The Clare Echo 05/11/20

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NOV 5 2020

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LET DADS IN ’EXTREMELY UPSETTING’ TO BE ALONE IN HOSPITAL, SAYS CLARE WOMAN AFTER GIVING BIRTH

CIAN O’BROIN

news@clareecho.ie

A

KILNAMONA mother is fighting for birth partners to be allowed access to maternity hospitals after enduring the “extremely upsetting� experience of being alone in hospital following the birth of her baby boy.

Ciara McGuane wants an easing on restrictions which she feels the government have failed to address

in the Living With Covid Plan, stating that the “start of life has not been given the same significance as weddings and funerals.�

Speaking about her own experience of giving birth to her son Frankie in March, Ciara feels that the situation for women has not evolved and maternity services have not been adequately prioritised in terms of suitable solutions such as testing.

In a collective effort to secure basic rights for pregnant women and their partners during Covid-19, Ciara has launched a campaign called ‘In Our Shoes’, offering a safe plat-

form for other women to open up about their experiences, admitting, “In the most extreme situations there have been stories of unsafe practices that are harrowing such as women being left alone for hours in labour and lack of adequate care and support post-birth. “Women report feeling alone, isolated and scared. One woman compared her experience to a horror movie. I would recommend that people read these stories for themselves, they are heart-breaking.�

Full story Page 8 l Ciara McGuane with her newborn baby Frankie

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Index NEWS

THURSDAY, NOV 5 2020

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

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

l CONGRATULATIONS: Val and Mary McMahon from Cranny will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this Saturday, November 7

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HIRTY homes are to be constructed in a €7.7m social housing development in Ennistymon.

Approval is to be issued by the Department of Housing today for the major social housing development in North Clare.

Minster for Housing, Darragh O’Brien (FF) is to sign off on the approval in principle (AIP) for the €7.7m development which will consist of 30 homes at Glen North, Ennis North in Ennistymon.

This includes one five-bedroom house, one four-bedroom house, eight three-bedroom houses and twenty two-bedroom houses, two of which are specially adapted units.

Clare County Council is to be informed later today of the Department signing off on the development with the local authority to oversee the project from there including the tendering process.

“This is a massive boost for those living in Ennistymon and the surrounding areas,” Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) stated. “I know from the mountain of queries that come into my office on a weekly basis that a lack of available housing remains one of the biggest issues in Clare”.

Deputy Crowe outlined that many families will be housed when the development is completed. “I am particularly glad to see that North and West Clare are not being forgotten about; there is of course a development in the works for Quilty too. He is hopeful the project will commence quickly.

l BOOST: The Falls in Ennistymon

Photo by Joe Buckley

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4 NEWS

THURSDAY, NOV 5 2020

‘Try to keep your perspective’ Ennis couple marry during level 5 restrictions CIAN O’BROIN

E

cianobroin@clareecho.ie

NNIS native Anne-Marie Phelan is in a special position, after marrying her partner of 12 years, Colin Higgins, in the middle of a pandemic.

The couple tied the knot on October 18th at the Rowan Tree in Ennis to an intimate audience of 25, having originally sent out 165 invitations in the first week of March.

Anne-Marie talks to The Clare Echo about the precarious nature of marrying in the midst of a pandemic, the difficulty in limiting family and friends on the day as well as the importance of keeping your perspective on what really matters.

Anne-Marie and Colin were engaged in 2018. "Back then there was no such thing as Covid. When we first started planning and making arrangements, that wasn't a worry of ours at all," she states. The couple were originally supposed to be married on May 1st. "Once it started to get nearer to the date, things became stressful. We were wondering, would it happen? People were asking us too. In March, we postponed it to Octo-

ber. There was six months then where it was out of our head a little bit. It was a numbers game all the time, we planned for 100 people. Then we planned for 50 and eventually down to 25," she adds.

Anne-Marie and Colin had their guest's safety to the forefront and wanted to do everything properly. After several months of uncertainty, they decided to put the foot down, "From when we postponed, we always said we would go ahead in October no matter what the restrictions are. Postponing the first time was hard. You have to let the original date slip by. It was going on so long and we have been together so long, that we just decided to go for it, no matter what."

The guestlist cuts came in stages, Anne-Marie tells. Coming from a small family with no siblings, her half of the list was pocket-sized in comparison to her partner Colin's. After assessing the list, they decided on bringing just immediate family and friends.

"It wasn't easy, but everyone was very understanding. When lowering it to 25, we nearly had to flip it and look at it in another way. It was no longer a case of who are we cutting off but who do you need to have there. We both felt like when we had our parents, his brothers and sister and our

bridal party, we each had a handful of people that we really wanted there."

Speaking on the service, Anne-Marie remarks that everyone described her as 'the happiest bride they had seen.' Walking into a reception of your nearest and dearest, with the stress of the previous few weeks put behind them made for a very relaxed atmosphere on the day, she confesses. "If you told me two years ago that I would have 25 at my wedding, I would be in shock," she admits.

The lead up to the wedding was all consuming, where she recalls the stress of spending hours and hours on RTÉ's Twitter page, keeping an eye on restrictions. Adding to this, once the couple received word of a Level 5 lockdown, panic began to settle in. Their original wedding date was October 22nd.

Reflecting on the whirlwind of a weekend leading up to the wedding, she reveals, "We

thought that if it was Level 5, then it was going to be brought down to six people. The Friday before was both of our last days of work. We rang everybody and brought it forward to Sunday. We went from planning it over two and a half years, to planning it in 48 hours."

On a final note, Anne-Marie offers invaluable advice to any couple dissuaded by the uncertainty of Covid-19, "Try to keep your perspective on everything. It's so easy to get caught up in the big day and wanting everything.

“For women it's a thing that you always dream of but keep in the perspective that it is just a day. Focus on what's really important. You are going to marry the person you want to spend the rest of your life with and you can still have those that are really close to you there on the day."

l LOVE: Anne-Marie Phelan and Colin Higgins got married in Ennis recently

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8 NEWS

THURSDAY, NOV 5 2020

Giving birth alone compared to ‘horror movie’ experience CIAN O’BROIN

K

cianobroin@clareecho.ie

ILNAMONA mother Ciara McGuane has said that the current restrictions in place within Irish maternity services is adding further to the trauma experienced by pregnant women throughout Covid-19.

The pandemic has brought a number of changes to the delivery of maternity hospital services nationwide. A number of Clare women have voiced their concerns, having experienced hardship due to the severity of tighter restrictions at University Maternity Hospital Limerick (UMHL).

These restrictions mean that women can only have a support person with them during active labour. With regards to established labour, only a one-hour visit post-birth. Galway and Limerick do not permit any visitors post-birth and are not facilitating appointments.

In September, the government asked that allowances be made in "compassionate cases" however these decisions are being left up to staff members, "so what is deemed compassionate is inconsistent," tells new mother Ci-

ara McGuane. In addition, "it has been highlighted that many fathers are not getting their one-hour post-birth time."

These issues first came to the attention of Ciara seven months ago, when she welcomed her son Frankie into the world in the midst of a pandemic. "At the time, I understood the need for the restrictions and because my husband had a cough it meant that he was unable to attend the birth of our son, so I was alone.

It was a difficult situation and extremely upsetting at the time, but I understood the rationale in March 2020. As time has gone on, the situation for women has not evolved."

The start of September saw Ciara lobby public representative in Clare and set up a Facebook Page, 'In Our Shoes' along with another new mother, in the hope of highlighting the issues women with a Covid pregnancy were suffering with, behind closed doors.

Ciara relates that pre-Covid, the staff ratio of midwife to patient was deemed unsafe by the Irish Midwives and Nurses Organisation (INMO). On experiences felt by other pregnant women throughout the pandemic, Ciara laments, "In the most extreme situations there have been stories of unsafe practices that are harrowing such as women being left alone for hours in labour and lack of adequate care and support post-birth. Women

report feeling alone, isolated and scared. “One woman compared her experience to a horror movie. I would recommend that people read these stories for themselves, they are heart-breaking."

Part of the campaign's success so far has been found in the pledging of support by

lCAMPAIGN: Ciara McGuane with her son, Frankie

local representatives in Clare. Maternity services are under increasing pressure to ease restrictions in a safe, compassionate way, with some hospitals around the country amending the restrictions slightly, Ciara informs. "We highlighted that maternity services do not feature in the Living With Covid Plan and start of life has not been given the same significance as weddings and funerals."

UMHL has announced publicly that 'compassionate care' will be addressed. Ciara is looking for UMHL to share a risk-assessment of the hospital and supply information around decision-making. The campaign also asks for staggered visits from fathers and support persons, prioritisation of first time mothers, testing of support person when women in labour presents as per other non-maternity hospitals, testing of staff members as well as clearly outlined pre-labour guidelines, such as cocooning for the couple. They have also raised concerns over PPE. Ciara concludes: "It is important to keep in mind that the number one maternal death from six weeks to one-year post-partum in Ireland and globally is suicide. By keeping these restrictions in place, especially when there are workable solutions – is further compounding the trauma of women at an already very challenging time."

New plans for Quilty mast causes anger PĂ RAIC MCMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

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ANGER is brewing in Quilty over a planned development to construct a 24metre telecommunications mast.

Telecommunications company Cignal Infrastructure Ltd have submitted a planning application to construct a 24 meter monopole mobile and broadband tower within a 2.4m palisade fence compound at Tromara in Quilty.

It comes less than five months after Clare County Council and An Bord PleanĂĄla rejected plans for the construction of a mast approximately 1.5km away from the new location. “No observationsâ€? on the impact of the development to the road infrastructure were made by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in a document included in Cignal’s application.

Justifying their reasoning for resubmitting plans, the telecommunications company cited remote working as “an absolute necessity� across the country in responding to COVID-19. “Increased demand� has been placed on the telecommunications sector as a result, the application stated. It claimed that it would provide “a frontline sector� by facilitating continued economic development.

Ibec’s telecommunications industry Ire-

land will also be writing to all local authorities on the island of Ireland to emphasise the role of telecommunications in facilitating remote working, home education and social isolation.

Locals have launched a renewed campaign to stop the development.

The argument that connectivity in the area will be improved is rejected by Quilty residents.

There is frustration with the manner in which the new submission was made, one member of the community told The Clare Echo and alleged that it was “opportunistic to try take advantage in a global crisis�.

Objections to the first development of this nature last year garnered passed 50 and is said to be among the highest amount of objections received by Clare County Council for a development in 2019. “Planning was already refused in 2019 albeit it was a slightly different location, it was slightly more south, now it is gone closer to Quilty village and is closer to Quilty national school towards the GAA field towering over the village, the school and the GAA field. “24 metres is 80 feet, that is a sizeable structure, in West Clare we struggle to get planning permission for single storey houses on our own land because of the visual impact, it is ridiculous to say you can put an 80ft structure up and it will be considered, 80ft is 10 storeys high. That is how visually intrusive this structure is going to be on the community�.

NEWS 9

THURSDAY, NOV 5 2020

Ennis hit hard by untimely passing of David O'Connor PÁRAIC MCMAHON

A

paraic@clareecho.ie

LEADER, dedicated sports-man, hard-working volunteer are some of the traits used to describe a young Ennis man whose untimely passing occurred over the weekend.

On Friday, David O'Connor died peacefully aged 27 at University Hospital Limerick after a short illness. From Ballybeg in Ennis, he had recently graduated with a PhD from the University of Limerick and is best known for a rugby career that saw him line out for clubs in Clare, Galway and Limerick.

From an early age, DOC as he was more affectionately known became a lively and popular figure for Ennis RFC, a club that he held a deep passion for and made many contributions to both on and off the field lining out at all levels from minis all the way through to U18s and senior. Along the way, he was

always supported by his parents Martin and Mary and his brother Ciarán.

While studying in Galway, he played for Galwegians from 2015 to 2017. After this spell, O'Connor moved to UL Bohs, his last match taking place for them prior to taking ill in recent weeks.

The Limerick club in a tribute described him as "a gentleman both on and off the pitch. He represented the core values of rugby and of our club each and every day. He gave his time and showed respect to everyone he came across, he was a leader in every aspect of the word, and above all, he gave 100% to everything he did, and enjoyed each and every moment. DOC was the representation of everything good about rugby and about sport, he will be dearly missed by his teammates and our club. He was, and is, the best teammate you could hope for".

Gerry Lynch alongside Martin, Ray Kenny, Mark Corey and Brian Moore coached DOC from U8 to U18. Speaking to The Clare Echo, Gerry said he was lucky to coach a

man of David's calibre. "He always had the ability to make you think he was in great form, he was always the fella with the smile and having a bit of craic".

As the years passed by, players came and went, Gerry recalled that it was during these formative teenage years that DOC came into his own alongside Cormac Murphy, Alan Brandon and Adam Ryan. "We got to see him develop as a player and react as different players came in to join the group. Underage you will turn over big numbers, at one stage we used to have two teams in every tournament we would go to, you saw DOC develop as a player and as a leader".

"He was a natural leader, a very good player and all the young lads would gravitate towards DOC. We learned more from coaching him than he learned from us," the former Ennis RFC treasurer stated.

President of Ennis RFC, Richie Murphy outlined that DOC was among one of the first volunteers ready to lend a helping hand for the club be it coaching underage teams or aiding in preparations for the use

of facilities during Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. "He was always willing to give a hand, he stepped in to coach the underage teams when we were short-handed he put his hand up and volunteered".

News of his sudden passing has impacted a lot of people, Murphy acknowledged. "It has hit a lot of people in the club hard, he has been around the place since he was a little kid, a lot of people would have had interaction with him down through the years and his family. There is a

deep sense of sadness there for the loss of David but also the impact on his parents, brother and family".

Not being able to come together as a club to pay their respects is a difficult experience, Gerry noted with a private funeral mass held on Wednesday. "The essence of a club is people coming together both socially and on the sporting field, you get to know all the families, their parents, the brothers and sisters, it is difficult and very difficult for Martin, Mary and Ciarán".

lDOC: (main and inset) The late David O’Connor

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10 NEWS

THURSDAY, NOV 5 2020

CIAN O’BROIN

L

cianobroin@clareecho.ie

IMERICK legend Ciarán Carey works as a psychotherapist specialising in addiction at Cúlra Counselling. Following a distinguished hurling career as player, selector and manager, Ciarán decided to go back to college and get a degree.

Teaming up with an organisation early in its infancy, the Patrickswell man says that his new role comes as result of a unique estrangement of addiction in the current climate. Addiction and mental health issues have, in his opinion, "become a huge challenge for families and people in the middle of the pandemic."

Based on Mallow Street in Limerick City, Cúlra Counselling provides a safe, non-judgemental environment for anyone struggling in any area of their life. Addiction, anxiety, depression, lack of self-esteem and bullying are some of the most prevalent issues tackled by Ciarán and his fellow addiction counsellors.

