The Clare Echo 06/12/18

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6 Dec 2018

Clare video gets 2million global views

PÁRAIC McMAHON

A

news@clareecho.ie

lSANTA CALLS: 7 month old Jack Farrell from O’Callaghans Mills meeting Santa at Skycourt Shannon Photo by Eamon Ward

Our Exclusive Christmas in Clare Guide PART 2 INSIDE

N ONLINE video created by a youth group from Ennistymon has gone viral worldwide, hitting an incredible 2 million views yesterday.

Clare Youth Action’s slogan is to make a difference and they have certainly done that after a video they produced (inset) highlighting the negative consequences of plastic on the environment and its inhabitants was shared by The Clare Echo. As of 4pm on Wednesday, it had reached a global audience in excess of 5.5million, had 2m views with over 70,000 shares.

For context, The Late Late Toy Show was the most watched programme on Irish

television so far this year with a reach of 1.9 million people and an average audience of 1.3 million.

Six people both young and slightly older produced, directed and filmed the video. Amy Custy (14) is the star, videographer James Sheppard (39) was the director where he was assisted by Caitlin Griffin (14), Donnacha McManus (14), Clodagh Sully (20) and resource worker Emma Sams (51).

Full story PAGE 12

2 NEWS

THURSDAY, DEC 6 2018

Index 2-13

NEWS

AOIBHÍN GARRIHY

14-15

ENTERTAINMENT

18

COMMUNITY XMAS IN CLARE

22-23 INSIDE

BUSINESS

24-27

MOTORING

28-30

CLASSIFIEDS

34-37

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

NEWSDESK

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

SALES

Email: ciara.farrell@clareecho.ie or ger.naughton@clareecho.ie

l THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT: At the launch of the 2019 Garda Division Youth Awards (L-R) Catriona Holohan, Inspector David Finnerty, Supt Brendan McDonagh, Jim Warny, Rose Hynes, Chairman Shannon Group, Albert Hardiman and Alan Burke with students Abbey Fitzgerald and Eoin Shaughnessy. The search is on for Clare’s top young community leaders following the launch by Rose Hynes, Chairman, Shannon Group, of the fourth annual Clare Garda Division Youth Awards, sponsored by Shannon Group. In attendance was the heroic Ennis based Thai cave rescuer Jim Warny who will be a special guest speaker at the awards event which Photo by Arthur Ellis takes place on Saturday 23rd February 2019 at the Woodstock Hotel in Ennis

Rural Clare not getting its share?

STUART HOLLY

editor@clareecho.ie

I

NDEPENDENT TD Dr. Michael Harty said it is good news that benefits from the Rural & Urban Regeneration Funds will soon be felt in Clare. However, he said he has some concerns that rural Clare may not be getting its fair share of the national cake and we need to be vigilant that election or other political considerations don’t influence the decision making process.

“I am delighted that Ennistymon will receive just over €1 million to create a multi-service innovation centre in the former Fitzpatricks Supermarket. An enterprise hub with business broadband, a family resource centre and community amenities will be invaluable for the town and hopefully will contribute to employment creation and local regeneration,” Deputy Harty said.

However, he pointed out that this is the only grant awarded to Clare from the Rural Regeneration Development fund while three projects have been successful in Co. Limerick totalling €7 million or seven times what Clare has received. One of these projects – the Great Southern Greenway in the Abbeyfeale Newcastlewest Rathkeale area - is to receive just under €3 million.

“West Limerick is the home turf of Minister of State Patrick O’Donovan. For the moment, I am prepared to believe that decisions on the amount and destination of grants are decided by an independent panel devoid of political interference. The Minister for Rural and & Community Development Michael Ring has promised further announcements of successful projects early in 2019. Let us hope that some semblance of regional and county balance is restored next time,” Dr. Harty said.

Turning to the Urban Regeneration & Development Fund, Dr. Harty said that the announcement of €1.6 million for the centre of Ennis hasn’t come a moment too soon.

“The economic crash hit parts of Ennis badly but this funding, which will improve the Parnell St and Barack St areas, could well be catalyst to transform the centre of Ennis into a vibrant and attractive space.”

Speaking ahead of the announcement that the Shannon Venue plans have now been dropped due to frustrations over Government funding, Dr Harty commented, “Shannon is woefully short of cultural and civic infrastructure ... Overall, the result for Shannon is very disappointing and I also hope the town will be more successful in forthcoming announcements.”

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NEWS

THURSDAY, DEC 6 2018

Blow for Shannon as Venue is binned STUART HOLLY

T

editor@clareecho.ie

HE committee tasked with delivering The Shannon Venue have announced that the project has been scrapped, blaming lack of support from the Government.

In a statement on Tuesday to The Clare Echo, ‘Croí na Sionna’ said, “With a heavy heart, today is the day that we announce that lack of support from government has brought The Shannon Venue’s efforts to deliver a Community, Civic & Creative Centre for the town to an end.

“Since 2012, the group has endeavoured to make The Venue a reality in order to improve Shannon, the living town. Shannon Town not only deserves this facility and focal point, but badly needs it. We have presented to hundreds of people, committees, CEOs, councillors, TDs, Ministers and in January this year to An Taoiseach.

“We have just learned that the latest of our funding applications to government (Urban Regeneration Development Fund – ‘Category A’) has been unsuccessful. This, despite the fact that voluntary

l SETBACK: Dark clouds have gathered over a plan to deliver a Civic and Creative Centre in Shannon

effort backed by €0.85m funding commitments from Shannon businesses and the community, has delivered a turnkey project. It is a ‘ready to go’ project with site secured, designed, full planning permission, detailed business and financial plan in place. With Clare County Council’s intention to use part of the building for municipal offices, this offered a real opportunity to build this much needed focal point for the town."

An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar TD and the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Eoin Murphy TD last week announced that Ennis and Ennistymon were among the first successful applicants under the Government’s €2 billion Urban Regeneration and Development Fund. On that same day, it was announced that sup-

port had been committed under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund to the principle of the development of the Venue, a new cultural and civic centre for Shannon.

The funding details were to be confirmed in the coming weeks.

The statement continues, “Instead of government funding to match real money and hard work from community and business, the URDF ‘Category B’ announcement offers funding for a new masterplan. We just don’t get the idea of funding for a new plan.

"We are effectively being told to wait for a third plan ten years after the first one.

Planning is not the issue.

The problem is consistent failure to carry out the actions required to turn public plans and policies into meaningful action for the people of Shannon."

lHIP TO THE GROOVE: Winners of Éire Óg's Strictly Come Dancing event at the West County last weekend Niamh Fitzpatrick & John O'Callaghan

Photo by John Mangan

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NEWS

€1.8m set for maratime development in Kildysart STUART HOLLY

A

editor@clareecho.ie

LMOST €1.8million has been allocated for the development of specialist infrastructure and accommodation for maritime and cruise liner related training on the Clare side of the Shannon estuary. The Clare MEZ (Maritime Economic Zone) project for Cahercon, Kildysert will also include a test bed for renewable technologies, according to Minister of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market & Data Protection Pat Breen.

In total four projects included in the second round of the Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF) will benefit County Clare. The REDF is an open national competitive call to support regional projects, delivered for the Government through Enterprise Ireland.

Minister Breen said, “Twenty-one successful applicants rep-

resenting all regions of the country have secured just over €29 million for their projects in the second call for proposals under the competitive Fund. Initially allocating €60 million for two rounds of funding, the Fund will now operate on a rolling basis as part of Project Ireland 2040.

“I am delighted that we can begin to recognise the potential of the Clare side of the Shannon estuary with the allocation of €1,759,226 to the Clare MEZ. “This project is key to development along the Shannon estuary and this site at Cahercon, earmarked for the project, is one of the nine sites identified for Marine Related Industry in the Shannon Integrated Framework Plan published in November 2013.”

