favourite in my house and has won me a few ribbons at the Ag Show. Yes, that’s right, I am an Award Winning Jam Maker.

As usual, if you have any questions about this recipe or others please feel free to dm me on Instagram (@stevekearney37) and keep an eye on The Clare Echo Facebook page for the instructional video that goes with it.

Enjoy

Steve K

Take care of yourself

This week, beauty therapist Rebecca O’Neill shares self care tips that help her look after her mental health

EING able to manage your feelings shows the skill of having emotional intelligence. It is difficult to promote self care when you’re feeling down and we don’t cut ourselves enough slack when it comes to having a rough time.

Negative feelings often occur with a negative frame of mind and regularly results in being unhappy and anxious. I want to list some tips that really work well for me personally when it comes to making myself feel better mentally and physically.

UNDERSTAND WHAT MOTIVATES YOU Everyone gets motivated by different things and it is good to discover what motivates you personally in order to make you feel better.

Waking up early really helps me gain energy and productivity into my day. I usually try to start my day with a healthier frame of mind by involving healthy activities such as exercise and reading. This can be a lot easier said than done especially if you’re not a morning person like I used to be.

It is a big personal accomplishment once you begin to get into the habit of becoming an early riser. Some people thrive more when sleeping in later because they are at their best when doing so. Understanding your motivation and giving yourself drive can really help

to read every day or starting a new hobby.

Putting pressure on yourself to start a new task like this might not work and can tend to leave you less motivated than you were before.

Always take your time with this life change and if it drives you to motivation then you’re on the right path.

ENERGY: Waking up early

you succeed in daily challenges and improve your self esteem. This proves that everyone has their own thing that motivates them like studying something new every day, journaling their thoughts or staying active.

HEALTHY LONG TERM HABITS Creating a long term habit should be tailored to your needs. These long term habits take a lot longer to achieve but remain worth it in the end when it comes to your overall mental health. This could be waking up earlier, going for a walk everyday, setting aside time

SELF CARE TIME I have mentioned self care so much in my columns because it is so important. People don’t generally realise how much it actually works in your daily routine. This habit is completely tailored to you personally whether it be watching your favourite TV show or having a nap. By involving something that you know makes you feel very content and comfortable can ultimately determine how well you will sleep that night. This shows that allowing self care time into your life can give you a very settled and calming feeling and naturally results in you being an overall happier person. Scheduling time for self care everyday is a good goal to start with and it is helpful to document the changes it has made for you mentally.

Not everyone is kind to themselves especially when they have a busy life. But establishing your values and considering time management can really help you schedule more time for yourself.

COLUMNIST 19

THURSDAY, AUG 5 2021

Veronica takes on 17 dips for Cancer charity

l SWIM: Veronica Moloney

CIAN O’BROIN

A

cian@clareecho.ie

CLARECASTLE woman is completing coastal swims in seventeen counties this month in order to raise money for the Irish Cancer Society.

Veronica Moloney loves sea swimming for its redemptive and positive mental health effects. Starting in Clahane on August 4th, she will complete seventeen coastal swims in a clockwise direction, ultimately finishing up in Co Kerry on August 27th.

Currently between leases, having lived up in Dublin with friends for the summer, Veronica decided to convert a Citroen Berlingo van into a small-scale mobile home, feeling that her ‘Coastline Swim 4 Cancer’ challenge would provide the perfect opportunity to avail of its utility and convenience.

“I’ve decided to complete this challenge for a good cause. Everyone out there knows

someone who has either passed away or battled with cancer. This is something that is close to my heart and that’s why I have decided to attempt to raise €2,000 in funding for the Irish Cancer Society,” she stated.

An open invitation has been cast out by Veronica in her 30-day challenge, where she welcomes “like minded individuals” with the positive belief that “the more the merrier.” Travelling solo was something of a challenge for the Clare woman. Safety is an important aspect and a “challenge” that resulted in choosing beaches that were “not too quiet” as she makes her way around the country.

An eager proponent of the benefits of sea swimming, Veronica will complete a 5-minute dip in each county and laughed at the idea of any strenuous work such as 5 kilometres swims, emphasising that it is all most importantly, for a good cause.

To contribute to Veronica’s fundraiser, which now has €1,500 in donations, visit ‘Coastline Swim 4 Cancer’ on iDonate online.

'It will help create the centre Clooney has been crying out for'

by PÁRAIC McMAHON An appointment of a contractor is imminent for a project of works to take place in Clooney.

Following a Part VIII planning process and procurement process in recent months, the Killaloe Municipal District have stated that a contractor is due to be “appointed imminently” for works at Clooney including a new footpath and pedestrian crossing.

Senior executive engineer, Niamh Madden outlined that the project is expected to start “within the coming weeks”. Once an exact commencement date is known, the MD is to liaise with the community group in Clooney.

“This will clearly show the commitment of Clare County Council to the village of Clooney,” Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) stated of the pro-

posed works. “I have no doubt this is only phase one of a larger project for Clooney, it will help create the centre that Clooney has been crying out for years”.

Trojan efforts have been evident from the community group, Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) acknowledged. “We’re all aware they are not long in existence and that there is a lot of traffic going through Clooney. It is a fantastic project, the sooner it starts the better. It will be delivered in next couple of months,” the Cathaoirleach of the Killaloe MD continued.

Speaking at a recent meeting of the Killaloe MD, Madden said that local authority staff have moved quickly on the project. “As soon as the Part 8 process was complete, we had a tender process almost completed simultaneously”. Once the contractor is appointed, the engineer confirmed she would carry out a site visit with him/her on the same day.

Eoin Neylon

An inside look at Clare’s political spectrum

Green jersey needs funds T HERE’S never a good time to have to do a 10 day isolation for Covid. Nevertheless, if it were going to have to happen, the past 10 days, during the height of Olympics action, wasn’t the worst time to have to do it.

Throughout the duration of my stay in a bedroom of the house, away from any other human, I was at least grateful, as a sports obsessed person, to have the pinnacle of sporting prowess to distract from the same four walls. I’m not alone in being glued to the action from Tokyo though, if Irish Twitter is anything to go by.

It’s the same story every four years, or in this case five years thanks to the global pandemic. Yet in between Olympics, there seems to be precious little coverage for most of these sports that have Irish audiences captivated during the Games. This somewhat appears at odds with our reputation as a sports mad nation, but the medals table also reflects that we may not be as diverse in our appreciation of these sports.

116 athletes have done Ireland proud representing the country in Tokyo.

This represents the largest Olympic team ever to represent Ireland. Included in this number were Co. Clare pair Liam Jegou (Canoe Slalom) and Naomi Carroll (Hockey).

The first appearance for Ireland in women’s hockey and men’s rugby 7s helped boost the numbers hugely but it is still a large increase on the 77 athletes that wore Irish colours at the Rio Games last time out, and previous record 78 athletes at the 1996 Games in Atlanta.

In terms of medals however, we currently sit in

47th place with 1 gold and 2 bronze medals. This will increase later in the week when Kellie Harrington wins a boxing medal, but we still need to win 2 more to equal the Irish records of 6 medals, as we achieved at the 2012 London Games.

Melbourne in 1956 saw Ireland’s best ranking position at 21st with 5 medals and some would say this would be a great feat to emulate once again.

Nonetheless, once you look at countries with similar populations and economies, we have a way to go.

New Zealand currently sit in 11th place with 15 medals, Croatia in 19th with 3 golds and 5 others, Denmark in 21st with 6, and Norway sit in 25th thanks to their 2 golds, 1 silver and 1 bronze to date.

Chinese Taipei, with roughly half the population of Ireland, are in 20th with 10 medals. If Harrington wins gold, Ireland would jump to 28th but that’s still low by our cultural fixation with sport. Hopes abound that our equestrian team, women golfers and modern pentathlete can boost it further.

So why are we consistently punching below our weight when it comes to the Olympics? In short, most would say it is a case of money and attention. In recent years, the funding for “minority sports” has greatly increased so one would hope that the future will be bright for Games in Paris in 2024, LA in 2028 and Brisbane in 2032.

We’ve seen many promising young athletes get valuable experience in Tokyo and they’ll have medal hopes in 3 years.

Sports Ireland estimate that sport, and sports related activities, makes up 1.4% of GDP in Ireland. A report compiled by Sport For Business last year

found that, as of 2018, sport only accounted for 0.4% of Government spending in Ireland. The lions share of this funding goes to soccer, GAA, horse racing, golf and rugby, seeing as these sports have the largest participation numbers in the country.

Successful Governments in 2019 and then post election in 2020 announced huge increases in sports funding, but the pandemic has swallowed much of this funding to make up for shortfalls in ticket sales, sponsorship and TV revenue from cancelled events.

But what Olympics sports require more than anything is exposure. With greater coverage, more money will flow into them, and as a consequence, athletes can focus more on their sport and training, with the best of coaches and supports, and less time trying to secure money via part-time jobs and scrounging for sponsorship everywhere possible to get by.

If we want our athletes to succeed, the bottom line is that we need to give them our attention more often than once every four years and to put our money where our collective mouth is.

Things are getting better though with more and more rowing, boxing, hockey and athletics getting TV time recently. It’s time to give our other athletes from other sports similar attention though. Irish sports channels should be offered incentives to cover so called minority sports, or Government should directly fund RTÉ to produce a weekly magazine show to highlight the success of these athletes at home and abroad. That would be the definition of putting on the green jersey in a most worthwhile manner.