Having worked with the the homeless 10 years ago, Ciarán was well acquainted with a spate of addictions that continues to plague society, particularly throughout the pandemic.

"People are trying to ride the wave and go with it. It's stirring up an awful lot of fear, anxiety and pressure for people. There are no Bank Holidays for addiction, it will be alive and well during this epidemic. It's vitally important that there are services out there."

Delivery of services at Cúlra Counselling has not been effected by Covid-19, although Ciarán admits that, "once the dust settles, it's going to get a lot busier. A lot of people are struggling in this difficult and challenging time."

Meeting the needs of clients through confidentiality is at the forefront of the organisation's philosophy. This umbrella of confidentiality, as Ciaran puts it, is huge in the therapeutic re-

'A lot of people are struggling' l SPEAK UP: Limerick hurling legend and psychotherapist Ciarán Carey lationship between any client and counsellor.

Initial contact comes in a number of different ways, he tells.

"Sometimes contact is made over the phone where a parent could ring on behalf of their child. A partner of a husband or wife could phone. This sounds so easy or so simple but yet, for anyone that is struggling, stuck or finds themselves in a black hole, the hardest thing to do at that particular moment in time, is to reach out for help."

Ciarán recommends tuning out from the incessant murmur of Covid news and ensuring that you institute ruthless discipline into your daily routine. "Add some structure to your day and have the discipline to follow through with it," the three-time All-Star winner propounds.

Getting out of your head and away from Covid is the key, he tells.

"Anybody that is in a position physically to be some bit active in any sport, it's going to be

hugely beneficial for them, physically, mentally and psychologically. I would suggest very strongly to go for your walk three times per week. If you have a dog, bring it with you. You are getting out into a different environment and its part of your daily structure."

"Unfortunately, there are a lot of people that can't get out. I would see sport as a huge plus in all of this for the people that are lucky enough and grateful enough to take part and to be disciplined to follow through. Even if it's going for a walk, a jog or some exercise at home like converting your sitting room into a gym. All those services are closed at the moment. It's a lot healthier than staying on your couch for hours on your phone, laptop or TV. That would be my main advice to people, try get some discipline back into your life."

Cúlra Counselling mental health and addiction services can be contacted at 061 639171 or info@culracounselling.ie

Pat O'Connor remembered PÁRAIC MCMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

HAILED as one of the greatest businessman to come out of Ennis, the late Pat O'Connor has been remembered with esteem in the county town.

Co-founder of O'Connor's Bakery along with his beloved wife Mary, the pair were responsible for the creation of hundreds of jobs in the Mid-West in a business that has lasted close to six decades.

When the business was established in 1961, Pat worked as a pastry chef in Shannon Airport, he and Mary later trained as confectioners in a small Kilkee coffee shop/bakery.

During the early years of the business, Pat would begin working in the bakery at 3am before leaving for Shannon where he started at 7am.

After completing a day's work at the Airport, he would complete extra hours at the bakery and would arrive home at 6pm. Mary worked in the bakery in the morning and then the shop during the day. Up until recently, they worked six days a week in the bakery.

Parnell St in Ennis was the location of the first bakery and it was situated behind their first shop. As the years progressed so too did the amount of shops. Seven more shops located in Ennis, Shannon, Limerick, Gort and Galway opened their doors while a large modern bakery was built on a green field site in 1981 and doubled in size in 1998. In 2001 the company was the first bakery to apply for and achieve certification by the National Standards Authority of Ireland in Food Safety Management.

Family remains an integral part of the business with three of their children actively involved in the bakery with all grandchildren having completed shifts on weekends and school holidays. Approximately 145 persons are employed by O'Connor's Bakery with some staff serving for longer than 40 years.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, CEO of Ennis Chamber, Margaret O'Brien said that Pat "typified the entrepreneurial and hard working spirit of the Irish SME sector, the backbone of our economy".

Earliest memories of sweet treats for many people in the county were responsible thanks to Pat and Mary, she said. "From their original shop in Parnell Street, pastry chef Pat O'Connor introduced generations

of locals to the delights of choux pastry, jam doughnuts, swiss rolls, whiskey cake and occasion cakes. Pat O'Connor together with his wife Mary helped create memories, gave steady employment and became business leaders in our community".

Pat is pre-deceased by his brothers Billy and Galie. He is sadly missed by his loving wife Mary, sons Joe, John, Pat and Brendan, daughter Ann Marie, son in law, daughters in law, grandchildren, brothers Seamus, Tom, Frank and Mike, sisters Sr. Anne and Therese, brothers in law, sisters in law, nephews, nieces, relatives, the staff of O' Connors bakery and friends.

lTRIBUTE: Pat O’Connor co-founded O’Connor’s bakery with his wife Mary

Council to get €2.5m to deal with Moneypoint shortfall A €2.5m financial boost for Clare County Council is to be issued compensating for a drop in rates from Moneypoint, writes Páraic McMahon.

On Tuesday, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien (FF) and Minister of State with responsibility for Local Government and Planning, Peter Burke (FG) announced Government funding to the value of €2.5m was to be provided for Clare County Council for 2021.

As a result of changes to the operations at Moneypoint power station, the plant’s rates bill has been reduced.

The commercial rates from Moneypoint accounted for 25 percent of the county’s rate base up until recently and is seen as a vital source of income to the county with a €3m shortfall estimated.

The Department said the funding acknowledges the impact on the local authority in the short term and will help to sustain services in West Clare.

Speaking to The Clare Echo on Wednesday, a spokesperson for Clare County Council outlined that formal communication had yet to be received by the Department regarding the allocation.

Chief Executive of Clare County Council, Pat Dowling alerted the county’s Oireachtas members of the funding shortfall.

In a statement to The Clare Echo, Deputy Joe Carey (FG) noted that the allocation was “badly needed and will ensure the vital services delivered by Clare County Council can continue”.

He added, “Every week I see firsthand the great work done by Clare County Council in areas such as rural and community development, housing and roads.

“This has particularly been the case since Covid-19 hit and we have seen the council lead the Community Call initiative providing vital services to citizens”.

Senator Timmy Dooley (FF) paid tribute to his Government colleagues for awarding the funding.

“There are stark financial implications from the loss of rates totalling almost €3m of Clare County Council base rate income, so I am very pleased to see this position rectified”.

lBOOST: Moneypoint Power

Station has received financial aid

Photo by Páraic McMahon

NEWS 11

THURSDAY, NOV 5 2020

Daly warns 10 jobs at risk over failure to reinstate hard shoulder CALLS for the installation of a traffic island at Kilmorane in Ennis have been rejected by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) putting the future of one business at risk, writes Pรกraic McMahon.

An inspection and review of the junction at Kilmorane by the TII found that traffic movements "do not validate a right turning lane".

Senior executive engineer, John Gannon outlined the details following a motion by Cllr Pat Daly (FF) to a recent meeting of the Ennis Municipal District.

Installation of a traffic island was requested by Daly to accommodate traffic coming from the direction of Ennis towards West Clare. He also called for the reinstatement of a hard shoulder close to six residential houses and one business.

Speaking at the meeting, the former parliamentary assistant to ex Minister Tony Killeen described the exit as "very dangerous".

Daly added, "There is a new business there which has been deprived of what they want to sell, it

Higher penalties sought for ignoring disability spots

A

CCESSIBILITY for all members of the population must form part of the thinking process on the delivery of public services, Clare elected representatives have stated with higher penalties for parking in disability spaces sought, writes Pรกraic McMahon.

Close consultation between Clare County Council and persons with disabilities on the impact of local authority services must be implemented to a greater degree, Cllr Joe Killeen (FF) stated at a recent meeting of the Council.

Director of Service, Liam Conneally in response stressed that the Council was fully committed to maintaining a high level of engagement with disability groups on the provision of their services.

He detailed that the planning department would "actively engage" with persons with disabilities and representative groups for the upcoming review of the County Development Plan.

Inter-agency engagement factors in all housing needs, Conneally said and noted that eight social inclusion representatives sit on various groupings associated to the Council. All training and mentorship programmes from the Local Enterprise Office are conducted in an inclusive manner, he added. "Integrated opportunities for individuals with disabilities" are promoted by the Clare Arts Office. He confirmed that artist Shona McGilliviray had been commissioned "to facilitate a long term art project with St Anne's special school in Ennis".

Referring to the removal of disabled parking bays and their relocation "to unsuitable places", Cllr Killeen flagged that the introduction of street furniture has led to new obstacles. He accepted that the Council were already making "considerable" efforts regarding accessibility. Disability activist, Cllr Ann Norton (IND) acknowledged the efforts of the Council but felt, "there is always an opportunity to do better. When you do highlight areas that need improvement, more often than not it is actually done". She continued, "There are a lot of younger people coming through the system that will need social housing and housing that will allow them to live independently. It is quite difficult to get the information because of GDPR. I would encourage businesses having furniture to be conscious of people with disabilities".

Greater social media promotion would help the situation, Cllr Alan O'Callaghan (FF) noted, but warned, "we can't be putting yellow lines everywhere". "I'm guilty of throwing all wheels of the car on the footpath and not realising it can cause an obstruction to people with a wheelchair".

Killaloe representative, Cllr Tony O'Brien (FF) remarked, "One of the bugbears I have is and it's a way we can improve as a local authority is in the line of public transport, car parking in particular at bus stops and so forth. I would be advocating for higher penalties be in place for car parking at bus stops. The impact on people with disabilities not being able to access public transport is immense, there are a lot of simple things we can do. Parking on a footpath is a no no, we should be adopting a zero tolerance strategy on that".

is not sustainable at the moment, there are ten jobs involved".

Residents are finding it "very difficult" to manoeuvre, Cllr Ann Norton (IND) detailed. "They are in fear more so than anything else.

We have to encourage business and support business. It was a site that was sitting idle for some time, it is great to see it in use".

High levels of speed are an issue at the location according to Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG). "Residents out there are in fear of their lives, they are in fear of being rear-end-

ed because of the speeds at the junction".

He recalled that the location "was an eyesore before the business went there".

Cllr Mary Howard (FG) questioned if the TII were aware of the fatalities on the road before coming to their assessment.

Cllr Mark Nestor (FF) described the reply from Gannon as "very disappointing".

Agreement was voiced by Cllr Paul Murphy (FG), "It is disappointing. I'm on the Council 13 years,

we have raised this before and the same response comes time and time again".

TII are responsible for the road given it is a national primary route, Gannon flagged. He visited the site with TII officials in recent weeks.

"They have stated to me their concern that putting in a right turn would make it more dangerous.

The turning movements wouldn't necessitate a right turning lane".

Councillors were encouraged to examine the planning file by senior executive engineer, Eamon O'Dea.

12 NEWS

Brian Hogan named Inspirational Hero PÁRAIC MCMAHON

C

paraic@clareecho.ie

LARECASTLE'S Brian Hogan has been named an inspirational hero as part of a nationwide search in the Gala Retail and Virgin Media Inspiration Awards.

Nominated by family and friends for the Inspiration Award, Brian stood out for this determination and positive attitude. In 2009 Brian suffered severe brain damage after an unprovoked attack left him blind and partially paralysed.

Now living in Acquired Brain Injury's (ABI) residential service in Clarecastle, Brian has gone from needing to use a wheelchair to taking on a mammoth walkathon challenge.

Unable to see his family, who live in Limerick, Brian set himself a goal of learning to walk the equivalent of 20 laps of Thomond Park before the end of May and raise funds for Acquired Brain Injury Ireland Clarecastle.

Brian surpassed his fundraising target, raising over €10,000 for the Clarecastle services.

Twenty-six inspirational county heroes

were named in the awards with hundreds of entries received. Each of the 26 award-winning heroes demonstrated how they have made Ireland a better place with their selfless acts and inspirational deeds during the Covid-19 crisis, and how they have gone above and beyond for others in their local community. It is the second year of the awards. €20,000 in prizes have been given to the winners such as stays in some of Ireland's top Blue Book properties.

CEO of Gala Retail, Gary Desmond said that they along with Virgin Media were committed to rewarding "amazing people who have become true heroes during life under lockdown".

"2020 has been hugely difficult for everyone however, it has also demonstrated the immense community spirit that exists within Irish communities. Operating in communities throughout Ireland, Gala Retailers have seen first-hand some of the great work that people have been doing and we are proud to have been able to recognise some of these inspirational individuals. We were overwhelmed by the level of nominations we received and Brian along with the fellow inspirational heroes are true examples of people who are making Ireland a better place" Gary stated.

lPOSITIVE: Clarecastle man Brian Hogan has been named an Inspiratoinal Hero as part of a nationwide search

THURSDAY, NOV 5 2020

Gardaí ‘not doing enough’ to stamp out graveyard thefts’ CRITICISM of the lack of follow-up by Gardaí on the thefts from graveyards has been voiced by the Mayor of Clare, writes Páraic McMahon.

Highlighting her frustration with the repeated occurrences of thefts from graveyards right across Co Clare, Cllr Mary Howard called on Gardaí in the county to stamp out the horrifying and deeply upsetting act.

Numerous reports to Gardaí weren't lodged regarding thefts from graveyards, Cllr Howard told a meeting of the Clare Joint Policing Committee. "It is going on since January," she stated and added that thefts of all items and drug-dealing are prevalent at graveyards.

Visibility and the failure to lock the gate at Drumcliffe Cemetery were pinpointed by the Ennis representative as key factors enabling the criminal activity.

"Nothing seems to be happening and I want something to be done".

Seán Colleran, Chief Superintendent of the Clare Garda Division informed Cllr Howard that 18 thefts had been reported from Tulla graveyard. "We have to get the people in Drumcliffe to report as well.

There is no crime we won't investigate," he said.

"The first woman I spoke to said three reports to Gardaí weren't followed up on," Cllr Howard responded.

New Covid-19 testing centre GAA officer Michael STUART HOLLY

editor@clareecho.ie

FIANNA Fáil TD for Clare Cathal Crowe has welcomed the news that a new Covid-19 testing centre is to open in the Ballymaley Business Park, Gort Road, Ennis in two weeks' time.

The new facility will replace the existing one at Cusack Park in the town centre.

"It's a situation I wish we didn't have to face into but unfortunately, the Covid numbers have been very high once again over the past number of weeks," said

Deputy Crowe.

"This will of course mean additional numbers being tested and I know of some instances where the Ennis centre has been full to capacity, meaning some in Clare have had to travel to Limerick for their test.

"I would hope that the opening of the new centre in the former Keane's Wholesalers building at the Ballymaley Business Park will mean that tests will be accessible to all who need them in Clare.

"Cusack Park has worked well as a testing centre up until now but it will now close as it is not suitable in winter months for attendees at the test centre or staff.”

