The Clare Echo 06/07/23

‘Don’t let Clare Pyrite suppliers off the hook’

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

CLARE’S inclusion in an enhanced defective concrete block (DCB) grant scheme has been approved and now the focus needs to shift to the companies who sold the crumbling blocks according to devastated homeowners.

This week after three years of lobbying for inclusion, Clare was finally included in an enhanced DCB scheme by Minister for Housing, Darragh O’Brien (FF).

More than 1000 properties and premises in Clare are understood to have pyrite in the county including a Council built estate and Shannon Garda Station.

Co-founder of the Clare Pyrite Action Group, Dr Martina Cleary said the companies responsible for selling the defective blocks must be pursued, “It’s very important that the people did this are not left off the hook. We’re paying for our houses twice, we pay taxes, there’s shortfall in the scheme, the companies behind this should be paying”.

Deputy Cathal Crowe (FF) maintained, “It’s important that the government accelerate plans to take a landmark legal case against the manufacturers and suppliers of defective blocks. It is right that the state should now foot the bill for redress but ultimately those who manufactured and sold these blocks must be held responsible”.

More on Page 8

DAY TO REMEMBER

lColm Cleary is congratulated by loved ones after O’Callaghan’s Mills claimed the Clare Cup Photo by Ruth Griffin

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Eagle chicks tagged in Mountshannon

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Varadkar to visit East Clare

AN TAOISEACH, Leo Varadkar (FG) is to visit Co Clare this weekend, writes Páraic McMahon.

On Saturday morning, the Taoiseach will be launching a report by the Shannon Estuary Economic Taskforce in Ardnacrusha. It is anticipated that the Taoiseach will stay in West Clare for the weekend.

Potential for the Shannon Estuary to become Ireland’s prime location for offshore renewable energy and a key transportation hub has been highlighted in the report by the task force. It outlines how the region can capitalise on the renewable energy transition. The task force calls for significant investment in the ports of Moneypoint and Foynes. It also recommends a new auction for floating wind power in 2024 and identifies industrial locations for clean energy sectors such as hydrogen.

A potential visit by the Taoiseach to Loop Head was alluded to by Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG) at Tuesday’s sitting of the West Clare Municipal District. He had requested Clare County Council to extend to provide road markings on the R487 to Loop Head Lighthouse “on the road recently resurfaced to provide a safe pedestrian way in the interest of health and safety”.

Senior executive engineer in the West Clare MD, Alan Kennelly advised that the road marking contractors would be asked to carry out the request when they were next in West Clare. “We will also provide a number of the ‘vulnerable pedestrians’ signs together with the required supplementary information plates”.

“When, was it Red Hurley than sang the song,” Cllr Keating stated in response. “We’ve a VIP coming this weekend, is it too much to expect it would be done in time for him,” he asked. This prompted Cllr Ian Lynch (IND) to respond, “ask the VIP to bring the men to do the work”.

The tagging of this years 2 white tailed sea eagle chicks was carried out on Lough Derg on a site close to Mountshannon Harbour by National Parks and Wildlife Services, closely monitored and tagged by Divisional Manager NPWS, Éamonn Meskell, NPWS Conservation Ranger, Damien Clarke, Dr Allan Mee and NPWS Conservation Rangers, Shane O’Neill and Sínead Biggane

Photo by Valerie O’Sullivan

Fight for GP services to recommence in Newmarket-on-Fergus

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

NEWMARKET-ON-FER-

GUS is to begin the fight of trying to keep its medical practice within the parish. A public meeting is to be held at the Community Hall in the village of Newmarket-on-Fergus on Monday night commencing at 8pm.

From September, Carrigoran will no longer be available as a medical practice. It had been in operation for such a purpose since June 2020. The retirement of Dr Colm Hackett in May 2019 after 42 years working as Newmarket-on-Fergus’ GP led to Saffron and Blue Medical Centre receiving a contract from the HSE to provide a GP service from Carrigoran.

Question marks are now circulating on that contract with the service to conclude operating from Carrigoran this September.

In a statement to The Clare Echo, the Newmarket-on-Fergus Community Forum said it had been “informed that Carrigoran will not be available as a location for a medical practice from September 2023. The Forum is seeking the support of the people of Newmarket-on-Fergus , political representatives and the HSE to ensure a doctor continues to be located in Newmarket and preferably in the centre of the town. It is important that as many people as possible attend this meeting to show their support for the retention of a Doctor in Newmarket”.

Back in December 2019, an approximate 200 people attended a public meeting

Lynch confirms he will be standing in 2024 elections

SITTING Councillor Ian Lynch

(IND) is the first confirmed candidate for the Kilrush electoral area in the 2024 local elections, writes Páraic McMahon

As he was elected Cathaoirleach of the West Clare Municipal District, Cllr Lynch confirmed that he would be contesting his third local election next year.

He reminded his colleagues that there is still twelve months of the Council term to get through so that they cannot lose focus despite the work involved in preparing for the local election.

“I had my convention at home, I was nominated by my son and seconded by my daughter but it was contested by my wife,” Lynch quipped at the AGM. He made a slip up of saying this selection convention was for the General Election but quickly advised colleagues that it was indeed the local elections that he was referring to.

where the GP service was among the main items on the agenda along with the Garda presence in the area and the shortage of services in the village. It proved to be an election discussing point in advance of the 2020 General Election.

Local peace commissioner, David Griffin who is hopeful of receiving a nomination to contest the local elections next year as a Fianna Fáil candidate in the Shannon Municipal District said the vital GP service “must be protected”.

He stated, “There is huge fear and anxiety around the village and indeed the wider parish of Newmarket on Fergus regarding the un-

certainty of the future provision of a GP in the area. As it stands, GP services are under immense pressure, not just in our area but nationally, and the loss of a local GP could have a huge impact”.

Griffin who hails from Stonehall in Newmarket-on-Fergus said he was hopeful a compromise would be met to protect the current GP service in the short-term.

“It is vital, especially for our older residents that we do what we can to ensure that we hold onto our GP. This is not the first time that we have faced the loss of a GP in the area, and I think this again highlights

the need for the HSE to put together a longer term plan for healthcare provision in Newmarket-on-Fergus. Our population is growing and will continue to grow, and we need to do everything we can, not just to solve the issue in the short term but in the medium and long term as well”.

First elected to Clare County Council in 2014 when he was the fourth of eight candi dates elected having amassed 1,218 first preference votes, the Kilrush man’s suc cess coincided with Oliver Gar ry (FG) and Patrick Keane (FF) losing their seats. He ran as an Independent candidate after he was not

selected for Fine Gael, he was previously a representative for the party on Kilrush Town Council from 2009 to 2014.

In 2019, a redrawn Kilrush electoral area saw Lynch’s first preference vote fall to 1,026 and he was the last of five candidates elected and he did so without reaching the quota of 1,530 narrowly seeing off Joseph Woulfe (IND). For this campaign, he was much slower in announcing his intention to run and this impacted on his canvass and can be attributed as a factor in the smaller vote.

Tom Prenderville’s (FF) defeat in the 2009 local election left Kilrush without a local representative on the County Council for five years until Lynch’s success.

Of the current councillors in the West Clare MD, Cllr Lynch is the only one with experience of contesting a General Election. He ran in the 2016 General Election, polling 1,494 first preferences and was eliminated on the third count. He had briefly considered running in the 2020 General Election following Michael Harty’s (IND) announcement that he would not be standing as Lynch stressed the need for West Clare to have a voice in the Dáil.

Holly’s Pharmacy, 23 Abbey Street, Ennis, Co.Clare

lCllr Ian Lynch

Photo by Eamon Ward

lHEALTH: Newmarket-on-Fergus residents who attended the public forum meeting regarding the future of a GP service in December 2019 Photo by Joe Buckley

Statue of innovator extraordinaire Brendan O'Regan to be unveiled

A LIFE-SIZE statue of a Clare native and one of the county’s greatest innovators will be unveiled in Sixmilebridge on Monday, writes Páraic McMahon.

Dr Brendan O’Regan’s legacy will be marked in a prominent position in his native Sixmilebridge forevermore when a life-size statue in his memory is unveiled at The Square at 2pm on Monday (July 10th).

Kilbaha’s Seamus Connolly who is one of the country’s leading bronze sculptors was commissioned by Sixmilebridge Historical Society and Shannon Chamber to cast the statue.

Twenty members of the O’Regan family from Ireland and overseas will attend the unveiling ceremony, which is open to the public.

CEO of Shannon Chamber, Helen Downes said they jumped at the opportunity to get involved. “When we were approached by the committee of the Sixmilebridge Historical Society to get involved with this amazing project, we did not have to think twice”.

She added, “The impact Brendan O’Regan had on this region is extraordinary. He was a visionary. However, taking a project from concept to delivery requires support and that’s what we got from the

many sponsors who have enabled the delivery of what will be an amazing statue”.

Chairperson of Sixmilebridge Historical Society, David Deighan, added: “Brendan O’Regan has left an extraordinary inheritance to Ireland which can never be forgotten. We are all indebted to his vision which has impacted our lives in so many ways. The population of Sixmilebridge, Shannon and all the towns and villages in the county and region have emanated from his vision to establish Shannon Free Zone. It is fitting that the statue being unveiled will serve to perpetuate his memory among current and future generations”.

O’Regan studied hotel management in Germany, France, Switzerland and the UK before he became one of the greatest visionaries to have come from Co Clare. He helped to transform the Shannon region through the development of Shannon Airport, the creation of the world’s first duty-free shop, the establishment of the Shannon College of Hotel Management, the opening of the Shannon Free Zone and the birth of Shannon Town.

Brendan was voted Clareman of the Year in 1984, he was given the

Freedom of the City of Limerick in 1995 and obtained several honorary doctorates. In February 2007, Clare Museum held an exhibition, opened by the then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern (FF) to mark his achievements, this was one year before his death at the age of 90.

Several initiatives have noted his immense contribution to Irish life, including the O'Regan Park, a recreational facility in Newmarket-on-Fergus where he lived in his later years. Three restaurants, one at the Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum, another at Shannon Airport and the third at the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis are named after him.

Shannon Airport commemorated the centenary of his birth in 2017 by unveiling a bronze bust sculpture in his memory following a proposal led by Cllr John Crowe (FG) at a sitting of Clare County Council.

To coincide with Monday’s event, Clare FM’s programme director Padraic Flaherty has produced an hour-long documentary on the life of Brendan O’Regan. This will be aired on at 11am while Morning Focus presented by Alan Morrissey will broadcast live from The Bridge on Monday morning.

Dream Bigger!

l

VISIONARY: Brendan O’Regan

Redress for pyrite homes approved but companies ‘must be pursued’

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

REGULATIONS that will lead to the approval of redress for pyrite-impacted homeowners in Clare have been signed off on by the Minister for Housing while the companies responsible for selling defective concrete blocks must now be pursued according to activists and politicians.

On Monday afternoon, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien (FF) commenced the enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) Grant Scheme which will provide financial support to affected homeowners in Clare, Donegal, Mayo and Limerick whose dwelling had been damaged by the use of defective concrete blocks in its construction.

Grants of up to €420,000 are available for affected homeowners depending on the works required under the scheme, but very few will be able to avail of this maximum sum.

Frustration has long been expressed by homeowners on the pace at which the signing of this regulation has taken with many delays along the way.

In Co Clare, more than one thousand homes are understood to have pyrite with over one hundred members of the Clare Pyrite Action Group (CPAG). Over 350 properties in a local authority housing scheme and Shannon Garda Station are among

other buildings to have been detected with pyrite.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, co-founder of the Action Group, Dr Martina Cleary, “We’ve been fighting for three years to get to here, it is big relief to be acknowledged and have equal rights to other counties, it shouldn’t have taken three years but it is a big achievement. When I was looking at Clare listed in the official document, I remember sitting at home here in my yard and being told there is no help available, it was like facing an absolute wall of nothing and getting to here is huge”.

She added, “It’s a win to be acknowledged and included but you have to question what have we won, it is not the perception ‘we’ll be grand’, it’s a spin from Govt, it is not 100% redress, everyone will be in thousands of euros of debt, there are too many unopened questions not answered”.

False perceptions on this has led to extra charges in quotes sought by homeowners with pyrite for repairs with one member already “fleeced”, Martina said, “I am already hearing on the ground of people being hit with extra charges when getting quotes, people are very hard pressed and will be €10,000 short, the banks will have to step up with bridging loans, most houses are already mortgaged but they are worthless”.

Detail in relation to accommodation for homeowners while repairs are ongoing is lacking, the Crusheen wom-

an stated. “It’s all theoretical because we haven’t been told and we don’t know when the portal will open, we’ll be on administered process, once you’re in and get approval the clock is ticking so you only have a couple of weeks to go from build to completion, people are facing into an abyss”.

Appointment of a facilitator within Clare County Council is needed to assist affected homeowners, Dr Cleary highlighted, for this to occur, further funding is needed by the Department of Housing and Local Government.

“End to end project management” as part of the pyrite remediation scheme in Kildare ensured everything was dealt with on time and on budget, she noted. Focus must also be shined on the companies responsible for selling defective blocks, Martina maintained.

“It’s very important that the people did this are not left off the hook. We’re paying for our houses twice, we pay taxes, there’s shortfall in the scheme, the companies behind this should be paying”.

This stance was echoed by Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF). “When redress gets underway, I think it’s important that the government accelerate plans to take a landmark legal case against the manufacturers and suppliers of defective blocks. It is right that the state should now foot the bill for redress but ultimately those who manufactured and sold these blocks must be held responsible,” he stated.

Craggaunowen hosts inaugural Culture and Crafts Fair

THE crafts, trades, music and old traditions of County Clare will be showcased at the inaugural Craggaunowen Culture and Crafts Fair on Sunday July 16th from 11.00am to 5.00pm.

Visitors to the popular visitor attraction will have the opportunity to engage directly with artists, crafts and tradespeople, storytellers, musicians, and dancers from across the Banner County.

The idyllic setting of 16th-century Craggaunowen Castle will host demonstrations and talks by local artists and craft producers, including Wix and Wax Candles, Galanta Jewellery, Palm Oil Free Soaps, artist Helen Lowe, Brideog Trad, and Pricella Crochet and Knitting.

From 1pm to 5pm on the Castle Green, visitors will be able to enjoy live traditional music by local musicians Mark Donnellan, Charlie Harris and Jennifer Lenihan, as well as set dancing performances by the wonderful East Clare Set Dancers, Sean Nós Dancing by Stephanie Keane, and Step Dancing with Rince Brady/Mullins School of Dance.

The inaugural fair will be celebrating Ireland’s “lost” or traditional crafts and trades. Jack Pinson, a Clare-based maker of traditional and historic longbows, will showcase the ancient skill of timber craftwork on the traditional pole lathe.

Michael Foudy from Ruan will demonstrate the ancient craft of basket making and how locally sourced pliable materials such as hazel and willow were used to create baskets for carrying fuel, gathering food or catching fish.

Viking merchants will be onsite at the Crannóg to educate visitors on the many ancient crafts, skills and games, enjoyed by the pagan warriors. They will also be regaling stories of Viking battles and bravery.

The myths, superstitions and traditions of old Ireland also will be recalled through storytelling by Bunratty Castle and Folk Park animator and Seanchaí, Mike Glynn, while magician Seamus Tobin will keep the crowds entertained with his array of magical talents and tricks.

Pauline Lenihan, Site Manager at Craggaunowen, commented, “We are excited to bring together some of Clare’s finest musicians, crafts and trades people, and artists to our visitor attraction for a celebration of the history, heritage and ancient traditions of County Clare. We promise a fun-filled and educational day for people of all ages, and we hope visitors will enjoy all the sights, sounds and artistry that we will have on display at Craggaunowen”.

The Clare County Council managed visitor attraction at Craggaunowen recreates what life would have been like for the Bronze Age inhabitants of Ireland. The attraction features a 16th-century castle and a reconstructed “crannog” showing how Celts lived, worked, and defended themselves.

The Craggaunowen Culture and Crafts Fair takes place on Sunday July 16th from 11.00am to 5.00pm. Online bookings (standard rates apply) can be made on www.craggaunowen.ie.

lSUPPORT: Dr Martina Cleary attends a Clare Pyrite Action Group

Photo by Natasha Barton

will wear the title as a badge of honour’

by Páraic McMahon paraic @clareecho.ie

CLARE has a new first citizen following the election of Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) as Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, a title commonly known as the Mayor of Clare.

Predictions were made that Cllr Cooney would be welcoming the All-Ireland winning hurlers back to the county as jibes were thrown towards the Chief Executive of Clare County Council, Pat Dowling who is a native of Co Limerick at Friday’s AGM.

Indeed the attendance at the AGM was one of the largest to be held at Áras Contae an Chláir with local authority staff busily adding extra chairs around the Chamber and public gallery as family, friends and supporters of Cllr Cooney attended the occasion. Former TDs, Madeline Taylor-Quinn (FG), James Breen (IND) and Pat Breen (FG) were in the crowd along with Senator Timmy Dooley (FF).