20 RECRUITMENT

BUSINESS AND RECRUITMENT

THURSDAY, AUG 5 2021

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

St Francis Credit Union Social & Cultural Fund a great success STUART HOLLY editor@clareecho.ie

S

T FRANCIS Credit Union was once again delighted to support the local community through its Social & Cultural Fund. Over the past few years, St Francis Credit Union has seen the applications to their funding grow by 50%.

So far, St Francis Credit Union have committed over €60,000 in funding to supporting & promoting local projects such as the Ballyea Development Association where they helped fund the restoration of St John the Baptist Statue at St John Blessed Well.

St Francis Credit Union embarked on this journey with a focus to support non-profit organisations such as the Ballyea Development Association.

Each year St Francis Credit Union take in applications from local communities where each application is assessed based on a certain criteria, details which can be found on their website www.stfranciscu.ie Speaking about the Social and Cultural

Fund CEO with St Francis Credit Union Louis Fay said “Our Social & Cultural Fund has become one of the main talking points at the start of each year in the credit union as applications have risen by 50% for funding.

"We embarked on this journey in 2018 as the ethos of the credit union is all about helping others, and as we are a non-profit organisation felt this was a great way to give back to likeminded groups on behalf of the wonderful membership here at St Francis Credit Union.

Louis continued: "The application process begins each January right through to April with the 2021 applications just completed.

The 2022 programme will commence again in January 2022, and we look forward to seeing the level of interest”.

St Francis Credit Union has been operating in the Clare region for 55 years.

The credit union provides valuable savings and loan services to its 36,000 members.

St Francis Credit Union has savings of €180 Million with loans issued to the Clare area totalling €55 Million.

St Francis Credit Union is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

We are delighted to offer the following Full-Time positions at the Auburn Lodge Hotel

lLOCAL SUPPORT: Louis Fay CEO St Francis Credit Union with Michael Sheedy & Louise McMahon from Ballyea Development Association

BAR & RESTAURANT

We require a food & beverage manager for an immediate start - The successful applicant must be highly motivated and be a team player - Minimum 1 years experience in a management position

Chefs – All Grades Front Desk Receptionists Experienced Food and Beverage Assistants Experienced Accommodation Assistants Apply with current C.V. to: manager@auburnlodge.com

- Will be expected to train new staff members and complete rotas - This is an excellent opportunity to join our growing team - An excellent employment package will be offered to the successful candidate

Suitable candidates should send a cv to info@thegroveennis.ie or apply in writing to The Grove Bar & Restaurant Roslevan shopping centre Tulla Rd Ennis V95 E03Y

BUSINESS 21

THURSDAY, AUG 5 2021

Shannon Airport's new Ryanair service to Corfu takes flight SHANNON Airport marked the inaugural takeoff of its news Ryanair to Corfu service on Tuesday with a pre-departure reception and water canon salute, writes Páraic McMahon.

Ryanair’s new route from Shannon Airport to the popular Greek island will operate twice weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays until the end of October. It is the first of two new services due to take off from the airport within a week, a new weekly Ryanair service to Gran Canaria (Las Palmas) begins on Saturday (August 7th).

Passengers on the first Corfu bound flight enjoyed a pre-departure reception in the airport’s transit lounge which was decorated in festive

meaningful

Looking for a career in home care?

style. To celebrate the new routes, the airport gave one lucky passenger a special surprise, return flight tickets for two people to a choice of one of Shannon Airport’s 17 exciting destinations. A water cannon salute by the airport’s fire service added an extra sense of occasion as airport staff welcomed passengers and looked after them during their time in the airport.

CEO of Shannon Group, Mary Considine said: “The global pandemic has had a huge impact on all our lives and being able to once again welcome our passengers as they take to the skies bound for sun drenched holiday destinations is really wonderful."

People who care for Clare's

ageing adults are stars in their communities

TALTY STORES, LISSYCASEY

We’re looking for

caring and compassionate

people to join our team of CAREGiversSM:

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THURSDAY, AUG 5 2021

Merchants Square

Merchant’s Square has evolved into thriving eco-system of business CIAN O’BROIN

M

cian@clareecho.ie

ERCHANT’S Square in Ennis has evolved into a thriving eco-system of business this summer, with traders enjoying a Mediterranean feel in the “best pedestrianised area of the town.”

Shane O’Neill, who owns Arts and Crafts, has been supplying schools, teachers, artists, hobby painters and crafters from the square since 1993. He emphasised that the retail and leisure element of his business feed well into the feel of the community and that it benefits from not having insurance companies and hardware stores.

“We work together and we are certainly not out of place here. We have all really taken ownership of the place in a sense of look-

ing after it. Our shop fronts are all in good condition. I think its the best pedestrianised place in town. It’s working the way everyone’s vision of it was initially,” he stated.

Meanwell owner Roy Power, who has two stores, emphasised the environmental and health-conscious aspect that his stores have brought to the area. Housing 2,500 products in Ireland’s first solely vegan and plant-based shop, he credits the “diversity” brought to the area by each and every shop owner that has added to a rejuvenated feeling within the Square. “Both stores are about improving personal health, having less impact on the environment and creating awareness for animal welfare,” he added.

Barry Pilkington from The Market Bar, who described the area as having a European feel to it, stated that “since merchants square has been developed it has brought a much-needed facelift to the area with everyone getting on board to help.” This was added to by Shane O’ Neill who hopes to see the resurfacing work on Parnell Street tie in with Merchant’s Square.

He highlighted the importance of implementing an “overall plan” that looks beyond just the street surface, and incorporates down pipes, signage and street furniture.

“The big one is parking. If they provide good parking, it will make the town and this area accessible and people will want to come,” he concluded.

Photograph by Tom Nicks

Merchant's Square, Ennis, Co.Clare Tel: 065 68 49935 Email: marketbarennis@gmail.com

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Photographs by Tom Nicks

We specialise in Moroccan dishes and house sandwiches OPEN SUNDAYS

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THURSDAY, AUG 5 2021

Merchants Square

New Horizons for STUART HOLLY

A

editor@clareecho.ie

Photograph by Tom Nicks

NEW modern optical practice has opened in the heart of Ennis providing professional and personalised eyecare.

Opening its doors today, Horizon Optical, based in Merchant’s Square, will offer the most up-to-date styles in eyewear while providing the people of Clare with a personalised approach to customer service and high standards in eyecare. Proprietor and dispensing optician Rosaleen O’Sullivan is joined by registered optometrist and Lahinch native Ruth Nolan, along with frame stylist and optical advisor Tonia Moloney from Lissycasey.

With more than 20 years’ experience in the optical industry, Rosaleen told The Clare Echo that the first lockdown last year caused her to re-evaluate her

future prospects and she was attracted to the idea of a fully independent optical business. “I wanted to start a new business where I could spend optimal time with a patient and deliver a personalised experience. It’s important to us at Horizon that customers get a more individual experience and when they contact us they speak to somebody very knowledgeable straight away, where you start getting a great service from the very beginning.”

The team at Horizon Optical have handpicked all their styles and will stock a wide range of frames including LK Bennett, Kate Spade, David Beckham, Hugo Boss, Oakley, Cocoa Mint, Woodys Barcelona, Eco Conscious to name a few. “The choice for the consumer is actually beyond what I ever imagined it would be. All of our frame suppliers regularly release new frame styles with the seasons of the fashion houses, so whether its Hugo Boss or Kate Spade, they release new styles all the time and that will be one of our unique selling points. We’ll refresh our

Where precision meets style

Merchants Square

25

THURSDAY, AUG 5 2021

optical care in Ennis styles and brands regularly so people are constantly getting new products to look at when they come into us. Keep an eye out for our new brands on Instagram and Facebook” “We know the demand is there for eye tests with great customer care. We have our website launch next week and customers will be able to book their appointments online or they can phone us to book. We currently offer PRSI and private eye tests.” Horizon Optical are also in the process of securing HSE approval for medical card customers.

The Quin resident and her team are offering high grade eye exams with OCT scanning and Rosaleen says they plan on being very competitive with their pricing.

“We will be running various promotions instore from opening, to include excellent value products at competitive prices.

We also have a great kids range with frames from Nanovista and Polaroid Kids.

We put huge emphasis on the precise dispensing of our product and we use local business LR Precision Ennis, to supply and glaze our lenses..” Using local suppli-

ers is important to Rosaleen and so the team of three have spent many weeks finalising the design of their store alongside local tradesmen including Donal Considine and his team.

A business graduate and dispensing optician, Rosaleen has worked in the industry for more than 20 years and was most recently a partner in Specsavers Ennis until October 2020. The mother of three says she’s excited to welcome customers into her new premises at Merchant’s Square.

“It is a bustling area, there is a Mediterranean feel with the cafés and outdoor dining in the area. All of the shop owners are very focused on promoting local business in Ennis and have been very friendly and welcoming to us here at Horizon Optical.”

Horizon Optical is open Tuesday to Saturday.

Tues-Thurs 9:30-5:30pm Fri 9:30-6pm Saturday 9:30-5pm.

To make an appointment or to get in contact, call 065 682 2599.

SERVING BREAKFAST AND LUNCH, INCLUDING A SELECTION OF HOMEMADE SOUPS AND DESSERTS DAILY NOW OPEN FOR INDOOR DINING

Rosaleen O’Sullivan of Horizon Optical

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THURSDAY, AUG 5 2021

Merchants Square For all your BACK TO SCHOOL Art Supplies

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Sport Clare Echo THE

05-08-21

pg 27

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

Lohan yet to decide on Clare future PÁRAIC MCMAHON

Clare manager Brian Lohan

Photo by Jim Campbell

paraic@clareecho.ie

BRIAN Lohan has yet to decide on whether he is keen to continue as Clare senior hurling manager.

