The Clare Echo 06/04/23

Ukrainians in limbo with accommodation deals to cease

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

MORE than 4,000 Ukrainians are now residing in County Clare, however it has emerged that their living situations are to come under threat in the coming months.

Speaking at the monthly Clare County Council meeting, Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) warned that a number of accommodation providers “are considering the cessation of the arrangements in place and individual home owners are operating on a yearly agreement”.

The Chief Executive of Clare County Council, Pat Dowling,

said that the accommodation situation for Ukrainian people in Clare “will become more unstable into the future”. He warned, “It will come to a head in the coming months as to how they will be accommodated,” Dowling predicted.

Latest figures show that of the approximate 78,000 Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection in Ireland, 4,400 are living in Co Clare. One third of the total figure are of school going age while 18,000 have taken up employment.

Football legends visit Ennis

Bridgetown man on kayaking expedition through River Shannon

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

A BRIDGETOWN native is kayaking 320km over seven days to raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society.

Gavin Sheedy has undertaken the kayak expedition alongside Maccullin Skelly, they started their

trip from the source of the River Shannon in Cavan and will continue all the way down to Kilrush, clocking up a distance of 320km in a week. They are hopeful of raising €20,000 for the Irish Cancer Society and to date have brought in over €11,000.

Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt delighted young soccer fans when they dropped in to Avenue United Football Club in Ennis recently

Photo by Natasha Barton

lGavin Sheedy and Maccullin Skelly

Cathal Crowe’s planning conduct questioned

A CLARE TD used his Irish surname when applying for planning permission to build a property in South Clare, writes Páraic McMahon

Cathal Crowe TD (FF) has rejected details published by the online platform The Ditch this week.

The Ditch reported that the former primary school teacher used the name C. MacConcradha to apply for permission to build a four-bedroom house in Heathmount last year. He received the green light for the property in September. The decision was appealed by a third party and a ruling is expected from An Bord Pleanála in the coming weeks.

Crowe did not respond to a further information request from Clare County Council to plans for the construction of a family home and his plans were deemed to have been withdrawn in January. However, this application though very similar had one difference, they were lodged by his wife Maeve Fehilly and Cathal.

Deputy Crowe declined to comment when contacted by The Clare Echo over the questions raised in the reports over the past week.

Speaking at an event in Shannon, he told Nuacht RTÉ that he does not own two

homes. “I have one house and I have a farm in Cnoc an Chraobhaigh in south Co Clare”.

He added, “I have a farm there with livestock on it and I’m applying for planning to build a house there. I have no other home. My uncle has a house, however that house carries an exclusive residency clause. I have no key to that house. Under planning regulations people in rural areas may build on a farm and that’s what I’m trying to do. I have nothing further to say”.

Meelick native Crowe defended his use of the surname

Current manner of housing Ukrainians ‘not sustainable’

Mac Concradha in the application dated 12 July 2022, saying he is fully entitled to do so “as an Irish speaker, a frequent contributor to interviews in Irish, as a recently joined up member of Conradh na Gaeilge” and Article 8 of the Constitution”.

Chair of the Clare branch of the Community Action Tenants Union (CATU), Tim Hannon called on Deputy Crowe to recuse himself from voting on any national housing policy or legislation, given the questions that have been raised about his ethical conduct.

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

CLARE’S current manner of accommodating Ukrainian refugees is not sustainable, the Chief Executive of Clare County Council has said.

Latest figures show that of the approximate 78,000 Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection in Ireland, 4,400 are living in Co Clare. One third of the total figure are of school going age while 18,000 have taken up employment.

97 offers of unoccupied homes have been made to the Council through the ‘Offer a Home’ scheme, a total of 151 Ukrainians are now being accommodated in this way. A further 80 people are accommodated in hosted accommodation through the Irish Red Cross.

A need to “carefully plan for long-term accommodation and other necessary services in order to regularise” the support for 4,400 individuals was flagged by Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND). He said adequate housing had to be put in place “to address the huge need” and added, “a number of accommodation providers are considering the cessation of the arrangements in place and individual home owners are operating on a yearly agreement”.

Jason Murphy who is leading the Council’s response on the crisis confirmed, “In Clare to date, the majority of Ukrainian beneficiaries have been accommodated in multi-occupancy settings through the hotel network. There is a recognition that the range of accommodation solutions available needs to be diversified while also recognising the fluid nature of the crisis and uncertainty of the timescales”.

Murphy added, “The OPW are currently assessing all publicly owned land nationally and while the current phasing of modular type housing is not being focussed on County Clare it is likely that this type of solution is being considered”.

Cllr Flynn who chairs the Council’s Housing SPC stated, “It is not going to be a short-term accommodation issue, it is long-term, we have a duty of care to be mindful and positive of”. He felt modular housing needed to be considered for the

county”. Modular housing is a short-term answer while he felt the long-term solution was to build houses.

Providing new houses is the biggest challenge for the Council, Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) believed. Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) commented, “the phasing of modular accommodation should be a priority and open up those beds for tourism”. “A lot of the Ukrainians thought they would be home by now, we need to look at this in the crisis,” Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) stated.

Housing continues to be a complex need, Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) acknowledged while calling for action with the medium-term issue. Plans for long-term accommodation are needed, said Cllr Joe Killeen (FF) as he outlined that 91 people recently applied for a two bedroom house in Corofin.

Communities of Clare have “wrapped their arms around the Ukrainian people that have come here,” Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) observed, he continued, “a fairly significant chunk of these people are not going to leave, we need to be mindful of that and see how it is going to be fitted into our communities”.

Having viewed modular homes in Limerick last week, Cllr Mary Howard (FG) admitted that she was very impressed with the solid structures. Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) told the meeting he was not in favour of people living in the Shannon Industrial Estate. Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) outlined, “We were able to build houses and do work in the past, it’s a complete step back with the regulation now, we don’t have the power now. The Ukrainian people living amongst us are contributing hugely to society”.

Chief Executive of the Council told the meeting the “current situation remains unstable in how we’re accommodating our friends from Ukraine, that situation will become more unstable into the future”. He referenced a recent survey where almost 48 percent of the persons surveyed indicated they would be staying in Ireland. He admitted to being “concerned” by the unfolding situation. “It will come to a head in the coming months as to how they will be accommodated,” Dowling predicted.

lACCOMMODATION: 91 people applied for a house in Corofin

lCathal Crowe TD (IND) Photo by Natasha Barton

need to stop hush hushing the word suicide’ - Councillors seek more funding

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

SPENDING on suicide awareness needs to match the funding for road safety campaigns, elected representatives have said.

Following Monday’s meeting of Clare County Council, Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly (FF) has been requested to “increase the spend on the on the suicide awareness campaign as it is becoming more prevalent in communities”.

Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) who tabled the motion said he did so following numerous incidents in the county involving young people. “We spend twice the amount of money on road safety than suicide awareness,” he claimed.

Deaths from suicide are much more compared to those from road fatalities, Ryan said but the funding does not reflect this, “it is a serious injustice, we need a major awareness campaign to inform young people that suicide is final and there is no coming back from it”. 2019 figures cited by the former Mayor of Clare detailed how 524 people died from sucide in 2019

compared with the 173 deaths on Irish roads.

Cratloe based Ryan told the meeting how he prevented somebody from committing suicide within the past decade as a result of the training he received from the Shannon & District Lions Club. “If

we only save one person, that is a life worth saving”.

Clare previously had the highest suicide rate in the country, Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) stated. “Suicide is more complex than just a decision, the very fact that someone can progress this far is a reflection of health services in our country”. She added, “We need to stop hush hushing the word, you commit a sin or

commit a crime, you don’t commit suicide”. Survivors of suicide should be consulted to see what they think can make an impact. “Suicide is not the solution, life is the solution,” the Shannon woman said.

Over a 24 hour period in the morgue of University Hospital Limerick (UHL) in recent weeks, nine of the bodies were there because of suicide, Cllr Michael Begley (IND) said in what he called “a very stark picture”. He acknowledged, “it is a tough subject but the solutions are even tougher”. The importance of lending out a hand was stressed by Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF).

More awareness is needed, Cllr Ann Norton (IND) believed. “Unfortunately nearly every family across Ireland has come across a family member or close friend that has taken their lives due to the fact that they have found it very difficult to find help or support, our hospitals are overcrowded, the supports are not there. In Clare, alone anyone under the age of 16 there isn’t a facility for younger people, they have to go to Galway and if they don’t have beds in Galway they end up in adult beds in Limerick which is not acceptable, I do believe a suicide awareness campaign is something which should be done. Road deaths are continuously highlighted, suicide should also be highlighted, it is happening on a day to day basis

and people have to be aware of it”. “A couple of years ago we would never have had this conversation,” Cllr Mary Howard (FG) noted. She said that one of the speakers to the motion was recently bereaved by suicide, “the use of language is hugely important, you commit murder or fraud, you take your life with your own hands”.

Clubs, community and voluntary groups are on the frontline in recognising the issue, Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) said. “If this extra funding can be put in place, hopefully it will be there to achieve for the people of this county, we’re well aware of what a lot of families have gone through in recent years, it is important that funding is increased, I would love to see more done at secondary school,” Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) said.

It is “a highly complex issue”, Cllr Pat McMahon (FF) commented while adding, “most suicides are sudden crisis and some feel there is no way out”. Cllr John Crowe (FG) said, “There isn’t a community in the county or country that hasn’t been affected by this”.

Volunteers who patrol the River Shannon with Limerick Suicide Watch have struggled to get funding to store their gear, jackets and visors, Cllr Pat O’Gorman (FG) flagged as an example of the shortfalls.

'Complete jigsaw' posing risk to housing plans

ASPECTS of planning legislation are creating a “complete jigsaw” to efforts to try secure permission to build a home, an elected representative has stated, writes Páraic McMahon

In a proposal before Clare County Council, Cllr PJ Kelly (FF) asked “in the interest of administrative reasonableness, the beneficiaries of planning benefit in infill sites be confined to local rural persons”.

Director of Economic Development with the Council, Liam Conneally flagged that objective 3.13 of the current County Development Plan facilitates the development of infill sites where they exist such as a gap site

for a single house within a substantial and continuously built-up frontage.

Speaking at a sitting of the County Council, Cllr Kelly admitted he “failed in vein” to get an amendment included on the County Development Plan for this issue. He said he has yet to find the procedure that exists in Clare applied in other counties.

“There is a very important word in this section of the County Development Plan which says we can’t deliberately create an infill site”.

Lissycasey native Kelly added, “It is a complete jigsaw, I have seen sites refused because they might create an infill site.”

Marina & Inis Cealtra visitor centre both behind schedule

TARGETS for the operation of a visitor centre for Inis Cealtra are set to be missed while the work on a Maritime Training College in Kilrush is “lagging”, writes Páraic McMahon.

In November, both projects received a combined €7m through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF).

€3,536,919 was allocated to redevelop a vacant building at the Kilrush Marina as a Maritime Training Centre and research base for the offshore renewable energy sector with €3,906,252 to transform the Old Rectory in Mountshannon into the gateway to one of the most significant ecclesiastical sites in Ireland. Clare County Council are to invest €700,000 and €1m into the respective projects. October 2021 saw the Council acquire the Old Rectory building in Mountshannon. Tourism Officer with the Council, Joan Tarmey told a meeting of the Killaloe Municipal District last January it was intended to have the visitor centre operational by the second or third quarter of 2023 but the Chief Executive has in recent weeks said the project is “12 to 18 months” off completion.

Director of Rural Development with the Council, Leonard Cleary outlined that the local authority has requested the relevant Government Department to progress the Inis Cealtra Visitor Experience project to ‘Approval in Principle’ status. “The reason for this request is due to the advanced readiness of the Inis Cealtra project”.

Cleary said the project will be ready by the end of April to move from Stage 1 (SAQ) to

Stage 2 (restricted tender) for repurposing and extending the Old Rectory House as a visitor facility and community hub, optimising the wastewater treatment to accommodate development and enhancing public realm works to improve connectivity in and around Mountshannon.

Liam Conneally, Director of Economic Development said the Kilrush Maritime Training Centre is “progressing well”, is also at ‘Approval in Principle’ status with key project milestones to follow”.

According to the two Directors, “both projects will dovetail together during delivery from ‘Approval in Principle’ status to completion. The RRDF funding for both projects is secure”.

Kilkee based Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) was annoyed with the pace of movement in Kilrush, “To be straight, I’m fairly disappointed with the progress of the Maritime Training College, actions speak louder than words”. He clarified that he did not “begrudge” the progress at Inis Cealtra.

The Town Hall Bistro

Providing a welcoming environment with great value food championing local ingredients.

The Poets Corner Bar

A traditional Irish pub that opens its doors onto the main town street of Ennis. Perfect for a pint, a bite to eat or traditional Irish music session..

The Brendan O’Regan Restaurant

Ideal for special occasions. The menu features traditional cuisine with a modern day creative twist.

The Poet's Corner Bar is a traditional Irish pub that opens its doors onto the main town street of Ennis. Perfect for a pint, a bite to eat or traditional Irish music session.

The Brendan O'Regan Restaurant is ideal for special occasions. The menu features traditional cuisine with a modern day creative twist.

l Inis Cealtra

NCT waiting list ‘an absolute disgrace’

ABSENCE of a second NCT centre is putting drivers at risk, county councillors have claimed, writes Páraic McMahon

A site had been identified in Smithstown Industrial Estate for a second NCT centre in the county, work had commenced in the summer of 2021 but last May the National Car Testing Service (NCTS) said “significant contractual difficulties” meant the Shannon centre would not proceed.

In October, the Road Safety Authority’s Chief Operations Officer Brendan Walsh said work was underway to have an NCT centre in Shannon but refused to outline where but that potential sites were identified. Walsh commented over five months ago, “It is the intention of NCTS, if terms can be agreed as a result of the costing analysis, that an application for planning permission would be submitted without delay. The NCTS apologises that it is unable to give a definitive operational date for the development of the centre

and is very much aware of the urgency in providing an additional centre to cater for the vehicle population in the Clare area”.

Cllr John Crowe (FG) in a proposal before Clare County Council asked that a second NCT centre be provided in South-East Clare “to help alleviate the backlog which is affecting motorists in the county”. Crowe outlined, “The NCT centres when they were set up, they were done to make sure all cars using the roads are road-worthy. In Clare if you apply today it is September before you will be seen and August in Galway, it is six months. It’s not good enough that these test centres have to wait six months”. He added, “it is an absolute disgrace to have to wait six months for a test and that is why I’m calling for a second test centre to be set up”.

Staff at the NCT centres are “working very long hours and something needs to be done,”

Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) stated. He cautioned that drivers

could be “liable for a fine and penalty points due to the backlog that is there. Something needs to be done so that when people apply they will get their test within weeks. I think a second centre is vital”.

Too many people are waiting months for to get their car tested, Cllr Ann Norton (IND) argued. “This was another tax put onto the citizens of Ireland, the fact we’re paying for the service, we should be able to avail of it in a timely manner”. She felt there should be communication between NCTS and An Garda Síochána, “if you don’t have NCT done people should not be getting fines or brought to Court when they are waiting on their appointment”.

Reference to the commitments to examine sites in Shannon was made by Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND). “If your car has an accident and you don’t have NCT who is responsible? The concept of bringing in NCT centres was to have a more efficient roll out,” Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) stated.

Fashion statement at EUROSPAR Ennis

Tom Liddy from EUROSPAR Ennis was pictured recently at the official launch of an exciting partnership with the world’s largest sustainable fashion competition for young people, Junk Kouture.

Tom commented, “All the team in EUROSPAR Ennis are passionate with regard to our commitment to responsible retailing and we are focussed on providing sustainable grocery shopping experiences to the local community. We are thrilled that our nationwide network of EUROSPAR Supermarkets have partnered with Junk Kouture, which will help raise awareness around food waste and drive behavioural change amongst consumers in relation to recycling.”

‘Folk hero in North Clare who worked tirelessly for the common man’

by Páraic McMahon @clareecho.ie

FORMER county councillor

Martin Lafferty has been remembered as an individual who put humanity, empathy and what he believed in at the centre of his life.

Lisdoonvarna native, Martin died peacefully surrounded by his loving family at University Hospital Galway on Friday.