O’Callaghans Mills man Cooney was elected unanimously to the role and becomes the first person since the late Sean Keating (FF) to have been both Mayor of Clare and Chairperson of Clare GAA. The Cross native who was laid to rest served as Mayor from 1985 to 1987. He succeeds Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF).

A poll-topper in the Killaloe MD for local elections in 2009, 2014 and 2019, Cllr Cooney also secured the highest vote in the county of all

Clare councillors for three of his four runs for public office, he was first elected in the Scariff electoral area at the 2004 local elections.

Speaking at Friday’s AGM, Cllr Cooney paid tribute to his family, friends and invited guests for their support on his journey as an elected representative, “it gives me great pride to represent you all”. His wife Teresa was joined by their sons Conor and John at the AGM while Gerard was out of the country. “I am both delighted and honoured to have been elected Cathaoirelach of Clare County Council. It is a great honour to get the opportunity to represent the people of Clare

as Cathaoirleach, I look forward to fulfilling those duties to the best of my ability, I will wear the title as a badge of honour,” he said.

He outlined, “We face many challenges as a Council, the day to day running and passing of the Budget will have implications and consequences for all citizens of our county, neither of those should be completed without the input of elected members, respect and compromise should be used all involved”.

Battles will occur within the Council Chamber he predicted but elected representatives, executive and staff “must be united to do our best for our county just like our

great teams of players who represent Clare in different sports show unity as a team”.

On the issues he wants to bring to the forefront during his tenure, Cooney said he wants to see improvements to the infrastructure of rural communities right across Co Clare, “progress has been made in our towns and villages but I want to see further developments in the next twelve months to make them attractive places to work, live and visit”.

Holy Island/Inis Cealtra’s development was labelled as “vital” by Cllr Cooney. “This visitor experience is crucial to the further development of the tourism offering of East Clare and the Mid-West region”.

Progress is already visible on the Killaloe Bridge Crossing and Bypass, Cooney stated. “The sod has been turned and work is ongoing, we need to see works continue at pace to provide the vital link”.

Proposing his party colleague for the role, Cllr Pat Burke (FG) said he was honoured to get to nominate Cllr Cooney. “The hard-working poll topper, I could go on forever about his work rate in the Council and in construction, I don’t know how many hours he works a day, that is why he is so popular. Any of us hurling in East Clare knew Joe from his role hurling with the Mills and as Chairman”.

Burke recalled that in 2004 he was secretary in the Scariff area of Fine Gael and a constituency official

had said they were not aware of Joe Cooney when he was first nominated for the local elections, they were quickly told the name would be known to them and not forgotten.

Whitegate native Burke said the working relationship between him and Cllr Cooney has been very pleasant. He noted he has benefited from many ‘number two’ votes off his colleague. “I went into a certain housing estate in 2009 and I was told there’s only one Joe Cooney by a group of children running towards me, I was told to relax that I’d get a handful of number twos which I’ve been reminded of in the public gallery”. He continued, “Joe is a great all-rounder, Joe can turn his hand to anything, farming might not have been his number one but when he told me one evening two months ago he was tagging calves and putting in bales of silage I said Jesus is there anything he can’t do”.

Joe’s popularity quickly became known when he ran for office in 2004, Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) observed when seconding his proposal as Cathaoirleach. “We knew and heard him from the sidelines, he was very much supporting the Mills and had many battles with opposing selectors, Joe’s commitment has brought him to where he is today, it is a very much important day and one for celebrations”.

He continued, “he is a poll-topper across our District for many occasions, a man of the people and ever ready to take on anything”.

Daly elected Mayor of Ennis

CLLR Pat Daly (FF) has been elected as the new Mayor of the Ennis Municipal District while there was no drama with only proposal for the Deputy Mayor gig, writes Páraic McMahon

At Thursday’s AGM, the former Mayor of Clare was unanimously elected to the role. Behind the scenes efforts from high ranking councillors in Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil stopped the potential bid of Cllr Ann Norton (IND) to become Deputy Mayor instead of Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) a move which would have put the Council’s power-sharing arrangement in place at risk.

Proposed by his party colleagues Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) and Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF), Cllr Daly told the meeting that Ennis is now the biggest town in Munster, “we’re bigger than Sligo and Letterkenny and we’re up there with the top”. He referenced the town’s recognition for its Age Friendly Strategy, friendliest place, tidiest town and the enhancements of Parnell Street which had a spend of €5.8m.

Highlighting initiatives he would like to see progressed in the next 12 months, Cllr Daly said the River Fergus walkway should be extended

to the quay at Clarecastle, “the potential there is unbelievable” and called for the Rocky Road to be acquired by the local authority.

He was not shy in criticising the Council in his opening remarks, “The Market Building has been a big disappointment, I’d ask management to have another look at it, we lost the Farmers Market to Roslevan, something has to be done with it, the Market was the place in town and I’d like to see a revival, would like to see a farmers market or antique market there”.

Prior to the meeting it was unknown if a reported contest for the Deputy Mayor would come to fruition. Cllr Flynn had been approached by Cllr Daly to act as his Deputy Mayor but councillors who are pro all aspects of the Ennis 2040 Strategy had considered preventing this from happening but stopped at the last minute, following persuasion from senior councillors in Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.

No counter-proposals were voiced from the floor meaning that Cllr Flynn was elected without opposition. “I was thrilled when you asked me to be your Deputy, we’ve great colleagues in the Ennis MD, we have people with different perspectives without them we can be very narrow focused and short-sighted,” he said.

lFIRST CITIZEN: Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council Cllr Joe Cooney (FF) Photo by Eamon Ward

lCHEERS: Cllr Pat Daly (FF) is congratulated by Director of Services, Carmel Kirby and senior executive officer Leonore O’Neill Photo by Eamon Ward

Kelly's historic contribution to local democracy in Clare honoured

by Páraic McMahon paraic @clareecho.ie

CLLR PJ Kelly (FF) created history on Friday as he attended his 50th Annual General Meeting of Clare County Council.

First elected in 1974, Cllr Kelly is one of three politicians nationally to have given such service to local government. In his lifetime in politics, the Lissycasey native has served alongside a total of 709 elected members of Clare County Council, prevailing in each of the nine elections he has contested.

Outgoing Mayor of Clare, Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF) presented his colleague with a figurine of a horse due to his involvement in the equine business while his wife Maura was given a bouquet of flowers. “For a man from a disadvantaged area and a slow learner he has done well,” Cllr O’Brien stated in reference to two of the many catchphrases espoused by Cllr Kelly. Staff and elected members of the Council all took to the floor to give Cllr Kelly a standing ovation to mark the milestone.

“I’m rarely stuck for words but this is an occasion,” an emotional but proud Kelly told the meeting. “This is a wonderful occasion, when I entered the Council in 1974 I didn’t expect to be around for my 50th AGM, I thank the people around me, the people from the disadvantaged area I’m from who have elected me down through the years”.

He recalled that his first occasion to the Chamber may have been “a controversial entrance”. He stated, “I’m a firm believer of community work, the changes are unbelievable, Cllr McMahon joined me two and a half years

later, no other councillor would have seen the changes we’ve seen, we have seen some councillors arrive on bicycles and others walked to meetings”. The introduction of a power-sharing agreement with the parties in the Council must continue, he said.

As he has often done, PJ applauded the work of the late County Manager, Joe Boland who had many achievements including the introduction of a community grant scheme in 1978 which aided parishes to put a field or community centre in their locality with funding of £9000 provided. He also spearheaded the rollout of the West Clare water scheme, one of the largest in the country at the time, connecting Doolough to Loop Head. “It seems small today but it brought a GAA field into every village today, could have bought two houses at every time”.

“We haven’t the same level of staffing today, we didn’t know what the word consultant was then and now it’s costing us €100,000 a week, I can’t say everything has changed for the better,” Kelly lamented.

Never afraid to hold people to task, Cllr Kelly also used the occasion to urge the county’s TDs and Oireachtas members to pull up their socks. “One change that concerns me, rural Ireland gone very much into decline, so many parts of West Clare, many colleagues have lost seats because of rural decline, bureaucracy has taken over in a big way. Planning was one time for development, now the emphasis is on non-development. I do hope our TDs would have a serious look at their role”.

PJ paid tribute to his “good wife” Maura

“who was my secretary and support, when people called to their door she was the caterer. When I was technically challenged, my family came to my aid with computers and what not. Many of our colleagues have gone to heaven, some day we’ll join them,” he concluded. A highlight included welcoming the National League winning Clare hurling team in 1977 when he was Mayor, “I look forward to Cllr Cooney welcoming home the Clare team when they beat Limerick in the All-Ireland by

more than a single point”.

Chief Executive of the Council, Pat Dowling remarked, “it is great to see after 50 years you’re still giving us advice”.

Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF) who for the past nine years has sat beside Cllr Kelly in the Chamber commented, “it is the first time in my life I saw a tear in his eye, I have a tear in my eye every time he speaks, I’m deaf in one ear from him, if I’m still here in 50 years doing this will someone please shoot me”.

lPROUD: Cllr PJ Kelly receives his presentation from outgoing Mayor of Clare, Cllr Tony O’Brien Photo by Eamon Ward

Dept of Health taking UHL’s failures ‘very seriously’

GOVERNMENT and management at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) do not stand over continued overcrowding at the region’s main hospital, the Minister for Health has said, writes

Páraic McMahon

HIQA’s latest report at UHL which followed an unannounced two day riskbased inspection completed in February noted that eight out of 11 national standards assessed were either compliant or substantially compliant with more private and dignified patient care available outside the ED.

Nurse staffing levels in the emergency department, an enhancement in the number of consultants in emergency medicine and the manner in which work is organised in the ED were among the improvements observed.

Consistently, the emergency department remains an issue in the Hospital, with 72 patients on trolleys and chairs on the day of the inspection. This level of overcrowding continued to impact on the privacy and dignity of patients despite the best efforts of staff.

When questioned by The Clare Echo on how he as Minister for Health can continue to stand over persisting overcrowding and lack of patient dignity, Stephen Donnelly (FF) responded, “I don’t stand over it and nobody in Government stands over it, no one in the hospital stands over it, it is not a level of care that any health professional believes is appropriate and so the HIQA report has found again that they are non-compliant with specific reference to privacy and dignity, we are taking that very seriously.

“The solution to this is two things, we are investing in the hospital and community health care in the region at a level that has never been seen before whilst at the same time insisting there is fundamental reform in how patients are treated, in terms of that reform we must see the hospital running seven days a week, we cannot have a situation where people are admitted on a trolley on Friday night and have to wait until on a Monday or Tuesday”.

A cohesive approach is needed, Minister Donnelly stated. “I’ve been having

some very constructive conversations here in Clare in terms of the hospital group and community group working together and facilities like here today are part of the answer, Ennis Hospital is part of the answer so patients can be discharged out.

“We have added over 100 beds in the lifetime of this Government into University Hospital Limerick, we’ve added over 730 additional staff, I have personally turned the sod on another 96 bed block and sanctioned the enabling works for another 96 bed block, this Government will be responsible for delivering or getting going more than 300 hospital beds just for UHL as well a huge increase in staff as well as just as importantly a big investment in community care because we are moving from a health care system which has traditionally relied on hospitals doing all the heavy lifting to one that says the hospitals need to do the bit that only they can do, everything else needs to happen in the community, in Ennis Hospital, in the primary care centre, with community based teams and in people’s homes, that is the journey we’re on and ultimately that is what will solve the issue in the emergency department at UHL”.

Minister Donnelly pointed to improvements compared with the present time and 2019 when asked what consequences would be issued to management of UHL for a continued failure to comply with HIQA guidelines. “The main consequences I’m concerned with are for patients and our healthcare workers who are working in that environment, I took a look last night at the performance in the ED for the first six months of this year versus the first six months of 2019 because the comparison during COVID is a difficult one to make, the situation right now is not remotely acceptable but it is 20 per cent less bad than it was in 2019, they’ve improved by about 20 per cent in terms of the time patients are waiting and the numbers on trolleys that are counted at 8am every morning, there is a long way to go but it is encouraging to see huge investment together with some of the reforms”.

Donnelly commits to more opening €2m local injury

by Páraic McMahon @clareecho.ie

ENNIS’ €2m local injury unit was officially opened by the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly (FF) on Thursday.

Located at Ennis Hospital, the local injury unit is one of the MidWest’s principal centres for treatment of minor injuries.

In 2023 up to June 14th, there has been a total of 5,831 attendances at Ennis Hospital Injury Unit, and in 2022 there were a record 11,854 (+25%) new attendances at the facility, where patients can access treatment for minor injuries without a GP referral, seven days a week, including Bank Holidays.

Three nurse practitioners are located at the injury unit with the team led by Sixmilebridge native, Jo Crowe.

Addressing the launch, Minister Donnelly spoke of his love for Co Clare with younger days “misspent” in the county and detailed his plans to enjoy the music at Willie Clancy Week in Miltown Malbay where his children would be playing.

“You get a feel for a place in my gig, you get a feel when hospitals are going well and there’s a fierce passion from people running the hospital, it’s as clear as day that Ennis Hospital is as good as that,” he said.

Staff were told by the Health Minister that it was clear they were doing “a fantastic job”. He added, “You live in a world where it’s the negative things that end up being discussed publicly in the Oireachtas and the media, the good news rarely gets an equal footing but there is a lot of good news thanks to the work you do”.

Investment in Ennis Hospital will continue, Minister Donnelly pledged.

“This Government has been investing in this hospital and will continue to, there is 45 more staff here than when COVID arrived, we have sanctioned an extra 20 more

staff to run the diagnostics”. He said the Government was determined to grow the workforce and services in Ennis.

“We’ve a simple goal which is universal health care, when anybody needs care they can get it. Can I afford, does the service I need exist and can I get it is the three challenges of universal health care,” he added. Access remains the biggest challenge in the region, the Minister maintained, “there’s the waiting lists and the trolleys, the more we expand on LIU the more pressure we take off Limerick and patients, the patient turnaround times here are phenomenal”.

Operations Director of Nursing, Joe Cassidy referenced the mosaic tiles which had 1940 emblazoned on them in different sections throughout the hospital as a nod to the year in which Ennis Hospital was built. Five single rooms compliant with infection prevention control are equipped in the local injury unit, he explained, “this benefits staff but most importantly patients and their families”.

Ennis is one of the top performing units, Cassidy maintained. Patient experience times (PET) have an average of one and a half hours in Ennis which is comfortably below the national average.

Dr Terry Hennessy, Clinical Lead for Model 2 Hospitals, UL Hospitals Group welcomed the continued “undoubted strong commitment” to the development of the site in Ennis while referencing the €5.2m commitment towards the medical assessment unit which is “one of the busiest in the country” with over 7,000 attendances thus far in 2023. He was adamant Ennis could become a “comprehensive one stop shop for patients” and said the combined activity of the MAU and LIU brought close to 22,000 attendances in Ennis last year which “exceeds 2008 activity”.

A former consultant cardiologist at Ennis Hospital, Dr Hennessy stated, “Whilst not a Clareman,

I am here for 25 years and have strong interest in development of this site, all staff here are passionate and work hard to develop services in this hospital. The ongoing support for all these initiatives

allow all our to provide care for peoWest”. CEO of UL Colette Cow-

Ennis local injury unit hours will not

OPENING hours of the local injury unit at Ennis Hospital will not be extended to a 24/7 basis as previously agreed, writes Páraic

McMahon

In May, Government officials accepted a private members motion tabled in Dáil Éireann by members of the Independent Group which includes Clare TD, Michael McNamara (IND). They sought the implementation of a range of measures aimed at reducing pressure on overcrowded Emergency Departments across the country such as expanding local injury units (LIU) at tier two hospitals such as Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s to 24 hours across seven days

a week. During 2022, a total of 11,854 patients attended this service, representing a 25% increase on 2021. To date in 2023, 5,831 patients have attended the Injury Unit at Ennis Hospital.

Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly (FF) told The Clare Echo that the plans to operate the LIUs will not proceed based on staff feedback. “The local injury unit is now working seven days a week and here in Ennis I saw patients being treated very quickly and professionally, I asked the healthcare professionals running the injury unit if they believed there was a case to move to 24/7, the point they made to

me was very few people come in through the night to the injury unit, they were saying the resources and staffing that would be required to operate through the night, that clinical expertise and access to diagnostics would be better utilised during the opening hours they have making sure people get the best possible care.

“One thing they did emphasise to me and I would just to love say, here locally they believe there is people currently going to the emergency department in Limerick who could be successfully treated in the injury unit here in Ennis and one of the things I’m talking with the HSE here to-

day is putting a communications campaign together so that everyone here in Clare knows what is appropriate for the local injury unit which I gather is probably more than we all may realise and what is appropriate for emergency care,” he added. Rapid response is also part of solving the problems of overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick, Minister Donnelly stated. “If we are going to fix the problems in the emergency department in Limerick as we must and we are investing at record levels to do, we must also have rapid response and rapid access for people, one of the issues

l HEALTH CARE: Patient John Nally Drumline Unit at Ennis Hospital, one of the Mid-West’s

after unit in Ennis

dedicated staff excellent health ple of the MidHospitals Group, an noted the

pride held by the people of Clare in Ennis Hospital.