The Clare Echo understands that the two-time All-Ireland winner is to take some time before deciding whether he wants to remain in charge of the Banner.

Sources close to the Shannon man have said he has not made a decision on his inter-county future.

Lohan succeeded joint managers Donal Moloney and Gerry O’Connor in the

role. He guided Clare to a quarter-final in 2020 while this season’s campaign end-

ed in the qualifiers to Cork, a side that they have only defeated once in championship

NET

since the 2013 All-Ireland final.

Clare supporters applauded the senior hurlers from the field following their championship exit with many fans rushing to their feet to show their appreciation.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Fergal Hegarty, a former teammate of Lohan, outlined that the County Board must act quickly to have the former UL Fitzgibbon Cup boss on board for 2022.

“Overall I think Brian Lohan has done a fantastic job.

We all know there has been a lot of challenges on and off the field, a lot of sideshows but he has behaved impecca-

bly, when he is interviewed, he shows class. He has tried to be drawn into sideshows but he doesn’t go there, he constantly backs his players and you can see they are playing for them, that is the big thing.

“The big thing for me now is that the County Board move to secure Brian for at least another year or however long he wants to stay with them. Brian has a young family and a lot of other interests, if they could secure Brian for at least another year, it is important to keep the group together,” the Kilnamona man said.

Hegarty added, “The big thing is there isn’t a whole lot

of difference (between Brian Lohan as a player and manager), he has brought that manliness, doggedness, determination and spirit as a player, he was probably the greatest full-back that ever played the game in my eyes.

“He has got a great tune out of that team. He couldn’t have asked for anymore in terms of effort and that is all you want as a supporter, player or manager, they are reflecting the never say die attitude that Brian had. Clare teams in the last couple of years if they were five points down going into injury time, most teams would see it out but Clare kept going right till the end”.

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Clare Echo THE

pg 28

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

CLARE SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP RD1

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

St Breckans start on high St Breckans 3-08 Doora-Barefield 0-09 Venue: Corofin

ST BRECKANS Frees For: 9 (7/2) Wides: 3 (2/1) Scores from Play: 3-06 Spread of Scorers: 7 Top Scorer: Joe McGann (2-00) Own Kick-Outs won: 9 from 13 (69%) ST JOSEPHS DOORA BAREFIELD Frees For: 16 (8/8) Wides: 4 (2/2) Scores from Play: 0-05 Spread of Scorers: 6 Top Scorer: Eoghan Thynne (0-02 2f), Conall Kelleher (0-02 1f), Joe Rafferty (0-02) Own Kick-Outs won: 11 from 14 (79%)

DONIE GARRIHY, ST BRECKANS MANAGER “Coming on the back of a pandemic and a non competitive Cusack Cup, we played the whole six or seven weeks minus nine county players between U20s and seniors. I must say the guys that played in their absence did really well and they played tonight. Did we take a gamble? Other people might say we did. Do I have confidence in the group? Yes. Do I have confidence in this group going onto the next round? Yes, I do. It is all about our group and the work they have done in the closed season, not being able to use gyms or go beyond your 5km, we were really restricted as were other clubs in the county.

“I’ve said before and I’m not being harsh, I can’t control what

Compiled by Páraic McMahon

other people say but if Barefield scored two goals like that I would applaud them but I have to be careful with our boys, we expect great things from Cathal Guerin, Aiden Davidson, Padraig Kelly, Maccon Byrne, it’s not just the Joe McGann show but as the Norwich City Chairperson used to say ‘let’s be having you’ Joe”.

On Italian footballer Giorgio Chiellini being referenced in post-match huddle: “You would reference him, he has how many gold medals in his pocket. Has he a gold medal in his pocket because he hands out Holy Communion? Hello, you know me and the soccer, he is a winner.

“It is all about the championship. My God, championship

is everything, I don’t need any engines in the boats tomorrow, I will pull them after me now.”

KEVIN FREHILL, ST JOSEPHS MANAGER: “We’re very disappointed but we just had a chat with the players and we all agreed that it was our first game back senior, the goal today was to learn lessons to try learn about ourselves and get back up to that pace, we’re taking a huge amount of positives out of it once the disappointment goes away, there is a lot for us to work on.

“It’s a lot of young players and it is a learning curve for them coming back up to this level. We still came into the match with belief and I feel that on balance, the game was quite even, we showed a bit of naivety for the goals and that ultimately what killed us.”

Cathal Guerin wrestles with Conor O’Brien and Tom McDonald BurrenEye Photography

Ryan’s goal key in Cratloe victory Cratloe 1-13 Cooraclare 0-10 Venue: Cusack Park

Micheál Garry holds off Sean Hynan BurrenEye Photography

Compiled by Páraic McMahon

CRATLOE Frees For: 20 (14/6) Wides: 4 (2/2) Scores from Play: 1-07 Spread of Scorers: 7 Top Scorer: Jack McInerney SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT (0-05 5f) Own Kick-Outs won: 16 from 18 COORACLARE Frees For: 10 (6/4) Wides: 8 (4/4) Scores from Play: 0-08 Spread of Scorers: 5 Top Scorer: Ciaran O’Donoghue (0-04 2f) Own Kick-Outs: 12 from 18 (67%)

COLM COLLINS, CRATLOE MANAGER: “The first and most important thing is we got the win. We looked very rusty at times, there is a lot to admire about Cooraclare’s workrate, they forced a lot of pressure on the ball and a lot of turnovers. We all know how good Sean O’Donoghue is, he was unlucky not to get a few goals, I’m delighted to get the two points.

“Diarmuid Ryan’s goal was the key, it was a fantastic score and the most important score in the game as it turned out. This group is a tough group, we’re just glad to have two points and we look forward to the next day to see how we get on”.

“It will be a tough game against Miltown. This group is far from over, I think there will be a lot of results that will go either way, it is not as clear cut as people think, I think it is going to be very competitive, we won’t know what will happen until the last day”.

“Jack McInerney came in today and basically took Cathal’s place, he was excellent from frees and very good from play, I’m delighted for Jack because he has had a tough old time with injury, he has made a great effort this year so it’s great to see it coming out on the pitch”.

MICHAEL GARRY, COORACLARE MANAGER: “All I was looking for during

Winning start for Kilmihil

Kilmihil 1-13 Kilrush 0-10 KILMIHIL Frees For: 27 (15/12) Wides: 7 (6/1) Scores from Play: 0-09 Spread of Scorers: 3 Top Scorer: Ciaran Downes (1-07 1’Pen, 3f) KILRUSH SHAMROCKS Frees For: 25 (9/16) Wides: 6 (3/3) Scores from Play: 0-06 Spread of Scorers: 6 Top Scorer: Stephen Ryan (0-03 1f)

Venue: Cooraclare

GERRY DOWNES, KILMIHIL MANAGER: “We’re delighted with the result.

Things went right for us on the day. We got the scores. We created a couple of goal opportunities in the first half that we didn’t take.

We got chances in the second half and we did take them. The worry is the fact that we didn’t score in the final quarter but we worked really really hard and played some really good football. THe return

of Stan Lineen is a really steadying influence in our defence, our captain Dan Keating was outstanding today. There is a bit of pressure off but we are going to focus on the next match”.

NOEL RYAN, KILRUSH SELECTOR: “They (Kilmihil) looked a better team, certainly in the second half and they held the ball a lot better.

We lost a lot of possession in the middle, They were first to the ball.

Their defence did well. We have

always found it hard to beat them and we found it hard again today.

We will re-group and we will see where we lost this. We will try and be better next day out”.

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

Compiled by Seamus Hayes

Sean Crowley takes on Gearoid O’Brien Photo by Gerard O’Neill

the week was a performance, naturally enough we wanted to win but we got the performance, there is something to build on now going onto the next day.

“The goal came at a bad time for us because we were on top at that stage, a couple of forced shots went wide or dropped short, the boys will learn from that and regroup again. We got the performance we were looking for, we wanted to win but we didn’t get it.

“I was not happy with the referee, it is not an easy job, I don’t like to be here complaining about referees but there was a lot of dodgy decisions and they mostly went Cratloe’s way.”

pg 29

05-08-21

Clare Echo THE

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Townies too strong for Lissycasey EIRE OG 3-11 LISSYCASEY 0-15 Venue: Cusack Park EIRE OG Frees For: 14 (8/6) Wides: 10 (5/5) Scores from Play: 3-08 Spread of Scorers: 6 Top Scorer: Philip Talty (1-02) & Gavin Cooney (1-02 2f) Own Kick-Outs won: 18 from 21 (86%)

LISSYCASEY Frees For: 26 (12/14) Wides: 12 (6/6) Scores from Play: 0-04 Spread of Scorers: 3 Top Scorer: Conor Finucane (0-06 5f) Own Kick-Outs won: 21 from 29 (72%)

PAUL MADDEN, ÉIRE ÓG MANAGER “It’s great to get a win and get started, I’m very pleased to get over today, we did a lot of good things but still a lot to work on for the next day.

“From the start we controlled it well in the first fifteen minutes but then we did a lot of stupid things and gave the ball away to let them back into it and we can’t do that. The one thing we want this year from the lads is

Compiled by Páraic McMahon SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

a seriously good attitude everyday we go out and I think we did that. You’re not going to win a game at senior football level if you don’t work hard, that is a minimum requirement.”

