The Clare Echo 06/10/22

Government to Council: Go fund yourself!

Shannon Heritage future up in

PÁRAIC McMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie

OWNERSHIP

of Shannon Heritage’s four Clare sites is no closer to a conclusion with Clare County Council now threatening to walk away from the table.

€15m in Government funding had been sought by the Council to secure the deal however a notable absence of Government funding in the Budget has served as an enormous setback to the Council’s bid.

Senior officials are now set to walk away from the project with the only alternative for the local authority to take out a multi-million euro loan.

l

Teachers Ciara Grogan, Eimear Donnellan, Lorraine McInerney, Juliet Coman, Principal, Rita Forrestal and Ciara Walsh, during the St Josephs Secondary School Tulla Harty Cup winning teams medal presentation evening at Hotel Woodstock on Friday Photo by Arthur Ellis

publication supports the work

VOLUNTEERS HONOURED

'Not good enough'Garvey

AMBULANCE was required at Cusack Park for the second week in a row, prompting calls for a stand-by presence to be in operation at the county grounds, writes Páraic McMahon

A St Breckan’s supporter suffered a stroke on Saturday evening while watching his side take on Ennistymon in the Clare SFC. A chair was provided by the County Board while he waited 35 minutes for the ambulance to reach Cusack Park. The Clare Echo under stands that no first aid responder was on duty and instead the assistance of a medic with one of the competing teams was called on after the match.

lWINNER: Pictured are (l-r): Leonard Cleary, Deputy Chief Executive, Clare County Council; Cllr Ann Norton, Leas Cathaoirleach, Clare County Council; Marie Molony, Winner of the Clare Older People’s Volunteer of the Year Award 2022; and Maurice Harvey, Chairperson of Clare Older People’s Council. Marie won the award based on her contribution to theAlzheimer Society, Eire Óg GAA Club and St Joseph’s Apostolic Society. She received an engraved glass trophy and a one-for-all voucher from Leonard Cleary, Deputy Chief Executive, Clare County Council. Around 150 people attended an event in the Woodstock Hotel in Ennis on Monday during Positive Ageing Week, to celebrate with the 13 people nominated for the award. The function was hosted by the Clare Older People’s Council and supported by Clare County

Senator Garvey said: “The GAA have to value their players and sup porters. Players are putting so much in now whether it is hurling, camogie, gaelic football or ladies football, it is the most professional amateur sport.

"Do I have to sponsor a trolley so that players can be wheeled off the pitch? What is the cost of getting peo ple qualified to remove injured play ers, we paid €15 into the game, it is not good enough to say people are not qualified”.

'Serious concern' that €25m unit may impact St Flannan's

by GORDON DEEGAN

lSt Flannan's College

CLARE

County Council has expressed “serious concerns” that a HSE €25m plan for an elder ly care unit on Church owned lands at St Flannan’s Col lege in Ennis may prejudice the future expansion of the secondary school.

In putting the project on hold, the Council has written to the HSE to state that it has serious concerns that the proposed development particularly on lands zoned com munity may prejudice the future expansion of the school, including ancillary required sports/recre ational grounds and result in the removal of a number of mature trees”.

The proposed 100 bed Com munity Nursing Unit (CNU) on a seven acre green field site at Clon roadmore at the post primary St Flannan’s College is to replace the existing bed capacity at St Joseph’s Hospital in Ennis.

In the letter, the Council states that St Joseph’s Hospital benefits from a central location, availability of public infrastructure and prox imity to social infrastructure.

The Council state that having regard to the benefits listed, it has asked the HSE to submit a detailed

site selection rationale in relation to the site at St Flannan’s and clear ly outline confirmation by school authorities or management that the lands are not required for any potential/future school expansion on the community zoned lands.

In the seven page letter, the

Council has also asked the HSE to provide detail on alternative sites that were considered in relation to the proposed new CNU and details for discounting those alternatives.

The Council expressing “seri ous concerns” over the impact the proposal may have on the future expansion of St Flannan’s Colleges follows an ex principal of St Flan nan’s College objecting to the pro posed development.

In a detailed objection against the application, Colm McDonagh has questioned if the local Church has the authority to sell the lands to the HSE for the CNU. The En nis native was on the teaching staff at St Flannan’s College for 33 years and became the first lay principal of St Flannan’s College in 2000 remaining in the post until his re tirement from the role in 2012.

He said that less than 20 years ago, the Trustees of St Flannan’s College were successful in halting the Diocesan sale of the same site to facilitate a new school for Ennis National School. Mr McDonagh reveals that the Trustees “were

very concerned that the sale of these sales was not in accordance with the wishes of the person who bequeathed these lands”.

Last week, the Bishop of Kil laloe, Fintan Monahan said that the Diocesan Trust could confirm “that the Diocese is entirely free to sell this land for community bene fit and has received the necessary Charities Regulator authorisation”.

In its request for further infor mation, the Council has stated that it has concerns in relation to the potential overbearing impact of the proposal on existing dwellings in the vicinity.

As a result, the Council has asked the HSE to relocate or rede sign the proposed building so that greater separation distances are maintained.

The local authority has also ex pressed concern over the scale and massing of the proposed develop ment.

The application will become ‘live’ once more after the request ed further information has been lodged by the HSE.

Shannon Airport showcased in $1m campaign

showcased what the five star attraction has to offer.

MCMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie

SHANNON

Airport’s billing as the gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way is getting promo tion as part of a $1m advertising campaign in the Untied States.

Tourism Ireland have launched a new campaign Stateside pushing Shannon Airport as the key arrival point for potential visitors to the Wild Atlantic Way.

Direct flights to Shannon Airport such as Aer Lingus’ routes from Boston and New York plus United Airlines’ Newark route are pushed as part of the drive.

In September, Shannon Airport Group and Tourism Ireland hosted events for travel, trade and media contacts in New York and Boston. As part of the many promotional events organised, six tour ism enterprises from the Wild Atlantic Way met with around 40 tour operators, alongside travel and diaspora journalists, in both Boston and New York.

At a recent luncheon at Porto Restaurant in Bos ton’s Prudential Center, media and travel-industry guests were given a broad insight into the wide ar ray of attractions in the region.

CEO of Shannon Airport Group, Mary Con sidine highlighted that one of the main attractions for Shannon Airport was the speed at which pas sengers could expect to get through the airport. She told the group one passenger had clocked his travel “from ticket counter, through security, to his gate at 11 minutes”.

Adrienne O’Flynn of Shannon Heritage detailed the tourism sites still currently under their opera tion, Bunratty Castle & Folk Park which hosts the popular medieval banquet, Craggaunowen, where visitors can learn about Ireland in the Bronze Age, and Knappogue Castle.

Sheepdog demonstrations against the backdrop of an eleventh century stone fort was proposed to potential visitors by Maura Fay of Caherconnell Fort in Carron while Adare Manor’s Gillian Griffin

Magical ferry destinations along the Cliffs of Mo her and to the Aran Islands were shared by Edel Vaughan of Doolin Ferry Company.

The promotion of responsible ecotourism was highlighted by Jarlath O’Dwyer who put forward the case for the Burren while the elegance of the Savoy Hotel and George Hotel was flagged by Ruth Vaughan form the Savoy Collections.

Alongside a variety of events, the campaign will feature digital outdoor ads on billboards in Boston, New York, and New Jersey as well as ads on popular digital and social platforms.

Tourism Ireland is also working with travel web sites such as Travel Spike, Dunhill Travel Deals and ShermansTravel to promote holiday packages which make use of Shannon Airport and the Wild Atlantic Way.

The Irish marketing body will run co-operative promotions with Aer Lingus and United, to high light their direct flight services. The tourism cam paign is set to run until the end of November.

Other parts of the country are also promoted in material rolled out in Great Britain, North America, Mainland Europe, Australia and emerging tourism markets. Donegal and Derry are being pushed to the British market as part of a €580,000 campaign by Tourism Ireland.

The autumn campaign also spotlights some of Ireland’s most exciting festivals and events includ ing the Dublin Theatre Festival, Galway Interna tional Oyster and Seafood Festival, Cork Jazz Festi val, and New Year’s Festival (NYF) Dublin.

It's all part of a bid to boost late season travel to Ireland from Ireland, the September to December period typically can yield up to thirty percent of the country’s annual overseas tourism business.

Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland, Niall Gib bons explained, “Our autumn campaign aims to take advantage of late booking trends around the world, as there is still plenty of business to play for this year”.He confirmed that Tourism Ireland would engage with leading overseas tour operators and travel agents at events like IFTM Top Resa in Paris, TTG Travel Experience in Rimini and World Travel Market in London.

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Council set to walk away from Shannon Heritage talks

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

GOVERNMENT

funding will not be provided to Clare County Coun cil to take over Shannon Heritage sites in the county, a breakfast briefing of local councillors was informed on Wednesday morning even though the Taoiseach has said the matter is not over.

Clare County Council now looks set to call time on its lengthy efforts over the past 20 months to take over the sites with the prospect of the local authority seeking a multi-mil lion euro loan another possible avenue.

Since June 2020, the future ownership of the iconic tour ism sites has been up in the air with Clare County Council ex pressing their interest for them to be transferred from Shan non Group if Government funding was provided.

King John Castle reverted to the ownership of Limerick City and County Council in April of this year while on New

Year’s Eve Shannon Heritage ended their management con tracts with An Post and Fingal County Council for sites in Dublin and the transfer of the business and employees took place without issue.

A Clare deal was due to be fi nalised in May of this year, yet the future of Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Craggaunow en, Knappogue Castle and a retail outlet at the Cliffs of Mo her remain in limbo. Between them, the four sites have a total workforce of 150, this is bro ken down as 90 full-time and 60 part-time staff.

No provision of funding was included in the Budget announced last week which served as a major setback to the Council’s aspirations and to tourism in the region. Of ficials within the Council “al most full-time on the project” since February 2021.

The Clare Echo understands that the Secretary General in the Department of Finance has informed senior Council offi cials that their plea to receive €15m annually will not tran spire. Four different Govern

ment departments have been lobbied by the local authority as part of the long-running process but no funds have been provided.

Costs include an estimat ed €1.5m repair of the roof at Bunratty Castle, provisions for the 150 Shannon Heritage staff that would be added to the Council’s payroll, repairs to the roofs of the cottages, disin tegration of footpaths and at tempts to modernise the tour ism sites. The capital supports would allow for the essential repairs and further projects to enable a full revamp. €2m is sought to upgrade the IT sys tems across the sites.

At a breakfast briefing in The Old Ground Hotel, councillors were informed that the local authority will have to either take out a multi-million euro loan or walk away. A deci sion on what the Council will do will be made at a statutory meeting that is open to the public, their October meeting is scheduled to take place this coming Monday.

For full story see clareecho. ie.

The Town Hall Bistro

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

The Poets Corner Bar

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

Stabbing victims still 'critical'

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

TWO females remain in a critical condition following a stabbing in Clareabbey last week.

A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána told The Clare Echo there has been “no update” with their investigation after an eight year old girl was discovered with over 40 stab wounds in Clareabbey last Tues day morning.

Both she and a female adult were moved to Universi ty Hospital Limerick (UHL) for treatment with the young girl later transferred to Crumlin Children’s Hospital.

The mother and daughter are from Ukraine and were

among a group of eight persons that moved into new ac commodation by Clareabbey in the past three weeks. The property which had only been refurbished having been left idle for some time has been converted into four apartments.

Speaking in Ennis, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Cov eney (FG) described Co Clare as “the best example in the coun try of accommodat ing Ukrainians”. He said, “they are trau matised by the loss of family members, we have seen the trag ic consequences of some of that trauma and stress in recent days”.

The Brendan O’Regan Restaurant

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

lBunratty Castle

for Ennis’ largest ever pri vate housing scheme will have to be reduced, local councillors have argued, writes Páraic McMahon.

Via the Strategic Housing Devel

opment (SHD) scheme, Glenveagh Homes lodged plans for a €65m 289 home scheme directly with An Bord Pleanála at the end of August.

It is made up of 125 three-bed townhous

LONDIS' FITTEST FAMILY

es, 74 3/4 bed semi-detached homes, 66 two bed townhouses, 12 two bed duplex and 12 one bed maisonettes across a proposed den sity of 32.5 hectares.

A creche catering for up to 60 children and 488 car parking spaces are also included in the development located at Ballymacaula, Drumbiggle.

SHD decisions cannot be appealed and only a judicial review would be considered if An Bord Pleanála granted planning per mission.

At Tuesday’s meeting of the Ennis Mu nicipal District, councillors were invited to share their views on the proposal with Clare County Council preparing to make a sub mission to the planning board.

Citing the County Development Plan which has the area zoned for low density residential, Cllr Pat Daly (FF) called for the reduction of 89 houses in the scheme. “Per sonally I don’t believe in 289 houses in one area, it is too many houses in the one area and will lead to social problems, we’ve seen it before all over the country”.

Though she maintained there was “a huge need” for more housing in Ennis, Cllr Mary Howard (FG) flagged how the site which had secured permission for 99 houses has “pretty much tripled” with new plans.

“I’m worried it’s too many houses in the one site, I’m worried of the social conse quences long-term. There’s one entrance in for such a big development off a busy round about, there’s no other alternative, I worry about the creche at the front of it, is this

Jacqueline O’Brien

safe,” she questioned.

To have just a single entrance for a 289 housing development was “a concern,” Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) maintained.

'Housing scheme is too big' PLANS

Policy objectives of the Ireland 2040 Na tional Planning Framework relating to sustainable communities, an alternative to cars, age friendliness are not followed with the plans, Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) argued. He said it ‘failed abysmally’ on the idea of appropriate scale, “this is far too extreme”. 191 terraced homes in the plans have “small gardens” and there is no playing pitch for the entire estate, “they have fancy green ar eas but where will young people go to kick a ball, they’ll go over the wall and onto the golf course”.

He added, “It is a town centre develop ment out in a suburb, there is no building of a community there, there is nothing for children or young people, it is so important to get the mix of housing right. I agree we have a housing crisis but we have to get the mix right”.

Glenveagh Homes gave a positive “vote of confidence” to Ennis, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) acknowledged.

“We must remember that what is happen ing here is setting history for Ennis, it would be the largest housing development for En nis, we have to be careful not to create future social problems.