“The Clare Maritime Economic Zone DAC (Clare MEZ) is an initiative by Clare County Council to provide specialist infrastructure, accommodation and development space for a range of different maritime-related niche businesses. In essence this is what the Regional

lCAHERCON SITE: SThe develoment will see infrastructure and

accommodation for maratime and cruise liner related training

Photo courtesy MyHome.ie

Enterprise Development Fund is about – it is about supporting every region to build on its unique strengths, and ultimately create sustainable jobs,” said Minster Breen.

The development will occur over a number of phases with the first phase incorporating the renovation of an on-site accommodation block, kitchen and dining block, conversion of the

classroom block into small lecture rooms and research labs, and conversion of the gymnasium into a wet training facility with a small training pool.

The first phase will also include the purchase of specialist equipment including fire-fighting simulators, damage control simulator, marine evacuation chute, and other specialist equipment to support the multi-use facility.

THURSDAY, DEC 6 2018

Two primary care centres by 2020 THE HSE expects to have two primary care centres fully operational in Ennis by the end of 2020.

The first centre will be built at Station Road where the HSE will occupy a 3,200 sq ft unit to provide a comprehensive range of community health services. This building will also serve as the local base for TUSLA, the child and family agency.

The HSE will also occupy almost 2,000 sq ft at second centre on the Tulla Road and Deputy Joe Carey (Fine Gael) said that these projects will significantly enhance the range of services available in the Ennis area.

An agreement has been signed with the developer and, once planning permission has been secured, construction work could be completed by the end of 2020.

“These two projects, along with an earlier announcement that a site has been identified for a new €25 million community hospital to replace St. Joseph’s geriatric hospital, will have a major impact on the provision of health care in the town and surrounding areas," said Deputy Carey.

The Clarecastle politician added, “The site acquisition process for the 100-bed facility is well under way and due to be concluded by early next year, with the new hospital expected to be open by 2021."

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NEWS

THURSDAY, DEC 6 2018

l ALL SMILES: Frances O'Halloran from Ennis enjoying a laugh with Des Cahill at his book signing at Ennis Book Shop this week

Photo by Martin Connolly

Cahill right at home in Clare

PÁRAIC McMAHON

R

paraic@clareecho.ie

ETURNING to Clare for a signing in Ennis Bookshop was a sense of coming home for RTÉ broadcaster, Des Cahill.

On Monday he was in Ennis signing copies of his autobiography ‘Play It Again Des’. While promoting the book, he has opened up on a family tragedy that saw his father Patrick’s first wife Norah and two of their children, Michael and Joan drown in June 1957. Patrick subsequently left Corofin with his surviving children, Eileen, Brian and Una for Dublin to teach where he remarried a lady called Nora and they had four children, Brendan, Des, Declan and Pat who now lives in Miltown Malbay.

“We’re a Clare family”, Des said as his sit down with The Clare Echo began. He’s proud of his roots and told of how his journey evoked plenty memories of old. “I was here as a child, my granny had a house in Ennis and I came past it there, I remember being there for a presidential election in '66 and de Valera came up the road with a huge palaver of cars beeping and that came into my mind there, that’s going back 50 years. It’s strange, I should have been back a lot more and my dad used to bring the three surviving kids back down to visit the graves but I wouldn’t have been brought”.

Talking and writing about the tragedy has helped not just Des and his family but the wider community affected at the time.

“It was tough for the family not talking about it, now that I’ve talked about it it’s much more open for everybody. I got a lot of letters from Clare people, a lot of people remember it. I was doing a book signing in Grafton Street on Saturday and two people who came in were in class with Michael and Joan that drowned, they came in separately. They said they have vivid memories of the children and it must have had an impact on all of them when two of their classmates drowned. You think it’s just your family but it obviously had an impact on a lot of people in the area”.

He first found about their death when he came across two schoolbags in the at-

tic which led him to asking questions. “I wasn’t alive and yet it weighed heavily on me. It weighed heavily on me for what the others went through, some kind of empathy on my part, it probably weighed more on me than it should have and that could have been because we didn’t talk about it as much and therefore you think inaccurately. My mother said to me recently ‘what age do you tell a child?' ... I think they were just waiting till I was the right age to tell me."

At present he is not the only member of the RTÉ Sports Department with strong connections to the county and Des has a fear that Marty Morrissey is at risk of being over-exposed. “Everyone wants Marty on their programme and my concern for Marty is that - I’ve seen it happen to other people - producers go ‘oh we’ve had Marty, get someone else’.

"I was in a similar position 15 or 20 years ago, I presented the Gerry Ryan Show, you just need to be very careful."

A significant move this year saw Michael Lyster sign off from The Sunday Game for the final time. Des is happy to continue presenting the night time version with his radio co-presenter Joanne Cantwell given the nod. “The boss said to me from the start we’re not taking you out of the night time, it would be nice to finish at 6pm in the evening... but it tends to have more talking points for the week coming up so from a journalism point of view it has more to get my teeth into”.

In 2009, Des celebrated 25 years of broadcasting and began presenting The Sunday Game. In that time, he has noticed that goalkeepers are proving to be the best analysts, citing Donal Óg, Brendan Cummins and Davy Fitzgerald, who in his own autobiography highlighted how he feels caricatured on The Sunday Game.

Des reflects, “I would accept it as a fair criticism but then he goes running on against Jason Forde, it’s just in him and sometimes you get stuck with clichés but I love Davy, he is absolutely one of my favourites in the GAA because we need characters and personalities."

While Fitzgerald is held in high esteem

by Des, from the crowds that flocked to Ennis for the signing it was evident to see that he holds a place in the heart of the people of Clare. Play It Again Des is available in all bookshops now.

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NEWS

THURSDAY, DEC 6 2018

No works til 2020 at Shannon graveyard PÁRAIC McMAHON

W paraic@clareecho.ie

ORKS on an ‘urgently required extension’ at Illaunamanagh Graveyard in Shannon Town will not commence until March 2020.

Cllr Gerry Flynn asked that the planning section of Clare County Council “proceed to a Part 8 Planning process as soon as possible due to the urgency of the required extension to Illaunamanagh Graveyard in Shannon Town”.

Speaking at the November meeting of the Shannon Municipal District, Cllr Flynn stated 970 residents in the town had died since 2000 with 79 so far this year. “I don’t want the situation to be happening where a person was buried in Newmarket-on-Fergus despite wishing to be buried in Shannon”.

An official response from Colette Costelloe of the Council’s Rural and Community Department highlighted that a time frame had to be revised. “It has since come to our attention that a variation to the existing town plan, is required, to amend the zoning on this site in order to facilitate the extension of the burial ground”.

As part of this, May 2019 will see the completion of the variation process, September 2019 for the Part 8 process, the tender process will be completed and a contractor will be

appointed in November 2019 with works scheduled to begin in March 2020.

“It is with some shock and dismay that I got this response from the Council. I felt everything was in order from our discussions and we’re now told the Council are looking for a variation. This is an unfortunate thing as it can take several months, I am now seeking a meeting with the CEO and Head of Planning. Time isn’t on our side and variation is the wrong approach. The response if a bolt out of the blue, I’m not accepting it and I will take the case forward”, Cllr Flynn remarked, he was seconded by Cllr Mike McKee. Council Director, Liam Conneally told the meeting, “The last thing we need to do is lodge a Part 8 application. The approach from the planning department seems to be bolt and braces”. He added that he had “thought there was significant longitude” given.

Independent Cllr PJ Ryan reiterated calls from Cllr Flynn that the dead have their wishes carried out, “We wouldn’t want to see anyone who wants to be buried at Illaunamanagh not buried there”. Cllr Flynn added, “It is a life and death situation”.