Education was always important in the Lafferty household, his two sisters Maura Harold (RIP) and Betty Keane were both sent to boarding school in Kinvara they went on to become a primary school teacher and nurse respectively while he attended CBS Ennistymon at a time when it cost £6-10 per annum. He spent six years in Ennistymon where his favourite subjects were Irish and English.

Following on from this, he attended University College Galway studying Arts and Commerce where he took lodgings with an uncle living in the city. He graduated in 1957 with a B.Com.in Irish.

He taught in Gort and Limerick City before securing a job as a teacher in Ennistymon Vocational School in 1961.

Whilst in Ennistymon, he and Miltown Malbay native

Christy Curtin became interested in and duly got elected to the VEC of Clare County Council as they were deemed eligible in 1974 as Local Government Employees. He completed a H.Dip from 1968 to

1969 before he was elected as a county councillor in 1974 as a Labour Party candidate.

In 1992, he parted ways with The Labour Party and retained his seat on the Council up until his retirement from politics in 2009. He canvassed for current Clare TD Michael McNamara (IND) when he was elected as a Labour TD in 2011.

Martin was heavily responsible for the development of a wastewater treatment plant in Lisdoonvarna which was partly financed by the European Unino for an approximate £15m.

During a 2015 interview, Martin concluded that politics is “all about perception”. He described how certain politicians through the media get coverage and the public perceive the same politicians as being the ones to deliver.

As a mark of respect to the Lisdoonvarna native, Monday’s meeting of Clare County Council was adjourned for 15 minutes.

Cllr PJ Kelly (FF) was also first elected in 1974, “it was a different time and an ex-

tremely political era”. He said, “As we passed through various years a huge transition took place and we had the famous 2004 agreement which stands today, one of the people to make it happen none other than Martin”. Kelly continued, “He had a great knowledge of local Government law, he was committed to democracy and participation in community work”.

According to Cllr Pat McMahon (FF), Martin was “unique”. He said, “the amazing thing with Martin was he always fighting for what he believed in but he could never be rattled”. Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) said he couldn’t have had better teachers than Lafferty and Curtin when he was starting out on the Council, “they were highly skilled and highly intelligent, they dragged me along as best they could. He was a family man at the centre of it all”.

When he was elected in 2019, Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) became Lisdoonvarna’s first representative on the Council since Martin’s retirement. He recalled, “Martin had a

way with words, he would say if you want to say yes say yes and if you want to say no say no”. Garrihy praised the guard of honour provided by councillors at Monday’s funeral. “He reckoned no matter what we do that humanity and empathy be taken into consideration”.

Chairperson of Labour’s branch in Clare, Denis Vaughan told The Clare Echo that an emergency meeting was held by their North Clare Executive on Monday to pass a vote of condolence to their former member. He said, “Martin was a folk hero in North Clare, who tirelessly worked for the common man. No problem was too big for this man”.

Martin was predeceased by his baby son Justin, daughter Mary and sister Maura. He is deeply mourned by his devoted and loving wife Helene, daughters Fiona, Eimear and Elaine, sister Betty, sonsin-law Michael, Declan and Marty, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family and a wide circle of neighbours and friends.

lMartin Lafferty

Slam dunk for Kilrush boys

The St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games Boys U13 basketball competition took place on Thurs 23rd March and was co-ordinated by Susan Bermingham. This was a straight final between Kilrush and Inch-Connolly-Kilmaley.

Kilrush secured a win 21 to 6 and qualify for the Munster Finals on 15th April in UL.

Additional sentence for notorious flasher

by Gordon Deegan news @clareecho.ie

A JUDGE has imposed an additional 10 months in prison on a 29 year old man for a ‘premeditated’ and ‘vicious’ knife assault on a then 17 year old that left the teenager with 100 stitches across his face.

At Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Francis Comerford ordered that the 10 month prison term on Brian Joyce of St Enda’s, Beechpark, Ennis is to be served at the end of the 16 month prison term Mr Joyce is currently serving.

In 2017, Brian Joyce received a six year six month prison term with the final 18 months suspended for five years after Judge Gerald Keys described the October 2015 knife assault by Mr Joyce on 17 year old Danny Harty as ‘vicious, unprovoked and premeditated’.

Mr Joyce was released from prison in the summer of 2021 for the offence and Judge Comerford has activated 10 months of the 18 month suspended portion of the prison term after Mr Joyce committed a further offence during the five years when he committed a late night bite assault on a farmer in a pub last May. In last May’s assault, Brian Joyce bit into the cheek of farmer, John Killeen and “latched” onto Mr Killeen’s cheek as other pub goers at the Kilmaley Inn manhandled Mr Joyce out of the pub on May 27th last.

Previously, Mr Joyce achieved notoriety when mooning and flashing his genitals at a shocked District Court judge in a court room in Ennis in 2015. In activating the 10 month prison term, Judge Comerford said the fact that Mr Joyce had inflicted injuries on another person’s face could not be treated lightly.

Judge Comerford said that Mr Joyce had caused extreme facial disfigurement by use of a

knife. Providing evidence to Judge Comerford on the 2015 assault on Danny Harty, Garda Robert Grant recalled going to Ennis General Hospital and seeing Mr Harty’s face covered by blood soaked bandages.

Garda Grant said that Mr Harty was “bleeding profusely” from two long lacerations to his face, on from the top of his forehead to end of his nose with a second wound from his left cheek to bottom of lip. Garda Grant said the attack on Mr Harty by Brian Joyce was a joint enterprise with his brother, John Joyce (21 at the time) who fled the jurisdiction before sentencing and is now deceased. Garda Grant said that the treating doctor for Mr Harty’s injuries said that the facial injuries would be permanent and gradually fade over time but be noticeable for rest of Danny Harty’s life.

Counsel for Brian Joyce, Amy Nix BL told Judge Comerford that Brian Joyce is “genuinely remorseful”. Ms Nix said that Mr Joyce “has spent the majority of his twenties behind barshis decisions and his actions put him there. He accepts that and regrets that and is sorry”. Ms Nix said that father of two, Mr Joyce is a hopeful man and looks forward to his return to his family to make up for lost time and be a good father. She said, “This hope will motivate him to become a useful member of society when he is released”.

Ms Nix said that Mr Joyce is illiterate and has had a painful life losing his father and brother. Ms Nix said that Mr Joyce does art and music in prison and expresses his remorse through his drawings.

After Judge Comerford imposed sentence, Mr Joyce said ‘thanks very much sir’ to Judge Comerford via his video link from prison.

US fares at Shannon Airport €1,000 more expensive claims Councillor

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie lNew York

FARES for US flyers have been up to €1000 more expensive at Shannon Airport than Dublin Airport.

Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan (GP) has been requested by Cllr Pat McMahon (FF) “to outline what factors are leading to prospective US travellers to the West of Ireland being quoted fares of €1,000/$1,000 dearer to fly to Shannon than those available to Dublin”.

During a recent visit to the United States of America for St Patrick’s Day, Cllr McMahon was informed of instances where persons were quoted much more expensive prices to fly into Shannon rather than Dublin. “We have come across this over many years, I have been going to New York City on a regular basis this advertently comes up in conversation. There is huge potential for Shannon but the Minister needs to explain why this scenario is happening”.

Newmarket-on-Fergus native McMahon said one businessman who flies out of Shannon an approximate eight times a year got quoted fares at Dublin for €250 less. “This scenario worries me no end,” he admitted. He said the new routes at Shannon are attracting people from Kildare, Wicklow and Meath to use the Airport.

Friends of Cllr PJ Ryan (IND)

in North America have regularly flagged the matter with him, “if they want to fly into Shannon and if there’s $500-600 in the difference they won’t fly into Shannon, I think this a ploy by Aer Lingus to keep the numbers in Dublin by offering cheaper flights even though it is a shorter flight to Shannon. To fly from Dublin, you’ve to fly over Shannon which is a crazy situation”.

€4.6m announced for Shannon under the Regional Airports Programme last week was referenced by Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF), “what’s the point in this funding if people are not aware of this as the very beneficial route to the US”. She praised her colleague for raising the matter and said he “has Shannon at heart, at every opportunity he can he is speaking up and advocating for it”.

Tour operators in Milwaukee had been advertising flights to Dublin Airport at special rates but failed to mention Shannon in their advertisements, Cllr John Crowe (FG) outlined. “I went over and challenged them, they weren’t able to answer me but within 15 minutes the advertising they had for Dublin was taken down. They let on they don’t know but they know well what they are doing, we will have to fight to get our fair share”.

Marketing is essential, Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) stressed. “It is down to marketing and how it is marketed by not just the Shannon Group but

the Government, it is an international airport”.

Addressing queries from The Clare Echo in relation to the cost differential, a spokesperson for Shannon Airport Group said, “As an

airport, our role is to facilitate a convenient and economic location for airlines to operate flights. We do not set fares, these are set by the airlines. Airline fares vary enormously due to a wide range of factors, and

while there are instances where passengers will find cheaper fares to other airports, there will equally be many scenarios in which they will find cheaper fares on services to and from Shannon”.

Mother accused of attempted murder has spent months in psychiatric care

Eight year old girl underwent emergency surgery after she was allegedly stabbed multiple times

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

A46-year old mother accused of attempting to murder her eight year daughter has spent a number of months in psychiatric inpatient care since the alleged offence, a court has heard.

At Ennis District Court yesterday (Wednesday, April 5), the woman appeared for the third time in court in connection with being charged with attempting to murder her daughter at temporary accommodation in Clare the two were staying at the time of September 27th last year.

In court yesterday, solicitor, Tara Godfrey for the accused asked that the legal aid certificate for her client be extended to cover a forensic psychiatric report. Ms Godfrey said: “My client had been in psychiatric in-patient treatment from September up to the date she was brought to the Garda Station so we have a chain of custody of my client since the alleged event.” Ms Godfrey said: “We are not applying for bail in the district court. That is impossible. We are applying for bail in the High Court.

Judge Alec Gabbett said that in the circumstances he would extend the legal aid certificate to cover a forensic psychiatric report.

Sgt Aiden Lonergan asked that the case be adjourned to

Fiery debate as councillors clash on Abbey St plans

May 3rd to allow the State additional time to prepare a Book of Evidence.

Judge Gabbett was told that an interpreter was in court for the case and when he asked: “Ukrainian?” the judge was told “Russian” by the court registrar.

The woman appeared via video-link from the women’s wing at Limerick prison where she is currently on remand.

Judge Gabbett continued the order of imposing reporting restrictions on the identity of the accused and the alleged victim.

In the aftermath of the alleged attempted murder last September, the young girl’s condition was described as “critical” after she was allegedly stabbed multiple times at her accommodation.

After the girl subsequently underwent emergency surgery at Crumlin Children’s Hospital in Dublin a Garda spokesman said that she was “out of danger”.

The accused was first arrested and brought to Ennis Garda Station for questioning on March 14th and brought before a special sitting of Ennis District Court the following day when she was charged.

The accused made ‘no reply’ after charge and caution.

Judge Gabbett remanded the woman in custody via video-link to appear again at Ennis District Court to May 3rd.

MS ROSE HYNES – CLARIFICATION

THE Clare Echo published an article on Dec 18, 2022 titled ‘I bottled it’ when it came to Rose Hynes & Shannon admits Shane Ross. The Clare Echo would like to clarify that this article did not intend to undermine Ms Rose Hynes or her ability to fulfil the roles of non-executive Chairperson of Shannon Group plc and Chairperson of the IAA and apologises for any embarrassment or distress the article may have caused to Ms Hynes and her family. The Clare Echo is happy to confirm that all comments in the article were attributable to Mr Shane Ross and reflect only his opinions. The Clare Echo is also happy to acknowledge Ms Hynes’ track record and list of accomplishments, including her 30+ years of experience in aviation, both at senior executive and board level, business, and her extensive corporate governance experience with Irish and international companies.

by Páraic McMahon

A FIERY debate saw councillors vote against pausing plans for a €25m development on Abbey Street car park in Ennis which was equated to “a box”.

Accusations of attempts to silence, shouting councillors and rising tensions formed part of the eighty minute plus debate at Tuesday morning’s meeting of the Ennis Municipal District. Among the figures gathered in the public gallery were Ennis 2040 Chief Operating Officer, Kevin Corrigan, Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND), Abbey Street traders Martin O’Brien, Noel Tierney, Tommy O’Donnell, Tony Honan, Feargal Ó Dualaing and Dervilla Evans. Notably the vote on the request to pause the plans for the development was not taken until after the public gallery had cleared.

Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF), Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) and Cllr Pat Daly (FF) requested Ennis 2040 to rethink its plans to build a multistorey mixed use building on the Abbey Street public car park.

“In the current period of cost of living crisis, the proposed long term loss of a large number of adjacent scarce public car-parking and potentially up to two year business disruption due to building construction works in the car park the ratepayers fear if the proposal goes ahead would result in further retail and hospitality business closures, job losses and increased vacancy on Abbey Street and surrounding area”.

Carmel Kirby, Director of Services with the Council said the strategy was completed by international experts on behalf of the local authority following two years of study, analysis and extensive stakeholder consultations with local representatives, communities and businesses. “The Ennis 2040 strategy envisages that the population of Ennis will grow on average by 1.6% per annum to approximately 37,000 people by 2040. Furthermore, the plan proposes

the prioritisation of sustainable economic activities by focusing on existing assets and creating a competitive offer unique to Ennis that will deliver an additional 5,000 jobs by 2040”.

On the plans for Abbey Street, she stated, “Whilst I appreciate the concerns of the business community in the area, the proposed commercial development on Abbey St is anticipated to increase footfall in the town by 20,000 per week, create over 100 direct jobs, and will support multiples of indirect jobs in the locality. Although the development of the site will result in the decommissioning of 126 car parking spaces at that location, between planning granted in 2022 and planning currently being sought, there will be 499 additional car parking spaces provided (GAA Site in Cusack Park, Ennis Boys National School Site, Waterpark Campus and Francis Street site). The public bus service will also be in place in 2025 which will free up a considerable number of car parking spaces”.

Addressing Tuesday’s meeting, Cllr O’Callaghan remarked, “Tom says no to a box on Abbey St car park, period. Have we not looked at other potential locations, you have to have a location and a product but you have to have parking, if you do not have parking, then you cannot go into retail. I’m fully behind the strategy but we have the walkway and other side of the river which can be delivered”.

He suggested a corner of the Post Office field be used instead of the car park. “It is the people behind the counter that make the heart of the town,” he added. Plans for a temporary car park in Francis St were disappointing, he said. “Car parking is a huge issue. We all want a green agenda, Tom O’Callaghan included, people will be slow to change, we will be driving vehicles whether it’s on hairdryers or whatever, we have to ensure this is done correct-

ly, we do not want a Market 2 in this town, let’s get this right, I believe very strongly that the retailers have to be protected but we have to protect the rest of the county, get Ennis right and the whole county benefits. We do not want a box on Abbey St car park. We need 2000 car parking spaces. As long as I’m sitting in the Chamber, will do everything I can to ensure a box is not built”.

Surveys referenced by Cllr Flynn included that 77 percent of shoppers to Ennis travel by car, “if they can’t get in for short-term spend, they will go somewhere else”. He stressed he was completed opposed to building on the car park in the town centre. He said he read the full document from front to back six times and that the Abbey St plans were “a very expensive concept”.

Ennis should not be comparing itself to cities, Cllr Flynn said. “We don’t need a temporary car park in Francis St to cover up what is happening in Abbey St. We need housing, let’s put roofs over people’s heads,” he commented.

As “a unique town with narrow streets,” Ennis is dependent on parking, Cllr Daly maintained. “Since I came into politics parking in the town has been the biggest issue,” he outlined. “What happened with Abbey St for Fleadh Cheoil was fantastic, it’s sad to hear we’re going to build on a car park, I’m totally against it, it’s criminal, there’s

paraic@clareecho.ie

l ENNIS 2040: Artist’s impression of the Abbey Street Car Park development

plenty of sites we could develop, there’s a corner of the post office field that could be used. We’re democratically elected, my views are not political, they are for the improvement and development of Ennis. It will be dead and gone if we go ahead with this, leave the streets alone”.

Early wins of the strategy including the addition of 72 jobs through the Ballymaley site for Vitalograph and acquiring the Francis St site were referenced by the Director.