"Clearly we want to support the provision of future houses but this is the provision of houses at the wrong location,” the Mayor of the Ennis MD commented.

Miltown Malbay Londis retailers Michelle and Kevin McNamee

Fine Gael 'can and will dominate centre of politics'

PÁRAIC MCMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

MINISTER

for For eign Affairs, Simon Coveney (FG) has told supporters in Co Clare that Fine Gael must aim to dominate the centre of Irish politics.

Up to 100 people gathered in The Temple Gate Hotel as Min ister Coveney, Professor Michael Laffan and former Minister for Justice, Nora Owen (FG) assessed the achievements of Cumann na nGaedhael from 1922 and 1932 and the foundation of the Irish Free State.

Minister Coveney highlighted the need for the decade of cente naries to be “respectful and inclu sive as it can possibly be” recount ing “extraordinary moments of change for Ireland, moments of pain and tragedy for individuals and families”. Looking at politics

today, the Cork native said for Fine Gael “to thrive and survive, we need to become the trusted party that people turn to when it comes to election time”. Holding the role of Deputy Leader of the party is “a real privilege”, he admitted. “What drives the party today is not that inconsistent of what drove people during establishment of the State in that decade,” Coveney added and referenced the “unpopular decisions of 2011 which arrived following an extraordinary elec tion where the country effectively voted for a national Government of Fine Gael and Labour to restore the country’s spirit and an econo my which had been broken”.

There was a time during this economic crisis that the State came “within a month” of not be ing able to pay civil servants, he revealed. Brexit was handled by Fine Gael “with a toughness and an intelligence,” he believed. “If we got through it then we’d be able to show what we could do in Govern ment but then came COVID,” he

said. The six month period during the height of the pandemic where the Government only the support of a third of the Dáil was among his “proudest moments”.

He acknowledged, “we’ve made mistakes but I think we’ve got the

big calls right”. Minister Coveney stated, “We are a party that can and will dominate the centre of Irish politics, we need to be a party for everybody and one that pulls society together rather than drive it apart”.

Ireland’s political landscape is “much more fractious and frac tured” and it is one operating in a sphere where “trust is in short sup ply”. “We need to try insist that at the centre of Irish politics we are a force of unity and not division, that value that Fine Gael bring to politics will be tested over and over again,” he said.

Labels of Fine Gael being “con servative”, “stale” and “in Govern ment for too long” were inaccu rate, he insisted and he pointed to his 25 years in politics which have coincided with votes for same sex marriage, abortion, a separation of church and State, “we are outward and modern, we are facilitating change the whole time”.

Former councillor, Joe Arkins (FG) picked up on a comment by Minister Coveney that Sinn Féin weren’t “all bad” and the Ruan man asked him, “could he elucidate on their good points” leading to wide spread laughter from Fine Gael supporters.

For full story see clareecho.ie.

lTHRIVE AND SURVIVE: Nora Owen, Michael Laffan, Madeline Taylor Quinn and Minister Simon Coveney

Switch mortgage and save

Cashin Clancy Solicitors explore the benefits of switching mortgages

DIDyou know you could make signifi cant financial savings if you switched mort gage to a lower inter est rate or reduced your mortgage term?

Just like any other bill, you should review your mortgage in terest rate every few years to en sure you are getting the best value available. Remember, if you have a fixed rate mortgage, when that fixed term ends, you will automat ically switch over to the lender's standard variable rate, which is usually a higher and more expen sive rate.

There is quite often a reluctance among us to switch lenders, gener ally due to the effort involved at the start of the process. Most clients say that gathering the required paperwork for the Bank/Broker is their biggest hurdle, however the benefit of saving money for many years to come will be worth it!

Before you consider switching, you should speak to your current mortgage advisor and check what better rates they have available. Also, check your current mortgage terms and conditions for early re payment charges/exit fees.

Using a mortgage broker can cut the time spent researching the best rates, however, be mindful some brokers only deal with a handful of lenders. Another option is to check comparison websites for the best rates.

It takes on average six to eight weeks to complete a mortgage switch.

The first step is to obtain ‘mort

gage approval’. You will need to produce documents proving stable income and outgoings and evi dence of savings is also important.

Having a good credit history is essential and you can obtain a copy of your Credit Report from for the Central Credit Register, www.cen tralcreditregister.ie.

You will have to obtain a current market valuation of your property

lSOLICITORS: Cashin Clancy's Sheila Lynch, Pamela Clancy and Angela Woulfe Photo by Natasha Barton

and your lender will provide you with a list of Auctioneers from whom they will accept a valuation. You will also have to review and possibly update your Mortgage Protection Insurance.

You should contact your solici tor at an early stage and they will advise you about what legal docu ments and information need to be gathered in order to complete the

process.

There are legal costs involved, but thankfully most banks will now contribute towards those costs, and some banks even offer cash-back incentives.

Ultimately, by switching mort gages, you will save significant money by switching to a lower mortgage interest rate and possi bly also shorten the term of your mortgage, which is the ultimate goal!

In some cases, where your prop erty has increased in value in re cent years, and, depending on your financial circumstances, you may be able to borrow additional mon ey for home improvements.

So, if you are considering switching lenders, or you may be just applying for your first mort gage, contact us on 065 6840060 or by email to enquiries@cashinclan cy.ie and we will gladly guide you through the process.

See also our “Guide to Mortgag ing/Re-Mortgage” on our website www.cashinclancy.ie/mortgaging where we have set out in seven easy steps the process in mortgaging or switching your mortgage provider, or call us on 065 6840060 and we will be happy to help.

Houses in Clare selling in under three months

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

HOUSES in Clare are taking less than three months to sell, a new survey has revealed with first time buyers accounting for almost two thirds of sales.

No change has been ob served in the average price of a second-hand threebed semi-detached home in Clare over the last three months with the figure staying at €230,000 according to the lat est national survey by Real Estate Alli ance.

There was an in crease in the average time taken to sell a prop erty in the area, rising by four weeks over this quarter for a total of 10 weeks.

Additionally, agents have reported that 60% of purchasers this quarter were first time buyers, with 8% of buyers coming from outside of the county.

Nationally, the rate of house price infla tion has halved in the past three months as rising costs cause home buyers to be more cautious. The actual selling price of a three-bedroomed semi-detached house across the country rose by 1.4% over the past three months to €290,630–representing

an annual increase of 10%.

This is a marked slowdown on the 2.9% quarterly increase recorded in the preceding three months, signalling a cooling of the fre netic demand in the marketplace. The in dex also found that A rated homes are com manding a 12% premium over their C rated equivalents – a figure that rises to 16% in the capital as running costs become more important to home buyers.

The REA Average House Price Survey concentrates on the actual sale price of Ireland’s typical stock home, the three-bed semi, giving an ac curate picture of the second-hand property market in towns and cities countrywide.

Time taken to reach sale agreed rose to five weeks from four as REA agents nationwide reported a less frenzied approach to viewing and buying. While the actual average selling price of three bedroomed homes in Dublin city is about to breach the €500,000 mark, the 0.8% quarterly rise to €497,500 is half that expe rienced in the previous three months. 58% of all purchasers in the past quarter were first-time buyers according to REA, a figure which rose to 76% in Dublin as people with mortgage approval look to get on the hous ing ladder.

SHANNON NEWS

in association with

Ryanair to announce new Shannon routes

RYANAIR are to announce new routes from Shannon Airport, writes Páraic Mc Mahon

Shannon Airport is to host a special press conference today (Thursday) whereby Ryanair is expected to un veil new destinations from to and from the gateway to The Wild Atlantic Way.

A €10m investment was made by Ryanair in May in a three-bay heavy mainte nance facility in Shannon, creating over 200 jobs in the county.

Currently, Ryanair has two aircraft based at Shan non Airport, this combined with their three aircraft at

Cork Airport is a combined $500m investment. Between both airports, a total of 3,000 jobs are supported.

July 1987 saw Ryanair operate its first flight out of Shannon Airport to Luton. This summer, the airline had 22 routes from Shannon with 57 weekly frequencies

to nine different countries in what was its largest schedule for some time.

Nineteen routes will be operated by Ryanair at Shannon Airport for its win ter schedule this year with Corfu and Malta among the new routes added this year.

Aldi rejection is 'really unfortunate'

PÁRAIC MCMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie

proceeded.

ALDI

have expressed ‘extreme disappointment’ with the deci sion of An Bord Pleanála to re fuse them planning permission for a second time to construct a new store in Shannon.

Management of the retail giant have said they will be reviewing the decision “careful ly” and described the judgement as “really unfortunate news for the people of Shan non, Clare and the entire Mid-West”.

An Bord Pleanála agreed with Clare County Council’s decision to deny Aldi planning permission for a Shannon store.

The inspector’s report by Adrian Ormsyby said the proposal didn’t provide sufficient urban design, street frontage, height or defi nition. He outlined that it lacked strong re lationships and linkages to the future civic park to be located directly east of the site. Ormsyby also believed aspects of the Shan non Town Centre Masterplan and the Lim erick-Shannon Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan would be undermined if the project

Colin Breslin, Regional Managing Direc tor, ALDI Ireland told The Clare Echo that they were “extremely disappointed” with the outcome. “This application has been six years in the making and we have gone to considerable lengths to meet all that was asked of us by planners and others. The costof-living crisis is impacting every household and we are very aware what it means for our customers. Being able to offer our customers the best value at locations most convenient to them matters more than ever. Against this backdrop, the decision of An Bord Pleanála is particularly disappointing”.

Residents in Shannon and surrounding areas will miss out, Breslin maintained.

“This regrettable decision means that the people of Shannon will continue to pay more for their weekly shopping and will miss out on all of the employment this project would have created – both in the construction phase and permanent in store roles there after. The more than 1,000 local residents who signed an online petition in support of the new store, and the local councillors who universally backed the project, recognised the value that a new ALDI store could bring to their community”.

PLANNING: Shannon Town Centre

lRyanair

Clare is Amazing, take it ALL in...

October – A Great Time to Go History Hunting!

October is a great month to go history hunting, and below we feature a selection of attractions worth exploring. Some will close for the season shortly, so do get to see them during October.

Ennis Friary

The O’Briens of Thomond, who once ruled much of north Munster, founded this medieval Franciscan friary. It grew into a huge foundation, with 350 friars and a famed school of 600 pupils by 1375. The building contains an exceptional wealth of fifteenth- and sixteenth-century sculptures, including St Francis displaying the stigmata. School tours are free by pre-arrangement. October: open daily.

Clare Museum, Ennis

Clare Museum tells the county’s history over a period of 6,000 years using authentic archaeological and historical objects, including finds from Poulnabrone. You can also see Eamon de Valera’s 1947 Dodge Limousine, which has recently

gone on exhibition at the museum. October: open Tuesday to Saturday.

St Flannan’s Cathedral, Killaloe

A Romanesque cathedral was built in the 1180s by Donal O’Brien but was destroyed soon afterwards by Connacht forces. The new cathedral, built in the Gothic style, was completed on the same site in the early thirteenth century. October: open daily.

Caherconnell Stone Fort

A remarkable Burren sheep farm with a direct connection to Ireland’s bronze age and medieval ancestors. It includes a medieval stone ringfort, a bronze age doline, archaeological excavations and fascinating artefacts giving insights into Ireland’s earliest ancestors. October: open daily.

Doolin Cave

Formed hundreds of thousands of years ago, the award-winning Doolin Cave is home to the Great Stalactite. At 7.3 metres (23feet), it is the longest free-hanging stalactite in Europe and suspends from the Cave’s ceiling like a gigantic chandelier. Tours provided. October: open daily.

Aillwee Burren Experience, Ballyvaughan

Discover both overground and underground experiences. Aillwee’s cave tour will take you into the dramatic underworld of the unique Burren landscape dating back millions of years. Their Birds of Prey Centre is home to one of Ireland’s largest collections of raptors. October: open daily.

Shannon Aviation Museum

Learn more about the fascinating world of flight and engineering. Try out their Aviation Discovery Tour

with a virtual flying lesson in their flight simulators, then see cockpits, jet engines, and even an aircraft carrier jet, plus a unique collection of model aircraft, artefacts, and memorabilia. October: open Thursday to Saturday.

Michael Cusack Centre, Carron

The Cusack Centre was founded in memory of legendary Irishman Michael Cusack. Born in the worst years of the famine – 175 years ago this year - Michael gave Ireland and the world the Gaelic Athletic Association - one of the world’s greatest sports organisations. The Centre includes an exhibition, audiovisual experience and Michael’s restored famine-era thatched cottage. October: open daily.

Important: It is always advisable to check opening dates and times before visiting. Some of the featured attractions also open beyond October.

Eamon de Valera’s 1947 Dodge Limousine

Shannon Aviation Museum

GREEN CLARE

Lough Grainey wins €10,000 Lottery Award for heritage

STUART HOLLY

EastClare-based Lough Grainey Nature Sanctuary has won the Heritage category at the Nation al Lottery Good Causes Awards 2022, scooping an amazing €10,000.

An inspiring voluntary organisation ded icated to protecting biodiversity and re wilding, the not-for-profit community or ganisation is run by a highly skilled team of directors who are dedicated to creating and maintaining a Nature Sanctuary in the Lough Grainey Valley, with the aim of pro tecting biodiversity, rewilding, restoring the ancient oak forest and helping children to reconnect with nature.

Founding member, Dr Marina Levitina reacted to the win on Saturday night: "It's in credible, we're just absolutely delighted and can't believe it. It means so much to us. It basically means it will help us achieve what

we've set out to do. So it will help us protect more land for bidiversity, plant more native trees and educate more children about na ture", she said.

The National Lottery Good Causes Awards honour the inspiring work and achievements of thousands of projects, clubs and individuals from all over Ireland who, with the help of National Lottery Good Causes funding, have had an extraordinary impact on their local communities.

This year’s Good Causes Awards ceremo ny took place in Killashee House Hotel in Co.Kildare. Grainne Seoige hosted the event and was joined by an array of familiar faces to present each of the awards to the category winners.

The Awards have seven categories: Sport, Health & Wellbeing, Heritage, Arts & Cul ture, Community, Youth and Irish Lan guage. A brand-new award category, ‘Hero of the Year’, was created this year to recog nise outstanding work done by an individual within an organisation.