Meanwhile, allotment holders in Shannon are to meet with officials from the local authority over the concern over a lack of burial places. Briefing elected members of the Shannon Municipal District, Carmel Greene, a Senior Executive Officer within the local authority restated their commitment of the allotment as a project.

l URGENT WORK REQUIRED: An aerial view of the Illaunamanagh Graveyard in Shannon Town Photo by Noel Moore

Clare role in Unesco status

MINISTER Pat Breen has paid tribute to the two Claremen who were part of the team which spearheaded the move to have hurling and camogie inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation).

Minister Breen said, “Lissycasey man Daniel McCarthy was manager of the GAA’s Heritage Framework Policy which identified the merits of seeking UNESCO designation for hurling, and worked alongside Sixmilebridge man and Clare GAA team doctor, Dr Padraic Quinn. Both men were relentless in their endeavours to ensure UNESCO recognition for hurling and camogie.

“Hurling and camogies’s inclusion on the list will shine a global light on our very unique and highly skilled traditional game as well as ensuring it is protected as one of our national sports, and for this we owe a debt of gratitude to Daniel and Padraic,” he said. According to UNESCO, intangible cultural heritage, or living heritage, refers to customs, traditions, crafts, games, and practices that are part of people’s lives and identities both individually and as part of wider communities, and that are passed on from generation to generation.

GLOBAL IMPACT

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NEWS

THURSDAY, DEC 6 2018

Clare Youth Action's astounding short film about the impact of plastic has two million views since being shared online by The Clare Echo PÁRAIC McMAHON

C

paraic@clareecho.ie

lare Youth Action’s slogan is to make a difference and their latest video has certainly done that.

Today’s world is one centred on social media; with all the clicks, likes, retweets and shares there is a tendency to bandy about the phrase ‘gone viral’ but that’s exactly what happened when a video highlighting the negative consequences of plastic on the environment and its inhabitants was created by Clare Youth Action and subsequently shared by The Clare Echo. As of 4pm on Wednesday, it has reached an audience in excess of 5.5 million, had 2m views with over 70,000 shares..

For context, The Late Late Toy Show was the most watched programme on Irish television so far this year with a reach of 1.9 million people and an average audience of 1.3m.

Six people both young and slightly older produced, directed and filmed the video titled 'Plastic'. Amy Custy (14) is the actor, videographer James Sheppard (39) was the director where he was assisted by Caitlin Griffin (14). Donnacha McManus (14) was in charge of props, Clodagh Sully (20) was helping on the beach while Emma Sams (51), a support worker at the North Clare Resource Centre, ensured everything was organised.

The six travelled to The Clare Echo HQ to reflect on the video’s remarkable success.

It was a group decision for the focus to be on plastic and according to Caitlin, the main achievement was the message being received loud and clear, “Plastic in the ocean is a real danger to animals, it’s great to see that people are seeing that video."

“We made a conscious decision for it to be a short visual so everyone could understand it,” James said of the universal appreciation, with views coming from every corner of the planet from Chile to Australia to Europe.

Prior to posting the video, Emma admits members of Clare Youth Action were wary of receiving a negative backlash on social media but their experience of the last few days has opened their eyes to the nicer side of the web. “What’s interesting is that the next project we’re working on is bullying and we were talking about how negative social media can be and then this has turned it on its head and made them realise it can be really positive and that was really nice...We put it up on YouTube but you guys shared it and it went viral from The Clare Echo”.

Months of planning went into the production such as deciding what to do; a beach clean, and the creation of art through the rubbish collected. “One of the reasons why it’s so powerful, it’s because it’s a person [struggling in the video], this really connects to people and they’re saying it’s hard hitting and it needs to be dark to get the message home,” Emma explained. Role reversal was vital to making an impact, James maintains.

“No one was expecting a young girl to be struggling and that’s the dark part of it which hit people, it doesn’t hit people when they see the birds and that’s what we tried to do”.

For Clodagh it’s a case of everything coming full circle. It was during her teenage years

that she founded Clare Youth Action but it was in the past week while on placement at North Clare Family Resource Centre that the group recorded their greatest feat. “When we set up Clare Youth Action, me and a group of my friends four or five years ago, we didn’t expect it to go anywhere, we were under eighteen so we couldn’t volunteer so we set up our own thing and we never thought it would grow as big as it has now”.

Some other projects they have completed include handing out 150 cookies around Ennistymon as a random act of kindness, highlighting issues affecting young people. It is an off shoot of the youth club that meets in the town but it’s for people that want to be more proactive as Donnacha illustrated, “We meet every Thursday and every Monday to just talk about what we want to do next and if we want to do a movie on a specific topic to raise awareness. We come up with ideas, do props and put it together”.

Amy refers to the work done by Roisin Garvey in primary and secondary schools around the county as helping to plant various ideas on how best to tackle plastic use.

“She talked about getting the cups and it was around that time we were talking about the plastic and she had a good few ideas on getting everyone to pay forty cent for the cups and shops giving discounts for using the cups instead of the plastic”.

Although James has educated them on the use of video equipment, he finds that he is also learning a lot from the secondary school students. “It has taught me the insight they have that you wouldn’t really see. We didn’t have the social media when we grew up, there was a lot of hesitancy I found when we were trying to come up with it, they were nervous because it was going to go out on to a social network, it was difficult for me to understand it, I’ve always had the idea that nothing goes out unless everyone is happy. These young ones have a different perspective and it’s not as positive, it doesn’t go straight up - they think of the consequences. I’m glad Amy was brave enough to put herself out there”.

All six are adamant attitudes need to change regarding the use of plastic. Clodagh said, “A lot of it is wasted, people do need to be a little bit more aware of where it goes, they don’t think about it and need to realise it takes a long time for it to become biodegradeable.” James added, “The Government needs to get into gear on it, they’re not doing much, they’re expecting everyone else to raise awareness, they should be changing policies”.

THE

l GLOBAL IMPACT: (L-R) members of Clare Youth Action including Emma Sams, Caitlin Griffin, Donnacha McManus, Amy Custy, Clodagh Sully, and director James Sheppard Photo by Martin Connolly

THURSDAY, DEC 6 2018

FG & FF get set for local election PÁRAIC McMAHON

F

paraic@clareecho.ie

IANNA Fáil have selected three candidates to contest the 2019 local elections for the Killaloe Municipal District while Fine Gael have opted for a three candidate strategy in both Ennis and Killaloe.

A Fianna Fáil convention took place in Tulla on Friday evening where sitting councillors Alan O’Callaghan, Tony O’Brien and Pat Hayes were selected to represent the party next May. Liam Wiley, a son of former councillor Colm was unsuccessful in his bid to be on the party’s ticket.

In the one vote per member system, O’Callaghan topped the poll and was followed by Tony O’Brien, Pat Hayes and Liam Wiley. Approximately 150 Fianna Fáil delegates voted in Tulla.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Leas Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Alan O’Callaghan said he is aware that it will be difficult for all three to be returned.

“You’ve three sitting councillors, we’re not on top of each other we’re fairly dispersed over the Municipal District, it’s gone from a six seater to a five seater so it’s going to be a huge challenge to hold on to what we have. Headquarters felt by adding a fourth one, it might have divided the vote a bit

more and it wouldn’t have been a help to do that”.

Fine Gael have opted for a three candidate strategy in both Ennis and Killaloe for the 2019 local elections while at present they have one expression of interest to represent the party in Ennistymon.

On Monday, Cllr Bill Slattery was declared as the party’s sole candidate in the Ennistymon Municipal District which will cover North Clare. The Lahinch man was their best performer in the last local elections which saw him win a seat in the West Clare MD, this area is now being split between Kilrush and Ennistymon. Further additions are expected to the ticket between now and May. In November, the party held their selection conventions for both the Ennis and Killaloe Municipal Districts.

