The Clare Echo 06/06/19

065 671 9021

clareecho.ie

editor@clareecho.ie

facebook.com/clareecho

twitter.com/ClareEcho

06 June 2019

2019

CLARE FORCE ONE...

Trump arrives for two night stay in Doonbeg PAGES 6, 8 & 10

l STEPPING INTO THE BANNER: President Donald Trump steps off Air Force One at Shannon Airport yesterday afternoon with his wife Melania Photo by Julien Behal

2 NEWS

THURSDAY, JUN 6 2019

Index NEWS

2-15

ENTERTAINMENT

16

RONAN SCULLY

17

MOTORING 192

19-26

BUSINESS

27

PROPERTY

28-32

SPORT

33-35

CLASSIFIEDS

36-37

The Square, Ennis, County Clare Telephone: 065 671 9021

NEWSDESK

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

SALES

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

l WATCH HIM LIKE A HAWK: Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy with “Al” the Harris Hawk, falconer Clodagh Helen and Siobhan KIng, Failte Ireland, during his visit to the Birds of Prey Centre at Ailwee Caves in the Burren on Tuesday as part of his tour along the Photo by Eamon Ward Wild Atlantic Way with Failte Ireland

Unemployment lowest since ‘05 STUART HOLLY

editor@clareecho.ie

F

INE Gael Clare TD Joe Carey has highlighted that figures published yesterday by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) indicate that the monthly unemployment rate for May 2019 stands at 4.4 per cent, the lowest rate since 2005.

“Today’s positive news from the CSO shows the monthly unemployment rate down to 4.4 per cet, the lowest rate since 2005.

“This is down from 4.6 per cent in April 2019 and down from 5.9 per cent in May 2018. The number of persons unemployed was 108,200 in May 2019, down from 111,300 when compared to the April 2019 figure and a decrease of 33,200 when compared to May 2018,” said Mr Carey.

He continue “This is further positive news following on from the publication of the Labour Force Survey, Ireland’s key source of employment data, last month which indicated that there were 2,316,100 people employed in Ireland in the first quarter of 2019, a 3.6 per cent increase on the same quarter of 2018.

“This consistent growth is reflective of the success of the Government’s annual Action Plans for Jobs, and this momentum is now carried on through the Future Jobs Ireland framework.”

Some 221,100 new jobs have been created since the start of 2016, and Carey said, “We have well exceeded our target of 200,000 new jobs by 2020. Furthermore, our regional goal of 135,000 jobs has also been surpassed with 150,000 jobs created outside Dublin as of Q1 2019. On average, over 1,500 new jobs were created every week in Ireland over the last 12 months.

“During Fianna Fáil’s last term in Government, 330,000 jobs were lost, emigration soared and our economy shrunk by eight per cent between 2007 and 2010.

“At a time of strong economic growth and almost full employment, it would be easy to become complacent – something that happened during the boom years. Fine Gael is determined to make sure that this doesn’t happen again however. That is why we are preparing now for tomorrow’s world.

Citing the Future Jobs Ireland 2019 report which addresses challenges to participation in the labour force, Carey added, “Actions include developing and implementing tailored activation and training supports and generating attractive employment opportunities such as smart working arrangements.

“We are also delivering ‘Project Ireland 2040’ which will ensure sustainable growth over the next 20 years for all parts of Ireland.”

HomeGallery-SofaSale-CC-PG.qxp_Layout 1 05/06/2019 15:47 Page 1

SOFA SALE !

E C N A H C T S A L  D N E L AST WEEK

CHOICE OF COLOURS

CHOICE OF COLOURS MEMPHIS CORNER GROUP WAS €2795, NOW €2195

CARRARA CORNER GROUP WAS €2195 NOW €1495

CHOICE OF COLOURS TANGIERS CORNER SOFA, WAS €2295, NOW €1,595

BEATRIX 3 SEATERSOFA, WAS €1595, NOW €999

CHOICE OF COLOURS

SWIVEL WAS €795 NOW €595

Lusso Corner Sofa was €1895 NOW €1195

CHOICE OF COLOURS

ARMCHAIR WAS €995 NOW

€649

TOSCA 3 SEATER SOFA WAS €1395 NOW €999

HALF PRICE CHICAGO CORNER SOFA WAS €2195, NOW €1,595

CHICAGO 3+1+1 WITH 4 RECLINERS WAS €1995, NOW €995

Open Mon - Sat 9.30am-6pm Sunday 1pm-5pm

CHOICE OF COLOURS

LUXURY NORMA CORNER GROUP WAS €2,495 NOW €1,595

I N T E R I O R S

Kilrush Rd, Ennis Ph: 065 6797040

4

NEWS

THURSDAY, JUN 6 2019

Brennans honoured by club support for HPV campaign PÁRAIC McMAHON

G

paraic@clareecho.ie

AA clubs across the country are doing their bit to raise awareness for the HPV vaccine, a campaign that had been spearheaded by Ennis native Laura Brennan up until her death in March.

Bringing a new angle on the campaign to encourage teenage girls and boys to get the HPV vaccine, sporting clubs are being urged to place the logo of the HPV vaccine on training tops for their various teams.

Numerous teams and clubs have already committed to backing the initiative with Éire Óg Inis, Wolfe Tones na Sionna, Kilrush ladies football, and Mooncoin camogie in Kilkenny some of the clubs already on board in less than a week.

Clare’s senior hurling panel are the most high profile team to confirm they are partaking in the campaign. “We will be playing our part to promote takeup of the HPV vaccine as well as marking Laura Brennan's legacy as an inspiring advocate for the Vaccination Programme by wearing a specially commissioned set of

training gear next week,” a spokesperson for the management told The Clare Echo.

Shane Collins from Newmarket-on-Fergus who runs Ború Sports is designing the training tops for clubs which can be purchased for €17.

In a statement, the Brennan family acknowledged the support they have received in recent weeks and the amount of goodwill towards the latest campaign.

“We would like to thank everyone for their kind words and positive response to Laura’s documentary and our appearance on The Late Late Show. We are honoured that the Clare senior hurlers and various other GAA clubs in Ireland are putting the HPV logo on their training tops in memory of Laura and the 130 women and men who die in Ireland each year from HPV related cancers.

“It is great to see sportspeople in our communities act as role models advocating in favour of the HPV vaccine. With the vaccine being rolled out to boys for the first time this September and again for girls we are certain this initiative will help further improve the uptake of the HPV vaccine and in turn save lives”.

At the time of Laura’s death, the HSE praised her for directly leading to an uptake of the vaccine by almost 20 percentage points from 51 per cent in 2017 to 70 per cent at the time of her death in March 2019.

l WIDESPREAD SUPPORT: The Brennan family (l-r) Bernie, Larry, Colin, Kevin and Fergal on last week's Late Late Show with Ryan Tubridy ADVERTORIAL

€100 Rowan Tree Café voucher up for grabs

NOW that the evenings are getting longer and the sunny days are more frequent, Rowan Tree Café Bar has extended its opening hours for the Summer and are now open 7 days a week.

The Rowan Tree will open Sunday to Thursday from 10.30am to 9pm and Friday and Saturday from 10.30am to 9.30pm.

Did you know that you can also book your table online on www.rowantreecafebar. ie and if you book your table online this month you are in for a chance to win a €100 voucher for Rowan Tree Café Bar. If you don’t fancy heading out or if you are having friends over for an evening, The Rowan Tree also offer their great evening takeaway menu which is also available on the website; just call and collect and the staff will have it ready for you - and of course it will be in The Rowan Tree's fully compostable take away packaging.

6

NEWS

THURSDAY, JUN 6 2019

Protester labels locals 'arse-licking shoneens' CIAN O'BROIN

A

news@clareecho.ie

S THE clock ticked down in anticipation for the visit of 45th U.S President Donald Trump yesterday, one man took the journey from Newmarket in County Cork to voice his opinion on the people of Doonbeg and their upcoming visitor.

Eighty-year-old John Lennon took to the main street of Doonbeg to protest against the arrival of l OPINIONATED: Protester John Lennon Photo by Martin Connolly

Taoiseach faces criticism for failing to visit Doonbeg

Donald Trump. A solitary figure in the face of local media, Mr Lennon brandished his anti-Trump placard in hand admonishing to passer-bys that, “the people of Doonbeg are a despicable bunch of arse-licking shoneens”.

When asked about his intentions in the small WestClare village he replied, “I’m protesting against the visit of a [man] to pollute the environment of WestClare...I’m here because I’m ashamed of the fact that our Taoiseach and our Tanaiste are going down to Shannon airport to meet [Trump]. A man who has no respect for women. A man who has no respect for the truth.”

Mr Lennon, a standalone figure, voiced his strong opinion on the idleness of the people of Doonbeg in the face of such an adverse political figure, in his opinion. “It doesn’t matter how they feel about Trump. It matters how I feel about them. I think that they are scum. There’s no point in calling a spade a shovel.”

As for Donald Trump, Mr Lennon had some words of wisdom to impart, “Go back. Stop abusing women and stop abusing the truth. When I was a youngster my parents taught me one thing, that you’ll catch more with honey than with vinegar. The guy has no honey, he’s full of vinegar. He’s a liar and a woman hater. That’s vinegar, my friend.”

“I’ll tell you what we need. To remember the wisdom of a great saint. All that is necessary for the triumph of evil, is that good people say and do nothing. I’m a good person, I’m not prepared to sit down and do nothing. I’m here to say and do something, to damnify that evil man!”

TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar has been criticised by the people of Doonbeg for failing to meet US President Donald Trump in the Long Village.

Gerry Corbett is a native of Doonbeg but has lived in Wicklow for the past 46 years. He returns to Clare every year and did so this week along with his wife Angela specifically to soak up the atmosphere as the village welcomes a US President for the first time.

“It is different altogether with all the security, people must never feel so secure in rural Ireland with all the guards around the place,” he noted of the somewhat unfamiliar looking aspects to Doonbeg. “I come back every year and down more often if I can, I never lost touch with the village. Doonbeg was the place I grew up, I played football at all levels with Doonbeg, a great place for music, dancing and working in the bog which was the traditional thing growing up as a young fella”.

Speaking to The Clare Echo's Páraic McMahon, Gerry criticised Taoiseach Leo Varadkar for opting against meeting Donald Trump in Doonbeg. “I think it’s shameful our leader Mr Varadkar didn’t see it fit to come to Doonbeg to meet Mr Trump. It’s a great thing for the village and regardless of Mr Trump’s controversy, it’s all about jobs and keeping people in the village”.

When it came to Trump, Corbett was less critical. “He’s controversial in a lot of things but what leaders are not controversial”. He confirmed the view of Donald is much different in Wicklow and the capital compared to Co Clare. “Up around Dublin where I work you’d get some people who certainly wouldn’t entertain the man at all and then other people would have different views saying he’s great for America and the world”.

Since the Trump family purchased the local hotel in 2014, Gerry maintained more people have returned to live in Doonbeg. “There are a lot of changes in Doonbeg because there are more people coming back that immigrated to America and England over the years, the sign of this is when you see a lot of new houses in rural places which is fantastic to see and some fine houses which people worked hard for to come back and enjoy their years in retirement”.

Some locals were unsure if Donald would pay a visit to the village itself but Gerry was “certain” he would and outlined what conversation he would have if chatting to Mr Trump. “I’d be delighted to shake hands with the man and tell him to pump more money into the golf club and hotel”.

Official Cliffs of Moher Shuttle Bus

OUTWARD 1A Ennistymon to Cliffs

1A

1A

1A

1A

1A

1A

1A

1A

Ennistymon Church Lahinch Bus Stop Liscannor Main Street Hags Head Kilconnel Cliffs of Moher Visitor Exp

8.15 8.25 8.30 8.35 8.45

9.45 9.55 10.00 10.05 10.15

11.40 11.50 12.00 12.05 12.15

13.30 13.35 13.45 13.50 14.00

15.00 15.05 15.15 15.20 15.30

16.50 16.55 17.05 17.10 17.20

18.05 18.10 18.15 18.20 18.30

19.35 19.40 19.45 19.50 20.00

Serving Ennistymon, Lahinch, Liscannor, Doolin, Lisdoonvarna and the coastal walk

Cliffs to Ennistymon

1B

1B

1B

1B

1B

1B

1B

1B

Cliffs of Moher Visitor Exp Hags Head Kilconnel Liscannor Main Street Lahinch Bus Stop Ennistymon Church

8.45 8.50 9.00 9.10 9.15

10.15 10.20 10.30 10.40 10.45

12.15 12.20 12.30 12.40 12.45

14.00 14.05 14.15 14.25 14.30

16.15 16.20 16.30 16.40 16.50

17.30 17.40 17.50 18.00 18.10

19.00 19.10 19.20 19.30 19.40

21.00 21.10 21.20 21.30

Lisdoonvarna to Cliffs

2A

2A

2A

2A

2A

2A

2A

2A

Lisdoonvarna Fáilte Car Park Hotel Doolin

8.10 8.20

9.50 10.00

11.50 12.00

13.30 13.40

15.00 15.10

16.40 16.50

18.10 18.20

19.35 19.45

Cliffs of Moher Visitor Exp

8.30

10.10

12.10

13.50

15.20

17.00

18.30

19.55

Tickets available

Cliffs to Lisdoonvarna

2B

2B

2B

2B

2B

2B

2B

2B

ONLINE ONLY at

Cliffs of Moher Visitor Exp Hotel Doolin Lisdoonvarna Fáilte Car Park

8.35 8.45 8.55

10.15 10.25 10.35

12.15 12.25 12.35

13.55 14.05 14.15

16.15 16.25 16.35

17.30 17.40 17.50

19.00 19.10 19.20

21.00 21.10 21.20

RETURN TIMETABLE 1B

OUTWARD 2A

RETURN TIMETABLE 2B

www.cliffsofmoher.ie

Go green, stay local, enjoy for longer, walk more and leave no trace

8 NEWS

'Honour' for Trump to be in Clare PÁRAIC McMAHON

B

paraic@clareecho.ie

REXIT will be good for Ireland according to US President, Donald Trump who said he was "honoured" to be in Ireland.

Trump and his wife Melania arrived in Shannon Airport at 16:41 in Wednesday on Air Force One. He then held a short news conference with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at Shannon. Referring to Brexit, the 45th President of the USA commented, "I hear it's going to work out very well."

Trump added that he has confidence in the individuals involved in Brexit discussions.

"You are certainly one of the

THURSDAY, JUN 6 2019

leading countries in terms of people moving and living in the United States. We have millions of Irish and I think I know most of them because they're my friends.

"It's an honour to be here," he added.