This year’s winner was Josie Reynolds, volunteer with the Melting Pot Community

Society in Co. Roscommon.

The seven category winners each received €10,000; the Hero of the Year received €5,000 and the overall Good Cause of the Year, Cú Chulainn Blood Bikes received an additional €25,000.

Andrew Algeo, Chief Executive of the Na tional Lottery said: “I would like to congrat ulate all of the volunteers at Cú Chulainn

Blood Bikes as well as our other category winners who’ve all had a massive impact on the ground within each of their communi ties. It is such an inspiration to see how tire lessly these people work and how much time they dedicate daily for the benefit of others. It’s been an honour to share the stage with such a variety of groups who benefit from Good Causes funding.”

lA LOTTO MONEY: Lough Grainey Nature Sanctuary won the Heritage category at the National Lottery Good Causes Awards held at the Killashee House Hotel, Co Kildare on 1st October. Pictured

receiving their award with Andrew Algeo, Chief Executive,National Lottery (centre)

Aodh

Coileáin, Calore Guyett, Marina Levitina,

VIP VISIT TO RENEWABLE HUB

'Stop using toilet as a bin'

IRISH

Water and Clean Coasts are urging the public to continue to ‘Think Before You Flush’ as a recent sur vey has revealed that almost 25,000 people living in Clare continue to regularly flush wipes and other sanitary items down the toilet.

Worryingly those aged under 35 are twice as like ly to dispose of ‘flushable’ wipes down the toilet, com pared to those aged over 35. No wipes whether marked ‘flushable’ or not should be flushed down the toilet. With sea swimming and

the use of our beaches in creasingly popular all yearround, it’s a timely reminder that our flushing behaviour has a direct impact on the environment and that mak ing small changes can help prevent sanitary waste end ing up on Ireland’s shores.

A new campaign targeting under 35 years olds aims to connect with this audience in way that encourages real behavioural change. Sinead McCoy, Clean Coasts said: “The Think Before You Flush campaign, through education and awareness, aims to prevent items like

wipes, cotton bud sticks and sanitary items washing up on Ireland’s beaches.

While we have seen a pos itive improvement in the nation’s flushing behaviour since 2018, one in five adults still admit to regularly flush ing unsuitable items down the toilet. By making small changes in our flushing be haviour, we can prevent the harm caused by sewage related litter in our marine environment. We are asking everybody to only flush the 3 P’s – pee, poo and paper - and put everything else in the bin.”

lRENEWABLE HUB: Dutch Ambassador to Ireland Adriaan Palm and German Ambassador to Ireland Cord Meier-Klodt visited Shannon Foynes Port Company where they were given an outline of the opportunity and plans for the Shannon Estuary to become a global renewable energy hub in the decades ahead. Photographed (l to r) are Dutch Ambassador Adriaan Palm, Head of Business Development at Shannon Foynes Port Company Jerry Hallissey and German Ambassador Cord Meier-Klodt

Photo by Odhran Ducie

1st was designated the In ternational Day of Older Persons by the United Nations on 14th December 1990. In Ireland, 30 plus years on, we celebrate this day during “Positive Age Week”. During the week we celebrate the significant contribution of older people and promote opportunities for full participation in society.

OCTOBER

'Age is just a number'

per week, to help with the cost of communications or a home alert system.

Staff in Citizens Information Centres in County Clare value the contribution of older people to our society. As the cost of living soars they recognise that not all older people access the benefits and en titlements that may be available to them. On their citizensinfor mation.ie website: you can find a Checklist: entitlements for older people. The lists and links are to help you to check out all the main services and entitlements for older people.

There is a range of state pension payments available to you when you reach the age of 66. The State Pension Contributory is paid to people who have made enough PRSI contributions through out their working life. The State Pension Non-Contributory is a means-tested payment available to people who do not qualify for a State Pension Contributory or who only qualify for a reduced rate State Pension Contributory. When you qualify for a state pension you get a personal payment for yourself and you may also get an extra payment for your spouse or partner. This is called an Increase for a Qualified

Adult and is means-tested.

One of our clients, Margaret, tells us “I was really worried about retiring the year before I am 66 as my state pension will not have kicked in, but the information offi cer explained that if I have the cor rect contributions I could qualify for the new payment called Benefit Payment for people who retire at 65, they even helped me to fill in the application, it really put my mind at ease.”

When you are in receipt of a state pension you may be entitled to extra benefits depending on your personal circumstances. If

you live alone you are entitled to the Living Alone Increase of €22 per week. You may also qualify for Fuel Allowance to help you with the cost of heating your homes during the winter months. This is a means-tested payment, paid at a rate of €33 per week for 28 weeks from late September to April, you can choose to be paid in two lump sums, the first in late September and the second in early January. If you are in receipt of both the Liv ing Alone Increase and the Fuel Allowance you will automatically get the Telephone Support Allow ance, an extra payment of €2.50

Another benefit you may be en titled to is the Household Benefits Package which provides help with the cost of your electricity or gas bills and entitles you to a free TV licence. The package is available to everyone over 70, you do not need to be getting a state pension or satisfy a means test. If you are between 66 and 70 you may get this package if you are in receipt of a state pension and your spouse or partner is a qualified adult on your payment, getting their own qualifying social welfare payment or getting a social welfare benefit payment and satisfy a means test.

When you are in receipt of a state pension and reach 80 years of age you are automatically paid an extra allowance of €10 per week. This increase is not paid to adult dependents.

In addition to the payments mentioned above, should you have an expense that you cannot afford from your weekly income, you may qualify for an Additional Needs Payment. This payment can help people with costs such as an increase in your fuel or electricity bill, funeral expenses, recurring travel costs to the hospital or es sential household or vehicle re pairs.

Finally additional income can also be earned by renting a room out in your own home.

Deirdre Power, Development Manager explains, “Since May 2022 if you are getting a means-tested social assistance payment from the Department of Social Protec tion, you can earn up to €14,000 per year for renting out a room in your own home without it affect ing your social welfare payment.”

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

Ennis CIC - open 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday, phone 0818 07 5260. Kilrush CIC – open 10am to 4pm Monday to Wednesday, phone 0818 07 5310.. Shannon CIC – open 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday, phone 0818 07 5270.

Citizens Information Centres are funded by the Citizens Infor mation Board. They provide free, impartial and confidential infor mation, advice and advocacy ser vices to the public on social ser vices, rights and entitlements.

TOP-UP YOUR WINTER PROTECTION

Flu and COVID-19 vaccines give your immune system the top-up it needs to help protect you from serious illness in the months ahead.

Children, people aged 65 or over, healthcare workers and anyone who is pregnant or has a long term health condition are invited to get their recommended flu and COVID-19 vaccines.

Where to get your vaccines

If a COVID-19 or flu vaccine is recommended for you:

∙ COVID-19 vaccination centres offer COVID-19 vaccines for adults and children. Make an appointment on hse.ie.

∙ Participating GPs and pharmacies offer flu vaccines for adults and children and COVID-19 vaccines for adults. Contact your GP or pharmacy directly.

Children

The annual children’s nasal spray flu vaccine will be available from GPs and pharmacies for all children aged 2 to 17 in the coming weeks.

If your child is aged 5 to 11 and has not had their COVID-19 vaccine, visit hse.ie to book an appointment at a HSE vaccination centre. Children who are immunocompromised are invited to get a booster COVID-19 vaccine.

Next COVID-19 vaccine

People aged 65 or over, or people aged 12 or over who are immunocompromised, can get now their next COVID-19 vaccine. New adapted vaccines have improved protection against the Omicron variant.

More information

To see what vaccines are recommended for you, visit hse.ie, call our team in HSELive on 1800 700 700, or talk to a participating GP or pharmacy.

Ennis to host inaugural 'Fantastic' film festival

HORROR

fans are in for a Halloween treat at the end of the month as our county town hosts the first ever Ennis Internation al Fantastic Film Festival (EIFF). The ‘Fantastic’ genre covers horror, fantasy and sci-fi films, writes Elaine Tubridy

This genre has seen a huge rise in popularity in the dy namic Film Festival scene in north America over the past decade, a trend now being echoed across Europe.

Mayor of Ennis, Cllr. Clare Colleran Molloy said, “This is an exciting initiative for Ennis. It’s a terrific concept to focus on a niche genre, yet by choosing ‘fantastic’ which embraces fantasy and Sci-Fi as well as horror, there is enough scope to engage interest from a broad range of filmmakers, film goers and industry professionals.

"I am particularly pleased

to see a three-year plan in place mapping steady growth and I’m delighted to see the calibre of support EIFF has attracted in year one with key educators TUS and Limerick Clare ETB on board as partners, together with Creative Ireland, Ennis Chamber and Clare County Council. We can be confi dent that EIFF has a future.”

The inaugural EIFF, held October 28 – 30, will pres ent: Selected screening programme of short and feature films (both Irish and international) - drawn from EIFF’s successful call for submissions on Film Freeway platform (EIFF had 85 high quality sub missions, from which the festival programmers have chosen four sets of shorts and one premier feature, totaling 20+ screenings; Opening night premier at glόr is ‘York Witch’s Society’, introduced by the film’s Di rector Liza Bolton; Conver

sation events/ panel discus sions with leading industry professionals; International calibre workshops delivered by experienced industry professionals; Networking opportunities for film mak ers and audience; Series of retro films screened at The Arc Cinema, Ennis suitable for all ages and tastes from family audience viewing through to horror.

Amongst the star names attached to the launch fes tival are Ennis natives and film industry luminaries, actress Simone Kirby, who stars in the upcoming third and final season of HBO/ BBC adaptation of Phil ip Pullman’s fantasy novel ‘His Dark Materials’, and award-winning screenwrit er/actor Mark O’Halloran – both of whom are jurors on EIFF’s inaugural awards panel.

For more information, see: www.ennisinternation alfantasticfilmfest.com

Ardnacrusha's Oakley steps down from Post

ARDNACRUSHA’s Richie Oakley has an nounced he is stepping down as Editor of The Business Post, writes Páraic McMahon

Prior to the publication of The Business Post on Sunday, it was confirmed that the 46 year old was to move on from his role as Editor and Chief Content Officer.

He was appointed to the posts in July 2019 having previously been Editor of the Times Ireland edition from January 2015 to June

2019.

He has held numerous roles with The Sun day Times and was brought into The Sunday Tribune by then Editor, Matt Cooper.

Oakley is leaving The Business Post to become a Director with Dublin based pub lic relations and strategic communications agency, Murray Consultants. He described the move as “a logical decision” at this point of his career.

lSPOOKY: (L-R) Mayor of Ennis Cllr. Clare Colleran Molloy, Dr Tracy Fahey author of gothic literature and academic (Head of Department Limerick School of Art & Design TUS), Mike Fitzpatrick, Dean Limerick School of Art & Design (TUS), Darren McMahon, co-programmer EIFF, Margaret O’Brien, CEO Ennis Chamber originator and co-ordinator EIFF, Paul Patton, Director of Further Education and Training, Limerick and Clare ETB Photo by Arthur Ellis

‘Raising awareness and supporting artists’ SON to wow glór

THIS October glór looks forward to Susan O’Neill, aka SON, taking to the stage for a solo concert. A critically acclaimed performer, Su san O’Neill is one of Ireland’s brightest emerging talents.

Having wowed huge festival stag es over the past few years as guest to various performers, Susan has simul taneously been perfecting her craft as a solo performer.

A songwriter of hidden depths, with a timeless voice that is equal parts balm and blowtorch, she is audacity person ified, a free spirit, a real performer.

lTALENTED: Helen Lowe and Siobhan Landy

As of now she is Ireland’s best kept secret, however with the success of In the Game, her 2021 collaboration al bum with Mick Flannery, this is start ing to change.

SWEET

n Green Café are raising awareness and supporting the ex traordinary artistic talent within the county by hosting no less than four art exhibitions, writes Elaine Tubridy.

The Ennis based cafe is taking part in the Night Time Economy Support Scheme (NTESS) 2022, the initiative set out to support the promotion of live events/arts in the early evening.

First up is Quin-based artist Helen Lowe (October 4-10).

Helen is a well-known artist whose

work is featured in numerous collec tions and whose prints are sold in outlets across Ireland.

Next up is Ana Colomar (October 1117), Joseph Kelly (October 18-24), and Carmel Doherty (October 25-31).

All artwork exhibited at Sweet n Green is for sale. This exhibition is run on a commission-free basis, ensuring all funds go directly to the participating artists.

To book a place at any of the four launch receptions, email sweetngreenennis@ gmail.com with ‘Art Launch’ in the subject box.

The enigmatic singer-songwriter honed her musical skills as one of the youngest members of the Ennis Brass Band and gained her first gospel in fluences with the ‘Really Truly Joyful Gospel Choir.’

Susan’s music fuses traditional Irish folk with rock, soul, gospel and blues, and combined with her husky vocals, her performances have electrified au diences everywhere from Stradbally to Syd ney, Glasgow to Glastonbury, Manhattan to Milwaukee, and many places beyond.

Tickets on sale now on www.glor.ie or 065

6843103.

Box office open 10am – 2.30pm Monday –Friday and 12 – 5pm on Saturdays.

Check out https://glor.ie/your-visit/ brochure/ to download a brochure.

Community

WEST CLARE

MENTAL HEALTH WEEK EVENTS

WEST Clare Mental Health Association are delighted to announce details of free local events to mark Mental Health Week 2022 and World Mental Health Day Monday October 10th 2022

Monday October 10th 11-1pm Connect Café in Kilrush Library Connect over tea, coffee and conversation. 7:30pm-9pm Webinar with Liam Gildea Author of HIGH LIFE, LOW LIFE. Living with Bi Polar Disorder.

Wednesday October 12th 10-1pm Farm Well in Kilrush Mart Local Agencies will be in attendance offering advice, information and health

checks.

Friday October 14th 7:30pm-9pm Grow Well in Halla Eoin Kilbaha. Panel discussion on all things gardening. Panel includes Brid Hedderman, Breda Latham, Eamon Peters.

Sunday October 16th 10:30am-12:30pm. Reconnect with Nature, guided walk in Vandeleur Woods with Pius Murray.