She told the meeting a town bus service for Ennis will be on stream in 2025. The Abbey Street project will create 100 direct jobs plus 200 in construction, she said. The Director disputed figures put forward that there is a deficit of 2000 car parking spaces in Ennis and said 42 of the customer based car spaces in Abbey St are being used by staff working with businesses in the town centre. The parking situation in Ennis is better than Waterford and Navan and is on par with Kilkenny, she argued.

Mayor of the Ennis MD, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) said the figures given by the Director disputed what had been said by fellow councillors. “What has been put out in the public domain on €1.1m waste at Francis St is erroneous, it will definitely include housing, to suggest we’re wasting public funds on temporary car park is untrue, 60% of costs incurred will be preparatory works. To suggest we have a greenfield site and have development ongoing with people living there is preposterous”.

“All of this can be solved, just move the box,” Cllr O’Callaghan

responded. “You might be beginning to feel a wind on your cheek from the people in the gallery but if you proceed with this, it will be a storm,” he warned. He added, “the decisions we make today are detrimental to the future if they are done wrong”.

Cllr Flynn disputed the figures given by the Director on car parking. “It’s a simple thing, there’s a derelict site on the other side of the river,” he said in reference to the Abbey St development. “There’s a bit of victim blaming, we collected €1.2m to provide car parking spaces for staff, no wonder there are business permits, people have to get into their permit to operate”.

Mistakes made in building “a white elephant in the Market” cannot be repeated, Cllr Daly warned. Mayor Colleran Molloy said she objected to the use of the term box, “that is so incredibly oversimplistic and derogatory”.

Both Colleran Molloy and Flynn then became involved in a tête-à-tête over standing orders after the Mayor tried to wrap up the discussion. A slight shouting match ensued with Flynn attempting to speak and the Mayor trying to proceed by moving onto the next item in the agenda.

Flynn stated, “I feel there is an attempt to silence” and was then asked if he wanted to “say something substantive” when given the floor”.

After initially trying to move on with the meeting, members in the public gallery were led to believe the discussion was finished. However, moments later senior officials in the Council pointed out that the motions had not a seconder and no vote was taken.

At this juncture, a vote was called where the call to pause the development was defeated 4-3.

Neither Cllr Mary Howard (FG), Cllr Ann Norton (IND) or Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) commented throughout the entire Abbey St debate.

Clubs at the ready for Ballyea

Your rights to leave from work

AS IN all employment law matters in Ireland, your entitlements to Annual Leave, Sick Leave and Bank Holidays are set out in your contract of employment and legislation, mainly The Organisation of Working Time Act 1997.

ANNUAL LEAVE

All employees, whether they are full or parttime, accrue annual leave from the day they start working. This means that they are entitled to take holidays and to be paid while they are on holiday. A person’s annual leave should be calculated by whichever of the following methods provides the greater entitlement-though it is capped at a maximum of 4 weeks.

• either 8% of the hours worked in a leave year,

• or 1/3 of a working week where the employee works at least 117 hours in a calendar month

• 4 weeks where at least 1365 hours have been worked in the leave year. Your employer decides when annual leave may be taken, but this is subject to a number of conditions including family responsibilities as well as the available opportunities for rest and recreation. Annual leave must be taken during the year in which it is accrued or within 6 months of the start of the following year.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

There are 10 public holidays in Ireland each year. Most employees have an entitlement to one of the following benefits, which is determined by their employer; either a paid day off on that day, or an additional day of annual leave, or an additional day’s pay. Full-time workers, from the day they start working, are entitled to one of the above mentioned benefits for public holidays that fall on days

that they normally work or normally do not work, for example, Saturdays and Sundays.

Information Officer Caroline Rowley advised that part time employees who don’t normally work on a certain day but it’s a public holiday, should get paid one-fifth of their weekly pay. Even if you never work on public holidays, you still get paid a fifth of your weekly pay as compensation for the public holiday. You must have worked for your employer for at least 40 hours in the 5 weeks before the public holiday.

SICK LEAVE

Since January 2023, all employees who have completed 13 weeks continuous service with their employer and who have been medically certified as unable to work, are currently entitled to 3 days of employer-paid sick leave in a year. It is paid at 70% of their usual daily earnings, up to a cap of €110 a day.

FORCE MAJEURE LEAVE

According to Deirdre Power - Development Manager with Citizens Information in County Clare, they get many calls from employees who are worried about their job, where they have a family crisis and need to leave work urgently.

Deirdre explains that by law, you are entitled to take up to 3 days force majeure leave in any 12-month period, or 5 days in a 36-month period. You are entitled to be paid while you are on statutory force majeure leave. If your employer allows you to take additional force majeure leave, you should check if it is paid for.

For details on all statutory leave entitlements including the above please visit our website www.citizensinformation.ie

Information Officers in our Citizens Information Centres throughout County Clare are available to answer any queries you may have. You may phone the Citizens Information Centres for details on our Drop in and Appointment service. Visit our website www.citizensinformation.ie which is packed full of useful information.

Ennis CIC - open 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday, phone 0818 07 5260.

Kilrush CIC - open 10am to 4pm Monday to Wednesday, phone 0818 07 5310.

Shannon CIC - open 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday, phone 0818 07 5370.

Citizens Information Centres are funded by the Citizens Information Board. They provide free, impartial and confidential information, advice and advocacy services to the public on social services, rights and entitlements.

John O'Farrell of Specsavers with some of the future superstars of Clare Camogie, in preparation for the Ballyea Camogie Golf classic on the 14th and 15th of April at Woodstock Golf Club

SHANNON NEWS

in association with

Ei mark 40 years of Mick as MD

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

MICK Guinee’s remarkable contribution to Ei Electronics was acknowledged last week.

To mark forty years since Mick became Managing Director of Ei Electronics, management and staff made a presentation to the Founder, Chairman and CEO of the Shannon company.

He received a specially commissioned portrait by Ennis artist, Mick O’Dea.

In the early 1980s, Mick joined what was then called the ‘Ei Company’.

In 1983, he assumed the role of Managing Director. He led a management buyout of the company in 1988. The trio of original founders,

Mick, Dr Mike Byrne and Jim Duignan have remained with the business to the present time, maintaining leadership roles within the organisation, a testament to their ongoing commitment to the company, its customers and its employees.

Their motivation was to maintain valuable manufacturing jobs in Shannon, and build a successful and sustainable international business.

Although now a global operation, to this day the strategy is to maintain 100 per cent of manufacturing in Shannon.

In 2022 a staggering 13 million smoke and carbon monoxide alarms were manufactured on the original site in the Shannonn Free Zone. Turnover was approxi-

mately €4m in 1983, now forty years on Ei boasts a turnover of €400m, a global customer base and 1,250 employees worldwide.

Speaking at the presentation in Shannon, Mick remarked, “very few companies have a longevity to equal that of Ei.

“It is tribute to the resilience and skill of generations of people. As employers we all feel great pride in the continued success of this company and its contribution to the region over many years”.

Bus Éireann invited to sort service issues in Shannon

ONGOING frustration with bus transport in Shannon has led to calls for the state-owned bus and coach operator to appear before a meeting of the area’s Municipal District, writes

Páraic McMahon

Public protests have been held in the town of Shannon where locals voiced their anger over Bus Éireann’s 343 service. Capacity of the service has been stretched over the past 12 months since the influx of Ukrainian refugees. The 343 links Ennis to Limerick City via Clarecastle, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Shannon and Cratloe.

One such protest heard that a third year student nurse had to cancel her six week placement due to the unreliability of the bus service. Chairman of Ógra Sinn Féin in Clare, Shane Doody addressed one of the protests before Christmas and stated, “For far, far too

long now, we have been ignored and utterly disregarded both as a community and as customers”. He labelled it as “a second tier bus service that is inefficient and unequipped to manage Shannon’s ever growing popula- tion – with which Bus Éireann have failed to keep up”.

Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) proposed at this month’s sitting of the Shannon Municpal District that representatives of Bus Éireann be invited to a meeting to allow them “put forward the issues being brought to us with the 343 service and to have a discussion around resolving these issues”.

She added, “they’ve been responsive to complaints and they have put in double decker buses but there’s simple things that can be looked at”. The motion was seconded by Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND).

Tullyvarraga Woodlands can be enhanced for public

ENHANCING pedestrian activity and access through the Tullyvarraga Woodlands is to form part of the Green Infrastructure Plan for Shannon, writes Páraic McMahon Encouragement for Clare County Council to attempt to source funding under the Outdoor Recreation Scheme “to enhance the public use of Tullyvarraga Woodlands in

Shannon Town” was voiced by Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND).

Responding to Flynn’s motion before the Shannon Municipal District, senior executive engineer, Tom Mellett outlined, “Shannon Municipal District Office pedestrianised the Slí Na Mhara/Boreen Rd by removing it from the public road network. We have since cleared the edges of the

pathway to restore capacity”.

“Nature has brought back a lot of growth,” Cllr Flynn stated. He felt there was an opportunity for the area to be enhanced for public use. “A neighbourwood scheme decimated the area before, it’s good that we might be able to do something with it now,” the Shannon representative added.

lRUBY ANNIVERSARY: Gerry Murphy, Mick Guinee and Darren Gavin

Photo by Joe Buckley

Sheila & Maeve make history as first female leaders in Chamber

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

SHEILA Lynch and Maeve Sheridan’s election as President and Vice President of Ennis Chamber respectively have placed women in both senior roles on the board for the first time in its near 100 year history.

A partner at Cashin Clancy Solicitors, Sheila was elected President on a one-year term at last week’s AGM which took place at The Old Ground Hotel. Director of Western Herd Brewing, Maeve Sheridan takes on the role of Vice President.

Pamela Wall (1999-2000) and Sharon Cahir (2004-2005) both solicitors were the first female Presidents of Ennis Chamber while more recently Michelle Madden of Madden Furniture (2013-2014), Willow Managing Director Jean McCabe (2016-2017) and Director of The County Boutique Gwen Culligan (2019-2020) served as President. Presently, there are also more women than men on the board of Ennis Chamber.

Killarney native Sheila succeeds Bank of Ireland’s Colin Ryan in the role. Formerly Vice President of the Chamber, Sheila has a background in the hospitality industry and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Hotel and Catering Management. Following further studies and qualifications, she joined Cashin & Associates in 2004 and was admitted to the Roll of Solicitors with The Law Society of Ireland in 2006.

Formerly secretary of the Clare Law Association, Sheila has penned legal articles in this newspaper along with contributing to legal advice slots on Clare FM.

During her acceptance speech, Sheila acknowledged her predecessor’s solid per-

formance and said she was excited to follow in his footsteps. “Businesses have had to survive unprecedent challenges in recent years”.

She added, “I look forward to my term as President. As well as overseeing the day-today running of Ennis Chamber, I will focus, together with Vice President Maeve Sheridan, a core sub-committee and Ennis Chamber CEO, on the preparation and delivery of a definitive 3-year Strategy for Ennis Chamber, as we move towards celebrating our mile-

Notes

SINGING IN HARMONY FOR ENNIS MEN’S SHED

THREE male choirs will perform at Dánlann an Chláir in Ennis on Saturday, April 15 at 8pm in support of Ennis Men’s Shed. Local choir Harmony Bro, under the direction of Michael Hennessy, will be joined by Mayo Male Voice Choir and Steeton Male Voice Choir from Yorkshire, UK. for a concert at Dánlann an Chláir. Ennis Men’s Shed is a community-based, non-profit organisation, which has more than 60 members.

Ennis Men’s Shed chairman, Tommy Whitney stressed the main aim of the shed, which is open Monday to Friday, is friendship and camaraderie. “Men are more relaxed and find it easier to talk when they are doing something. Each person has their own individuality and skills, that they can pass on to other members; they are all teachers and learners to some extent,” he said.

HOSPICE FOUNDATION SHOWCASE

stone 100th anniversary”.

AIB’s Tony Barrett stepped down as Treasurer following nearly two decades in the role. Chief Executive Officer of St Francis Credit Union, Louis Fahy was elected as his replacement. Further Education and Training Manager with Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, Eimear Brophy is a new addition to the Board while warm tributes were paid to the late Oliver Moylan who had been the longest serving board member of Ennis Chamber up to his death last year.

AS PART of our 2023 Seed Grants programme, supported by Creative Ireland, Danielle Manning, a senior social worker with Acquired Brain Injury Ireland, ran a series of workshops with traumatic brain injury survivors. Using a variety of creative practices, the aim was to explore how expressive art interventions can aid survivors work through grief and find hope for the future. This Friday April 7th, participants will showcase their creative work and also engage in an open discussion about their experiences of a brain injury diagnosis and lack of grief support in hospital.

Visit the showcase on Friday 7th April 2023 from 12pm – 2pm at The Junction, Cloughleigh Road, Ennis, V95 X40X. Admission is free. All are welcome.

lLEADERS: Sheila Lynch and Maeve Sheridan Photo by Arthur Ellis

Efforts ongoing to bring Kilkee Courthouse back to life in new guise

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

NEW uses for the old courthouse in Kilkee are to be considered.

Separate motions were tabled before the March meeting of the West Clare Municipal District regarding the courthouse. Last used in December 2008, a total refurbishment of the Courthouse was estimated to cost €250,000 when figures were calculated in 2012. Regeneration of the courthouse as part of a town and village renewal scheme was sug-

gested by Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) while Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG) proposed it be considered as a maritime museum.

Officials in the Rural Development Directorate of Clare County Council have said they will consider available funding from the Department of Rural and Community Development which could support project development such as a feasibility study and planning. This would be competing with other projects submitted locally for the same pool of Department funding.

Labelled as an “important part of the landscape of Kilkee,” the Courthouse serves “an

Public Consultation Day

KILKEE COMMUNITY CENTRE

THURSDAY 13TH APRIL 2pm to 8pm

eyesore in the middle of one of our busiest tourist towns”. He praised efforts within the Council to tackle dereliction. He felt there was “a very clear vision on how it should be developed and in what form” locally.

A demand exists to develop artists in residence projects from the location, the Kilkee representative stated. “There is backing in the community for this to happen. There are lot of artists in the county, there is an arts cluster in the Peninsula, it is one of the key attributes”. He added, “We could create something special for Kilkee if we were to take on the building, creates a valuable opportunity to have a building

Question marks remain on the ownership of the building, he said. “It is a prime location in the centre of Kilkee and you could do anything with it, I felt a maritime museum, the history of the place hasn’t been forgotten about. There is a great opportunity but Council need to find out who owns it. I cannot understand how we got the same reply”.

Both proposals were seconded by Cllr Shane Talty (FF). “It is a project that requires the feasibility study to determine future use. Everyone agrees it needs to be developed but it is the use that needs to be developed”.

Senior executive officer in the West Clare MD, John O’Malley outlined, “it definitely fits

Members of the public and businesses are invited to attend a Public Consultation Day where they can view the Preferred Fluvial Flood Relief Option for Kilkee. This will give the public the opportunity to comment on the preferred option being considered and return any comments to the design team

Presentations from the project team will be held at 4pm and 6pm

JBA Consulting, OPW and Clare County Council will be present.

www.kilkeefrs.ie

In association with:

Notes

CANADA CROSS COMMEMORATION

ON SATURDAY 15th April we will commemorate those who lost their lives at Canada Cross, Miltown Malbay, on the 14th April 1920. This is a deferred decade of centenaries event, organised by the Mid Clare Brigage Commemoration Committee, originally due to take place in April 2020 but postponed due to pandemic restrictions. The day will commence at 4.30pm with a wreath laying ceremony at the republican plot in Ballard Cemetery, Miltown Malbay. Mass celebrated by Fr. Donagh O’Meara at 6.00pm in St. Joseph’s Church followed by a candlelight procession to Canada Cross where a plaque commemorating the fallen at Canada Cross will be unveiled at 7.15pm. Refreshments will be served at the Community Centre, where as part of the programme from 2.00pm a Clare War of Independence exhibition, including the Comdt. Art O’Donnell archive will be on display. The day will conclude at 8.00pm in the Centre with a lecture on the Canada Cross shootings by local historian Dr. John Treacy followed by a Q&A. All are very welcome and if any members of the community have memorabilia or items of interest from the period, they would be appreciated by the committee to be included in the exhibition.

lKilkee

Easter Sunday ceremony for Murt Moloney

MURT MOLONEY’s centenary anniversary will be marked on Easter Sunday, writes Páraic McMahon

A native of Cloontismara, Inagh, Murt joined the IRA Volunteers in 1918, he was appointed lieutenant that same year. In 1919 he was elevated to Captain of B Coy. 4th Batt. and actively engaged in the organization and training of that Company. He was arrested and served a prison sentence during the Black and Tan War.