From Shannon, Donald and Melania flew via helicopter to Doonbeg accompanied by members of the Secret Service and An Garda Síochána Meanwhile, Clare's biggest security operation in 15 years is underway following Trump’s arrival into Shannon Airport.

1,400 uniformed Gardaí are working in the county for the visit, they are also being assisted by mounted, dog and air support units of the force. The county itself has not seen such a strong Garda presence since the 2004 visit of then US President George W. Bush to Dro-

moland Castle.

Locals estimate that 40 Gardaí are deployed between Creegh and Doonbeg at over a dozen checkpoints with others on patrol in the Long Village. Trump International has been closed to the public since Tuesday, however guests that booked rooms prior to the confirmation that Donald and Melania were coming are unaffected.

Despite such a high amount of road closures in the proximity, Clare’s Chief Superintendent Michael Gubbins insisted, “People will be able to come and go through Doonbeg”. Regarding the village itself, the Limerick native stated, “It has been more or less in lockdown for the past few days”.

Gubbins confirmed that “normal policing will take place with Gardaí continuing to work from their stations”.

l HERE'S LOOKIN' AT YOU: President Donald Trump pictured at Shannon Airport yesterday afternoon before he was transferred to Doonbeg by helicoptor Photo by Julien Behal

l BUZZING: Scenes from the Ennis Farmers Market in Roslevan from last Friday afternoon, where the market celebrated its 15th year in operation with live music, face painting, food samples and cooking demonstrations. The Farmers Market opens every Friday from 8am-2pm

10 NEWS

THURSDAY, JUN 6 2019

Tubridy hopeful Donald will pay him a visit during stay PÁRAIC McMAHON

I

news@clareecho.ie

Irelan

d

ea

e Fairs

of

t Ga m

T STARTED with the trumpets for the 20th Doonbeg Jazz Festival and now this week the West Clare village welcomes the 45th President of the United States of America with restaurant owner and publican Tommy Tubridy noticing an increase in business since Donald Trump’s trip was announced.

“It’s fantastic with the build-up and the way we have the village put together with the bunting, streamers, the American flag and of course our own national flag, county flag and parish flag, a big community effort into it and we’re really delighted with the response of people coming here to the village since word broke that Trump is coming to Doonbeg we can see a big increase in business,” Tommy told The Clare Echo.

Between Creegh and Doonbeg, 40 Gardaí are patrolling the area with several checkpoints and road closures. Tubridy confirmed the locals are looking after the huge An Garda Síochána presence in West Clare. “It’s unusual to see so many Garda but they are lovely, we’ve

been chatting with them offering them cups of tea, nice home bread and the whole lot, they’re being well looked after and well catered for, they seem to be very happy at the moment”.

Donald and Melania Trump will fly to France on Thursday before returning to Trump International Golf Links and Hotel Ireland later that night, he is expected to play a round of golf on Friday. It is unclear if he will visit the village itself. “Donald is a man you don’t know what he will do, we might get a tweet that he might stop off on the village which would be great if he did."

If Trump does call in to the village of Doonbeg, Tubridy’s Bar and Restaurant is being tipped as the most likely destination.

“It would be nice if he does go to Tubridys but if he goes to any of the other business people, I won’t be turning my nose up to it, he’s very welcome in Doonbeg.

"If he doesn’t come he has still put us on the world stage, we have coverage here from all over the world. There will be a big cead míle fáilte for him, I know he doesn’t drink but I’d like to put the name Trump on a pint for him or put the shamrock whichever one he’d like, maybe the man with him might have a pint of Guinness”.

greatgamefairs ofireland

l SUPPORTER: Tommy Tubridy pictured at Tubridy's Bar in Doonbeg yesterday, says that Trump should be welcomed with open arms by the people of Ireland

Photo by Martin Connolly

THE GALWAY GAME FAIR & COUNTRY LIFESTYLE FESTIVAL

Gr

Full GAME FAIR programme with RED MILLS Spaniel & Retriever Tests & Gundog Demos • FEEDWELL Terrier, Lurcher & Whippet & Children’s Dog Show • Fantastic Clay Pigeon Shooting with FOUR GUNS to be won • Impressive Living History Village with costumed re-enactors • Thrilling Medieval Jousting from the Knights of the North from Scotland • Sporting Art, Country Crafts and Taxidermy • Dancing Horses & Western Riding • Bygone Rabbit Catching from the Norfolk Warrener • The Victorian Muzzle Loading Display Team • Huge Tented Village with unrivalled shopping opportunities including the Galway Home & Garden Festival – everything for your home & garden; a Fine Food & Craft Festival with Flogas Cookery Demonstrations by Emmett McCourt; Great Range of country clothing, guns & tackle and everything to ‘buy into’ the country lifestyle • An Action Packed Main Arena Programme • Fishing, Cookery & Sporting Books from Coch-y-Bonddu • Shooting & Fishing advice in the Salmon & Woodcock Pavilion and from the main sporting organisations • Angling Tuition for Children plus lots of ‘have a go‘ activities including air rifle shooting, laser clay shooting plus children’s games area. TWO GREAT DAYS OUT IN THE COUNTRY FROM 10.00am - 5.30pm FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

15th & 16th June, Galway Racecourse, Ballybrit

ADMISSION: ADULT €15 FAMILY (2 Adults and up to four children) €35 FREE Car Parking & FREE Programme

For further details see www.irishgamefair.com www.exhibitionsireland.ie E: homesandgardensexhibitions@eircom.net E: irishgamefair@btinternet.com The IRISH COUNTRY LIFESTYLE FESTIVAL is supported by GALWAY CITY COUNCIL Tel: 087 2562788 or 048 44839167/44615416

12 NEWS

THURSDAY, JUN 6 2019

Moneypoint contractors all cease employment PÁRAIC McMAHON

A

paraic@clareecho.ie

S ESB plans for the future of Moneypoint, all contractors have finished working at the power station.

In a statement to The Clare Echo, ESB outlined that as part of it’s Brighter Future strategy they are committed by 2030 “to moving to 40 percent renewable generation” which will reduce the carbon intensity of their electrical generation by more than two thirds. “We will cease all generation from coal no later than 2025 and complete our transition from high carbon fuels by 2030. The Government has announced an end to coal fired generation in Ireland by 2025, well ahead of many other EU Member States. This is a key milestone for ESB and an integral part of our strategy to cut carbon emissions”.

Job security and the future of Moneypoint has been an ongoing concern in the county and ESB say they recognise “the role that

Moneypoint Power Station plays in both supporting the local economy and at a national level, Moneypoint delivers secure, reliable and affordable power. ESB is committed to engaging and communicating with stakeholders on the immediate and longer term challenges arising from both the competitive environment and the planned move away from coal generation”.

“The site at Moneypoint occupies a prime location on the electricity system and we are confident that it will continue to play a key role in Ireland's future low carbon energy system. ESB is currently examining technology options for Moneypoint beyond 2025 that will deliver large scale electricity generation, fuel diversity and security of supply.

The development of replacement generation for Moneypoint however is contingent on a project winning an open auction for a capacity contract and on being commercially viable”.

According to a spokesperson for ESB, “less contractor resources are required” and so all contractors ceased employment on Friday last. A major overhaul programme was initiated in 2018 and completed in early 2019.

In addition, the station has experienced reduced running in the market.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Cllr Ian Lynch said the situation was “a massive concern. At the minute they’ve got rid of all the temporary workers, the contractors, there is talk that there could be possibly 100 more direct staff to go. I’m very concerned because the staff they want to let go are going to be the younger people, the older staff who are due to retire Photo by Pat Kelly in the next couple of years l CONCERNS: Moneypoint power station will be maintained and then they will lose them to turbines, they wouldn’t do that if they had natural retirement. intentions of closing down.

“I strongly think the future of Money"I think the intention is to reduce the staff point as a power generation station is go- numbers and then take on the people on a ing to stay going, they’ve too much money lower terms and conditions. It’s concerning invested, from a commercial point of view that the people going to be let go are the the ESB have invested a lot of money in the young people we need to make the commuscrubbers and now they refitted the three nity survive."

NOTICE TO DOG OWNERS Clean Up After Your Dog And Stop

MESS • SMELL • DISEASE

 Always carry a bag to clean up  Bag it and bin it  Control your dog at all times @greenerclare |

@greenerclare |

@greenerclare

Anti-litter Hotline No.: 1800 606 706 Email: enviroff@clarecoco.ie

14 OPINION

THURSDAY, JUN 6 2019

Eoin Neylon

An inside look at Clare’s political spectrum

Sinn Féin suffer most as general election may loom

l PHONE A FRIEND... British television host Chris Tarrent with Clare businessman Jack Whelan late last week. Tarrent and Channel 5 were filming at the West Clare Railway museum in Moyasta Photo by Martin Connolly

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR DON'T GET CARRIED AWAY WITH THE BOWING & SCRAPING

Dear Editor, I have been prompted to put pen to paper after reading the article in The Clare Echo on Thursday, May 30th which stated ‘Trump is going to Heaven’. Can you still buy your way into Heaven?. I thought that Martin Luther had all that sorted out back in the 16th Century. The reasoning behind this promise is and I quote ‘he (Trump) loves his neighbour, he’s done a lot for his neighbour’. Now, tell that to the Mexican people and the children separated from their parents and kept in cages. There is a list as long as your arm that I am sure most people are aware of but choose to ignore in the scramble to please and be on the right side of this man. Perhaps they are right as we know what happens if he is challenged. Relax, he won’t close the hotel. He is a business man and if there is a profit to be made, he won’t be worried about what a few local peasants think of him. Look what he did in Aberdeen!!!

But, what the heck, free golf has to be paid for somehow and maybe if he (Trump) could get a cure for his hubristic syndrome he might slip pass St Peter unnoticed.

But, I get it. The hotel gives huge employment and it’s a great boost to Doonbeg and West Clare. It has certainly put us on the map and there is no fault with Donald Trump coming to check out his investment.

Just, please, don’t get carried away with the bowing and the scraping.

Without the hotel and golf course a lot of people would find it difficult to get local employment but it might be good to remember that, without the hard work and dedication of the staff, the hotel would not be the success it is. Donald is not giving away money to the locals because he is a kind and generous man. He is getting value for money and he should be most grateful to all the people who work there. The hotel was there before Donald Trump snapped it up as a good investment and it will be there after him.

Yours Sincerely, Lily O’Donoghue

Email editor@clareecho.ie or post your letter to: Stuart Holly, The Clare Echo, O'Connell Square, Ennis, Co Clare

In the Banner county, such an exercise would seem a straightforward one for Sinn Féin at least. As I wrote in this column previously, the party’s choice to run two General Election candidates was, even with positive national polling figures, over ambitious to the point of being self-destructive. After the local election results, that is now painfully clear for the Provisionals. They’ll have to go back to the drawing board and rethink their entire approach in Clare after

‘‘

for the Greens, especially when you consider that the party only contested two of the five electoral areas. They’d hope to build on the 2,010 first preference votes they received in the local elections.

When you think that SF’s 5 candidates only amassed 4.9 per cent by comparison, it shows how much trouble they now find themselves in.

Fianna Fáil by contrast will be on cloud nine. Their current strategy looks to be a prudent one.

Timmy Dooley will be odds on to top the poll once more if the local election figures are to be replicated for the Dáil. Cllr. Cathal Crowe retained his title as the Soldiers of Destiny’s largest vote getter on Clare County Council. This despite several candidates being selected to run in his neck of the woods in an attempt to dampen his vote. Doonbeg businesswomen Rita McInerney will also be boosted by the party’s great showing in West Clare, taking five of the nine seats on offer.

The most worried figure at the West County overlooking the tally figures was Dr. Michael Harty TD. Although Independents did enjoy an 18.5 per cent share of the vote, this was significantly down on the 25 per cent they received five years ago.

The Independent block dropped from seven seats to five and, tellingly, two of these were left sweating on the last seat in dog fights with other Independent candidates. With news that former Labour TD Michael McNamara has left that party and may run as an independent, this may well fracture an already weakened independent vote and see neither elected. His decision has left Clare Labour in complete disarray after yet another poor local election campaign that didn’t see them threaten for any seat.

If all the above is an indicator of the current state of play, then the next General Election could well see FF and FG both take two seats.

As I’ve always said, “where Clare leads, Ireland follows”. Therefore, if this is a trend replicated across the country, we’d see both FF and FG make gains with SF taking a huge hit and the Greens, Labour and Social Democrats picking up a number of urban Dáil seats. That would open the door for the traditional “big two” to start wooing the centre left block of parties to form a majority Government.

If similar tally analyses yield similar results in other counties, be ready for canvassers back on the doors before the year is out!

The Blueshirts did not do well in West Clare, returning just two of the nine seats on offer. This is especially worrying for Senator Martin Conway who would be hoping to make a charge towards a Dáil seat based on Atlantic coast support

‘‘

A

S THE recount rumbles on in Nemo Rangers GAA club for the Ireland South Euro Constituency, the rest of the country has moved on from the local and European elections. Photos of Councillors being bounced into the air by supporters as they emerged victorious are now nothing more than a memory for most people who have returned to normal life. For Clare’s 28 Councillors, the immediate attention turns to strategy and how the Council itself will be run for the next five years. Will we see an all-inclusive Council like we did last time or will Fianna Fáil, just one seat away from an effective majority, seek to gain the support of a couple of Independents or members of smaller parties and aim to put their agenda centre stage? All that is set to be revealed very shortly.

On the wider political landscape, there is now just one election on people’s mind; the next General Election. The results of last month's elections has thrown a serious question mark over its staging. There are now four Dáil bye-elections required following the elections of Frances Fitzgerald, Clare Daly, Billy Kelleher and Mick Wallace to the European Parliament. As soon as they take up their seats in Brussels, the law states that they no longer are members of Dáil Éireann and the Government has just six months to hold an election to choose their successors. Should the Government lose all four, something that is entirely possible in the current environment, then they would no longer have the necessary numbers to keep the Fine Gael/Independent minority Government going. It may well be that it would make more sense to call a full General Election for the autumn and attempt to get some certainty and form a stable Government.

This course of action may appeal to Leo Varadkar. His party saw an increase in seats at both local and European level with a marginally increased vote share from five years ago. So too might it suit Míchéal Martin and Fianna Fáil who enjoyed the party’s highest vote share in a national election since 2007. Worryingly for them, however, the party only managed to gain two of the 13 European seats on offer, one of which was the reserve 'Brexit seat' in the Dublin constituency. Tally figures will be poured over in the coming weeks from all around the country and analysed to death as parties try to decide what the best electoral strategy will be.

disastrous results here. Fine Gael too may be looking at their plans.