The Ballymaley centre is scheduled to open on November 16th.

‘Severe’ Council budget likely to impact services A SHANNON councillor has warned that public projects in the county will be impacted due to an expected "severe" Clare County Council budget for 2021, writes Páraic McMahon.

An acceleration of spending of the 2020 General Municipal Allocation (GMA) was requested by Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) at a recent meeting of the Shannon Municipal District.

Explaining the appeal to "fast-track" the disbursement, he outlined, "the new budgetary process for 2021 may be a severe challenge for resourcing public services". Cllr Michael Begley (IND) seconded the proposal.

Reference to the impact of flooding in February and the COVID-19 response, senior executive engineer Aidan O'Rourke acknowledged, "our grant works are

scheduled to run to the end of November with GMA works commencing thereafter". He flagged that the Shannon MD road staff had "a significantly increased volume of works".

If an earlier opportunity arises to complete the works, the GMA projects will be completed, O'Rourke said. "GMA funding for 2020 is ring fenced and will carry forward to 2021 and remain assigned to each councillor as is the current case," he added.

"Acquiring additional monies is going to be a battle," Cllr Flynn cautioned. He expected that the Clare public would still be paying the same level of property tax regardless of changes made to the Council's budget. It is important that most of those works are completed by the end of the year," the Miltown Malbay native commented.

Griffin passes away

SEAMUS HAYES THE death took place last weekend of former Clare GAA official Michael Griffin.

A native of Kilmihil he served for many years as a GAA official in the county.

His first involvement with the GAA was with Kilmihil where he filled numerous positions on the club executive over many years.

He managed the club to a variety of underage Clare titles.

When he moved to live in Crusheen, he quickly got involved with the local club where he served as chairman and helped spearhead many developments.

He was instrumental in the affiliation of a number of football teams from the Crusheen club and many of these went on to win county honours.

He served as chairman of Bord na nÓg Peil in Clare and went on to serve as secretary of the former Clare football board before being elected to serve on the executive of Clare GAA. Michael was also a prominent football referee and took charge of GAA games at all levels in the county including finals in all grades.

He also took charge of many Munster championship games in-

cluding two Provincial minor football finals Following requiem mass at St. Cronan’s Church in Crusheen on Monday he was laid to rest in nearby Kilawinna cemetery.

Members of both Crusheen and Kilmihil GAA clubs formed a guard of honour as his remains were taken from the church to the graveyard.

lDEDICATED: The Late Michael Griffin served for many years as a GAA official.

Originally from West Clare, Michael later moved to Crusheen

NEWS 13

THURSDAY, NOV 5 2020

Council appeal for Gardaí to back bid to use CCTV on illegal dumping PÁRAIC MCMAHON

A

paraic@clareecho.ie

S S I S TA N C E from An Garda Síochána is needed for Clare County Council to utilise CCTV to tackle illegal dumping.

An increase in illegal dumping has been noted countywide particularly during the first lockdown earlier this year, Clare County Council officials have confirmed.

With scarce resources in place to clamp down on the act, senior engineer with the water and environment departments of the Council, Cyril Feeney explained they were "anxious to introduce CCTV" to assist in this regard.

This cannot be done without the permission of An Garda Síochána.

Stopping of vehicles is permitted under the Waste Management Act 1996 but not the operation of a remotely operated CCTV system, he said.

"Gardaí can have immediate access to it at any time, the local authority will be the data controller.

"These are quite onerous conditions on the local authority but we believe we can get over all those jumps," Feeney told a meeting of the Clare Joint Policing Committee.

Use of drones by local authorities in the South-East resulted in the Data Protection Commissioner ruling against County Councils. "We believe this is the mechanism where we can install and instigate CCTV systems with the support of An Garda Síochána," Cyril flagged. "We do appear

to have a problem with illegal dumping, this is one of our only mechanism where we can detect, record and hopefully prosecute people".

The careful use of technology would become "a useful tool in our arsenal," he added.

CCTV legislation can prove very cumbersome, Cllr Alan O'Callaghan (FF) noted. He questioned why dash cam footage was sufficient to stand up in court for certain Garda investigations but not surrounding illegal dumping.

All applications for use of dash cam footage must be approved by the Data Protection Commissioner, Chief Superintendent Seán Colleran confirmed. "It is a hugely complex area. It is very much on a case by case basis".

Cratloe representative, Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) questioned if a homeowner had CCTV and had an instance of illegal dumping on camera, would their footage stand up in court. "Every situation is unique.

Members of the public are bound by the same rules of GDPR as the local authority," Feeney responded to which Cllr John Crowe (FG) remarked that it was "a minefield".

"It is a growing and massive problem. We are frustrated as a Council and our agencies in trying to counteract this problem. It is a countryside away from prying eyes that they are dumping. Highly frustrating, it can't continue, it is a horrid situation," Cllr Pat McMahon (FF) commented.

South-East Clare represented the "obvious area" to begin any trial surrounding CCTV, Deputy Cathal Crowe (FF) believed.

lUNSIGHTLY: Illegal dumping in Meelick

Photo by John Mangan

14 NEWS

THURSDAY, NOV 5 2020

Halloween event a real treat PĂ RAIC MCMAHON

A

paraic@clareecho.ie

REAL community effort led to a spooktacular Halloween walk in Shannon last weekend.

Spirits were lifted throughout Shannon Town and pulses were racing after an organised Halloween themed walk gave some of the younger members of the population a taste of the season given the inability to trick or treat in 2020.

Costumes of a multitude of creatures both scary and creative were on show and others hidden to jump out and frighten the public. Originally the idea of Eavan Dempsey, a multitude of individuals ploughed behind the brain-

wave and the resulting momentum ensured that Halloween was indeed a memorable experience for those that braved the walk.

Several groups such as Love Shannon, Shannon Heritage, Shannon Town FC and Hiya Events were among those to lend a helping hand while Sergeant Seamus Mulligan has also been praised for the support he gave to allow the event take place.

Organisers have confirmed that all regulations were adhered to while there is a possibility that it will now become an annual fixture in the town.

"It truly was a fantastic community effort that made today amazing. We were delighted with the turn out. The feedback has been amazing. We're delighted to have raised the town's morale in a small way," a spokesperson for Love Shannon told The Clare Echo.

lWITCHING HOUR: Ann Marie Fox gets ready to spook Photo by Joe Buckley

Repairs of bus shelters likely to be delayed A SHANNON public representative has expressed his frustration with a likely delay to repair works at bus shelters in the town, writes PĂĄraic McMahon.

Flooding in February had already delayed the commencement of the 2021 programme of works with Clare County Council staff also redeployed from March onwards as part of their COVID-19 response.

Speaking at a recent meeting of the Shannon Municipal District, Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) sought a follow-up to "necessary re-

pairs" at the two bus shelters in Drumgeely.

"I had previously included the upgrade of these shelters from my percentage of the GMA Budget 2020 works.

The most serioous problem is with the one opposite Fergus Road as you enter and exit the Industrial Estate".

GMA projects will be focused on when the grant funded roadworks programme is completed, senior executive engineer Aidan O'Rourke confirmed.

The repair of the bus shelters will form part of this work, he stated.

"We're entering the really bad season, I respect the reply. With all the issues with roadworks nothing will probably happen till December," Cllr Flynn predicted.

lDAMAGE: Bus shelter in Shannon Photo by Joe Buckley

lI’LL MIND YOU: Julie and Tara McPhillips brave the Halloween walk Photo by Joe Buckley

Shannon Chamber seeks new and improved transport links SHANNON Chamber has submitted constructive suggestions to the NTA on how the current draft of the Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area Network (LSMATS) 2040 could be further refined to deliver tangible benefits to Shannon. “The cornerstone of our submission is that the three elements of Shannon – the Town Centre, Shannon Free Zone, and Shannon Airport - must be inter-connected in any new Transport Strategy, to make all parts of Shannon easily accessible for residents, workers and visitors,� stated Shannon Chamber CEO Helen Downes.

If the points raised in its submission to the LSMATS draft are implemented, Shannon Chamber believes that they would greatly assist the NTA in attaining its goals of developing Limerick and Shannon as a unified metropolitan area and reduce transport emissions, the overall goals of the Strategy.

Shannon Chamber's submission has been prepared against a background, as

outlined by the NTA, where 79% of Shannon's residents drive or are driven to work, 92% of Shannon's workers drive or are driven to work, 1 in 4 trips to work take 10 minutes or less, 54% of college students drive or are driven, 32% of students aged 13-18 are driven to school and, the structure of the town severs the resident population from employment areas.

Having examined the LSMATS draft in detail, Shannon Chamber’s submission included direct section by section commentary on the draft Strategy and a summary of key points on walking, cycling, bus and rail connections, roads and streets, traffic management, freight delivering and servicing and recommendations which the Chamber would like to see incorporated into the Strategy. It also referenced the viability of developing the Connected Autonomous Vehicle (CAV)/Mobility as a Service (MaaS) sector in Shannon and the benefits of considering a 4th River Shannon crossing for delivery in the longer term.

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TAKE AWAY COCKTAILS

Each Cocktail Bottle Serves 4

Arts & Entertainment 15

THURSDAY, NOV 5 2020

‘A classic song of love and heartbreak’ CIAN O’BROIN

cianobroin@clareecho.ie

EOGHAN Ó Ceannabháin and Ultan O'Brien have released a new single and video called 'Cúirt Bhaile Nua.' This is their first single from their debut album ''Solas an Lae' due to be released on November 5th through Watercolour Music.

Dublin-based with Clare and Connemara connections, Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin and Ultan O'Brien have been playing together for many years in bands, including Skipper's Alley. Their involvement with Manx singer Ruth Keggin and with the international Gaelic project Aon Teanga (One Tongue)' took them to Highland Scotland, where they recorded their debut album at Watercolour Music in Lochaber.

The human voice and the fiddle are often thought of as musical cousins.

'Solas an Lae' (The Light of the Day), Eoghan and Ultan's debut offering, will

be "a compelling exploration of that relationship, creating a unique dialogue that blends raw, rugged earth with the ethereal otherworld." It is due for release Thursday 5th November, via the Scottish label Watercolour Music.

In 'Solas an Lae', bouncing songs and strings off one another, Eoghan and Ultan have created a duo album that "emerges viscerally from the sean-nós roots of upbringing to blossom into two of the most articulate Irish musical voices on the scene today."

The first single from the album, 'Cúirt Bhaile Nua', is out now. It is a classic song of love and heartbreak from Mayo, Ireland, from the singing of Treasa Ní Mhiolláin. The track is accompanied by a night-time video, filmed outside at Watercolour Music's studios, on the shores of Loch Linnhe within sight of the highest mountain in the British Isles, Ben Nevis.

This video, produced by Nick Turner, features the duo singing and playing in firelight, and an almost sacrificial scene of a harmonium up in flames.

lMUSICAL COUSINS: Ultan O’Brien and Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin

‘Carpe Diem captured the spirit of Eimear’

lIN MEMORY: Talented musician Eimear Noonan on the fishing bridge at Lough Graney, taken in July 2017 just months before Eimear died in a tragic accident

Photo by Brendan O’Leary

CIAN O’BROIN

C

cianobroin@clareecho.ie

ARPE Diem Sing and Play Virtual Challenge 2020 forms part of an annual concert in Gort to remember Eimear Noonan, who tragically passed away in France in November

2017.

The proceeds of the challenge will divide between The Eimear Noonan Music Bursary and Coole Music. The emphasis is on supporting high quality music education in the west of Ireland.

Eimear was a talented musician, tells her mother, Mary Noonan, adding, "She would be smiling. She would love the idea and the variety of it all. Eimear embraced all genres of music.

She loved rock, indie, jazz. She was head, neck and heels in that during her time at UCC." The concept for the Carpe Diem concerts came from orchestra teacher Katharina Baker and Fiona Buckley of Coole Music and Art, in April 2018.

Carpe Diem captured the spirit of Eimear, Mary admits, "She was always trying something new. She was one of the first people in Coole Music when it opened up. She played two or three instruments and specialised in the violin with the UCC Orchestra."

Following two hugely successful concerts in Gort in 2018 and 2019, this year's restrictions required a combination of creativity and compromise. Eimear's brother Michael, who lives in London, came up with the idea of a Carpe Diem Virtual Challenge, resembling the infamous Ice Bucket Challenge of 2014.

In this way, artists play their piece online and nominate up to five others to take part. Mary describes the response as 'phenomenal' and says, "the challenge has snowballed as there hasn't been any outlet for the music world. It's almost like a two-week music festival online."

The Virtual Challenge began on 1st November and will run up until the 15th November 2020.

Anyone who wants to participate or has been nominated via social media simply films themselves playing music or singing and posts it online while also nominating three to five others to take up the challenge.

The recording can be posted on your own Instagram, Facebook or Twitter account. An online donate facility will be available for viewers and performers alike.

Donations will be accepted via the idonate fundraiser page, online up to Saturday 28th November 2020. To date the funds raised have supported the Eimear Noonan Music Awards; Coole Music and Arts; Gort Community School Musical; UCC Orchestra and other music performances by young people in the community.

Finishing up, Mary concludes with some final sentiments, "This year, the theme is, seize the day and go for it. Let's keep the people happy.

We need to lift the spirits of the people in a particularly tough time.

“Obviously, for our family, this week is a hard week and for the whole country too. We need to realise what a wonderful gift we have in our music community. I feel like they have been quietly forgotten, as they can't go out to play."

Check out this year's participants on the Facebook page 'Carpe Diem Sing and Play.'

16 FEATURES

Effects of grief

RONAN SCULLY

Thought for the week

I

T’S the time of year again when the shadows lengthen and our evenings fall quickly and our busy lives become hushed and slow down, well if they usually didn't you can be assured that this second lockdown because of the Coronavirus has certainly made it slow down this year of 2020, all of which is reflected in our amazing world of nature all around us.

November is the time of the year when we too remember all our loved ones who have gone before us. Many of us during this month will visit our family graves and remember our loved ones and family and friends gone before us who paved the way for our lives and livelihoods. Death is so difficult and indeed extremely painful.

Death strips us of the familiar and leaves us often naked and vulnerable, with our bereavement and painful losses.

November is the month that we remember our dead, our loved ones gone before us or the Holy Souls, when we pray for the dead in the firm belief that we can assist by our prayers our deceased brothers and sisters on their way to God, to the joy and peace of heaven.

In writing this thought for the week I would like to remember in prayer all of you who are reading this article and let me offer my sympathy and heartfelt prayers to all of you who have experienced the lost of a loved one or a special someone or a remembrance of someone gone a longtime and especially anyone recently over this last year and especially any of you who like myself and my family have lost loved ones to this awful dreadful Coronavirus.