On the formation of the Active Service Unit he became a member, and engaged in all of its activities in that area. In 1922 he continued in Active Service until he was surrounded and captured in his own home, and was

Book on Chris Droney to be launched at Consairtín

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

ANEW book about the late Chris Droney will be launched in Ennis next week. As part of the opening night of the 2023 Consairtín festival on Thursday (April 13th), there will be the launch of a book on Bellharbour’s Chris Droney at The Old Ground Hotel following the official opening.

fatally shot at the age of 22. He died the next day in the Military Hospital. He was buried with Military Honours in Inagh Cemetery.

North Clare Sinn Féin will be organising a commemoration this Sunday. Crowds are advised to assemble at the car park of Inagh Church from 2pm where they will then march to the graveside.

Chris performed at the official opening of the first Consairtín festival in 2014 and he will be remembered at the tenth festival with the launch of the publication which was written by Dan Worrall and James J Branch. Chris’ daughter, Ann wrote the foreword for the book which is titled Chris Droney of Bell Harbour and the tradition of the concertina in North Clare.

Ernestine Healy will perform the official opening of the festival at 7:30pm while the Droney family and friends will provide music, song and dance. Admission is free. Regarded as one of Clare’s greatest musicians and concertina play-

ers, Chris died in September 2020 at the age of 95. During his near nine decade music career, he was acknowledged with a multitude of accoldades including the TG4 Grádam Saoil award for lifetime achievement; a CCÉ Bardic Award, a Teastas award, the Clare Person of the Year Award in 2012 and the 2018 MÓRglór award.

He was a ten-time All-Ireland senior concertina champion. He played alongside the Bell Harbour Céilí Band, the Kilfenora Céilí Band, the Ballinakill Céilí Band, Augrim Slopes and the Kincora Céilí Band throughout his career. He also released three solo recordings, The Flowing Tide, (1962), The Fertile Rock, (1995) and Down From Bell Harbour, (2005).

Notes

XPO FILM SCREENING

X-PO Film Club is proud to present a rare public screening of the documentary “Ireland to Iceland – On The Trail Of The Humpback Whale” at the X-PO in Killinaboy on Thursday April 6th at 8.00 p.m. In 2018, the Irish Whale & Dolphin Group (IWDS) embarked on a unique research expedition to Iceland.

During the month-long navigation of Iceland’s coast, a revolving crew of volunteers visited remote coastal communities.

They documented Humpback whales in abundance, as well as recording many other species including Blue whales and the critically endangered White-beaked dolphin. The volunteers’ extraordinary research was captured in the multi award-winning documentary by Tony Whelan.

The screening will be followed by a Q and A with filmmaker Tony Whelan and Simon Berrow, Chief Science Officer of the IWDS and member of the expedition team. Both Tony and Simon are based in south west Clare. Admission free. Donations welcome.

lMurt Moloney

lLEGEND: The late Chris Droney

Tractor run to raise funds for Scariff’s Eoin O’Grady

AN EAST Clare tractor run is to raise funds to aid the ongoing of a young Scariff man who was involved in a road accident last year, writes

Páraic McMahon

On August 10th, Eoin O’Grady had been to airlifted to the Mater Hospital after the tractor he was driving overturned at Knockaveen, off the main R461 Scariff to Feakle road. The tractor he was driving at the time was the only vehicle involved in the incident.

Eoin suffered serious spinal injuries in the accident and remained in the Mater Hospital until the first week of December.

He is currently at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire.

A pivotal member of the Scariff senior hurling team, Eoin has won medals at underage with the club while also lining out with county development squads at U14, U16, U18 and U20 level.

The level of support for Eoin, his parents Michael and Ann of Ballycorban and his siblings Aoife and Colin has remained constant since the accident and is expected to be very evident this weekend.

Ready to rock Sixmilebridge

All funds raised from this weekend’s Killanena Tractor Run will be donated to the O’Grady family to aid with the ongoing costs of the medical care. Registration for the road run will begin at 11:30am with departure at 12:30pm on Sunday from Canny’s Bar with drivers following a scenic route across Lough Graney.

Martin Canny who has been involved in all eight tractor runs in Killanena told The Clare Echo there will be an auction on the day with “very generous spot prizes” including signed rugby memorabilia from Irish rugby player Gary Ringrose. “They are done for good causes, it’s not for the money, it’s for the great community support,” he said.

Up to 300 vehicles between trucks, tractors and motorbikes are expected to descend on North-East Clare this Sunday for the run.

Persons not driving are encouraged to visit Killanena and donate to the many buckets that will be with committee members.

“He is a very determined and positive guy,” Martin said of Eoin as he expressed hope for widespread support for the fundraiser.

SIXMILEBRIDGE Youth

Club hope to rock the bridge with their upcoming production, writes Páraic McMahon

Cast and crew have been assembled and Sixmilebridge Youth Club are ready to roll with ‘Rocking the 80s’.

Having staged numerous pantomimes over the past two decades and a special fortieth anniversary pro-

duction last year, the club has decided to take on a more conventional musical format with their show for 2023.

'Rockin the 80s' is co-produced by Sharon Kennedy, Ciara Downes, Grace Collins, Lorraine Owens and Liam Togher, with choreography from Emmanuel Okubanjo and Kaci Toomey and choral choreography from Mi-

chelle Barry.

Preparations have been ongoing since October as the cast and crew work to bring their latest production to the stage. Picturesque costumes, brilliant musical numbers and stunning dance routines are all promised.

The show runs over three consecutive nights in Sixmilebridge GAA Hall, with opening night next

Thursday (April 13th) with the final performance on Saturday (April 15th). All three shows have a 7pm start.

Tickets are available from local shops and cost €10. People are advised to purchase their tickets in advance in order to avoid disappointment.

Feakle locals get their hands on Cheltenham Gold Cup

PEPPER’S Pub in Feakle had a quiet guest of honour on Thursday evening, writes

Páraic McMahon

Jump racing’s most prestigious trophy, the Cheltenham Gold Cup was in Feakle. Owner of the seven year old winner, Galopin Des Champs, Audrey Turley and her husband Greg had

the Gold Cup as their guest of honour during a visit to East Clare.

History of the trophy itself dates back almost a century. The trophy, first awarded 94 years ago, was offered to the course by a private owner who had kept it in a bank vault since the 1970s, it replaced the Gold Cup which

had been used from 1972 to 2019. It weighs 644 grams of nine carat gold and is plated in 18 carat gold to give it a rich colour.

Feakle locals queued to get their picture with the iconic trophy on Thursday as publican Gary Pepper welcomed the special guests.

l SHOWTIME: Sixmilebridge Youth Club

l GOLDEN MOMENT: Cousins Cormac Punch and Tommy Jones with Gold Cup

Photo by Ruth Griffin

Macalla an Chláir

le MACDARA Ó CONAOLA

An Clár as Gaeilge Teo Togra Páirtnéireachta Forbairt Teanga Pobail do Chontae an Chláir

Beannachtaí Na Cásca Oraibh!

Happy Easter to you all!

DIA dhaoibh a Chairde!

Tá súil agam go bhfuil sibh uilig go maith / Hi everybody. I hope youse are all well. Ní fada anois go mbeidh ‘’cead’’ agaibh milseáin a ithe aríst! / It won’t be long now until you’re ‘’allowed’’ to eat sweets again! Is gearr go mbeidh Coinín na Cásca ag fágáil uibheachaí Cásca i bhfo-

Thought for the week: Holy Week

Spreading the word of positivity

RONAN SCULLY

EACH Holy Week, I try to resist the temptation to rush too quickly to the joyful end of the week without first dwelling on Jesus’ suffering and the full meaning behind the cross. In his passion, Jesus’ sufferings were unequaled.

lach ar fud na háite do na gasúir / The Easter Bunny will be here soon leaving Easter eggs hidden all over the place for the kids. Coinnigí súil amach don ghrian maidin Domhnach Cásca mar go ndeirtear go mbíonn sí ag damhsa sa spéir an mhaidin sin! / Keep an eye out for the sun on Easter Sunday morning as they say it dances in the sky! Ach ná breathnaigí díreach uirthi! / But don’t look directly at it!

Irish classes after Easter – sign up now

AN CLÁR as Gaeilge will commence Irish classes in Cois na hAbhna after Easter, tar éis na Cásca. A 6-week programme at beginners/entry level, or at intermediate/improvers level. Beidh fáilte romhaibh!

To reserve a place and register, please contact us at: Fón:

Imeachtaí/Events:

065-6864474; e-mail/r-phost: anclarasgaeilge@gmail.com

Lean ar na meáin-shóisialta muid ag @ClárAsGaeilge, Twitter, Facebook agus Instagram.

Go dtí an tseachtain seo chugainn, bígí ag caint i nGaeilge le chéile!

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compassion for us. This is the fundamental message of John’s Gospel: “God so loved the world that he sent his only son into the world, not to condemn the world but that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:16-17).

SUFFERING

For the Son of God offered himself as a sacrifice and a gift for all.

And it is this gift of faith, at the heart of our Lenten journeys, that we are invited during Holy Week to reflect not only on the historical event of the Lord’s crucifixion, but the redemptive meaning of Jesus’ suffering love, poured out for all humanity and for each of us.

It is particularly poignant in these challenging times for our world as we walk the path of Jesus’ on his paschal journey from Good Friday to Easter Sunday. Jesus on his Cross is the Human Face of God’s mercy, faithfulness and hope. Nowhere is this fundamental truth more evident than in Jesus’ giving of his life out of love and

“My God, why have you forsaken me?” are the words Jesus cried out as he died on the cross. His dramatic cry resonates with many people across the world as they commemorate the crucifixion on Good Friday, and reflect on how Jesus gave his life so that we may be saved. Those words bring us to the very heart of Jesus’ passion, the culmination of the sufferings he endured for our salvation so that we may have life and live it to the full.

With Jesus we can see how fragile and ugly, life and the world can be. In his homily on Palm Sunday last which I will try to capture some of its richness in this my thought for the week, Pope Francis spoke about the many sufferings of Jesus during Holy Week, and that whenever we listen to the account of Jesus’ Passion, they pierce our hearts, minds and souls.

There were sufferings of the body such as slaps and beatings, floggings and the crowning with thorns, and in the end, the cruelty of the crucifixion.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

As your thought for the week and as Easter Sunday approaches, we need to acknowledge that we are doing our best, from under the weight of all that’s wearing us down. We need now to turn our eyes and gaze to Jesus. Think of Him on his Cross, overwhelmed physically, emotionally, spiritually and totally beaten.

Think of Him with His eyes focused upward, to the ultimate goal. Jesus is a perfect example of what to do when we feel beaten and bruised. It is a matter of fact that most of us are stuck, whether it be with a particular sin, difficulties in the Spiritual Life, or difficulties in the physical day-to-day life; and we sometimes lose hope in all of this.

The events of Holy Week teach us that there is always hope! The Cross is truly the throne of Mercy and Hope. Without the action of Good Friday there could be no Easter Day and all that it brings. We are a people of the Res-

urrection, but for every Easter there has to be a Calvary.

Our faith, our hope and our salvation rest on the events of this week. So, if grace abounds, surely it abounds more abundantly during this Most Holy of weeks. And as we move towards Easter Sunday, let us try to remember all that Jesus went through. That He prayed for the circumstances to change. And so can we.

That He forgave those who did him harm. And so can we. That He rose from the grave, and brought victory and salvation to the world. Let me leave you with a prayer written by St. Charles de Foucauld called the Prayer of Abandonment. “Father, I abandon myself into your hands; do with me what you will. Whatever you may do, I thank you: I am ready for all, I accept all. Let only your will be done in me, and in all your creatures - I wish no more than this, O Lord. Into your hands I commend my soul: I offer it to you with all the love of my heart, for I love you, Lord, and so need to give myself, to surrender myself into your hands without reserve, and with boundless confidence, for you are my Father. Amen”

The simple pleasure of waking up early

DID you know Ireland has over 200 bookshops? Are you surprised? I was. Even though I have probably spent the majority of my life’s Saturdays mooching around what I thought was the majority of them, there must be at least 150 left to visit. This will keep me awake at night. It will burden and excite me in equal measure. As a completist, I’m going to have to visit them all. Recently, while rummaging around the bargain section of one, I managed to find a little gem by Allan Jenkins called ‘Morning. How to Make Time a Manifesto’. At €5.99, it was a steal. It promised the very thing that I appeared to have so little off. The dust jacket was a beautiful pastel pink and light blue. The format? Hardback. It was a nifty 175 pages and it detailed the morning routine of one of my favourite author poets, Lemn Sissay. Right now, I am more than half way through it and reader, it has changed me. I had always been an early riser. My routine was just a happy-to-have-a-cup-of-tea-andread-a-little-before-work practice. It might have included some Marty in the Morning or a mindful leg shave. Somewhere along the

way though, something changed. I think it might have happened pre-marriage, when my husband and I navigated the at first family dynamic that is living together. As sleep schedules go, ours are polar opposites. Over the years our routines are now blended and we tip along.

However, now that the clocks have gone forward, I’ve been switching things up. I’ve been setting my alarm one to two hours earlier. To feel less harried. To enjoy a breakfast of porridge or a boiled egg and McCambridge’s wholewheat before work again. To laugh away to myself on hearing Marty Whelan’s cheesiest Dad jokes, as well as some other radio gold. Just this morning, he played Black’s It's a Wonderful Life, Genesis’s Follow You, Follow Me and joked about a dead, obese parrot being a weight off someone’s shoulders. Where else would you get it? Not in the scratcher I can tell you. In even more pre-work related luxury, I get to blow dry my hair instead of arriving at the office like Gollum from Lord of the Rings.

If leisurely radio listening, tea by the pot, a chapter of your book and excellent grooming isn't enough to convince you to try rising early, how about this? I had to travel home for a funeral recently. Un-

fortunately, work commitments meant it had to be a day trip. I do not drive. My chauffeur (my husband) was not available, so I booked the train. Not just any old Dublin to Ennis train. Not for me the 10 o’clock, no catering, packed to the rafters service. I chose a 7 a.m. service, and a seat on the newly returned, quiet ‘G’ carriage. It was bliss! I got up at 4.30, was at the station for 6.30 with time to spare for a tea from Butlers. While queuing, I heard someone tinkling the ivories in the background. A handful of passengers even smiled at each other. At that ungodly hour. In that ungodly place.

On the train, bleary eyed, I stared out the window, spotted some deer, rabbits and noticed the soft lushness of the grass. I marveled at a fellow’s passenger’s ability to apply full make-up, in motion and admired her Roka bag and vibrant jumper.

Look, I know nothing. But if feeling calmer about the insanely worrying state of the world at the moment sounds appealing, I think you could do worse than read this book and act on it. Benjamin Franklin may have had it right. “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.”

Until next month.

Priscilla

l Coinín na Cásca

GREEN CLARE

Air quality worse than Beijing but ‘doesn’t warrant management’

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

ENNIS’ air quality has been worse than China’s capital city on occasions in the past two years but does not warrant the preparation of a management plan.

Calls for a countywide air quality plan were made by Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) at successive meetings of Clare County Council who requested at the very least for a management plan of this nature to be in place for Ennis and South-East Clare prior to winter 2023.

He argued, “In light of the serious health implications of poor air quality, winter trolley crisis at UHL and the absence of a level three hospital to serve Clare people, such a plan should include for air pollution alerting to the public, better air pollution monitoring using more extensive and varied type of measurement”.

Senior engineer of the environ-

ment department of the Council, Cyril Feeney in a lengthy reply explained that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) were the competent authority for implementing all Irish and European Union ambient air quality legislation.