As a result of the boundary commission review published earlier this year, there will be one less seat available in the two areas.

Sitting councillors, Johnny Flynn, Paul Murphy and Mary Howard have been given the nod by party headquarters to try and retain their place on the Ennis MD. While in Killaloe, councillors Joe Cooney and Pat Burke will be joined on the ticket

by Ger O’Halloran who in 2014 narrowly missed out on being elected.

Eoin Neylon

An inside look at Clare’s political spectrum P21

NEWS 13

14 COLUMNIST

THURSDAY, DEC 6 2018

Deck the Halls

Aoibhín Garrihy

LOVE

CLARE

HAPPENINGS

CHRISTMAS PARTY BY THE SEA, KILKEE

Join Kilkee Chamber of Commerce, together with Kilkee Tidy Towns for a Christmas Party by the Sea on Friday, December 21st at Myles Creek.

Canapés, band and disco afterwards at the Loop Night Club. Tickets only €20.

THE NOTEBOOK

D

ECEMBER has finally arrived! Last year all we could think/talk about was wedding bells when my sister Ailbhe and her fiancé Ruaidhri got engaged. This year, it’s all about the little ones. It’s mad the difference a year makes and the different phases of family life.

Children really do bring the mag-

NATHAN CARTER LIVE

Join the Country Music Star, Nathan Carter as he returns to Treacys West County Hotel for his only concert in Ennis in 2018 on December 29th. Tickets available at treacyswestcounty.com

ENNIS CHRISTMAS MARKET

Ennis Christmas Market will bring the sights, sounds and smells of the festive season to the Market Building on Friday 21 December (3.00pm to 7.00pm) and Saturday 22 December (10.00am to 4.00pm). Traders will be showcasing a variety of locally produced gifts and produce, which would make an ideal Christmas gift, or last minute stocking fillers.

COVET IN

CLARE

PARTY PEOPLE Celebrating 50 years of the Armada Hotel, this limited edition commemorative whiskey is the perfect gift for whiskey enthusiasts or those who tied the knot or may have made special family memories at the hotel down through the years.

See the @ArmadaSpanishPoint for more details.

ic of Christmas back. It’s all for them.

Check out this week’s Top Five Festive Offerings. This weekend our tree goes up and I couldn’t resist getting a personalised stocking for Hanorah this year. Oh the fun we’ll have!

I’ve been working on our BEO Advent Affirmations online and have been trying to practice them each day myself. They are a great reminder at this time of year to focus on what Christmas means to you rather than what it means to the world. We can get caught up in all the madness and forget what really matters. Check out @beowellness.ie for these helpful little reminders.

We were all anticipating the launch of The Doireann Project in our house.

Doireann was working hard on it over the past few months and while we caught a couple of sneak peeks, we were dying for the series to be released this week. It’s hilarious! Check it out on the RTÉ Player if you fancy a giggle!

I’m on the road a lot and this month I’ve noticed a lot more traffic (Dublin is crazy but Ennis and Limerick are pretty busy too!) and even more stress.

Please drive carefully, slow down and remember to breath! This is the time accidents happen!

SCENT OF A WOMAN/MAN Santa Sacs, Stockings, Tree decorations and Baubles...Wowee.ie is your one stop shop for all things personalised this Christmas and they have not forgotten the fur babies either with a range of personalised pet baubles. Dotie

SWAT THAT SKIN BEAUTIFUL Confused by the saturated skincare market... check out this essential guide to healthy skin.

Written in Jennifer Rock’s unique brand of humour and honesty, with nerd-isms galore, The Skin Nerd book is a bible on the bodies largest organ. €19.99 at most good bookshops.

BANG ON TREND I’ve had my fair share of animal print this season but I couldn’t resist it rubbing off on Hanorah’s style too. Spotted these beauties as part of Sonoma (Market, Ennis) new range of baby shoes... just adorable.

PRETTY IN PINK While every one else opts for red, be different! This Skeena S pink number from The County Boutique is fabulously festive and perfect for a wedding, family occasion or night out this festive season!

COLUMNIST 15

THURSDAY, DEC 6 2018

Festive Top 5 Offerings in Clare this Xmas 2

AILLWEE CAVE

Santa’s workshop at Ailwee Cave has become a favorite amongst families at Christmas every year with it’s truly unique, majestic setting and on December 6th the cave hosts a very special Sensory Day in Santa’s Workshop for children with autism and other sensory challenges.

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THE FARMYARD, COROFIN

From reindeer spotting, craft making in the Elf Shop, visiting the animals and hopping on a tractor ride, The Farmyard is a truly unique place to make memories this Christmas. Santa makes a traditional appearance down the chimney of course and with home baked treats for all the family to enjoy, this is a visit you really won’t forget.

ATLANTIC AIR ADVENTURES, SHANNON Do it in style and take to the skies with Santa this Christmas at Atlantic Air Adventures, Shannon. With the main man at the helm, Captain Santa Claus will take you on a trip you won’t forget...it’s one way to get perspective and appreciate all that ground he’ll be covering on Christmas Eve!

BUNRATTY CASTLE, BUNRATTY

Complete with giant snow globe, a brand new Ice Rink, a magical festive village including a real life Scrooge, Santa, Mrs Clause and the elves, Bunratty Castle does Christmas like no other. Spend a few hours soaking up the atmosphere with your nearest and dearest...there really is something for everyone.

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GLÓR, ENNIS

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Featuring festive classics like Ballet Ireland’s production of The Nutcracker, Hansel and Gretel presented by The Pantaloons and Classical melodies from Vladimir’s Viennese Christmas glór has the delectable Christmas confections imaginable sure to get you into the true spirit of things!

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16 COLUMNIST

THURSDAY, DEC 6 2018

Jodie Finlay

JODIE'S HOUSE OF BEAUTY

BEAUTY WISH LIST

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ITH Christmas only around the corner I decided to write a beauty wish list. These might be useful for stocking filler ideas or secret Santa presents.

BENEFIT – THEY’RE REAL MASCARA

For the most flattering lashes this Mascara is hard to beat in my opinion. Available in black, blue and brown. Your lashes will look fuller, thicker and longer than ever. It really separates your lashes without any clumping whatsoever! With this mascara wand you hold it horizontally first and wiggle the brush from side to side from root to tips to add curl and volume. Switching then to the end of the brush (its like a spikey sphere) to give the lashes extra length by lifting them up and also for getting into those small corner lashes to widen your eyes. It has amazing staying power meaning no panda

eyes by the end of the day.

Unfortunately, it is difficult to remove.

No worries here though as Benefit have a specially formulated remover ‘ They’re real remover’ that perfectly cleanses all traces without any pulling or dragging on the delicate eye area. Modestly priced at €19.50 it would make a lovely gift addition with the Mascara. However, I have used various oily eye makeup removers to remove this mascara. Apply to cotton pads and press over the eyes for a good 30 seconds to allow it to dissolve before wiping the eyes in circular motion.

Price is €26 approx

BENEFIT POREFESSIONAL

This is the ultimate primer! It minimises the largest pores and even fine lines! It is suitable for all skin types and can also be used over makeup, to brighten/freshen your face at any time of the day/evening. Handy when you are heading straight after work to those Christmas parties. It is oil free so provides a matte look. A perfect canvas for your foundation.

Price is €34 approx

BEAUTIFUL BROW KIT

This kit comes with a selection of different

eyebrow stencils, brow powder in a colour of your choice, a couple of different brow brushes, a tweezers, and a highlighter. The brow powder is sweat proof, smudge proof and water proof. No touch ups required all day. I have had my brow powder over 3 years and use it daily even on clients and I still have plenty left. The newer kits have a light and a darker coloured brow powder in one allowing you to switch from a night to day look easily. When you eventually run out of brow powder you can buy a refill instead of replacing the whole kit.