We carry in our memories those who have gone before us, and our dead live on in some way in a new presence in our lives. No matter how we may wish to avoid talking about death, we don’t like being reminded of our mortality. Woody Allen famously quipped, “I’m not afraid of death; I just don’t want to be there when it happens.” It strikes a chord because that is how many of us deal with death. We joke about it while keeping our real thoughts and fears to ourselves.

Some of our deceased relatives and friends were blessed enough that we got to say goodbye too, while others left us before any goodbyes could be exchanged.

Grief Affects Everyone

I am convinced that grief and loss affect everyone. None of us knows how to truly process those emotions. We at times really don't

know how to grieve. We expect there to be a standard timetable for it. We don’t make space for it.

We don’t feel safe talking about it.

We want it to follow predictable steps and then for everything to get back to normal. The result is that we try to bury our grief, hide away our pain, and act as if it’s not there.

And yet it comes up in all kinds of ways and in places we least expect.

If you are truly awake in your own life, you are in touch with the loss you have experienced. And it’s no doubt painful.

I have cried privately many times at situations and losses in my own life especially when I lost my beautiful niece earlier ths year along with losing some other amazing family members and beautiful close friends and recently on my last trip to Africa just before the onslaught of the Coronavirus I cried for days at the extreme poverty I witnessed especially for the children who were close to death and many that had died so needlessly because of extreme poverty.

The best way to cope with it is to deal with it kindly, gently, lovingly and with the support of family, friends and the communities we live in. We should try to keep in our minds and in our hearts the knowledge that everyone deals with these feelings on a daily basis.

If we truly remembered that, we would be kind to everyone. We would be gentler with our fellow human beings and with ourselves.

We live in a fast-paced, tough, cold and often evil world. We don’t need to. By being more aware and awake, we can make a choice to be conscious, caring and compassionate to ourselves and others every day of the year. Now there’s a thought worth remembering.

Thought for the week

As your thought for the week, treat everyone around you in a gentler way as much as you can and be thankful for loved ones gone before us that are no longer with us in the same presence as they were, especially during this month of November which is dedicated as a time of remembering! As one of my favourite writers John O' Donohue wrote "live the life you would love to look back on from your deathbed".

A prayer called 'God's Garden' I love to pray that gives me solace when I think of my loved one's gone before me goes as follows, "God looked around His garden and saw an empty space. He then looked down upon the earth and saw your tired face. He put His arms around you and lifted you

to rest. God’s garden must be beautiful. He always takes the best.

God knew you were suffering. He knew you were in pain. He knew that you would never get well on earth again.

He saw the road was getting rough and the hills were hard to climb, so He closed your weary eyelids and whispered ‘peace be thine’.

It broke our hearts to lose you but you did not go alone for part of us went with you the day God called you home." Treat everyone around you in a gentler way as much as you can and be thankful for loved ones that are no longer with us in the same presence as they were, especially during this time of remembering. And as the poem,"Don’t Leave It Too Late" goes, ‘If ever you are going to love me, love me now while I know all the warm and tender feelings from real affection flow! Love me while I am living.

Don’t wait till I am gone, and then chisel it on marble, warm love words on ice stone. If you have dear thoughts about me, why not whisper them to me? Surely they would make me happy and as glad as glad can be. If you wait till I am sleeping, never more to wake again.

There’ll be walls of earth between us and I cannot hear you then. If you know someone was thirsting for a drink of sweet water, would you then be slow in bringing it?

Would you step with laggard feet? There’s a tender heart right near you that is thirsting for your love. Why should you refuse to give it, since God sent it from above? You have flowers in your garden, some are white and some are red.

Give them to me now while I am living, I can’t see them when I’m dead. I won’t need your fond caresses when the grass grows over my face. I won’t want your love and kisses in my last resting place.

So if you are ever going to love me, if for just a little bit. Won’t you love me while I am living so I can treasure it?

Remembering our loved ones who have gone before us is a noble and worthy endeavour. May all who we have loved and lost, rest in peace. From the moment we are born, he wrote, death walks beside us and we need to befriend it so that ‘you will have no need to fear when your time comes to leave’.

We need to have awareness of the presence of death that calls our life, as it were, to attention and helps us to ‘live the life you would love to look back on from your deathbed’.

So in November we remember our dead.

For all of us this November, the leaves of time will be swept by memory into the small and great heaps that give birth to our remembering. Let us remember, lest we forget, "The Love we once shared".

THURSDAY, NOV 5 2020

Ennis Lions celebrate World Diabetes Day STUART HOLLY

N

editor@clareecho.ie

OVEMBER is a vital time of the year for the members of Ennis Lions Club, who this year in conjunction with the other 106 Lions Clubs in Ireland will launch a major initiative to put a spotlight on and raise awareness of Type 2 Diabetes.

In response to the growing incidence of Diabetes worldwide, Lions Clubs International has adopted diabetes as a signature project.

While there are a number of types of Diabetes, the Lions Signature Project aims to specifically address the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Eating healthily, increasing the level of physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight all play a role in preventing or delaying the onset of Type 2 diabetes.

Club President Michael Brennan highlighted the importance of this initiative “Diabetes is the 8th leading cause of death in the world and it is estimated that worldwide more than 460 million people have diabetes, and this number is growing” Club Diabetes officer Kaye Faulkner is proud of the long association that Ennis Lions Club has with diabetes awareness stretching back over 20

years. Diabetes Ireland and Diabetes UK (NI) estimates that there are 340,000 individuals with diabetes in Ireland of which approximately 80% have Type 2 diabetes. The campaign for World Diabetes Day this year is focused on the role of Nurses in prevention and management of diabetes and the Lions Club strategic vision is to reduce the prevalence of Diabetes and improve the quality of life for those living with Type 2 diabetes.

Kaye added that Diabetes Ireland have a simple, informative online test that takes a few minutes to complete.

Link www.diabetes.ie/living-with-diabetes/are-you-atrisk.

Lions Clubs International have decided to highlight the Diabetes Project by setting itself a target of 1 million completed risk assessments

by World Diabetes Day on November 14th. Lions clubs Ireland have risen to the challenge.

Ann Ellis District Diabetes team chairperson added that “it is impossible to predict the level of COVID – 19 restrictions that will apply in early 2021 and therefore our plans to roll out the project will need to be flexible “ Ennis Lions club are confident that the project can create awareness of Type 2 Diabetes and greatly reduce the impact of the condition on individual health and that of our children and grandchildren.

HALLOWEEN SPIRIT

l BOO: Jack, Clodagh & baby Sarah Melican, Kilmihil

THURSDAY, NOV 5 2020

Community ENNIS ENNIS TENNIS CLUB

THE Halloween break 2020 has been like no other! The junior members of the Ennis Tennis club have been busy playing and training all week under the watchful eyes of coaches, Anne-Marie Darcy and Danny Comerford .

When not on court many of the juniors displayed their creative sides by entering the "Design a Halloween Tennis Ball

COMMUNITY 17 CONTACT

NEWSDESK 065 671 9021 news@clareecho.ie

KILLALOE Competition". All entries were posted and judged by an impartial senior member of the tennis committee. After much deliberation first prize was awarded to "the eyeball" by Conan, second prize was "the spider" by Ailbhe and third prize went to "John Mc Enroe"

by Oisin. Congratulations to all the winners and well done to all the participants.

SAILING CLUB RAFFLE

THIS week, in the grounds of the Lakeside Hotel, Killaloe, adhering to COVID restrictions, the draw took place for the winner of a brand-new Laser dinghy, worth €8,000.

Participants eagerly attended via ‘Zoom’. All proceeds from the raffle are going towards the Killaloe Sailing Club development fund.

Eoin Little, General Manager of the Lakeside Hotel, did the honours in pulling the numbers for the raffle.

The winner of the Laser Dinghy was a Killaloe Sailing Club (KSC) member, Reggie Quinn.

The runner-up prize was a €100 KSC voucher (to be used against membership or in online shop: https://centralsports.ie/Clubshop-Killaloe-Sailing-Club-395), which was won by Anne Gleeson, and third prize of €50 KSC voucher went to Josie Kramer.

This little volunteer-run club situated on Lough Derg, Co. Clare plans to build a wonderful new Clubhouse, including changing rooms with toilets and showers, a common room and small kitchen, raised walkways, a covered training area, facilities for the disabled, an enlarged boat shed, a new cark park and an enlarged dinghy park, having

secured approval from Leader Development Company.

PRO Caroline Rice commented “the raffle was the brain-child of committee member John Callanan, and it was great to see so many people from both Killaloe Sailing Club, and the broader sailing community stretching across the island, support this worthy cause. Only 100 tickets were available and were all sold out well in advance of the raffle draw date.”

The prize was a Laser XD ICE Blue, any size rig,with Carbon Mast, Launching Trolley, Top Cover and Foil Bag. The club would like to thank all those who bought tickets. The popularity of the club and sport was evident over the past number of months when the Lake was host to many dinghies of all shapes and sizes, enjoying this picturesque location - even the more precious as people were not in a position to travel away this year.

The club has also established a GoFundMe page to help with the development fund: https://www.gofundme.com/f/killaloe-sailing-club-039development-fund039

lWINNERS: Ennis Tennis Club members got creative with a design a tennis ball competition. The winning creations were by Conan, Ailbhe and Oisin

ENNIS ESB TECHFEST AWARD

CLARE Youth Service has been at the forefront of responding to the challenges faced by young people as a result of the onset of COVID-19.

Now its efforts and those of its summer camp leaders has resulted in their winning the Online COVID Community Responder award at this week's Creative Techfest, sponsored by ESB. With the changed environment last Spring, CYS moved rapidly to ensure accessibility of its services for young people across a variety of new platforms but one of the greatest challenges was how to ensure the continuation of the long-established summer camps which have achieved such a significant place in the lives of local young people.

Working with Techspace's Leigha Dugdale, a group of young people came together to create an online experience for young people in the absence of a traditional in-person summer camp experience.

Learning new skills in online journalism and training techniques, they worked with CYS youth workers to create instructional videos, songs and activities to recreate the summer camp experience online.

To honour their digital creativity and dedication to the process they were nominated

for the Techfest 2020 Online Responder Award that honours the work young people, volunteers and youthworkers completed to deliver services to young people over lockdown.

The work was made possible and supported by Limerick Clare Education Training Board Summer Work Programme and also through the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth - UBU programme.

Clare Youth Service CEO, Margaret Slattery, paid tribute to the young people involved, "COVID has been a massive challenge for us all but the creativity and energy of this group was brought to bear on the challenge they faced and a great result ensued. This was a great collaborative effort between our staff, our young people and our partners" CYS Youth Worker, Thomas O' Hara says "this programme was a countywide effort including young people from Ennis, Kilrush and Shannon.

“We are very proud of the work they have put in and delighted that they have won this award".

They weren't the only ones taking part with the Shannon Makerspace and Shannon Music Project also being nominated for awards.

SHANNON AIRPORT SAFETY

MEASURES taken by Shannon Group to protect the safety of its passengers and employees at Shannon Airport during the COVID-19 pandemic have been recognised internationally, with the airport receiving a global endorsement from the Airports Council International (ACI) World and ACI EUROPE. Following an independent assessment,

Shannon Airport has been endorsed as a member of the ACI’s Airport Health Accreditation programme.

Welcoming the ACI Accreditation, Mary Considine, CEO, Shannon Group said: “Our commitment to the safety of our passengers and employees has been our central focus from the onset of the pandemic. Our airport staff have worked tirelessly”.

lALL ABOARD: Nick Bendon, CH Marine and Pat Culoo, Killaloe Sailing Club, alongside the club’s fundraising raffle first prize of a Laser Dinghy, worth €8,000

18 COLUMNISTS

Opinion

THURSDAY, NOV 5 2020

Get in contact Become part of the conversation. Submit your letters to the editor by emailing editor@clareecho.ie or via post addressed to 36c Abbey Street, Ennis, County Clare

It’s not the strongest of the species survives, but the most adaptable

Clare businesses show great resolve in face of pandemic by moving online

Editor

T

HIS week The Clare Echo is proud to launch a new campaign called Click For Clare which, with the support of Local Enterprise Clare, has been devised to support members of the local business community who are trading online.

Within five days of announcing the scheme on our website, at time of writing we have had more than 140 applications from businesses looking to partake and I’ve encountered many, many businesses which I previously was unaware of. I’m glad to say it has opened me up to an online world I didn’t understand existed on our own doorstep.

The idea behind the scheme is to connect users on our website to dynamic online stores in County Clare. Over the course of the campaign, which runs into the first week of January, The Clare Echo website will welcome more than 200,000 unique users of which more than 95 per cent are Irish based. If we can get even five per cent of these users to click onto local websites, it will have been a roaring success.

At risk of sounding like a cliché-spouting broken record, every €10 spent on local products generates about €40 of onward benefit to the local community. The current consumer trend of funnelling our disposable income into multinationals - which I think we are all guilty of on some level - now has to be stymied as a matter of urgency.

The cycle can been seen on so many levels of society, like the mirror image of a village being left behind by the development of a motorway. Many times, a so-called progressive step in modern society equates to another strand of our community fabric being unwoven and online shopping can typify this. It’s not difficult to predict what will become of our towns without a thriving retail sector on our streets, and inevitably other industries such as food and

‘‘

Encouraging the public to shop local with worn-out taglines and reminding them of their civic duty is much too weak a strategy; it serves as nothing more than lip service. It’s not what local businesses in Clare are interested in or respond to. They respond to action because they are interested in progress

FOR FULL DETAILS ON #CLICKFORCLARE GO TO PAGES 24-25

‘‘

STUART HOLLY

drink will be the next domino to come under threat.

However simply encouraging the public to shop local with worn-out taglines and reminding them of their civic duty is much too weak a strategy; it serves as nothing more than lip service. It’s not what local businesses in Clare are interested in or respond to. They respond to action because they are interested in progress. Last week another excellent scheme was launched by Ennis Chamber of Commerce, the Clare Gift Card, which provides an opportunity for local people and employers to back local businesses. These gift cards can be purchased from post offices in Kilrush, Ennistymon and Ennis.

While uptake to our initiative from the general public will be judged when Click for Clare concludes in January, the business uptake has been astounding and that exhibits the overwhelming appetite to succeed that exists amongst business people in Clare.

In recent days while researching how businesses and people have adapted to the challenges of the current pandemic, I came across an opinion article on CNN’s website. The writer speaks about how adopting inspirational quotes and mantras in their life has helped them to remain positive in challenging times, writing, “I turned to them this week, as we all face new struggles, looking for wisdom from the past to help the present.” The list of quotes the writer invites readers to welcome into their lives includes ‘keep calm and carry on’, ‘The Sun will rise’, and ‘Be happy, or at least Zen’.

While there may be merit in these expressions for many people, there’s also an unquestionable air of resignation about them that’s much too passive for the cut-throat businesses world. If only life was that simple for the business community in County Clare to ‘keep calm and carry on’.