JOHN RYAN, LISSYCASEY MANAGER “You have to compliment Éire Óg, they came with a plan and purpose, they really drove it on. We came into this game after winning the Garry Cup but you need to be playing Division 1 and the top teams, that is no excuse for

us today. We just didn’t get to the pitch of the game, from the minute the ball was thrown in, they started running at us. I think they took their scores better, their workrate was higher than ours and when the workrate is higher, you’ve problems straight away.

“It definitely gives us something to go back to the drawing board and see where we were.

We’re not as bad as we played out there today, I know that. I just came away from the players and they are absolutely disgusted with themselves and the way they played but this is sport, you’re into a first round and it is winner takes all.

“We’ve four weeks of a break, we have to regroup on Wednesday, have a chat and set out our stall for the next four weeks and then hopefully we can turn this around but we have a big opposition, Doonbeg and Clondegad, I don’t think Lissycasey have beaten them in championship so that is another stat that we will have to overcome. We have the team and we have the players.”

Francie Hayes goes to ground as Ronan Lanigan makes a tackle Photo by Gerard O’Neill

Thrilling draw Three points to spare for Doonbeg at Park St Josephs Miltown 2-07 Miltown 2-07 Compiled by Eoin Brennan Venue: Cusack Park KILMURRY IBRICKANE Frees For: 22 (11/11) Wides: 12 (8/4) Scores from Play: 1-2 Spread of Scorers: 4 Top Scorer: Keelan Sexton (0-5 2f 1M) Own Kick-Outs won: 13 from 14 (93%) ST JOSEPHS MILTOWN Frees For: 14 (8/6) Wides: 5 (4/1) Scores from Play: 1-4 Spread of Scorers: 6 Top Scorers: Oisin Looney, Seanie Malone (1-0) Own Kick-Outs won: 17 from 21 (81%) MICHAEL NEYLON, ST JOSEPH’S MILTOWN MANAGER “It could have gone either way and possibly if you were looking on, it was probably a fair result for both sides. I know we were the team that was in the driving seat for the last few minutes but you can never put Kilmurry away.

“As has been the way with Miltown and Kilmurry games, it was very tense and not the top of open game that people like to watch. It did open up in the second half and I think we got to see glimpses of what we can expect later from both sides.

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

Doonbeg 0-09 Clondegad 0-06 Venue: Cusack Park

Kilmurry Ibrickane debutant Jason McCarthy evades the challenge of Seanie Malone Photo by Gerard O’Neill

“We were delighted with our guys that they were able to recover from a slow start and a couple of sucker-punches and started to play the type of football we know we’re capable of.

“It’s game one and it’s up to us to get ourselves right for next week as they’re coming hot and heavy from here on. It’s going to be a big test to be able to get ourselves ready for Saturday but for the moment, we’re happy to be going into it with a point under our belt”.

AIDEN MOLONEY, KILMURRY IBRICKANE MANAGER: “There was a lot of our

players and mentors that were affected by the passing of Martin Murrihy and I can only have admiration for them because they came and said ‘we’ve put a lot into this so let’s get it done’ and Lord Have Mercy on Martin if he was around, he’d say to make sure we played that match.

“We’re delighted to get a point and overall I’d say both teams would be happy with a draw as it was definitely a game that whoever got the two points today were really sailing. So a point each was fair enough as once you keep a loss off the card, you’re still in there.”

Compiled by Páraic McMahon

DOONBEG Frees For: 15 (8/7) Wides: 6 (3/3) Scores from Play: 0-07 Spread of Scorers: 3 Top Scorer: David Tubridy (0-07 1f 1’45) Own Kick-Outs won: 11 from 15 (73%) CLONDEGAD Frees For: 13 (5/8) Wides: 9 (4/5) Scores from Play: 0-04 Spread of Scorers: 5 Top Scorer: Podge McMahon (002 2f) Own Kick-Outs won: 9 from 15 (60%) MARK RAFFERTY, DOONBEG MANAGER “It is great to get the victory, we hadn’t been playing that well earlier in the year, we had only one win in the Cusack Cup against Ennistymon, we drew with Éire Óg but we’ve a lot of hard work done since the 10th of May, a lot of the time we couldn’t get everyone out on the pitch, this is really the first day that we have most of the lads, there’s still two to three long-term injuries.

“I was impressed with the way we defended, we’ve worked a lot on that in training and the other thing was how the younger guys stood up, the likes of Jason Lin-

Podge McMahon outnumbered

by Joe Blake, Jason Linnane and Paraic Aherne Photo by Gerard O’Neill

nane, Tadhg Lillis, Cathal Killeen, Cillian Blake and James Killeen, some of those lads first time playing here, they weren’t scared to get on the ball and move the ball on.

“It (the win) puts us on the front foot, we knew Éire Óg won earlier on so we have four weeks to work before the next game, it is easier train when you have won the first game.”

FLAN ENRIGHT, CLONDEGAD MANAGER “We’re hugely disappointed, this was the game we were focused on, no other game. We couldn’t seem to get the scores, we knew they would bring it to a battle and that’s what it was”.

“We just seemed to maybe take an extra play out of the ball at times, they bottled us up well, we’ve no excuses”.

“It is all on the next game now, we don’t ever look past one game at a time. We know what Éire Óg are about after today, it is up to us to up our game”.

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

05-08-21

Clare Echo THE

pg 30

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

Banner intermediate with a win SEAMUS HAYES WOLFE Tones’ tie with Coolmeen was postponed on account of a COVID-19 case within the Shannon ranks. It is due to take place this coming Sunday.

WINNING START FOR THE BANNER Banner 3-5 Éire Óg 1-10 Venue: Gurteen Newly crowned Clare Junior A football champions, The Banner made a winning start to life at intermediate level when they overcame the challenge of neighbours Éire Óg in the opening round of the intermediate championship at Gurteen on Sunday.

Three first half goals played a key role in this victory which was all the more praiseworthy given that they were without a few key players from the junior title win seven days earlier.

Goalkeeper Mark Cleary, defender Eoin Walsh and full forward Danny O’Halloran were absent while centre back Ronan O’Halloran hobbled off the field after ten minutes.

The winners got off to a blistering start and were 1-1 to 0-0 up after just two minutes, the goal coming from Johnny Martyn. It was 1-2 to 0-3 at the first water break but Éire Óg struck a big blow when play resumed as Luke Moore goaled to give them the lead for the only time in the game.

That lead was short lived as the winners hit back and Colin Duffy finished to the net after a good move. Duffy repeated the feat five minutes later, finding the net after good work by Daire Walsh and they went on to lead 3-2 to 1-5 at half time. Éire Óg had the opening three points of the second half but Banner had gone two clear by the second water break.

Shane Daniels brought it back to the minimum 10 minutes from time. Daire Walsh landed the winner’s only score of this period three minutes from time and they held on for a merited win. Éire Óg finished with 14 players afrer Gavin D’Auria picked up a second yellow as the game went into time added on.

KILDYSART HOLD THE UPPERHAND OVER MICHAEL CUSACKS Kildysart 0-17 Ml Cusacks 0-10 Venue: Ennistymon Kildysart, one of the favourites for the title, made a winning start when they proved too strong for Michael Cusacks on Saturday.

The 2019 Junior A champions made the favourites battle all the way for this victory.

Cusacks led by the odd point in nine at the first water break but Kildysart hit back and had opened a two point lead by halfway.

The winners were three clear, 0-10 to 0-7 at the three quarter stage and they held the upperhand in the closing period for a merited win. Eleven players got on the scoresheet and shared in Kildysart’s impressive tally Scorers Kildysart: Conor Hassett (0-3) Diarmuid O’Donnell, Seamus Casey, Keith Murphy, Keith O’Connor (0-2) each John Guinnane, Emmett McMahon, Stephen Sheehan, Fergal Guinnane (0-1, Luke McGrth

(0-1) Kieran O’Brien (0-1) each Scorers Ml. Cusacks: Aidan Forde (0-5); Sean McNamara (0-3) Joey Droney, Aidan McNamara (0-1).

CAHILL BROTHERS SHINE AS COROFIN IMPRESS IN OPENER Corofin 2-19 Naomh Eoin 2-7 Venue: Cooraclare Beaten finalists last year, Corofin started well in this first round tie on Sunday and they had a ten point lead by half time when the score was 1-10 to 0-3.

Naomh Eoin stormed back into the contest in the third quarter, helped by goals from Michael Liddane and Eoin Lynch and they got to within four points of their opponents before Corofin stepped up a gear and kicked some impressive points on their way to a merited victory.

The winner’s goals came from Enda Collins and Gearoid Cahill on a day when they lined out without inter county man Jamie Malone who is struggling to shake off a leg injury which he suffered earlier in the year.

ALL SQUARE BETWEEN SHANNON GAELS AND O’CURRYS Shannon Gaels 0-11 O’Currys 1-8 Venue: Doonbeg A draw was a fair outcome to the meeting of Shannon Gaels and O’Currys at Shanahan McNamara park in Doonbeg on Sunday.

O’Currys started well and went two points clear and they held this advantage to half time when the score was 0-6 to 0-4.

The Gaels held the upperhand in the third quarter when they kicked five unanswered points and they looked set to push on and reverse the league result between the sides a few weeks earlier when O’Currys won by four.