The Blueshirts did not do well in West Clare, returning just two of the nine seats on offer. This is especially worrying for Senator Martin Conway who would be hoping to make a charge towards a Dáil seat based on Atlantic coast support.

The Greens will now likely run Cllr. Róisín Garvey in any General Election, further putting the geographic squeeze on the Ennistymon based Senator. Four per cent is a significant increase in support

MS KNIGHT CALLS IT A DAY AT ST CAIMINS On her last school day as Principal, Claire Knight spoke with former St Caimins Community School Student of the Year, Páraic McMahon.

S

HE’S been an ever present part in the story of St Caimins Community School but the chapter has now closed for Claire Knight following her retirement as Principal of the Shannon secondary school.

In 1985, the school first opened it’s doors to a batch of young and enthusiastic first years, Croom native Claire Knight was one of it’s first members of staff teaching PE and Maths. Over the years her role within the school has changed, she became Deputy Principal in 2009 and five years later succeeded John Cleary as Principal.

Whether it’s walking through the doors and being greeted by the secretarial staff of Louise Lynch and Deborah Dalgarno or the friendship built with fellow colleagues, she never felt a desire to move on from the school. “St Caimins as I would say I’ve been here 34 years, it has been a formative of both my personal and professional life. Starting with David Barry what was great about it was if you ever had an idea and said ‘I’d like to do this’ you were always given loads of encouragement and scaffolding in the sense that people supported you along the way.

“Maybe they saw potential in me or I had a little bit of ambition and I decided I would like to move into different things.

There was always that encouragement there, again with Mary Hanley and John Cleary I would have got that. I know I was in the same place for 34 years but I started out as a PE and Maths teacher, I would have done an IT Masters later on and moved into that area, we moved school buildings and then I obviously became a Deputy Principal and Principal. I was afforded the opportunity to take that journey and my colleagues are also my friends so I felt very closely connected through those and very happy here, we’ve had fantastic students and parents so it was a real happy community to be part of, people were very kind and caring. All you’ve to do is walk through the door and meet Louise and Debbie in the office and that has always been the atmosphere so I would have had no reason to leave”.

A constant change in the curriculum is the biggest difference to life as a teacher in 2019 in comparison with 34 years ago ac-

cording to Claire. “In the last five years I Town Centre the accents was the thing”. pursuits and running once entering retirewould say there have been massive changes Ms Knight felt the priorities of student’s ment. “I said to my children I’m going to in the curriculum itself, it’s no longer con- today have shifted. “They are more con- buy a campervan and travel the world so tent, you’re no longer a master of your con- scious of doing something that is going to you never know I might get around to doing tent it’s how you teach it, how you connect it make them happy and fulfilled whereas in that yet”. to the real world. You’re looking at the way the early days when we came out of a recesIn September, she won’t travel along the students think and you’re trying to change sion people wanted a job, to earn a certain Tullyvarraga Rd for the first time in over the way they think so they can adapt to an amount of money, they probably did think three decades. “It’s funny, every time before ever changing environment, that is difficult I’m going to get married and have a house I come back from holidays I never sleep because the ground is moving the whole whereas I think the current students coming very well the night before, it’s not that I’d be time, it’s like being on a treadmill and you’re out now are less materialistic and less wor- anxious but I’d have all these things going running with it, you’re never one hundred ried about their security in terms of a job around in my head, that’s one thing I won’t percent certain are you doing the right thing and a house but they would be more con- miss because there is a bit of anxiety in it. at the right time. templative in that they want to be happy and I’ll definitely miss the camaraderie and the “For both management and teachers, the they want to have good mental health and friendship, not having the routine is somepace at which change is taking place has in- their friends”. thing I’m looking forward to not being creased, that has created a certain amount A mother to Sam (soon to be based in tied to time. I’ll definitely miss it, there’s no of anxiety among teachers and certainly Rwanda), Kevin (living in Taiwan and Chair doubt about it. I’m going away for the first among students because so much is expect- of the Taiwan Celts) and Gerard (second two weeks in September for a holiday for ed of them. In relation to the new Junior year UL student), Claire along with her hus- the first time ever just so I’ll be in a different Cert, there’s a certain element of emphasis band will be clocking up the travel miles place I won’t be thinking too much about it”. on continuous assessment which is brilliant and also continuing her interest in outdoor because it gives kids who are good at going away at doing their work and bringing it back an opportunity to do well, they still have eight to ten subjects and to ask a kid to do that eight to ten times in one year is quite stressful. We can’t now say we’re all going to get comfortable with this and it will be no problem to us in two years time because the way education is going there could be a whole new system in again, it’s becoming used to and getting used to that uncertainty, being on the treadmill and moving the whole time, that is the biggest change I would have seen”.

With pupil numbers now over 700, more students are attending St Caimins than ever before. Thoughwhen it comes to Shannon itself, she has observed parents are having an increased role in their child’s education which is a positive in her eyes.

Though her abiding initial memory of Shannon was the school and rather the people, “I remember the first big thing I noticed when I came here and met the parents was that a lot of DAY IN OFFICE: Ms Knight signs off at St Caimans after 34years. people had come from Northern Ire- LAST Photo by Joe Buckley land and when you went down to the

Entertainment KIRBY FEELS PRESSURE

OF HOMETOWN PREMIERE CIAN O’BROIN

I

news@clareecho.ie

N County Clare we cherish our own.

Ennis actress Simone Kirby certainly falls into this category. Some may know her for her role as Oonagh in the Ken Loach film Jimmy’s Hall, Tracey Moynihan in Irish crime drama Love/Hate or perhaps the stern figure of Irene O’ Donnell in the internationally acclaimed series, Peaky Blinders. Her latest venture takes her full circle to her hometown of Ennis. Speaking to the Clare Echo, Simone tells of her upcoming performance of Cleft in glór Theatre as well as her acting roots in County Clare.

Simone’s passion for theatre espoused at a very young age, where she found herself eager to get involved and make some sort of impact locally, “I got involved with anything I could. I went in for all the school plays, The Ennis Musical society, local drama groups, local short films.” Opportunities were scarce at the time and Simone understood the necessity of a proactive and resilient mindset. Simone recalls with a nostalgic eye that, “At the time there was no theatre like glór here and no youth theatre so it was about grabbing the chance where

you could. By the time I finished school I was writing little sketches with my friend Muiríosa and was desperate to do more of that.”

Simone looked to film and theatre for inspiration, with both forms leaving their imprint on her soul at different times throughout her life, “When I was young I would look to film, but by the time I was a teenager and started going to theatre I was really interested in Macnas in Galway, and so I made a beeline for Galway when I was 17. Now I get inspiration from all over, but most particularly in the people I work with.” Simone’s altruistic outlook towards her colleagues certainly plays into her humility of character both on and off the stage. Having worked alongside superstars such as Cillian Murphy, Simone emphasises her calm and collected demeanour by dismissing any feeling of pressure, “ It’s grand, sure we’re all doing the same job”.

Cleft has Irish sentiments deeply embellished in the storyline, telling the story of two sisters living on a remote island burdened with the task of raising their little brother. Simone speaks about its premiere in her hometown of Ennis, “It’s great; although I do feel a little pressure too. It’s also a play my husband wrote, and we’ve been waiting a long time to get it to the stage, so that adds extra pressure. But it certainly feels right that it has its premiere here.”

Simone plays the role of ‘Fea’ alongside

her friend Penny Layden, who co-stars as ‘Caireann’. The cast of Cleft remains close knit on both a personal and professional level, which Simone feels compliment each other positively. On taking the role of Fea, she admits “Well; it wasn’t exactly a choice.

The part was written for me. But when you love a character and a play so much you do fight extra hard to get the production made. I think the writing is incredibly beautiful and unique and expressive.”

“Myself and Penny have been friends for 10 years. Fergal wrote it for both of us, as he thought we would work together really well, and he was right. We have a very strong bond.”

Simone feels the premiere will have a profound effect on its Irish audience and that the writing of Fergal McElherron has a strong take home message entwined in its narrative. She feels that, “they’ll go home thinking about it; it has so many layers.

There will be differences of opinion between people, regarding the characters, I’m sure. It’s about repercussions, and familial relationships. It runs quite deep.”

On a final note, Simone is looking forward to the trajectory of her upcoming performance with Cleft being scheduled for Galway and Kilkenny Arts Festival later this year. “Galway has particular meaning for me. I went to Galway Youth Theatre there and have worked there over the years with Druid. So, it’s a second home. And I’ve

heard Kilkenny Arts Festival is a blast so I’m looking forward to that also.” glór and Rough Magic preview Cleft on Thursday 6th June at 8pm. Performances will run from Friday 8th June to Saturday 9th at 8pm.

THE BURREN ANNUAL 2019

For the Burren Annual 2019, Burren College of Art is pleased to host joint exhibitions of video installation, animation and digital prints by artists Saeri Kiritani (Japan) and Dario Solman (Croatia). Both artists examine the theme of the journey. In the video work of Saeri Kiritani this is characterised by the search for home or refuge in contemporary Europe. Through animation and narrative storyboards Dario Solman examines the search for meaning in art and its broader impact on contemporary culture.

The Burren Annual exhibition brings Irish and international artists working with diverse modes of practice to the Burren to engage local and visiting audiences. Inaugurated in 2004 it foregrounds Burren College of Art as a site for discourse and artistic engagement and prioritises the rural as a hub for building local and international creative networks.

THE BURREN ANNUAL 2019 Saeri Kiritani and Dario Solman: Far From Home / The Way of the Heart June 20 – September 6, 2019 OPENING RECEPTION: THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 6 – 8 PM The Gallery | Burren College of Art |Newtown Castle | Ballyvaughan | Co. Clare

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK 17

THURSDAY, JUNE 6 2019

Ronan Scully

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK Author spreading the word of positivity

RESPONDING WITH REAL LOVE

I

F our hearts are to be truly moved by love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion then we will necessarily desire to do something good, prayerfully and loving about it.

Each of us is called to change the world we inhabit in some way for good and for the good of others, and for most of us that means in small acts of love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion. We begin in our homes and with our families, and we extend those acts of love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion to our friends, work colleagues, and wider communities.

Responding with love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion is different for each of us, because we all have different gifts and calls. But the main ingredients is a call to relationship, which is essential if we intend for our homes, our cities, our country and our world to be transformed by and through love.

And relationship includes real encounters with God and with the people that have been placed in our lives, which means that we must be intentionally loving, merciful, forgiving and compassionate every day in the way we interact with everyone we meet. Love through mercy, forgiveness and compassion is activated through human interactions, including touch, eye contact, and a heart and soul that is present to simply be with someone who is deeply suffering. In turn, love leads us to act, heal, forgive, care, act, pray and encourage. The world is healed through our hands, our hearts, our minds, our soul, our forgiveness, our acceptance, our compassion, our mercy and our prayers. It’s easy to convince ourselves that one conversation, one prayer, one rosary, one hug, one lighted candle or one smile does not matter much in the grand scheme of things or that it is just a drop in the ocean, but let me tell you many drops make an ocean.

The truth is that our call is to love compassionately from our hearts, every day, in ways both visible and invisible. When we love compassionately from our hearts, we be-

gin by listening to God, then we reach out to our family members and loved ones which in turn engages them to love others by encountering love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion through us.

We must always believe that small acts of love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion truly and deeply matter. To master the art and practice of being loving, merciful, forgiving and compassionate it is important to first understand the meaning of been truly merciful and how it relates to love, compassion and forgiveness. This is because one cannot have mercy without having pure love. Mercy, compassion and forgiveness grow out of real love. Real Love is the virtue from which all other virtues take roots. Real Love is that spiritual power that generates pure and peaceful feelings towards humankind and the environment.

These feelings are filled with the desire to use mind, body and wealth selflessly to create happiness to the recipients. These feelings are free from personal desires or hidden agendas in the form of name, fame, appreciation and recognition. These feelings are completely devoid of any trace of the vices of anger, greed, ego, lust and attachment. They are the natural and selfless outpourings from the inner recesses of our heart and soul, which if we allow through prayer are blessed with truth and purity. This spiritual real love sustains, nourishes and empowers our heart and soul in order to make one stronger.

A True Story of Responding with Love, Mercy, Forgiveness and Compassion A story I found among my Nana Scully’s prayer stuff after she died is taken from a book by Fr. Ken Barker, called ‘His Name is Compassion’, and it goes as follows - “A true story of a man haunted by the past, whose life had been totally miserable due to the harrowing burden of guilt, was told by Sr. Ann Shields at a conference some years back. A priest was preparing to go to bed on a Sunday night after a busy day when the phone rang. It

was a nurse at the hospital which was a couple of hours drive away.

A man was dying. He was a Catholic and would “Father” come.

The priest was reluctant because there was a storm raging outside.

But he decided to go. Upon arrival he entered the room of the dying man. He introduced himself and was gruffly told to “go to hell.”

The conditions of the storm had worsened, so the priest decided he would hang around for a while.

An hour later he approached the man again. “I am a Catholic priest.

You are dying. Are you sure I can’t help you in any way?” Again the man rebuked him, demanding that he be left alone. For some reason the priest decided he would try once more. He waited another hour. Then he entered the room for the last time. To his surprise the man responded, “Well, I may as well tell you.” Then he began to relate the story of his life. Forty years previously he worked on a railway signals box. Everything was done manually in those days.

It was Christmas time, and he had been drinking. When the train was approaching he pulled the wrong lever. The train went down the wrong track and collided into a car as it was crossing the lines.

A woman and her two children were killed instantly. He told the priest that from that day onwards he had lived with the guilt of that accident. He kept to himself, never married, and gave up on life. He lived in quiet despair.

The priest, who had been listening very intently, asked him a few more questions about the date and time of the accident. Then he said to the dying man, “I want you to listen closely to me. You did not know this. But there was another little boy in that car. He lived.

And when he grew up he became a priest. And he is speaking with you right now! And I want you to know, I forgive you.” That man, who had spent his whole life in such an awful prison of self-hate, guilt and self-recrimination, was able to hear from the priest the words of forgiveness and compassion that set him free. He was

finally able to forgive himself as he heard the words of absolution from the priest, but also the words of forgiveness and compassion from the little boy who had lost his mother and siblings in an accident 40 years previously. He died in peace.” Those of us and I definitely include myself in this, who are dogged by feelings of anxiety and guilt about past mistakes need to learn to love and be compassionate with ourselves. This comes in the light of God’s great love and compassion for us. He does not hold an accusing finger pointing towards us, nor has he been counting our faults with the intention of paying us back with future punishment. Once we have repented we receive the free gift of His forgiveness. Basking in the sure knowledge of His unconditional love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion for and towards us we can let go of the condemning attitude we have had toward ourselves and in doing that we find our true selves again.