To steal a qoute of my own from Charles Darwin, a man who knew a thing or two about evolution, “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.”

The consumer is changing day by day and businesses in Clare are showing incredible resolve by taking the bull by the horns. I believe that they will slowly, inch by inch, be rewarded by the shopping public. Some already are.

FEATURES 19

THURSDAY, NOV 5 2020

GREEN CLARE

On your bike with Ennis National School CIAN O’BROIN

E

cianobroin@clareecho.ie

NNIS National School are putting their pupil’s health and consideration for the environment first with their hugely successful ‘Walking Bus’ and ‘Cycling Bus’ initiatives.

The inspiration is gleaned from the Green School’s programme in line with the Smarter Travel theme, which encourages children to walk, cycle or carpool to school.

This allies with a recent call amongst Clare Councillors to conduct a survey on the cycling habits of school children in Ennis.

Noting the additional cycling routes added to Ennis over recent years, Cllr Ann Norton (IND) led the call for a survey on cycling to be carried out in conjunction with every school in Ennis. “There is a lot of talk about cycling with the kids back to school. I’m curious to know how many kids are cycling to school,� the former General Election candidate stated. “A huge investment has gone into cycling in Ennis, I want to see is it being used with more kids on the road�.

School principal, Brian Troy, describes the ‘Walking Bus’ initiative at Ennis National as “the biggest and most successful in Ireland.� Mirroring this, the school has seen a huge buy in on their ‘Cycling Bus’, with free homework passes offered as an incentive for pupils. The idea was originally proposed by Liz Cullinan and Naoimi McMahon with the impetus on trying to get the children moving and out of the car, by both walking or cycling to school.

Mr. Troy labels Ennis National as “a health promoting school� and says that the initiative is “strengthened by a great group of volunteer parents.� Each Friday morning, three parents depart from The Hawthorns Estate along with nine or ten children, cycling along the new laneway put down by the Council leading up to the school. The ‘Walking Bus’ on the other hand, takes place on a daily basis. This initiative facilitates pupils from Junior’s to 6th class, whilst the ‘Cycling Bus’ incorporates those from 1st class up, ensuring that a level of stability can be implemented in getting to school by bike.

Adult supervision and child safety are the primary focus here and Mr. Troy admits that, “even before Covid and since we have come back, the number of bikes were increasing in the bike shed. We spoke about it a lot in the school and in the classes.� The benefits are multitudinous, nurturing an active mindset within the children and fostering a deeper understanding and compassion for the environment.

Mr. Troy continues, “It’s a big factor for their own health and minds, in a time where everyone is spending a lot of their day at home. It’s important that we do use these av-

enues to keep our minds going and to keep active as well. “You do that when you are running, walking or cycling. The other factor then is the environment. We do have over 600 kids at the school here, so there is a lot of traffic coming up to the school and all these initiatives help the kids, telling mom or dad that they do not need to be dropped to school, they can walk or cycle. There’s less traffic and less fumes. That all helps as well.�

Weather is “a huge factor� in influencing the cycling patterns currently, Cllr. Ann Norton admonished. “Back in the day when we were in schools the weather didn’t come into it because our parents didn’t have two cars, children take it for granted now that they can be dropped. Now is the time to see what else we can do to get the kids on their bikes�. With an eye to the future of walking and cycling initiatives heading into the colder months, Mr. Troy asserts that there are a lot of factors contributing to the continued success and that weather would hopefully not be an issue. “It’s a big testament that we will keep going all year round even in the midst of the winter when people would rather sit in the car and drive up to the school. A lot of the parents and the kids dress for the weather and make their way by bike or by walking.�

lWHEELS: Ennis National School are running a very successful cycle to school initiative

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20 COLUMNIST

THURSDAY, NOV 5 2020

With

With With

Newmarket-on-Fergus farmer Joe Melody begins his column with The Clare Echo giving an insight into life on the farm.

A

S WE head from autumn into winter and embrace all the change that comes with it, it’s my great honour to begin my new role writing about my passion and my way of life, farming.

I farm in partnership with my father J.J. in Bunratty, our family have farmed here for four generations. Nowadays dairying is our main farm enterprise, we have grown the herd from 50 cows to 140 cows milking today with 180 cows due to calve here next spring.

We also run a pedigree herd of cattle comprising of Charolais, Limousin and Hereford breeds.

Pedigree cattle while not our main enterprise now have been a big part of our farming system for generations, we attended many shows every year exhibiting our stock as well as bringing them forward for sales up and down the country.

In recent years it was decided to make dairying our central enterprise as it was for our farm the most efficient and scaleable business to convert our greatest resource the grass we grow into a viable family business.

The past 10 years in particular have been a story of dairy expansion and ours is a microcosm of what has been done nationally since the abolition of quotas.

Nowadays the word sustainability is thrown around willy nilly but to us any change or tweak to our farming system has to be sustainable under three types of sustainability. The first one is in terms of its impact on the person who operates the system, secondly does this system add financially to the business and finally of course does it affect the environment in a neutral

way at minimum but preferably in a positive way. In medicine the guiding priority is to do good or do no harm, Agriculture is no different.

The type of farming that has kept Clare’s landscape green and lush for millenia has always added to the local economy as well as being in harmony with the county’s vibrant ecosystems.

It is my hope that through my weekly contributions to The Clare Echo, I will be able to share with you an insight into our on-farm happenings along with discussing the challenges of the day facing our industry.

Clare has a proud tradition of agriculture across its beautiful but varying landscape whether it be the quality store cattle that graze the highlands of the Burren to the large grass based dairy herds that occupy the extremities of Loop Head in the west.

Agriculture may have had a proud past in the county but I believe its future will be even brighter.

As a nation we are facing challenges we could not have foreseen a year ago emanating from COVID-19, we know that our health service is our last line of defence but we should also know that our farmers are our first line of defence against illness through the high quality nutrient dense food they produce.

Never more has the task been more great ahead of us as a country in protecting our health and keeping our nation strong financially, on both counts our farmers are up to the challenge.

ď ŹFARM LIFE: Clare has a proud tradition of agriculture

COLUMNIST 21

THURSDAY, NOV 5 2020

SCONES, NOT SCONES

Kearney Cooks

H

I, my name is Stephen Kearney and i am a professional baker/pastry chef. I love my job so much that its also my hobby. I love cooking simple traditional recipes, not just from Ireland but from around the world as well. I believe in using fresh local produce as much as i can and having fun whilst i bake my little heart out in my cottage on the Shannon Estuary.

Thats enough nonsense about me, this week im starting pure traditional and making SCONES. The country is in a bad way at the minute and I think a bit of comfort is in order and nothing, I repeat, nothing is more comforting than homemade scones.

For this simple recipe you will need • 450g self raising flour • 2 tsp baking powder • 100g butter • 60 g of sugar • 2 big eggs • 100 ml milk (if your mix is dry you can put in an extra drop) If you want you can add raisins or other dried fruits as well but I am doing mine plain today.

Put your butter, flour and baking powder into a big bowl and mix with your fingertips until you get a sandlike texture.

Add in your sugar now and mix through.

Then make a well in the centre and horse in your milk and eggs.

Mix everything together thoroughly until you have one solid(ish) ball.

Turn out onto a floured worktop and knead the dough for a minute or two (preferably whilst listening to trash metal) .

When your dough is kneaded roll it out to about an inch high (that’s about two and a half cm for our younger readers).

Using a ring cutter or a glass or mug cut circles out and place on a lined baking tray.

Feck them into the oven for about fourteen minutes at 200c (all ovens vary so it might take less or more time in yours, but like only a minute less or more).

If you want you can eggwash your scones before they go in. Honestly it makes no difference to the taste so only do it if you’re showing off.

Serve with butter, jam, cream or clotted cream. Whatever tickles your fancy really. (I once knew a lunatic that had his with nutella).

Enjoy

Steve k

FOR VIDEO DEMO, SCAN THE QR CODE WITH YOUR PHONE

Motivation is essential to get over lockdown Miss Clare Rebecca O’Neill in her first column highlights how she is making the the most of her 5km radius in Shannon during Level 5 restrictions.

F

OR some people, it can be hard to even think about physical well being let alone actually doing it. I want to highlight what makes it easier. Considering we live in a beautiful county like Clare, the exquisite views and scenery make it that bit easier.

While staying within your 5km distance, it is still an option to stay active and embrace everything around you. Every day I like to go for a walk along the Shannon Loop. Containing three points this place has a lot to offer in terms of nature and walking trails. Even on wet and rainy days, put on your waterproof jacket/ high vis and set off on this enjoyable walk with views of the Shannon Estuary making you feel refreshed for the day ahead.

There are no excuses when it comes to

beautiful areas like this. Adding walks into your everyday routine during lockdown are essential for a lot of people’s mental health. To make you feel like you have taken on something productive and healthy. The boreen is another trail that can be found along the original route way to Tullyvarraga. The trail leads to the beautiful yet historic Hastings farmhouse. This historic Farmhouse can be found only a few hundred metres from the Shannon Estuary. Dating back to 1840 this farmhouse involves so much history and is the last dwelling of the route.

It is half the battle when you get to walk in places like this. A positive quote that I like to live by, to get me out and about even on the rainiest of days is “Waking up motivated every day isn’t a talent. It is a mindset and lifestyle.”

STAY LOCAL: The Shannon Estuary Loop has lots to discover

BUSINESS 23

THURSDAY, NOV 5 2020

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Find your dream job with the perfect CV

A

SURVEY shows that employers take less than a minute to decide if an application is worth consideration. A poll of 1,000 recruiters, by Adecco Retail, found it takes 34 seconds for an employer to decide whether a CV is worth further consideration.

Cliches, lies and typos are all reasons people are not offered an interview. So how do you craft the perfect CV? Be Relevant - You need to present yourself well, but you also need to ensure the experience you are communicating is relevant to the job. Look at the job description, and make sure that it's clear why you'll be able to deliver in that role.

Language - Avoid stereotypical expressions such as passionate, hardworking and team player. Make use of words like "accountable", "achieve" and "purpose".

What was the purpose of your role? Why were you there?

Concise and Accurate - if you can keep it to two pages, the recruiter will be delighted. Recruiters will judge you on mistakes, either in structure or in spelling or punctuation.

Contact Info - Place the essential information at the top. This includes your full name, contact number, your location, and a professional sounding email address.

Below this, include a link to any online professional profiles such as LinkedIn. Key Skills - Next create a bulleted list of skills. These include: Self-taught skills, transferable skills and soft skills.

Career History - use action verbs to explain how you provided great customer service and give examples. Action verbs sound much stronger on a CV, and prompt you to provide evidence of your strengths.

Do not, under any circumstances, lie about your experience.

Education - List the educational institution, the dates you studied there, your course title and qualification type and which grade you received.

Interests and hobbies - Team sports look good or something which show a degree of dedication, but avoid things that are 'I go out and enjoy socialising' because that doesn't tell them anything more about you as a person.

Personal Statement - As such, use your personal statement to introduce yourself, and explain how your interests, academic and employment background or your key skills, relate to the role you are applying for.

With all of these essential tips and guidelines in line, you're now ready to land that dream job or delve into that desirable career path. Best of luck!

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24 CLICK FOR CLARE

ADVANTAGES OF SHOPPING LOCAL ONLINE THE Clare Echo has teamed up with Local Enterprise Office Clare to promote local online shopping in County Clare.

With a huge shift this year in consumer habits due to the global pandemic, it’s more important than ever to be socially conscious of our responsibility to support the local economy.

Through #clickforclare, more than 100 businesses from the Banner County have signed up to The Clare Echo business directory and can be accessed from our database (see p25).

However by shopping locally you are not just helping the economy, there are also a number of brilliant benefits for the consumer to spending money with local retailers online.

SAFE & CONVENIENT SHOPPING When you shop locally with a business brand you recognise, you will know that you’re dealing with a reputable brand so all the fuss is taken out in terms of trusting the source of your purchase. No need to check for a business registration number, no chance of being scammed, and no need to research the business rating online. Click & Collect is an option, delivery times are much more predictable and local shops will be more flexible with payment options - if you aren’t comfortable paying online, they are a phonecall away.

CUSTOMER SERVICE When shopping online with local retailers, you know exactly who you are dealing with. The product will be picked, packaged and sent by a locally employed person so the traceability and accountability is much more transparent. The returns process is much more likely to be hassle free and your point of contact is likely to be just a phone call away if there are any issues with sizing etc. In a highpaced world of online retail, customer after care is more likely to be a high priority when you shop local.

ENVIRONMENT Buying local is more environmentally friendly. By shopping locally, goods have been produced in a way that meets national standards and transportation costs associated with your goods are also reduced, thereby reducing greenhouse emissions.

Padraic McElwee, Head of Enterprise, LEO Clare, says, “For every €10 spent locally on Irish products, it generates more than €40 of benefit to the local community. Over the last number of months, many of our local businesses have been working hard to set up their eCommerce websites and online shops. I encourage everyone to now get behind them, buy local in the lead up to Christmas and play your part in sustaining local jobs for our future economy.”

THURSDAY, NOV 5 2020

Sitting pretty in a changing landscape

KILBAHA GALLERY OWNERS FOSTER LOYAL CUSTOMER BASE ONLINE CIAN O’BROIN

K

cian@clareecho.ie

ILBAHA Gallery is run by co-owners and sistersin-law Ailish Connolly and Liz Greehy. Started seven years ago yet steeped in over 50 years of family history through Liz’s father and brother, both sculptors in Clare, the vibrant gallery on the peninsula now boasts a fantastic customer base.

Taken aback by the initial lockdown in March, the pair made the decision to operate solely online due to an inability to achieve social distancing measures on site, doing so

ever since. Liz details what she describes as a “different business landscape” which, through adaptation, has enabled Kilbaha Gallery to continue to foster and grow a very loyal customer base online.

The gallery, gift shop and coffee shop are currently closed however the gallery is being maintained through a tight-knit team of four.

Aside from Liz, Ailish runs the gallery, Michelle Johnson works through shipping and customer orders, whilst local woman Rosie Flynn specialises in photography. Liz explains, “It was important that we keep in touch with our customers. We have an amazing loyal customer base. We are in a very touristy desti-

nation, out here on the Loop Head Peninsula.

We had a really big domestic Clare customer base. We also had international customers.

It’s still very varied and mixed right now. We are shipping artwork every day in Ireland, Europe, America and beyond.”

Ailish and Liz availed of the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) trading online voucher scheme when building their website, a number of years ago. “Pre-pandemic we created a really good website with the expert help of Michael Byrne. Putting that effort in then and ending up with such a professional online gallery has really stood to us now,” Liz confesses. Kilbaha Gallery represents over

40 professional artists in their online gallery, including a number of Clare based individuals. “Although this has been a big blow, it is exciting to be focusing on the digital side of things,” Liz admits.