An air monitoring station located in the former Ennis Town Council complex in Drumbiggle measures particulate matter and sulphur dioxide. The town’s PM2.5 concentration is currently 2.4 times the WHO annual air quality guideline value.

Limits specified in the EPA’s regulations are “only deemed to be breached if more than 35 exceedances occur over a 24 hour averaging period during the entire year. Therefore, even a number of hourly readings which may exceed the nominal limit value does not necessarily mean a breach of the air quality regulations which viewed over

the 24 hour averaging period and per annum basis,” Feeney outlined. He said Co Clare has not breached air quality regulations.

Restrictions on the sale of smoky fuels and the fact that all social housing schemes in the county last year were built to nearly zero energy buildings (NZEB) standards were actions to aid the air quality in the county, the engineer stated.

Clare County Council adopted a Climate Change Adaptation Strategy (2019-2024) and are developing a Climate Action Plan, he added. Feeney continued, “Considering our current compliance with the air quality regulations, the real time information available from the EPA

on air quality and the additional measures in place in current strategies and upcoming plans I believe there is not a separate requirement for an additional air quality plan to deal with the same issues”.

Director of Service in the Physical Development Directorate of the Council, Carmel Kirby confirmed that officials from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and counterparts from the EPA have agreed to meet staff from the Council to consider calls for an air quality management plan. She acknowledged that Ennis has had incidents of heavy particulate matter.

Though such a meeting is a step in the right direction, Cllr Flynn pointed out that between motions at Strategic Policy Committee and Municipal District level the calls for a plan have been ongoing for close to two years.

“It has been delayed for over two years when I raised it at various stages, I’d like to be present when those officials are down,” he added.

Supporting the proposal, Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) referenced a twitter feed he follows which gives details on the “particular particulates in Ennis”.

He said, “it’s amazing the amount of times it is above. There’s a lot of times when this is a problem”.

l FUMES: The Council’s environment department have said that Clare’s air quality does not breach regulations

Fresh calls for installation of solar bins

RENEWED calls for the installation of solar bins in Shannon have been made, writes Páraic McMahon

Arguing that the leave no trace policy was “not working,” Cllr Donna McGettigan proposed the installation of solar powered bins in Shannon.

“Solar powered compactable bins increase capacity so reducing the number of street bin collections which helps towards achieving environmental benefits,” she said.

When she last issued a request for the addition of solar bins in Shannon in September 2021, the Sinn Féin representative was told they would be “contrary” to policies already in place.

The current stance is that they could “deprive neighbouring towns”.

In response to her most recent motion, tabled at this month’s sitting of the Shannon Municipal District, senior executive engineer Tom Mellett said that Clare County Council supported and were members of Leave No Trace Ireland.

“It is important that this personal responsibility message continues to be promoted in Shannon and indeed throughout Co. Clare. Leaving No Trace includes using the litter bins provided.

“However, where there are no litter bins or the litter bins are full it is important that waste is disposed at the nearest litter bin provided or taken home”.

Visits to local schools have been arranged by the Council’s environmental awareness officer to highlight a litter prevention message and the role of personal responsibility.

Mellett added, “While Solar bins do allow for increased capacity and therefore fewer bins they also increase the weight per bin which would need to be considered in the context of our current collection capabilities.

“In Shannon we currently collect from a significant number of bins spread throughout the town and adding to this may deprive neighbouring towns of current levels of service. If we are to introduce higher capacity bins an evaluation will be required which may result in fewer bin locations while increasing the volume collected.

“An Assessment will be carried out on the feasibility of introducing solar powered bins based on need, value for money and practicality around collection”.

“It is all going back to the leave no trace policy and it’s not working,” Cllr McGettigan commented.

“It’s great to have a policy but it’s not en-

forced, areas of Shannon like the Town Park are full of rubbish, these policies need to be enforced,” she said.

Support for the introduction of the solar bins was voiced by Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND). “Leave no trace means nothing to some people, they leave as much trace as possible”.

Legislation needs to be changed, Cllr Pat O’Gorman (FF) maintained.

“This is an answer we’ve all been getting to motions, one of the biggest problems we have and in politics in general, if you make a mistake with legislation surely to God you can admit it and make a change to it. It’s not working, do we leave all the rubbish pile up in Shannon or do we supply a bin”.

Meanwhile, at the same meeting, Cllr Flynn proposed the installation of a litter bin adjacent to the new bus stop in Drumgeely.

“All other Bus Shelters had bins installed and I presume this was an oversight,” he noted.

A replacement bin has been ordered, the senior engineer confirmed. “Once this is received, we will arrange instalment,” he outlined.

Flynn remarked, “We’ve gone so bad in Clare County Council that we can’t even get a bin.

“I can’t understand why it has taken so long, maybe it is because my name is on it, I’ll tell you I won’t let up on this. Drumgeely is the oldest part of Shannon, the residents there don’t deserve to be forgotten”. His motion was seconded by Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF).

l ECO FRIENDLY: Solar powered bins

J.J. Corry Irish Whiskey wins World’s Best at prestigious global awards Company becomes the First Irish and First Female Founded Business ever to win the award beating competition from all over the world

Ireland’s first modern Irish Whiskey Bonder J.J. Corry beat out global competition to win the title of World’s Best Small Batch Single Malt whiskey for J.J. Corry The Flintlock at the “Whiskey Oscars”, prestigious World Whiskies Awards.

The company, founded by Clare native Louise McGuane in 2016 in Cooraclare, Co. Clare becomes the first Irish whiskey producer and first female founded business to win the award. Ms. McGuane accepted the award at an awards ceremony hosted at the Merchant Taylor’s Guild Hall in London.

On collecting the award, Louise McGuane said “Winning the world’s best small batch single malt is a tremendous accolade and recognition that we play on the global stage with the best whiskey producers in the world. The Flintlock is a perfect encapsulation of what we do as Whiskey Bonders, seeking out superlative Irish whiskies from around the Island and collaborating with our partners from around the world - coopers, distilleries & wineriesto create the most unique whiskies, bottling each adventure for our discerning customers.”

McGuane added “For the Flintlock, we chose a selection of single malt casks from our expansive flavour library, ranging in age from 15 to 19 years old, and vatted them together. We then worked with Casknolia Cooperage in Spain to select Moscatel Sherry seasoned casks in which to marry The Flintlock. The result is a whiskey which is an expression not only of Irish whiskey blending, but also ameliorated by the craft of coopering and the winemaking talent of Jerez.

Minister Richmond encourages Clare retailers to avail of €3.4m fund to enhance online presence

an online presence. This not only serves customers in Ireland, but potential customers across the world.

“An online presence is no longer optional for many businesses, it is a key part of any business model and the benefits are huge. While it may be an intimidating prospect for some, the Government is determined to support businesses on this journey. The Online Retail Scheme is there to help ease this transition and I am delighted that it is again open for applications.

current employees. Clearly, digitalisation makes a tangible difference to the success of Irish businesses.

“I would encourage all eligible retailers to strongly consider the benefits of this Scheme and apply for funding.”

needs and manage customer relationships.”

The Outdoor Scene, based in Goatstown in Dublin previously received funding under the Online Retail Scheme.

MINISTER of State for Employment Affairs and Retail Business, Neale Richmond, TD, has encouraged retailers in Clare to apply for funding to enhance their online presence and increase online sales, writes Elaine

Tubridy

In the latest round of the

Online Retail Scheme, funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and administered by Enterprise Ireland, retailers can access up to €25,000 in grant funding to strengthen their ecommerce capabilities.

Minister Richmond strongly encouraged businesses to apply for the Scheme, saying: “Irish retailers have proven their resilience over the past few years, adapting to changing customer behaviour in many cases by developing

“Since 2018, the Online Retail Scheme has allocated over €28m in funding in supporting more than 700 projects from Irish retailers. Importantly, the Scheme has a national reach with more than 70% of successful retailers from the previous funding rounds based outside Dublin.

“Businesses who have participated in the Scheme have reported increased sales, in Ireland and abroad, new employees and an enhanced digital skill set among their

The Scheme provides direct financial support to retail companies to develop a more competitive online business offering to complement their in-store offering. It is administered by Enterprise Ireland and there is €3.4m available in this round of funding.

Teri Smith, Manager, Retail, Consumer and Online Department, with Enterprise Ireland said: “The Online Retail Scheme is making a real difference to the bottom line of hundreds of retailers across the country and has potential to open up new markets for the retail sector. An enhanced online presence not only boosts sales in the short-term, it also brings longer-term benefits, allowing retailers to better use data to understand customer

According to Managing Director Eamonn O’Hare, “Having an attractive, engaging online presence is vital for our business. We’ve used the funding available through the Online Retail Scheme to enhance our website, www.outdoor.ie , and use the platform to showcase our range of outdoor garden products. Customers can easily navigate our offering and choose the best products for them and their families. The Online Retail Scheme has enabled us to increase sales and importantly connect with our customers. I would encourage every retailer to examine the potential of e-commerce and digital innovation that this funding supports.”

The Online Retail Scheme closes on 3 May. For further information visit https:// www.enterprise-ireland.com

l SALES: Minister Neale Richmond launching the next round of funding under the Online Retail Scheme at The Outdoor Scene in Goatstown, Dublin with (l) Susi Monteagudo from The Outdoor Scene and (r) Teri Smith from Enterprise Ireland

lLouise McGuane

25 new jobs as Lufthansa Technik Turbine open EPAR facility

LUFTHANSA Tech-

nik Turbine Shannon (LTTS) have opened a new engine parts and accessories repair (EPAR) facility in Shannon, writes Páraic McMahon.

With the addition of the new 2,000 m2 stateof-the-art facility, LTTS’ total capacity for aircraft engine maintenance and repair in the region is now at 10,000 m2.

This development enables LTTS to expand its portfolio by including engine manifolds among its specialist services. The primary function of engine manifolds is to distribute air or fluids for optimal engine performance. When manifolds become damaged or worn, they can diminish engine performance and lead to increased emissions.

Operating in Ireland since 1992, LTTS in the past two years has increased its workforce by 106 persons and now employs more than 300 people across its op-

erations in Shannon, Kildare and Dublin.

Within Shannon, the new facility has already resulted in the creation of 25 new jobs. Speaking at Friday’s official opening, LTTS CEO Michael Malewski described it as “a very exciting day for the business in Ireland”.

He added, “With this new facility we are diversifying our product portfolio and enhancing our manufacturing capabilities to better serve our customers’ needs. The diversification and expansion of our core MRO (Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul) services portfolio has happened fast and the LTTS team has worked tirelessly to bring this project to fruition. I believe we have some of the best people in the world working for us at each of our three locations, but we need even more as we experience rapid post-pandemic recovery.”

Michael highlighted a particular need for

Shannon native named head of development

SHANNON native, Padraig Costello has been appointed as the new business development manager of Lero, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Software, writes Páraic McMahon

A graduate of University College Dublin (UCD) and Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), Padraig brings with him a wide array of skills garnered over a 20-year business development career in the automotive, banking and general finance sectors.

From Ard na Gréine in Shannon, Padraig now resides in Annacotty.

Of his new role, Padraig commented, “Lero is one of the top software research centres in the world with a track record of working across a broad spectrum of industry; locally, nationally and internationally. I hope to continue to advance those strong relationships with industry and develop new ones, which will enable our world-class academic researchers to develop the solutions to the pressing issues of today and tomorrow and also to allow those businesses to thrive”.

Hosted by University of Limerick (UL), Lero brings together expert software teams from universities and institutes of technology across Ireland in a co-ordinated centre of research excellence with a strong industry focus.

Lero’s research spans a wide range of application domains, from driverless cars to artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, esports, fintech, govtech, smart communities, agtech and healthtech.

more experienced aviation engineers as well as qualified mechanics and engineers from any field interested in moving into the aviation industry. “I believe that the opportunities for LTTS in Ireland are significant and we are in a strong position to deliver innovative solutions that will drive the aviation industry forward”.

LTTS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Germany’s Lufthansa Technik AG, and a member of the EPAR Network (Engine Parts and Accessories Repair), specialises in the repair of components for both high pressure and low pressure turbines for aircraft engines for CFMI and GE aircraft engines. The latest development in Shannon means that not only is LTTS expanding its footprint in Ireland, but it will also be able to offer new products for turbine engines that power Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 aircraft.

With some 35 subsidiaries and affiliates, the Lufthansa Technik Group is one of the leading providers of technical aircraft services in the world. Certified in-

Clare County Council is currently inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the below competitions. Clare County Council will, following the interview process, form panels for the areas set out below from which future relevant vacancies may be filled subject to sanction approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage.

• CLERICAL OFFICER PANEL 2023

Completed applications must be emailed to: recruitment@clarecoco.ie not later than 4.00 p.m. on on Tuesday 25th April 2023.

• COMMUNITY CLIMATE ACTION OFFICER

Completed applications must be emailed to: recruitment@clarecoco.ie not later than 4.00 p.m. on Thursday 27th April 2023. Application forms and further particulars may be obtained by requesting same from the Human Resources Department, Clare County Council at 065-6846250, via e-mail: recruitment@clarecoco.ie or can be downloaded from the following website: www.clarecoco.ie

Clare County Council is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sectors of the Community.

Garda vetting may apply prior to any appointment(s) that are made.

Scriobh chugainn as gaeilge más fearr leat.

ternationally as a maintenance, production and design organization, the company has a workforce of more than 20,000 employees.

l EMPLOYMENT: Interim CEO of the IDA, Mary Buckley, LTTS CEO Michael Malewski and Junior Minister, Kieran O’Donnell

Clare Youth Service enabling young people to improve their wellbeing

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

CLARE Youth Service is at the forefront of safeguarding the mental health and wellbeing of young people across the county.

Engaging with about 3,500 young people each year, the service provides 50 clubs and projects around the

county.

Youth Work Manager Brian McManus this week led a team of nine Clare youth leaders to the Comhairle na nÓg national showcase at Croke Park this week, where they presented issues important to them in a bid to enact change at a national level. In the process, they also had the opportunity to share

their thoughts with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

The topics put forward were chosen at the Clare Comhairle AGM which was attended by more than 160 young people.

He tells The Clare Echo, “Our topics this year are discrimination and mental health. An art piece went up at the Youth Centre on Carmody

Street in Ennis, it shows the old Ireland and new Ireland. There’s a shamrock with flags of various countries of where people have come to Ireland from in recent years. It arose from a discussion about how you can have dual cultural identity, so you can be Irish and also have a heritage from England, Poland or Nigeria at the same time for example.”

Brian explains that the Comhairle na nÓg projects are among the last beacons of “open youth work”, whereby funding is made available to benefit youth work on a universal scale. Recently, there has been change in legislation around how young people access online services which is a result of an Comhairle na nÓg’s online safety programme. “That’s an example of how the work the young people became involved with Government policy,” Brian notes. “You’re putting forward a youth voice coming directly from young people around what they feel are the issues.” Clare Comhairle na nÓg were also part of the groundwork which led to the introduction of a youth travel card in last year’s Budget.

Clare Youth Service has been in existence for more than 50 years and engages with young people aged from 12-24, concentrating mainly on those aged 12-17. A community training centre on Carmody Street in Ennis offers second-chance education with a range of QQI qualifications for those aged 16+. Alongside this, they provide a non-formal education “outside of school time which offers young people a chance to come into find a place they can feel safe”.

There are two youth diversion projects to help at-risk young people onto a better path in life. “We have a drugs worker in Ennis who is involved in prevention and education. It’s about being active with young people and providing them with chances to question and look at things for themselves, and an alternative to things they might get involved with. We have a program called ‘Natural Highs’ where we use the outdoors to help young people to find healthy alternatives to drugs,” explains Tallaght native Brian.

Last month, a group of

young people in Kilrush delivered a random act of kindness by visiting people who volunteer in the community and gave them presents.

On a wider scale, there are 17 volunteer-run youth clubs across County Clare which are supported by 15 Youth Workers employed by Clare Youth Service. There are bases in Shannon, Sixmilebridge, Killaloe, Tulla, two in Ennis, and in Kilrush. Brian explains, “Everything in the Youth Service is led by young people in partnership with the adults that they’re working with. Some youth clubs may have a lot of sport and drama and just giving opportunities to develop interests that you may not know you have. For example, we have a bands project in the Youth Centre in Carmody Street for young people interested in music where they can go and play, record music, and get involved in competitions and events.