Thought for the week As your thought for the week say this beautiful prayer of love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion which has become a favourite of mine these past few year’s called “In Life” by Fr. Brian Cavanaugh that I have by my bedside that I read to encourage me to do the best I can with the life I have and to live a life of love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion towards myself and the people I come into contact with. “In life we are to encourage and build up each other; not to discourage and tear down one another. In life we are to add, not subtract; to multiply, not divide. In life we are to leave an enduring impression; not a careless dent. In life we are to smooth out the rough roads along the journey especially for our children and for those who are in need; not create new potholes. In life we are to sing a joyful song; not just drone a groan. In life we are to add our harmonious strains to life’s symphony; not strain the symphony with clatter and clang. In life we are to soar on eagles’ wings; not

to peck and cluck with our beaks in the dirt like chickens. In life we are to radiate light into unseen places; not permit unknown fears to dim our radiance. In life we are to leap in faith; not to limp with doubt. In life we are to give freely of our time, our love, our mercy, our forgiveness, our compassion, our resources; not to cling on to them greedily. In life we are to lift up others; not push them down.

In life we are to open our hands and hearts to those in need; not to clutch our hands in fists of distrust. In life we are to lend a helping hand to make loads lighter; not use heavy hands to hold others back. In life we are to be messengers of peace, signs of joy; not portents of gloom-n-doom. In life we are to enjoy, to savor, to welcome, to remember, to reflect; not to overlook, to forget, to ignore, to reject. In life we are to seek conscious awareness; not doze in the doldrums of half-awake. In life we are to dare mighty things; not to fear things gravely. In life we are to show up, stand up, step forward and speak up; not to cringe in fear, choosing to sit down, or to step back, allowing the voices of silence to speak so loudly.

In life we are to exercise proper stewardship of earth’s resources; not pillage the heritage of future generations. In life we are to move forward through forgiveness; not grind to a halt mired in bitterness and resentment. In life we are to be wacky, weird, and wonderful in our own unique God-given way; not to be staid-n-proper lemmings, stuck on life’s treadmill. In life we are to reach, to stretch, and to soar; not to slink in fear, held back by mistrust and doubt. In life we are to realize: “I am a remarkable Somebody!”; not listen to other’s jabs: “You’re a Nobody, an Everybody, an Anybody.” In life we are to comprehend, “I am worthwhile”; not tremble with feelings of worthlessness. In life we are to create, to laugh, be compassionate and to live life nobly; not to despair, to moan, or to live life less. Amen”

18 COMMUNITY

Community ENNIS

ENNIS TIDY TOWNS COMMUNITY ART PROJECT Ennis Tidy Towns were delighted to officially launch their community arts project, #MyEnnis, in partnership with Ennis Scouts 1st & 4th Group, artist Eoin Flynn and funded by our local hotels and Irish Hotels Federation. This project shows not only the artistic talent of local children, but also how inclusive public realm projects can be delivered in a collaborative way involving local youth, community organisations, businesses and Clare County Council.

Photo by Paul Corey

GREAT WINS FOR ENNIS TRI CLUB Ennis Triathlon Club won the Club Mixed Team Relay National Championship in Lough Cutra on Saturday May 25. The team consisted of 4 juniors with an average age of 16 - Ella Doherty (Ennis), Darragh O’Neill (Shannon), Carla Griffin (Ennis), and Sabian Kulczynski (Clarecastle).

The Mixed Relay Championships are one of the highlights of the Lough Cutra triathlon weekend with 27 teams taking part. In this exciting format of racing, making its debut at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, a team of four athletes race together, 2 male, 2 female, each racing a 200 metre swim, 5 kilometre bike and 1.5 kilometre run. Straight from the off, Ella Doherty (having won the 1mile swim race that morning) built up a sizeable lead with some strong swimming, a lead maintained by teammates Darragh, Carla and Sabian, and never put under pressure, crossing the line with close to 5 minutes to spare. An incredible performance from such a young team, going one step better than their second place finish last year. Belpark Tri Club from Dublin came second and Limerick Tri Club third.

Also in Lough Cutra, we had wins for John O’Mara in the Super Sprint race and Mick Davis in the Sprint race, and plenty of members on podiums.

THURSDAY, JUN 6 2019

CONTACT NEWSDESK

065 671 9021 news@clareecho.ie

CRUSHEEN

CRUSHEEN WIN SPAR FAI SCHOOLS 5-A-SIDE ALL-IRELAND Crusheen NS has won the SPAR FAI Primary Schools 5-a-side Soccer (Small Schools Category) All Ireland Title. A total of 1,696 schools participated in the initial stages of the competition this year with the last remaining 24 representing their County and Province in the All Ireland Finals at the Aviva Stadium yesterday across 6 categories (Small School Girls, Small School Boys, Medium School Girls, Medium School Boys, Large School Girls and Large School Boys).

Crusheen was the only Clare school represented at the competition and blazed their way through all 3 of their games. Beating Ulster 3-0, Connaught 11-0 and Leinster 3-1. The team consisted of a panel of 8 girls which included Aimee Colleran, Caoilfhionn and Siomha Perill, Grace Gleeson, Sarah O’Donnell, Aine Sheedy, Clara Butler and Cora Houlihan. The girls gave a tremendous display of exceptional ball control and passing skill. The talent of their goalkeeper Aimee was remarkable, conceding only one goal throughout the whole day. While Grace was a formidable force of nature on the field scoring all but 2 of the school’s 17 goals over their 3 games (the other two being scored by Aine and Sarah). It was this phenomenal achievement that earned Grace the Player of the Tournament Trophy.

This is the first time that Clare has been represented at the National level of the competition in 3 consecutive years. In 2017 Ballyea National School Girls won Silver medals in their category (Section B Medium Schools), in 2018 and 2019 Crusheen flew the Banner and Munster flags in Category A. Even more remarkable is that history has also been made for the County, in that both schools were trained for the competition by the same Management Team, under Coach Ciaran Collins of Fern Celtic School Boys and Girls Soccer Club.

The Club would like to acknowledge those who provided training venues ie St John Bosco Community College Kildysart and Ballynacally Community Centre, and to those who assisted in the delivery of training sessions ie. Sports Science Dept of LIT Moylish and Thurles and FAI CDO Denis Hynes, Elite Sports Coach Kieran Ryan and St Flannan’s TY Student David Casey. Also, the schools were sponsored

by SPARs Alan Doolaghty and Tom Healy with kits, and a contribution towards the cost of travelling to the Aviva.

MOTORING

MOTORING EXPERT NEIL BRISCOE GIVES HIS VIEWS

SIMPLEST IS ALWAYS BEST

TOYOTA’S NEW CAMRY PROVES THAT UNCOMPLICATED CARS MAKE THE BEST CARS

TOYOTA CAMRY

I

T can be pretty hard telling, these days, exactly what category a new car sits in. It used to be so simple. That was a hatchback, this was a supermini, that one over there was a family saloon, and so on. Now it can be hard to tell your Sportbacks from your Shooting Brakes, your Crosslands from your crossovers. The car market has become alarmingly, almost perversely, mixed and matched. In some ways, the car makers would prefer it that way. After all, if a car is hard to categorise, if it’s hard to tell which are its rivals, then it’s harder to criticise.

Into that colossal mess wades the new Toyota Camry, and at long, glorious, last here is a car that’s easy to categorise. It’s a big family saloon, that competes with other big, family saloons such as the Skoda Superb and Ford Mondeo, at least at the upper-reaches of the price lists of those two cars. It’s not an SUV, nor a crossover, nor (heaven forfend) a four-door coupe. It’s just a large, straightforward four-door.

Well, mostly straightforward. You see, back in 2004, when the last Camry that graced our shores (the favourite of government ministries and the Garda special branch alike) it was basically forced out by having only one engine choice available — a big 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol unit.

Well now, fresh from having become the best-selling four-door saloon in the world, the Camry has returned to Ireland with (checks notes…) erm, a 2.5-litre, four-cyl-

inder, petrol engine. The more something changes…

Needless to say, it’s a littler more market-friendly than that old 2004 2.4. This time around the Camry is available only as a hybrid (and not, sadly, with the option that the US market gets of a rowdy 3.5-litre V6…) It runs on the more efficient ‘Atkinson Cycle’ combustion system and, of course, is backed up by an electric motors and a stack of nickel batteries (which Toyota has managed to squeeze under the back seat, much to the benefit of boot space). The upshot of that is Co2 emissions starting under 100g/km with the smallest alloy wheel option, and fuel economy that’s bang-on competitive with its diesel-engined rivals.

Of course, those rivals aren’t quite as simple to line up as I might have earlier suggested. While the likes of the Superb and Mondeo are obvious foils for the Camry, it also has to compete with the new flood of SUVs and, with a base price of €39,750, it’s drifting awfully close to the shores of BMW 3 Series land…

Think the Camry can’t compete at that level? Think again. For a start, it has size on its side, placing a 5 Series-shaped shadow on the driveway for the price of a 3.

Secondly, while it’s a touch on the pricey side compared to the likes of a Passat or Mondeo, it hits the Germans hard, offering a top-spec Platinum model (which we’ve tested here) for €42,000 — about the point where the cars from Stuttgart and Munich are just getting started.

For that €42k, you do get a lot of toys, including adaptive cruise control, full leather trim, some rather fetching ‘tiger eye’ wood trim. a full Toyota Safety Sense pack which includes traffic sign recognition and lane

keeping assist, LED headlights, and wireless smartphone charging.

It’s an impressive kit list, but perhaps not as impressive as the sheer level of interior space on offer. Get past the Camry’s exterior (which is a little way short of handsome, and the front bumper appears to have swallowed a Gillette razor and left the blades hanging out) and the cabin is just lovely. There’s stretching room front and rear, and room enough for three people to get comfy on the big rear bench seat. It feels, from within, like a proper car.

To drive, the Camry also feels like a proper car. There’s no pretence at sporting prowess here. Get the big Toyota out onto a twisty road, and it reacts well, but perhaps without obvious enthusiasm. Cornering is neat, relatively precise, but without the entertainment value you’d get from a 3 Series or, for that matter, a Mondeo. Its metier is instead the more open road, the endless outside lane of the long haul commute. There, its major attributes — comfort, refinement, economy — really come into play. Put it this way — we covered a whopping 2,500km across just seven days in this new Camry, and not once did sliding behind the wheel to start yet another long journey ever feel like a chore. It is a car that simply wipes away the stress of a big drive, and for that we adore it.

The economy really holds up, too. We squeezed 6.0-litres per 100km out of it over the week, which compares well with Toyota’s claim of 5.5-litres per 100km on the WLTP cycle, and if you were mostly driving around town you’d probably manage even better than that.

It’s not complicated, then, the Camry.

It’s not trying to be something it’s not. And because of that, we kind of love it.

FACTS & FIGURES Model tested: Toyota Camry Hybrid Platinum Pricing: €42,950 as tested; Camry starts at €39,750 Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol with electric motor Transmission: CVT automatic, frontwheel drive Body style: four-door, five-seat saloon CO2 emissions: 101g/km (Band A3 €190 per annum) Combined economy: 51.6mpg (5.5 litres/100km) Top speed: 180km/h 0-100km/h: 8.3 seconds Power: 218hp (total system); 221hp at 3,500-5,200rpm (engine only); 120hp (electric motor only) Torque: 221Nm at 3,600-5,200rpm (engine only) Boot space: 524-litres Safety: Euro NCAP rating for Toyota Camry Not yet tested

Cummins Car Centre MAIN TOYOTA DEALER NEW EVENT

5th-8th JUNE

NEW EVENT

5th-8th JUNE

UPGRADE IN HYBRID FOR LESS WITH FINANCE * TRADE IN BOOSTERS UP TO €3,000

Join us at the 192 New Generation Event from June 5th – 8th.

Experience the new generation range of Toyota self–charging hybrid and petrol cars. We look forward to welcoming you to see our most exciting line–up ever, with great finance offers and even better value!

For sales contact:

3 YEARS SERVICING UPGRADE IN HYBRID FOR LESS WITH FINANCE *

APRS FROM 3.9% *

TRADE IN BOOSTERS UP TO €3,000

3 YEARS SERVICING

Join us at the |192 New Generation Event from June 5th – 8th.Business Park, DEALERSHIP NAME EMAILADDRESS@DEALERSHIP.IE OR PHONE XXX XXXXXXX Exit 14, Ballymaley Rory McAllister

Jason Cummins

Gort Road, Ennis,toCo. Clare Experience new generation range of Toyota self–charging hybrid and petrol cars. We look forward 086the 8294338 087 2361430 welcoming you to see our most exciting line–up ever, with great finance offers and Phone: even better value!

065 684 5000

Upgrade From Finance Example. Corolla Hatchback Hybrid Aura. On the Road Price† €27,370. Deposit €5,000. Finance amount €22,370. 36 monthly payments of €367.43. Term 37 months. GMFV††(Optional Final Payment) €11,866. Total Cost of Credit €2,850.46 (including documentation fee and*purchase APRS FROM 3.9% fee of €63.49 each) Fixed APR 5.5%*. Upgrade To Finance Example. Corolla Hatchback Hybrid Luna. On the Road Price† €27,995. Deposit €5,000. Finance amount €22,995. 36 monthly payments of €359.24. Term 37 months. GMFV††(Optional Final Payment) €12,148. Total Cost of Credit €2,212.62 (including documentation fee and purchase fee of €63.49 each) Fixed APR 3.9%*. *Upgrade in Hybrid for Less is based on difference between monthly cost of Aura and Luna grades when financed via 3 year PCP by Toyota Financial Services Ireland DAC. †Includes delivery & related charges. Models are shown for illustrative purposes only. ††GMFV payable if you renew or retain the vehicle at the end of the agreement. Further charges may apply subject to kilometre limits/condition of vehicle. *Lending criteria, terms and conditions apply. Finance by way of PCP agreement provided by Toyota Financial Services Ireland DAC. Finance example is based on a fixed rate APR and is inclusive of a documentation fee and purchase fee of €63.49 each. Minimum deposit of 7% and maximum term of 37 months applies. Rate quoted is correct as at 09.05.19 and is subject to change. This offer is available on all new Corolla Hatchback models registered/ purchased from 09.05.19 to 31.07.19.

www.cumminscarcentre.ie

DEA LE RS HIP NA ME | EMAILADDRESS@DEALERSHIP.IE OR PHONE XXX XXXXXXX Upgrade From Finance Example. Corolla Hatchback Hybrid Aura. On the Road Price† €27,370. Deposit €5,000. Finance amount €22,370. 36 monthly payments of €367.43. Term 37 months. GMFV††(Optional Final Payment) €11,866. Total Cost of Credit €2,850.46 (including documentation fee and purchase fee of €63.49 each) Fixed APR 5.5%*. Upgrade To Finance Example. Corolla Hatchback Hybrid Luna. On the Road Price† €27,995. Deposit €5,000. Finance amount €22,995. 36 monthly payments of €359.24. Term 37 months. GMFV††(Optional Final Payment) €12,148. Total Cost of Credit €2,212.62 (including documentation fee and purchase fee of €63.49 each) Fixed APR 3.9%*. *Upgrade in Hybrid for Less is based on difference between monthly cost of Aura and Luna grades when financed via 3 year PCP by Toyota Financial Services Ireland DAC. †Includes delivery & related charges. Models are shown for illustrative purposes only. ††GMFV payable if you renew or retain the vehicle at the end of the agreement. Further charges may apply subject to kilometre limits/condition of vehicle. *Lending criteria, terms and conditions apply. Finance by way of PCP agreement provided by Toyota Financial Services Ireland DAC. Finance example is based on a fixed rate APR and is inclusive of a documentation fee and purchase fee of €63.49 each. Minimum deposit of 7% and maximum term of 37 months applies. Rate quoted is correct as at 09.05.19 and is subject to change. This offer is available on all new Corolla Hatchback models registered/ purchased from 09.05.19 to 31.07.19.