Adding, “We like to keep in touch with our customers through online exhibitions, artist interviews and we are very visible across social media too.”

Their website features a cross-section of mediums, bronze work, oil paintings, acrylics, mixed media and ceramics. Liz alludes to the inherent difficulties felt within the industry in the jump to online sales, “Art is so incredibly visual, people love to stand in front of things. With high end photography and real-

ly good websites, this had made it easier for people. Art has now become more accessible to all.” Anyone interested can shop the entire catalogue online, choosing by artists or by style. Kilbaha Gallery packs everything on site and ships orders the following day.

To conclude, Liz attests that, “We are all trying to be positive.

It’s not the be all and end all. We are missing a huge part of our business, missing our customers, missing meeting people. One of the things we have been trying to maintain is a high level of customer service. At the end of the day, people buy from people. Whether that’s virtual or not, we have to be positive, upbeat and kind.”

SCAN WITH PHONE CAMERA TO VISIT KILBAHA GALLERY

CLICK FOR CLARE 25

THURSDAY, NOV 5 2020

Ciara shows Brass to make online leap

#clickforclare EAST CLARE

Rochfords Pharmacy

East Clare Yoga

Risk Assess It

www.bridgehousestudios.ie www.eastclareyoga.com

Glendara Art

www.glendaraar.com

Inward Bound Mindfulness

www.wildeirishchocolates.com

ENNIS & SURROUNDS ENNIS BEO Wellness

www.beowellness.ie

Berka Solutions

www.berksolutions.com

Brass Boutique

www.brassboutique.ie

Carestore

www.carestore.ie

Carries Bakery www.carriesbakery.ie Candles With Character

www.candleswithcharacter.ie

W editor@clareecho.ie

H E N the year 2020 began, Brass Boutique owner Ciara Lynch had no plans in place to start trading online for the year ahead.

The Ennis high street ladies boutique had grown steadily since its establishment five years ago when at just 24 years old, Ciara decided to take a leap of faith by entering the highly competitive clothes industry. “I was probably very naive, we had no retail background in the family. It was a completely different kettle of fish five years ago and we’ve since gotten to know our customers and brands,” says Ciara.

With her brand firmly established locally, Ciara says she had “no intention” of moving online and ad-

SCAN WITH PHONE CAMERA TO SHOP AT BRASS BOUTIQUE

www.susanquirke.com

Siar Photography

www.russellgallery.net

www.glow.ie

www.siarphotography.ie

Smelly Bees

Wild Irish Chocolate

Club Dangan & CD2

Susan Quirke Meditation

Salon Glow

www.planettri.ie

www.greeneroom.ie

STUART HOLLY

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Smaointe

The Greene Room Hair & Makeup Salon

tomer support over social media or over the phone.

With all the systems in place, Ciara says Brass “hit the ground running” when Level 5 restrictions hit.

“We’ve noticed a massive boost in online visitors and sales in the last two weeks.

The restrictions have really given us an opportunity to focus on the online side of things.”

Ciara envisages that her online sales could surpass shop sales in the future, however she also credits the website with a doubling in footfall to her Ennis boutique due to the full catelogue being visible on the website. “Everything has really been heightened since we launched the website.”

www.rochfordspharmacy.ie

inwardboundmindfulness.ie

Planet Tri

mits to being afraid of going down that avenue. “I thought we would lose the personal touch of boutique shopping and my customers are the most important thing.”

However due to high demand from Brass social media followers across the country and the unforseen circumstances of a global pandemic, Ciara decided to take a leap of faith. “I wanted to give myself something to concentrate on during the first lockdown. I’m far from a tech whizz but I had the time to do it.”

Two days before lockdown ended brassboutique. ie was launched and Ciara describes the first few weeks as a “whirlwind”.

“It really took off at the start and has been going well since. I’ve learned more about busines in the last five months since launching the website than I ever could have imagined.”

She has maintained the personal touch for online shoppers by offering cus-

connect.tm3app.com

Bridge House Studios

SCAN WITH PHONE CAMERA TO START SHOPPING IN CLARE

www.smaointe.com www.smellybees.com

Strike Sport

www.strikesport.org

Sweet N Green www.sweetngreen.ie The Candle Emporium

The Russell Gallery Tunes From Doolin

www.tunesfromdoolin.com

West Clare Flowers

www.westclareflowers.ie

SHANNON AREA Avokado and co

www.avokadoandco.com

Back Baller

www.backballer.com

The Record Break

Carrygerry Country House

Vigour

Creative Clay

Water Online

Risk Assess It

Wix & Wax

www.wixandwaxireland.com

Shannon Springs / Old Lodge Gastro Pub

www.fujiennis.ie

Torpey Hurleys

www.candleemporium.ie

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Sport Clare Echo THE

05-11-20

pg 28

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John Whelan remembered at Derby Final LISDOONVARNA’S John Whelan was remembered on one of the biggest nights in the greyhound racing calendar while Noel Hehir’s Coolavanny Chick had to settle for third spot in the English Derby.

A minute’s silence was held for the popular North Clare businessman during Friday’s racing at the Galway track while he was also mentioned in the aftermath of the English Derby in Nottingham.

Indeed the success for Irish trainers marked a highly successful weekend as they filled the first three places in the final of the English Derby. Clare’s interest in the final was firmly focused on Coolavanny Chick owned by Inagh’s Noel Hehir.

Boxed in trap six, the Chick ran a blinder to fill the third position,

being the only bitch in the Final this is seen as a massive achievement. The winner was Deerjet Sydney trained in Cappawhite by Pat Buckley who is brother of well known singer Jimmy Buckley was understandably delighted to finally win the English Derby.

Pat’s daughter Emma spoke with passion, joy and empathy on RPGTV following the win. Her thoughts turned to Austin Whelan and his family following the sad passing of his brother John in Lisdoonvarna last week. She spoke of how much it meant to her family, her father and herself. “Dad always told us to get back up and go again and he’s finally having his moment. He had that bit of luck tonight and I think it’s all down to John Whelan looking over us”. A minute silence was also observed

in memory of John during racing at the Galway Track on Friday night.

The chief supporting contest on Friday nights Galway Card was the A2 graded tenth contest over 550 Yards in which Blaze Bee, Astro Abby and Fast Fit Ash were all prominent in the long run towards the opening bend. At the turn Blaze Bee and Fast Fit Ash went on and they turned down the back as one.

Racing along the back straight the John Quinn of Gort owned Fast Fit Ash gradually began to gain the upper hand on the outside and leaving the back straight the Declan McDonagh of Liscannor trained son of Laughill Blake and Fast Fit Misty was home for all money as he powered to a four and three quarter length success

over Blaze Bee in 30,60.

Another Gort owner Shane Counihan was on the scoresheet in the A3 graded ninth contest as his Tradesman took his career tally to two wins from four starts as he held off the renewed challenge of Bumblebee Malory close home to prevail by a length in 29.14.

In the opening A6 graded contest, Garryfine Grace out wide and Kilbannon Victor in the centre of the track were smartly into stride with the former leading by approximately a length rounding the bend with Total Lockdown in third place along the rails. Racing along the back straight Garryfine Grace continued to show the way to Total Lockdown as Da Wellman bags to creep closer following a slow start. Approaching the home bend the Nelson-Pepper

Syndicate from Feakle owned Da Wellman loomed up on the wide outside and edging on close home he scored by a length from Garryfine Grace in 29.74.

In the concluding A4 graded contest Mythical Sally was very smartly into her stride and rounding the opening bend the Thomas Flanagan of Ennistymon owned lady led Alloys Recruit and Small Faces by almost two lengths but as she entered the back straight she quickly doubled her advantage. Striding clear down the back straight the daughter of Pat C Sabbath and Flandys Hawkeye was in total control rounding the third bend and although Small Faces closed in the straight she was still a length and three parts adrift of Mythical Sally at the line in 29.37.

New chapter for Irish greyhound racing

YOUR NEW

Best Friend

Contact the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust to welcome a former racing greyhound into your family Find us on Facebook

facebook.com/greyhoundsaspets.rgt.IRL

A NEW chapter in Irish greyhound racing has been announced with Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) in partnership with The Irish Retired Greyhound Trust launching their first ever dedicated greyhound care centre.

The care centre has been set up to promote and help ex-racing greyhounds find their forever homes as pets for families across Ireland.

The centre is independently run and is funded by RCÉ through the Greyhound Care Fund.

Established in 2019, The Greyhound Care Fund is solely dedicated to supporting a range of care and welfare projects for racing greyhounds and is funded from patrons at greyhound stadia and 50% of sponsorship for greyhound racing.

The Greyhound Care Centre will be overseen by the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust, the industry charity that facilitates the rehoming of ex-racing greyhounds as

pets.

Following an open formal tendering process, the contract was awarded to Greyhounds Pets of Ireland, Tipperary, based near The Horse and Jockey.

Chairman of Rásíocht Con Éireann, Frank Nyhan believed it represented RCÉ’s “ambitious care and welfare programme for the industry”. The high standard of the facility will ensure that greyhounds are well prepared for their ‘forever home’ and prospective new

owners can see first-hand the suitability of a greyhound in a home setting and the benefits that rehoming a greyhound can bring in its new home”.

1,245 re-homings have been assisted in 2020 to date through the IRGT compared with 812 last year.

At the care centre greyhounds are helped make the transition from racing on the track, to being welcomed in a new family on their retirement. Families hoping to adopt a greyhound can also for the first time visit the centre and meet the greyhound they have been matched with.

Virtual meetings are being held during COVID-19.

Further information on Greyhound Adoption or the Care Centre can be obtained from the IRGT on irgt@grireland.ie or phone 061-448089.

Above: Ex-racing greyhound Nome picture at The Greyhound Care Centre.

pg 29

05-11-20

Clare Echo THE

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MUNSTER SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP Compiled by Seamus Hayes & Páraic McMahon

Tipp put an end to Clare’s season Tipperary 2-11 Clare 1-11 Venue: Semple Stadium, Thurles TIPPERARY Frees For: 21 (14/7) Wides: 7 (3/4) Scores from play: 2-06 Spread of scorers: 6

PLAYER WATCH CATHAL O’CONNOR (CLARE) Possessions: 18 (6/12) Passes: 14 (5/9) Hand Passes: 11 (3/8) Foot Passes: 3 (2/1) Tackles: 2 Interceptions: 2 Frees Won: 1 Frees Conceded: 1

Top scorer: Conor Sweeney (1-04 2f) Own kick-outs won: 12 from 18 (67%) CLARE Frees For: 23 (12/11) Wides: 5 (1/4) Scores from play: 1-05 Spread of scorers: 7 Top scorer: Keelan Sexton (0-03 2f) Eoin Cleary (0-03 3f) Own kick-outs won: 13 from 20 (65%) DAVID POWER, TIPPERARY MANAGER “OUR Munster record hasn’t been great over the past couple of years, we only really have beaten Waterford bar beating Cork in 2016. Today was huge. Its been coming. Every week we have been getting better with certain things. We should have killed that game a lot easier and that’s a worry. It’s been similar the last two weekends, we are leaving teams in the game but overall we are very very happy with that result”.

“That’s a big win because Clare are a very very good team. Colm Collins is there six, seven or eight years and he has done an unbelievable job. This was always going to be a very tough game.

I am just thrilled for the players. They have put in a huge effort”.

“The most disappointing thing was conceding that goal. I thought we were by far the better team really today. In fairness to Clare they kept plugging away, they kept at it and we have to be careful again next weekend.

It will be tough in Limerick. Over the last couple of weeks our full backline has been huge. They will be gutted now at having conceded a goal as they were going for three games in a row without conceding a goal. To be fair Clare never really looked like getting a goal. These are all things we have to work on”.

“It’s a tough schedule, people don’t

realise it. It’s our third Sunday in a row, we travelled to Carrick on Shannon last week. Now it’s about rest, rehab and getting ready for next Saturday”.

“Joe Hayes has great knowledge about Clare. This was a very very tough game on him. I remember when I was managing Wexford and playing Tipp in a league game, when you give so much to a county its very hard to stand on the line against them.

Tipp and Clare, whether league or Championship have played each other quite a bit over the last few years and the players know each other well”.

COLM COLLINS, CLARE MANAGER “WE PLAYED very poorly, it was just one of those days. We didn’t perform and the lads are very disappointed. It’s a knock out championship and that’s the end of our season. The early goals in each half proved crucial. They came from our errors and that was bad on our behalf and we are very disappointed with that, We pride ourselves in keeping possession but we were turned over far too often in this game.

It’s absolutely crucial to hold possession. In fairness conditions contributed to that in this tie. We were also guilty of poor decision making. Overall, it was one of those days”.

“Tipperary were deserving winners, there is no doubt about that.

Look our lads are very disappointed.

There are no qualifiers this year, it’s a strange championship. We went out to do our best but it just wasn’t our day.

That said, the game was there for us.

While we are awfully disappointed with our display, we could still have won the match. We were guilty of a lot of simple errors and in knock out football mistakes are magnified. We fought back strongly and we played with great urgency in the closing period and we could have snatched it. It just wasn’t to be. It was not one of our better days”.

“Clare football is in a good position.

It’s good to be playing in Division 2 and next year coming up against teams like Mayo can only be good for football and good for the young lads coming through. There is decent talent there. We had a tough time picking a panel. To be fair to the fellas tht didn’t make the panel for this game, it was a difficult decision. We never got a full game in training. We didn’t get things right, that was the championship we were dealt. Please God all of these young players will come through. There are plenty of reasons to be optimistic”.

Above: Tipperary’s Brian Fox offloads as Alan Sweeney and Eoghan Collins make their voices heard.

Right: Tipperary’s Bill Maher gets away from Ciarán Russell.

Photographs: Gerard O’Neill

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

05-11-20

Clare Echo THE

pg 30

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Collins is the man for the job SEAMUS HAYES

C

LARE senior football captain, Eoin Cleary has backed Colm Collins to continue as manager of the county footballers.

Like all involved with the Clare panel, Cleary was very disappointed with Sunday’s performance at Semple Stadium which saw them exit the Munster SFC to Tipperary.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, the St Josephs Miltown clubman outlined, “It’s frustrating from a players point of view that we could not put in the performance that man-

ager Colm Collins deserved”.

Despite Sunday’s loss Cleary believes that “Clare football is in a good place and that’s down to what Colm has put into it. Players owed him a performance. Things were at a lower base when he took over. We have been in a lot of big games since he was appointed as manager and we have got results against counties that Clare would not have beaten in previous years”, the Limerick based Garda said.

He is hopeful that Colm Collins will stay on as manager in what would represent his eighth season in charge. “He is the man for the job. A lot of the

performances are down to him.