The patient centred approach in Ennis has been recognised nationally, she said. The planned €10m upgrade of the theatres in Ennis

will “secure the future for Ennis and daycare surgeries,” Ms Cowan commented.

She concluded that it was “essential” Ennis Hospital is part of the national expansion of bed stock.

be extended says Minister

discussed was is there more investment in the helicopter service for the most serious of cases where people really need to get into the level four hospital as quickly as possible, can we deploy more rapid response vehicles from the ambulance service, we will look at this in terms of the emergency department, the local injury unit in Ennis but also the ambulance service and how quickly we can get people into the emergency department who need urgent care”.

Confirming that the private members motion which was agreed to, will not be followed, the Minister for Health

commented, “The advice to me is that it would not be the best use of our health care professionals to have them there through the night seeing very few people, those same health care professionals were better off using during the day and indeed at incredible facilities like the primary care centre at the Station Rd”.

Deputy McNamara expressed his disappointment with Minister Donnelly’s comments and cited how the Health Minister and Junior Health Minister Mary Butler (FF) supported the motion over a month ago. Clarity on the opening hours of the LIU was also sought by Cllr Cillian

Murphy (FF) at a meeting of the Regional Health Forum. CEO of UL Hospitals Group, Colette Cowan outlined that it was open every day for minor injuries in adults and children aged five and upwards between 8am and 8pm. She said, “It is a lot of sports injuries, a lot of them wait till the next morning, if you went to Ennis in the morning you would see a lot of the injuries from the night before, the mixed messaging is causing problems, the commentary on units opening 24/7 are influencing behaviour, in Ennis alone 36 patients presented outside of opening hours in May and June which is off the charts”.

met The Minister for Health, Mr Stephen Donnelly TD as he officially opened the €2m Injury principal centres for treatment of minor injuries Photo by Brian Arthur

Tuamgraney man appears in court in connection with sending alleged ‘harassment messages’ to Clare TD

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

AN EAST Clare man appeared in court on Tuesday in connection with sending alleged ‘harassment messages’ for the purpose of causing needless anxiety to Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF).

At Killaloe District Court sitting in Ennis, Sean Kilkenny (48) of Tuamgraney, Scarriff appeared in connection with sending messages on dates between May 4th and June 26th this year to Deputy Crowe.

Querying the charge against Mr Kilkenny under Section 13 of the Post Office Amendment Act 1951, Judge Alec Gabbett asked “are these harassment messages”.

In response, both Sgt Louis Moloney and solicitor, Daragh Hassett for the accused both replied ‘yes’ that this was the allegation against Mr Kilkenny.

Judge Gabbett commented that “it is a very unusual charge” and in reply Sgt Moloney commented that “it wouldn’t be too unusual, we have had quite a few”.

Mr Kilkenny was brought to court by Gardaí in custody and Sgt Moloney said that there was no objection to conditional bail for Mr Kilkenny and one of the conditions is that Mr Kilkenny have no contact with the alleged injured party, Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe.

The conditions also require Mr Kilkenny to

reside at Tuamgraney, Scarriff and be of good behaviour.

In the case, Mr Kilkenny is charged with on dates unknown between May 4th and June 26th 2023 did for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another person send by telephone a message

The Town Hall Bistro

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

Mr Kilkenny - wearing shorts, wellingtons along with a sleeveless jacket and jumper in court and carrying a hat- is also charged with obstructing Garda Joe Kearney acting under the authority of a warrant issued under Section 10 of the Criminal Justice Act on July 3rd at Tuamgraney, Scarriff.

Giving evidence of arrest, charge and caution, Garda Kearney told the court that Mr Kilkenny was arrested at 12.26pm on Monday, July 3rd and charged at 5.41pm at Ennis Garda Station and in response to caution, Mr Kilkenny said, “I do not consent”.

On the telephone message charge before the court, Judge Gabbett asked Sgt Moloney “is there a level of harassment here?” and in reply, Sgt Moloney said “that is the allegation”.

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

Judge Gabbett said that a harassment charge could have been brought under Section 10 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

Sgt Moloney said that directions are outstanding from the DPP “and directions may instruct further charges”.

that he knew to be false to another person without reasonable cause to Cathal Crowe.

The charge is contrary to Section 13 (1) (b) and section 13 (2) of the Post Office Amendment Act 1951 as amended by section 4 of the Communication Regulations (Amendment) Act.

The Poets Corner Bar

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

Mr Hassett said that it was an appropriate case for legal aid. Mr Hassett said that Mr Kilkenny “is working to keep his operation going, he has a number of horses”.

Judge Gabbett remanded Mr Kilkenny on bail to appear before Killaloe District Court on October 3rd.

The Brendan O’Regan Restaurant

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

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

l Clare TD Cathal Crowe (FF) Photo by Natasha Barton

Bye-laws adopted to prohibit overnight camping

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

BYE-LAWS have been adopted to prohibit overnight camping on roads and public places in Lisdoonvarna plus the Loop Head Lighthouse car park.

Revised bye-laws by Clare County Council were passed by elected members of the West Clare Municipal District on Tuesday which will ban overnight camping on roads and public places of Lisdoonvarna plus the lighthouse car park in Loop Head while the beach car-park bye-laws for Doughmore Beach were also adopted.

Public consultation on the plans concluded on June 14th with nine submissions received, eight of which were in relation to Lisdoonvarna.

Proposing the adoption of the bye-laws, Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) stated that it recognised the “many years” of discomfort experienced. “The carry on that has gone over the years has been really difficult for residents with abandonment for a month to six weeks of campervans outside people’s doors”. He suggested the areas covering the extent of the town speed limit out to the

Ballyvaughan Rd and Doolin Rd also be covered.

Lisdoonvarna based Garrihy added, “The question is on moving it on, it is absolutely desirable, I would hope we could work with the Municipal District in looking at surveying the environment, there is a proposed alternative, it is possible the community car park, the proposal will have unintended consequences if we don’t provide the realistic and achievable alternative but overall I welcome the initiative by the Council taking the step, it is not a silver bullet”. The community car park could potentially be ready in time for September, he advised.

Seconding the adoption, Cllr Shane Talty (FF) commented, “The unintended consequences are obvious, you will have spill over from main street and the square and they will turn up elsewhere”. He added, “To a certain extent that point carries wherever you go, you’re going to move these vehicles from one area into another”.

Sensitive areas could be abused for overnight camping, Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) flagged.

“How do we preclude from

not parking on the carpark and parking just off the car park, is there legislation in place for us to prevent someone literally driving full whack onto the grass?

“I’m all in favour of it don’t get me wrong, it’s not like in Lisdoonvarna where it is finite and there is a space here, there’s potential for tents, it’s a flat landscape, unless we do something to stop cars and vans accessing the green area, it’s a very sensitive habitat”. He warned, “we’re

building a problem elsewhere” and detailed that between sixty and seventy car homes could not be parking overnight in Kilkee. Unintended consequences must also form part of the thinking when drafting such plans, Cllr Joe Killeen (FF) flagged. Appeals were made unsuccessfully by Cllr Keating to allow motorhomes stay in Loop Head but he was reminded the sufficient facilities did not exist in the area.

lLoop Head

Ennis public realm project granted €11.5m

APPROVAL has been granted to Clare County Council by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to proceed with a €11.5m public realm regeneration of Ennis town centre, writes Páraic McMahon A funding allocation totalling €8,576,920 has been approved for the Ennis Public Realm Regeneration Project under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), with 25% match funding from Clare County Council, and will result in significant

enhancements being made to the streetscape of O’Connell Square, O’Connell Street, High Street, Bank Place, Old Barrack Street and Barrack Square.

In 2020 and 2021, the public realm enhancements at Parnell Street, town laneways and bow-ways project was delivered. Barrack Square and Old Barrack St will be developed as a ‘café quarter’ which is proposed to deliver a higher-quality civic space encouraging people to meet, relax and avail of local retail. O’Connell Square, High Street

and O’Connell Street will become more attractive to pedestrians through the delivery of an expanded plaza incorporating seating and planting, an interactive public fountain and a removable marquee at ‘The Height’.

Part VIII planning permission has already been secured for all phases of the project following an extensive period of public consultation. It is anticipated that the project will proceed to construction stage during the final quarter of 2023 following further consultation with local businesses and it will coincide with major foul sewer rehabilitation works in the town centre by Uisce Éireann.

Cllr. Pat Daly, Mayor of the Ennis Municipal District, described the project as “a transformational development” for the largest town in Munster. “An attractive town centre of Ennis can contribute significantly to its competitiveness from a retail and economic growth perspective. The benefits of an enhanced public realm include improved accessibility, increased pedestrian footfall, street activity and property value, and a longer stay by shoppers and visitors. It also enhances community pride and sense of place and complements the work of active community groups who strive to make the town a better place for all to enjoy”.

Pat Dowling, Chief Executive of Clare County Council, said the project is aligned to Town Centre First policy which recognises that successful settlements are characterised by an attractive public realm, including streets, spaces and parks, that is designed to invite people to meet, mingle and dwell. “O’Connell Square and Barrack Square will be greatly enhanced to improve their amenity value and to facilitate their use as civic spaces. It also is an important project in the context of meeting our climate targets by significantly improving accessibility for pedestrians through the provision of shared surfaces and increased footpath widths where possible”.

“This project is required to address the identified issues and to deliver a balance between

the needs of pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles while retaining the historic character and supporting commercial activity,” explained Carmel Kirby, Director of Economic Development and Ennis MD. “The result will be a safer and more attractive pedestrian environment and spaces that can also have a civic function, facilitating the Town Centre as a destination, improving its vitality and enabling Ennis to capitalise on its existing assets.”

Seán Lenihan, Senior Engineer with Clare County Council’s Project Management Office, said that securing approval for the project is the culmination of many years of planning and consultation. “An extensive public consultation process has been undertaken to inform the design and development of this scheme which is now shovel ready. The scope of the project changed following the public consultation process,” he added.

“The Project Management Office has worked closely with the Ennis Municipal District Office to engage with the public and local businesses and to secure Part 8 planning approval, and we will continue to consult businesses and the wider public through all stages of the project.”

Leonore O’Neill, Senior Executive Officer, Ennis MD, said the primary goal of regenerating the public realm is to improve accessibility for pedestrians, provide an enhanced streetscape and to deliver two expanded, high-quality civic spaces with the overall aim of making the Town Centre experience more appealing and conducive for both retail and social purposes.

“The key features of the project include shared surface treatment, widened footpaths, high-quality surface materials with improved street furniture, lighting and signage, street trees, canopy structures, and an interactive pavement fountain,” she explained.

Clare County Council will proceed to appoint the successful contractor. The Ennis Public Realm Regeneration Project will be completed on a phased basis over 18-months.

Supermac’s Plaza stalled by High Court challenge

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

PAT McDonagh’s plans for a €10m Barack Obama style Supermac’s motorway plaza outside Ennis off the M18 motorway linking Galway to Limerick are being stalled by a High Court challenge.

MD of Supermac’s, Mr McDonagh secured planning permission for the development at Kilbreckan, Doora outside Ennis last October that brought to an end an almost eight year long planning saga.

However, Mr McDonagh’s battle to advance the project to construction stage continues as a chartered civil engineer from Kilfenora is seeking to challenge the An Bord Pleanála permission in the High Court by way of judicial review.

Michael Duffy is claiming that the Appropriate Assessment, which assesses potential adverse effects of projects on Special Areas of Conservation (SCA), lodged with the planning application is flawed and therefore planning permission should not have been granted.

Separately Mr Duffy is also challenging in the High Court a recent An Bord Pleanála planning permission to Glenveagh Homes for a €65m 289 unit residential scheme on the outskirts of Ennis.

The Supermac’s Judicial Review application case has already been adjourned a number of times in the High Court and a preliminary High Court hearing is scheduled next week to determine if Mr Duffy has an arguable case against the grant of permission. In an interview this week, Mr Duffy said that his expertise is the treatment of wastewater connected to new schemes and contends that there is an “environmental issue” relating to how the Pat McDonagh application plans to deal with its waste water.

Mr Duffy said that what is planned “is bad for the town of Ennis and think it will become a destination like the Obama Plaza has. I think it is a bad planning decision, but that is just my opinion and has nothing to do with the grounds in the High Court case”.

He said, “Okay, people

might say that I am just an objector. I don’t mind what people say to be honest with you because people don’t know what is going on”.

Mr Duffy said that his bottom line is to ensure better water quality and that new developments are built property and treat wastewater in the correct way.

When asked to comment, Pat McDonagh declined to comment ahead of the case coming before the court next week.

Plans were first lodged for a motorway plaza by Supermacs in December 2014 that was turned down by An Bord Pleanála in 2016 and Clare County Council granted planning permission for the current scheme in December 2020. This permission was upheld by An Bord Pleanála last October.

Speaking when planning was granted last October, Mr McDonagh said the plaza will lead to the same level of job creation as the Barack Obama Plaza at Moneygall at around 130 jobs and also an additional 100 construction jobs for a nine month period.

lDEVELOPMENT: An artist’s impression of the O’Connell St public realm

SHANNON NEWS

in association with

McGettigan elected Shannon MD Chair

SINN Féin’s sole member of Clare County Council has been elected as the Cathaoirleach of the Shannon Municipal District for the first time, writes Páraic McMahon

Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) received the backing of elected representatives of the Shannon MD at Thursday’s AGM which took place at the boardroom of Bunratty Castle. John Crowe was elected as Leas Cathaoirleach.

Co-opted to Clare County Council in February 2020 following the death of Mike McKee, it will be the first time Donna serves as a Chairperson in any capacity during her three years on the local authority. She also used the occasion to pay tribute to her late friend and mentor.

A candidate during the local elections in the Ennis Municipal District for 2019 where she received 277 first preference votes, Donna has lived in Shannon since 1997. She has served in numerous roles in the local Sinn Féin Cumann.

McGettigan also sits on the Social Development Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) and the Local Traveller Accommodation Advisory Committee.

An agreement reached with McKee following his election in 2019 was honoured whereby it had been decided that a Sinn Féin representative would take on the post of Cathaoirleach of the Shannon MD during the five year term of the Council, this followed speculation that efforts would be made to make Cllr Pat O’Gorman (FF) the Cathaoirleach in the final year approaching the local elections. She reflected, “While it was a special day for me to be taking over as Cathaoirleach of the Shannon Municipal District, it was also a day to remember the reason I was there and that was due to the passing of former Sinn Féin councillor Mike McKee, he was a close friend of mine and a colleague. I would also like to thank the local cumann for voting and trusting in me to take over his seat”.

Donna acknowledged the manner in which her colleagues in the Shannon Municipal District have welcomed her into the fold. “Since joining the Municipal District, I’ve been made feel very welcome by all councillors and staff, they have had no problem giving up their time helping and advising me, we’ve been working well as a team”. McGettigan identified some projects she would like to progress during her tenure. They included town and village renewal and Active Travel plus the Sixmilebridge masterplan. “I will also be focusing on the One Shannon Hub in Shannon, I’m hoping to get that over the ground and moving forward to the design team but I acknowledge it may not all be completed during my term”. Holding the AGM in Bunratty Castle was important, Donna maintained. “It gives assurance to the staff that we are behind them. After all the hard work to get the transfer over the line, it was an honour to be in the boardroom to hold the AGM”.

Trial hole excavation arranged for rising road

PARTS of Bóthar na Rinne in Shannon resemble ‘a rollercoaster ride’ according to a local representative, writes Páraic McMahon

An investigation was sought by Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) to determine how Bóthar na Rinne “is rising in places”. She added, “in some places the footpath alongside the road is also rising and the road is splitting in one part of one section of this road”.

A trial hole excavation has

been arranged for the road, senior executive engineer in the Shannon Municipal District, Tom Mellett confirmed. “It will enable us to determine the extent of movement below the road surface and possibly indicate a cause. Once this is complete the office will be in a position to determine how best to advance,” he explained.

Speaking at a sitting of the Shannon MD, Cllr McGettigan commented, “The rising

of this road is almost meeting the pedestrian crossing, it is almost like you’re on a rollercoaster driving it because you can’t see it until you’re on it. The road is rising and the footpath is splitting”. These views were supported by fellow Shannon representative, Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND). “This is a particular issue on the ground conditions in Shannon, the paths move and the roads move, it’s highly dangerous”.

l Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF)

Photo by Eamon Ward

lPhoto by Joe Buckley

Activist Monica McWilliams to open Scariff Harbour Festival

THE 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement will be fittingly marked when agreement signatory, Monica McWilliams and co-founder of the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition, opens Scariff Harbour Festival at Waterways Ireland Marina over the August Bank Holiday weekend, writes Páraic McMahon

In addition, she will read from her memoir, Stand up Speak out at Scariff Library and give a ‘behind the scenes’ look into her public and political life. Best known across the island of Ireland for her work in the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition, on a platform of inclusion, equality and human rights, Monica was elected to the Peace Talks in 1996. She championed proposals on victims of the conflicts, on integrated education and shared housing and the right of women to fair and equal political partnership.