MOTORING

MOTORING EXPERT NEIL BRISCOE GIVES HIS VIEWS

VW OFFERS ZERO PER CENT FINANCE ON E-GOLF

V

ALL ELECTRIC GOLF NOW AVAILABLE ON CHEAP PCP DEAL

O L K S WA G E N ’ S e-Golf is now available, for a limited period only, with 0% PCP Finance, making this car more affordable and more accessible than ever before. Plus, customers wishing to move into the new Volkswagen ID. will be able to do so easily, thanks to a special new two-year PCP solution.

The e-Golf is available in two specifications, the e-Golf and the e-Golf Executive Edition.

The latter model adds even more equipment to the already generously- equipped model, with 17inch Madrid alloy wheels, LED tail lights, a full leather interior,

Active Info Display, a Rear-View Camera and Keyless Access. The e-Golf starts from €35,995 after Government incentives and now with 0% PCP starts from as little as €349 per month. The e-Golf Executive Edition offers the ‘ultimate e-Golf ’ and costs from €39,495 or with 0% PCP from as little as €379 per month.

Mindful that potential e-Golf owners might want to transition into the new ID. range when this product begins to land in Ireland, Volkswagen is now offering a special 2-year PCP solution on the e-Golf. This costs from €399 per month on the e-Golf and €489 per month on the e-Golf Executive

Edition.

“Customers of the e-Golf can save around €50 per month by driving this model compared to a 1.6-litre diesel Golf of similar specification,” says Volkswagen Ireland Head of Marketing, Mark McGrath. “And with this new 2-year PCP product customers can get into the e-Golf now and then readily move into the new ID. products.”

The ID. range will include hatchback, SUV and MPV models, with the first of these models, for now named ID. Neo, set to be revealed later this year.

MOTORING

MOTORING EXPERT NEIL BRISCOE GIVES HIS VIEWS

NEW PETROL ENGINE FOR DACIA DUSTER C NEW RANGE-TOPPING TECH ROAD TRIM ALSO AVAILABLE ELEBRATING its seventh birthday this year, with over 21,000 happy owners in Ireland, shockingly affordable Dacia is excited to announce a new Special Edition, the TechRoad, for 192. Available to order now from €16,440, the TechRoad offers generous equipment at the pinnacle of the Sandero Stepway, Logan MCV Stepway and Duster ranges, including navigation with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto® and reversing camera. The TechRoad Special Editions feature striking new interior trims and a choice of two new metallic paint colours – Fusion Red and Highland Grey.

The brand is also launching a new TCe 130 petrol engine on Duster – the most powerful Duster ever. The TechRoad is Duster’s first showcase for this smooth and powerful new engine, available from €23,040. Already familiar in the Renault range, this engine is now appearing for the first time in a Dacia and will appeal to customers who value the refinement and performance of a modern petrol engine.

Dacia has also announced its unmissable offers for the busy 192 registration period. Customers can avail of zero deposit and 4.9 per cent APR across the shockingly affordable range including the Sandero, Ireland’s most affordable car at €10,990, the rugged All-New Duster, Ireland’s most affordable SUV from €17,390, and the striking new TechRoad Special Edition models.

Dacia seventh birthday sales events will take place at dealerships from Thursday 13th – Saturday 15th June.

Meanwhile, across the hall at Renault, the French brand is rolling out its 192 offers. Broadcaster and Brand Ambassador Ian Dempsey was recently on hand to launch the Renault Runway Sales Events, which will take place at all 27 Renault dealerships nationwide from Thursday 23rd May – Saturday 25th May 2019, as the brand revs up for a busy 192.

Renault customers can avail of a unique offer as the only car brand offering zero per cent APR and 0 Deposit until 31st July, with a further offer of threeyears’ zero cost servicing available only during the three-day Renault Runway Sales Events, saving customers on average a cool €600. These offers are available across the model range including the recently refreshed New KADJAR, the ever-popular Clio and Captur, the Mégane range, the flagship Koleos SUV and the stylish Scénic and Grand Scénic family cars.

All Renault cars come with 5 years’ warranty and 5 years’ roadside assistance as standard.

The unique zero per cent APR and zero deposit offer gives real value to customers by lowering the cost of change and saves customers over €2,000 versus high street bank rates.

On the zero-emissions Renault ZOE Z.E. 40, the most affordable long-range electric car on the market, customers can avail of zero per cent APR HP for 192.

CALL IN TO AL HAYES MOTORS TO ORDER YOUR NEW 192 KODIAQ. ŠKODA KODIAQ available now from €339 per month.

Introducing the New KODIAQ, it’s not only ŠKODA’s largest SUV but its first car with 7 seats. It delivers on ŠKODA’s usual qualities of practicality, thoughtful design, as well as innovative connectivity solutions that are sure to make family life that little bit sweeter.

Al Hayes ŠKODA Gort Road, Ennis, Co. Clare.

Tel: 065 682 2400 • www.alhayesskoda.ie Typical Example: KODIAQ 7 Seater 1.5 TSI 150 BHP Active OTRP €34,245. Deposit €10,599.51. 36 monthly payments of €339 including service plan of €12.99 per month. Optional final Payment of €13,398.

Total hire purchase price €35,883.87. APR 2.9%. Total cost of credit €1,638.87. Minimum deposit is 10%. Subject to lending criteria. This offer is made under a hire purchase agreement. Volkswagen Bank GMBH branch Ireland is authorised by the federal financial Supervisory authority (BaFIN) in Germany and is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland for conduct of business rules. Offer available on all orders taken and registered before 31st of May. Picture for illustrative purposes only. Price includes delivery and related charges. WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) combined fuel consumption for KODIAQ in l/100km range from 5.3 to 9.2. WLTP combined CO2 emissions in g/km range from 128 to 217.

skoda.ie

MOTORING

FORD DEVELOPS A SHOPPING TROLLEY WITH AUTOMATIC BRAKES When it comes to raising the blood pressure, for parents, the weekly shop is right up there with getting the kids to bed and meal times. And while toddler meltdowns and trips to the sweet aisle are trying, few moments can be more worrying than seeing your child career off at high speed on a supermarket trolley.

Now Ford has come up with a way of taking the stress out of even that situation – taking inspiration from the means by which new car technology helps drivers to avoid accidents on the road.

Available in most Ford models, Pre-Collison Assist technology uses a forward-facing camera and radar to detect vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists in the road, and automatically applies the brakes if the driver does not respond to warnings.

The “Self-Braking Trolley” uses a sensor to achieve a similar outcome – to scan ahead for people and objects and automatically apply the brakes

MOTORING EXPERT NEIL BRISCOE GIVES HIS VIEWS

100 YEARS OF

www.osullivanandhansbury.ie

when a potential collision is detected.

“Parents often dread supermarket shopping because they are trying to get a job done and kids just want to play,” said parenting expert Tanith Carey, author of What’s My Child Thinking? Practical Child Psychology for Modern Parents.

“Children love to copy adults and experiment with feeling more in control. When they SIT BACK IN OUR 192 CITROËN RANGE WITH 0% APR FINANCE HURRY, OFFER ENDS 31 JULY push a trolley, to their minds, it’s like they are behind the wheels of a car – with long, CITROËN GRAND CITROËN C4 CACTUS CITROËN C3 C4 SPACETOURER All models include: All models include: wide supermarket aisles as All models include: Suspension with Rear parking sensors their racetrack.”

Seven full-size seats Progressive Hydraulic Cushions Air conditioning Airbump in lower door area Three ISOFIX points in row two Lane Departure Warning System Just a prototype for the time (to resist knocks and scrapes) Cruise control & speed limiter Boot volume up to 790 litres Electric child locks 7 inch colour touchscreen radio (rear seats folded) being, the “Self-Braking Trolcitroen.ie ley” is part of a series of Ford WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure) combined fuel consumption figures for Citroën Grand C4 Spacetourer: (l/100km): 7.7 to 5.5. WLTP combined CO (g/km): 178 to 145. Citroën C4 Cactus: (l/100km): 7.2 to 4.8. WLTP combined CO (g/km): 167 to 127. Citroën C3: (l/100km): 5.9 to 5.7. WLTP combined CO (g/km): 137 to 132. Models shown Interventions; applying autofor illustrative purposes. *Finance example: Citroën C3 PureTech 82 manual Flair. OTR Price: €21,035 (RRP €20,285 + Recommended Delivery Charge €750), Deposit: €5,949.90, Total Amount of Credit: €14,335.10, 36 monthly payments: €195, Duration of Agreement: 37 months, Optional final payment (GFV): €8,065.10, Representative APR: 0% fixed PCP Finance. Minimum deposit required. Finance is arranged by First Auto Finance Ireland Limited, the agent of Close Brothers Limited, trading as Close Brothers Motor Finance in Ireland. RRP (Recommended Retail Price) excludes motive expertise to solve the €750 recommended delivery charge & optional extras such as metallic paint. 5 year unlimited Citroën car warranty is made up of 3 years’ manufacturer’s warranty & 2 years’ extended warranty.

Information correct at time of print. Warning: You may have to pay charges if you repay early, in full or in part, a fixed rate credit facility. Subject to status. Ts & Cs apply. See citroen.ie for details. day-to-day problems we all face.

OSULLIVAN & HANSBURY MOTORS LTD Kilrush Road Ennis County Clare “Pre-Collision Assist techSales/Service Phone (065 6820312) Phone Noel on 087 2531359 Finbar on 087 8077769 Ray on 086 8399399 nology can help our customers avoid accidents or mitigate the effects of being involved could be applied to a shopping trolley would be a great drivers,” said Anthony Ireson, director, Marketing Comin a collision. We thought that way to highlight what can be a really useful technology for munications, Ford of Europe. showing how similar thinking

COMFORT

®

®

2

2

2

◊

◊

‡

BUSINESS 27

THURSDAY, JUN 6 2019

BUSINESS

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

Funding for Aviation Museum

N

EW wings for an exemplar local organisation, providing an exciting interactive Aviation Museum, Aviation Education Centre and Flight Simulation

Centre.

Shannon, June 4th 2019. Shannon’s largest employer, Ei Electronics, today announced plans to provide significant support for the extension and renovation of the Shannon Aviation Museum, which has been in existence since 2007.

It comes in the form of co-funding for a recent grant for the Museum from the Department of Rural and Community Development 2018 Towns and Villages Renewal Scheme, which is delivered through the Clare Co Council.

The Centre provides accredited education and training aviation courses for adults in partnership with Limerick Institute of Technology and Shannon Aviation Cluster Companies, but also provides accessibility to schools and the general public offering a range of learning activities and experiences for people of all ages with a passion for aviation.

Speaking at the announcement, Ei Electronics CEO Mick Guinee acknowledged the contribution the Centre has made to the region to date. “We recognise the fantastic

work being done by the dedicated team here, a tribute to the vision and hard work of its founders. We hope that our support will help realise the Centre’s potential, in taking it to a new level, as a museum, educational facility and aerospace centre of excellence in Shannon – the home of Irish aviation.”

The expansion plans will see the current facility being transformed through the extension and upgrading of the existing facility, improved visitor entrance and signage, a café, small gift shop and kids play area.

Work is due to commence this summer.

The renovation and expansion will further enhance the visitor experience and its contribution to the region at large, drawing in visitors from all over Ireland and further afield. The aim and future vision is to give Shannon a clear visual identity to match its rich aeronautical heritage.

Reacting to the announcement Jane Magill, Centre CEO said “We are really delighted to receive this generous funding from Ei Electronics, it has made a huge difference to our fundraising efforts and the project. It is a great endorsement of this facility and also of what we are working to deliver for Shannon town and the wider region into the future.”

Coinciding with the announcement,

l CONFERENCE: Pictured at last year’s Manufacturing Solutions Ireland event was Sharon Lyons, DesignPro Automation Photo by Alan Place

l ON THE UP: Pictured outside the Shannon Aviation Museum, L to R: Harry O’Loughlin, Jane Magill, Mick Guinee, Gerry Murphy, Eddie Ryan

members of the Ei Electronics Team got up close to Buccaneer XX897, a 1950s British aircraft carrier jet and to experience the Boeing 737 Flight Simulator, which is used

regularly for flight simulator experience gifts, commercial pilot practice sessions and local aircraft maintenance companies to deliver simulated engine run training.

Meet the manufacturers at LIT

IRELAND and the UK’s leading machine tool suppliers will be afforded the unique opportunity of face-to-face meetings with multinational manufacturers at this year’s Manufacturing Solutions Ireland, to be held in LIT Moylish Campus on Wednesday June 12, 2019.

Following on from the unprecedented success of the Mid West based event over the last two years, ‘Meet the Manufacturers’ is a new and innovative element to the popular trade show and conference, organised by UK based Gauge and Tool Makers Association (GTMA) and Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT).

Leading manufacturers from aerospace, medical and materials processing companies will meet directly with suppliers, manufacturers and service providers as part of a direct business-to-business matchmaking event organised by Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) Northern Ireland and Enterprise Europe Network Ireland.

More than 100 of the most advanced providers of metrology, inspection, machine tools, work-holding, cutting tools, and Cad/Cam/PLM manufacturing software and ancillary products and services will be exhibiting at the event, along with the popular CNC demonstrations.