The Peninsula outfit bounced back and a goal from Sean Murphy gave them a one point lead but Niall Ellis struck for the equalising point for the Labasheeda team.

Both sides were guilty of some missed chances on the day something they will need to improve on if they are to be in contention for the title later in the campaign.

KILFENORA MUCH TOO STRONG Kilfenora 3-16 Liscannor 1-5 Venue: Corofin Inspired by outstanding captain Cian O’Dea, Kilfenora comfortably won this North Clare derby contest on Sunday.

They led from the outset and were never really troubled by Liscannor who struggled in many areas and who weren’t helped by the loss of the experienced and long serving Ronan Slattery to injury early in the game.

The winners had goals from Cian O’Dea, Declan Brennan, and Michael Theasby on a day when they led by nine points at half time when the score was 2-8 to 1-2.

The O’Dea brothers Cian and Jack gave the winners the upperhand at midfield and helped create many scoring opportunitiies on a day when Micheal Duffy, Paul Carkill and Niall Hegarty were amongst those to impress.

Oisin Leyden was the goalscorer for Liscannor who look like they will have a battle on their hands to retain intermediate status.

Kilfenora’s Oisin Leyden with Liscannor’s Alan Canavan Connole

Burren Eye Photography

Underage roundup: 10 sides remain in hunt for U15 hurling

by EOIN BRENNAN

ONLY ten candidates remain in the hunt for U15 Hurling Championship silverware after the semi-final pairings for the B and C competitions were confirmed this week.

The eagerly-anticipated U15A decider between Inagh-Kilnamona and Sixmilebridge is pencilled in for Cusack Park next Monday at 7pm but the separation of the B and C contenders meant the the quarter-finals only took place on Monday and Tuesday evening.

In the last eight of the Under 15B on Bank Holiday Monday, a late goal in each half ensured that Kilmaley maintained their unblemished record with a 2-15 to 0-13 victory over Cratloe to advance to Sunday’s semi-final in Crusheen (6pm) where they will face Newmarket-on-Fergus who, 24 hours later, shared 11 goals with Whitegate before emerging 6-15 to 5-05 winners on home soil.

Two goals apiece for Tristan Cullinan and Michael Power secured a 4-7 to 2-4 half-time cushion for the Blues before another from Sean Arthur fended off a Whitegate backlash on the resumption.

The other semi-final between Ballyea and Clooney-Quin in Clarecastle also takes place on Sunday at 6pm. In contrasting quarter-finals, Ballyea had a tense wrestle for supremacy while a devastating first half saw Clooney-Quin build up an unassailable half-time lead on Monday.

Eoin Kennedy and Kyle Tuohy’s scoring duel was to the fore as Ballyea and O’Callaghan’s Mills/Bodyke went blow-for-blow

throughout, with the sides level nine times by the 42nd minute before hosts Ballyea finally pulled away to win by 0-16 to 0-12.

A Sean Boyce inspired O’Callaghan’s Mills/Bodyke will rue missed chances but a more clinical Ballyea, despite being reduced to 14 entering the final ten minutes, finished with the last three points through the Kennedy brothers Eoin (2) and Dara.

Meanwhile in Clooney, impressive displays from adventurous wing-back Conor McCarthy and the attacking triumvirate of Sean McNamara, Daire White and PJ McCarthy ensured that Clooney-Quin hit the ground sprinting to race to a 19 point half-time lead. Far from dropping their heads however, Scariff-Ogonnelloe would rally in a much more even second period, with goals from Colin O’Grady and Luke Madden providing some encouragement for the Group 2 runners-up in a 4-26 to 2-10 final scoreline.

In the Under 15C Quarter-Finals, Smith O’Brien’s prevailed by 5-11 to 0-17 in their derby with Parteen while it was equally dramatic in Ennistymon as the hosts would be turned over by a resurgent Banner to take a 5-16 to 3-12 win, having found themselves 11 in arrears at one stage.

On Sunday, favourites Wolfe Tones take on Smith O’Brien’s in the first Under 15C Semi-Final in Kilkishen at 6pm while in Kilmaley on Monday evening (7pm), Crusheen/Tubber face-off with Banner.

The penultimate stage of the Under 15B Shield and Academy A and B competitions also take place over the next four days.

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ALL-IRELAND SENIOR CAMOGIE CHAMPIONSHIP

Compiled by Paraic McMahon

Clare beat Westmeath to ensure safety Clare 2-12 Westmeath 0-12 Venue: Cusack Park, Ennis CLARE Frees For: 11 (4/7) Wides: 8 (4/4) Scores from Play: 1-07 Spread of Scorers: 4 Top Scorer: Chloe Morey (0-07 4f 1’45) Own Puck-Outs won: 10 from 15 (67%)

Niamh O’Dea runs through the Westmeath defence

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

Photo by Veronica McMahon

WESTMEATH Frees For: 11 (5/6) Wides: 3 (0/3) Scores from Play: 0-05 Spread of Scorers: 3 Top Scorer: Megan Dowdell (0-08 7f) Own Puck-Outs won: 11 from 22 (50%)

PLAYER WATCH ZI YAN SPILLANE (MIDFIELD) Minutes: All Possessions: 12 (7/5) Passes: 8 (4/4) Long: 2 (0/2)

Short: 6 (4/2) Hand: 4 (3/1) Hurley: 4 (1/3) Shots: 0

GER O’CONNELL, CLARE MANAGER “We started well, the first ten or fifteen minutes up to the water break we did really good, we got a lead but we probably took too much of the ball after that.

Tackles: 8 (5/3) Hooks: 0 Blocks: 0 Turn Overs For: 2 (1/1)

Against: 3 (3/0) Frees Won: 1 (0/1) Frees Lost: 0

Westmeath in fairness to them they plugged away but I thought we were always in control”.

“We said we needed a fast start, with Westmeath coming down here we needed to get an early lead and take the bite

out of them, we did that. We won the game, that is what it was all about, we didn’t want to be going again in the next week or two into relegation. It has been a frustrating year, we wanted to go further obviously”.

“We know on our day if we turn up we will beat Westmeath, that is not being cocky but that is how we feel with the group of players we have. We lost the first two games, we hurled okay in patches but that is the level we

O’Connell steps down as camogie boss PÁRAIC MCMAHON

Ger O’Connell

BurrenEye Photography

paraic@clareecho.ie

GER O’Connell has stepped down as manager of the Clare senior camogie side.

O’Connell announced to players in the aftermath of their six point win over Westmeath that he would not be seeking an extension to his tenure from the Clare Camogie Board.

Appointed in the winter of 2018, the Clonlara man brought with him the largest management team ever seen by the county senior camogie side. Of the ten individuals included in the original ticket alongside Ger, only his brother Barry O’Connell remained in their role for the three years, he is also stepping down from his role.

Clare made the All-Ireland quarter-finals in 2020 under O’Connell’s watch, it was their first time appearing in the knockout stages since 2014. A memorable League win was also recorded over Kilkenny in Nowlan Park last year.

This year’s run was a disappointing one with Clare involved in a

relegation battle in the League after losing out to Galway and Limerick while they suffered six points losses to Galway and Kilkenny in the championship.

Prior to the county role, Ger was involved with Truagh/Clonlara guiding them to senior shield success and two consecutive appearances in the senior championship semi-finals.

On the field of play, he was the netminder of the Clare team which claimed All-Ireland minor

glory in 1997 while at club level he won a memorable Clare SHC medal in 2008 and is also the holder of three Clare Cup medals.

Meelick’s Conor Dolan who was previously involved with Galway’s senior camogie side when they tasted All-Ireland success, Éanna Mulvihill of the Parteen club, Stephen Cusack of Newmarket-on-Fergus and Ruan’s Francie O’Halloran were part of O’Connell’s management in 2021. It is unclear if the quartet will be in-

volved next year.

Other names expected to be linked with the vacancy include Inagh/Kilnamona’s Eugene Foudy, Junior joint managers Tim McGrath and Anne Marie McGann with former All Star Catherine O’Loughlin and Alan Hehir of Newmarket-on-Fergus viewed as potential selectors.

Speaking following Clare’s final outing of the year, O’Connell refuted a question from The Clare Echo that the county have failed to produce more than one big performance per year during his tenure. “I think we matched them (Galway) in the championship, it wasn’t just one league performance. I thought the first half performance was just as good, our use of ball and turning teams over, we get on amounts of ball but we’re maybe over playing it at times.

I disagree with you saying we’ve only had one good performance all year, I thought we never gave in against Kilkenny, I don’t believe in that statement”.

“There is progress that has been made I feel but the results don’t match that,” he acknowledged.

have to get to, I was hoping we’d drive on after the start and put Westmeath to the sword but we didn’t, we made hard work”.

‘Many of 2021 minors will progress to senior’

by SEAMUS HAYES

CLARE minor football manager, Dermot Coughlan is confident several of this year’s panel will progress to the senior ranks.

On Friday, Clare suffered an eight point defeat to Limerick in Cusack Park in the Munster MFC semi-final.

Speaking after the game, Coughlan said Clare’s shortcomings were mainly down a physical mismatch.

“They were physically stronger all over the field. When it boiled down to it in the middle third is where the game was won and lost. They broke down the tackles. They got primary possession in the air. They never looked to go short with kickouts, it was the same way against Tipperary, middle third all the time. Physically they were stronger you can’t coach strength. In fairness to our lads, they couldn’t give anymore, 12 lads starting championship for the first time... It augurs well, they will be back a lot of them at 20 level and a lot of them will go on to play senior. It just wasn’t our night tonight.”