Her presence in Scariff underpins a long-standing commitment on the part of the organising com-

mittee to acknowledge the festival’s connection with Northern Ireland. That relationship began when Waterways Ireland’s Western Regional Headquarters was established at the Marina, as a follow-on from the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.

Chair of the Harbour Festival Committee, Mike Rodgers stated, “Monica McWilliams remains a highly-respected figure in the Peace Talks of the 1990s and openly voiced her opinions on the many issues that faced people in Northern Ireland, becoming one of the better recognised faces north and south. We are privileged that she has accepted our invitation to Scariff”.

Outside of her political involvement, she is an academic and Emeritus Professor in the Transitional Justice Institute at Ulster University. She has undertaken major research, detailing the experience of women abused through domestic violence and has co-authored two government research studies and a wide range of publications on

the impact of political conflict on women’s lives.

Scariff Harbour Festival 2023 in association with Waterways Ireland runs from Thursday 3rd August - Sunday 6th August. It opens with a performance at the Church of the Sacred Heart by Donna Taggart from Omagh, Co Tyrone, who co-incidentally witnessed the harsher side of life while working in a refuge centre for women and children affected by domestic violence. Much of this experience inspired both her songs and her singing. Other musical events include Qween, De La Lune, The 4 of Us, Norma Manly, The Logues with Trad Music at the Harbour and set dancing to the Tulla Céilí Band. There are boat, outdoor, biodiversity and walking tours, book and genealogy talks, family fun & kayaking activities, cookery demonstration and build your own chocolate bar, McKernan Woollen Mills Open Days and an Open Air Mass, the much loved street entertainers

Lifeguards trained by Coast Guard and Civil Defence

AHEAD of starting the full-time lifeguarding season, Clare County Council lifeguards received training from the Irish Coast Guard, the Doolin Coast Guard and Clare Civil Defence at White Strand Beach on Friday, 30th June, writes Elaine Tubridy Rescue 115 landed on the headland beside White Strand Beach and gave a briefing to the lifeguards about how to deal with emergency responses which require the assistance of the rescue helicopter. Demonstrations were provided

on the different types of equipment which can be used in different emergency situations.

To qualify as a lifeguard for our beaches and lakes, lifeguards must undergo training and certification in swimming and rescue skills in both the pool and the beach, along with first aid training. They must also complete a trial each year to assess their swimming fitness and ability to carry out rescues, resuscitation and first aid.

Clare Civil Defence provided practical first aid upskilling to lifeguards at

this training event, while the Doolin Coast Guard gave a presentation on how the lifeguards fit into the emergency services and the role lifeguards play in 112 calls.

“This was a very important exercise for our Clare lifeguards, who are the first on the ground in emergency situations on our beaches and lakes,” said Clare McGrath, Water Safety Development Officer at Clare County Council.

Lifeguards will be working from 11am to 7pm every day of July and August at our lifeguard-

ed beaches and lakes. “We encourage everyone planning on going to the beach or lake this summer to ensure they go to a lifeguarded location and pay attention to the flags on the beach which can inform the public of where it is safe to swim,” Ms McGrath added.

For information on beaches and bathing areas in Clare please visit: https://www.clarecoco.ie/ services/arts-recreation/ leisure-and-swimming/ bathing/

Accessibility and control the aim of Spanish Point works

A PEDESTRIAN crossing is to be installed in Spanish Point to improve accessibility to the beach while also controlling parking in the locality through the addition of double yellow lines, writes Páraic McMahon

Councillors were briefed on plans for the installation of the controlled pedestrian crossing and widening of the existing concrete footpath on the R-482 in the townland of Leagard South in Spanish Point at a meeting of the West Clare Municipal District.

One submission had been received by Clare County Council in relation to the scheme.

“In effect it is in Spanish Point by the Armada Hotel,” Cllr Shane Talty (FF) observed of the plans.

Cllr Liam Grant (GP) remarked that the submission was “pretty good” and added, “I’m guessing the Armada

are pretty happy with the situation”. Senior executive engineer in the West Clare MD, Enda MacNamara explained, “The vast majority of pedestrians come from that side of Spanish Point to cross over at the Armada to head to the beach, it is the desired line for pedestrians, there is no controlled crossing at the school, in my time the school has never approached us for a controlled crossing, you’re close to a junction there which is not ideal, the location

lSpanish Point Beach

we’ve proposed you’ve adequate sight-lines so I guess our view is that it ticks a lot of boxes”. He added, “Part of it is to control the parking on the road which is an issue, we’re putting in double yellow lines which is planned, we’ve spoke with the Armada and we’re not satisfied with the parking that is there, the plan is to solve it, there’s no point just putting down double yellow lines, we want to do it all in one go and put in the crossing”.

Jim & Dr Nick, the familiar street stalls and an Exhibition of Chipboard People with pictures and stories of a representative selection of employees over a 60 year period. (www.scariff.ie).

lCHOPPER: Clare County Council lifeguards received training from the Irish Coast Guard, the Doolin Coast Guard and Clare Civil Defence at White Strand Beach

lGOOD FRIDAY AGREEMENT: Monica McWilliams

Macalla an Chláir

le MACDARA Ó CONAOLA

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

Ranganna Gaeilge/ Irish Classes in Cois na hAbhna

SPRAOI le Gaeilge will continue the Conversational Irish Language Summer Course for adults this Wednesday, 12th of July, in Cois na hAbhna, with Inis Oírr native, MacDara Ó Conaola. Beginners class at 11am.

Thought for the week: Deck of cards

Spreading the word of positivity

RONAN SCULLY

IT WAS Bob Marley who declared: “Who are you to judge the life I live? I know I’m not perfect and I don’t live to be, but before you start pointing fingers make sure your hands are clean!”

clear that this sort of care for others must come after we’ve dealt with our own “stuff.”

This enables us to approach others with humility, compassion, and grace.

THE YOUNG SOLDIER

Improvers class at 12pm. To book your place now or for further information please contact: spraoilegaeilge@gmail.com or call 085-1295594 Beidh Fáilte Romhat!

Recommeded viewing this Tuesday evening on TG4

I have grown tired lately of hearing judgemental and negative comments about people. We had an expression in our house and indeed it was the gospel reading at mass recently, ‘you see the splinter in someone else’s eye and you don’t see the plank in your own’.

CAUTION!

How we judge others says far more about us than how we are judged by others. It’s not wrong to lovingly and caringly help a person remove a harmful speck from their eye. It’s wrong to self-righteously point out a speck in their eye when we ignore, as no big deal, the ridiculous huge speck protruding from our own. So, Jesus is placing, as it were, a shining-red-blinking danger sign over others that tells us, “Caution: judge at your own risk.” It is meant to give us a serious pause and to examine ourselves before saying anything.

Our fallen nature is profoundly selfish and proud and often hypocritical, judging ourselves indulgently and others severely. We are quick to take tweezers to another’s eye when we need a forklift for our own. It is better to “judge not” than to judge like this, since we will be judged in the same way we judge others.

TUGANN Síle cuairt ar an mBaile Riabhach i gCorca Dhuibhne, agus buaileann sí le muintir na háite. Tháinig go leor de mhuintir an bhaile go dtí an baile sna caogaidí faoi scéim Choimisiún na Talún.

Casann sí le fathach focal an bhaile, Toose Mac Gearailt agus a chomharsa Cristína Ní Mhóráin, atá ag cur bailiúchán focal le chéile.

Imeachtaí/Events:

Tugann sí lámh chúnta do mhná an bhaile atá ag bácáil do theacht le chéile speisialta a bheidh ar an mbaile tar éis Aifreann Dhomhnach Cásca / This week Síle visits An Baile Riabhach, a townland just west of Dingle in Co. Kerry. Here she meets the locals, many of whom are descendants of the people who moved into the area through the Land Commission schemes of the 1950’s.

However, when criticism is simply an attempt to dominate or rule our life, then we are being asked to conform to someone else’s wants and way of life and this is wrong. Remember that when a decision comes from within you whether through prayer or careful thought, it is a conscious decision. But when you are emotionally burdened or forced into making a decision for your so-called “good” or “betterment,” it is never truly for your benefit. Instead, it serves to make another person feel comfortable about their own agenda for you and your life. Always try to break free from any form of conditioning that seeks to exert control over you or forces you into doing things you don’t want to do or say or even pray.

KNOW THE FULL STORY

I was at mass one morning recently, and after it I stayed on for the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and decided to look up a prayer on the internet on my phone. I always enjoy the quietness of the church during the exposition of a holy hour.

A young soldier was in his bunkhouse all alone one Sunday morning. It was quiet that day, the guns and the mortars, and land mines for some reason hadn’t made a noise.

The young soldier knew it was Sunday, the holiest day of the week. As he was sitting there, he got out an old deck of cards and laid them out across his bunk. Just then an Army Sergeant came in and asked, “Why aren’t you with the rest of the platoon?” The soldier replied, “I thought I would stay behind and spend some time with the Lord.” The sergeant angrily said, “Looks like you’re going to play cards.” The soldier said, “No sir, you see, since we are not allowed to have Bibles or other spiritual books in this country, I’ve decided to talk to the Lord by studying this deck of cards.”

The sergeant asked in disbelief, “How will you do that?”

“You see the Ace, Sergeant, it reminds me that there is only one God. The Two represents the two parts of the Bible, Old and New Testaments. The Three represents the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

There are a total of 52 cards in a deck, each is a week, 52 weeks in a year. The four suits represent the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. Each suit has thirteen cards, there are exactly thirteen weeks in a quarter. So when I want to talk to God and thank Him, I just pull out this old deck of cards and they remind me of all that I have to be thankful for.”

The sergeant just stood there and after a minute, with tears in his eyes and pain in his heart, he said, “Soldier, can I borrow that deck of cards?”

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

• INIS – CAINT AGUS COMHRÁ, chuile Dé Luain ag 11am sa gCopper Jug, Dé Céadaoin ag 11am in Insomnia (Tesco), oíche Déardaoin sa Temple Gate (8pm), agus Dé Sathairn i nGlór, 11am-12pm

• RAIDIÓ CLARE FM - ‘’Cúl-chaint’’ le Domhnall Ó Loingsigh chuile mhaidin Dé Sathairn, 9am. Seol nuacht chuig: Donal@clare.fm

• INIS - Rith le Ruairí, chuile Dé Máirt ag 7.30pm, ag Local Motion, Sráid Uí Chonaill

• CILL INÍNE BAOITH - Ciorcal Comhrá san XPO, chuile Dé Céadaoin ag 7.30pm

Therefore, when we judge, we must take great care of our judgment that it is good character building, like Christ’s, which is always profoundly charitable, helpful and loving. We have all been judgmental of others at times in our lives as it is part of being human, and we have also been on the receiving end of such behavior.

When criticism is given to help us adjust certain negative behaviours, constructive criticism may be warranted and can be very helpful and good. There are times when out of love for others, we should help them deal with the negative “stuff” in their lives, things like sin, misunderstandings, unhealthy habits, and the like. But Jesus is

After a short while looking for my favourite prayer on my phone I found it and started to recite it in my mind so that I could meditate on it, when I got a sudden tap on the shoulder from another parishioner admonishing me for using my phone in the church and that I should be ashamed of myself. I was shocked but told them I was using it as a prayerbook and showed them the prayer I had uploaded onto my phone. After they saw the prayer they apologised for their mistake and said that they would offer up their prayers for me that evening. I was thankful for their prayers because lately I have been finding life very hard and feeling so down in the dumps and felt I needed all the prayers I could get that day! I left the church that morning thinking how sometimes we can read situations wrongly at times and accuse or point the finger at people falsely or without finding out the real truth of a situation before we make a judgement about another person.

The Four stands for the Four Apostles: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The Five is for the five virgins, there were ten, but only five of them were thankful and glorified. The Six is for the six days it took God to create the Heavens and Earth.

The Seven is for the day God rested after working the six days.

The Eight is for the family of Noah and his wife, their three sons and their wives, in which God saved the eight people from the flood that destroyed the earth for the first time. The Nine is for the lepers that Jesus cleansed of leprosy. He cleansed ten but nine never thanked Him.

The Ten represents the Ten Commandments that God handed down to Moses on tablets made of stone. The Jack is a reminder of Satan. One of God’s first angels, but he got kicked out of heaven for his sly and wicked ways and is now the Joker of eternal hell. The Queen stands for the Virgin Mary. The King stands for Jesus, for he is the King of all kings.

When I count the dots on all the cards, I come up with 365 total, one for every day of the year.

As your thought for the week, never judge anyone until you know the real truth of the situation and even then always try and keep custody of your tongue, thoughts and judgements. Pope Francis recently encouraged us to look to Mary, “who changed history through the purity of her heart,” in order to help us to purify our hearts and so overcome the vices of blaming, judging others and complaining, and to keep faith at the center of our lives. Never judge anyone because you never know how their life is and what they’re going through. Last but not the least, let’s quote Paulo Coelho and say, “We can never judge the lives of others, because each person knows only their own pain and renunciation. So judge less, accept more, and restore your happiness. How we judge others says far more about us than how we are judged by others. This is why God will judge us in the manner we judge others, not in the manner they judge us.”

Therefore, we must judge with “right judgment” (John 7:24). And “right judgment” is charitably quick to believe innocence, charitably slow to pronounce guilt, charitably redemptive when it must be, and charitably silent if at all possible. And when in doubt, “judge not, just love!”

Let me finish with this personal prayer I pray every week, “Lord during this week I ask that I be granted the privilege of being your love, kindness and care for someone I will meet along the way. May I have a listening non judgemental ear and a gentle caring word. May I be your messenger of love, hope, healing and peace. Amen.”

l Toose Mac Gerailt

GREEN CLARE

‘Don’t just cover it in tarmac’green area requested for car park

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

INSTALLATION of EV

charging points should be considered as part of resurfacing works for the main car park in Lisdoonvarna, a local representative has argued.

In a proposal before the West Clare Municipal District, Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) asked that the main town car park in Lisdoonvarna be resurfaced and that works include the installation of EV charging points.

Estimated costs have re-

cently been received by the West Clare MD office for the full resurfacing of the town car park in Lisdoonvarna but the figures were not provided at this week’s sitting.

Senior executive engineer, Enda MacNamara said the area office was working with their colleagues in the transportation section “to try to identify possible sources of funding to allow this work to proceed”.

He advised that the Department of Transport has established a Zero Emissions Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) unit

which will “guide local authorities and are supporting a standardised approach towards the development of EV charging policies, strategies and implementation plans to be taken by local authorities. Clare with the support of ZEVI will be going to tender for consultants to carry out an assessment of needs, modelling, a strategy and implementation plan using standardised template documents and briefs. Lisdoonvarna will be included in the assessment of needs along with other settlements

across the county”.

Cllr Garrihy told Tuesday’s meeting of the West Clare MD, “the main town car park is the main town car park but it is also the main artery for people passing to a childcare centre with 85 kids each day. It is accepted by all and sundry that resurfacing needs to be done. These small things in local small towns and villages, we have

to be pulling and dragging to get them done, it doesn’t sit with the image and everything that goes with it”.

Adding the EV charging points would bring an extra dimension to the area, he felt. “Don’t just cover it in tarmac, have a green area and put in some planting. This town car park was gifted to Clare County Council by the local community in lands

that were owned by the local community, they have a right to expect it gets some level of priority”.

Backing the proposal, Cllr Joe Killeen (FF) stated, “it is important for Lisdoonvarna as a centre to have a car park in good order, it does need an upgrade and I welcome the positive response which if it comes to all of us it will be welcome”.

l INFRASTRUCTURE: Lisdoonvarna

Tidal pool plans floated for Quilty

QUILTY may soon be home to a tidal swimming pool with a feasibility study to be carried out to determine if plans can get off the ground, writes Páraic McMahon.

It follows a proposal from Cllr Liam Grant (GP) who wanted the potential for the construction of a tidal swimming pool adjacent to the seal wall in Quilty assessed. He recommended contacting Mayo County Council to learn from their success in building the tidal pool in Belmullet.

Senior executive engineer in the West Clare MD, Alan Kennelly acknowledged that tidal pools at seaside locations were “popular attractions” and noted a funding source would be needed to provide such an amenity in Quilty. He added, “The scope of the feasibility study will also have to be defined clearly for potential consultants. Once a funding source is identified and the

study scoped, a call for consultants to prepare the study can be placed on e-tenders”.

Kennelly was able to share insight on the Belmullet equivalent. “Coincidentally I worked in Belmullet earlier in my career and I am familiar with the tidal pool. It is in place for a long number of years and during the summer is very popular, particularly with families. It has a lifeguard patrol and a shallow section for toddlers and small children”.

Costs of the feasibility study were not provided at the meeting. The senior engineer said if it was in the region of €3,000 to €5,000 then it could be dealt with through the councillors’ General Municipal Allocation whereas if the figure was closer to €50,000 it would be “another story”.

Speaking at Tuesday’s meeting of the West Clare MD, Cllr Grant noted that Kennelly’s experience in Mayo

gave him more knowledge on tidal pools. “The prospect of this would be fantastic,” the Lahinch representative added.