The British Embassy and UK Department for International Trade have also lent their support to the event this year, which is expected to attracted more than 600 visitors from multinational, indigenous and SME companies.

President of LIT Professor Vincent Cunnane added, “When it comes to technology, LIT plays a leading role in ensuring manufacturing in this region continues to have the ability to adapt and to change and remain at the cutting edge. It is fitting therefore that our successful partnership with the GTMA allows us to bring leading technology suppliers together allowing for the transfer of technology from the specialist suppliers to the practical industrial landscape.”

For more info and to register for the showcase, please visit www.manufacturingsolutions.ie.

Drop into our office for a chat between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday: Unit 16 First Floor, Roslevan Shopping Centre, Ennis

We’re looking for compassionate and caring people to light up the lives of local seniors

Or contact us at our details across:

Join Ireland’s largest non-medical home care provider and work across County Clare

We Offer: • Competitive pay • CAREGiver support • Smart scheduling

HomeInstead.ie/Become-a-CAREGiver 0

clarejobs@homeinstead.ie

Property

Beautiful homes all over the County

2 HIDEAWAY COTTAGE, LISLANAHAN, KILKEE, CO. CLARE

S

4 €159,000

UPERBLY finished and just 1 mile from Kilkee this beautiful home is a must view.

This fine property comprises a sun-room, kitchen/living/dining area, two bedrooms and a bathroom. Upstairs there is a mezzanine area with two loft rooms.

Recent upgrades on the property include a new oil-heating system, renovated bathroom and new flooring to name just a few.

Externally the property is bound by a hedge to the sides and rear, the back garden is south-facing with a paved patio area. There are two sheds, one smaller shed adjoining the house and a larger block-built shed to the side of the house. There is a gravel driveway to the side with ample parking space.

A viewing of this very special property is a must to be fully appreciated.

Contact: Tiernan O’Malley, Sherry Ftizgerald McMahon, O’Connell Square House, Ennis, Co Clare, Tel: (065)6867866 PSL 001212

5

ST. JOSEPH’S, COLLEGE ROAD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE

T

€195,000

OPEN VIEWINGS: Saturday 8th June 10am-10.30am sharp.

Saturday 15th 3pm-3.30pm sharp.

HIS fine property is situated on a prime site in a much sought after established residential area of Ennis town. While the property would benefit from modernisation, it would make an ideal family home. Internally, the rooms are well proportioned and accommodation is deceivingly spacious comprising 100 sq.m. (1,054 sq.ft.) approx and includes a kitchen, dining room, living room, shower room, wc and 4 bedrooms. Externally the gardens are mainly in lawn with a tarmac driveway, ample parking facilities and a detached garage. Rarely does such a well located property become available. Viewings are highly recommended.

47 THE HAZELS, OAKLEIGH WOOD, TULLA ROAD, ENNIS

OPEN VIEWINGS: Saturday June 8th: 11am-11.30am sharp.

Saturday June 15th: 11am-11.30am sharp.

N

O. 47 The Hazels is a spacious five/six bedroomed detached property in an ideal location in the Oakleigh Wood development.

Oakleigh Wood is located just off the Tulla Road and within close proximity of all first and second level schools, public amenities and shopping facilities within Ennis.

This superb home is finished very well throughout and is presented to market in excellent condition. Accommodation on the ground floor comprises an entrance hall, WC, living room (potentially a downstairs bedroom), sitting room, kitchen and a utility room.

Contact: Tiernan O’Malley, Sherry Ftizgerald McMahon, O’Connell Square House, Ennis, Co Clare, Tel: (065)6867866 PSL 001212

Contact: Danielle Kavanagh, Sherry Ftizgerald McMahon, O’Connell Square House, Ennis, Co Clare, Tel: (065)6867866 PSL 001212

OPEN VIEWING SATURDAY 8thJune 10.30-11.00AM

PRIVATE CORNER SITE – 17 MANOR VIEW, QUIN, CO. CLARE.

T

HIS exceptional four bedroom family home is ideally located in the popular Manor View development in the picturesque village of Quin. Quin is ideally located close to Ennis (9km), Shannon (14km) and Limerick (24km) and has a selection of restaurants, public houses, church and national school.

Manor View is a small development of only 17 homes with open parkland. 17 Manor View stands on a private corner site and has a fully enclosed garden. This property has been upgraded and has top quality fitting throughout the home, including an extensive new fitted kitchen and utility room, newly fitted windows and doors, multi fuel stove and fully alarmed.

Contact: Helen Gallery, 68 Parnell Street, Ennis.

Tel: 065 6829481 & 086 250 4671 PSL 002433

8 COLLEGE PARK, ENNIS, CO. CLARE.

C

OPEN VIEWING SATURDAY 8th JUNE 12.15 – 12.45 PM

€180,000

OLLEGE Park is exceptionally well located in a mature area in a quiet cul de sac with a large open green area in Tobarteascain. The property is within minute’s walk of the centre of Ennis town and close to St Flannan’s College, The Holy Family National School, St Peter & Paul’s Cathedral, The Old Ground Hotel, shops and all other amenities afforded by the town. The development is within minute’s drive of the M17 & M18 with easy access to Limerick, Shannon and Galway. No. 8 is a bright, spacious, three bedroomed, family home overlooking the large open green area to the front offering excellent accommodation. Finishes include modern fitted kitchen and utility, tiled bathroom, timber flooring in living areas, tiled hallway, kitchen and utility Contact: Helen Gallery, 68 Parnell Street, Ennis.

Tel: 065 6829481 & 086 250 4671 PSL 002433

€319,000

14 LISSANISKA, LAHINCH ROAD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE.

L

€170,000

ISSANISKA is ideally located just off the Lahinch Road within a short walk of Ennis Town Centre, national & secondary schools and all other amenities afforded by the town. The development is within minutes drive of the M17 & M18 with easy access to Limerick, Shannon and Galway. No. 14 is a bright, spacious, modern end of terrace, three bedroomed home on a corner site with landscaped gardens to the front and rear.

Finishes include modern shaker kitchen, tiled flooring throughout the ground floor, tiled bathroom and en-suite, built in wardrobes in all bedrooms, floored attic with stira and velux window, oil fired central heating, enclosed fully landscaped private rear garden and much more. Viewing of this very fine home is highly recommended.

Contact: Helen Gallery, 68 Parnell Street, Ennis.

Tel: 065 6829481 & 086 250 4671 PSL 002433

30

PROPERTY

THURSDAY, JUNE 6 2019

5 FEIGHROE, CONNOLLY, ENNIS, CO. CLARE

A

4 €297,000

substantial detached 5 bedroom family home located within walking distance of Connolly village. Presented in excellent decorative order throughout on an elevated landscaped 0.54 acre site. This home offers ample living accommodation with a number of bright spacious rooms throughout including two receptions, open plan kitchen/dining/living family room spanning the depth of the property. There are 5 bedrooms with 3 complete with en-suite and walk-in wardrobes. The detached garage to the rear with mezzanine storage currently used as a games room.This property comes highly recommended and viewing strictly by prior appointment with sole selling agents. PSL 002295

Contact: John Clohessy, DNG O’Sullivan Hurley, 74 O’Connell Street, Ennis Tel: (065)6840200 PSL 002295

3

11 FERGUS VIEW, ENNIS, CO. CLARE

€140,000

4

Bedroom Semi-detached located in a cul de sac overlooking communal green area with Offstreet parking to the front. The property is in some need of refurbishment and redecoration but offers excellent investor or owner occupier potential. The property includes a walled private rear garden and off street parking for two cars. Mains gas central heating throughout. Viewing strictly by prior appointment with sole selling agent. PSL 002295

3 COLLEGE ROAD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE

€229,000

N

O. 3 offers a very rare opportunity for the prospective buyer to acquire a private bright and spacious 3 bedroom detached bungalow on a stunning site offering the ultimate in privacy in in-town living.

The property has retained many of its original features with the 2.75 meters ceiling to floor height, tiled surround feature fireplace in the bedrooms and traditional skirting and architraves. The property features 3 double bedrooms, main reception, open plan kitchen/dining, separate utility and main bathroom. Of particular note are the rear gardens which offer a wonderful private space which gives the property 2 aspects - countryside living to the rear and town living at your doorstep. This is a must view and strictly by prior appointment with sole selling agents. PSL 002295

Contact: Cormac O’Sullivan, DNG O’Sullivan Hurley, 74 O’Connell Street, Ennis Tel: (065)6840200 PSL 002295

Contact: John Clohessy , DNG O’Sullivan Hurley, 74 O’Connell Street, Ennis Tel: (065)6840200 PSL 002295

4 5 BALLYMONEEN, CAPPAHARD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE

F

€189,000

RONTING on to the green area of Cappahard and linked at the single storey section of the property, No. 5 makes for an ideal family or first time buyer home. The property offers well proportioned accommodation throughout with a rare feature where all 4 bedrooms are double rooms with the Master Bedroom being en suite with walk-in wardrobe which are further complemented by a spacious main bathroom and a ground floor WC. Further accommodation includes spacious main reception with a bay window looking onto the green area, open plan kitchen/dining and separate utility. The property has many features throughout which include the fully tiled en-suite and bathrooms, quality fitted kitchen, extensive timber flooring and quality tiling and solid wood surround feature fireplace. This is an excellent opportunity to acquire an excellent home in a convenient estate immediately off the Tulla Road. Viewing is strictly by prior appointment with sole selling agents. PSL No. 002295

Contact: Cormac O’Sullivan, DNG O’Sullivan Hurley, 74 O’Connell Street, Ennis Tel: (065)6840200 PSL 002295

32 COLUMNISTS

REELING IN THE YEARS

with Cian O’Broin

1984 C

THURSDAY, JUN 6 2019

Miriam O’Donohoe Join Miriam on her history tours to hidden locations of Clare

Burren painting sparks childhood memorries

OUNTY Clare in 1984 bore little resemblance to Orwell’s dystopian depiction in one of his most famous works. However, it didn’t lie too far from controversy in the mid eighties. This year sees the perils of INLA leader Dominic McGlinchey perish in a barrage of gunpowder at a Newmarket on Fergus safehouse. Along with this, we look at the dichotomous nature of the case of Patrick Nugent, murdered after a banquet in Bunratty. The case remains unsolved to this day.

DOMINIC MCGLINCHEY SHOOTOUT

Abbreviations such as IRA, IRB, IRSP all spell trouble. We can feel the tension between the tightly packed letters. A malevolent concoction fronting incendiary ideals. The INLA was no different. The Irish National Liberation Army found refuge during the troubles, forming on December 10, 1974.

Ten years later, Dominic McGlinchey was leading the charge. He made the transition having been expelled from the Provisional IRA where he was renowned for his ruthlessness.

His stake within the INLA was likened to Joseph Stalin’s reign of terror in Russia, with testimonials from within stating that McGlinchey seemingly ordered a hit on anyone ‘he wasn’t too fond of’. The INLA leader was wanted for shooting an elderly woman in the North, something which didn’t sit well with police forces on either side of the border. Throughout the Troubles, freedom fighters in the North sought sanctuary in the Republic with police forces ‘turning a blind eye’. McGlinchey, due to his psychopathic nature was not afforded this leisure. On March 17, 1984, he was surrounded by armed detectives at a Newmarket on Fergus safehouse. Leading up to this day, Gardai in Shannon were tracking his sons Declan and Dominic. McGlinchey and three companions were holed up in the safehouse and refused to surrender despite no possibility of escape.

Over 100 bullets were exchanged in a Western style shootout before McGlinchey was hit and subsequently arrested. One garda, his vehicle and the neighbours house collected ricochets in the exchange. McGlinchey became the first individual to be extradited to the North and was convicted of manslaughter. The charge was later overturned. A decade later McGlinchey met his demise outside a phone box in Drogheda, when two men opened fire on the ex-INLA leader.

THE DEATH OF PATRICK NUGENT

Years of investigation and media coverage have tried in vain to bring closure to the case of Patrick Nugent. The question echoes through the last three decades, what happened in Bunratty in 1984? On February 10 a party was being held at Bunratty Folk Park for executive chef of Shannon Airport William Ryan and his wife for their 40th wedding anniversary.

Patrick Nugent was function manager at the Folk Park and in the early hours of the morning, Patrick lay strewn across the front of the reception area holding his stomach. He subsequently lost consciousness. Before closing his eyes Patrick spoke his last words on this earth, “He clocked me.” Over 60 people attended the party. To this day, there is little conclusive evidence as to how Patrick Nugent was killed.

An autopsy report concluded that Mr Nugent’s injuries were synonymous with being hit by a car. Eight fractured ribs, bruises on the arm and back were revealed. Death was caused by failure of the heart and lungs. William Ryan’s car hit another outside the reception area. When two Gardai arrived at the scene of the crime there was very little offered in terms of the truth by those who had witnessed the crime. Alibis were fractured and incongruent. There was talk of a cover-up within the force as one attendee was Detective Garda Eugene Quinlan, who’s car Mr William Ryan is said to have hit in the early hours of the morning. The autopsy suggests that Nugent was lying on the ground when he was struck.

There is little evidence to determine how he came to be in this position.

One contention is that Patrick went to break up a fight between two men outside the main entrance. Both men denied having any dispute. William Ryan was charged with manslaughter despite having no recollection of hitting Mr Nugent. He was acquitted one year later. To this day, nobody knows who hit Patrick Nugent and most importantly, why? In 2016, it was announced that Patrick’s case was to be re-examined in relation to Garda misconduct along with another 320 cases.

Tune back next week as we hit the mid-way point of the 1980s. Until then!

H

l GLORIOUS: Times spent as a child climbing Mullaghmore are precious memories I ALL,

Isn’t it funny how your childhood can shape your future, and when you grow up a picture can immediately trigger a buried memory and call to mind an exact time or event.

A perfect example of this was when I was in town last week and spotted a spectacular painting of Mullaghmore.

I’ll never forget the first time I laid eyes on this mountain - it reminded me of the first cake I ever baked, a pure flop. It was captivating! Not only the mountain but also the lake (Lough Gealáin) and surrounding topography, amazingly clear and blue which reflects a mixture of eye-catching native and exotic looking flora. You could be fooled into thinking its a perfect swimming spring, we were! We dived in, clothes and all, when we finally emerged from the pond we decided to head for the 590 ft. summit. A sometimes painful yet magnetic ascent as each layer beckons us to the summit. Once there we sat on the lap of the mountain, with the warm breeze to our faces and the sun to our backs we gazed with triumph at the panoramic view of the Burren. Coming down was another story, as we followed tiny animal tracks which at times led us into clumps of hazel/ white thorn bushes. It was only when we got home that we learnt Mullaghmore wasn’t really a mountain, but a hill, and the lake was a Tourlough. What a day from a child’s perspective, a most memorable day that will remain imprinted in my memory forever. That was 40 years ago. Now

if you ever get time to explore this protected little treasure, my advice to you would be to follow the waymarked track which will lead you to a land of undisturbed pristine wilderness, carved by the elements of nature, nurtured by man. It’s hard to imagine a place like this still exists, but it does. Profusions of flora which can often be found hidden within the mosaic of limestone pavements or exposed on shallow patches of dry calcareous grasslands. Some 70 per cent of Ireland’s native species, plus a mixture of Artic-Alpine and Mediterranean sit side by side, a slice of heaven for botanists.