“Other clubs, it may just be a space where they young people are safe, come and chat with their friends, go out and play football on the astroturf and come back in and play board games, listen to music, and from time to time a personal development programme will be introduced.”

“We’re trying to offer something to everybody. Music, arts, drama, support for people, group work. For me, youth work, what we do is everything around looking after the whole person. There’s a lot of talk around restorative practice at the moment, trauma-informed approach to

working with people, mental health. All of this stuff, the youth work has been doing for the last 50 years. That’s what it’s always been looking at,” stresses Brian, who has worked with Clare Youth Service for 20 years.

Other programmes run by Clare Youth Service include a Cook-It programme around healthy eating; a songwriting workshop; Youth Identity for young women; a Yes programme that explores consent; mental health wellbeing awareness; a sexual health programme; calisthenics; a gardening project, and much more.

Brian adds, “Good youth work is something that will help a young person develop, develop their relationships with adults, with society around them and to cope.”

Drop

Keep up to date with the Clare Youth Service by visiting their Facebook Page on www.facebook. com/ClareYouthService/ Call: 065 684 5350

Clare Comhairle na nÓg members meet An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at Croke Park this week

This years Clare Garden Festival wants to inspire everyone to grow and garden everywhere! Happening on Sunday the 30th April at Ennis Showgrounds. Whether it’s a few herbs in your kitchen window or a small army of pots in the back garden, you can enjoy growing your favourite plants and veggies in the smallest of spaces.

Two Burren teams ready to roll in Rás Mumhan

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

FOR the first time, Burren Cycling Club will be represented by two teams in Rás Mumhan this Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

The four-day stage race which takes place in County Kerry will see two teams and a total of 10 riders don the blue and white of Burren CC, with athletes from every corner of Clare flying the flag for the Banner County.

Rás Mumhan attracts some of the most elite riders in Ireland and the UK and it comes ahead of Burren CC’s participation in Rás Tailteann, the showcase event for competitive cycling in Ireland.

Club member Gearóid Howard, of the team’s main sponsor Crimmins Howard Solicitor's, tells The Clare Echo that this weekend is new territory for Burren CC to have two teams competing in the Castleisland-based Rás Mumhan while in June, they will be back in Rás Tailteann for only the second time after their debut outing last year.

Burren CC is at the forefront of driving standards in Clare – both competitive and leisure cycling – and has run a very successful sportif called Tour De Burren for a number of years. Gearóid explains, “It’s a very well supported and well-run event, we’re looking forward to bringing that back next year.

“The Burren CC has always had a very strong leisure side to the club with some very active members. In more recent years there has been a push towards the competitive side. There would be a group of 10-12 very strong racers in the club and they are the group around which the likes of this weekend are being targeted for.”

The Shannon-based solicitor contends that Rás Mumhan is the second biggest race in the Irish calendar only behind Rás Tailteann. “There are only three clubs in Ireland with two teams in Rás Mumhan and we’re one of them and we’re looking forward to it. We have some young competitors who have joined the club recently and we’re looking forward to seeing how they progress. We also have some seasoned campaigners who have ridden a number of Rás so there’s a good mix there and it’s quite exciting for the club.”

Among local riders competing this weekend are Jarlath Hassett (Ennis), Enda Murray (Newmarket), Senan Tubridy (Under 23, Mount Callan), Gerald Troy (Cooraclare), Sam Mo-

loney (U23, Clonlara), Mark Shannon (Bellharbour), and Derry McNamara (Lissycasey). Gearóid says that Burren CC is proud to be at the forefront of continuing a tradition of strong cyclists from Clare who compete in Ireland’s showcase events, following in the footsteps of of Barry Sutton, Philip and John Colleran of Clarecastle, and Shannon's Sean McIlroy.

Gearóid stresses that Burren CC riders train in the region of 20 hours a week and earlier this season, Burren CC engaged in a training camp in the Spanish cycling Mecca of Calpe.

“You’re going to have international teams coming over to compete with the top Irish cyclists. There is no room for error when you’re riding Rás Mumhan and if you manage to get inside the top 15-20 on a stage of Rás Mumhan, that is a fantastic result. The roads in Kerry, there’s no hiding on them. These cyclists will go up these climbs faster than a leisure cyclists would cycle on the flat and that’s how fit and strong these guys are, they dedicate their lives to it.

“One of our own team members, Mark Shannon from Bellharbour, would have ridden the Rás before with other teams and last year he rode the race for the first time with the Burren Cycling team. That’s the development that’s there, there is great talent in

Clare,” says Gearóid, noting that club member Danny MacDonald had two top-10 finishes in last year’s Rás Tealtainn.

“Only a handful of cyclists will ever manage to ride in Rás Mumhan, and to ride the Rás [Tailteann], that’s the top 1-2 per cent. It’s the top end of cyclists who will manage to achieve that so it’s fantastic for the club, fantastic for the members of the club who will ride the Rás for Burren this year. We have a stage finishing in Ennis this year which is going to be fantastic and it’ll be great for a local team to be riding on Clare roads and be supported by friends and family and neighbours.”

Club treasurer Paddy O’Donoghue was among the founders of the club two decades ago and Gearóid stresses the importance of those supporting the club’s efforts in recent years. “As well as myself being involved in the sponsorship side of things, we’re also very lucky to have the likes of Monks, Paddy O’Donoghue’s business in Ballyvaughan, and James Flanagan, Jafco Construction, who have been there long before I ever arrived on the scene and they’ve been stalwarts of the club for many years.” Pactimo Clothing also support the club through gear sponsorship.

Find Burren CC on Facebook for more information.

l Burren CC have two teams competing in Kerry this weekend

Photo by Sean Rowe

Michael Gammell

Senan Tubridy

Enda Murray

Jarlath Hassett

Burren CC Michael Gammell (U23 - Kilmallock)

Jarlath Hassett (Ennis)

Enda Murray (Newmarket)

Senan Tubridy (U23 - Mount Callan)

Gerald Troy (Querrin/Carrigaholt)

Crimmins Howard Burren CC Sam Moloney (U23 - Clonlara) Mark Shannon (Bellharbour)

Derry McNamara (Lissycasey) Finn McHenry (Guest Rider - Scotland) Bryan Geary (Guest rider - Youghal)

Race support: Gary Macdonald, Danny MacDonald, Lisa Hogan, and Michael Gammell Senior

Gerald Troy

Sam Moloney

Finn McHenry

Derry MacNamara

Mark Shannon

Bryan Geary

'We don't care where it's on'Purcell primed for shot at FAI glory

FAI JUNIOR CUP SEMI-FINAL Newmarket Celtic 2 Ballynanty Rovers 1 Venue: Frank Healy Park, Doora

by Páraic McMahon news@clareecho.ie

NEWMARKET CELTIC

boss, Paddy Purcell was understandably “over the moon” as the club reached the FAI Junior Cup final for the first time.

A dominant display saw the Eoin Hayes captained side defeat Ballynanty Rovers 2-1 in front of an attendance of over 2,500 at Frank Healy Park in Doora on Sunday afternoon. Such was the occasion that some of the spectators were attending their first ever local soccer game.

Cool and calm for the entirety of the contest, Purcell was a very pleased figure at the final whistle. “We’re absolutely delighted. It’s what we were obviously hoping for and had in the back of our head coming up to play here today. And in training all week you’re thinking what way is it going to go so to actually do it and do it inside 90 minutes, we’re just over the moon. I’m so happy for the lads and all the people involved in the club”.

Their attitude was summed by Hayes’ reaction to having an initial shot saved in what proved to be the winning goal, the former centre-half believed. “I thought we started really well for the first 35 or 40 minutes and then we lost our way for about 20 minutes and got a bit ragged. Once they equalised just before half-time, the second

half was naturally more cagey I thought and could have gone either way at that stage but thankfully Eoin [Hayes] stepped up, benefitted from a quick throw to turn his man really well and it was a really brilliant finish. I know the first effort was saved but he did really well to react and took it so well at the second attempt so I couldn’t be happier with the attitude and spirit”.

Defensively, he was also content in how the back four of David O’Grady, Ethan Fitzgerald, Harvey Cullinan and Conor McDaid anchored by goalkeeper Shane Cusack, locked up shop in the second half. “We kept our shape really well and I think the only chance that they got the opportunity to break they scored when we got dragged out a small bit. Bar one good half chance in the second half we probably had the better of the chances overall so I was very happy with the defence. You contemplate what you’re going to do or change before the game but we decided to back ourselves and back the players that got us here and thankfully it got us through”.

Jackman Park in Limerick will host the final on Saturday April 29th with a 5pm kickoff. Standing in their way of national glory is Tipperary side, St Michael’s. Purcell noted, “St Michael’s are the old enemy so to speak,

there’s a lot of tradition there between the teams and the times we played against them. They are a very, very good team so it’s going to be tough but we’ve got a fe matches ahead of that first so we can’t think about that now. We don’t really care where it’s on either, we’re just delighted to be there”.

They are on the road this weekend to face Skerries in

the FAI Senior Cup where it is likely that Purcell and his management team of Eoin O’Brien and Stephen Austin will use the occasion to give players outside the first team a chance to force their hand for inclusion in the Munster Junior Cup semi-final against Fairview Rangers the following week.

“From the homework that we’ve done on them, we know

Bunratty's Kate Jones collects Irish cap & earns England start

BUNRATTY’S Kate Jones received a starting jersey for her country in the Bob Docherty Cup.

Kate was part of the Republic of Ireland’s U15 soccer team who competed in the annual Bob Docherty Cup in Glasgow this week. As a result she became the first Bunratty Cratloe FC player to line out with their country.

Successive 1-1 draws against Scotland and England saw the Republic of Ireland relinquish their title ahead of their final game against Northern Ireland on Thursday.

A starting place in the Irish side was secured by Kate for the draw with

England as the Irish girls produced a gutsy display, she was one of four changes to the first eleven made by manager Richard Berkeley.

From the sports mad Jones family, Kate is the daughter of Cathal and Caitriona. Her older brother Matt formerly captained Clare’s Kennedy Cup side and is currently lining out with Treaty Utd. They are also active members of the Newmarket-on-Fergus hurling, camogie and ladies football club.

the quality that Skerries have so we’re under no illusion that that’s going to be a completely different proposition next Sunday. We’ll have to assess our own injuries first, Ruddy [Aaron Rudd] hurt his hamstring in the first half and Davy [McCarthy] had to go off with some issues in his legs as well so we’re lucky we have a good sized squad and that we have lads ready

to step up when required. We’ve a lot of trust built up in this team so when you do lose one or two players, it’s not detrimental because the quality that’s coming off the bench doesn’t weaken us whatsoever. So we’ve good headaches to come in terms of selections and fitness so who knows what the next few weeks will bring”.

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

l Newmarket Celtic's Darragh Leahy, Paddy Purcell and Ethan Fitzgerald and (below) Eoin Hayes celebrates his goal with fans in Doora Photos by Joe Buckley

PICTURED: Kate Jones (left) receives her cap for representing Ireland's U15 side

by Seamus Hayes sports reporter

WOODSTOCK GOLF CLUB

Michael Guerin won the 15 hole singles competition at Woodstock at the weekend with 34 points. He had two to spare over Niall Reynolds with Andrew Mason also with 32 points, in third spot.

In the spring league last week the format was singles and the winner over 15 holes was Frank McEnery with 37 points from Ross Darmody with 35, Mike Kelly with 34, Brian Kilker with 33 and Barry McNicholl, also with 33.

The way is now clear for the semi-finals. Ray Casey’s team finished the league format in first place and they will play the fourth placed captained by Ross Darmody. Colm Geary’s team finished second and they will play third placed, Alan Markham’s team.

There will be a modified fourball betterball over the Easter weekend and re-entry will be allowed with a different partner. There will also be a club siingles.

The annual Costello cup fixture between Ennis and Woodstock will take place in Woodstock on April 23 and the timesheet is now open in the Pro shop in both clubs. Times are available between 7.30am and 2p.m. and the presentation will take place at 6.30pm.

EAST CLARE GOLF CLUB:

The winner of the ladies

Wednesday golf competition at East Clare last week were Marie A. Kelly, Margaret O Brien and Mary Jo Minogue from Connie McKenna, Ann O Grady and Carmel Lenihan.

In the senior men’s competition last week the winners were Ailbe McDonnell, Jimmy Nagle and John Duffy from Ger Shortt, Michael Heffernan and Eamon Goode with third spot filled by Danny Minogue, Pat Duggan and Charles Stuart.

The Friday mixed scramble was won by Pat McNamara, Patricia Nash, Mary Farrell and Mary Jo Minogue. In second place were Marie Minogue, Pat Duggan and John Torpey followed by John Nihill, Jimmy Nagle and Noreen Skehan.

The weekend men’s competition was won by Ray K McInerney with 34 points from Stephen Moloney with 33 points while the gross was won by Vincent Hayes with 57.

There will be an Easter open team of 3 (Champagne Scramble) from Good Friday to Easter Monday (April 7 to 10). The competition is open to ladies, mens and mixed teams, call 061 921322 to book a tee time.

SHANNON GOLF CLUB: Michelle Pyke (8) was the winner of the ladies 18 hole singles stableford competition at Shannon last week with 37 points. She had two to spare over Emma O’Halloran (19) who was

followed by Jane Kennedy (16) with 34 points Laura O’Brien (9) won the gross with 25 points.

KILRUSH GOLF CLUB:

Brian Rogers (24) won the weekly singles at Kilrush on Sunday with 30 points from Tom Dillon (9) who had a similar score. Leroy Crowe (10) was third with 28 points followed by Michael Meehan (10), also with 28 points. Bernard Coleman (12) was next followed by Terry O'Hare (6) and they both had 28 points also.

ENNIS GOLF CLUB:

Last week’s ladies 18 hole stableford competition at Ennis was won by Patricia 0'Reilly (51) with 42 points. She had five to spare over Attracta Williams (35) on 37 points with Rose Enright (22) in third place with 34 points.

Patricia O’Reilly (25) also won the 9 hole competition with a score of 18 points from Elaine Kelly (9) with 16 and Mary Woulfe (15) with 15 points.

Winners of the senir ladies competition last week were Brid Cunningham,, Maureen Moloney and Anne McMahon with 50.39 from Deirdre Molenaux, Clare Ruane and Eileen Corry with 54.2.

Winners of Winter league with 651 points were Ann Gallery, Patrice Ryan, Ann Casey, Rose Enright, Muriel 0'Meara Una 0'Reilly and Anna Marie Darmody.

The Dr. Rodgers shield, a team

of four competition was played for by the men at Ennis last weekend when the winners were Alfred Jones, Michael Moroney, Fergal Croke and Michael Meagher with 87 points. In second place, a point behind, were Stephen Keane, David Rushe, Brian and Cathal O'Gorman followed by Cormac and Martin O'Neill, Niall Townsend and James Casey with 85 points.

The Ennis men's senior social group's competition played on Thursday March 30 was won by Tony Lawler, Paul Kenny, Ferdie O Donoghue and Tommy Heath with 75 points from Pat Murphy, Frank Cullinan, Tom Fox and Padraig Ryan with 71 points. In third place with 70 points were Liam Barry, William Moloney, Frank Sheedy and Ollie Kennelly.

GORT GOLF CLUB:

Last week’s April subscription stakes competition at Gort, sponsored by O’Donnell, Keane and Co, Gort was won by Declan Fahy (22) with 42 points. P.J, McAllen

(10) won category 1 with 41 points, John Dempsey (19) won category 2 with 39 points while category 3 was won by Davy Fleming (26) with 40 points.

Joe Moran (5) won the gross with 34 points.

Golf: Semi-finals of Woodstock Spring League Lovely hurling from Scholes & Butt

In the ladies section the winners of the Colm Farrell Auctioneers sponsored Spring league were Ruth Naughton, Anne Connolly, Marcella Killeen, Patricia Lyons, Patricia Skehill and Evelyn Fahey.

Clona Duke lights up second round of Kirby Stake

by MICHAEL MAHER

SECOND round heats of the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial took centre stage at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night last and it was a night to remember as Clona Duke equalled the track record, as well as making history in recording the quickest time ever in the Kirby Classic.