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Academy place for Ethan PÁRAIC MCMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie

BAREFIELD’S Ethan Coughlan has joined year one of the Greencore Munster Rugby Academy ahead of the 2021/22 season.

Ethan won the U16 Munster title in 2018 and shared the U18 Cup title honours in 2020 with his club side Ennis RFC as his progression from club and regional development squads saw him feature for Munster and Ireland at U18 Clubs level.

He captained the Ireland U18 Clubs in Italy in 2019 under Head Coach Fiach O’Loughlin who was formerly involved with the Clare and Cratloe senior hurlers before signing up with All Ireland League side Shannon RFC. For the 2020/21 season he joined several Munster senior training sessions providing

cover at 9 and featured for the Munster A side. He was also included on the senior squad for their Heineken Cup clash with Toulouse and the PRO14 trip to Treviso.

A member of the National Talent Squad, the 19-year-old was included in the Ireland

U20s Talent Camp in May. Prior to devoting his time solely to rugby, Ethan lined out for St Josephs Doora/Barefield and memorably played a pivotal role when they secured the U16 A football championship in 2018 after trailing by 11 points at half-time.

GAA FIXTURES HURLING Thursday August 5 U-19 A development Sixmilebridge; Sixmilebridge v O’Callaghans Mills/Bodyke U-19 B development Ballyea; Ballyea v Broadford Clonlara; Clonlara v Tulla

FOOTBALL Saturday August 7 Senior championship, round 2 Cusack Park; Kilmurry-Ibrickane v Ennistymon Cusack Park; Cratloe v St Josephs Miltown Sunday August 8 Intermediate championship Banner; Wolfe Tones v Coolmeen Junior A championship, round 1 Gurteen; Ennistymon v Cratloe Lissycasey; Clooney-Quin v Miltown St. Josephs Kilrush; St. Senans, Kilkee v Kilmurry-Ibrickane Junior B championship round 1 (Extra time, if necessary and penalties) Eire Og; Ennistymon v Corofin Banner; Parteen v Cooraclare Ballynacally; Banner or Wolfe Tones Doonbeg; Kilrush v St. Senans, Kilkee HURLING Sunday August 8 Junior B league play off Kilkishen; Sixmilebridge v Tulla Tuesday August 10 Under 19 B development Tulla; Tulla v Newmarket Broadford; Broadford v Clooney-Quin FOOTBALL Thursday August 12

Under 19 development Quilty; Kilmurry-Ibrickane v Clondegad Ennistymon; Ennistymon v Doonbeg CAMOGIE: Fri 06th August U16 Championship U16A Newmarket on Fergus v Ruan Truagh Clonlara v Inagh Kilnamona Clooney Quin v Scariff Ogonnelloe U16B Sixmilebridge v Parteen Clarecastle v Kilmaley Ballyea v Feakle Killanena St Josephs v Tulla U16C Smith O’Briens v Eire Og Broadford v Cratloe Wolfe Tones v Corofin Sat 07th August All Ireland Junior Championship Fr McNamara Park: Clare v Kildare Sunday 08th August Tesco Minor A All Ireland Chpship Limerick v Clare Wed 11th Aug U14 Championship U14A Cup Semi Finals Fr McNamara Park: Inagh Kilnamona v Truagh Clonlara, 7.00pm Newmarket on Fergus v winners (Scariff Ogonnelloe v Clooney Quin) U14A Shield Semi Final Sixmilebridge v Kilmaley U14B Cup Semi Finals Ruan v Clarecastle Ballyea v Crusheen U14B Shield Semi Final Feakle Killanena v Wolfe Tones

Clare ladies set for quarter final action CLARE’S ladies footballers will be vying to reach the last four of the All-Ireland intermediate championship this weekend.

Evan Talty’s side make the trip to Tuam where they will just about carry the favourites tag for their fixture with Westmeath which throws in at 2pm on Sunday.

With a mixed group campaign that included a defeat to Leitrim and a bounce back versus Fermanagh, Clare will be determined to make it back to the stage where they fell short last year with eventual winners Meath ending their champion-

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

ship involvement at the semi-final juncture.

Tickets for the quarter-final are available through clubs with the

Extra time in all U14 Semi Finals in the event of a draw Fri 13th Aug U16 Championship U16A Crusheen/Banner v Truagh Clonlara Scariff Ogonnelloe v Newmarket on Fergus Ruan v Clooney Quin U16B Parteen v Clarecastle Kilkishen/Bodyke v Sixmilebridge U16C Whitegate v Broadford Corofin v Smith O’Briens Eire Og v Wolfe Tones Bord na nÓg Hurling: Friday August 6th: Clare Marts U13 B Round 5 Tubber: Crusheen/Tubber v Broadford at 19:00. Referee: Martin Glynn Saturday August 7th: Clare Marts U13 Academy B Round 6 Kilkishen: Bodyke O Callaghans Mills v Tulla at 11:30. Referee: Kieran Liddane Ogonnelloe: Scariff/Ogonnelloe v Kilkee/ Bealaha at 12:00. Home club to appoint ref Clooney: Clooney Quin Corofin/Ruan at 12:30. Referee: Robert Harte Clare Marts U13 Academy A Round 8 Clarecastle: Clarecastle v Sixmilebridge at 11:00. Referee: Paul Howard Clonlara: Clonlara v St Joseph's Doora Barefield at 11:30. Referee: Flann O’Reilly Inagh: Inagh-Kilnamona v Kilmaley at 11:30.

Referee: Kieran Harvey Ennis: Éire Óg Ennis v Ballyea at 12:15.

Referee: Cian McNulty

game also to be streamed live via Channel Clare.

Sunday August 8th: (E.T. if Necessary & Winner on the day) Supermac's (Ennis) U15 Hurling Championship 2021 U15B SEMI FINAL Crusheen: Newmarket on Fergus v Kilmaley at 18:00. Referee: Kevin Corry Clarecastle: Ballyea v Clooney/Quin at 18:00. Referee: Andy McMahon U15C SEMI FINAL (E.T. if Necessary & Winner on the day) Kilkishen: Wolfe Tones v Smith O’Briens at 18:00. Referee: Paul Howard U15 Academy A SEMI FINAL Corofin: St Joseph's Doora Barefield v Corofin/Ruan at 10:30. Referee: Niall Malone Sixmilebridge: Sixmilebridge v Éire Óg Ennis at 10:45. Referee: Andy McMahon Monday August 9th: Supermac's (Ennis) U15 Hurling Championship 2021 U15A FINAL Cusack Park: Inagh-Kilnamona v Sixmilebridge at 19:00. Referee: Joe Mullins (E.T. if Necessary) U15C SEMI FINAL: Kilmaley: Crusheen/Tubber v Banner at 19:00. Referee: Kieran Harvey (E.T. if Necessary & Winner on the day) U15B Shield Semi Final Tulla: Tulla v Corofin/Ruan at 19:00. Referee: Ger Hoey Feakle: Feakle/Killanena v Broadford at 19:00. Referee: Johnny Healy U15 Academy B SEMI FINAL Ogonnelloe: Scariff/Ogonnelloe v Kilmaley at 19:00. Referee: Fergal O’Brien Ennistymon: Ennistymon v Clooney/Quin at 19:00. Referee: Shane O’Loughlin

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Joyce wins captain’s prize at Lahinch

by SEAMUS HAYES

Four hundred and forty members played in captain Johnnie O’Brien’s prize at LAHINCH GOLF CLUB over the August Bank holiday weekend.

Qualifying rounds took place on Friday and Saturday from which the leading twenty seven qualified for a play off on Sunday afternoon.

At the end of play Peter Joyce (20) was the winner with 63 points, winning by one from Brian McElhinney (24).

They were followed by Garech McGuinness (23) with 60 points, Conor O’Donnell (12) with 60 points, Brendan O’Doherty (10) with 59 points, John Conway (9) with 59 points, John Donovan (19) with 59 points, James Carmody (10) with 58 points Richard Joyce (24) with 57 points and Ciaran Fitzpatrick (14) with 56 points.

The gross winner on Friday was Noel Sexton (1) with 35 points while Greg Slattery (17) won the nett on Friday with 38 points from Eamonn Connaire (14) who also scored 38 points.

Bob Loftus (scratch) won the gross on Saturday with 37 points while Declan McGonigle)7) won the nett with 41 points from Paul Neville (18) who also scored 41 points.

The Oswald Browne cup for the past captain was won by Ian Slattery (14) with 38 points while the Francis Garrahy perpetual plate for the winner of the senior’s section went to Patrick Considine (15) with 42 points with Donal O’Hanlon (10) in second place with a similar score.

Over 70 juniors competed in the putting competition on Friday evening when Aiden Boal emerged as the winner.

The prizegiving ceremony took place on the first tee on Sunday evening with all prize winners in attendance.

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ROOM IS NOW OPEN

Lahinch lady captain Margaret Cooney’s prize will be played for on this Saturday, August 7 while the senior ladies 18-hole and 9-hole competitions will be held on the Castle Course on the same day.

During the past week, the Men’s Senior Cup team, managed by David Conway were defeated by Castletroy in the Munster West semi-final while the men’s Pierce Purcell team, managed by John Skerritt and Michael O’Riordan) were narrowly beaten by defending All-Ireland champions, Spanish Point.

The Junior Girls defence of their Munster title came to an end on Thursday when they lost to eventual winners, Kanturk, in the semi-final of the Munster championship.