A tidal pool is the right fit for Quilty, Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) believed. “It is a no brainer, I’d wonder why it hasn’t been done before. Quilty is a perfect location for it”. He continued, “To me it is something that would provide tourism focus for village of Quilty, for now everyone drives through the village, this could provide a reason to stop”.

Cathaoirleach of the West Clare MD, Cllr Ian Lynch (IND) was in agreement on the merits of Quilty as the location. “It is one of the best projects proposed for Quilty, it would give real longevity”. He referenced that Kilkee had “the best natural tidal pools” and how Kerry County Council submitted planning permission for a similar proposal.

l TOURISM: Quilty village

Photo by Ann O’Connell

Slainte An Chlair going the extra mile for cancer sufferers

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

TUCKED away from the main road on a hill in Kilnamona sits Slainte An Chlair. With the appearance of a typical countryside home, the centre is a voluntary body which provides a range of crucial services and supports for people in Clare impacted by cancer. Without it, that often lonely journey would be unimaginably much more difficult and it’s hard today to fathom how cancer patients and their families managed their health and wellbeing prior to Slainte An Chlair being established

in 2010.

Perhaps it is best summarised by Anne Murphy, an oncology specialist who has been a cancer support nurse with Slainte An Chlair since 2014.

“A cancer diagnosis is very tough, it’s very difficult and challenging and nobody knows how they’ll react to it until they are told, ‘you have cancer’. You cannot prepare for that,” she tells The Clare Echo. “You can talk about it but until you’ve been through it, you do not understand what comes into people’s minds or world as soon as they are told they have cancer because the first

thing is, ‘Am I going to live, am I going to die, can it be treated, if I have children what’s going to happen them, if I have elderly parents to mind what am I going to do, if I have treatment how am I going to get there, how often is it going to be?’”

Anne stresses that the psychological aspect that comes with a diagnosis “doesn’t get managed in a hospital so well as it’s very clinical, critical for time. Treatment is the priority. But then to process it you need time and people that understand it and [the centre in] Kilnamona provides that with all registered, trained, expert personnel who have

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10-15 years of experience supporting the people of Clare who are going through a cancer journey.”

Slainte An Chlair provides a warm and friendly welcome to the visitor, with that crucial peer-to-peer support instantly visible in the common area kitchen where tea and chats flow with equal eases. However dig a little deeper and it becomes clear just how much important support is offered by Slainte An Chalir, with up to 500 services a week provided there to the people of Clare – free of cost.

Services provided by the centre include two counsellors; a cancer support nurse who is available to chat privately with patients; two lymphoedema therapists; a reflexologist to provide help with stress management; group meditation; and cancer rehabilitation and support through physical exercise from chartered physiotherapist Aideen Coates-Farrell.

ments of Bravery, where our therapist will see children in their own home and support them in a way that’s relevant to their own age.”

Another key and unheralded service delivered is transport. The centre drove 80,000km for the people of Clare so to say that Slainte An Chlair and its volunteers go the extra mile for its service users is no exaggeration. “We organise driving people to their treatment or appointments. That could be Limerick, Galway, Dublin or Cork. Cancer services have changed over the years, where people are now getting it from home, it’s an ambulatory service. There’s very few long-term admissions to hospital, so the demands and the needs of people to attend hospital on a daily basis has increased hugely so we support people with that transport.”

“It’s friendly, it’s a home from home, it’s very welcoming. Everything is done in a very private, dignified manner. While we have the common area in the kitchen for a cup of tea and a chat. But it’s very welcoming and very homely, and a good place to meet like-minded people in the same position as you who understand what you’re going through so it takes a lot of the fear out. There’s a lot of peer support, meeting others who have been through similar that can give advice so in the groups or in the chat people are very good to support each other.”

“We also have a counsellor that is just trained in child counselling,” explains Anne, “so if you’re a child of someone in the household with cancer, or affected by it, there’s a very specific programme that helps, it’s called Children’s Lives Include Mo-

Anne notes that crucially, as patients can’t access cancer treatment services in Clare, it’s important that they have psychological supports on their doorstep. “People that need support and counselling or rehabilitation after a cancer diagnosis, want a space that safe and easy to talk away from the clinical setting, and Kilnamona provides that.

The centre receives no government funding and is supported through fundraising from the people of Clare along with grant applications through organisations such as Healthy Clare, the HSE and Pobal. “All the services are free of charge, that’s really important,” notes Anne, “and all the money has been fundraised by the people of Clare and we’re eternally grateful for that continued support from the people.”

Mary Skehan, Lyndsay Walsh & Theresa Murrihy

Photo byPaschal Brooks

Good news for businesses as Green Party unveil new solar grants

THE Green Party secured cabinet approval on Tuesday for generous grants to support businesses that want to install solar panels, writes Elaine

Tubridy

The grants will offer up to €162,500 for the installation of solar panels and smart energy infrastructure for a wide range of commercial buildings. These grants will help businesses lower their energy costs while also reducing fossil fuel consumption.

Until now, grants for businesses have been capped at 6KWp or approximately 16 PV solar panels. This is suitable mainly for domestic houses and farms. The new

grants can be used for installations ranging from 7 kWp (suitable for a small sole trader), up to 1 MW, suitable for larger businesses such as a shop or a hotel. The grant will cover approximately 2030% of a typical investment, meaning that on average the cost will be paid off in only five years. Priority will be given to a rapid rollout of the grants so that businesses can begin the process as soon as possible.

Senator Roisin Garvey, Green Party Spokesperson on Rural Development, Enterprise, Trade and Employment, said: “We have set an ambitious target of installing solar panels on 700,000

homes and 55,000 businesses by 2030 and are taking decisive steps to make this a reality. This grant is one of many we have introduced to make solar energy affordable, attractive and achievable for as many people as possible. We are offering significant supports that will help people’s pockets as much as it helps the environment.”

These grants are part of a wide range of supports the Green Party has introduced in Government to make solar energy a realistic option for households and businesses across the country. The party has abolished the VAT on the supply and installation of solar panels for homes and

public buildings, provided free PV panels to schools and made it possible to install solar panels on houses, farm buildings, schools and community centres without planning permission.

Under the Climate Action Plan, Ireland has a binding target of slashing emissions by 51% by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2050, and increasing the use of renewable energy will be a crucial tool to help us reach this target. Not only is easier than ever for households and businesses to reduce their energy bills, but they can also sell electricity from their solar panels back to the energy grid.

ISME calls on Government to urgently tackle fraud

THE Irish SME Association, ISME, is calling on Government to introduce measures as a matter of urgency, that will help tackle and reduce business fraud in Ireland.

If successfully implemented, these simple suggested steps will reduce fraud and save small businesses from severe financial loss. Currently the cost of fraud to the SME sector is conservatively estimated at €310 million annually.

Tackling business fraud crosses a range of government departments and state agencies, so ISME will be contacting the Minister for Finance; Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment; the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications; the Central Bank; ComReg and the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau, in its effort to implement three basic fraud reduction tactics

for businesses.

The top three measures to tackle basic online and telephone fraud are: Tackling email compromise with good workplace security and password policy. Email compromise is used to carry out invoice redirect fraud, or to circulate malware or ransomware, through phishing or social engineering. Service providers must do more to stop email compromise at source; Tackling scam texts and calls with the installation of filters capable of detecting incoming fake calls or texts.

Large numbers of businesses and consumers have been victims of “smishing” texts which purport to originate from service providers.

ComReg estimates the cost alone of these scam calls and texts in Ireland to be in the region of €300m per annum. The technology to disrupt scam texts and calls exists. It simply must be rolled out to all manufacturers

and network operators; Tackling invoice redirect fraud with Confirmation of Payee (CoP) technology for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) payments. Fraudulent EFT activity has significantly increased in Ireland recently as legitimate IBAN changes have occurred because of the closure of Ulster Bank and KBC. EFT payments in Ireland rely fully on the payee IBAN to effect the payment, yet payee details are not cross-checked by banks against the IBAN on record for that payee. CoP requires a bank to match the payee IBAN with the name of the payee on file, and if the IBAN does not match the payee name, the payment will not be processed. There is no reason Irish banks should not immediately roll out CoP.

Commenting on these pressing fraudulent issues, Neil McDonnell, CEO of ISME, said: “Small businesses continue to suffer losses in the tens of

millions because Ireland is failing to tackle the most basic elements of online and telephone fraud. It is not just these businesses that suffer, consumers are also affected by these types of fraud. This cannot

continue, Government action is needed, now.

Therefore, we are calling on the Government to impose these three basic fraud reduction tactics on telephony operators, internet service providers and banks

with immediate effect. While they will not eliminate fraud, these measures will most certainly make substantial steps in the right direction to reduce it.”

l Senator Roisin Garvey

Honan advising people of Clare how to score big on retirement planning

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

HONAN Financial Services is continuing to expand less than six months after opening an office in Ennis.

Established in Limerick in 2021, All-Ireland winner Darach Honan opened his Ennis office this year at Bindon Street and is currently looking to hire a paraplanner to support Honan Financial Services as it grows its client base in Clare and beyond.

Darach tells The Clare Echo that the move to Ennis has been a success, giving him a local base to assist people with their financial needs. “I opened in Ennis in the beginning of this year on Bindon Street. I’ve had a huge response from people in the area and I love coming up to Ennis to work and meeting people. Thankfully, businesses in Ennis are thriving and I have been able to add value to business owners and private individuals who are looking to review or set-up pensions, investments, income protection and life cover”

Prior to establishing his own business, Darach had 10 years of experience working in the industry with particular emphasis assisting people working in the public sector. The Clonlara native explains, “Since starting my own business there’s been an even split between business owners, private individuals and public sector. The fact I have a knowledge of both is very useful when sitting down with a married couple who may be working across both sectors.”

RETIREMENT PLANNING

Employment trends have undergone a shake-up in recent times with employees more likely to spend less time with one employer. This has had a knock-on affect on people’s retirement plans, he explains. “It used to be the case whereby you’d go in at 20 and work for 40 years with one company and that employer would give you a pension at retirement but that’s no longer the case and people need to be far more aware now of their retirement planning than 30-40 years ago.

“Nowadays, people are working five to six years in one place and moving onto another job and they oftentimes don’t know what to do with their pensions that they’ve left behind. People need advice on that. There are many options available to people who have left pensions behind them and it is important to act in conjunction with a financial planner to address this rather than leave it in the wrong pension for the long-term”

“Employers need to be creative in ensuring that employees are retained and that they hold onto staff they have invested time and resources into. Providing pension benefits to employees is a cost-effective way to do this. Paying into a pension for employees reduces

the tax and PRSI which a company pays and also gives the employee peace of mind that they are being looked after in the long-term. I have helped many businesses review and implement their pension schemes. It is an area is sometimes overlooked by businesses but it should be regularly reviewed to ensure that members are getting good advice and the best scheme is in place for them.”

Recent changes to pension legislation has relaxed restrictions in terms of pension contributions, an area where Darach believes more business owners should be taking advantage of to ensure a healthy retirement plan.

“Previously, companies were restricted in how much they could contribute to directors pensions.

Recent changes to pension legislation for PRSAs has allowed for more generous pension funding which many company directors are taking advantage of. Companies can now fund without limits to a director’s PRSA and the company can claim all the tax relief for the contribution in year 1. This is an extremely tax efficient way of extracting cash from a business, one which our clients are taking advantage of.

SECOND OPINION

Darach stresses that it is always a good idea to have a review of your pension. if you’re not in regular contact with your financial adviser and hearing from them once a year, or even if you are, it’s no harm to get a second opinion and have a review.

ositions which offer people good value peace of mind. “Some people working for big multinationals in Clare, Galway or Limerick have a lot of benefits in their contracts like income protection. Having an income protection policy ensures that you will continue to be paid if you can no longer work due to illness or injury. However, if you do not have income protection policy through your employer, it is important to put your own policy in place. Income protection is cost-effective as you receive tax-relief on the premiums.

“If you think about it, if someone is 30 years old and they’re earning €50,000 for the next 30 years, that’s an asset worth €1,500,000. It’s likely their most valuable asset, it’s more valuable than their house and their car. Naturally people insure their houses and cars but income protection is not as commonly held a policy. If you had a pen in your house worth €1,500,000 you would insure it and your income should be no different. Income protection allows people to maintain a decent standard of living in the event that they become ill or injured and unable to work.

“Life cover is massively important for anyone who has financial dependents in their lives. If something was to happen you, how would your family cope financially in your absence. If they would struggle, then you need to have a life cover policy in place. You can ensure that your kids can afford their education and that your spouse can be there for them emotionally and not be under pressure financially to survive. Business owners have the advantage of being able to pay for income protection and life cover through their businesses, making it extremely cost effective.

SAVINGS

While there has been plenty of talk of interest rate hikes in the media, we wondered why deposit holders in Ireland were not seeing an increase in the interest their savings with the bank was generating.

“In most cases, people who engage with a financial advisor will be getting good advice and good service. However, sometimes people do not hear from their financial advisor as much as they would like and find them unresponsive when they do contact them. Regular contact and collaboration on investment choices is key to a fruitful relationship between client and advisor. If people are not getting this, they should look for a second opinion on their pensions, investments, savings and protection policies.”

INCOME PROTECTION

Another important area of people’s financial planning where Darach believes is sometimes overlooked is income protection and life cover, both tax-effective prop-

“While the banks have increased their lending rates, they have decided not to pass on the interest rate hikes to their customers. People need to look elsewhere to grow their funds. There are many investment options which are better than leaving your savings on deposit with the banks long-term. Everyone would agree that the past five years have been extraordinary with the pandemic and war in Europe. However, we have seen huge growth in the stock market over the same period of time. Investing in global stocks over the long term gives people a great opportunity to grow their wealth and benefit from the wonders of compound interest.”

To speak to Darach, call 087-1277155 or email info@honanfs.com.

l Darach Honan Financial Services recently opened a base in Ennis

Photo by John Mangan

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

AGE FRIENDLY DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

Completed applications must be emailed to: recruitment@clarecoco.ie not later than

12 noon Thursday 27th July 2023

Application forms and further particulars may be obtained by requesting same from the Human Resources Department, Clare County Council at 065-6846520, via e-mail: recruitment@clarecoco.ie or can be downloaded from the following website: www.clarecoco.ie

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

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

Scriobh chugainn as gaeilge más fearr leat.

New lease of life for 270 year old Mountshannon forge

SAUL Forged is a new blacksmithing business set up in Mountshannon by Reece Saul Foster, writes Elaine Tubridy.

Reece, originally from Cornwall, has always had a love of blacksmithing and its magic, and what can be formed from metal. He has a particular interest in gardening tools, kitchenware and jewellery, and will be working alongside renowned artist and blacksmith Mark Wilson.

The forge building in Mountshannon has been in the Lyons Family for around 260 years, a testament to the skillful craftsmanship of the time. For centuries the blacksmith’s trade had been considered the most important of all.

Tom Lyons and generations of his family before were established members of Mountshannon Community.

The history of Tom Lyons in Mountshannon is one remembered very fondly by those around the town, particularly

that of the older generation. Three are many members of the community still around who remember pulling on the bellows for Tom just after bringing the horses or donkeys in as children. Other myths and legends say that locals would dip their hand or foot in the cooling trough to cure them of warts.

The building is still owned by the Lyons Family who reside in Mountshannon, specifically Austin and Noel Lyons, who have shared their appreciation and support for Reece’s work.

Reece is excited about his plans and ideas to create his own collection of tools and a jewellery range and is very appreciative of the help and support from the local community. “In particular, I’m very grateful to Mark Wilson for all his help and encouragement and look forward to learning from this experienced craftsman,” Reece said.

Saul Forge has officially commenced business and will be exhibiting his collections at the local Mountshannon arts festival and market very soon. Reece can be contacted by email at: forgingmenireland@ gmail.com and Instagram/ Facebook: @SaulForged”

We're hiring Electrical Technicians.

top prize at industry awards

BBeauty scoops

THE Irish nails, brows and lashes industry witnessed a glamorous evening of celebration and recognition at the highly anticipated 3rd Irish Nails, Brows, Lashes Awards 2023.

The prestigious event, held on Sunday 2nd July at The Crowne Plaza Dublin Airport Hotel brought together talented professionals, esteemed experts, and beauty enthusiasts from across the country to honour the best in the industry.

Organised by Oceanic Events, the Irish Nails, Brows, Lashes Awards are dedicated to acknowledging the exceptional skills, creativity, and commitment of professionals in the nail, brow, and lash sectors. These awards have become a pinnacle of achievement within the beauty community, showcasing the finest talent Irish has to offer.

With numerous nominations received across various categories, the competi-

tion was fierce. The winners demonstrated unparalleled skill, innovation, and customer service and have set new benchmarks in their respective fields, showcasing their expertise and dedication. Their achievements not only inspire fellow professionals but also elevate the beauty industry as a whole.

B Beauty Pedicure and Beauty Rooms, Ennis was one of the finalists in the Best Team category. The competition was fierce, but B Beauty Pedicure and Beauty Rooms managed to win the trophy.