The RPGTV Juvenile Derby winner is certainly on a mission after posting a rapid 28.07 in the opening round, he went even faster to equal the 2013 track record, held incidentally by College Maybe (27.95). All eight heats saw incredible performances and the field is now cut to 24-runners.

It was in heat four that Graham Holland and Kevin O’Brien sent out their Juvenile Derby champion. The action continues this Saturday night in Limerick, with gates open from 6.30pm with free admission and Easter treats for all kids.

The opening A6 contest at the Galway track on Friday last saw Cregg View, Da Ultimate and Bumblebee Sally dispute the lead on the run towards the opening bend with Da Ultimate taking a definite advantage on the inside. Racing down the back straight the red jacket of the reserve Colossal Venture began to creep into contention.

Racing around the third bend the Colossal Syndicate of Kilmaley-owned Colossal Venture ran round her rivals and quickly the daughter of Droopy Sydney & Droopys Lullaby raced clear to defeat Da Ultimate by six & three quarter lengths in 29.27.

Race 3 went to the James Healy of Ballyea-owned Ballyfort Lulu who made just about all from her trap one berth to hold the persistent challenge of Brickhill Jane by three parts of a length in 29.88.

For the Novice Sprint all six runners were away on terms but approaching the opening bend the Brendan Browne of Kilkee-owned Glasheen Tiger broke rank and led the field by a length entering the turn as Burkos Tonic led the chase in second spot. Rounding the home bend though Glasheen Tiger was in command and the son of Wolfe & Glasheen Covid eased away to score by two and a half lengths in 19.52.

The Blessmefatherihave Syndicate members were in fine voice following the S6 graded sprint contest as their Bark Wahlberg trained by Stephen Murray of Sixmile-

bridge recorded his second career success by a length and a half over Headford Chick in 19.55.

Saturday night’s card at the Galway venue featured two races supported by the W.G.O.B.A in conjunction with the Nationwide Dillon Quirke Foundation “Wear Your Jersey” Nationwide Fund-Raising Night with the Quarter Finals of the Ann Cheevers Memorial A5 525 and the Connect 6 A7 Stakes also down for decision .

The second of the W.G.O.B.A Supported races was the concluding A3 525 and form traps Joeys Champ came away smartly and led to the opening bend from Blue Matilda in second place. Tracking well around the opening two bends Joey’s Champ led by a length and racing along the back the John Maloney owned son of Kinloch Brae & Mi Heaton Daisy continued to show the way to Blue Matilda as Grangeview Ron made progress out wide. Between the final two bends Joey’s Champ again track well as Grangeview Ron closed out wide. On the run home Joeys Champ was running in fumes but the line came just run time as he prevailed by a neck in 29.03.

Heat 2 of the Ann Cheevers Memorial Sweepstake went to the How-Deep-Is-It Syndicate owned Bayview Survivor (Lenson Panda-Bayview Flyer) trained by Stephen Murray of Sixmilebridge but the only place he led was where it matters right on the line as he prevailed by a short head over the pace strong Shesanicelady in 29.28.

Shesanicelady was very smartly away from her trap love berth and quick diving to the rails led by two lengths entering the back straight. At halfway the lead was three but from the third bend Bayview Survivor began to brigade the gap. On the run home the leader was on rules as Bayview Survivor nailed her on the line .

In the S2 Sprint Coolemount Boss and Lissatouk Dave were both away well along the inner and racing towards the opening they were closely attended to by Ballyhale Mick and Grangeview Liz. Rounding the bend the James McMahon of Cooraclare owned Lissatouk Dave kicked on and led Ballyhale Mick by two lengths on the crown of the home turn before staying on well in the straight to prevail by a length and a half from his rival in 19.05.

Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt at Gaelscoil Mhichil Ciosog last week

Photo by Natasha Barton

Bounce in Clare U20s hurlers' step for long trip to Waterford

by Eoin Brennan

CLARE’S hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the Munster U20 hurling championship are reliant on obtaining results against Waterford and Cork in their final two outings.

Unbeaten after producing lastgasp equalisers through Patrick Crotty and Sean Rynne to secure a share of the spoils against Tipperary and Limerick respectively, Terence Fahy’s side will need to pick up a victory to fulfil their goal of reaching the semi-finals.

Of their exploits to date, Fahy recounted, “It has been an intense week and we faced some serious obstacles in the space of five days so it’s all about recovery now and getting ourselves right for our trip to Waterford”.

That trip sees them head to Fraher Field on Wednesday facing a Waterford side without a win in

BLUES, CRATLOE BOTH GET WINS

their opening two rounds.

They head there with a bounce in their step following Rynne’s dramatically impressive score which earned a draw with Limerick.

“It was a fantastic score at the death and fear play to Sean [Rynne] for taking it on. He had a fine match so it was great that he crowned that performance that way to snatch a draw”.

Character of the side has impressed Fahy from both their championship games, “There was great character shown by all the lads at the finish.

"I mean there were times in the second half that you’d be forgiven for throwing your hands in the air and admitting that our goose was cooked on this occasion as their free taker [Patrick O’Donovan] was deadly for Limerick.

"However, our lads have proven again that they have a bit about them and they went down and pro-

CLONDEGAD TOP OF CUSACK CUP AS DOONBEG RECORD FIRST WIN

duced a great response.

“Patrick Crotty’s goal was a catalyst and he has been a real leader up front for us. When we’ve needed scores and leadership, he has come up trumps which is great to see. Overall it was a positive collective display, even all the subs that came on made an impact so it was a really gutsy display from the team”.

Schools titles for Coláiste & Tulla

by Anne Marie McGann

COUNTY Junior Camogie titles were claimed by Coláiste Muire and St Joseph's Tulla.

The Clare Camogie College Finals took place on Wednesday 29th April in Fr. McNamara Park. The day started with the Junior A final which was keenly contest between two great school teams with plenty of stars on show. Scariff Community College and Colaiste Muire Ennis both reached the final having beaten St. Anne’s Killaloe and St. Caimins in the semi-finals.

Scariff got off to a slow start in the game with both teams capitalising from expert free taking from Sarah Wiley and Kate Hayes respectively leaving the half-time score 2-04 1-01 in favour of the Coláiste.

Scariff began to fight back in the first ten minutes of the second half and caught Coláiste on the bounce for three points. A special mention must go to Coláiste goalkeeper Maeve Wall who was steady between the posts wutg some decisive saves. An outstanding display in defence from

Eabha O’Driscoll, who claimed Club Clare player of the match, set the foundation for Coláiste to pull away. Aimee Colleran got the final decisive goal for the Coláiste in the end with the game finishing 3-08 2-04.

The second game of the day proved to be an exciting affair with St. Flannan’s College in their second Junior final of the year having lost out to Limerick side Salesians, Pallaskenry in the Munster competition. St. Joseph’s Tulla started the game in spectacular fashion and left a deficit to Flannan’s of 1.4 to 0.3 at half time. St Flannan’s started the second half much stronger and gathered momentum through an excellent defensive display from Ruth Nihill. Tulla captain Olivia Meaney steadied the ship and a strong Camogie display from Lily Kavanagh earned her the Club Clare player of the game and Tulla the Junior B trophy for 2022/2023 on a score line of 1.9 to 1.7.

The Clare Colleges Post Primary Camogie Committee would like to sincerely than Club Clare for the backing during this years competitions. We have the Senior B final

Clare will be without Fitzgerald

by Páraic McMahon news@clareecho.ie

CLARE’S senior hurlers will be without David Fitzgerald for their opening outing in this year’s Munster SHC.

Fitzgerald’s red card issued in Clare’s final outing of the Allianz National Hurling League against Cork was upheld by the GAA’s Central Appeals Committee. The CAC's judgement was announced on Tuesday night.

Clare GAA had previously appealed the suspension to the Central Hearings Committee. They still have the option to lodge a further appeal to the Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA) but this move is said to be unlikely given the lack of success on both attempts to clear the Inagh/Kilnamona man to date.

Head of Operations, Deirdre Murphy had put forward the case for the initial appeal to the CHC.

It means Brian Lohan will be without one of his key players for what is expected to be a keenly contested clash with the Premier County now managed by Liam Cahill. The first round is scheduled to take place in Cusack Park on April 23rd.

Waterford referee Thomas Walsh issued Fitzgerald with a red card and in his match report cited striking or attempted striking with minimal force as rationale behind his decision to dismiss the All Star.

between Rice College, Ennis and St. Anne’s Killaloe along with the Senior A final between Colaiste Muire, Ennis and Scariff Community College when schools return after the Easter Break.

l St Joseph's Tulla claimed the Junior B trophy with a win over St Flannan's

l Keith Smyth

Photo by Gerard O'Neill

news@clareecho.ie

CUSACK CUP AND GARRY CUP ROUND-UP

Cleary confident Clare will perform with backs to the wall against Cork

by Páraic McMahon news@clareecho.ie

CLARE will embrace the extra pressure that comes with Sunday’s Munster senior football quarter-final, says captain Eoin Cleary.

Appointed captain in 2020, Cleary has relished the role as a model leader, stepping up with vital scores but also setting the way with workrate.

He admits that his predecessor Gary Brennan has been very helpful with various nuggets of wisdom which assisted him when taking on the role. “It’s great to have a great guy like that willing to give his time like that. The fact I was able to learn from Gary and the fact he could also give me good advice has been a huge help to me in the role of captain.

"I definitely would have found the role of captain is more time consuming and the role of an inter-county player is already very time consuming. It’s a responsibility that I’m very grateful Colm gave to me... even though I’m captain by name there’s a number of guys that are leaders on the pitch and play a similar role, I’m very grateful to those guys”.

“Your heart would drop for a minute", he admits upon seeing Colm Collins’ name appear on his phone when he was one of the more inexperienced members of the panel in 2015, however he admits, "I’ve developed a very good relationship with Colm over the years, he is a great guy and a guy you can trust, he will tell it you straight”.

Like Collins, it is also Eoin’s 10th championship campaign. Having been part of the Clare sides that won promotion from Division 3 and 4 of the NFL, the Miltown Malbay native most recently experienced relegation from the second tier. He said they will be determined to put a positive spin on their year by making the most of the championship.

“The lads got a good result against Limerick to break the duck of the five-game loss. Outside of the Derry and Cork games we were quite pleased with our performances but ultimately it is down to results and

unfortunately we didn’t do enough to stay up.”

There is a lot on the line this Sunday for Clare but he’s confident they will respond in a fitting manner.

“With the Sam Maguire and Tailteann Cup format we know that if we don’t win on Sunday we’re out of the Sam Maguire and ultimately that is where every player wants to be, they want to play for the biggest prize and on the biggest days.

“In years gone by this team does perform very well under pressure, after losing to Kildare in Cusack Park a lot of people would have been going up to Dublin and not expecting the performance we put in. In 2020, we lost to Laois in Cusack Park and Westmeath the game before but we went up and beat Cavan who had won the Ulster Championship, when our backs are to the wall we normally perform well”.

That such an important game is taking place in Cusack Park is to be savoured. “As a young fella between going to football and hurling games in Cusack Park, it’s huge and it’s what every young fella wants to do, when you hear that Clare roar when it’s getting tight it does give

us a bit of a lift so we would hope to see a crowd on Sunday to get behind us because in the closing minutes of games you can always hear the back of the stand banging when a few points go over and you can feel that on the pitch, we’ll be hoping for that on Sunday”.

Changes to the management team have brought “a huge lift”, Eoin felt. “Fresh blood into any setup brings new energy and in fairness to Micheál, Brian, Mark Doran and Joe Hayes they’ve brought a great lift to the setup”.

At the time of Hayes’ retirement from the Clare goals, Cleary was quick to point out his fashion faux pas of wearing crocks with bootcut jeans, the fashion stakes have improved within the panel since then according

to the captain. “No one is as controversial as Joe, he still wears the crocs and bootcut jeans.”

His fellow panellists “are well up to date with the latest fashion tips. I was working at the races last Thursday and seen a few of them at it, they are a lot better equipped to deal with society these days from the fashion side of it.”

Hayes would also have been viewed as a joker on the panel prior to his retirement. The role is now occupied by characters from Ennis and Coolmeen, Eoin flagged.

“Gavin Cooney and Cathal O’Connor would be the serial offenders, they are gas men, everyone likes to crack a joke but they are two gas men alright”.

His twin brother Conor lines out at full back for the county’s hurlers leaving their parents Caroline and Gerry with plenty of games to attend. Few differences exist between the footballers and hurlers, except for the sport they play, Eoin stated. “There was a myth out there that the footballers weren’t as well supported as the hurlers, I’ve been part of the panel since Colm took over and I’ve seen fairness across the board, both setups get the same amount of gear, the same training facilities, both are well looked over."

Key players like Gary Brennan, Gordon Kelly, David Tubridy, Kevin Harnett and Sean Collins have retired from inter-county action in recent years but Cleary has been impressed with the quality of players entering the senior panel at the revolving door. “The win against Roscommon last year in Croke Park gave a huge lift to everyone in the county, when you lose guys of that calibre it is always going to be tough to replace them, no more so than David and the lads in the year just gone. There’s young guys coming thick and fast through the group”.

Seasons change and his role within the squad is very different but the feel of championship is still as powerful. “Initially you’re training in November, December and Christmas time, you’re going out with your friends and it’s that bit harder to get yourself motivated for the league but championship it’s very easy to throw on the boots, the sun is shining, you’ve four or five months of hard training, you’ve seven games in the bank and it’s very easy to motivate yourself for championship. You see people out in their Clare jerseys I suppose they can’t put them on in February because it’s so cold but it is very easy to motivate yourself for championship”.

Stakes are high for Collins & Co

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

NEVER has a Munster quarter-final been as important for Clare’s footballers as this Sunday’s showdown with Cork in Cusack Park.

Relegation from Division 2 of the Allianz National Football League means Clare must advance to a provincial final if they are to compete in the All-Ireland senior football championship this year. The alternative is a place in the Tailteann Cup which would mark a year of regression for the 2022 All-Ireland quarter-finalists.

The longest serving inter-county manager in the game, Colm Collins is approaching his 10th championship campaign patrolling the sideline for Clare. “I never thought I would be here for ten of them, that’s for sure,” Collins admitted to The Clare Echo

“I’m really looking forward to it, it’s an ideal opportunity to put the league to bed and to put it to bed quickly. We’d be very disappointed with the way we finished in that and obviously disappointed to go down a division but it’s a tremendous opportunity to get back on the horse and get a really good performance and hopefully get rid of all the bad feeling we have after the league”.

It's only a fortnight since Clare’s last league outing, a comprehensive win over Limerick, which means they haven’t had much time to

majorly alter their approach but it has also reduced the amount of focus on their relegation. “I always go with what the players like, from a management point of view you would have preferred a bit more time but players seem to like the fact that we’re going into this two weeks later so if the players like it there must be something right about it. You don’t get time to be feeling sorry for yourself, you just get on with it, nobody will remem ber what position you were in the league if you win your Munster championship first round and you’re in a semi-final then, that is the important thing and it’s great to be looking forward to it”.

Ordinarily the narrative prior to the commencement of the Mun ster SFC from a Clare perspective would argue that the provincial se ries has become stale but it has tak en on a new meaning this year with Collins’ side reliant on recording wins against Cork and Limerick to book a final spot and their place in the All-Ireland championship. “The stakes are high for us, that’s what is at stake for us, we’d all dearly love to be playing in the All-Ireland cham pionship so we’ll be giving it ev erything,” the Cratloe man noted.

Battling and beating Cork in the middle of the field is going to be a crucial sector in Sunday’s quarter-final. He said, “It is absolutely vital in ev-

ery single game that the battle is won there, getting in there winning the dirty ball and win- ning the breaks, it lays

months. Brian Carson has returned as head coach and Micheál Cahill who previously was strength and conditioning coach under Mick

are getting exposed to really good coaching, they’ll all go back to their clubs at the end of the year hopefully as a way better player than they were at the start of the year," says Collins.

Lissycasey native Hayes is credit by the manager for the introduction of a new zonal running system within their own defence for Stephen Ryan’s kickouts. “Joe has done a lot of work on this, we retained 100 percent of them against Limerick, hopefully we’ll do the same against Cork”.