On a brighter note, our Men’s Junior Cup team managed by David Givens and Denis Cullinan defeated Dromoland Castle while the Ladies Senior Foursomes, managed by Marjorie Ahern defeated Castletroy.

However, pride of place must go to the Munster and All-Ireland defending champions, the Ladies senior cup team managed by Valerie Hassett and Aedin McCarthy who had a comprehensive win over Killarney to progress to the All-Ireland finals which will be hosted by Castle Golf Club in a few weeks time.

This week the ladies Senior Foursomes team will play Limerick on Fridayt commencing at 4.30pm

WOODSTOCK GOLF CLUB Tony Coote (19) emerged as the winner of the captain’s (Liam O’Connor) prize at Woodstock at the weekend.

He returned a nett 98 score to win by three strokes from Jack Duffy (20).

Pat Barry (17) was third, two strokes further back followed by Stephen Kelly (8) who finished on 105. Ross Kenny junior (+4) won the gross with 73.

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Lahinch Golf Club Captain, Johnny O’Brien, presents his Captain’s Prize to Peter Joyce Pic. Brian Arthur

The category winners were Paddy McElhinney (5) with 68 in the 0-5 category, Jack Nugent (8) with 70 in the 6 to 12 category, John McBride (14) with 70 in the 13 to 20 category and Ross Kenny (24) in the 21 and over category.

John M. O’Connor (13) won the seniors section with 72, Jimmy Kelly (18) won the past captains section with 70 while the guests section was won by Sean McLaughlin (27) with 35 points.

In last week’s open singles Jack Joyce (10) was the winner with 41 points from John Baker (30) with 40 points, Joe McInerney (23) with 40 points and Jamie Ivors (20) with 39 points. Darren Russell (6) won the gross with 34 points.

This week’s senior team of three scranble for the seniors was won by Willie Thompson, Pat McMahon and Gerry Walsh with 47 points.

Congratulations go out to Aideen Walsh who finished 5 over in the ISPS Handa World Invitational.

Congratulations also to Áine Donegan who has been selected to represent Ireland at the Women Home Internationals at Woodhall Spa, England next week.

ENNIS GOLF CLUB: The Bell trophy, sponsored

by Cummns Car Centre in Ennis, was played for at Ennis at the weekend and was won by Crohan O’Kennedy (22) with 43 points, Michael Moroney (14) was second with a similar score followed by Padraig Cusack (16) with 42 points and Jim Casey (21) with 41 points. Ronan Herbert (5) won the gross with 34 points.

The category winners were Darragh Murphy (6) with 38 points, Sean Rynne (12) with 41 points and Joe O’Connor (34) , also with 41 points.

Steve Keane recorded a hole in one at the 7th.

The Friday open singles was won

by Joseph O’Connor (16) with 41 points from T.J. Scanlan (8) with 39 and Vincent Corbett (23) with 38.

Sean Myatt (1) won the gross with 35 points.

In the Tuesday fourball the winners were Brian Kelly and Walter O’Brien with 37 points from Andrew McGloin and C Doyle with 37 Senan Ryan and T.J Scanlan with 34, Seamus Nugent and C Doyle with 34 while fifth spot was filled by Pat Murphy and Ronnie Guinnane with 33.

KILRUSH GOLF CLUB: The SuperValu men’s open singles at Kilrush on Sunday was won

by Gearoid Williams (18) with 46 points from Noel Kilkenny (19) with 45 points. Tom O’Dea (420 was third with 43 points followed by Nathan Cap0n (24) with 42 points.

The category winners were John Donnelly (15) with 42 points, Padraic Cotter (17) with 42 points and Eoin Fitzgerald (24) with 40 points.

The SuperValu men’s open stroke on Saturday was won by John Donnelly (15) with 65 from David Keane (12) with 65, Nevan Prendeville (14) with 66 and Brian Scanlan (12) with 66.

In the SuperValu ladies open the winner was Olivia McCarthy (24) wth 38 points from Sheena Mahony (24) with a similar score. Michelle McNicholas 29) from Elem Park was third with 37 points followed by Fiona Kinsella (13) wth 37 points.

Loretta Browne was the winner of the 12 hole competition.

DROMOLAND GOLF CLUB: Last Friday’s open singles at Dromoland was won by Damien O’Malley with 40 points from Michael O’Regan who had a similar score.

Dylan Brown was third with 39 points while Ronan Mullane won the gross with 36 points.

Winners in the juniors competition on Tuesday were Darragh Moylan off he white tees with 48 points, Louis O’Flanagan off the black tees with 62 points and Saoirse Brennan(girls competition) with 41 points.

In a similar competition on Thursday, Cillian Moylan won off the white tees with 38 points Aaron Piccolo won off the black tees with 49 points while Eabha Brennan won the girls section with 39 points.

GORT GOLF CLUB: The Monday open singles at Gort last week (July 26) was won by Brian Monaghan (19) with 41 points from Noel Forde (23) with 40 points.

Winners of the open three ball champagne scramble on Tuesday, sponsored by the Lady Gregory hotel, were Liam Byrne, Ciaran Fahy and Joey Tully with 109 points. In second place with 106 points were Brendan Dolan, John forde and Gerry Cooney and they were followed by Alan Bond, Dylan Molloy and Shane Quinn with 102 points.

On Thursday and Friday there was an open 18 hole singles, sponsored

by Minihane’s Centra in Corofin and this was won by Martin Callanan (12) with 44 points from Mark Sillman (17) with 43 points and Padraig Burke (15), also with 43 points.

There was a similar competition on Saturday and Sunday when Ray Beatty (16) was the winner with 45 points from Allan Rynne (20) with 45 points and David McAllen (21) with 44 points Trevor Cummins (7) won the gross with 33 points.

The ladies 18 hole open singles was won by Anne flaherty (43) with 44 points from Siobhan O’Connor (11) with 41 points and Ann Nolan (24) with 42 points.

PIERCE PURCELL CHAMPIONS MARCH ON All-Ireland Pierce Purcell champions Spanish Point took another step towards retaining the title when they captured the Clare crown on Monday with a 3.5 to 1.5 victory over Ennis.

Three matches were played in Ennis with two on in Spanish Point.

Andrew McGloinn and Joe Griffin were the Ennis winners while the match involving Alex Frost and Niall O’Connor against Michael Daffy and Niall Heaney was called in. The other Ennis pairings were Steve Keane/ Dave Pender, Frankie Garrihy/Aaron Landy, Noel Kenny and Matt Kennedy. The remaining Spanish Point pairings were Kevin Hynes and Mike Donnelly, Thomas and Mervin Hehir, Tom Prendeville and Seamus Conway, Fergal Hehir and Mike O’Brien.

In the next round Spanish Point who will have three matches at home, will play either Nenagh or Charleville.

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Lively debate as coursing club reelect officers THERE was good turnout for the AGM of Ennis/Clarecastle Coursing Club held in the Community Centre Clarecastle on Thursday night last.

The meeting began with Chairman Noel Coote welcoming all and asked all to stand and observe a minutes silence for members who passed away during the past year in particular Pat McInerney, Mary Gallery and Michael Corry.

Secretary Johnny Moroney presented a report highlighting the fact that following the club’s AGM on 27th July last year the members were looking forward to the upcoming season with positivity but unfortunately due to COVID 19 issues it was a stop start season that finally came to an abrupt end on Christmas week when

coursing was no longer allowed under Level 5 restrictions.

Never the less it was a historic year for the Ennis and Clarecastle Coursing Club as they ran their first ever three day meeting, had the privilege of receiving a full Dog TS for the second successive year from the ICC. 7 Moroney went on to say that the club was honoured in recent weeks with the election of club member Shane Flanagan to the ICC Executive in a three year term.

Treasurer Paul Keating reported the finances of the club were in a healthy position and thanked all for their assistance during the year. Following a lively debate on several issues all the present officers were re-elected for the coming year.

because

THIS RUNS

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Mark Fanning presenting to Chantelle and Ronny Wuyts after Vigorous Buck won in 29.81 guaranteeing his spot in the opening heats of the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby 2021

Double delight for the Brownes of Cree There was double delight for the Brownes of Cree at Galway track over the weekend with wins recorded by Burnpark Brae and Burnpark Lexi.

Racing towards the opening bend on Friday Nights Galway Ca for this A6 graded 575 yards contest Clooney Dasher and Balroebuck Game disputed the lead just ahead of Letsgetcracking with Balroebuck Game a length to the good as they rounded the turn.

Turning down the back though the Martin Williams of Clooney owned Clooney Dasher tracked well and approaching halfway the Stephen Murray of Sixmilebridge trained daughter of Skywalker Puma and Cragmoher Susie led by two lengths. At the third bend, Letsgetcracking went for a gap on the rails but Clooney Dasher closed the door as she then kept on gamely all the way to the line to prevail by a length in 32.06.

In race ten, the John Browne of Ballyea owned Rathmeehan Dier was another winner as the son of Droopys Sydney and Coolavanny Spice accounted for Askingforafriend by two and a half lengths in 29.13. The winner showed pace to lead Askingforafriend by two lengths rounding the opening bend and at halfway the pair were chased by Grangeview Best in third place. Between the final two bends the winner did drift wide giving his rival a chance but he stayed on well in the straight to record a third career success.