Price is €40 approx

BIODERMA MICELLULAR WATER

Removes dirt and make up from the skin.

This was designed for even the most sensitive of skins. I am guilty of using some of the cheaper micellular waters on the market however this one is not half as drying on the skin as it is fragrance, alcohol, and paraben free. Well worth the extra few pennies!

I like to use this as my pre – cleanse and use a cream cleanser afterwards to ensure every ounce of make up is removed.

Price is €15 approx

NUXE REVE DE MIEL LIP BALM

Winter really takes its toll on our lips and a good moisture balm is something we should be applying several times daily. This Nuxe balm is so luxurious and contains the Anti-oxidant ‘propolis’ which helps sooth and repair our lips. Honey, shea Butter and rosehip oil blended together make this one of the best Balms on the market. Apply liberally before sleep for extra benefit.

Top Tip: Mix some of the balm with a little brown sugar and rub lips gently to exfoliate and smooth your lips. Price is €12 approx

lCOSMETIC CHRISTMAS: Get ready for those Christmas parties

NEWS 17

East Clare sale home 'like a time capsule'

THURSDAY, DEC 6 2018

Rural cottage previously lived in by Ireland's oldest man opened for first time in 12 years PÁRAIC McMAHON

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paraic@clareecho.ie

RURAL cottage previously home to Ireland’s oldest man has been opened up for the first time in 12 years.

Paddy Gleeson was the sole resident of a small cottage in Kealdarra until he moved into a care home in 2006. Four years later he was Ireland’s oldest man and died at the age of 106 at Raheen Community Hospital. His East Clare home has been put on the market by those that inherited it in his Will.

A thick layer of ivy had to be cut away in order to reach the front door. Inside, everything had been left as Paddy left it with a 2006 calendar still on the wall, his post on the table along with condiments, his shoes, jackets and hats in their right place while turf and logs were stacked in the corner of the room.

Before Paddy left his cottage, he was interviewed and photographed

by Turtle Bunbury and James Fennell which appeared in the Vanishing Ireland series of books.

Here, the bachelor spoke about growing up as a teenager during WWI and recalled being born in a

pub but never drinking much. While never married, he mused “maybe I’ll meet someone my age soon”.

Bodyke estate agent, Steve Symes of Green Valley Properties is tasked with selling the property.

He told The Clare Echo, “It’s a curious place... We have had a couple of viewings but we haven’t been inundated by any way, shape or form, it’s only a minority who would take on such a project”.

With no water supply, septic tank, central heating, bathroom or toilet, one wonders how Paddy lasted for so long in such conditions. It also means

the buyer will have plenty of work to do once they make the purchase. It is on offer for €40,000.

A native of Dorseth, Steve has lived in Bodyke since moving to Ireland around the time Margaret Thatcher became Prime Minister of the UK. He took a photo of an image of Paddy in the house and upon studying it could see how nothing had changed at the cottage, situated between Bodyke and O’Callaghans Mills. “The last calendar on the wall is from 2006, nothing has been touched since then so from that extent you could call it a time capsule to an extent”.

l TIME CAPSULE: Paddy Gleeson's cottage in East Clare has been put up for sale by those who inherited it in his Will. It is on offer for €40,000 Photo courtesy of Steve Symes

Entertainment

O’DEA SELECTS AT GLÓR Mick O’Dea Selects...

From Friday, December 14 FREE OF CHARGE

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NE of the most significant exhibitions of contemporary Irish art in recent years, Mick O’Dea Selects… will be launched in glór, Ennis on Friday 14th December. The exhibition is a return of the hugely successful glór Selects… series, which sees a renowned Irish artist curate an exhibition of artists whose work has influenced or inspired their own work.

For the 2018 Selects exhibition, Ennis local and former President of the RHA, Mick O’Dea PPRHA has pulled together an extraordinary line-up of artists from the senior council of the RHA. Artists whose work will be on show in this landmark exhibition include Una Sealy, James Hanley, Blaise Smith, Colin Martin, Donald Teskey, Abigail O’Brien, Eithne Jordan, James English, Carey Clarke, Geraldine O’Neill, Eilis O’ Connell, and of course work from Mick himself.

With a diverse mix of work including landscape, streetscape, portraiture, sculpture and still life, Mick O’Dea Selects… promises to be a unique and exciting exhibition of Irish Art, reflecting the vitality of contemporary art in Ireland.

Mick remarks ‘I am delighted to have been afforded this opportunity by glór to present the work of artists who I admire and respect, the exhibition will reflect the diversity and skill that is prevalent in Irish

Art today and will be well worth a visit.’

Mick O’Dea Selects…will be accompanied by an Artist’s Guided Tour and Talk in addition to a screening of The Battlefield, a film by Emile Dinneen charting O’Dea’s preparations for a monumental exhibition of his 10 year study of The War of Independence. A Dementia Friendly Exhibition Tour for people living with Dementia & their family, friends and carers will take place on Thursday 10th January at 11.30am.

The Selects...series has been curated by Lorraine Wall in 2004, John Shinnors in 2005, Walter Verling in 2006, and Seán McSweeney in 2008 and has brought some iconic work to glór’s walls over the years.

The exhibition will be opened by Patrick Murphy, Director of the RHA Gallery.

With Post-show Q&A with Director, Emile Dinneen.

An Artist’s Talk & Guided Tour of the exhibition with Mick O’Dea will take place on Saturday 15th December at 11.30am in glór’s Studio. Free of charge but please prebook on 065 6843103.

A Dementia Friendly Exhibition Tour for People Living with Dementia & their Family, Friends & Carers will take place on Thursday 10th January at 11.30am.

Please pre-book with Sinéad Cahill on 065 6845370 or scahill@glor.ie

lMick O’Dea Selects: (Above) Mick O’Dea’s painting of actor, writer and director Olwen Fouéré, (Left) Hydrangea postcard from the Royal Hibernian Academy

The Battlefield Saturday 15th December 2pm €5 Duration: 45 mins

STRANGE BEDFELLOWS

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URREN College of Art is pleased to host the PhD|MFA Interim Exhibition, Strange Bedfellows, along with the Study Abroad undergraduate end-of-year exhibition and postgraduate Open Studios.

In Strange Bedfellows, six artists from Ireland, United States and Canada will be presenting works-in-progress on a variety of different perspectives and

lNeo Natural: exploring human and nature connections

themes.

Works will be exhibited by second year MFA students Perrin Duncan, Katie Kramer, Morgan Madison and Kaitlynn Webster. Tanya de Paor and Kelly Klaasmeyer are current PhD students and will be showing work reflecting their research practice.The exhibition will be opened by Michaële Cutaya who is a writer, researcher and editor on art living in County Galway.

Tanya de Paor is a PhD candidate in the Burren College of Art and National University of Ireland, Galway. She is an artist, researcher and lecturer based in Cork. Her work is concerned with exploring human and nature connections in the neo natural world of the Anthropocene. Her work is multidisciplinary and included sculpture, drawing, installation

and text and lens based media. She received her MA from Belfast College of Art, University of Ulster. She recently presented at the TransCultural Exchange 2018 International Confernce for Opportunties in the Arts, in Qúebec City.

Katie Kramer is a visual artist originally from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada where she received her HBFA from Lakehead University. Her experience of rural life has assisted in forming an interest of place and environment. Her work currently focuses on subverting the traditional notions of 19th century sublime found in Renaissance painting, using local residential development as an area of focus. She explores this idea through the comparison of anthropocentric and ecocentric perspectives, alongside the representation of human altered landscapes; questioning the distinction between the manmade and the natural. As a multidisciplinary artist, she uses painting, drawing and sculpture to explore her conceptual ideas. @ ktk_artworks

lHuman altered landscape: exploring the comparison of anthropocentric and ecocentric perspectives

20 THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

THURSDAY, DEC 6 2018

Ronan Scully

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK Author spreading the word of positivity

BE A HUMBLE PERSON

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NFORTUNATELY in modern times we’ve developed some false connotations for the word, Humility such as blind obedience, self abasement, shyness, not standing up for ourselves or taking credit for our success.