He has something that few managers have and players really want to play for him. I would be hopeful that he will stay in charge and bring things on to another level”.

Their opponents were the better side on the day, he admitted.

“Tipperary were definitely sharper. We expected a much bigger performance from ourselves but we, unfortunately didn’t see that.

Tipperary were much better and we cant have any arguments”.

“We had two good league games which prepared us well for the championship and we also had a few cha l-

lenge games. We felt we were well prepared and that we were going well. We were very flat and we are all very disappointed. This display is not what this team is about and its frustrating from that point of view”, said the team’s centre forward and scorer of three points.

Cleary continued, “Tipperary’s goals left us with a lot to do. They got scores at crucial stages and it took us a while to get our scores. It gave them a huge lift and we were chasing the game from earlier on which is not ideal in the conditions which prevailed.. The conditions were not ideal for championship but they were the same for both teams. We finished strongly and could have snatched some-

thing from the game. In the last ten minutes we came at them and created a few chances and took some of them. I am disappointed we could not bring that pace for the 70 minutes”.

Looking ahead the team captain believes that “Playing in Division 2 will always give us something. It was different this year. We didn’t get time to try new things in a training camp. We were against the clock this year, hopefully things will go back to normal next year. It’s great for the younger guys in the panel, playing in Division 2 has brought their game to a higher level”.

Colm Collins - Photo: Gerard O’Neill

pg 31

05-11-20

Clare Echo THE

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

ALL-IRELAND INTERMEDIATE LADIES FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP Compiled by Eoin Brennan

Clare errors punished by Kildare Kildare 2-11 Clare 1-12 Venue: St Rynagh’s Park, Banagher KILDARE Frees For: 18 (7/11) Wides: 4 (1/3) Scores from Play: 2-09 Spread of Scorers: 5 Top Scorers: Roisin Byrne (0-5), Neasa Dooley (1-2) Own Kick-Outs won: 16 from 17 (94%) CLARE Frees For: 16 (9/7) Wides: 4 (2/2) Scores from Play: 1-10 Spread of Scorers: 7 Top Scorer: Chloe Moloney (1-4) Own Kick-Outs won: 14 from 17 (82%)

DANIEL MOYNIHAN, KILDARE MANAGER: “I’M DELIGHTED with the performance. It was full of heart and character.

There was a stage where we had Clare under pressure and then they came back at us really, really hard as good Division 2 teams do. They opened up a bit of a gap and it certainly asked questions of this group. Even at half-time, their heads were kind of down and they were thinking that this wasn’t going to be their day. But they stood up to it, they worked so hard and in the end they got their just rewards because they were just fantastic.

“We just did the simple things right and that was evident throughout the team. We had a few star forwards but Mary [Hulgraine] in goals must also be paid special mention as she has been absolutely massive for us since she returned to the panel. She made a few crucial saves for us today so she’s a top class keeper and she’s an inspirational player for us.

“It means something to be out there representing their county and I think they showed that out there. They did this for the county, their families and hopefully put a smile on people’s faces who were watching at home.

“I think a lot of people had written us off. They would have seen Clare as favourites in the group and possibly Laois as second favourites so this result could have people sitting up and look at us. But we still have tough games ahead, we’ve Sligo next and that game is by no means a gimme and Laois have a good few players that have come back into the panel that will add experience to them so it could come down to that final game to see who comes out of the group.”

PLAYER WATCH - CAOIMHE HARVEY (CLARE) Possessions - 26 (17/9) Passes - 19 (14/5) Frees Won - 2 Frees Conceded - 3 Shots at posts - 2

Scores - 0 Wides - 1 Assists - 2 Minutes Played - All

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

JAMES MURRIHY, CLARE MANAGER: “IT’S FRUSTRATING and very disappointing, simply because it was a game that we definitely left behind us.

“We were in complete control but a couple of silly mistakes probably cost us. And while it was totally uncharacteristic of this team to give away two goals like that, we were punished dearly for them.

“It wasn’t just that though, we created a lot of goals chances too and didn’t take them so while I couldn’t fault the girls in terms of desire and effort, the bottom line is that we came up short.

“So overall, it’s just disappointing. I know myself from a Kildare perspective, they were dealing with a full deck whereas we seemed to have a lot of injuries coming into the championship. There was one girl missing from the panel today that was probably our best player in the National League and that was Aisling Reidy. And look, I know missing players is not an excuse but the fact is that two of our marquee forwards Grainne Nolan and Niamh O’Dea, we were only able to get a half an hour out of each of them.

“Those are the kind of things you look at with a little bit of regret of what might have been if we had everyone available to us. But that was the hand that we were dealt and in fairness to the girls, none of the 20 players let us down in terms of effort and commitment.

“But it does mean that things are out of our own hands now.

We’ve two games left and all we can do is look after our own side of things and hope that someone else does us a favour.

We’ve Laois next Sunday, a team we would have played a couple of times over the last few years and know a bit about them so we just have to go back to the drawing board this week.

“It will be pretty much recovery for the girls so we have to just try and gets the minds right too and get the heads focused to ensure that we do our business next Sunday.”

Top: Clare’s Caoimhe Harvey pushes past a Kildare tackle; Bottom: Roisin Considine keeps hold of the ball. Photos: Burren Eye Photography

05-11-20

Clare Echo THE

pg 32

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Laois clash a real chance for Clare Darach Honan’s CHAMPIONSHIP ANALYSIS

I

AM often asked whether I miss playing since retirement.

The answer is generally yes and especially on matchdays.

However, as I watched the GAA at the weekend starting with Donegal and Tyrone battling it out during Storm Aidan for once my answer was a resounding NO. Conditions were brutal right across the country and the players deserve huge credit for performing in that.

From a Clare point of view, we knew that our next opponents would be a Leinster team. With Laois already in the pot the Clare hurlers will have been keeping a close eye on Galway v Wexford and Kilkenny v Dublin.

Kilkenny and Dublin both had periods of excellent play mixed with vulnerability at the back. The momentum that Dublin will have gained through their second half performance will stand to them.

They will be a tough opponent in the qualifiers and on current form could pip Cork.

Wexford gave an insipid performance and were well beaten by a far superior Galway side. Galway played an attractive brand of hurling and got their best players on the ball in dangerous positions.

Galway and Limerick are showing

the best form in the country and play the game the right way. They are both physically strong and play a nice mix of direct hurling and working the ball through the lines.

Clare’s disappointing loss in the first round will be somewhat put into perspective with Limerick’s follow up beating of Tipperary.

Tipperary, All-Ireland champions last year, were well beaten and only for some questionable decisions from the referee would have wound up losing by more. While questions were rightly asked about Clare’s performance, it is now clear that we are not the only team Limerick will have done that to this year.

Clare now have a chance to regroup and put together a string of performances in the qualifiers.

Laois are next up, and they represent a good chance for Clare to right the ship. Earlier in the year when the sides faced off in the league, Clare were victorious on a score line of 0-17 to 0-09. While conditions were awful that day, it does highlight a weakness in Laois’s game. They tend to commit men in defence and can lose their scoring threat as a result.

One of the issues in Clare’s de-

feat to Limerick was our discipline and the coughing up of easy scores through lazy fouling in defence. If we can cut the number of frees that we concede significantly, it is questionable whether Laois will be able to score enough to win the game. As conditions are tough at this time of year it is far easier for a free taker to score unopposed than for a forward to score under pressure from the backs.

Brian Lohan will be looking for a more even spread of scores this weekend. Tony Kelly carried that burden almost singlehandedly against Limerick and it is time now for some of our other forwards to step up share that load.

There may be personnel changes to address this issue and I would expect Aaron Cunningham and Aron Shanagher particularly to see more game time than they did previously.

While this game represents a good opportunity, it will also be a tough battle. Laois have made huge progress under Eddie Brennan culminating last year in a big win over their Leinster rivals Dublin. Laois will not fear Clare and will consider this a good draw for them. The game is to be played in Nowlan Park which is a tight field.

They are a physically strong team and may see Clare as a team which they can dominate. Our lads will have to be prepared first to win the physical battle and then the match. It is a challenge I expect them to rise to and hopefully will be the first of a series of results we can put together to get our season back on track.

Tony Kelly in action for Clare during their NHL win over Laois. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill

GAA clubs ‘didn’t let the side down’ with COVID celebrations PÁRAIC MCMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

CLARE ‘did not let down the country down’ when it came to GAA celebrations, a county board official has stated.

Strong criticism of the GAA has been voiced following the conclusion of club campaigns in recent months with some resulting celebrations leading to an increase of COVID-19 cases in particular parts of the country.

Although positive cases emerged in a minority of GAA clubs in

Co Clare, no celebratory scenes caused widespread anger as what occurred in other parts of the country.

Detail on the amount of COVID-19 cases linked to GAA clubs in Co Clare is not provided by the Department of Health.

Speaking at Tuesday’s meeting of the Clare County Board, Irish and Cultural Officer Flann O’Reilly commented that clubs in the Banner County were to be commended for their behaviour.

“A lot of clubs won championships, only one or two clubs didn’t get to play out their championships. It was commonplace that

GAA clubs lost the run of themselves celebrating but there was no criticism of any of the Clare clubs, they behaved in the manner that was befitting and I must compliment the clubs.

“Clare didn’t let down the scene and didn’t give opportunity to people who were only looking to give out about the GAA. There was no place better than Clare,” the Cratloe clubman stated.

Youth Officer, Sean O’Halloran paid tribute to all clubs who participated in various competitions and the respective officers at adult and underage level for facilitating the games. “I’d also like to compli-

ment clubs who took part in the Cúl Camps earlier on in the year, those clubs really put their shoulder to the wheel, there was a huge amount of work involved to stage those competitions”.

Praise for the manner in which Clare GAA held championships was voiced by Naomh Eoin delegate, Gabriel Keating. “I must congratulate you (Joe Cooney) and Pat (Fitzgerald) and the committee on the great job done during championship. There was a great job of work done during the year”.

Clare County Board, Irish and Cultural officer Flann O’Reilly Burren Eye Photography

pg 33

05-11-20

Clare Echo THE

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Cunningham & McCarthy pressing for starting spot PÁRAIC MCMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

Clare V Laois

UPMC Nowlan Park, Sat 1:15pm

CLARE’S senior hurlers travel to UPMC Nowlan Park on Saturday wearing the favourites tag when they face off with Laois.

In their most recent game at the home of Kilkenny GAA which took place in February of this year, Clare shared the spoils with Brian Cody’s Cats. It was the only Allianz National League outing of 2020 that Brian Lohan’s men dropped points in what was an unbeaten group phase, their only defeat being the League decider with Limerick which also doubled up as the

Munster SHC quarter-final.

When Laois and Clare faced off in the NHL in February, Clare recorded an eight point win with the majority of scores coming from Tony Kelly and Aron Shanagher.

Saturday is also Clare’s first competitive outing since the underwhelming ten point loss to Limerick. A starting fifteen will not be released until close to game-time.

With the same fifteen lining out for the A team in an internal challenge game in Cusack Park on Sunday morning, it appears the former Clare great may opt to keep faith with the same team.

Wolfe Tones forward Aaron Cunningham was a surprise omission for the Limerick outing. The 2013 All-Ireland winner made a cameo appearance from the bench but was said to be in top form in the

lead-up to the championship outing. He is expected to be given a far longer stint on the field this weekend.

His clubmate Aron Shanagher has proved to be a handful for Laois defences down through the

years. He netted a hat-trick when the counties met in the 2016 championship.

Aidan McCarthy recovered from a broken thumb to be introduced the last day out and will be pressing for a starting spot. Retention of Clare’s puckouts and greater support for Tony Kelly in attack had been identified as areas in which improvement is necessary from the men in saffron and blue.

Laois manager Eddie Brennan has confirmed that they have sustained further injuries in advance of the game. Éanna Lyons has damaged his hamstring while Ronan Broderick and James Ryan have been ruled out with cruciate ligament and thumb injuries respectively. Wing-forward Stephen ‘Picky’ Maher is also doubtful for the tie.

“The hits keep on coming for us. What do you do, there will be three or four new faces coming into the starting 15 and three or four more into the squad. That's what happens and we have to accept that. It is opportunities now for other guys. We had guys very disappointed that they didn't get to travel with us to the Dublin game and other lads disappointed that they got no game time so they have opportunities now. Whatever 15 we have on the pitch, they have to firing on all cylinders and ready to go to war. That is where its at now.

There are no more comebacks and it is our last chance to get an extension in this year's championship,” the eight-time All-Ireland winner stated.

Left: Aidan McCarthy Photo: Gerard O’Neill

Sheehan and Ballyea management team step down PÁRAIC MCMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

BALLYEA are on the search for a new senior hurling management.

Kevin Sheehan has stepped down as manager of the Ballyea senior hurlers, calling time on a three year stint in the role. Coach Barry Coffey and selectors Mike O’Neill and John Griffin have also stepped down.

Goalkeeper on the first Ballyea side to win the Clare senior hurling championship in 2016, Sheehan’s first year as manager saw the club claim their second Clare SHC title in 2018, a hard-fought provincial clash with Ballygunner ended his opening year as manager.

Last year saw Ballyea eliminated to Crusheen in the quarter-finals while their semi-final exit to O’Callaghans Mills in 2020 was seen as a big shock considering the form of the men in Black and

Amber in the early rounds of the competition.

Sheehan’s time in the hotseat represented his first foray into adult management while Coffey previously held coaching roles with the Clare U21 hurlers and in Newmarket-on-Fergus. Both Griffin and O’Neill have also been heavily involved with Ballyea.

A club spokesperson paid tribute to the outgoing management.

“They’ve maintained a consistently high standard of training and

preparation in everything they did and were very unlucky not to make the final again this year. They leave the group in a very competitive position having continued to deepen the panel during their time. We’d like to thank them for their huge commitment and loyalty to the club and hope to see them all involved with the club again in some way in the future”.

Right: Kevin Sheehan and Barry Coffey.

Photograph: Gerard O’Neill

CDSL committed to starting new season PÁRAIC MCMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

Greg Young (left) presents The Young Trophy to 2020 winner John McGrath at Kilrush Golf and Sports Club recently

OFFICIALS in the Clare District Soccer League (CDSL) say they are committed to commencing leagues “at the earliest stage possible” once deemed safe to do so.

Training for clubs within the CDSL has been suspended since the beginning of Level 5 restrictions across the country. A return to training is allowed should the country return to Level 3.

No competitions can begin until the AGM of the CDSL has been

held. As previously reported by The Clare Echo, Kilrush Rangers’ Jason Ryan is the only nominee for the post of Chairman with Ronnie Pyne and Tony Downey primed to resume roles as Vice Chairman and Treasurer respectively.