Mullaghmore has been shaped by geological forces during the carboniferous period, when the movement of tectonic plates caused the rocks to fold and tilt slightly to the south, resulting in cracks and fissures that run through the limestone. Over the millenniums the rain and ice has been quietly dissolving the limestone which in turn widened the fissures thus forming many caves. This is where the term Glaciokarst landscape comes from. I’m sure you will concur that due to the fragility of this setting, it is of imperative importance that it be nurtured and maintained by man/woman in order to ensure its preservation for generations to come.

However not everybody thinks the same. I don’t like to dampen my column by discussing politics, however , I feel it is important to share this brief synopsis.

Throughout the 90s there had been a long running disagreement concerning a suggested interpretative centre being built

Photo by Julie Tillett

at this site. This caused great debate within the local community, especially since their opinion was never considered, hence resulting in the foundation of a local group, namely the Burren Action Group. These were seven local people who confronted the State on the basis of a planning breach in relation to the OPW. This debate went to the High Court, where with the tenacity of the now president Michael D Higgins won the day which resulted in the work stopping.

Nevertheless the OPW still persisted under new grounds but once again were defeated by the mighty seven.

Why did they bother, I hear you ask? Well, they resisted threats from authorities so as to conserve the natural integrity of this sacred terrain.

You see the rights of nature and culture are intertwined , therefore they fought for both heritage and ecology on sacred ground. As a community, we have a duty to educate our children to preserve our landscape which is rapidly disappearing, and leave it in the same condition that it was handed down because at the end of the day we are only guardians.

Ok, well that’s the political drama out of the way. I think I will buy this painting after all, as my mother always said, “A picture tells the worth of a thousand words”. Thanks again for taking the time to reflect with me. Bye for now.

PS: As with all historical sites, take nothing but memories, leave nothing but footprints.

EchoSport

Clare must build on positivity Martin Daly

I

GAA ANALYSIS

VENTURED into the Kingdom last weekend, enjoying Clare FM’s commentary of Clare versus Kerry from enemy territory in Killarney. As such, this week’s analysis comes with an asterisk but having spoken to a number of football people who were in attendance, there are plenty of takeaways from our 1-15 to 0-12 point defeat.

At Cusack Park on Saturday evening for the very first time this year, Clare finally attempted to employ a tactic of direct, long kick-passes into the full-forward line. It’s a drum I’ve been banging for a while now.

However as I warned last week, this was not the team to try it against for the first time.

Almost as if it’s a running joke, Clare’s football management are employing tactics that contradict my weekly Clare Echo opinions. Prior to stumbling over the line against Waterford, I suggested that game presented Clare with the perfect opportunity to start working a meaningful kick-pass tactic into their game. However they didn’t do that and very nearly ran into a brick wall at Cusack Park with some sedentary play.

With that, the opportunity had passed and we welcomed Kerry to Cusack Park without the kick-pass tool in our tool box.

To have lost by six against one of the top sides in the country should be considered a good evening’s work – especially when you see the likes of Tyrone and Dublin dishing out enormous defeats to so-called lesser sides – and it was certainly a positive result compared to last year’s destruction in Killarney. But to be frank about the result, Kerry missed three very scoreable chances in the first half and it could have been easily been 3-12 to 0-3 at half time, instead of 1-9.

Clare’s gameplan in the first half just did not work. They tried to isolate Darragh Bohannon in the full forward line and bang ball into him to create opportunities from breaking ball. Only problem, there was nobody there to help Darragh because the rest of Clare’s forwards were defending for long periods, leaving Bohannon as the only man inside the 45m line at times. In essence, all Clare were doing was creating a platform for them to attack and the Kerry linkman Tom O’Sullivan made hay. As I said, it’s a little bit crazy they hadn’t tested the long kick-pass all year before it got its first outing against Kerry. To sum up the venture, the first half was a bit of a disaster.

But there remained a slight glimmer of hope for us in the second half, and in fairness Clare ran at Kerry. With nothing to lose, Clare had to try something different and Bohannon being withdrawn was an admittance that the gameplan wasn’t working.

When Clare resorted to the running game which they used during the league, things improved dramatically and we really dictat-

ed proceedings. Gary Brennan was exceptional in the second half as Clare kicked seven of the last eight points, making Kerry look very ordinary. However the damage was done at that stage and truth told, they were never really under pressure in terms of the final scoreline. We were also no doubt aided by David Moran’s black card, his replacement Mark Griffin’s sending off to two yellows and Tommy Walsh also getting a black card, meaning Kerry would finish the match with 13 men. There was also the nasty clash between Sean O’Shea and Clare’s Kevin Hartnett, which saw both men leave the field. Unfortunately Hartnett suffered a concusion and a broken jaw and I wish him all the best with his recovery.

One thing you have to credit the Clare team with is their ability to bounce back.

They did it against Tipperary in the last

league game to keep us up in Division 2 and on Sunday, equally the heads could have dropped but they didn’t. The two men who stood tallest again were Gordon Kelly and Gary Brennan and the whole team rowed in behind that never-give-up attitude. There were some sublime scores from Tubridy, and although I think there should be more to come from Jamie Malone and Eoin Cleary - who still isn’t quite at the same level as he was last year - it was good to see them both scoring a few points from play.

As we know, Clare blow hot and cold, but unfortunately when they blow hot it only happens for 15 minutes and that’s what we saw on Sunday. With the qualifier draw taking place on Monday, Clare need to take the positive mindset of the second half with them into the next part of their campaign and blow hot for that bit longer next time.

Clare capable of successful qualifiers run

BY PÁRAIC McMAHON

l TIGHT GRIP ON THE GAME: Kerry full back Tadhg Morley getting to grips with David Tubridy

Photo by Martin Connolly

AS FAR as recent meetings between Clare and Kerry, Saturday’s six point defeat wasn’t the Banner’s worst nor the best but manager Colm Collins was left confident his side would mount a successful run in the All-Ireland qualifiers.

Early chances went a begging on Clare’s behalf with a seventeen minute wait until they registered their opening score of the Munster semi-final. Collins felt it was missed scores that proved to be the main reason they failed to cause an upset.

“I thought in the first half we shot from crazy places, places that weren’t even on at all and we missed a couple of easy chances that should have gone over, there was a tricky wind there I’ll have to say that but your shooting has to be up against the top teams and it wasn’t today”.

He was quick to put his hand up and admit their tactic of delivering long ball to a two man full forward line of Darragh Bohannon and David Tubridy did not work as planned in the first half. Bohannon was substituted at half-time while Tubridy finished the game with three points to his name. “I thought the long ball into the full forward line did not work and when we started to run at them we got a lot of joy, it wasn’t meant to be like that or a constant barrage of high balls, it was meant to be every so often but it tended to go high maybe it was because of the conditions but they came out in the second half and really stuck into them and showed what they are made of”.

A goal would have helped to solve their problems but in the moments after defeat, the Cratloe clubman was satisfied with the second half fightback from his side that saw them outscore Kerry nine points to six.

“They showed great spirit in the second half and unfortunately the shooting boots weren’t on, we missed a lot of easy chances and if it came down to a score you never know what might have happened. Very proud of the lads in the second half, I thought they gave us everything”.

According to Colliins, the Clare panel would be told leaving Cusack Park, “The Munster championship is over but the championship is still there, we’re a team that’s well capable of doing well in the qualifiers and we’ve proven it before, we’re looking forward to whoever we get in the draw”.

A shame to say, Clare gave up We can expect changes for Limerick showdown

F

OR a Man United supporting south east Clare man, the sporting results on the bank holiday weekend could not have gone any worse.

On Saturday night, I had to sit in Stritches pub in Clonlara and listen to an army of gloating Liverpool fans soak in another European Cup victory. I tried to convince myself it didn’t matter and that tomorrow Waterford would beat Limerick and Clare would hold home advantage and topple Tipperary. I was sadly mistaken.

In truth, I went to Cusack Park much more in hope than anticipation of a Clare victory.

After watching Limerick beat Waterford at a canter as Tipperary had done the week previous, I wondered where that left this Clare team who had only won marginally in Walsh Park. I said before the game that this match would give us a clearer picture of where both teams were at. We now know that Tipperary are currently the best team in the country, and that Clare are a long way off that pace as things stand.

It was a strange performance from Clare. Playing into a very strong wind in the first half, they probably would have taken a six-point deficit at the half.

They started brightly, with our backs attacking the ball well and the movement of our forwards creating scoring chances. In fact, had we been more clinical and a little less selfish in our shot selection we could have been a lot closer than six down at the half. After 20 minutes, we were just one down and looked to be in a great position. Then came the first Tipperary goal. From this point on we were hanging on until halftime.

One hoped that in the second half Clare would come out and push on with the wind. However, they were dealt a cruel blow

l WELL BEATEN: Donal Tuohy saw yellow for this challenge on Patrick Maher, who still managed to hit in the back of the Clare net Photo by Martin Connolly

when Seamus Callinan was first to react to a ball that rebounded off the post and finished to the net. It’s a shame to say this about any team, but it appeared as though after this goal that Clare gave up. From this point on, Tipperary demonstrated superiority in all facets of the game. They physically dominated us in their backs and midfield and played ball to their forwards that didn’t allow us to lay a glove on them.

In the second half we looked totally at sea. We lost all shape and direction, particularly in the half forward line where we withdrew our forwards far too close to our own goal. As expected, Tipperary played Padraic Maher as a sweeper in the second half when playing against the wind and our set-up made it extremely easy for Padraic to intercept and mop up most of the Clare ball into the forwards.

Many supporters were frustrat-

ed that Clare decided to employ Colm Galvin as a sweeper in the second half. Clare were playing with a gale of a wind and found themselves down 13 points, yet Colm was playing a covering role in defence. Tipperary’s use of the ball was good enough to bypass Colm every time they set up an attack, so it was an ineffective tactic. Knowing how good Colm is to win breaking ball and how dangerous he is when in possession, he was needed further up the field when chasing the game.

As a former full-forward, one thing I’ll never understand is the clustered formation that many managers now utilise in the full-forward line. For most of the second half, John, Shane and Podge were playing so close to each other in the Tipperary goalmouth that you could have thrown a blanket over them, their markers and the sweeper.

The idea is to create space on the

wings. However, having played that position I would rather create space closer to the goal and create one v ones. These players are good enough to do damage when competing one v one with their markers, but by playing this close to each other they are inviting two covering defenders each time the ball came in.

On RTÉ radio after the game, the talk was what do Clare need to do differently next weekend to beat Limerick. Unfortunately, there are not many positives to be taken from last weekend’s game, so the answer will be everything. An intense rivalry has developed between this Clare team and Limerick. Many in Clare, myself included, felt that if we had gotten over Galway in last year’s semi-final that we would have had enough to beat Limerick in the final. Limerick will have taken note of this talk and will feel as though they have

a point to prove in beating the only team to defeat them in last year’s championship.

We can expect some changes to the Clare line-up next weekend. My feeling is that from last week’s game, only David McInerney and Cathal Malone will be happy with their performances.

The Tulla and Ennistymon men fought valiantly right to the end.

However, there will be others that started who may feel their position is in jeopardy. Conor Cleary added a physical presence when introduced and his use of the ball was good. I expect that he will slot into the team.

Niall Deasy would add another physical edge to the team that was lacking versus Tipp. Niall is well able to win his own ball and take his score. Many around Clare will wonder why he has not been fully utilised within the county set-up thus far.

You would expect after that result that training this week will be spiky. Lads who did not see game time will be pushing very hard to get into the team. It will be interesting to see who will gain the attention of Donal and Gerry this week as a little bit of a shakeup may be needed.

On form, you would favour Limerick this weekend. Luckily for us, with this Shannonside derby the form book goes out the window. When the fixtures were announced for this year’s Munster championship, this game was the one I would have looked forward to the most. The great thing about our new format is that after a disappointing loss, you have the chance to bounce back immediately. There would be no better way to put a loss like last weekend’s behind you than going on to beat the All-Ireland champions. Living in Clonlara and working in Limerick, all would be forgiven if we could come away from this weekend’s game with a win.

SPORT

THURSDAY, JUN 6 2019

Easy work for Tipperary

Minors continue winning start

THE Clare Minors continued their winning start to this campaign with a 2-13 to 1-09 win over Tipperary in Cusack Park on Sunday. Goals on either side of half-time from Diarmuid Cahill and Keith Smyth proved crucial. Conor Hegarty was outstanding once again scoring three points from play. Clare will take on Limerick in the Gaelic Grounds this weekend and a victory will secure a place in the Munster Final.

Munster Championship Round 3 Clare 0-17 Tipperary 3-21

Clare: Aaron Shanahan (Tulla); Storm Devanny (Sixmilebridge), Adam Hogan (Feakle), Cillian McGroary (Corofin); Jarleth Collins (Eire Og), Colm O’Meara (Clonlara), Tony Butler (St Joseph’s Doora Barefield) (0-2); Oisin Clune (Feakle), Cormac Murphy (O’Callaghans Mills); Shane Meehan (The Banner) (0-2,1f), Cian Galvin (Clarecastle) (0-1f), Oisin O’Donnell (Crusheen); Conor Hegarty (Inagh/Kilnamona) (0-3), Diarmuid Cahill (Corofin), (1-1), Keith Smyth (Killanena) (1-2,1-0pen,2fs).

Subs: Dylan Downes (Sixmilebridge) for Murphy, Sean Ronan (Kilmaley) (0-2) for O’Donnell, Shane Punch (Ruan) for Smyth.

JAMES MULVIHILL @ Cusack Park

T

IPPERARY look to be serious contenders for All-Ireland honours having swatted the challenge of Clare on Sunday. The Banner never recovered from Tipperary’s second goal and were chasing shadows in the second half, as the Premier men won a championship game over Clare at Cusack Park for the first time since 1912.