In a highly individualized, competitive world where we must promote ourselves constantly to get jobs, be popular and succeed in many areas, the old fashioned notion of humility seems to only hold one back. However, the secret of Humility is that the more successful, the more recognized and loved you are, the harder it is to maintain and when one does meet an admirable person with this virtue, it is beautiful beyond measure. Humility is not putting yourself down or lacking pride, it is not excessive modesty or submissiveness. Rather, we achieve Humility when we completely conquer the Ego and when we do not see ourselves as superior to any other human being and when we are fully grateful for everything we have achieved and those who have helped us along the way. It’s when we stop pushing others down so that we might step up and instead support each other arm in arm and hand in hand. It is not at all an easy state to achieve.

Accepting Feedback

To be Humble we must acknowledge that we are wrong sometimes. Accept feedback from others with grace and gratefulness, trying our best to learn from our mistakes rather than ignoring any suggestions that we don’t want to hear.

Rather we must learn to accept help and advice with gratitude. We must also take full responsibility for our failures and the consequences of these and not turn the blame on others. A large part of Humility is forgiveness. When we learn to forgive those who have wronged us and also to apologize to those we have wronged we step off our soapbox and learn that it is not our role to judge others. We must also endure unfair treatment with patience and grace, knowing that the world is not always fair but we can do our best to be so.

A humble Person can be happy for others; can rejoice in their successes and achievements without feeling that they are any less because of them. With this we must

try to only think and speak good things about others, celebrating their strengths rather than complaining about their flaws.

Gratefulness

Gratefulness is another key element to humility. To not merely be successful and happy and beautiful, but grateful for every blessing we are given and every reward we work for. Also to be thankful to everyone who helps us along the way, no matter how small or great their aid may be, even having those that support and believe in you is immensely fortunate. Give credit where it is due and show gratitude. A humble person is never above helping others. In fact they should look for opportunities to be of service and assistance to friends, family and strangers. Of all the beautiful people I have met though, those that are humble in their greatness are by far the most admirable. It takes a pure heart to soar high and still keep one’s feet on the ground.

Live each day to the fullest

Don’t undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others, It is because we are different that each of us is special.

Don’t set your goals by what other people deem important, Only you know what is best for you. Don’t take for granted the things closest to your heart, Cling to that as you would your life, for without them life is meaningless. Don’t let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past or the future. By living your life one day at a time, you live all the days of your life.

Don’t give up when you still have something to give. Nothing is really over ... until the moment you stop trying. Don’t be afraid to admit that you are less than perfect, It is the fragile thread that binds us to each other. Don’t be afraid to encounter risks, It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave. Don’t shut love out of your life by saying it’s impossible to find.

The quickest way to receive love is to give love. The fastest way to lose love is to hold on too tightly, And the best way to keep love is to give it wings. Don’t dismiss your Dreams. To be without dreams is to be without hope. To be without hope is to be without purpose. Don’t run through life so fast that you forget where you’ve been, But also know where you’re going. Life is not a

race but a journey to be savored every step of the way. Live each day to the fullest.

Thought for the week

As your thought for the week remember to keep a healthy dose of humility in you lives. By doing so you are constantly keeping yourself in check with others around you, and at the same time you are opening yourself up to continue learning and growing as a person. Humility can be one of the best psychological tools we humans have – the ability to know that we aren’t perfect, we aren’t broken, we are who we are and we are all very special and don’t ever forget that! Let me finish with a favorite prayer I pray about trying to be a humble person that always try’s to show real humility. Dear Lord, Your truth runs counter to our self-exalting world: humble service is the path to a life well lived. This truth isn’t weak or foolish as the world would think, but is a blessed and honorable gospel garment donned by those who love You, the One who exalts the humble and brings down the proud.

Oh, that the entire world would live in humility before You and each other! While I aspire a life of godly humility, the pull of pride seems too strong to overcome at times. I so often desire to sit on your throne instead of bowing before You. I think highly of myself and my accomplishments and forget I am a human being made of dust who at best can be called a servant. Oh, Lord, rescue me from foolish pride and help me learn from Your gentle and humble heart! Gracious Father, reprogram my soul with your Word to remember the world is all about Doing good and kind acts for others in Jesus name and not myself. Help me not think more highly of myself than I ought, but to delight in regarding others as more important. Rescue

me from the self-deception of pride by giving me a realistic view of my life, talents, and relationship with others and with you; always looking to the cross which reveals both the wrath I deserve and Your costly grace. In my battle against pride, keep me from a false humility that fails to recognize Your gracious gifts. Rather, help me steward what you have given me as a faithful servant—a servant ready to wear the garment of humility and serve you in whatever way would most help Your Kingdom and to help especially those most in need in our society and world and bring praise to Your Name. Lord, Your Son left the pleasures of heaven for a life of service on earth—and He gave his life for all people. Help me have His attitude, remembering that You oppose the proud and give grace to the humble. You must become greater; I must become less—only then does the glorious reality shine forth that Christ is highly exalted above every name in heaven and on earth. May my entire being bow before You in loving allegiance, confessing You as Lord over all of my life and all of creation, to the praise of Your glory. Amen.

OPINION 21

THURSDAY, DEC 6 2018

‘In Clare, we are poor at putting faith in younger candidates’ Eoin Neylon An inside look at Clare’s political spectrum

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OLLOWING the Killaloe FF selection convention, Liam Wiley remarked that Fianna Fáil in Clare were in trouble when it comes to the promotion and recruitment of youth within its ranks. Even though there are several tal-

ented young members across the county, largely, Wiley has a good point. That said, it’s not just Fianna Fáil that seemingly has an issue with youth in Clare. With Mark Nestor and Mike Taylor throwing their names in the hat for Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael respectively, along with the Soc Dems running two more candidates in their 20s in the Banner, there will be some youth on the local election ballot papers in Clare next May. That said, they’re all up against tall odds to win election to the county council.

Fianna Fáil’s average age of local representative is the

Barefield Tidy Towns invite you to attend their

Public Consultation Event on a proposed Amenity Enhancement Plan for

Ballyallia Lake VENUE: Auburn Lodge Hotel, Ballyallia DATE: Tuesday 11th December 2018 TIME: 5pm - 7pm Have your say!

Come and meet the design team appointed to prepare the plan for the enhancement of the Ballyallia amenity area.

What do you like most about Ballyallia amenity area ?

Do you have any ideas or improvements for the Ballyallia amenity area?

oldest of all parties in Clare. Those from the Independent ranks are also of a similar vintage, on average. Where as this vital experience is indeed needed in all levels of Government, there must be a balance of new ideas and representation of all members of society, including Clare’s younger cohort. In fact, in this writer’s entire lifetime (since 1986), there have only been two local authority candidates successfully elected while in their 20s. These were namely Joe Carey of Fine Gael and Cathal Crowe of Fianna Fáil. As an electorate, we tend to be very poor at putting our faith in younger candidates. As a result, issues that tend to matter more to the younger generation don’t get the attention they should.