“I’m just thrilled to win this award. Having moved from my native Poland and opened my salon 6 years ago I have strived to build a loyal customer base through high service standards and hard work. It makes me so happy that this approach has paid off,” said Beata Swiatkowsla.

A Spokesperson for The Irish Nails, Brows, Lashes Awards 2023 said: "We are immensely proud to honour

the winners of the 3rd Irish Nails, Brows, Lashes Awards 2023. These talented professionals have demonstrated an unwavering dedication to their craft, providing exceptional services and raising the bar for the entire beauty industry.

"Their commitment to innovation, creativity, and customer satisfaction has made a significant impact on the beauty landscape, and we congratulate them on their well-deserved success.

“The 3rd Irish Nails, Brows, Lashes Awards 2023 once again proved to be an outstanding platform for recognizing excellence, fostering industry connections, and inspiring future generations of beauty professionals.

“The event brought together professionals from various backgrounds, fostering collaboration and promoting Ireland as a hub of beauty expertise. Congratulations to all finalists and winners.”

Blacksmith Reece Saul Foster

3 BED SEMI-DETACHED HOUSE. OPEN VIEWING THURSDAY 6TH JULY 5 – 5.30PM ASKING PRICE: €199,000

4 BED DETACHED HOUSE SITUATED 2KM TO BEACH ASKING PRICE: €289,000

4 BED DETACHED HOUSE AND DERELICT COTTAGE ON PRIVATE SITE ASKING PRICE: €149,000

4 BED DETACHED HOUSE WITH DOUBLE GARAGE. OPEN VIEWING SATURDAY 8TH JULY 10 – 10.30AM ASKING PRICE: €550,000

5 BED DETACHED HOUSE COMPLETELY REFURBISHED WITH NEW FINISH THROUGHOUT ASKING PRICE: €425,000

4 BED DETACHED HOUSE IN POPULAR LOCATION OPEN VIEWING THURSDAY 6TH JULY 5 - 5.30PM ASKING PRICE: €225,000

2 BED APARTMENT IN HIGH END CONDITION AND FINISH ASKING PRICE: €170,000

3 BED DETACHED HOUSE ON PRIVATE SITE ASKING PRICE: €99,000

4 BED DETACHED HOUSE WITH GARAGE IN EXCELLENT LOCATION | OPEN VIEWING SATURDAY 8TH 11 – 11.30AM ASKING PRICE: €599,000

OPEN VIEWING:

Saturday 8th July from 11:30 am to 12:00 noon

Sherry FitzGerald McMahon are delighted to present this quality four bed semi-detached home that is situated in the much sought after An tSean Dun development on the Tulla road in Ennis.

Built in 2005, this end house is well situated within the development and is within walking distance of Roslevan shopping centre. It would be ideally suited as a family home as the accommodation is bright, spacious and well laid out. The internal decor is finished to a very high standard throughout. Accommodation on the ground floor comprises an entrance hall, living room, WC, kitchen/dining area and a utility room. On the first floor there are four bedrooms (two of which have fitted wardrobes and one has an en-suite) and a bathroom. The property also has the benefit of a large attic that has potential for conversion subject to planning.

Contact: Jason Pyne

SHERRY FITZGERALD MCMAHON

Tel: (065) 686 7866

PSL 001212

27 MOYGLASS CRUSHEEN CO. CLARE

OPEN VIEWING:

Saturday 8th July from 10:30 am to 11:00 am

Built in 2006, the property has been tastefully maintained by its current owners over the last few years to give it an attractive, modern feel. On entering the main entrance hallway, the quality laminate timber flooring leads to an equally stunning main reception room where a feature solid fuel insert fireplace, carpet flooring and a large front aspect bay window provide an unexcelled ambiance of comfort and homely feel. On leaving the main reception the hallway also leads to a bright spacious open plan kitchen/dining room with quality pine wall and base units and integrated appliances.

A rear patio door from the dining area merges onto the rear garden area. Rounding off the ground floor is the utility room which is neatly tucked off the kitchen. On the first floor there are three bedrooms, two doubles and a single that is currently used as a home office (the master bedroom boasts a tastefully appointed en-suite), the main bathroom completes the accommodation

Contact: Jason Pyne

SHERRY FITZGERALD MCMAHON

Tel: (065) 686 7866

PSL 001212

TOOMEVARA CUSACK ROAD ENNIS, CO. CLARE

Toomevara is a striking detached home set on a private site on the much sought after Cusack road. The property is within walking distance of Ennis town centre and has excellent road access to the western bypass. There is a double gated access driveway and the front garden is in lawn with an attractive mature deciduous tree. There is side access to an attached garage with a pedestrian door giving access to the back patio.

The internal accommodation is generous with extra high ceilings giving an excellent spacious feel to the property.

The ground floor consists of a large double aspect living room with a feature fireplace off the entrance hall. There is a dining room to the other side of the entrance hall. The kitchen is to the rear of the property along with a smaller snug living room. There is also a utility room with shower space and WC.

Contact: Diarmuid McMahon

SHERRY FITZGERALD MCMAHON

Tel: (065) 686 7866

PSL 001212

16

Fronting on to the popular residential area of Clonroad and positioned on a fantastic corner site, No. 16 is a newly refurbished 5 bedroom detached family home exquisitely fitted to the exacting standards of Galvin Construction. Creating an A rated home, the entire property was remodelled to ensure the ultimate in energy efficiency while boasting a standard of finish that is normally reserved for your show home. Extensive timber flooring and tiling, stunning kitchen with centre island unit and integrated appliances, fully fitted en-suite, built-in wardrobes to 3 bedrooms, fully tiled ceiling to floor bathrooms and en-suites, finished off with block built shed, patio and lawned areas to the fully walled rear site and with all of Ennis town amenities on your doorstep and Ennis Bus and Rail just 250m. This home is the ideal family or retirement home purchase in the heart of Ennis Town. Viewing is highly recommended and strictly by prior appointment with sole selling agents.

Contact: DNG O’Sullivan Hurley

Tel: (065) 684 0200

PSL 002295

KILBAWN,

OPEN VIEWING:

Saturday 8th 11 – 11.30am

Fantastic large detached family home situated 2km from Ennis Town Centre and with easy access to the M18 Limerick-Galway motorway. Constructed in 2005, totalling 225.19 sqm, it has the advantage of a large detached garage plumbed for a bathroom. Situated on a meticulously landscaped site, the property has a cut stone front boundary wall with granite pillars leading onto a pea gravel drive. The rear benefits from 2 outdoor paved areas. Internally the home offers spacious rooms throughout with 4 large bedrooms 2 of which have ensuites and walk-in wardrobes. There is an office/gym on the ground floor which could be used as a 5th bedroom if required. There are 2 large reception rooms both with stoves and a sunroom. Overall this is a beautiful turn key family home on a landscaped site, in an excellent location. Viewings are highly recommended and strictly by prior appointment with sole selling agents.

Contact: DNG O’Sullivan Hurley

Tel: (065) 684 0200

PSL 002295

SONRISA, 13 WOODSTOCK VIEW, SHANAWAY ROAD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE

Saturday 8th July 10 – 10.30am

SONRISA meaning smile is the perfect name for this welcoming detached family home set in the popular Woodstock View development which is complete with similar detached family homes located directly across from Woodstock Golf Club, Hotel and Leisure Centre. There is easy access linking to Ennis town centre and Ennis bypass towards the M18 Limerick Galway motorway within minutes’ drive. This large detached home was constructed in 1999 and offers excellent space both internally and externally on a meticulously landscaped garden with the benefit of a double garage to the rear set in a cul-de-sac with views over the surrounding countryside. The property internally has an abundance of bright and spacious accommodation on ground and first floor levels and is tastefully decorated throughout. The property benefits from upgraded wall and attic insulation and is complete with oil fired central heating with further connections to fibre broadband, mains water and sewage.

Contact: DNG O’Sullivan Hurley

Tel: (065) 684 0200

PSL 002295

GREENDALE, CLON ROAD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE

LAHINCH ROAD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE

€425,000

€599,000

€550,000

OPEN VIEWING:

RECENTLY SALE AGREED

Hopes for positive news on injury front

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

MANAGEMENT are hopeful for good news on the injury front as Clare’s senior hurlers head into Sunday’s All-Ireland senior hurling semi-final versus Kilkenny.

For the second year in a row, Clare and Kilkenny will face off in the All-Ireland SHC semi-final in Croke Park with Brian Lohan’s charges hoping to atone for last season’s twelve point defeat.

Clare head into the contest as slight favourites in what is anticipated to be a much closer affair than their encounter twelve months ago.

It is the first time since 1998 that Kilkenny will be preparing for an All-Ireland semi-final clash without Brian Cody at the helm but former midfielder Derek Lyng has already captured provincial honours in his debut season in charge.

Conor Cleary has not been ruled out. The Miltown Malbay native suffered a dislocated shoulder six weeks ago in Clare’s one point win over Cork and has missed the Munster final and All-Ireland quarter-final.

While a six week recovery time can be deemed sufficient from such an injury, the latest reports from the Clare camp is that Cleary visited a consultant regarding a potential operation but this is seen as the worst case scenario.

Should Cleary be absent from the side, management are likely to stick with Seadna Morey in the starting team while Brian Lohan and his selectors are understood to be very impressed with the showings of Darragh Lohan and Paul Flanagan in their most recent outing.

Centre-back John Conlon who was forced off in the comprehensive 5-26 2-17 win over Dublin with a head injury is on course to take his place in the heart of the Clare defence. The Clonlara man was hospitalised following the collision in the Gaelic Grounds a fortnight ago and was kept in overnight.

He is set to be joined in the half-back line by David McInerney who missed the quarter-final win over Dublin. The Tulla man did partake in the warm-up for that game and has trained since but management on the advice of the team’s medics opted not to risk the 2013 All-Ireland winner in that clash, a decision that has proven to be correct and gives him a better chance of giving a seventy minute performance this weekend.

Aidan McCarthy is back in contention for a position in the Clare attack as he recovers from a soft-tissue injury. Whether the Inagh/Kilnamona clubman will be tasked with taking the frees after a strong performance from Scariff’s Mark Rodgers on placed balls in his absence remains to be seen.

Within the Kilkenny camp, Lyng is without defender Mikey Carey. A starter in last year’s All-Ireland SHC loss to Limerick, the Young Irelands clubman returned to the panel at the end of April and was due to be travelling for the year but featured in the dramatic Leinster Final win over Galway.

Doubts remain over the fitness of both Martin Keoghan and Adrian Mullen. Tullaroan’s Keoghan went off injured with nineteen minutes played in the Leinster Final, having carried a hamstring injury into the game.

2019 Young Hurler of the Year, Mullen is in the mix to feature for Sunday’s semi-final. He broke his thumb against Wexford in the provincial round-robin series and missed the 4-21 2-26 win against Henry Shefflin’s Galway.

There is a Clare connection to Lyng’s backroom team with Shane O’Brien, a Clare SHC winner with Newmarket-on-Fergus (2012) and Clare SFC with Doonbeg (2010) serving as the Kilkenny physio.

Colm Lyons has been confirmed as the referee for Sunday’s game which commences at 4pm.

Clare's best chance of success since 2013 All-Ireland triumph

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

This year Clare have their best chance of winning the All-Ireland senior hurling title since their last success ten years ago.

That’s according to former star Sixmilebridge’s Noel Casey, winner of two National league titles with his beloved Banner county in the mid seventies when he was also honoured with an All Star award.

“This is a very good Clare team, they are very good at midfield, David Fitzgerald and Cathal Malone are as good as any out there. We are just as good as any of the teams left in the title race”, according to the man who played at centre and full forward for Clare for over a decade, during which time he showed his skills when filling in at centre back when the occasion demanded.

“We have big men up front, Tony Kelly, Shane O’Donnell, Mark Rodgers and Ian Galvin to mention a few, we have good talent all over the field. If things work out they are in with a big chance, a serious chance. I would be very confident", the popular Sixmilebridge man

said this week. He accepts that if John Conlon is not available “he would be a massive loss as he was last year, he steadies everything, I would be hopeful that Conor Cleary will be back. Clare are as good as any of the teams left in the race, this team is the best I have seen since we last won the title and I give them a big chance”, he said.

Kilkenny great 'wary' of Clare

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

NINE-time All-Ireland senior hurling medal winner with Kilkenny, Noel Skehan believes “any of the four teams in volved in the weekend’s semi-finals can qualify for the final”.

Speaking to The Clare Echo week, he said “Clare will be very anx ious to put last year’s semi-final out of their heads. They are after a hell of a good run, they are playing very well.”

The Bennettsbridge clubman who won seven All Star awards said, “In the semi-final last year Clare really didn’t perform and Kilkenny did. Last year won’t be in their heads on Sunday”.

One of hurling’s greatest goalkeep ers, Skehan said, “if Clare are missing John Conlon it will be a problem for them but if he is out they will have done something about it over the past two weeks - but he would be a hell of a loss.

"They have a lot of good hurlers and a few nice subs as well but have they a centre back to replace Conlon? If Cleary isn’t back he will be a big loss.

“I am hoping Kilkenny can win but very wary of Clare, they have some great hurlers, [David] Fitzgerald and [Shane] O’Donnell are playing great hurling. [Tony] Kelly is a great hurl er, brilliant performances every day. I wouldn’t put it down to any one player. Clare are playing better hurling this year than last year,” Skehan concluded.

He agreed with the view of Kilkenny great Noel Skehan that “there is nothing between the four teams left in the race” before noting that “the Munster final should have gone to extra time as Clare were deprived of a free at the death”.

“Kilkenny have it all done before and you can never write them off. They have won so much and they are back again.

They were unlucky last year after beating Clare not to win the final. they gave Limerick enough of it, they are the great hurling county, medal laden”.

Casey continued, “I don’t think they are as good as they were, they are beatable. Derek Lyng will probably work the same methods they have been using as he was a selector with Brian Cody. They have their big players also like T.J. Reid, Eoin Cody, Huw Lawlor and Eoin Murphy, one of the great goalies, they will fancy their chances”.

One of the game’s great forwards from the 70s and 80s, he feels “Galway could turnover Limerick, it is knockout, there is no backdoor now. The result of any of the games could hinge on a refereeing decision.

“If Clare can generate momentum they can get through. Last year, they never got going. Things like that happen, all the big players had a bad day last year, it happens everyone. I hope they can do it, it brings a great buzz to the county, it will light up everything coming into the club championship, it will give a great lift to the club scene,” he concluded.

Best of luck to the Clare Senior Hurlers in the All-Ireland Semi-Final

l Shane O'Donnell in action against Kilkenny in last year's All-Ireland semi-final Photo by Gerard O'Neill

Mills eager to build on historic Clare Cup win

CLARE CUP FINAL

O'C Mills 0-18

Clooney-Quin 1-14

Venue: Hamilton Park, Kilkishen

by Eoin Brennan news@clareecho.ie

A FIRST Clare Cup crown since 1995 was the perfect end to O’Callaghan’s Mills weekend of celebration to mark the centenary of the official opening of Hamilton Park in Kilkishen.

It certainly completed the assimilation process for new manager Paul Keane who now has the distinction of guiding clubs to senior silverware in three different counties after winning the Limerick equivalent in charge of his native Adare (2017) before also aiding Burgess’ passage to a Tipperary Senior B Championship crown in 2018.

Following in the footsteps of his father Dave who managed Limerick to a three-in-a-row of All-Ireland Under 21 titles from 20002002, Keane was understandably delighted for his new side to have gotten off to such an unprecedented start.

“It’s great, especially for the weekend that’s in it. Look, at the start of the year, we weren’t sure if we’d get here or not but the fact that it was on in Kilkishen and we were able to win it here is brilliant for the club. Just look around at the excitement and buzz, it just tops off a fabulous weekend. There’s so many kids here this evening so just to see the play-

ers signing hurleys and jerseys will hopefully inspire them to be in this position too some day,” he told The Clare Echo

The impact of a new manager was certainly felt once more as three years on from Donach O’Donnell hitting the ground running to guide the Mills to a first county senior decider in 17 years, Keane only had seven of that team at his disposal

for Sunday’s Clare Cup Final, a feat that made victory all the sweeter.

“This win is massive for confidence. I mean between players gone traveling this year and injuries etc, we haven’t had our full complement at any stage of the Clare Cup. Those that did get their chance, took it and over the weeks through winning games, the confidence has improved.

“So to actually get some silverware at the end of it is a huge bonus.”

As a player, Keane was part of Adare’s historic three-in-a-row of Limerick Senior Hurling crowns under Clarecastle’s Ger O’Loughlin but isn’t building any castles in the sky regarding the Mills’ championship hopes off the back of Sunday’s breakthrough.

“Everything has been geared towards preparing for the championship that is just around the corner now. It’s going to be tough, we know that but just like in the second half today, we’ll need our experienced players to come up with big moments. One thing’s for sure though, it will be easy to come back training after winning this”.