On the long run towards the opening bend in race 11 for this A3 graded 575 yards contest, Cloondarone Lady showed pace towards the outside but at the opening bend the Maria Browne of Cree owned Burnpark Brae took command on the contest along the inside rails. Turning down the back, the son of Kinloch Brae and Seekers Vision set sail for home as Spanish King and Cloondarone Lady gave chase but out front the bird had well and truly flown as Burnpark Brae stayed on well to

defeat Cloondarone Lady by a length and a quarter in 31.96.

Burnpark Lexi made it a weekend double for the Browne Family when in race four on Saturday nights card where there was a tremendous finish to this S4 graded contest as the Alanna and Michael Browne owned Burnpark Lexi just lasted home to repel the renewed challenge of Caislean Joey by a short head in 19.08. In truth the pair had the race between them from an early stage as Caislean Joey shoed pace along the inner to lead Burnpark Lexi by half a length with Risky Reward in third place. Rounding the bend though Burnpark Lexi took over in front on the outer and although the daughter of Adios Alonso and Burnpark Grainne went two lengths clear off the home bend she was all out close home to land the spoils.

At the Limerick track on Saturday night last, Banshee Moon made it three wins on the spin for owner Joe Keane of West Clare. Running in an A5 contest, Banshee Moon didn’t come away too well from trap five but the even money chance showed instant acceleration when hit the sand and he rounded the opener in total control. Drawing clear thereafter, the son of Droopys Sydney and Blastoff Fizz had over eleven lengths in hand at the winning line as he clocked a hot time of 28.73.

Ennistymon handler Tom Flanagan sent out a nice winner of race ten, the IRGT A1 550, as Ballyea Scrutiny (Droopys Buick and Flanders Hawkeye) led from trap to line to record a seventh career win. Fastest into stride from trap six, Ballyea Scrutiny showed the superior early boot on the outside and he took a commanding lead into the back straight.

From here, it was one-way traffic for the Noel Gavin of Ballyea-owned runner as he came home three lengths clear of Lissycasey Roy in second. The time was 29.91

PLANNING

THURSDAY, AUG 5 2021

PLANNING NOTICES CLARE COUNTY Ardnacrusha, Co Clare: COUNCIL Permission for detached FURTHER two storey dwelling, INFORMATION / detached domestic REVISED PLANS garage, onsite wastewater CLAREHILL, treatment system CLARECASTLE, CO. and percolation area, CLARE connection to necessary Planning Reference: services, new entrance P21/211 together with all D e v e l o p m e n t associated ancillary and Description: incidental site works.

Demolish an existing The planning application dwelling house & may be inspected, or domestic garage and purchased at a fee not to construct a social exceeding the reasonable housing development. cost of making a copy, at The development will the offices of the planning consist of ten number authority during its three bed units, two public opening hours number two bed units, and a submission or a single four bed unit, observation in relation site development works to the application may and connection to utility be made to the authority services. in writing on payment of Location: the prescribed fee within Clarehill, Clarecastle, Co. the period of 5 weeks Clare beginning on the date of Take Notice that Darragh receipt by the authority of Collins had lodged the application. significant further information in respect CLARE COUNTY of planning application COUNCIL P21/211. This information DERRYFADDA, and planning application CLONLARA, may be inspected or CO CLARE purchased at a fee not I, Jason Smith, am exceeding the reasonable applying to the above cost of making a copy, at authority for permission the offices of the Planning for the following Authority of Clare development on property Co. Council, Planning at Derryfadda, Clonlara, Department Aras Contae Co Clare: an Chlair, New Road, Permission for detached Ennis Co. Clare, during two storey dwelling, its public opening detached domestic hours. A submission or garage, detached home observation in relation to office, onsite wastewater the further information treatment system or revised plans may be and percolation area, made in writing to the connection to necessary planning authority on services, new entrance payment of the prescribed together with all fee, not later than 2 weeks associated ancillary and after the receipt of the incidental site works newspaper notice and site The planning application notice by the planning may be inspected, or authority or in the case purchased at a fee not of a planning application exceeding the accompanied by an EIS reasonable cost of making within 5 weeks of receipt a copy, at the offices of of such notices by the the planning authority planning authority during its public opening hours and a submission CLARE COUNTY or observation in relation COUNCIL to the application may BLACKWATER, be made to the authority ARDNACRUSHA, in writing on payment of CO CLARE the prescribed fee within I, James Hastings, am the period of 5 weeks applying to the above beginning on the date of authority for permission receipt by the authority of for the following the application. development on property at Blackwater,

CLARE CO. COUNCIL KNOCKADANGAN, KILMALEY, ENNIS, CO. CLARE Take notice that Laoise Talty & Ollie Burns intend to apply for Outline Planning Permission to Construct a New Entrance, Dwelling, & Garage and Install a New Wastewater Treatment System and associated site works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected Or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority Clare County Council, Aras Contae an Chláir New Road, Ennis Co. Clare, during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the Planning Authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE CO. COUNCIL MEENROSS, SCARRIFF, CO. CLARE Take notice that Sean O’Grady and AnneMarie McGann intend to apply to the Planning Authority for permission for development which will consist of the construction of a dwelling house, garage a proprietary waste water treatment system and ancillary site works at the above address.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority Clare County Council, Áras Contae An Chláir New Road, Ennis Co Clare, during its public opening hours, and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Authority in writing, on payment of the prescribed fee, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL, ILLAUN, MILTOWN MALBAY, CO CLARE Take notice that S. & M. Stone intend to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to add a rear single storey extension to their existing dwelling house along with associated site works at the above address. That the planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL, GOWLAUN, LISDOONVARNA, CO. CLARE. Take notice that R. O’Flaherty intends to apply to the Planning Authority for outline permission to construct a dwelling house and garage along with ancillary site works at the above address. That the planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL, GOWLAUN, LISDOONVARNA, CO. CLARE. Take notice that A. O’Flaherty intends to apply to the Planning Authority for outline permission to construct

a dwelling house and garage along with ancillary site works at the above address. That 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 ENAGH EAST, KILKISHEN, CO. CLARE. Take notice that Patrick McNamara intends to apply for permission for development, the development consists of the construction of a calving / agricultural storage unit and associated site works at the above address.

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

CLARE CO. COUNCIL BALLYKEELAUN, PARTEEN, CO. CLARE. Take notice that Patrick O Connell intends to apply for permission for development, the development consists of the construction of a calving / agricultural storage unit and associated site works at the above address.

The planning application maybe inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable

35

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 CO. COUNCIL SEERSHA, SIXMILEBRIDGE, CO. CLARE. Take notice that Sean Lyons intends to apply for permission for development, the development consists of the construction of a milking parlour and associated site works at the above address.

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

CLASSIFIEDS

36

THURSDAY, AUG 5 2021

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THIS WEEKS PUZZLES AUG 05

WORD SEARCH

SUDOKU

7/29/2021

Bonnard

Renoir

Cezanne

Seurat

2

6

4

3

5 1

3

Watteau

1

6

2

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2

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ANSWERS 5

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9

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7

Millet

3

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.

3

HOW TO PLAY

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.

Matisse

urrent interest (7)

How to play

4

Manet

9

implement (7) (6)

8

Ingres

2

Greuze

7

Delacroix

Vuillard

3

6

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Sisley

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Corot

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5

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.

Braque

9

1/1

7/29/2021

The Clare Echo Crossword

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not too difficult - just k.

July 2021

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Order Online www.supermacs.ie

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For a quicker faster delivery service (065) 682 0914

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O R

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38 PUZZLEPAGE

QUIZ 39

THURSDAY, AUG 5 2021

The Clare Echo Quiz

PUBLIC ART IN COUNTY CLARE

3

The statue of Icarus could originally be found in what part of Ennis.

The Market Area O’ Connell Street The Fairgreen

4

Artist Richard Hearns, originally from Lebanon, now resides in ______ Newmarket-on-Fergus Killaloe Ballyvaughan

5

The statue of Willie Clancy in Miltown Malbay was sculpted by?

Philip Morrison Shane Gilmore Seamus Connolly

Kilbaha Gallery, renowned on the Wild Atlantic Way is run by _____.

Cousins Sisters Sisters-in-law

7

The Eamon De Valera monument made for his “adopted hometown” of Ennis, was unveiled in _____.

1962 1981 1992

8

The Barrack Street Mural depicts a lady with ____ and ____ coloured hair?

Red and yellow.

Blue and green.

Pink and white

9

There are exactly _____ Ennis Drain Art images located around the capital town?

8 9 10

l The statue of Willie Clancy in Miltown Malbay was sculpted by?

10

Well known artist Michael Hanrahan living in Clare left a career in ____ to become an artist where he works from his Lahinch studio.

Banking Teaching Healthcare

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

The answers will be revealed in next weeks edition.

ANSWERS

6. Sisters-in-law 7. 1981 8. Blue and green 9. 10 10.Banking

2

The Púca is a contentious sculpture that was originally destined for which Clare town?

Miltown Malbay Ennistymon Doonbeg

6

Hands Ennistymon The Market Area Ballyvaughan Shane Gilmore

Larger than life stone sculptures of _____ can be found outside the Cathedral in Ennis?

Feet Hands Faces

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

1

Last weeks Answers . POD logo missing on jersey in background . O’Neills missing on jersey (right) . Stripe missing on sleeve (left) . 12 missing on jersey

. Strap on handbag missing in background . white patch missing on seat (right) . Bracelet missing (left)

Michael McNamara TD speaking at the Save Shannon Airport protest at O’Connell Square, Ennis on Saturday. Photograph by Eamon Ward

AND GUTTERING CLARE

ROOF MOSS CLEANING