Enquiries to: westclaremha@mentalhealthireland.ie Phone 065 9062329/085 8559511 https://westclarementalhealth.ie Find us on Facebook “The Lighthouse “

MILTOWN MALBAY

TWO DAYS IN SEPTEMBER

THE play '2 Days in September' will be performed at the Miltown Malbay Community Centre on Saturday, October 8th at 8pm.

l

YOUTH CLUB OPEN NIGHT

THE Kilrush Youth Club is having an Open / Welcome Registration Night on Friday 14th October from 7 - 9pm in the Kilrush Youth Centre. Registration will be for 1st year, 2nd year and 3rd Year students from the local Secondary School. Registration fee will be €5 and €2 on the Friday club nights. Students must be accompanied by a

ST FRANCIS CREDIT UNION CLARE COMMUNITY GAMES - SUN 2ND OCTOBER

NATIONAL FINALS

ST FRANCIS Credit Union Clare Community Games will have 39 children participating in the last two National Finals for 2022. Thirty-three children will take part in the U13 1200m Cross Country and the Mixed Distance Cross Country Relays for U12 and U14 boys and girls on this Saturday 8th October in Navan Adventure Centre, Navan, Co Meath. Clare has a very good record in the Cross Country and are hoping the high standard will be achieved again this year.

PITCH AND PUTT

St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games will be represented by three boys and three girls in the National Community Games Pitch and Putt Finals on Sunday next 9th October which will be held in Westport Gold Club, Co Mayo. Hopes are high of medals been brought back to Clare as the standard was extremely high in the County competitions.

ALL STAR AWARDS

The St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games All Star Awards for 2022 will be held on

Parent or Guardian on the night for registration. For the Youth Club to be successful, volunteers, parents and leaders are required to help run the club on club nights efficiently. Parents will be required to commit to one night of the club before Christmas and one night from January to April 2023. Garda Vetting and Child Protection will be organised through the Club.

The new original Play ‘2 Days In September’ is the story of the Rineen ambush, where a British Army convoy was ambushed by Mid Clare Brigade of the IRA. The aftermath of the ambush saw the revenge sacking, looting and burning of the villages of Ennistymon, Lahinch and Miltown Malbay by the Black and Tans on September 22nd & 23rd, 1920.

’2 Days in September’ is a new play by Clare writer Dermott Petty who was commissioned by the Clare County Council to write the play. Due to the ongoing Covid pandemic it is not possible to stage the play as it was

intended, so instead we are doing a hybrid of Theatre & Film. The play ‘Two Days in September’ will be staged and Directed by Joan O’Hanrahan. The Music & soundscape will be by composer Barry Dillon, along with contributions by actors, friends and technicians of BallyCartoon Players, our theatre group based in Co Clare.

This play received a Decade of Centenaries Arts Project Awards 2021as part of the Clare County Council Arts office 2021 Decade of Centenaries in association with the Community Strand of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media’s Commemorative Programs. Tickets cost €10 and are available from Miltown Community Centre. Phone Neil Hynes on 085-1496963 or email miltowncommunitycentre@gmail.com

MILTOWN MALBAY

OLD KILFARBOY SOCIETY

THE Old Kilfarboy Society is resuming their winter lectures on Tuesday, 11th October at 8pm in the Malbay, Miltown Malbay.

Friday 28th October in Treacy’s West County Hotel, Ennis up to forty children will receive awards for their achievements during the year.

COUNTY ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games Annual General Meeting will take place on Tuesday 1st November in Treacy’s West County Hotel. Areas need to be preparing their Motions, Recommendations and Nominations which will need to be forwarded to County Secretary in the next few weeks for preparations for the Annual General Meeting.

Full details will be available in the coming days.

IMPORTANT DATES

Sat 8th Oct – National U13 Cross Country –Navan, Co Meath

Sat 8th Oct – National U12 & U14 Mixed Distance Relays – Navan Co Meath

Sun 9th Oct – National Pitch & Putt – Westport, Co Mayo

Fri 28th Oct – All Star Awards – Treacy’s West County Hotel

Tue 1st Nov – County Annual General Meeting

– Treacy’s West County Hotel

Vying with the ‘tin gods’- A history of Local Government in County Clare The shiring of the Kingdom of Thomond in 1870, and the adoption of English common laws led to the creation of modern County Clare as a political

KILKEE

PLAYWRIGHT FESTIVAL

THIS year’s Kilkee Playwright Festival is responding to our climate emergency and includes online playwriting workshops for stage and radio, as well as a unique opportunity to hear about the practice of Eco Scenography. On 10th October from 6.30 pm to 10 pm Gavin Kostik the Literary Manager with FISHAMBLE will be running an online playwriting workshop for stage. From Tuesday 11th to Thursday

SCARIFF

IBTS

WE ARE short of blood and have organised a clinic on Tuesday 11th October at Scariff Community College from 5.45pm to 9pm.

and social entity. This lecture explore the complex web of political evolution that led to the modern process of local governance, now delivered by Clare County Council. The historic agencies and structures used to administer County Clare and the key moments in the county’s self governance will be explored. Speaker: Dr John Treacy BA(Hons), PGDip, PhD, CAPM

13th October from 8pm to 10 pm the focus is on writing radio drama based on actual events with David Morley. Each participant should be prepared to discuss a short extract of their own work, or to discuss an outline idea that they are considering as an audio drama. These submissions of not more than 6 pages must be submitted by email beforehand. Please email kilkeeplaywrightfesr@gmail.com and put workshop in the header.

Appointments may be booked on 1800 222 111. Existing and new donors are welcome! 1 in 4 of us will need a blood transfusion in our lifetime. 1 blood donation may save three lives.

ENNIS

BRIDGE CLUB

HARMONY Bridge Club meet every Friday at Bridge Center at 7.30pm. New members welcome. Congratulations to

COUNTYWIDE

RENT STRIKE RESEARCH

IN THE early 1970s there was a historic rent strike in Clare which helped spark a national tenants’ movement. Now researchers are looking to speak to anyone who took part.

Working with researchers from Maynooth University, members of the Community Action Tenants Union (CATU) are carrying out an oral history project on the

ONLINE

CLARE LEADER FORUM

THE Clare Leader Forum, a local Disabled People’s Organisation is hosting a critical panel discussion via zoom this Friday 7th October at 12:30pm. Don't miss it!

On the face of it Budget 2023 seemed to offer financial relief to Disabled People. However, it has not offered the structural reform and investment needed to materialise independent living rights contained in the UNCRPD.

The panel includes Dr. Liz

BRUSSELS

last week's winners Jimmy and Mary Kearns; joint 2nd Peggy Glynn and Gerry Broderick and Bernie Treacy and Pauline Casey.

ENNIS

history of housing activism in Ireland. They are focusing on the successful national rent strike which took place between 1970 and 1973.

The CATU community history research group is looking to speak with anyone who was involved in the rent strike in Clare or who has relevant information. Contact the research team on catunato@gmail.com or 0877197874.

Brosnan, Peter Kearns (ONSIDE project manager, ILMI member), Elaine Grehan (Head of Advocacy, Irish Deaf Society), Emilie Conway (Disabled Artists and Disabled Academics), Sarah Clancy (Clare PPN, ally), Ber Hoban, Human Rights & Aging, Nem Kearns, Disabled Women Ireland, among others.

Email clareleaderforum@ gmail.com to register for the event. For more information contact us: 065 7071455, Whatsapp 087 2740079

LEADER FORUM VISITS PARLIAMENT

Grace O’Sullivan, MEP for Ireland South this week welcomed members of Clare Leader Forum to the European Parliament, as part of their participation in the international “Freedom Drive” protest. The Clare Leader Forum is an independent group of people with disabilities who are working to provide a voice on disability issues in Clare. Supported by the Center for Independent Living (CIL), they prioritise issues for action at local and county level and work together to ensure these are addressed, while also feeding into the national disability agenda.

The Freedom Drive also served as an opportunity for disability activists to network, share experiences and skills, and to highlight their goals on the European level with politicians and stakeholders directly.

Trish McNamara and Padraic Hayes were partly sponsored by MEP O’Sullivan to attend the event.

l MEP Grace O’Sullivan with Clare Leader Forum members Trish McNamara and Padraic Hayes in the European Parliament

lSCHOOL DAYS: There was plenty of reminiscing on old times and catching up on recent news at the Rice College CBS 1971 reunion recently

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

• Heavy Vehicle Mechanic / Construction Plant Fitter Panel, 2022

Completed applications must be emailed to: recruitment@clarecoco.ie not later than 4.00 p.m. on Friday 21st October, 2022.

• Assistant Engineer Panel, 2022

Completed applications must be emailed to: recruitment@clarecoco.ie not later than 4.00 p.m. on Friday 21st October, 2022.

Application forms and further particulars may be obtained by requesting same from the Human Resources Department, Clare County Council at 065-6846439, 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.

Scriobh chugainn as gaeilge más fearr leat.

Kelly appointed as Skillnet manager

SHANNON

native,

Alan Kelly has been appointed as man ager of Shannon Chamber’s Skillnet network, writes Páraic Mc Mahon

Alan is a graduate of Mary Immaculate College, Uni versity of Limerick with a BA (Hons) in English and Philosophy and an MA Edu cation, specialising in leader ship and management, from the University of Bath.

He has been viewed as the best candidate to lead Shan non Chamber’s drive to en hance the skills of Shannon’s and the region’s workforce.

With a background in ed ucation in Ireland and over seas, Mr Kelly had dedicated his career to date to devel oping people and providing them with the opportunities to learn. He has been involved in identifying and facilitating professional development for people at all levels within the organisations he has worked

for – ABQ Education Group, Muscat, Oman and Compass Child and Family Service, Ireland.

Announcing the appoint ment, Shannon Chamber CEO Helen Downes said, “Companies are finding it more difficult to source, se cure and retain talent, and have realised that investing in talent development can enhance their competitive advantage. This has resulted in an increasing uptake of the wide range of training programmes we can now of fer through our Skillnet net work.

“Having a manager that has dedicated his career to education and managed training in varied settings will be a great asset to our network. We delivered 200 online training programmes to 1,000 participants from 250 companies via our Skill net network in 2021 and the objective is to introduce a hy brid training model whereby

we can offer training both on and off-line. We are very focused on delivering the type and level of training

that helps employees to gain the relevant knowledge and skills to improve their per formance,” she added.

Tourism representatives explore rural projects

OVER 40 tourism representatives have trav elled to Clare to explore projects in the field which have served as engines of economic and social progress for rural communities, writes Páraic McMahon

Loop Head Lighthouse Experience and the wider peninsula is the key focus of the annual Great Lighthouses of Ireland net working event, which is being hosted this year by Clare County Council.

The visit takes place in the context of the recently submitted application to An Bord Pleanála for the development of new visitor experience facilities at Loop Head Light

house Experience, which include new visitor centre facilities, a Looped Walking Trail net work, and the construction of a new visitors’ carpark.

The facility also has recently undergone upgrades to its visitor centre and Keeper’s Cottages.

Irish Lights Chief Executive Yvonne Shields O’Connor said: “We are passionate about supporting these heritage locations to be opened to the public so that visitors can experience the rich heritage and history that stems not only from the lighthouses, but also from the communities around them”.

lNEW ROLE: Shannon Chamber chief executive Helen Downes pictured with the newly appointed manager of Shan non Chamber Skillnet, Alan Kelly Photo by Eamon Ward

ENNIS

HOLDS BUDGET FORUM WITH

Is your business future ready?

ONTUESDAY Octo ber 18th from 11am the Local Enterprise Office Clare are in viting business own ers to The Future Mobility Campus, Shannon to attend a special informa tion session on how digital can help the future of your busi ness.

Join Newstalk’s Business Editor, Joe Lynam, and a host of digital experts from top tech com panies including Google, Docusign and Core Optimi sation to learn just how digital can be used to improve any business. You will also hear from two LEO clients who have applied digital solutions to optimise processes and learn just how simple steps have increased savings of

time, people and money as well as improving customer satisfaction.

The event will also launch “Dig ital Start” a 4-day consultancy for LEO clients.

This new program provides ac cess to a digital consultant who will analyse the internal operations in the organisation and help devel op a more efficient way to work us

ing data and digital.

There are a limited number of tickets available, to claim your

ticket now, scan the QR code or visit www.localenterprise.ie/clare.

* Event is for businesses in man ufacturing and internationally trading services

lTALKS: A delegation of businesses from Ennis Chamber, representing all sectors, met with Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney TD, for a post-budget discussion at the Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis on Friday, September 30 Pictured (above) are: Gwen Culligan, County Boutique; Joe Carey TD; Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney TD; Maureen Harrison, Seoidin; Colin Ryan, President Ennis Chamber and (right) Terry Fox, Cup Print; Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney TD; Colin Ryan President Ennis Chamber; Stephen Keogh, MHP Sellors Solicitors and Eimear Brophy, Manager Limerick Clare Education Training Board

Plenty of party options available at Nora Culligans

NORA

Culligans Bar, or Nora's, as it is affectionately known, is a great venue for your Christmas party this year. With their four uniquely designed bar areas there is a variety of spaces available for groups of different sizes.

Their Victorian style Balcony Bar upstairs offers a private party area for groups of between 50-70 and has its own private smoking area. The downstairs Lounge area offers a relaxed and comfortable space for groups of between 30-40. Smaller groups can also be accommodated in the main bar and the whiskey bar or by sharing the balcony bar and lounge area.

Nora Culligans have also a great line up of live music confirmed for the Christ mas party season with their resident DJ's also playing party tunes every Friday and Saturday night. Finger food options are available and they are happy to dis cuss your specific party requirements with you to ensure a great night is had by all.

After the Christmas party season is over Nora's is always a great venue to cel ebrate any special occasion from birthdays to engagements to day after wedding parties.

Plan the perfect party

1Get

planning – now!

It may feel like you’re only just dust ing off your onesie ready for the win ter, but the best venues get booked up, fast. You don’t want to be left with only the dodgy local as an option.

2 Get out of the office

No one wants to spend their Christ mas party in the cramped office break room, with a sad radio pumping out Cliff does Christmas in the corner. Find a venue which is easy to get to. If you do have to stay in-house, choose a room away from your normal work area and make it festive.

3Send an invite

Make it feel like a special event that people can look forward to. Make your invite fun and eye-catching to really get people in the festive mood.