North Clare neighbours St Breckan's & Ennistymon do battle in Cusack Cup final

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

WITH the opening rounds of the Clare senior football championship just a month away, this weekend’s league finals will give clubs a better indication of where they are in terms of preparation for the Jack Daly cup race.

North Clare neighbours St. Breckans and Ennistymon meet in this Friday evening (throw in at 7p.m.) in the senior league final for the Future Ticketing Cusack Cup.

Both have been knocking on the door for championship honours in recent times with Ennistymon losing last year’s decider to Éire Óg and Breckans pushing strongly since winning the intermediate championship in 2019.

St. Breckans go into this Friday’s final as Cusack Cup holders having ended a long period without silverware at senior level when they beat Kildysart in the final last year.

Ennistymon go into this Friday’s final chasing their first success at this level and all the indications are that patrons will witness a closely fought contest.

When they met in round 6 of the competition six weeks ago, St.

Breckans emerged with one point to spare, 1-8 to 0-10.

Lisdoonvarna outfit St. Breckans struggled a little at the start of this campaign but since then the Declan O’Keeffe coached outfit have improved steadily and topped the group at the end of the seven game league programme which put them directly into this Friday’s final.

Ennistymon also showed mixed form in the early part of this campaign winning just one of their opening three games. They finished in third spot after the seven game programme which earned them an away semi-final against Clondegad who had led the way for much of the campaign. The Ennistymon men gave arguably their best display to date when comfortably defeating Clondegad in the semi-final.

They go into this Friday’s final without a number of players who were regulars in their championship team last season. Brendy Rouine, Diarmuid Fahy, Tiernan Hogan, David McNamara, Ciaran Devitt and Dara Conneally are all on the injured list while David Fitzgerald and Cathal Malone are key players in the Clare senior hurling team which will face Kilkenny in the All-Ireland semi-final on Sunday.

Last year’s captain Dale Masterson has not been in the St. Breckans squad this season due to a leg injury which required surgery.

Tristan O’Callaghan, goalkeeper in last year’s final, Micheal and Ciaran Flanagan, and Aiden Davidson are in Australia and not part of this year’s squad while two of the key

players on the way to this final, Jack Sheedy and Padraig Kelly will miss Friday’s final as they are currently in the U.S. but both are expected to be back for the championship.

It’s a difficult one to call but the absence of Sheedy and Kelly from the St. Breckans line up may give a slight advantage to Ennistymon.

Garry Cup final:

The division 2 league final for the Garry Cup will take place on Tuesday evening next at Cooraclare (7p.m.) where St Joseph’s Miltown and St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield will do battle for the trophy which commemorates former Cooraclare and Clare great, the late Michael Garry.

With promotion to division 1 for next season already secured, both sides will be keen to finish this campaign with silverware.

They met in the final round of the league when the Doora/Barefield side recorded a five point win (2-10 to 1-8). Miltown went into that game with maximum points, having already qualified for the final and with promotion secured.

They will be keen to reverse the result from just over a month ago but they may have to line out without Clare captain Eoin Cleary who is on the injured list at present. They will be looking to the experienced Gordon Kelly, Seanie Malone, Darragh McDonagh and Cormac Murray to mention a few while Doora/ Barefield will look to Tom McDonald, Joe Raftery, Jack Hannan and James Curran to give them a grip on proceedings.

l Colm Cleary is swarmed by young supporters and (right) Aidan O’Gorman raises aloft the FutureTicketing Clare Cup

Photos by Gerard O'Neill

l Liam Cotter takes on Rowan Danagher Burren Eye Photography

Injury blows add to woes in Cork defeat

ALL-IRELAND SENIOR CAMOGIE CHAMPIONSHIP

Clare 0-08 Cork 3-19

Venue: Cusack Park, Ennis

Compiled by Seamus Hayes

STORY OF THE GAME

CLARE: Frees For: 14 (6/8)

Wides: 5 (2/3)

Scores from play: 0-3

Spread of scorers: 3

Top scorer: Lorna McNamara (0-5 4f 1’45)

Own puckouts won: 12 out of 25

CORK: Frees For: 11 (7/4)

Wides: 3 (3/0)

Scores from play: 3-10

Spread of scorers: 8

Top scorer: Amy O’Connor (1-9 7f 1’45)

Own puckouts won: 11 out of 13

REFEREE: Liz Dempsey (Kilkenny)

MANAGER COMMENT “

John Carmody, Clare:

“Our game plan today was that we were going to go player on player and attack the game. That’s what we did. In the first minute of both halves we lost two of our best forwards. We lost Eimear Kelly and Lorna McNamara, that wasn’t in the plan. In the second half it was stick or twist. Ideally into that breeze you need to be dropping a player back but we just

couldn’t, we were six points down. We were wide open. We had no choice but to go player on player again in the second half and try to get the scores to get back into the game but then we lost Lorna in the first minute of the second half. We were chasing it.

“Cork won the toss and elected to play into the breeze and we really needed to make the

Price steps down as Clare Youths manager

RUAIRI PRICE has stepped down as manager of the Clare Youths.

Shannon native Price spent four seasons as manager of the County Youths side and has confirmed to The Clare Echo he will not be seeking another year in the role.

Assistant manager, Darren Keane and goalkeeper coach Gary Cooke have also left their roles. Both Mark Culbert and Denis Hynes had served as coaches at different stages during Ruairi’s tenure.

Clare reached the semi-finals in Ruairi’s first season but the competition never concluded due to an FAI ruling. The second season saw no action take place with the Inter-League Cup interrupted by COVID-19 while successive campaigns saw the county unable to emerge past the group stages.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Ruairi said the FAI are not showing sufficient interest in the Inter-League Cup. “The job itself is an honour to do it, it’s just the way the competition is ran, it was okay initially but there is room for improvement, the last two years the FAI took their eye off the ball and were not doing enough to promote the competition or provide a player pathway. They only seem to care about one thing and that the League of Ireland”.

Changes to the structure of the competition have not helped, he argued and admitted such concerns have been raised with the Clare District Soccer League. “It was always two would get out of the group and then they watered it down

most of it in the second half. To be fair to Cork they brought a huge performance and they were worthy winners. They have experience and All-Ireland winners all over the field but that is where we are striving to get to. Two weeks ago here against Galway we felt we were heading in the right direction but a day like today and you see

there is another gear.

“Everything was on the line for Cork today and they weren’t going to go out of the All-Ireland championship and their performance level showed that. We needed to match that and I thought we tried but we suffered two big blows losing the two girls. On the day Cork were the sharper and stronger

they have put in can’t be lost in a defeat like that. We will bounce back, we have to learn from this We are developing young players and those players have to come through hopefully and strengthen the overall panel and going forward Clare will be a stronger group.

“We have seen improvement but that result today doesn’t reflect what the girls are putting in. They are fantastic role models for Clare camogie and they will come again, they have to come again. We have an excellent S&C in Jamie Fitzgibbon, it’s his first year in, maybe we have to double down on that work over the winter and make sure that the players are fitter and stronger. We have to go back to the drawing board and the girls are willing to work.”

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

team, the scoreline doesn’t lie. We are a work in progress. We have to go back to the drawing board and see can we plug the gaps and can we compete better into the future.

“In fairness to our girls they are an outstanding bunch and they have given us an absolutely massive commitment, they are a credit to themselves. What

O'Brien among nominees for CDSL AGM

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

NO CONTESTS are expected at the Annual General Meeting of the Clare District Soccer League (CDSL) but a former referee is set to join the ranks of the county committee.

Jason Ryan is to be returned for what will be his third year as Chairman of the CDSL at Monday’s AGM which takes place at The West County Hotel. The Kilrush man is nominated by Coole FC, Hermitage, Kilrush Rangers, Fern Celtic, Bridge Celtic and Corofin Harps.

son and face no competition.

A vacancy is likely to remain in the role of Women’s Officer, Frank Burke was replaced following last year’s AGM by Brendan Browne who is said to have informed officers that he will not be able to carry out the role next season. Browne had been Fixtures Secretary prior to McNulty’s election last July.

to one, it is not fair and a lot of effort goes into preparing teams, you lose the first game and you’re effectively gone even though you have more games to play”.

Closer to home, the former Shannon Olympic goalkeeper felt there was a lot of work for the CDSL to do at U17 and Youths level. “The biggest thing I felt last year was the way Youths and U17s was ran, the CDSL need to look at fixtures and seriously prioritise these age groups”. He pointed to the example of Bridge Utd’s Youths who played two games over the course of seven months and said teams such as Lifford, Shannon Hibs and Ennis Town “folded” and withdrew from the competition due to waiting months for games and losing players.

The CDSL are expected to advertise the position in the near future to try find Price’s successor.

Following the resignations of Fixtures Secretary Eoghan McNulty in November and PRO Jim Madden in March, new officers will be appointed. McNulty stepped down four months after taking the role along with committee member Ger Kelly after the draw for the Hugh Kelly competition took place without the prior knowledge of the CDSL committee or clubs.

Madden cited the manner in which disciplinary sanctions were issued following the Ennis Carpets Clare Cup clash between Newmarket Celtic A and Avenue Utd B as the background for his exit. “I have served on the CDSL for 20 odd years and I just wasn’t enjoying myself in the role anymore,” he told The Clare Echo Gort’s Emily Bradbury is set to become the only female member of the CDSL Committee. The Coole FC woman will take on the role of Youth Liaison/Child Protection Officer, it was not filled during the season or at last year’s AGM.

Retired referee Martin O’Brien is nominated to succeed McNulty as Fixtures Secretary. He has been put forward by Bunratty Cratloe. The Ennis resident has recently retired

from An Garda Síochána and is a respected figure in Clare soccer circles. McNulty was nominated by Coole FC with Secretary Denis Collins put forward by Corofin Harps but neither are reported to be standing.

Collins of Ennis Town FC will instead continue in the post of secretary for a third season.

Dean Russell who currently runs the CDSL’s social media accounts is nominated for PRO. The Shannon native is also proposed for Fixtures Secretary but has withdrawn from the race. Former General Election candidate, Richard Cahill and Madden are also proposed for PRO but are unlikely to let their names go forward. Russell has managed Rineanna Rovers and Bunratty/Cratloe.

Cahill instead will become Grants and Compliance Officer. Russell who sits on the CDSL Executive as a committee member presently is nominated in that capacity again, as is Michael Leahy and Jimmy O’Brien.

Ronnie Pyne, Tony Downey and Eddie Crowe will all be returned unopposed as Vice Chairman, Treasurer and Registrar.

Donal Magee and Mickey Guilfoyle who were appointed as Munster FA Delegates at last year’s AGM will enter the roles for a second sea-

Robert Clancy, Michael McInerney and Michael Leahy will continue as Honorary Presidents of the CDSL. Rhine Rovers are to propose no games under the CDSL’s control take placen over the Bank Holiday weekend in October and the Easter period. They are also asking that club secretaries be furnished with the minutes from all delegate meetings within seven days of them taking place.

Kilrush Rangers have tabled two motions, one seeking the season start on the first Sunday in September for all teams and another for the CDSL to hold its own version of the FAI Junior Cup.

Avenue Utd are seeking a number of rule changes including publishing August fixtures in advance of the start of the season, keeping teams involved in the Clare Cup final free from other fixtures seven days in advance and after the decider, for seven days notice to be given for any play-off fixture, not to have the same referee for more than two consecutive matches and for a referee who may have played with, managed or coached a club in the CDSL to not be appointed to any of their fixtures. Amendments to rules and increasing powers of the CDSL Committee are among a number of recommendations to be put forward by the sitting officers.

l Clare and Cork players prior to throw-in, standing together for the 'playing under protest' campaign which seeks equality in the sport

Photo by Ruth Griffin

Photo by Joe Buckley

Burren Eye Photography

Woodstock reach JB Carr semis

Woodstock Golf Club:

Woodstock are through to the Munster semi final of the J.B.Carr golf tournament, a team competition for senior members involving clubs from all four provinces.

On Thursday last, Woodstock travelled to Ballybunion GC to play the second leg of the Munster quarter final. The result from the first leg had Woodstock leading by 3 games to 2. In windy, but dry conditions, the second leg was played in a very competitive but friendly atmosphere. Luckily, the rain abated and Woodstock prevailed after an extra hole win in match one. The next round of the competition will take place within the next three weeks with the opponents being Mitchelstown from Cork.

Meanwhile last week’s open singles competition was won by David Greene (17) with 41 points. Peter Owen Cosgrove (10) who had a similar was second with Ciaran Reidy (26) in third spot, also with 41 points. Lahinch club member Eoin Glynn (1) won the gross with 36 points.

Tony Cleary (scratch) was the gross winner in the senior scratch cup at when Anthony Sweeney (2) won the nett, also with 72.

Frank Garrihy (11) won the intermediate scratch cup gross with 77 while Niall Reynolds (15) was the nett winner with 65. The junior scratch cup gross winner was David McLoughlin (6) with 76. In the competition for the minor scratch cup Paul Sherlock (18) won the gross with 86 while Ronan Lynch (29) won the nett with 63.

Kilrush Golf Club:

Vice-captain Tommy Downes’ prize was played for at the weekend when Patrick O'Dea (18) emerged as the winner with 43 points. He had two to spare over Sean Nagle (17) with Fergal O’Connor (16), also with 41 points in third spot.

Rory Lillis (4) won the gross with 35 points while the category winners were Tom Fox (9) with 38 points, Thomas Coffey (13) with 38 points and Brian Rogers (36) with 38 points.

Jim Young Jr (3) won the front 9 with 20 points while Richard Williams (13) won the back nine with 23 points.

Sunday’s open singles for men was won by Jack McGrath (17) with 42 points from Tony McNamara (26) with 41 points.

The Lady Vice captain's (Martina Walsh) prize was played for on Saturday and resulted in victory for Ailish Lorigan (20) with 39 points and she had two to spare over Margaret Donnelly (20). Mary Nolan (18), also with 37 points was third.

Dromoland Golf Club:

Matthew Cooney won the men’s 18 hole stroke competition at the weekend with 65. He had one stroke to spare over Conor Barry with Patrick Marnane a stroke further back with 67. Brian Shally won the gross with 72.

The men’s 9 hole competition was won by Michael Lewis from Diarmuid McMahon with

Stephen Bergin in third spot and all scored 21 points. Leslie O’Flynn won the ladies 18 hole golfer of the year stableford competition with 37 points, one more than Sheila Kent with Julie Fitzgerald in third spot on 35 points. Joan Ryan won the gross with 20 points.

Ennis Golf Club:

In the ladies June medal, an 18 hole stroke event, Patricia Moroney (18) won the silver section with 72 nett from Sinead Hegarty (19) with 77. The bronze section was won by Mary Nagle (27) with 68 from Rose Enright (23) with 72. The overall winner of the 9 hole stableford competition was Audrey McEnery (20) with 19 points.

Division 1 was won by Monica Finnerty (12) with 18 points, Division 2 by Mary O’Halloran (16) with 17 points and Division 3 by Sarah Connolly Barnes (23) with 18 points.

Last week’s senior ladies competition was won by Bernie Brooks, Brid Cunningham and Maureen Moloney with 47.4 from Mary Gardiner, Mary Glynn, Mary Kierns and Eileen Holly with 53.4.

The open week competitions got underway with the mixed foursomes sponsored by Suttons Lightening. The winners with 47 points were John Keane and Carmel Cummins followed by John Cullinan and Brid Cunnigham with 41 points. In third place, also with 41 points, were Ronan Herbert and Audrey McEnery. Friday’s 9 hole singles ws won by Ger Donohue with 21 points.

The Munster Group’s team of three on Saturday was won by Jason Corcoran (12) Jarlath O'Halloran (13) and Vincent Corbett (13) with 79 points, three more than Ethna Murphy (27) Noel Whealan (7) and Michael Murphy (14) with third spot filled by Andrew McGloin (10) Sinead Hegarty (18) and Mary T McMahon (21), also with 76 points

The competition on Saturday was singles, sponsored by the Old Ground hotel. The winner was John A Byrne (13) with 41 points followed by Cian O'Nolan (19) with 39 points, Lauren Fox (25) with 39 points. Kieran Fox (4) won the gross with 35 points.

The competition on Sunday was a team of four, sponsored by O’Flaherty Electric. The winners with 89 points were Gerard Hannon (24), Frank Considine (12) Fergus O'Brien (14) and Phillip Brigdale (21). East Clare Golf Club:

The overall winner of the ladies 18 hole stroke competition on Sunday was Ciara Minogue (42) with a nett 65. The category winners were Siobnan Shanahan (16) with a nett 70, Helen Downey (33) with a nett 72 and Breda McCarthy (39) with a nett 39.

The winner of the men’s open on Thursday was Fiachra Donnellan with 43 points and he had three to spare over Michael Darcy.

The weekend’s men’s fourball competition was won by Tim Walsh and Chris Withycombe with 48 points from Martin Crotty and Teddy Murphy who had a similar score.

l Woodstock seniors who have qualified for the Munster semi-final. Back row (L to R); Paddy Meehan, Paul Sherlock, Sean Howard, Kieran Patton, Michael O’Brien, Ollie McNamara, John O'Donovan (Team Manager). Front Row (L to R) Gerry Griffey, Barry Pavitt, Tony Coote, Leo Quinlan, Declan Coote.