This is not a phenomenon that is restricted to Clare, nor to local authority elections. We see it in Dáil and Seanad elections too on an even greater scale. It’s an interesting exercise to examine the Seanad election results in 2016 and note how younger candidates fared. Except for only one of the Fine Gael candidates, again, no one under 30 was elected in any panel in which there was realistic competition. Sinn Fein’s Fintan Warfield may have been elected the youngest Senator almost three years ago but given SF’s military control of their Seanad strategy it means that being selected by SF guarantees election as none of their members are permitted to seek outside nominations. The party sanctioning only the minimum number of members that will win seats, snuffs out all real competition, removing any competition. All the seven Ógra Fianna Fáil candidates failed to even come close to being elected despite all having good political experience. Similarly, Independent candidates of a younger vintage were far off the pace. And why would other sitting councillors and Oireachtas members vote for younger candidates when their electorate regularly spurn the same demographic?

As I wrote in pervious articles, our lack of female representation in Clare has been a source of ongoing shame for us as a county but the same can be said of our attitude to young people in politics. Having travelled extensively around Europe, meeting young politicians in various countries, one thing struck me. On the continent, youth wings and groups are paid far more heed by the media and general public than they are here. As head of the largest youth political movement on the island of Ireland for two terms, I was only interviewed on national media twice, both times on radio. The first was on Raidio na Gealtachta about a press release on bank lending. The second was on a panel discussing the marriage equality referendum on RTÉ Radio 1. I was acutely aware that none of the other party youth wing heads in those two years were invited to do anything similar. Is it any wonder then that the wider electorate doesn’t have an appreciation for what young people in politics can bring to public life when they’re denied a voice in most media circles?

Further still none of the party youth wings get any TV exposure. All the while, on the continent, youth wing heads debate ahead of elections, they are invited on to express their opinions on matters of policy both within their party and of others, and, to discuss and dissect election results. The only youth group that gets similar media coverage here is the Union of Students in Ireland.

Although they do good work, they do only represent a narrow political outlook that doesn’t cover the political spectrum of opinions that young people hold.

Local media though has seen some hope in this regard.

Although limited still, there at least is some coverage for youth groups and political wings and the message they hope to convey.

It must be accepted by the wider electorate, however, that if they wish to really change things, it’s only by exercising their votes that they can make a difference.

With apparently more people than ever disillusioned and dissatisfied with the body politic, it’s time we did something different. Perhaps electing a more balanced range of representatives, that reflects our society, is the correct way to shake things up. If it’s going to start anywhere, local government elections are the place to do it.

22 COMMUNITY

Community EAST CLARE SVP EAST CLARE Change of date: St. Vincent de Paul - East Clare will now be holding their Christmas church gate collections on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th December at all parish churches. Your donations allow us to continue supporting those most in need in our local communities - thank you.

If you would be able to support us with either a regular, or one off payment direct to SVP East Clare, we would be grateful.

Account Name: East Clare SVP. Bank of Ireland. IBAN No: IE91 BOFI 9044 1363 2045 45. BIC No: BOFIIE2D. If you are in need of assistance we can be contacted locally and in confidence on 086 392 1492 CRATLOE CEILI A Fundraising Ceili will be held on this Sunday 9th December in the Community Hall in Cratloe.

Three deserving Charities will be supported by this very popular event. The charities this time around are The Alzheimer’s Society, Adapt Domestic Abuse Services and Cratloe Benevolent Fund.Come along and enjoy the evening while supporting these charities.

Music is by the fantastic Star of Munster ceili band. A great evening of dancing, Craic and refreshments guaranteed. Dancing 3 – 6pm with admission €10.

O’CALLAGHAN’S MILLS AGM The annual general meeting of O’Callaghan’s Mills GAA club was held recently in the clubhouse in Kilkishen. Forty members were in attendance. Chairman, Joe Cooney in his address thanked

his fellow officers for their work.

He congratulated the Junior C management team on winning the County Championship. He also paid tribute to the Senior and Junior A management teams.

Secretary, Patsy Neville, and Treasurer, Joe Meaney gave comprehensive reports on all activities and finances.

Officers elected for 2019 are President, JP Guinnane, Vice president John Fitzgerald, Patron Fr. Donal Dwyer, Chairman Joe O’Gorman, Vice Chairman Brian Nolan, Secretary, Patsy Neville, assistant secretary John Cooney, Treasurer Michael Jones, assistant Treasurer Jack McNamara, PRO Pat O’Brien, Cultural officer Sean Hehir, County Board delegate Joe O’Gorman, Register Michael Jones, Membership officers Niall Donovan and John Cooney, players representative Niall Donovan, child welfare officer Sinead Scanlon. Additional Executive committee members elected are Neil O’Brien, Patrick Hogan, Matt Donovan, and Fergus Donovan.

The Clubs annual Christmas social takes place on the 26th of December in the Mills Tavern.

Tickets are available from club officers and committee members.

CONTACT NEWSDESK

065 671 9021 news@clareecho.ie

EAST CLARE

l GENEROUS: Pat O’Brien and Michael Hickey of the O’Callaghans Mills Fianna Fáil Cumann making a generous donation to William McLysaght and Cllr Pat Hayes of the Raheen Hospital support group

NORTH/WEST CLARE TABLE QUIZ IN LISDOON Table Quiz: Lisdoonvarna, Doolin, Kilfenora and Kilshanny Community Games are holding a table quiz in McDermott’s pub in Doolin on Thursday 6th December 2018 at 9pm. €5 per person.

Raffle and prizes on the night.

All support greatly appreciated.

For more information visit www. facebook.com/LDKKCommunityGames.

THURSDAY, DEC 6 2018

ENNIS Clare County Council has acquired Cusack Lodge on Lahinch Road in Ennis to be operated as a homeless HUB to accommodate five families.

The hub will be operated by Novas, an organisation with expertise and experience in this work and the facility will be operational by early Summer.

COMMUNITY 23

THURSDAY,DEC 6 2018

Community

CONTACT NEWSDESK

065 671 9021 news@clareecho.ie

ENNIS

l PILLARS OF THE COMMUNITY: Disability activist Dermot Hayes with Ennis Mayor, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy at the International Day for people with disabilities in glór on Monday, where over 150 people attended

FARMERS MARKET Brussel sprouts are not the only Christmassy local produce to be discovered at the Ennis Farmers Market this December! This vibrant weekly market will have a festive feel throughout the month with the local food producers introducing seasonal treats.

From hampers brimming with locally produced relishes and jams to sweet treats like traditional shortbread and gluten-free Christmas Cakes, shoppers can tick off their lists in just one stop at the market.

Burren Natural Cordials branches out from cordials, jams and relishes to help their customers decorate their homes with Christmas wreaths. The handmade wreaths are designed with all natural materials sourced from their farm, in both traditional evergreen and rustic wooden twig styles.

The star of any Christmas Dinner is the Christmas Ham, and Inagh Free Range Farm is taking orders every Friday from the 7th December. Gerard Rynne comments, “Our traditional Christmas hams are, obviously, a big seller this time of year but we also stock sausage meat to stuff your turkey, another festive tradition in some homes. Nearly every customer that bought a ham from us last year has already placed an order for this year as the traditional breed pigs we rear have a taste that’s second to none.”

If you’re in search of nonedible gifts, stop by the stall selling Mashrique style ethnic crafts that are responsibility sourced from Egypt. The Christmas table linen, silver jewellery, handwoven shawls and glass ornaments are made from natural materials are crafted by well-known designers or traditional craftspeople, many from income-generating projects for women.

These seasonal products can be found along with the locally produced delights available all year such as artisan cheese, savoury pies, vegetarian food, organic vegetables and free range eggs.

Uncover unique gifts, fill the larder and soak in the festive atmosphere at the Ennis Farmers Market every Friday in Roslevan Shopping Centre from 8am-2pm.

25 years of Arts & Crafts in Clare ENNIS

W

HEN it comes to milestones in life, one of the very significant ones must be the 25th.

It seems that the quarter century is a stage to be marked in some special way, and, so it is called the silver anniversary, or silver jubilee. It is a mark of the achievement of time together in some way or another, and so it is with Clare Crafts Association.