4Decide on a Christmas party theme

No party is com plete without a theme to tie it all together. Here’s your chance to get cre ative. Per haps it’s Christ mas past, or novel ty hats. Or you could even plan an activity to real ly get everyone involved.

5Include a competi tion

Whether it’s ‘best Christmas jumper’ or ‘best achievement of the year’, everyone loves a compe tition and it’s a fantastic

ice-breaker. You could even take it a step further and include the competition as part of your theme.

6Plan a great menu

Whatever you do, remember to in clude enough food for the day and night. Drinks will be flowing, so find out your budget and look for a menu which has something for everyone.

7

Treat everyone like guests to your own party

Greet them at the door and make sure they know where to put their coat and get a drink. This is a great way to put people at ease, especially if you’ve chosen an unusual venue.

8

Take lots of photos

Time to get the Christmas pudding sweaters out; Great for a giggle when sober January kicks in. You could even make a short video for real cringe-factor, just try and stay away from the pho tocopier…

How to plan Secret Santa

IT’S

that wonderful time of the year again - well, not quite but we can talk about it now! You know that pre-holiday feeling when offices get a whole lot merrier and the office party is just around the corner. Since Christmas is a giving holiday, the gift ex change is a must. Secret Santa is known as the greatest joy-bearer - it is funny and amazing to surprise someone who usual ly is not on your holiday list. If you don’t know how to organize or participate in this gift-giving game, here’s all you need to know!

DRAWING NAMES

The old-fashioned way is writing names of all the participants on a piece of paper. If you are doing this with friends,

names only are enough. But, if we are talking about organizing a Secret Santa for your office, it would be a good idea to have people write down a few things about themselves (Paddy – book lover, huge Harry Potter fan, hurling adorer). That way, the person in charge of your gift would have a clue on what to buy. When done, put all the bits of paper into a box or a hat (if it’s Christmassy deco rated even better) and pass it around for all to draw one name – that name is the person they are getting a present for.

CHOOSING A GIFT

If there is a wish list, stick to it, and all of your problems are solved. If not, you can try a few approaches. Maybe to check your co-worker’s social media and see

if there is anything usable there - or else ask around.

FILLING IN THE DETAILS

The best thing about Secret Santa is that you’ll get a gift whether you’ve been good or bad during the previous 12 months. But that doesn’t mean this game doesn’t have some ground rules. The first one: set up a price limit! Secret Santa is symbolic, and its main goal is to get to know people a little better and to get closer with your co-workers. By selecting a happy medi um price range, you are taking a lot of pressure off. The second-one: setting a date! If you have a Christmas party, that is a great place for a gift exchange. But it can also be some quiet get together, or even over the lunch break.

The Christmas party do’s and don’ts

WHILST

Christmas is sup posed to be a time of joy and peace to all men, the Christmas party is tradi tionally seen as quite the opposite.

Cue bad DJ playing a selection of Christ mas classics, and awkward conversations with people you don’t really know that well at the bar. It always seems like a good idea before the big night, but let’s face it, they’re usually a little less ‘Mistletoe and Wine’ and a little more ‘Fairytale of New York’.

Even with management coming up with ever more ingenious ways to keep things in check (e.g. the old ‘party on a weeknight’ trick), the combination of a free bar and a shiny dance floor can make the annual office knees-up a potential minefield.

In the highly unlikely event we can offer some advice you’ll actually use, here’s our list of Christmas party do’s and don’ts…

THE DO'S

Pace yourself – If you’re a drinker, this is often easier said than done, but you should try and keep it in mind. Let’s be honest, the office party usually means you’re in it for the long haul. Make sure you eat properly in preparation, even if there’s food provid

ed (the buffet won’t last long). Finally, make sure you have plenty of water in between drinks to keep hydrated.

Remember: Try and avoid mixing your drinks. Don’t let yourself become another Tequila statistic

Buddy up – Chances are, you may find it hard to keep to the first point. If you think this might be the case, always plan ahead. Find a colleague who you’re close with and make a pact. That way, if one of you ends up falling asleep at the bar or crying into your Chardonnay, someone is there to look out for you.

Get involved – It’s an unavoidable truth that at least one person or group of peo ple will avoid interaction or enjoyment at all costs – or alternatively, can’t keep their thumb off the Facebook check-in button. It’s also an unavoidable truth that this doesn’t endear them to anyone. There’s a time and a place, and the Christmas party’s not it.

Remember: Any embarrassing pictures can wait until the next morning. They also help with the flashbacks… Avoid the mistletoe – Some people em brace the Christmas spirit a little too much.

And, after a few drinks too many, it may seem like a good idea to express your true feelings to that special person in the office.

Mistletoe is not your friend, and should be avoided at all costs.

‘All I Want for Christmas is You’ also falls into this category. Cornering your crush singing Mariah Carey at the top of your lungs is pretty much bordering on torture. Book your lift home in advance – Pos sibly the most important tip of all. Because nobody wants to be stuck for that lift home.

THE DON'TS

Be honest – A wise man once said ‘at Christmas, you tell the truth’. However, this should, in no way, apply to your Christmas party. Starting sentences with ‘I didn’t like you when I first met you’, ‘wow, you scrub up well’ and ‘don’t say anything, but…’ will not form part of an effective career progres sion plan.

Talk excessively about work – Tar gets, projections and any other work-based conversations should be provisionally left at the door. You’re there to eat, drink and be merry. Work should only be brought up in emergency situations, such as getting caught in a one-on-one situation with the manag ing director.

The rule here is necessity. A boring con versation is always better than an awkward silence.

Network – See above. If you’re looking for a promotion, this probably isn’t the best place to do it. By all means branch out and talk to someone new, but don’t overdo it. After a few drinks, you might not be making quite the impression you think you are.

Get too serious – As a rule, avoid speak ing about religion, politics and money. Peo ple can have strong opinions about these things, and they’re unlikely to change them during the course of the evening, no matter how charming and persuasive you think you’re being.

Cry – If you’re an emotional drunk, always take proper precautions. Waterproof mas cara is definitely the way forward.

Keep off the naughty list

AH,

Christmas… tis’ the sea son of giving, the season of neighbourly love, and for office workers, the season of Christ mas-related nightmares. So we thought we’d share our tips to keep everyone OFF the “naughty” list.

RESPECT YOUR COLLEAGUE

First things first, it comes down to R-E-SP-E-C-T. Be respectful of each other’s tradi tions and beliefs, religious or non.

CONSIDER YOUR GIFTS

Just as we want to be respectful of oth ers traditions and beliefs, be respectful of those who don’t want to participate in the department gift exchange. But it’s just as OK if gift-giving is your thing! Just be sure to not exceed the price limit – it makes those who didn’t stick to the limit and those who got the cheaper gift feel bad. Also, don’t be that person who gives ridiculously large, expensive presents to the Boss. Over-gifting not only irritates your peers, it puts you in an unfavourable light as a sycophant. (And no one wants that, right?) Are you and your “work bestie” planning to exchange gifts? It’s

natural to want to exchange gifts with them, but be sure to do so in private - perhaps at lunch - so that your fellow co-workers don’t feel excluded.

KEEP IT CLASSY

Heading to the office party? Keep your Christmas attire classy and, keep it current. If you wouldn’t feel comfortable donning your festive apparel to an interview - we don’t advise wearing it to the office Christ mas party.

KEEP ALCOHOL TO MINIMUM

Thinking about drinking? If you’re host ing an office Chrismtas party, we recom mend thinking twice before breaking out the booze. Alcohol related office woes tend to spike around Christmas.

DON’T FORGET WHAT TIME OF YEAR IT IS

Taking time off over the Christmas? Make the most of it, and unplug yourself as much as possible from the office, meaning; stay away from email and voicemail, so that you can be present with the ones you love. Re member, your presence is the greatest gift you can give them!

SLOW COOKER PULLED PORK

Hear the cry of the poor

RONAN SCULLY

Thought for the week

BETWEEN

the

various wars and conflicts in our world at present, climate change, and the multitude of wor ries and tragedies the world has endured within the past few years or so, many peo ple are finding themselves lost and are crying out in need!

basic needs to survive, we can end a lot of injustice in this world.

Thought for the week

God. We, too, should never forget that God is and will always be our greatest pos session. St. Francis spent his life serving others after the example of Jesus, who said: “I have come to serve, not to be served.”

Kearney Cooks

LOVE a slow cooker recipe in my house. Our favourite recipe in this genre is bbq pulled pork. It's very easy to do and is great to feed a crowd. Plus it is super versatile, you can serve it up in buns, baps, wraps, pittas or on its own.

Pulled Pork also goes really well with most sides: corn, tater tots, chips, slaw, rice, refried beans etc. The options are endless in fairness.

If I'm having a crowd over I generally use this recipe, and serve it up with floury baps, Asian slaw and some chunky potato wedges. It also goes down awesome with a couple of brews as well.

The instructional video will be stuck up on my In

stagram this weekend and if you have any questions I respond to DMS on there too.

WEAnyways, enough gibber jabber, it's time to pull my pork! Comfortably feeds 6 to 8 people.

YOU WILL NEED:

• 1 kilo of pork shoulder

• 2 sliced onions

• 3 cloves of garlic

• 15 ml of barbeque sauce

• 1 knorr chicken stock melt

• Salt and pepper

• 20gms of your favourite seasoning mix (I used Cajun Spice mix)

• 1tsp paprika

• 1tsp smoked paprika

• 1tsp turmeric

Step One Horse the onions, garlic, bbq sauce, spices and stock

pot into a slow cooker. Massage your pork shoul der with the seasoning mix so that the entire shoulder is covered . Fire that into the slow cooker as well, cover, and cook on low for 8 hours.

Step Two

Remove your shoulder from the slow cooker. Dissolve a tsp of cornflour in a little water and then stir it through the liquid in the slow cooker. This will thicken the sauce for you.

Step Three

Tear the pork shoulder apart with two forks. It should come apart easily. Add the pork back into the sauce and stir it through. Your awesome dinner is ready to serve. I like to eat this in a burger bun with some slaw and Sriracha sauce, but you do you.

Enjoy Steve K

Exercising Real Love

The cries of the poor do not go away. And, for those who have ears to hear, and believe in whatever religion or end of days they believe in, their record is clear that their God is on the side of the poor. Somehow in our society and culture, we have found ourselves separated not only from each other, but from the poor, the orphaned, the abandoned, the hungry and thirsty and the homeless. We live in a world that insulates us, for the most part, from that which is dif ficult and uncomfortable. We have diversions that keep us from encountering the pain, the loneliness, the weakness, the fear, the emptiness, the meaning lessness of those around us.

We even have diversions to keep us from encoun tering our own pain, loneliness, weakness, fear, emptiness, and meaning lessness. And we cease to live. Yes, we cease to live. We have ceased to hear the beating of our own heart. We have ceased to hear the beating of the heart of the world. We have ceased to hear the beating of the true Heart of Christ.

We have ceased to hear the cries that can melt our frigid heart and warm it with the spirit of life, the spirit of love, mercy, empathy and compassion. The more separated we are from real love, mercy, em pathy and compassion, the more lifeless we become. If everyone works for justice so that all would have the

As your thought for the week, I ask God to bless your hearts and your ears so that you may hear the cry of the poor in the midst of your daily life.

I ask God to make you always remember where there is life, there is hope. Do something for someone else to ignite that fire of hope in their lives and in your life.

Let this prayer be always in your heart and on your lips so that you will always hear and recognise the cry of the poor in our world and lives. We also celebrat ed the feast of St. Francis this week and I have a favorite story that comes from the early writings about St. Francis that I love to reflect on.

One of his closest companions, Brother Leo, would get discouraged at times. Brother Leo asked Francis to write something for him that would lift up his spirits. When Brother Leo died, a small parch ment was found in his habit and is preserved to this day in Assisi. Francis wrote: "May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord let his face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his face and bring you peace.

The Lord bless you al ways. Amen." This blessing was so comforting to Leo because it reminded him of God’s presence in his life, and the peace that comes from that presence. This gift is for all of us, too. St. Francis was known as the person who most patterned his life after that of Christ’s. It was his joy to follow the poor and humble Christ. He treasured Holy Poverty and guarded it carefully because he wanted nothing to get in the way of the greatest possession of all –

He freely gave to those in need from whatever he had. A way to honor his memory is to reach out to those in need with the gift of your time or treasure through one of the many service organizations in our communities. Another way to take on his spirit today is to see each indi vidual you encounter as your brother or sister, with inherent dignity, created by God and deserving of your respect and loving concern. Every human life is a gift. Each of us is a gift. The world is a gift. All is a gift from the one primal source, God, the giver of all good gifts. To know that we are gifts, makes thanks giving possible.

To recognize that we have been created by the free act of God, is to know that we are Loved. And in the words of St. Francis, let us always: “Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks and serve Him with great humility. Wherever we are, in every place, at every hour, at every time, every day and continual ly, let all of us truly and humbly believe, hold in our heart, love, honour, adore, serve, praise, bless, glorify, exalt, magnify and give thanks to the Most High and Supreme Eternal God, Trinity and Unity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit: to Him who is Creator of all, Saviour of all, without beginning or end, unchangeable, invisible, indescribable, ineffable, incomprehensi ble, unfathomable, blessed, praiseworthy, glorious, ex alted, sublime, most high, gentle, lovable, delightful and, above all else, totally desirable, for ever and ever.

Amen."

Shortly before St. Francis died. The last words of this poor man who had nothing and gave everything were, “I have done my duty; may Christ now teach you yours.”

Callinan chases second crown

by SEAMUS HAYES

KEVIN Callinan is managing the Kilmihil ladies foot ball team for a fourth successive year and Sunday’s final against Banner ladies will mark their third final appear ance under his watch since taking up the role in 2019.

His record to date is one win (2019) and one loss in the final and while he recognises that their final oppo nents are the favourites to retain the title on Sunday, he is happy with his charges' progress this year.

Kevin’s backroom team includes Enda O’Halloran, Declan Downes and James Murrihy. It’s an experienced ticket with Downes a selector for Colm Collins’ county football side. This year’s captain is Becky Mahon, one of a number of players who were part of the winning side in 2019 along with Ellie O’Gorman, Micaela Glynn, Elaine O’Halloran, Caitriona Callinan, Kate Coughlan, Dervla Higgins and Laura Egan.