The Clare Echo understands that there will be no contests when the AGM is held as no more than one person is nominated for each position. Denis Collins is to become secretary. The CDSL has been left without a Chairman and Secretary following the sudden resignations of both Oliver Fitzpatrick and Michael Lydon. The AGM is set to take place when restrictions are

lifted with nominations and motions already submitted by clubs.

A full set of fixtures will be in place to enable the leagues to begin when safe to do so, clubs were informed this week. “We are fully committed to starting the league at the earliest stage possible,” Jason Ryan stated. Clubs have been encouraged to enter teams for the Ladies Soccer League at Senior and U19 level and to register all players.

“We were all hoping that we would be up and running by now but it is as it is and this is the new world as we come to terms with Covid-19,” he outlined.

05-11-20

Clare Echo THE

pg 34

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

ALL-IRELAND SENIOR CAMOGIE CHAMPIONSHIP Compiled by Páraic McMahon

Clare seal place in quarter-finals Clare 1-18 Dublin 1-07 Venue: Fr McNamara Memorial Park, Doora

CLARE Frees For: 16 (9/7) Wides: 5 (2/3) Scores from play: 1-12 Spread of scorers: 8 Top scorer: Chloe Morey (0-06 5f 1’45) Own puck-outs won: 7 from 15 (47%)

DUBLIN Frees For: 10 (4/6) Wides: 7 (5/2) Scores from play: 1-04 Spread of scorers: 4 Top scorer: Aisling Maher (0-05 2f 1’45) Own puck-outs won: 12 from 24 (50%)

GER O’CONNELL, CLARE MANAGER: “THERE was a lot of negative talk after our game with Tipperary and rightly so, we didn’t perform on the day. Our second half today is what we expect from the group, the girls put in so much effort and work, we see it on the training field and to see that second half was really good, hopefully the confidence will build from that. Our results have shown we are improving, we had a decent league campaign. It was hard to know what would happen from the break of games and girls coming back from club, it is a different

way of playing and we had to get the girls back into the mentality of what we want to do, we’ve been much better with our shape and how we want to work the ball and our delivery into the forwards. The workrate was much better than what it was against Tipp, that was the message before the game, forget tactics, work hard and see what happens after that”.

“It was difficult to maintain the momentum from the league. We had earmarked a couple of girls that we wanted to bring in to help the group, we brought on five girls here today, we have big trust in what he have, Robyn Conway and Gretta Hickey both scored from the

PLAYER WATCH - CLARE HEHIR (CLARE) Minutes Played All: Possessions: 5 (2/3) Tackles: 1 (1/0)

Turnovers: 2 (1/1) Frees Won: 3 (1/2 Frees Lost: 0

Clockwise from above: A smiling Susan Vaughan after the game; Clare’s Niamh O’Dea and Sinead Wylde keep their eye on the ball; Clare’s Roisin McMahon tackles Aisling Maher; Clare’s Maire McGrath and Alannah Ryan with Leah Butler of Dublin; Photographs: ©INPHO

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

bench, it is about building the confidence of these girls. We’re not a direct team, we can be at times but we’re able to play ball when we want to. It’s great to be here in Fr McNamara Park, a lot of work has gone in here and it’s great to be able to get a championship match here and defend our home ground”.

“At the start of the year you have your goals and aims, number one was to get out of the group no matter what, it hasn’t been done in a while which is nothing against any previous management but it is a hard thing to get to the quarter-final. Goal one has been got, now we can go and have a right cut at this quarter-final”.

pg 35

05-11-20

Clare Echo THE

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

Clubs ask not to rule out playing U21 championships PÁRAIC MCMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

GAA clubs in Clare have appealed to the County Board not to rule out concluding the U21 hurling and football championships.

2020 has seen all but two adult championships concluded by Clare GAA, namely the Junior A football decider and the latter stages of the U21 hurling championship, the

U21 football competition had yet to commence.

Addressing club delegates via Tuesday’s virtual meeting of the Clare County Board, Chairperson Joe Cooney said, “We did do very well in getting most of our competitions completed at underage and adult level. Unfortunately the Junior A football championship is still outstanding, we’d be hopeful to get that played in December if at all possible. We had hoped to finish the U21 hurling and were

unsure of U21 football, we have decided not to go ahead with neither the U21 hurling or football in 2020, it is a pity but that is where it is, it is outside our control”.

Naomh Eoin delegate, Gabriel Keating questioned if an improvement was recorded later this month that the U21 campaigns be held. “At the moment it is not looking good and there is no point saying it is. I wouldn’t hold too much hope,” Cooney replied.

“I know the football hadn’t start-

ed but the hurling had started, it was to quarter-final stage in all divisions. Is it viable to look at it in February before 2021 championships are finished out,” Ballyea’s Sean Griffin questioned. The structures committee could review such a request in January following the County Convention, the Chairman outlined but flagged, “we all know there is only a certain amount of weekends in the year”.

An “open mind” should be kept

by Clare GAA, Ennistymon’s Noel

Crowe felt and that the games be played “even if it does run into next year”. He added, “You’d prefer to be looking back on a roll of honour to see competitions have a winner rather than leaving it blank”.

A structures meeting will determine the outcome but Cooney was not confident the U21 championships would proceed. Hurling clubs that had resumed training in September had previously been informed that the U21 campaign was put on hold indefinitely.

Clare GAA expect to show year-end deficit PÁRAIC MCMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

CLARE GAA expect to be showing a financial deficit at the end of the year while all remaining team expenses are to be paid by Croke Park.

Earlier this week, €15m in funding for the GAA was announced

by Sport Ireland. Of this, €5m will go towards to GAA clubs, €1m for the LGFA and €795,000 for the Camogie Association while the GAA itself was granted €9m. Factoring in the previous allocation of €15m to run the championship, it means the Association will avail of €31m in State supports in 2020.

Treasurer of Clare GAA, Michael Gallagher updated clubs on the financial situation of the organisation within the county this week.

“We’re all aware what type of a year we’ve had,” he said and reminded delegates that no gate receipts were received which will significantly dilute their takings for the year.

Detailed figures will be presented to club delegates at the County Convention but he predicted they

would be showing a deficit for the year.

Main sponsor Pat O’Donnell made a contribution prior to the lockdown earlier this year “to keep the ship afloat,” Gallagher outlined. He confirmed that Croke Park will be paying all expenses

for county teams still in their respective championships, for Clare this includes the senior hurlers and minor footballers. Outstanding County Board bills are also to be paid by Croke Park, he outlined.

Earlier this year, the Doonbeg clubman warned that Clare GAA was at risk of going bust and that the cost of running inter-county teams was unsustainable. At the same meeting in July, he stated that a bank loan of €250,000 had to be repaid by the end of the year.

Irish and Cultural Officer, Flann O’Reilly queried if details on the breakdown of the national funding for counties was available to which he was informed further clarity was needed.

Launched for the adult club championships, Gallagher described Clare GAA TV as “one good news story”. He admitted, “I wasn’t totally in favour of it initial-

ly but it turned out to be a great success primarily due to the work of Sean Chaplin and Mike Corry, we’ve now paid for all equipment and will be left with modest surplus”.

Prior to the commencement of the streaming service which was primarily presented by PRO Michael O’Connor, Clare GAA had stated a total of €20,000 was spent on purchasing the equipment to enable the broadcasting.

Chairperson Joe Cooney also paid tribute to “everyone involved in the streaming”. He stated, “We got our games into the houses in the county, all over the country and overseas”.

Left: David O’Brien providing his analysis to Michael O’Connor on Clare GAA TV. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill

Caherlohan praised by senior manager PÁRAIC MCMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

CLARE GAA’s centre of excellence, Caherlohan has been described as a quality facility by county senior football manager Colm Collins.

Criticism of the facility located near Tulla has been voiced, most notably in the past year and relates to the suitability of pitches following periods of rain. A statement released on behalf of the Clare senior hurlers in October called for further investment at Caherlohan by the County Board.

Kit man with the Clare senior hurlers, Niall Romer previously

described the facilities at Caherlohan as “substandard”.

A motion to the 2019 Convention of Clare GAA proposed by Tulla that Clareabbey be sold and Caherlohan be used as the base of operations was rejected. “Players are paying for gym memberships, we have one in Caherlohan but there isn’t enough equipment,” Tulla delegate Brian Torpey stated at the Convention. He also claimed the pitches were “not able to drain water”.

Delegates were strongly against the proposal and cited that it would add an additional 30km to the journey of volunteers for meetings of the County Board.

Figures provided by Clare GAA

stated that as of November last year, a total of €4.8m had been spent on Caherlohan with further investment required to make additional improvements.

In the lead up to their Munster SHC quarter-final with Limerick last month, Brian Lohan and his management opted not to use Caherlohan as their training base and instead trained in all four corners of the county including Shannon, Tubber, Meelick and Clarecastle.

Cusack Park in Ennis was the ven-

ue for Sunday morning’s hurling session.

Their decision not to use Caherlohan fuelled speculation that fresh problems had emerged at the Centre of Excellence.

However, as they prepared for both the Munster SFC and the concluding rounds of the Alli-

anz National Football League, the Clare senior footballers utilised Caherlohan as their training base with no issues present according to manager Colm Collins.

“I started with under 14, and moved up with 15, under 16 and under 21. In that time a lot of my energies went with finding pitches.

With the senior team we have used Caherlohan and been delighted with the facility. There is a senior football pitch and a senior hurling pitch. The football pitch is is in great nick and thanks to Michael Maher for his work there. It’s great to have a place to go to,” Collins told The Clare Echo.

Left: Clare GAA’s centre of excellence at Caherlohan

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PLANNING 37

THURSDAY, NOV 5 2020

PLANNING NOTICES Clare County Council Ballymaley, Barefield, Ennis.

Take notice that M Lahiffe & E McCarthy intend to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to alter the design of the dwelling house permitted in P19/319. Alterations include new front, rear, side elevations, new internal layout and alteration to ridge level.

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 Brickhill East, Cratloe, Co. Clare Take notice that Brian Foudy & Associates: Architects & Chartered Engineers of Osprey House, Carmody Street, Ennis, Co. Clare 065 6893565 www.foudyconsulting.ie. intend to apply to the planning authority on behalf of Noreen Ramsay for permission to construct a dwelling house, septic tank, horizontal & vertical flow reed beds with distribution area together with

all ancillary site development works and services at the above address.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority 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 No. 11 Ocean View, Crag, Lahinch, Co. Clare Take notice that Brian Foudy & Associates: Architects & Chartered Engineers of Osprey House, Carmody Street, Ennis, Co. Clare 065 6893565 www.foudyconsulting.ie. intend to apply to the planning authority on behalf of David Kilcoyne for permission to construct an extension and carry out alterations to existing dwelling house together with all ancillary site development works and services at the above address.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the planning authority during

its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority 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.

Summer Hill, Old Cratloe Road, Meelick, Co. Clare.

Take note that Jim Marshall is applying to Clare County County for Planning Permission to retain increase in ground floor extension area granted under P08-1220 and construction of first floor room in attic bathroom over the extension granted under P08-1220, retention of single storey sunroom to the side of the western side of the building, a sunroom to the rear of the building and including all 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 73 Cluain Ros Leamhain, Ennis, Co. Clare Take notice that Claire Neylon is applying to Clare County Council for planning permission for an extension to the rear of an existing dwelling house along with all associated works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of Clare County Council during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

Clare County Council Stonehall, Newmarket on Fergus, Co. Clare Take notice that Emmett Flannery intends to seek full planning permission for a one storey dwelling house and garage with wastewater treatment system and polishing filter and associated site works.

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 Clare County Council during its

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

Clare County Council FURTHER INFORMATION/ REVISED PLANS Planning Ref; P20/355 Main Street/Church Street, Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare Development Description: Planning Permission to construct 12no. Apartments to comprise of 3no. 1 bedroom, 8no. 2 bedroom and 1no. 3 bedroom including connection to public services. I am also applying for permission to upgrade the existing Public Car Park and related site development works including bin storage.

Location: Main Street/Church Street, Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare.

Take Notice That Niall Gilligan has lodged significant further information in respect of planning Ref. No. P20/355. This information and 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 of Clare County Council, Planning Department, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis, Co.

Clare during its public opening hours.

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

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38 PUZZLEPAGE

THURSDAY, NOV 5 2020

THIS WEEKS PUZZLES NOV 05

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QUIZ 39

THURSDAY, NOV 5 2020

The Clare Echo Quiz Clare man has the county’s Ladies football team won 1Which only football All Star award?

6 Clare’s National League Div 1 in 2001

Offaly All Ireland semi-final five minutes prematurely?

Niall Gilligan, Barry Murphy, Ollie Baker

How many All Star awards did 3 legendary Clare hurling goalkeeper Seamus Durack win?

One, Three, Five

Chloe Morey (Sixmilebridge), 4 Maire McGrath (Cratloe), and which other Clare woman has a

camogie All Star award in her pocket?

Catherine O’Loughlin, Orlaith Duggan, Aoife Keane

Cork, Wexford, Monaghan

have won the All Ireland 7 Clare hurling Championship four times.

Before the 81 year drought, who did the Banner defeat in the 1914 final?

Laois, Kerry, Dublin

Clare men have won the All 8 Three Star ‘Hurler Of The Year’ award.

Tony Kelly, Brian Lohan and …

Seanie MacMahon, Davy Fitzgerald, Jamesie O’Connor

many senior Munster foot9 How ball titles do the Clare men have?

Two, Four, Six

In 1995 Eamon Taaffe scored the Which 2013 All Ireland med5 decisive goal in the All-Ireland 10 al winner went on to win the final against Offaly. But how many Championship appearances did Taaffe make in his Clare career?

Eight, Twelve, Fourteen

l HISTORY: Clare have won the All Ireland hurling Championship four times. Before the 81 year drought, who did the Banner defeat in the 1914 final?

Christy Ring Cup with Kerry in 2105?

Patrick Donnellan, Pa Kelly, Patrick O’Connor

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

The answers will be revealed in next weeks edition.

6. Monaghan 7. Laois 8. Jamesie O’Connor 9. Two 10. Pa Kelly

Which Clare player had posses2 sion of the sliotar when referee Jimmy Cooney blew up the Clare v

for the first time. But who did they defeat in the final?

ANSWERS 1. Seamus Clancy 2. Barry Murphy 3. Three 4. Catherine O’Loughlin 5. Eight

Martin Daly, Seamus Clancy, Odhran O’Dwyer

Last weeks Answers . Number 6 missing . Clare crest missing . White stripe missing on Limerick player arm . Limerick player foot missing

. Limerick player hurley missing . Black tape missing on Clare Players hurley . Part of Clare players jersey missing in background * * The final clue did not appear clearyly on paper

Clare v Limerick

photo by Gerard O’Neill