After a sprightly start from both sides as Clare opted to play into a heavy wind, the home side were down by just 0-7 to 0-6 on 19 minutes. However that’s as good as it got. Tipperary scored the opening goal through Noel McGrath who hand passed to younger brother John. Tipperary at one point extended their first-half lead to eight points, but Clare scored three of the last four points of the half thanks to Peter Duggan (three frees) to leave the score at 1-14 to 0-11 in favour of Tipperary.

Clare will have been satisfied to still be within touching distance at the break and opened the second half scoring through Tony Kelly, which would prove to be his only point from play. However the comeback never materialised and

Tipperary scored their second goal of this game with their next attack, when a placed ball from Jason Forde came off the post, Seamus Callanan was first to gather possession before hitting an un-stoppable shot to the net.

Clare remained apparently stunned for the next 10 minutes of play, as they were easily held scoreless while Tipperary extended their lead to ten points thanks to a brace of frees from Jason Forde, before their third goal from Patrick Maher ended the match as a contest, leaving the score at 3-16 to 0-12 after 50 minutes.

Clare could do nothing but chip away a few points as the Premier finished this contest scoring the last two points through Jason Forde (free) and Patrick Maher.

When Alan Kelly blew the whistle there was a sense of devastation amongst the Clare supporters as they would have been expecting more from their team.

Tipperary: Brian Hogan; Cathal Barrett, Barry Heffernan, Ronan Maher; Brendan Maher (0-1), Padraic Maher, Alan Flynn; Noel McGrath (1-2), Michael Breen; Jason Forde (0-6fs), John O’Dwyer (0-1), Patrick Maher (1-2); John McGrath (0-6), Seamus Callanan (1-3), Dan McCormack. Subs: Willie Connors for Breen (55

‘Goal killed contest’

C l TIPP TOP: Callinan celebrates his goal Photo by Martin Connolly mins), Jake Morris for O’Dwyer (60 mins), Robert Byrne for R. Maher (66 mins), Ger Browne for McCormack (68 mins).

Clare: Donal Tuohy; Patrick O’Connor, David McInerney, Seadna Morey; Cathal Malone, Jack Browne, David Fitzgerald (0-1); Shane Golden (0-1), Colm Galvin; Peter Duggan (09,8fs), Tony Kelly (0-3,2fs), Diarmuid Ryan (0-1); Shane O’Donnell, John Conlon, Podge Collins (0-1).Subs: Conor Cleary for Morey (51 mins), Aidan McCarthy (0-1) for Duggan (57 mins), Gary Cooney for Conlon (59 mins), Aron Shanagher for O’Donnell (64 mins), Ryan Taylor for Golden (67 mins).

Referee: Alan Kelly (Galway).

Choosing the right set of irons

T

HE first step to choosing the best set of irons to help bring your golf game to the next level, starts by understanding the two main options of metals available to you (forged and steel heads). Once you understand the benefits of both metals it will help you to choose the one that best suits your needs.

Forged Irons: Forged irons are produced from a softer forged metal compared to the harder cast steel. The process of forging starts with a single heated bar of this softer forged metal, that is then hammer pressed by a mould up to four times until you are left with a solid lump of metal that is in the shape of an iron head.

The advantages of using a forged head is you get far more feel and feedback from the club when you strike the ball. Forged irons offer far better distance control, keeping a smaller distance gap between each of the shots you play.

When the ball strikes the face of a fully forged iron, the ball stays on the face of the club longer, therefore it is easier to shape your shots with a forged club over a steel head. Forged irons give you maximum feel, and the sound when you strike the ball from the centre of the clubface is indescribable. Forged irons generally don’t fly as far as a steel head because the ball speeds are slightly slower and they also spin slightly more.

Forged irons are usually chosen by the majority of professional golfers and low handicap golfers who prefer to shape their ball flight and also because distance control is extremely important for them to play at the top level. Forged irons in the past were only available as a less forgiving

35

blade head, however nowadays the golf manufactures are producing wider more forgiving forged heads like the Mizuno JPX 919 forged or Titleist AP2 heads which are easy to use, ideal for the higher handicap golfer who would like to play with a forged club.

Steel Irons: Steel irons start with a liquid cast steel that is poured into a mould in the shape of an iron head. When this metal cools it is removed from the mould and grinder and polished into shape. When you pour a hot metal liquid into a mould, tiny oxygen bubbles will be present therefore there can be inconsistencies in the build of a steel head compared to the compressing of a forged head.

The golf ball comes off the face of a steel head club faster than a forged, therefore these heads will usually hit the ball further and straighter because it’s more difficult to shape the ball when the ball comes off the face faster. Modern steel head irons are extremely long hitting and forgiving so if you need more length and a straighter ball flight these would be your best choice.

Cast steel irons are usually chosen for those golfers who needs maximum forgiveness. If you are in the market for a new set of irons make sure to get custom fitted and try out both cast steel and forged iron sets and see which metal is going to suit your golf game the best.

Also it is possible to play with forged irons from your 6-PW and choose cast steel irons for your longer irons. Remember we generally want distance control and spin with our shorter irons but distance and forgiveness with our longer irons, therefore why not get half forged and half steel irons when choosing your next set of irons. Also try and stay open minded regarding choosing a brand of irons because unless you try out a few you may not be purchasing the brand the will optimise your golf game.

My next article will discuss the swing weight of a golf club and its importance, along with the importance of choosing the right shaft to suit your golf swing.

LARE were happy at half-time to trail by six points with the wind in their favour but joint manager Gerry O’Connor admitted the concession of Seamus Callanan’s goal on 40 minutes “knocked the stuffing” out of his side, writes Páraic McMahon.

In the moments following their 13 point defeat to Tipp, O’Connor pointed to their second half start in which they hit four wides in 10 minutes and conceded 1-01 as crucial in determining the outcome.

“That goal in the second half knocked the stuffing out of us.

Mentally we were in a very good place at half-time, we were only six points down and that shoved the gap to eight points. We had three or four very bad wides but that

PGA Golf Professional

seemed to set the tone for the second half, our confidence seemed to dip and they got on top of us.”

When asked if the substitutions of key Clare players would indicate if they got their match-ups wrong, Dónal Moloney responded, “We get matchups right on a lot of days as well. Maybe our ball supply to the lads wasn’t great and they were a bit frustrated.”

Donal added that Tipperary’s attack would pose problems for every set of backs in the country.

“The way [we] were defending in the first half was terrific, the space opened up a bit in the second half.

I thought John McGrath had a really good game for them, that was a big factor. Tipp in that sort of form will put up those scores against most teams”.

#PadraigKnowsGolf

Padraig McGrath

GOLF ANALYSIS

The Scorecard in association with

ENNIS GOLF CLUB Senior Ladies Tuesday May 28th 1st Margaret Flanagan, Carmel Verling, Alice D’Arcy & Deirdre Molyneaux 45 2nd Rita O’Brien, Marie Dilleen & Mary Leahy 51 3rd Eileen Corry, Maura O’Rourke & Pat Leacy 52

3rd John Hehir, Michael Shannon & Muriel Kiely 37.11

Ladies Blind of Clare 1st Kathleen Frehill (35) 32pts 2nd Della Burns (15) 31pts

EAST CLARE GOLF CLUB Men’s Singles 1st Dean McKenna (18) 39pts 2nd Eoin Magill (6) 38 pts 3rd Robert McCarthy (20) 38pts

KILRUSH GOLF CLUB Thu 30 May 2019 Anchor Crafts Ladies’ Singles 1st Margaret Donnelly (18) 36pts (Back 9) 2nd Joan O’Malley (20) 36pts 3rd Kathleen Haugh (31) 35 pts 4th Margaret Clancy (15) 34 pts Fri 31 May 2019 Mixed Team Competition.

1st Shane Lillis, P W Glynn & Clair Pyne 33.78 2nd Mark Shannon, T Coffey & Agnes Shannon 36.67

Upcoming Event Sat 08 June: 2019 Captain’s Prize (Mr Alan Howard) Men’s 18 hole Singles Stroke with 10 hole play-off for qualifiers.

Men’s Seniors 1st Donal Salmon, Jim Bradley,Jimmy Nagle 2nd Willie Roche, Ger Daly, Paddy Moloney 3rd JJ Barton ,Willie Hayes, Paddy Carney

36 CLASSIFIEDS

Classifieds ACCOUNTANCY

CAR REPAIRS

CLEANING

THURSDAY, JUNE 6 2019

CONTACT SALES

065 671 9021 sales@clareecho.ie

FOR SALE Freehold One acre of good bog in Sorrel Island, Lissycasey €5000 ONO Phone 086 8552820 Kia Estate car 1.6 D 240,000 km NCT’d €4000 ONO Phone 086 8552820

The Clare Echo Classifieds Contact 065 671 9021 CAR REPAIRS

DOG TRAINING

GRINDS Maths Grinds Tutor required for ordinary level Leaving Cert student to commence September 2019 Contact: 0877551554

HOME IMPROVEMENT

CLEANING

The Clare Echo Classifieds Contact 065 671 9021

THURSDAY, JUNE 6 2019

Classifieds JOB OPPORTUNITIES

PAINTING

SUMMER CAMPS

CLASSIFIEDS 37 CONTACT SALES

065 671 9021 sales@clareecho.ie

The Clare Echo Classifieds Contact 065 671 9021

ROOFING TYRES

STORAGE TARMACADAM

Game (http://puzzles.bestforpuzzles.com)

OPEN

Best Daily Word Search

38 PUZZLEPAGE

THURSDAY, JUNE 6 2019

THIS WEEKS PUZZLES JUNE 6

Best Daily Word Search: 31 May 2019

5

1

6

8

7

7

4

5

1

9

8

7

1

2

8

9

8

9

6

4

Domains, websites and marketing tools.

4

9

6

4

5

3

7

6

2

9

4

3

1

5

3

2

7

9

1

9

8

5

6

3

1

2

5

6

8

2

3

7

4

00:01

Software © 2017 crossword-compiler.com

2

A L C C A T

3

A D C L C C K M I

1

S E G B A C C A R A T N

2

I

3

C B

1

C U R V U F L X Y C C O C L E

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.

8

O C T N E C C A A E Y R D U D

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.

6

I

7

R C N M J W C P A P T E F C

How to play

4

T N C A C C

5

I

7

D A E C F K R E

9

4 Get everything 2 3 1 9 you need to HOW TO PLAY makeANSWERS your idea real.

9

5

U K S Y E C C O C

2

8

I

8

7

4

Y N C C B

6

6

B P S S D O C M A

7

2

7

I

5

4

A E C E C

8

3

S O A H

1

6

5

I

7

2

H C M E O

1

9

9

I

7

8

Y E E C

4

1

V S C C R C C C C U C W

2

6

6

I

H C C C C N C Z

4

3

R R

I

7

9

A O P U C C

accent . soccer accept . success . access . tobacco . accident access . acclaim accident . accord acclaim . account . baccarat accord . buccaneer account . capriccio baccarat . coccyx buccaneer . eccentric . gnocchi capriccio . hiccup coccyx . moccasin eccentric . occident . occult hi . accept

5

2

C R A C C O O N A A O M T E V

6

. raccoon

How to play

C C C S U N N D S B K C J D X

. accent

. peccary

1/1

I M O C C V E Q

. accede accede

1/1

P H A C C K N D Q T X L A C C E O A G S G B

SUDOKU

5/31/2019

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.

WORD SEARCH

CC

) 7( ?rt

5/31/2019

Clear

Check

Save

Reveal

Solution

The Clare Echo Crossword 1

JAN 8

019

10

o difficult - just

7)

› Word › Best Daily Word Se… (http://puzzles.bestforpuzzles.com/category/word/)

2

FEB

MAR

4

APR 9

5

MAY

11

More Puzzles

accede

() accent () accept ()

access () 12

13

18

17

14

19

20

15

6

Best Daily Word Search - 31 May -CC

2019

. . . .

3

21

ACROSS DOWN 2019 1 Londoner (7) 1 Modifications (7) 5 Religious factions 2 Professorship (5)

(5) 3 Necessary (7) 8 Hard stone (5)

9 Roman sea god (7) 4 Over there (6) 10 Long-necked ani Solve (/games/best-daily-word-search/?

5 Excellent (5) mal (7) puzzleDate=20190531) 6 Bravery (7) now

11 Cook in an oven 7 Bed covering (5) (5) 12 Mediterranean 13 Frankness (7) island (6)

15 South American 14 Convent head (6) country (7)

18 Additional pay16 Odd, unusual (7) ment (5)

20 Everywhere (3,4) 17 Brigand (6) 22 Embellished (7)

18 Burn fiercely (5) 23 She-fox (5) 19 Gumption (5)

24 Eagle’s nest (5) 25 Tosh (7) 21 Annoyed (5

7

16

. accident ()

l i ()

puzzles.bestforpuzzles.com/games/best-daily-word-search/#!201905 22

24

23

25

1/1

CROSSWORD ANSWERS E

Learn More L

D

D

A

W

T

E

I

R

Y

52

G

E

N

E

X

I

I

I

V

D

E

E

S

U

N

R

O

D

R

E

V

O

L

L

12

N

E

A

S

02

T

Z

) 6(

A

)7

22

I

O

)

42

32

A

E

D U

L

N

O

91

B 81

B

A

71

S

S

E

B

61

B

A

51

T

S

Y

O

I

R

C

I

31

R

A

L

41

G

R

E

F

E

N

F

A

R

I

U

T

O

D

P

E

S

T 7

U

C

E 6

D

N

I

E

G

T

N

A

G

E

Y 5

E 4

9102 ya

A 8

O

S

t s uj - tl u ciffi d o ot t o n

01

E

9

H

.

E

11

E

S 21

U

H

N

K 3

H

C

O 2

C 1

QUIZ 39

THURSDAY, JUNE 6 2019

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

6 Clare’s National League Div 1 in 2001

Offaly All Ireland semi-final five minutes prematurely?

Niall Gilligan, Barry Murphy, Ollie Baker

3

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

One, Three, Five

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

camogie All Star award in her pocket?

Catherine O’Loughlin, Orlaith Duggan, Aoife Keane

Cork, Wexford, Monaghan

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

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

Laois, Kerry, Dublin

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

Tony Kelly, Brian Lohan and …

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

Seanie MacMahon, Davy Fitzgerald, Jamesie O’Connor

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

Two, Four, Six

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

Eight, Twelve, Fourteen

Christy Ring Cup with Kerry in 2105?

Patrick Donnellan, Pa Kelly, Patrick O’Connor

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

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

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

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

Martin Daly, Seamus Clancy, Odhran O’Dwyer

OLD IMAGES OF COUNTY CLARE

Co. Clare (between ca. 1860-1883).

Photo from The Stereo Pairs Photograph Collection (National Library of Ireland)