Callinan reveals his management team have used 27 players in this campaign, adding that the county title three years ago is "reassurance" that another success is possible. “It’s never difficult to motivate this bunch, they play for each other and anything we ask of them they have done it. We have some great leaders and some very young girls who look up to the older ones.

Ladies football is a major talking point in the Calli nan household which isn’t surprising given that Kevin’s wife Monica is secretary of the Clare Ladies board in addition to being chairperson of the Kilmihil club. Ensuring that Sunday’s final programme goes with out a hitch is her focus this week but if Kilmihil can regain the title with her husband as manager and her daughter Catriona a key member of the side, surely, it would give her plenty of reasons to smile.

LADIES

Ellie continues to lead by example for Kilmihil

SEAMUS HAYES

ELLIE

O’Gorman is a key mem ber of the Kilmihil and Clare ladies football teams and fol lowers of the West Clare club will be looking to her to lead their challenge for honours on Sunday.

A secondary school teacher in Clare galway, she acknowledges, “The Ban ner are chasing a 13th Clare senior title on Sunday but everyday we go out we go to perform to the best of our ability. It’s 15 versus 15 and hopefully we can get a performance on Sunday.”

The experienced player who is equally at home in defence or attack, believes that Kilmihil have a good mix of youth and experience. “We have young players who have experi enced county final day at a variety of levels. Players like Aoife McNamara and Megan Downes Rigney have a lot of experience and they are still quite young. It’s very exciting to be in the fi nal, that’s what we train for all year. We are very proud that we have got to the final. There is a great passion for foot ball and a great tradition in Kilmihil. It’s the number one sport in the parish and in most of West Clare,” Ellie told The Clare Echo

“There are great underage teams rep resenting the club. The younger girls are more aware of ladies football now than I was when I was their age. They are all coming to the matches which is great,” she added.

Ellie is particularly proud of the support which the team receives. “We always have great support whether its league or championship games and

that is a huge help to the team. Hope fully we will have some of the neutral support also on Sunday”.

She is confident that the team have prepared adequately for Sunday’s fi nal. “We have a great management set up, we couldn’t ask for better. There is great experience there and training has been excellent”. O’Gorman is among a number of panellists based in Galway returning each week for training.

A former Clare captain, she ac knowledged that The Banner Ladies are a strong and experienced outfit. “Any opposition a team is facing, you will know who their key players are and it would be naive not to think so

with The Banner but we have to focus on ourselves and if we do that we will be fine”.

Teams from her school in Claregal way compete at A level in Connacht ladies football and Ellie helps in the preparation of some of those teams. For this week, however, her focus is very much on Sunday’s county final.

“I know that there is a big build up to the finals in Doonbeg and in some re spects it’s nice to be a little away from all of that this week.

Come 3pm on Sunday, Ellie will be well focussed on the task at hand and as has been the case in past clashes of the sides, she will lead by example.

J.J. wary of favourites tag

MENTION Banner ladies football club and immediate ly the name of J. J. O’Dea will come into the conversa tion, writes Seamus Hayes

The club’s senior team manager will lead the side to Doonbeg on Sunday for the Clare ladies senior champi onship final where the Ennis club will be chasing a 13th title.

The North Clare man has been involved in the man agement of the 12 title win ning sides to date. His panel on Sunday includes six play ers, Louise Henchy, Niamh Keane, Emma O’Driscoll, Louise Woods, Laurie Ryan and Niamh O’Dea who have been part of the 12 title win ning sides.

Martin Nolan, Orla Kilken ny and Dorothy Meeneghan

join JJ on the current man agement team.

It will be their 15th senior final in a row. They lost to West Clare Gaels in 2008 while they were beaten in the final three years ago by Sunday’s opponents, Kilm ihil.

Explaining how his in volvement with the club came about, he said “I brought Niamh to training when she was eight years old. Rather than sitting in the car and waiting for her, I made myself busy by pick ing up footballs and helping out”.

Adding new players to the mix is key to the Banner staying at the top table, he believed. “We were a long time trying to get up there. We were a very young team

when we won the first one.

A number of those players have remained on while we bring in a couple of young girls every year and they keep the others going. To be successful you must have a panel. Players pick up inju ries and many of these girls play camogie also. When you have a good panel it leads to training sessions with quality. We are always trying to better ourselves”.

O’Dea is adamant that en joyment is important. “If you are not happy it’s no good to you. You get serious when the time is right. You need to have a few jokers in the panel. Helen Hehir from In agh is one such member of our panel”.

Recounting their route to the final, the Kilfenora man

surmised, “Kilmurry gave us enough of it this year, in fact we got out of jail in that tie. Kilmihil play nice football, they will attack. Being fa vourites means that you are there to be taken out. Are you going to get the hop of the ball. It’s human nature that everyone goes for the underdog. We have to try and deal with that as best we can.

“We won a few Munster B titles before winning the Munster A title in 2012. Of course we would love to win the All-Ireland but, at the moment, there is nothing but Kilmihil on our minds and we are focusing on 3pm on Sunday when the final will get underway at Doonbeg,” he concluded.

l Kevin Callinan

Burren Eye Photography

l Ellie O’Gorman in action against Doora/Barefield Photo by Gerard O’Neill

Áine O’Loughlin maintains possession for Truagh/Clonlara.

Photo by Aidan Ryan

Sports mad O'Deas hungry for more success

by SEAMUS HAYES

centrating on playing at present.

SPORT

is a huge part of life in the O’Dea household and this weekend will again highlight the fact that fam ily members will have to choose which fixture to attend.

Eva will captain the Banner La dies as they chase their 13th Clare senior title with a team which will include her sister Niamh while her father J.J. is the manager.

While that game is on at Shana han McNamara Park, Eva and Nia mh’s brother Cian will be lining out with Éire Óg in Ennis as they take on Sixmilebridge in the Clare SHC semi-final.

“It probably means that Mam will have to make a decision as to which game to attend”, according to Dublin based Eva who insists that the fact that her Dad is the ladies team manager doesn’t mean that she and Niamh get any special treatment.

According to Eva, brother Cian, a leading light with the Clare se nior footballers in recent years, “has a lot of knowledge and it’s great to learn from him”. He was part of the Banner ladies manage ment team for a number of years but his busy schedule with club and county means that he is con

Weekends are particularly busy as the sports mad family head in different directions for training and games.

Like their brother Cian, the girls play football and camogie while their other brother Jack is very involved with Kilfenora both as a player and officer.

For weekends, Eva travels home from the capital for matches and training. “For much of the past two years, I was working from home because of the Covid pandemic”, she explained this week.

Hunger is the key to Banner La dies staying so strong, she believed. “Despite the fact that almost three quarters of the panel are dual pay ers, the hunger is there. Players want to be at the top. The last two years have been difficult because of the restrictions due to COVID but the players have shown great com mitment. Because of the fact that games were coming hot and fast between the two codes, we have had to deal with injuries but we have got through it”, explained Eva who plays her club camogie with Corofin who suffered relegation from intermediate last weekend.

Eva is honoured to be the team captain this year. “Being captain is a great honour. There is no extra

pressure as we have a lot of leaders with a lot of experience”, said the defender. “We played in the group

stage when both teams were short a number of players. County finals can go either way. Hopefully we

can be ahead when the final whis tle sounds,” she said of Sunday’s opponents Kilmihil.

Special Sunday for Fergus Rovers

SEAMUS HAYES

SUNDAY’S ladies football finals at Doonbeg will be an especially great occasion for the Fergus Rovers club.

At 12.30p.m, the club will contest the intermediate final while later in the pro gramme, the players and mentors who were involved in 1995 and 1997 when they were crowned senior county champions will be honoured

In 1995 Fergus Rovers won the club’s sev enth senior championship title when they defeated Cooraclare in the final in Quilty where the team lined out as follows: Mary Keane; Patricia Quinlivan (captain), Noelle Comyn, Maura Doohan; Aine King, Cath erine O’Loughlin, Sheila Kelly; Carmel Bo hannon, Marie Gallagher, Edel Cleary, Myra Daly, Helen Stackpoole; Yvonne Cleary, Helen Murphy, Nollaig Griffin; Subs; Brid Keane, Paula Donnelly, Bernadette Stack poole, Anne Keane, Dympna Cleary, Car olyn Coughlan, Mary Neylon, Ann Leamy, Breeda Nugent.

On September 17 that year in the Mun ster club quarter final Rovers were 3-4 to 1-9 winners over Abbeydorney from Kerry in a game played at Lissycasey. In the Munster semi-final, played at Kildimo in Limerick, Rovers lost out to Glanworth from Cork (2-7 to 1-14).

A week lager Rovers defeated Cooraclare in thee league final played at Kilmihil to win

the title for the tenth year in a row.

Fergus Rovers were annual participants at the All Ireland senior 7s for many years where they often made it to the last 4 from 40 participating clubs. In 1995 they were pipped in the semi final by a point having accounted for the following along the way, Fergus Rovers 4-13 Old Parish, Waterford (4-13 to 1-2), Glenfin Donegal (7-4 to 1-6), Ballyhogue Wexford (5-6 to 2-2), Thomas Davis Dublin (5-8 to 1-3), Quarter Final; Fergus Rovers 4-03 Clana Gael, Roscom

mon, (4-3 to 3-01 before losing by a point in the semi-final to Timahoe from Laois(3-5 to 4-3).

Fergus Rovers were managed in ‘95 by Johnny Cleary (RIP), Jim Doohan and Christina Hayes.

In 97 Fergus Rovers captured their eighth senior championship title defeating an amalgamation of Clonbony/Liscannor in the final at Doonbeg.

The team on duty on that occasion was: Mary Keane; Irene Griffin, Noelle Comyn,

Áine King; Edel Cleary, Catherine O’Lough lin (capt), Marie Gallaher; Carmel Bohan non, Myra Daly; Helen Stackpoole, Caroline Quinlivan, Ann Keane; Niamh Coghlan, Brid Keane, Helen Murphy; Subs; Carolyn Coughlan, Nollaig Griffin, Theresa Meaney, Valerie Coughlan, Paula Donnelly, Claire Meere, Catherine Hassett, Orla Neylon.

Having being defeated n the All Ireland senior 7s final in 1996 Fergus Rovers went all the way in 97 to claim the coveted ti tle. The panel of 10 comprised of Cather ine O’Loughlin (capt), Mary Keane, Áine King, Caroline Quinlivan, Marie Gallagher, Carmel Bohannon, Myra Daly, Helen Stack poole, Helen Murphy, Ann Keane.

Along the way they defeated Coralstown Westmeatch (3-12 to 3-0); Omagh St, En da’s Tyrone, (7-5 to 0-0); Dunsany Meath (4-3 to 3-4); Annaclone Down (6-7 to 1-2); Timahoe (Laois (4-8 to 3-9) in the quarter final; Hollymount Mayo (2-3 to 1-5) in the semi-final before defeating the famed Par nells of London in the final.

Fergus Rovers team manager in 97 was Jim Doohan assisted by Johnny Cleary and Christina Hayes.

Interestingly Myra Daly, a member of the winning Clare sides in both 1995 and 1997 is still a key member of the squad chasing the intermediate crown on Sunday, a title that so far has eluded the club.

Theresa Meaney a member of the 97 squad misses out on being part of the intermediate team this year due to injury. Helen Murphy, a member of the two victorious senior sides is now a member of the management team.

l The Fergus Rovers team of '95: (back row from left) Maura Doohan, Myra Daly, Nollaog Griffin, Mary Keane, Noelle Comyn, Yvonne Cleary, Bríd Keane, Sheila Kelly; (front row) Catherine O'Loughlin, Helen Stackpoole, Marie Gallagher, Carmel Bohannon, PatriciaQuinlivan (capt), Áine King, Helen Murphy, Edel Cleary. (Mascot Sarah Bohannon)

l Manager JJ O'Dea and his daughter Eva, who will captain the Banner Ladies side Burren Eye Photography

'Éire Óg 'energy' wins day

FACTFILE

ÉIRE ÓG

Frees for: 15 (7/8)

Wides: 1 (0/1)

Spread of scorers: 3

From play: 1-04

Top scorer: Mark McInerney (2-03 1’Pen 1f 1’45 1M)

Bookings: Manus Doherty (10), Aidan McGrath (32).

Ennistymon subs 'had big bearing'

Ennistymon 1-07 St Breckan's 0-09

Venue: Cusack Park, Ennis

Compiled by Páraic McMahon

MARK SHANAHAN, ENNISTYMON MANAGER:

“It was tough, it was going to be no other way with two teams that know each other seriously well, a local derby, the prize of the semi-final there.

"We’d awful confidence in our fitness, conditioning and character, after that you can never know if you have enough or whatever but we had fierce belief in all those things, then it’s down to whether you have enough qual ity and we proved it at the end, the bench had a big bear ing on things but there was absolutely nothing in it.”

“We’ve a lot of lads playing with injuries, there’s guys out there playing through the pain barrier in all our championship matches and getting on with it for the cause.

“One thing we have done and it’s something to be proud of is the amount of guys we have playing adult football and the amount of guys we’re bringing through from underage football whether it’s Junior B, interme diate or senior, there’s something there for everyone and every level of commitment a fella can give, there’s an awful lot to be said for that and we’re very proud of that. All our teams, the Junior Bs, intermediates and se niors are very competitive, you’re doing a lot as a club if you’ve that amount of lads playing football, good panels of players on all those sides, it’s definitely adding to the spirit within the club”.

DONIE GARRIHY, ST BRECKAN’S MANAGER:

“My father Jack Garrihy was born in Ennistymon in 1920, half of me is Ennistymon, I wish them the very best of luck. I hope they play with the same intensity as they played against us for the rest of the championship, it’s there to be won.

"We’ve had two defeats this year, two one point defeats in compet itive football against the county champions Éire Óg and our local rivals Ennistymon, we’re bitter ly disappointed but our club has bouncebackability and that’s what I’m thinking of.”