Last year’s quarter-final saw Clare defeated by Limerick in Cusack Park following penalties. Extra focus has been placed on the spot kicks at training with Collins insisting “we’ll be well prepared for penalties this time”. He added, “There’s a really hardcore of people who support us at every game and hopefully that will swell on Easter Sunday, we’ll let them welcome Cork to Cusack Park”.

Approaching his 10th campaign, the Kilmihil native remains as excited as ever. “It is a great privilege to be involved with such a fantastic bunch of people, backroom team, players and everybody, it is very enjoyable, I’m living the dream I suppose”.

That dream could become even sweeter come Sunday evening with a positive result or worse shift towards a nightmare.

Photo by Gerard O'Neill

Clare need to produce an Easter Rising

THE Clare senior footballers finished their league campaign with a flourish after a confidence boosting victory against near neighbours Limerick.

Clare always looked in control and played a nice brand of football with a lot of players getting their first starts of the season and hoping to impress. The match itself was lacking in any championship intensity but it was good preparation all the same for Sunday’s upcoming Munster championship quarter final against Cork. Limerick started the second half more brightly but when they had a man sent off midway through the second half it signalled the end of their challenge.

Experimentation:

We will take a look at how some of the newer and the more experienced campaigners did in this recent outing.

Clare started with a full back line of Micheál Garry, Ciaran Russell and Cillian Rouine with all of them acquitting themselves well. Micheál Garry didn’t look out of place in his first NFL start against the lively Peter Nash. He is a teak tough defender with plenty of pace and ball carrying ability.

Ciaran Russell continues to be along with Pearse Lillis, one of Clare’s most versatile players. Cillian Rouine’s return to fitness is a big boost as he was a dependable regular last season before being struck down with injury. He looked lean and hungry against Limerick.

The half-back line of Daniel Walsh, Jamie Malone and Ikem Ugwueru were dominant throughout. Walsh is very comfortable on the ball and breaks the line at pace where he can be a scoring threat. He is also well able to contest opposition kick-outs and has played midfield for UL and Kilmurry Ibrickane in recent times which could be a useful tool in counteracting Cork’s aerial ability around the middle third.

Jamie Malone looked very comfortable in centre back and he set the tone early with his driving runs at the Limerick rearguard.

Ikem Ugwueru was solid and kept possession very well. He needs more game time at this level to get his confidence to match his athleticism and raw ability.

The midfield pairing of the hard-working Darragh Bohannon and the elusive Emmet McMahon were solid and gave Clare a good platform to attack from. McMahon continued his scoring exploits with four points from play and one free.

Even though Clare chalked up two goals from play they will feel they left another two or three behind them as they snatched at a couple of efforts that could have hit the net with a little more composure.

The half-forward line of Brendy Rouine, Podge Collins and Ciaran Downes all covered an acre of ground and linked the play very well. Brendy Rouine is a very promising 19 year old player who is only in second year of senior inter-county football. He will be a top player for Clare for years to come.

Podge Collins is an ideal link player from centre-forward and he was his usual industrious self kicking a good score while leaving a few more chances he would normally nail behind him.

Ciaran Downes had his best day yet and continued his college form that saw himself and Emmet McMahon being named on the 2023 Sigerson Cup Team of the year. Downes finished his goal chance clinically and his confidence is growing at this level.

The full-forward line of Mark McInerney, Keelan Sexton and Aaron Griffin notched up 1-10 between them with 1-06 of that coming from play. All three looked sharp, McInerney is a handful inside if he gets the right type of ball.

Keelan battled very hard and kicked some excellent scores from play. He may have forced a few passes in the second half when Clare were on top but he was always trying to do the right thing.

Aaron Griffin was back to his pacy best putting his hand up for a starting slot while kicking three good scores from play. It was great to see his cousin Shane Griffin making his NFL debut and kicking a good point off his left leg. On a side note both the lads sisters’, Louise and Lauren, were playing their part in helping the Clare ladies to comprehensively beat Longford and secure a Division 3 league final against Kildare on April 16th in Parnell Park. A proud day for both the Griffin households and for Lissycasey parish. It was nice to see Darren

Nagle of Liscannor and Kilmihil’s Dan Keating getting game time but now it comes down to the serious business as preparations for the championship ramp up.

Clare did well to re-group so quickly after the Derry reversal especially with so many regulars not starting against Limerick. It was encouraging to see the younger players taking on leadership roles. Cork are now the only focus with the showdown in Cusack Park this Sunday.

The Easter Rising: Cork will be red hot favourites after their eight point betterment of Clare in their recent league meeting. A closer inspection though will show that Cork had 13 scores (3-10) in contrast to Clare’s nine scores (1-08).

If Clare can nullify the Cork goal scoring threats and not be as reliant on Emmet McMahon and Eoin Cleary then they are in with a great shout.

Clare will be galvanised by their first win after five

losses and this will help with their belief process. They have had a decent run against Cork in recent league meetings over the past few years but a big scalp is needed in the Munster championship. Clare will need to be extremely focused to achieve this and be ready to up their levels of energy, physicality and aggression for the visit of the Rebels.

Cork are still not a proven side and were turned over by Louth and drew with

an under strength Derry side in their last two league matches. It all makes for an intriguing encounter that holds plenty of potential Easter promise.

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McMahon ready for Rebel warzone

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

SUNDAY’S middle third is going to be “a warzone” when Clare and Cork collide in Cusack Park for the Munster SFC quarter-final, Emmet McMahon predicted.

Although he was midfield in Clare’s final round league win over Limerick, McMahon is likely to be given refuge from the war by taking a spot in the full-forward line where his kicking and scoring ability from range will be called upon.

Speaking to The Clare Echo while looking out onto the field of

Cusack Park, Emmet remarked, “It is going to be a warzone out there, they have some really big men in Ian Maguire and Colm O’Callaghan at the middle of the field...if we win the battle in the middle eighth we’ll have a really good chance”.

Losing to Cork by eight points at the beginning of March has made the Clare camp determined to set the record straight. Reflections of this year’s league are disappointing, the 22-year-old said. “The league is history and it’s done, we’re currently in Division 3 but that is for next year, now we’re just fo-

Downes departs panel

KILMIHIL’s Ciaran Downes has left the Clare senior football panel, writes Páraic McMahon

Downes featured in four of Clare’s seven outings in this year’s Allianz National Football League but departed the panel following the county’s relegation from Division 2 to the third tier. His personal tally amounted to a single goal, this arriving in Clare’s final round victory over Limerick where he started at wing-forward. The UL student was also handed a starting jersey in the second round clash against Meath in Navan.

Ciaran was used as a substitute in the games against Kildare and Louth.

At club and college level, he has shined with Kilmihil and the University of Limerick. His showings in the Sigerson Cup led to his recognition on the Higher Education Rising Stars team of the year with the West Clare man a key component as UL reached Sigerson Cup finals for successive campaigns.

Downes’ importance to Kilmihil was highlighted at the weekend when he kicked 1-05 as they defeated county champions Éire Óg in the Garry Cup.

Clare senior football manager, Colm Collins confirmed to The Clare Echo that Ciaran has exited the panel. “Ciaran is going to America playing football so he has withdrawn from the panel”.

During the Allianz NFL campaign, Corofin’s Gearoid Cahill departed the squad. The primary school teacher had been included in the matchday panel for one of Clare’s league ties but opted out and has been available for his club in their outings for the Cusack Cup and Clare Cup as a result.

cused on Cork”. Approaching the end of his time at the University of Limerick where he is almost qualified as a PE and Maths teacher, his time in UL proved invaluable to his development as a footballer. This year he captained the Sigerson Cup team while the year previous a certain David Clifford was among his teammates. Serving as ‘a shop window’ for senior inter-county level, Emmet believes the Sigerson Cup remains a vital tool in the development of county footballers. “It is a brilliant stepping stone really from your first few years in club senior and your last years of county minor, U20 to get that stepping stone and exposure with lads your own age on inter-county teams... I wouldn’t be playing half as well these days if I didn’t have it”.

A member of the senior panel for four years, McMahon’s ability to score from distance has this year seen him nail down a starting spot. "Countless" hours down in his local field in Kildsyart saw him hone his technique. "Once you can get as much practice as you can, there was a lot of work off the wall before I got near the goals, any young lad should be out practicing off a wall with their brother or sister, it will all pay off”.

There’s obviously a level of satisfaction when the scores split the posts but Emmet is the first to admit his tallies could be higher. “I would have been disappointed this year with a lot of my shooting efficiencies, 100 percent I could have defi nitely come away with more... Hopefully with the champion ship starting I’ll get the effi we

which is more important”.

Tralee connections through his mother Maureen Maray are referenced by McMahon, “I must get the football blood from her” while his father’s rugby background didn’t tempt him to remain in the sport despite playing it at underage level, “it’s a bit too rough for me now, not as much kicking and shooting”. There’s no crowd in Cusack Park as Clare continue preparations but Emmet can feel the anticipation in the air. “You can hear the echo in the noise, it bounces around the place. Once you get a good run of a few points in Cusack Park with a crowd behind you then it’s very hard sition to stop that”.

Collins has decisions to make around middle third

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

SELECTIONS around the middle third are among the main selection headaches for Colm Collins and his management team for Sunday’s Munster SFC quarter-final with Cork.

Cork’s aerial strength in midfield has been one of their main assets under new boss John Cleary and Clare will be keen to counteract that this weekend. Darren O’Neill has returned from a broken thumb which he sustained in the opening round of the Allianz National Football League and is battling with Darragh Bohannon to partner Cathal O’Connor in the middle of the field.

As first reported by The Clare Echo, Kilfenora’s Cian O’Dea will miss Sunday’s encounter after sustaining knee ligament damage. His absence from the half-back line will be felt but Jamie Malone is likely to revert to this line of the field. Ciaran Russell, Alan Sweeney and Pearse Lillis are also vying for spots here with Lillis another option in the half-forward line.

Stephen Ryan has nailed down his position as first choice goalkeeper since regaining the jersey in the third round of the NFL. Cillian

Brennan will wear number three with Manus Doherty expected to get the nod in one corner while Ronan Lanigan is on course to make his championship debut. The return from injury of Cillian Rouine gives Collins and his management multiple options, the Lahinch man was a regular at corner back last season but his strength and football ability also makes him an option further out the field.

Captain Eoin Cleary is set to continue at centre forward with Keelan Sexton at full forward. Emmet McMahon and Gavin Cooney are expected to receive starting jerseys with Dermot Coughlan, Lillis and Malone in contention to join Cleary in the half-forward line.

Also ruled out through injury for the quarter-final is defender Eoghan Collins. The Ballyhaunis man missed out on the entire league campaign but will return to training following the Cork game.

While O’Dea has been a constant in the Clare defence and Collins a regular addition off the bench, the manager was not concerned with the injuries. “I’d never be worried, in the normal scheme of things players get injured, there’s no point in dwelling on that because it’s an opportunity for the next man, we’ve got plenty players to step in, I’d never be worried about injuries, it’s never an excuse”.

Photo by Gerard O'Neill

PLANNING

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL, CLAHANE, LISCANNOR, CO. CLARE

Planning permission

being sought by Kate O’Connor & Aaron McGettigan to demolish existing front porch and construct new front, side and rear extensions to existing private dwelling house and all associated site works at the above address. This 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 ROO WEST, ARDNACRUSHA, CO. CLARE

Take notice that, Kieran and Brid Mannix, intend to apply to the planning authority, for permission to construct dwelling house, garage, waste water treatment system, percolation

area, entrance and all associated site works, at 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 of Clare County Council, Planning Department, Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare, during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee of €20 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL KNOCKALISHEEN, MEELICK, CO CLARE

I, Gearóid Moroney, am applying to the above authority for retention permission for the following development on property at Knockalisheen, Meelick, Co Clare:

Retention Permission for the construction of an extension to the side of the existing dwelling together with a first floor extension as constructed together with all associated ancil-

lary and incidental site works.

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

CLARE CO. COUNCIL DROMORE, FEAKLE, CO. CLARE

Take notice that Eoin Tuohy intends to apply for permission for development, the development consists of the construction of agricultural loose house and associated site works at the above address.

The planning application maybe inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to

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

CLARE CO. COUNCIL CREAN, BROADFORD CO. CLARE

Take notice that Michael Vaughan intends to apply for permission for development, the development consists of the construction of agricultural loose house and associated site works at the above address. The planning application maybe inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL SHYAN, KILMIHIL, CO. CLARE

Take notice that Emma Callinan & Michael

Doran are applying to Clare County Council for planning permission to construct a new dwelling house, new entrance, access road, private garage and install a new wastewater treatment system 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 VILLAGE HOSTEL, TOOMULLIN, DOOLIN, CO CLARE EIRCODE V95XY59

Take notice that PJ Hyland intends to apply for PERMISSION to extend the existing hostel, retain the altered internal layout & all other associated site and ancillary works at the above address. The planning application may be in-

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL SHANDRUM, MULLAGH, CO

CLARE

Take notice that Padraic Flynn intends to apply for PERMISSION build a new Cowshed, alter an existing machinery shed and repurpose it as a Bull Shed & all other associated site and ancillary works at the above address.

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

fee of €20.00, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL POULNAGUN, LISDOONVARNA, CO

CLARE

Take notice that Sheila Considine intends to apply for PERMISSION build a new Dwelling, install a WWTS / Percolation Area & all other associated site and ancillary works at the above address.

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

Joan,

Deerpark, Sixmilebridge, and Tampa, Florida,

wife, mother & sister who passed

8th April 2022. Those we love don’t go away. They walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard but always near. Still loved, still missed and very dear. Always remembered by your loving husband Gerard, son Rory, daughters Deirdre & Sinead, your mother Mary, sister Marie, brother Andrew, uncles Willie & James and extended family.

The Clare Echo Quiz

CLARE GAA QUIZ

1 In what year did Clare hurlers first win an All-Ireland title?

2What year did Ger Loughnane take over the senior hurling team?

3 How many years did Davy Fitzgerald manage Clare for?

4 What is the capacity of Cusack Park?

5 In what year did the Clare football team win their first Munster title?

7 In what year did the Clare G.A.A emblem come into being? about 1926

8

Who did Clare beat in 1995 to win the All-Ireland hurling final?

9

How many lions feature on the Clare GAA crest?

10Who scored the 5th goal in Clare’s win vs Cork in the All-Ireland replay?

lQUESTION 1: (above) In what year did Clare hurlers first win an All-Ireland title?

lQUESTION 3: (left) How many years did Davy Fitzgerald manage Clare for?

6 How many All-Ireland junior titles have the Clare Camogie team won?

Spot the Difference

Can you spot the 7 differences

Last weeks answers

. Jersey different colour

. Band around leg missing (right)

. Post missing in background

. Line on pitch missing (background right)

. crest missing on shorts ennis rugby (left) . Nike logo different colour on St Senan’s player boots

. logo missing on shorts of Ennis player (right)

Emmet McMahon of UL and Kildysart, Clare, right, receives his 2023 Electric Ireland GAA Higher Education Rising Stars Football Team of the Year Award from Chair of the GAA Higher Education Committee Michael Hyland during the 2023 Electric Ireland GAA HEC Rising Star Awards at the Castletroy Park Hotel in Limerick

Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile.

Best Daily Word Search: 4 April 2023

WORD SEARCH

HOW TO PLAY

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

The Clare Echo Crossword

ACROSS

1. Adversary(8)

6. Nervous twitch(3)

9. Swimming stroke(5)

10. American reindeer(7)

11. Ignorant, not cognisant(7)

13. Lifeless(5)

14. Apprehensive, edgy(6)

15. Exploding firework(6)

18. First sign of the zodiac(5)

20. Mean, medium(7)

21. Immediate(7)

22. Power(5)

23. Information(3)

24. Reject(4,4)

DOWN

2. Appease, pacify(7)

3. Lubricant(3)

4. Surpass(6)

5. Bring to an end(9)

6. Board(5)

7. Forgeries(12)

8. Amassing(12)

12. Helper(9)

16. Scottish city(7)

17. Fried fish coating(6)

19. Norwegian dramatist(5)

22. Wet soft earth(3)

CROSSWORD ANSWERS