All-Ireland finals for Minogue & Considine

CLARE DUO, Sean Considine and Claire Minogue have qualified for the All-Ireland juvenile 60x30 handball finals at U14 and U15 respectively.

Semi-finals took place in Loughmacrory, Tyrone at the weekend. Claire defeated local girl Alice McGlinchy 1505;15-06 in her semi-final and will now play Stephanie Walsh of Moycullen in the final.

Clooney/Quin’s Considine defeated Tyrone’s Tarlach Treacy 15-5, 15-14 in his semi-final. He’ll face Bertie O’Donoghue of Galway in the final in what is a repeat of the 40x20 decider.

There was disappointment for Clare U15 doubles pair of Cathal Noonan and Luke Madden. The Toonagh and Tuamgraney pair lost out in two tight games 15-13, 15-13 to Tyrone pair of Pierce McDonald and Aaron McElhone.

The juvenile finals will be played next weekend with girls on Saturday and boys on Sunday in Collooney of Sligo.

In the Master B Munster Final 60x30, Mike Baker and Seamus Ryan were defeated by their Cork counterparts 21-3, 21-12.

All-Ireland semi-final on the line for Clare Ladies

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

CLARE’S intermediate ladies footballers will be bidding to reach the All-Ireland semi-final for the second year in a row.

Wayne Freeman’s side welcome Westmeath to Cusack Park this Sunday. The 2pm start time will preclude many ladies football supporters from making the journey to Croke Park to support the county’s senior hurlers but their focus is firmly fixed on reaching the last four, once again.

Unbeaten in the championship following comprehensive wins over Offaly and Wicklow, Clare finished up their group stages with a draw against Tyrone which sealed them top spot and most importantly a home quarter-final.

Freeman will be looking to top scorer Fidelma Marrinan to continue her rich vein of form, she is currently a leading contender for the 2023 ZuCar Golden Boot Award with 2-19 clocked up already in the championship. Joining Marrinan in attack will be Chloe Moloney and Lizzy Roche.

Siofra Ní Chonaill and Caoimhe Harvey will take central roles in the Clare defence where they are expected to be joined by Louise Griffin and Sinead Considine with the experience of Laurie Ryan a huge asset to the side.

After a player of the game performance versus Tyrone, Aisling Reidy of St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield is set to continue in the middle of the park.

Kildare native Freeman who is in his first season as manager is hopeful Clare can back up the promise they have shown. “We are in a good place overall. I honestly believe we are the best team in the competition. We are aiming to go all the way. We just have to believe in ourselves. We have some outstanding footballers and each day we go out someone stands up”.

He added, “To be honest I don’t care who we play because I believe we are the best team but it’s easier not to be travelling. Hopefully we can perform to our optimum from here on in and we will be a force if we do”.

Greyhounds: Clare dogs on song in Limerick

by Michael Maher news@clareecho.ie

CLARE owners had a successful stint at Limerick Greyhound Stadium over the past week with five victories bringing smiles back to the Banner County.

Freedom Reader notched his fifth career win at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday evening with a 28.93 victory. A son of Magical Bale and Mustang Evita, he is owned by the VHR Syndicate which is spearheaded by Clarecastle’s Tommy Hegarty and Seanie McMahon from Newmarket-on-Fergus, he is trained by Tipperary’s Paraic Campion.

At the same venue on Thursday last, there was a twelve race card on view and four of the races resulted in victories for Co Clare.

Some Summer recorded her first career victory after four previous seconds for Ennistymon’s Thomas Flanagan, a daughter of Romeo Recruit and trembling Juliet her winning time was 29.52.

There was a sixth career victory for Ryan Lemon in an A6 contest, trained by Parteen’s Joe Collins for the Shanakyle Syndcate, the son of Droopys Cain and Lemon Abagails had a winning time was 29.77.

Killuran News recorded a career best with his 28.89 effort in a A3 contest, owned by O’Callaghans Mills’ Donal and Gary Cooney, this son of Good News and Anhid Classic recorded career win number seven.

In the finale of the evening, The Slan Abhaile A7 graded contest, Bling Bling Jane took the honours for Newmarket-on-Fergus’s John Meehan with a 29.61 victory, this was career win number two for this daughter of Good News and Bling Bling Lola.

The Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby Trial Stake was the Feature event on Saturday night’s card at Galway Greyhound Stadium and as the traps rose Pats Angela was best away from her trap two berth and striding out well on the long run towards the opening bend she led round from Guapo Chico and Portumna Saphire with Jonny Whiskers in fourth place entering the back straight.

Racing along the back, Pat’s Angela continued to show the way but as the penultimate bend loomed the Jimmy Buckley

owned Guappo Chico began to take dead aim at the leader and sweeping to the front at the third bend the son of Droopys Sydney and Jumeirah Lolls drew right away to score by six and a half lengths in 29.96 for trainer Mathew Harte of Gort.

The chief supporting contest was the concluding A2 graded 525 and from traps the James McMahon of Cooraclare owned Lissatouk Dave was away like the wide and racing towards the opening bend the son of Laughill Blake and Lissatouk Dolly led from Pats Best Girl and Raining In Paris rounding the opening bend. Turning down the back Lissatouk Dave had extended his advantage to over four lengths as Pats Best Girl continued to give chase but the chase was all in vain as Lissatouk Dave powered home to score by two and three quarter lengths in 29.03.

Race number seven was an S1 graded sprint contest and from traps Mounvoor Lady was best away towards the inner and racing towards the opening bend she led Almost There and Burnpark Ronaldo but just over a length. Racing between the two bends, the Albert Mullins of Gort trained Almost There poked her head through along the rails and off the home bend the son of Sonic and Mrs Will struck the front and she raced clear up the straight to score by a length and three parts for the Mullins-Curtin Syndicate in 19.40.

Two A3 graded 525 yard contests shared top billing on Friday night’s ten race card at the College Road venue. As the traps rose for the S6 graded contest Kates Princess was best away and racing towards the opening bend she led from Dynamic Josie and Serene Rolo. As the leaders closed on the opening bend the Kieran and Shauna Nugent of Ballyea owned Dynamic Josie swept through to take over at the head of affairs. Despite swinging wide into the home straight the daughter of Burgess Bucko and Allegra Blue was in control as the scored by four lengths from Serne Solo in 19.40.

On the long run towards the opening bend in the A4 graded 550 yards contest the Martin Meaney owned Wilbrook Sydney (Droopys Sydney and Killinan Reina) showed plenty of pace to lead from Howareyaloveen and Barnora Bella. Cutting towards the rails rounding the opening bend the Stephen Murray of Sixmilebridge

trained leader set sail for home early in the back straight. Approaching the third bend, Wilbrook Sydney was home for all money as she

stayed on powerfully to score by five lengths from Millrose Brandy in 31.03.

l Sean Considine (top) and Claire Minogue are into their finals

PLANNING

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL FURTHER INFORMATION/ REVISED PLANS CLONEYOGAN

SOUTH, MOY, LAHINCH, CO CLARE PLANNING

REFERENCE: P23/49

DEVELOPMENT

DESCRIPTION:

Development which will consist of the removal of the remains of the old Creamery building & proposed change of use of the existing single storey building to permanent residential use, construction of a proposed extension of a multi use building consist ing of ground floor horticulture processing & storage area & residential area, first floor horticulture education / demonstration & storage area & residen tial area, wastewater treatment unit & infilltration area & all ancillary site works including soakaways, parking, footpaths to facilitate the development

LOCATION: Cloneyogan

South, Moy, Lahinch, Co

Clare

Take notice that Mitch Corbett has lodged significant further information in respect of planning application P23/49. This information and planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority of Clare County Council, Planning Department, Aras Contae and Chlair, New Road, Ennis, Co Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, not later than 2 weeks after the receipt of the newspaper notice and site notice by the planning authority or in the case of a planning application accompanied by an EIS within 5 weeks of the receipt of such notices by the planning authority.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL FITZ’S CROSS, DOOLIN

Take notice that Ahakista Property Development Ltd intends to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to extend site boundaries Ref P22/283, for permission to demolish part structures, to extend & convert existing structures, comprising of bar area, bar service area, cool room, storage area, toilets, to extend car parking area, to connect to existing surface water mains and to connect to proposed foul sewerage plant + percolation area at the above address. The Planning Applica-

tion may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL NO.3 (YARD), BARRACK STREET, ENNIS CO. CLARE

Take notice that Danese Cooper, Daneseworks Ltd., seeks Permission for a Change of Use at No.3 (Yard), Barrack Street, Ennis, Co.Clare from a (previous) Car Hire ServiceYard to an Open Air Eatery with, Ice Cream Vending Unit, Toilet / Sluice Room Facilities and a Steel Frame Gazebo at above address. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of Clare County Council Buildings, Ennis during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by Clare County Council of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL 48 CASTLEROCK, TULLA ROAD, ENNIS CO. CLARE, V95Y3CN

Take Notice that We Gavin & Clare Lundy intend to apply to Clare County Council For Permission for the construction of a first floor extension over existing single storey section to side of existing dwelling & 2 storey extension to the rear of same & additional single storey extension to the rear of dwelling with works to compromise of utility area, kitchen/ dining area, first floor bedroom, bathroom & en-suite. Permission is also sought for demolition of existing single storey section to the rear of dwelling, including internal alterations and elevational changes to existing dwelling including all ancillary site works at above address.

The Planning Application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority of Clare County Council, Planning Department, Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co.Clare during it’s public opening hours. A submission or Observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee of €20 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL EGANS BAR, 14 MAIN STREET, LISCANNOR, CO.CLARE, V95 TX33

We, Kenmc Ltd, intend to apply for Permission for development at this site. Egans Bar, 14 Main Street, Liscannor, Co.Clare, V95 TX33. The development consists of the following amendments to the previous grant of planning permission, planning reference no: P23/207

A) The demolition of the existing return on first floor level to the rear of the existing structure. B)

A reduction in length of the overall single -storey extension by 4.7m. C) A change in the angle of the pitches on the previously granted single storey pitched roof extension. D)

A proposed storage shed clad in Liscannor stone, with a mono-pitched roof, with an overall height of 3.15m, located at the rear of the site. E) All landscaping and site works are included.

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL LOUGHLOON, LISCANNOR, CO. CLARE

Planning permission being sought by Maeve O’Connor and Eamonn Byrne to construct a private dwelling house with detached garage, new site entrance, installation of new wastewater treatment system and percolation area and all associated site works at the above address. The Planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the

reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application. Opening hours 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL BALLYCOTTEEN SOUTH, LISCANNOR , CO CLARE V95 A6XK

Take notice that Thambipillai Sri Paran intends to apply for permission to renovate and extend the building on site for use as a dwelling house , install a wastewater treatment system & all other associated site and ancillary works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL SCHOOL, COROFIN, CO CLARE.

Take notice that Catherine Douglas intends to apply for permission to build a new dwelling , install a wastewater treatment system & all other associated site and ancillary works at the above address.

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL FINTRA BEG, MILTOWN MALBAY, CO CLARE

Take notice that Ciara Meere and Eoin Keenan intend to apply for permission to build a new dwelling house, install a wastewater treatment system & all other associated site and ancillary works at the above address. The planning application

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL SHYAN, KILMIHIL, CO. CLARE

Further Information /

Revised Plans

Planning Reference: P 23 / 60005

Development Description: Planning permission to construct a new dwelling house, access road, entrance, private garage and install a new wastewater treatment system along with all associated works at Shyan, Kilmihil, Co. Clare.

Location: Shyan, Kilmihil, Co. Clare.

Take notice that Elizabeth Finucane & Liam Barrington has lodged significant further information in respect of planning application P 23 / 60005. This information and planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority of Clare County Council, Planning Department, Áras Chontae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, not later than 2 weeks after the receipt of the newspaper notice and site notice by the planning authority or in the case of a planning application accompanied by an EIS within 5 weeks of receipt of such notices by the planning authority.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL COOLMEEN, KILMURRY MCMAHON, CO. CLARE

Further Information /

Revised Plans

Planning Reference: P 23 / 60006

Development Description: Planning permission for the conversion of a barn to a granny flat along with all associated works at Coolmeen, Kilmurry McMahon, Co. Clare.

Location: Coolmeen, Kilmurry McMahon, Co. Clare. Take notice that Bevan Sawyer has lodged significant further information in respect of planning ap-

plication P 23 / 60006. This information and planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority of Clare County Council, Planning Department, Áras Chontae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, not later than 2 weeks after the receipt of the newspaper notice and site notice by the planning authority.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL SRAGH, DOONBEG, CO. CLARE

Take note that John O Loughlan & Sara Ruiz Garcia intends to apply to Clare County Council for planning permission to renovate and extend existing residential property, with works to include part demolition of existing building, and provision of new wastewater treatment system with retention of on site mobile home for two year period for duration of works and all necessary ancillary services at the above address. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of five weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL GRATTEN STREET, KILKEE, CO. CLARE

Take note that Michael Larkin intends to apply to Clare County Council for planning permission to renovate and extend existing residential property, with works to include part demolition of existing building and all necessary ancillary services at the above address. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making

a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of five weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL 44 ABBEY STREET, ENNIS, CO.

CLARE

Take notice that the Clare Language Centre intends to apply to the Planning Authority for the change of use from a mixture of residential and commercial office space to an educational centre at the above address.

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

CLARE CO. COUNCIL ABBEY WEST, BELLHARBOUR

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

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Recent Deaths

Russell, Senan Kilkee, Clare

O’Mahony, Der Shannon, Clare

PILE, KEITH PETER Kilrush, Clare

Dooley, John James Ennis, Clare

Browne (née Cunningham), Irene Kilmihil, Clare

Costello, Joe Ennis, Clare

McMahon (née Tarsnane), Mary Miltown Malbay, Clare

Ryan (née Healy), Sarah Quilty, Clare

Kearney (née Hurley), Moira Ennis, Clare

King (née Harney), Nora Shannon, Clare

McSherry (née O’Neill), Elizabeth (Betty) Newmarket-on-Fergus, Clare

Shanahan (née Brosnahan), Nancy Parteen, Clare

Morgan (née Hynes), Una Kilfenora, Clare

Moroney (née Fitzpatrick), Ann Ennis, Clare

Farrell, Denis O’Callaghans Mills, Clare

Malone (née Fitzgerald), Catherine Doolin, Clare

McGrath, Sr. Joan O’Callaghans Mills, Clare

McMAHON (née Bolton), Bridget (Biddy) Kilrush, Clare

O’Brien, Martin Tulla, Clare

The Clare Echo Quiz

1 The 2018 Munster fleadh was held in which Clare town? Kilrush, Ennis, Shannon

2 Smith O’Brien’s GAA club are based in which County Clare parish?

Feakle, Ballyvaughan, Killaloe

3Droichead an Chlair is the Irish name for which Clare village? Cratloe, Clarecastle, Liscannor

4 The holy well at Newhall just outside of Ennis is named after which saint?

Saint John, Saint Peter, Saint Paul

5

Name this County Clare castle. (Pic left) Ballinalacken, Lemenagh,Knappogue

6

In which County Clare village will you find L’ARCO Italian Restaurant Ballyvaughan, Tulla, Doonbeg.

7 Clonmoney is a townland in which County Clare parish. Kilbaha, Tulla, Bunratty

8 Hennessy Memorial Park is the Gaa grounds in which County Clare town Kilrush, Milltown Malbay, Shannon

ANSWERS

Name this County Clare village? (Pic right) Doonbeg, Bodyke, Ruan

9

10 What place does Clare rank on the list of largest Irish counties by area?

6th, 7th, 8th

Spot the Difference

Can you spot the 7 differences

Last weeks answers

. Red top now purple

. Ear buds missing (front right)

. lanyard missing from around persons neck (back)

. Ceiling light missing top left

. Strap of bag missing on person (middle left)

. Watch missing on person (front left)

Cillian O’Callaghan, MISU President; Santhi Corcoran, MIC Lecturer; and Edel Foster and Nicola Brennan from MIC’s EDII Office pictured with a rainbow crossing installed on the Limerick campus to mark Limerick Pride Week 2023

Photo by Brian Arthur

l VILLAGE: Question 9. Name this County Clare village?

1. Ennis

2. Killaloe

3. Clarecastle

4. Saint John

5. Lemenagh

6. Ballyvaughan 7. Bunratty 8. Milltown Malbay

9. Bodyke

10. 7th

lCASTLE: Question 5. Name this County Clare castle.

Best Daily Word Search: 5 July 2019

WORD SEARCH

The Clare Echo Crossword

HOW TO PLAY

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

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1 Relaxed (2,4)

2 Excursions (7)

3 Courage (5)

5 Autumn month (7)

6 Verdant (5)

7 Baby’s toy (6)

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9 Abundant (9)

13 Shorten (7)

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14 Sold from the cask (7)

15 Cricket referee (6)

16 Embellishes (6)

18 Capital of Bulgaria (5)

20 More recent (5)