ENNISTYMON

Frees for: 19 (8/11)

Wides: 3 (1/2)

Spread of scorers: 5

Scores from play: 0-02

Top scorer: Brendy Rouine (0-03, 3f) & Diarmuid Fahy (1-00 1’Pen)

Bookings: Brendy Rouine (46), Sean Rynne (62)

Own kickouts won:10 from 13 (77%)

ST BRECKAN’S

Frees for: 21 (8/13)

Wides: 4 (2/2)

Spread of scorers: 4

Scores from play: 0-03

Top scorer: Jamie Stack (0-05 5f)

Bookings: Aiden Davidson (38), Alan Sweeney (46), Cian Burke (61)

Own kickouts won: 8 from 11 (73%)

Jim Hickey (Cratloe)

PAUL MADDEN, ÉIRE ÓG MANAGER:

“At the start of the year, the goal was to get out of the group. We knew we’d have a target on our backs having won it last year, we had to accept that and use it to our advantage. Any team we play are going to raise their game because of that. I felt today was going to be a massive chal lenge, I’ve seen all four of Clondegad’s games this year, they are a very formidable team,

physically strong and good footballers.

"Workrate was the thing I said to the lads all week, if we didn’t match them for that we’d be in trouble but if we did we’d have a chance and I think that’s how it panned out”.

“Today we did a job, it was a great result for us but it just puts us in the semi-final, there is nothing else achieved, we’re very happy to be there”.

Own kickouts won: 13 from 14 (93%)

CLONDEGAD

Frees for: 10 (6/4)

Wides: 3 (1/2)

Spread of scorers: 5

From play: 0-06

Top scorer: Gary Brennan (0-07 5f)

Bookings: Conor Gavin (6), Gearoid O’Connell (48).

Own kickouts won: 9 from 14 (64%)

REFEREE: Jim Hickey (Cratloe)

MARTIN BRENNAN, CLONDEGAD SENIOR FOOTBALL MANAGER:

“I felt our energy levels were a bit low, the long year has caught up with us. We went through a tough group, with all the lads playing hurling too they have a lot of work done, Éire Óg beat us with energy and they played well, they are a fine team. We got beaten by a better team, we can’t make any complaints about it, that’s what happens.

“What cost us was the last day, a few decisions went against that day which could have given us a slightly different route...we’d have preferred to have gone straight through without the extra game. We had to be up for every game, we’re not like Éire Óg with as many players.”

Corofin's strongest showing

FACTFILE

COROFIN

Frees for: 12 (6/6)

Wides: 5 (2/3)

Spread of scorers: 9 Scores from play: 1-14

Top scorer: Diarmuid Cahill (005 2f 1M), Jamie Malone (1-02)

Bookings: Sean O’Brien (35), Gearoid Kelly (39)

Own kickouts won: 16 from 21 (76%)

LISSYCASEY

Frees for: 15 (8/7)

Wides: 5 (3/2)

Spread of scorers: 5

Scores from play: 0-11

Top scorer: Aaron Griffin (0-05)

Bookings: Seamus Collins (39), Francie Hayes (56). Red: Mikey O’Neill (Yx2, 41)

Own kickouts:18 from 25 (72%)

REFEREE: Chris Maguire (Wolfe Tones)

DOUGLAS HURLEY, COROFIN JOINT SENIOR FOOTBALL MANAGER:

“They are a good crop of young players... a lot of people didn’t give us a chance, we were 2/1 with the bookies but we knew we had a 50-50 chance and it will be the same the next day, we’ll look forward to another 60 minute performance and give it our lot.

“The sending off was a big turning point for Lissycasey, we scored 1-19, we probably left a few scores after us, we have a lot to work on, we conceded 0-15 but you have to be impressed with our spread of scorers, the Cahills, Robin Mounsey, Jamie Malone all scored.

“Today was the strongest we togged all year, we had three extra backs togging today that didn’t tog against Éire Óg, we need every one, 13 of those starters will be starting next Sunday (hurling semi-final against St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield).

JOHN RYAN, LISSYCASEY MANAGER:

“They seemed to have a higher tempo than we did, they seemed to have an extra man coming up the field, they play an awful lot of their football through the hands and we were

trying to force kicks which wasn’t working for us, we changed a couple of things at half-time and came back into the game but overall you have to hand it to Corofin, they were the better team today”.

Éire Óg 2-11 Clondegad 0-11 Venue: Cusack Park, Ennis

Compiled by Páraic McMahon

*Éinne O’Connor brushes past Morgan Garry Photo by Gerard O'Neill

SCAN

Corofin 1-19 Lissycasey 0-16 Venue: Cusack Park, Ennis

Compiled by Páraic McMahon

Thomas Collins produces a finger-tip save to stop Kevin Keane from scoring Photo by Gerard O’Neill

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

Sean Rouine celebrates Burren Eye Photography

Bricks: 'We got away with it'

KILMURRY

IBRICKANE

Frees for: 14 (8/6)

Wides: 3 (3/0)

Spread of scorers: 5

Scores from play: 3-06

Top scorer: Keelan Sexton (1-08 6f)

Bookings: Keelan Sexton (23), Dermot Coughlan (31), Caoilfhionn O’Dea (56), Black Card: Diarmuid King (26)

Own kickouts won: 11 from 16 (69%)

JAMES MURRIHY, KILMURRY

IBRICKANE MANAGER:

“Today was knockout football, it’s about getting over the line whether we won by one point or six points, it didn’t matter, it’s about winning.

"There’s aspects of the second half that we wouldn’t be happy with and it’s probably our fourth time in a row where we’ve switched off in the last five minutes and dropped off, we’ve conceded four goals in the last 10 minutes of games. I’m going to be straight, of the other three teams that came through we got away

with it today because we got our scores but that’s not going to cut the mustard in two weeks' time.”

“It’s not about having the best 15. To be fair to Cratloe, you look at them there, they are bringing one or two subs on, if you look at the difference in the score, we scored 1-02 off the bench which was ultimately the differ ence in that we had 21 or 22 players.”

COLM COLLINS, CRATLOE MANAGER:

“The game hinged on two clear-cut goal chances we got at the start of the match and we didn’t convert them, we needed to con

CRATLOE

Frees for: 28 (10/18)

Wides: 2 (2/0)

Scorer spread: 6

From play: 1-08

Top scorer: Cathal McInerney (0-05 4f)

Bookings: Liam Markham (33), Conor Cooney (50)

Black Card: Podge Collins (31), Padraigh Chaplin (64)

Own kickouts won: 14 from 19 (74%)

REFEREE: John O’Connell (Cooraclare)

vert both of these to be in the hunt. We knew Kilmurry were a decent side and to contrast, they converted their goal chances and that was it.

Two years in a row to not make semi-final having been regulars for past decade –

“It gets harder [to not make the semi-final for a second year], we haven’t had much com ing through on the underage side for a while and it will be another couple of years before we will have, that’s part and parcel of it, you need to be constantly freshening things up and bringing on young fellas, it has just fallen that way for us”.

Cleary 'delighted' to survive

ST JOSEPH’S MILTOWN

Frees: 7 (3/3)

Wides: 14 (12/2)

Top scorer: Cormac Murray (3-0)

Spread of scorers: 7

Scores from play: 4-10 Own kickouts won: 14 from 19 (74%)

KILMIHIL Frees: 6 (3/3)

Wides: 8 (3/5)

Top scorer: Ciaran Downes (2-3 2f 1’65)

Spread of scorers: 5 Scores from play: 5-3 Own kickouts won: 21 from

REFEREE: Barry Keating (Lissycasey)

EOIN CLEARY, ST JOSEPH’S MILTOWN SENIOR FOOTBALLER:

“If you were a sup porter here today, well by God you got some value for money. In fair ness to Kilmihil they just wouldn't die. We had a good lead but they showed unbelievable guts and heart. They showed how good they can be. I mean, five goals is incred ible stuff and I’ve no doubt that they'll bounce back from intermediate.

“Cormac Murray was magnificent today for us and he is such a huge play er for us. Sadly he got in jured in the Éire Óg game because he was on fire in all matches.

“At the end of the day we are delighted to survive. We went down in 2012 and it's not nice. We are a proud club so we couldn't be going down but we are where we are on merit. We lost four matches so we can't complain and I sup pose we are lucky we had that extra game against Doonbeg while Kilmihil didn't. We were definite ly the sharper team early and we needed that lead such was their play in the second half.”

TIMMY RYAN, KILMIHIL SELECTOR:

“We are awful proud of our players today. It's tough to go down but we don't make excuses in Kilmihil. We lost four

SHC TOP SCORER

ÉIRE ÓG continue to set the way in both the Clare SFC and the MD MyClubShop.ie / The Clare Echo top scorer award.

Gavin Cooney leads the way with 2-22 to his credit so far in this year’s campaign.

Teammate Mark McIner ney is close behind him while the exits of Clondegad, Cratloe, Lisssycasey and St Breckan’s end the chances for Gary Brennan, Cathal McInerney, Jamie Stack, Conor Finucane and Shane Griffin of taking the spoils. Keelan Sexton though he has only played three games has 1-14 to his name and will be confident of adding to the tally as Kilmurry Ibrickane bid to take down Ennistymon in the semi-finals.

Gavin Cooney (Éire Óg) 2-22

Gary Brennan (Clondegad) 0-28

Mark McInerney

matches so we are where we deserve to be. We will bounce back though. I'm certain of that. We have great character, great players and the heart we

showed today was incred ible. It’s just an awful pity we couldn't perform like we did in that second 30 minutes in other games this year. Our forwards

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

were immense. Scoring five goals shows the qual ity we have but we have to regroup now. We must take responsibility and we will take responsibility."

Kilmurry Ibrickane 3-13 Cratloe 1-13 Venue: Cusack Park, Ennis

Compiled by Páraic McMahon

Dermot Coughlan feels the pain in dealing with David Collins, Liam Markham and Diarmuid Ryan Photo by Gerard O'Neill

St Joseph's Miltown 4-15 Kilmihil 5-06 Venue: Doonbeg

Compiled by Derek Dormer

Martin O'Leary is kept under tabs by Seanie Malone and Cian Mahony Photo by Gerard O'Neill

Ciaran O'Donoghue tackles Michael Houlihan Burren

Photography

Reynolds is Woodstock Golfer of the Year

by SEAMUS HAYES

WOODSTOCK GOLF CLUB:

NIALL Reynolds has won the golfer of the year competition at Woodstock. He finished with 46 points. John McGrath was second with 25 points followed by Willie Thompson with 24, Tony Neville with 24, Chris McGrath with 23 and Ollie McNamara with 23.

In the masters final Willie Thompson (23) won with 41 points from club president Ollie McNamara (15) with 38 points with Niall Reyn olds (14) in third spot with 37 points.

Last week’s club singles was won by Pat Keane (10) with 40 points from John Mc Bride (12) with 39 points with Andrew Mason(13) in third spot with 39 points Tony Cleary (1) won the gross with 35 points.

The weekend’s club fourball was won by Mike Kelly and Mike Reen with 50 points from Paudie O’Connell and David McNamara with 49 points with Colm Mullen and Tony Neville in third spot, also with 49 points.

The Sheelagh Garvey ladies singles sta bleford competition was won by Imelda Duffy with 40 points from Marianne McGough with 39, Chaye Kelly with 38 and Mary McNamara with 36 points. The ladies masters competition, sponsored by Jack Heaslip, will take place on this Sunday at 12 noon. The men’s competition this weekend will be a club singles.

ENNIS GOLF CLUB:

The ladies singles last week was won by Ethna Murphy (29) with 35 points from Bridie Hanrahan (21). Patricia Moroney(18) won the September silver medal 18 hole stroke with 69 from Sinead Hegarty (19) with 74. The bronze medal winner was Rose Enright (24) with 72 nett from Cora Kerins (30) with 74. The overall winner in the 9 hole stableford competition was Joan Cullinan-Coote (19) with 22 points.

Geraldine O’Mahoney (13) won division 1 with 15 points, Phil Butler (15) won division 2 with 19 points and Marian Irwin (21) won divi sion 3 with 21 points.

Last week’s senior ladies competition was won by Brid Cunningham, Maeve 0'Grady and Maureen Moloney with 44.5 from Claire Ru ane, Nuala D'Auria and Mary Glynn with 51.6 with third spot filled by Liz Kelly, Therese Lillis and Peig Cleary with 52.3.

Last week’s men’s singles stableford compe tition was won by Gerry O’Connor (22) with 43 points. He had one to spare over Flan Glynn (19) with Cathal Ryan (20), also on 41, in third spot followed by Thomas Gallery (18) with 40.

Dermot Doheny (5) won the gross with 32 points while the category winners were Alfred Jones (8) with 38 points, Andrew Turner (17) with 40 and Brendan Nevin (30), also with 40. The men’s hampers competition, sponsored by Ryan's Centra, will be pushed out by a week to October 22/23 to give an additional week for greens to recover following the hollow coring.

The recent men’s singles at Ennis was a

cancer alliance fundraiser. It was won by Enda Burns (21) with 41 points from Oliver O’Lough lin (12) with 40 points.

Gary Collins (4) won category A with 36 points, Martin Coffey (15) won category B with 40 points and Flan Glynn (19) won category C with 39 points.

Timothy Lehane (16) Ballyneety won the Friday open singles with 43 points from Senan Ryan (10) with 39 with third spot filled by Tony McInerney (16) also with 39 points.

Paul Mockler and Michael Irwin won the final Tuesday fourball of the season with 36 points from Noel Whelan and Flan Downes with 35. In third spot with 35 points were Walter P. O’Brien and Rodger McMahon with 35 followed by Tommy Heath and Thomas Woulfe with 34, Michael Ball and Padraig McNicholas with 34.

EAST CLARE GOLF CLUB:

Winners of the ladies fourball better ball com petition were Mary Mannion and Helen Downey with 44 points and they won on a countback from Eileen Donnellan and Brid Hayes who had a similar score.

The ladies Wednesday competition was won by Marie A. Kelly, Joan Kinsella, Mary Collins and Breda Mc Carthy.

Darren Rosney (19) won the men’s Septem ber medal with 62 nett from Ray K. McInerney (15) with 64 and Oisin Donnellan (11) with 66. Eoin McGuinness (3) won the gross with 73.

Shane McGrath (5) won the men’s open Thursday competition with 40 points from Donal O’Grady (16) who also had 40 with Kev in Scully (12) with 37 points in third spot.

KILRUSH GOLF CLUB:

Terry O’Hara (10) won the men’s singles competition at the weekend with 44 points.

Geremiah Brennan (14) was second, also with 44 points with Tony McMahon (17) in third spot with 40 points.

The Bowman’s Lane Restaurant ladies com petition was won by Claire Pyne (22) with 38 points from Mary G. Nolan (22) with 37 and Fio na Kinsella(16), also with 37 points.

The category winners were Ann Marie Don nellan (16) with 37 points, Olivia McCarthy (25) with 37 points and Anne Cooper (35) with 31 points. The 12 hole winner was Hanora O’Dea-Kilkenny with 27 points.

DROMOLAND GOLF CLUB:

Noel O’Connor emerged as the winner of the Fred O’Flanagan v par competition at Dromo land at the weekend with 7 up. Brian Shally was second with 6 up followed by Alisdir MacMillan with 5 up. Enda Heneghan won the gross with 5 up while the category for those with 22 handi cap and over was won by Mike Tobin.

The Eye Candy mixed competition on Sun day was won by Ann and Eanna McMahon with 63.2 from Dervla and Dermot O’Neill with 65.8 with Geraldine Ryan and John Casey in third spot with 66. Niamh McDermott won the prize for nearest the pin.

BRIDGE DROP POINTS, NEWMARKET CELTIC MOVE TO TOP SPOT

Hayes Bulgaria-bound in Irish Regions Cup squad

NEWMARKET CELTIC’S Eoin Hayes has been included in the Republic of Ireland squad for the upcoming UEFA Regions Cup qualifiers.

An 18-man squad has been named by Republic of Ireland amateur international manager, Gerry Davis with Clare’s Hayes among the most experienced players includ ed. 14 Regions Cup debutants form part of the squad, having impressed in the recent four-match winning streak in back-to-back matches against Wales and Northern Ire land.

Rockmount's Brendan O'Connell is set to captain the side having been one of only two players selected to have won the Regions Cup in 2015, the other being St. Michael's midfielder Jimmy Carr.

Hayes both captained and scored for his country in their recent game with Northern Ireland. He first lined out with the national side in 2016 and has been an ever-present part of the squad since. The Newmarket-on-Fergus native is one of the few players with Regions Cup experience and is considered as one of Davis’ strongest attacking options.

Ireland travel to Bulgaria later this month for their UEFA Regions Cup qualifying matches as they look to secure a finals tournament spot which is set to take place next summer. They take on San Marino on Tuesday, October 25, with kick-off at 9am, Ro mania on Friday, October 28, with kick-off at 9am and finally, Bulgaria on Monday, October 31, with kick-off at 1pm.

This will be the first edition of the UEFA Regions Cup since the 2018/19 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Davis is look ing forward to the challenge as he looks for the balance between youth

He said, "We're delighted with gressed in the last four matches, won all of the matches but also taken on instructions and formed We've got plenty of debutants to squad but also a number of players and two who were part of the 2015 squad so the benefit of that experi to the younger players in the "We can be confident heading to the month and the players should challenge. There is a great geograph with players from all over the coun we've got six players on standby as well. Congratulations to all of the players on their call-up and also sympathies with the lads who just missed out on the final squad who've been bril liant over the last four

Paul Corry scored for Bridge Utd

Photo by Natasha Barton / CDSL

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CDSL: MALONEY GARDEN MACHINERY PREMIER DIVISION

Rosie smashes triple crown of open water swimming

KILLALOE’s

Rosie Foley has become just the second Irish woman to complete the arduous Tri ple Crown of Open Water Swimming, a marathon swimming challenge con sisting of three historically important swims around the world.

A former Irish rugby in ternational, Rosie under took the charity challenge in memory of her brother, the late Munster and Irish legend Anthony Foley, with all proceeds going to the Mid-Western Cancer Foun dation, children’s charity CARI and CRY, which pro vides screening and free be reavement counselling for families at risk of Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syn drome (SADS).

Rosie this week followed in the footsteps of her men tor, Fionnuala Walsh of Kil rush, by completing the 32.3 km swim across the Catali na Channel between San ta Catalina Island and the Southern California main land in the United States. Rosie had previously com pleted the 33.5 km across the English Channel be

tween England and France (July 2014) and the Manhat tan Island Marathon Swim, a 45.9 km circumnavigation around Manhattan Island (June 2022).

In matching her brother’s achievement with a Triple Crown of her own, Rosie has become an elite member of a group of less than 279 people who have achieved the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming.

Speaking of the charities she is fundraising for, Ros ie said, “CRY helps families like ours by screening peo ple who are risk for Sudden Adult Death and provide free helpline for bereave ment, CARI provide coun selling and support services for children who have suf fered the heinous crime of sexual abuse and Mid-West ern Cancer foundation pro vides free support services, including counselling and holistic therapies for cancer patients.”

Rosie’s fundraising cam paign is part of an ongoing fundraiser set up by their younger sister Orla, called Orla’s WIldways. Orla has cycled the coast of ireland, The Camino and across

France, and to date they have raised over €34,000 for the three charities.

Speaking about her sis ter’s achievement, Orla said, “Childhood sibling rivalry has helped many a sportsperson summit their Everest in life and even though he is dead nearly

six years Anthony is still in spiring his family and oth ers to reach for the stars. Rosie completed the Triple crown in Ocean Swimming this week, just a month be fore her 50th birthday. In 2014, prior to Anthony’s death, Rosie achieved her childhood dream of swim

ming the English Channel and swimming the Shan non to Killaloe to which her younger brother quipped ‘Have you ever heard of us ing a boat Rosie’ or ‘There are easier ways to get to France - say a plane?’.”

Orla added, “Rosie is a humble sportswoman whose

achievements are endless since she was a young girl captaining our school team to wins in camogie, winning as a Junior All Ireland Gael ic Football as player and trainer, and to achieving a lifetime dream of playing 39 times for Ireland, following in her brother Anthony’s and father Brendan’s foot steps. Like her brother she captained Munster to an in terprovincial championship. As an avid lover of swim ming, she has been actively involved with Irish Water and advocates water safe ty. As a physical education teacher, coach and president of her local Killaloe Ballina Rugby Club she continues to give back to sport so chil dren learn to have a lifelong love of sport like her.”

To donate to CRY, CARI and Midwestern Cancer foundation, scan the QR code.

Cooney on the double

by MICHAEL MAHER

O’CALLAGHANS Mills’ Donal Cooney re corded a double win with John Boy Dylan and Dardis Whitepaws taking the spoils in Limerick Stadium over the weekend.

In race five on Friday night’s Galway card which was an A4 graded contest, Malbay Theo showed pace to lead Insidethehuddle by over two lengths as the pair stretched on racing past halfway. Approaching the third bend, Clarecastle-owned Insidethehuddle (Lads Days Out In Dublin Syndicate) began to close on the outside and striking the front on the crown of the home bend, the son of Ballymac Best & Ballydoyle Grace won go ing away by two & a half lengths in 29.38.

Aulton Dubh owned by Ennis’ Pat Hogan and trained by Donal Duggan of Tulla came from last to first in the A7 graded contest to land her maiden success by one length from Lady July in 29.75. Lady July led from the opening bend but nearing the third bend Aulton Dubh (Skywalker Rafa-Rylane Dubh) closed down Lady July to win.

In the A4 graded 550 yards contest on Saturday night’s card at College Road, Heathlawn Redzer showed the way to Pinnacle Rio. Turning down the back, the Michael Costello of North Clare-owned Pin nacle Rio, along the fence stuck his head in front and at halfway he led by a length to Heathlawn Redzer as Blaze Bill began his move. Between the final two bends Pinna cle Rio (Rio Quattro-Fawn Samantha) railed well which would prove decisive as he last ed home by a neck at the line in 30.61.

Recently in Limerick, there was success for Clare in a novice 525 yards contest. From trap one, the Stephen Murray-trained youngster Ben N Marie finished strongly to claim the honours in 29.55. A son of Pesta

na and Nothingtosay, he is owned by Frank Sheehan, an Ennis native residing in Quin.

It proved to be a memorable evening for Newmarket-on-Fergus owner John Mee han when he recorded a quickfire double in races eight and 10. First up was Bling Bling Zoe who recorded her first career success in an A4 575 contest, a daughter of Kinloch Brae and Bling Bling Lola she stopped the clock in 31.62. And in an A0 contest, Bling Bling Paul took command after the first bend to record an 11th career win in 29.20.

There was further success for Newmarket when Snuggie Ranger landed the spoils for Myles Cummins over the 550 yards trip, this son of Paddys Magic and Miles Girl crossed the line in 30.44 for a third win.

Millbank Della came up trumps for the Keating syndicate in the evening finale.

The syndicate is comprised of Kilmihil na tive Michael Keating and Ennis residents Paul and Tom Keating. The daughter of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Natalia re corded her first career win in 29.86.

Last weekend at Limerick, in the first race Snuggie Bonnie came in as a reserve and duly obliged in 29.32 for Breda Casey from Newmarket, remarkably a 21st success for this daughter of Sir Paddy and Snuggie Whisper. It was also an enjoyable evening for the kennels of O’Callaghan Mills.

Donal Cooney recorded a double with John Boy Dylan and Dardis Whitepaws. In the third race, Cooney's dog Whitepaws, a son of former English Derby winner Doro tas Wildcat and Urban Fashion, recorded career win no2 in 29.65. Donal completed the double when John Boy Dylan won for young Dylan O’Donoghue from Fanore, fol lowing up from victory last week, this son of Droopys Sydney and Ballistic Nina led from trap to line to stop the clock in 29.23.

l Rosie is just the second Irish woman to complete the marathon swimming challenge

PLANNING LICENCE APPLICATIONS

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL CARROWKEEL EAST, INAGH, CO. CLARE

Take Notice that Ted Wynne intends to apply to the Plan ning Authority for Retention Plan

ning Permission to (a) retain the con struction of a coffee takeaway structure together with ancil lary site works, signs and services and (b) Planning Permis sion to construct a standalone sign at Carrowkeel East, In agh, Co. Clare. 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 Authori ty during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the appli cation 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 GLEN NORTH, ENNISTYMON, CO. CLARE

Take notice that Dearbhaile Mc Monagle and Brian Stackpoole intend to apply for permission to build a new dwell ing house, install a waste water treat ment system & all other associated site and ancillary works at the above ad dress. The planning application may be inspected or pur chased at a fee not exceeding the rea sonable cost of mak ing a copy, at the of fices of the planning authority, during its public opening hours. A submission

or observation in relation to the appli cation may be made in writing to the au thority 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 ap plication.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL OFF MAIN STREET & THE SQUARE, ENNISTYMON, CO. CLARE

Take notice that John Gabriel McCa rthy intends to apply for permission to build a single bed roomed maisonette, connect to public services & all other associated site and ancillary works at the above address. The planning ap plication may be inspected or pur chased at a fee not exceeding the rea sonable cost of mak ing a copy, at the of fices of the planning authority, during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the appli cation may be made in writing to the au thority 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 ap plication.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL CNOC ALAINN, BALLYCAR, NEWMARKETON-FERGUS, CO. CLARE

Take Notice that I, Ms. Alanna Fox intend to apply to Clare County Coun cil for Permission for the Construc tion of a Dwelling House, wastewater treatment system and new entrance including ancillary

site works at above address. The Plan ning Application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authori ty of Clare County Council, Planning Department, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or Observation in relation to the appli cation may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee of €20 within the pe riod of 5 weeks be ginning on the date of receipt by the au thority of the appli cation.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL CORBALLY, KILKEE, CO. CLARE Take notice that Diarmuid Keane + Associates Ltd. (065-9083667, www. diarmuidkeane.ie) intend to apply to Clare County Coun cil on behalf of Jane Larkin for planning permission to con struct a new dwell ing house, private garage, site entrance and on-site wastewa ter treatment system along with all other associated site works and services at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authori ty during its public opening hours.

A submission or observation in rela tion to the applica tion 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 deci sion on the applica tion. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without condi tions, or may refuse to grant permission.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL QUERRIN, KILKEE, CO. CLARE

Take notice that Jimmy & Margaret Haugh are apply ing to Clare Coun ty Council for re tention permission for extensions and alterations to an existing dwelling, construction of a private garage along with all associated works at the above address. The plan ning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of Clare County Council during its public opening hours and a submission or ob servation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee with in the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL SPANISH POINT, MILTOWN MALBAY, CO. CLARE

Take notice that J. Bermingham in tends to apply to the Planning Au thority for retention permission for the dwelling house and

attached garage as constructed along with associated site works at the above address. That the planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authori ty during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the appli cation 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 KNOCKLOSKER AUN, MILTOWN MALBAY, CO. CLARE

Take notice that M. Marrinan and D. Ainsworth in tend to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to construct a dwelling house, garage and proprietary waste water treatment sys tem along with an cillary site works at the above address. That the planning application may be inspected, or pur chased at a fee not exceeding the rea sonable cost of mak ing a copy, at the of fices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or ob servation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee with in the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

Case No: An Chuirt Duiche The District Court

s.l. No. 174 of 2009 No. 68.1

LICENSING ACT (IRELAND) 1874, Section 82

LICENSING ACT (IRELAND) 1874, Section 9

BEER RETAILERS’ AND SPIRIT GROCERS’ RETAIL LICENCES (IRELAND) ACT 1900 LICENSING (IRELAND) ACT 1902

INTOXICATING LIQUOR ACR 2008 Section 7

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE FOR A NEW SPIRIT RETAILER’S OFF-LICENCE

District Court Area of Kilrush District No. 12

Jeremiah O Riordan

Applicant

TAKE NOTICE that the abovenamed Appticant Jeremiah O Riordan of Knockliscrane, Miltown MaEbah,q Clare intends to apply to the Court at Kilrush District Court on the 8 Novem ber 2022 at 10:30 for a certificate to hold a SPIRIT RETAILER’S OFFLICENCE in respect of the premises situate at XL Quilty, O’Dwyers Convenience Store, Quiltyr Clare, V95 YEE7 in court area and district aforesaid. Dated this 29th September 2022

Signed Michael F. Nolan Solicitor for Applicant Solicitors, Toler Street, Kilrush, Clare

To the Garda Superintendent, at CourtPresenters.Ennis@garda.ie, Ennis Garda Station, Ennis, Clare, V95 TR83

To the District Court Clerk, Ennis District Court

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