Clare Crafts was founded 25 years ago on March 3, 1993, by people who were devoted to Arts and Crafts in Clare and it has been carried on up to now by others who are equally devoted. Indeed, it can be said that all art is a craft and all craft is an art.

Clare Crafts Association was originally known as The Clare Association of Artists and Craft Workers until it was rebranded some years ago to better portray the current ethos of the group as now constituted.

The aims of the Association are as follows: Access and distribution of information relating to Craft workers, and their activities in County Clare.

To organise exhibitions and/or fairs, and to develop a marketing strategy for local arts and crafts.

To encourage the development of arts and crafts in the area.

To encourage the development of educational and training facilities for Craft workers.

To facilitate co-operation between members of the

Association; for example in the bulk purchasing of raw materials or in exhibiting work.

To actively promote the Association and work of its members.

The Association is open to all those who produce Crafts & Art of any sort in Clare, and to those who have an interest in Arts and Crafts.

They may be full time professionals,

part-time or amateurs, who, by their support can further the aims of the Association. It is very important that all products displayed by members be of high standard and so only those whose work is approved are admitted to membership.

Craft workers not from Clare but close to the county are admitted as Associate members.

Like many other groups and businesses, the crash of 2008 had a devastating effect on Clare Crafts but, as they say in the theatre, the show must go on no matter what happens and so it has been. After several lean years for those that stayed with it and for the newer members that joined in recent times, business is slowly beginning to improve and hopefully will continue into the future. This week, 10 members have a pop up shop in the Tourist Office, Ennis, until Saturday, Dec 8 and ,finally for 2018, there will be a Craft Fair in the Old Ground on Sunday, Dec 16 to round off another successful year.

BUSINESS 24

THURSDAY, DEC 6 2018

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

Gleeson’s good as gold

T WAS a newspaper ad in the 1970s that ignited Brian Gleeson’s career as a succesful goldsmith.

Son to a plasterer and grandson to a carpenter in Thurles, Co Tipperary, Brian spent many of his teenage years on building sites.

Fast forward to the closing end of 2018, Brian Gleeson has been trading at the Ballycasey Craft & Design Centre, a unique shopping destination off Exit 7 of the M18, since 1981. The workshop and showroom is more than worth the visit, whether if only to browse or a few Christmas purchases.

Gleeson Goldsmiths set themselves apart from the high street shop by offering a unique, bespoke and handmade product. Five full-time goldsmiths are on hand to provide an expert service on all things jewellery and high quality is what they’re all about.

Brian tells The Clare Echo, “We make all our own engagement rings, wedding bands, bespoke jewellery, we do a lot of repairs, resetting, valuations, anything to do with jewellery, we do it and we can carry it all out here in our own workshop.

“A lot of pieces we do are one-off pieces that we’d never repeat and people love that kind of stuff. I think it’s coming back - people are moving away from the branded stuff on the high street. I think there’s an appreciation again for something that is handmade.

“For a frontal, one-to-one service. People come in and they’re speaking to the person who’s going to be making the piece. There’s something very special about that.

Brian showed great ambition in his early 20s when he started the business.

“I was fairly young alright,” he continues. “My father was in the building business actually, I spent my summers working on building sites but I myself was always interested in art and

metalwork in school.

“So I saw this ad in the paper for an apprentice goldsmith in Kilkenny Design Centre to be honest with you I didn’t even know what a goldsmith entailed - and I went for it and out of 200 people that applied only one was taken on and that was me, so I was quite privileged. I loved it.”

Brian carried out a four-year apprenticeship in Kilkenny

‘‘

I was just inspired by the Burren so I decided to do a whole range based on it

‘‘

I

Brian Gleeson tells Stuart Holly about his journey to becoming a goldsmith, and explains what sets Gleeson Goldsmiths apart

and from there went to work for a design company in Dublin designing prototypes mainly for fashion jewellery. From there, the Tipperary native set up his own business in Dunguaire Castle, operated by Shannon Development at the time, before making the move to Ballycasey. “I’ve been here ever since. I love it here, it’s nice and quiet and you set yourself apart as you’re not on a high street.”

A destination store, Brian gives the example that Gleeson Goldsmiths are currently creating rings for a couple in Cork and recently did cuff-links for a retired judge in France. “We often get enquiries for people wanting bespoke pieces to be made up and we can do that.”

Despite offering a bespoke service, Brian insists that value is also a very important virtue when it comes to dealing with each specific customer. “If you compare it to manufactured pieces, we’re not any more expensive. We have rings for all

price ranges and accomodate everybody. We do engagement rings starting for less than €1,000. We usually can do something for you.”

And there’s also plenty for the casual shopper. Gleeson Goldsmiths developed their own Burren Collection back when Brian was working from Dunguaire Castle and to this day the range continues to develop.

“When I was in Dunguaire Castle I was reading a book about the Burren - to be honest with you I didn’t know anything about the Burren until then - I was just inspired by it. The fact that you’ve these Mediterranian and Icelandic flowers growing side by side.

It’s just an amazing place; the landscape, I was really inspired by it so I decided to do a whole range of jewellery based on it and we continue to do that today and keep changing it. We incorporate the Dolmen into cuff-links or wedding rings, if you’ve a Clare person living away they love the connection with home.

For anyone who is planning on making a purchase, Brian says that while nothing can replicate a visit to the workshop and showroom, gleesongoldsmiths.ie is a good place to start.

“People are always surprised when they see our shop, how warm, cosy it is and how friendly the service is and that you just walk in, browse around and leave without feeling this pressure that you’ve to buy something.

“People can browse on our website and that gives a good insight to what we are. All our profiles are up there, it’s a very open and friendly website.”

Visit Gleeson Goldsmiths at Ballycasey Craft & Design Centre off Exit 7 of the M18 or visit the website at gleesongoldsmiths.ie.

l EXQUISITE QUALITY: Brian Gleeson and (below) produce from the workshop

26 BUSINESS

BUSINESS

THURSDAY, DEC 6 2018

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

Dive Academy a Kontour clean swimming success up at kitchen trade awards A K SCUBA diving school in Clare has been named Business of the Year at the 2018 Clean Coasts’ Ocean Hero Awards.

Dive Academy based in Lahinch collected 200kg of debris this year with two successful beach clean events. The group filled over 20 sacks (140kg) of refuse during the Big Beach Clean, along with several large

objects such a metal fence-post, a tangled mass of rope, a car battery, plastic panels and sheets.

‘Dive Against Debris’ sees them collect any underwater debris from some of their favourite dive sites in the Atlantic. The business now includes information on underwater debris collection during their dive briefings and they encourage divers to collect underwater

debris and return it to their dive centre for disposal.

Owner and manager, Darek Guziuk, said “We never expected anything like this, we are just doing what we love, diving, and decided to organise some activities to help combat ocean debris. Then when we were nominated, we were delighted, but to actually win it was brilliant, I am so happy with that.”

ONTOUR Design, a local bespoke kitchen provider has scooped the top prize for showroom of the year last Friday night in the Titanic, Belfast at Ireland’s Kitchen Trade Guide Awards.

Together the directors Barry Meehan and Dave Gannon have been in operation for three years and are located in the Gort Road Industrial park.

This is the sixth annual event of the IKTG Awards and Kontour’s first nomination and award.

The award criteria was to the kitchen

retailer who has created an outstanding setting to showcase kitchens and appliances.

The event celebrated the fantastic talent on the island of Ireland and to award those at the top of their profession from kitchen designers, retailers to suppliers.

To see their showroom excellence for yourself, why not visit them at Unit 4, Gort Road Industrial Estate, Ennis.

l TOP CLASS: Kontour Design directors Barry Meehan and Dave Gannon with their partners Michelle O’Connor and Nora Gannon and (below) the lads picking up their prize for showroom of the year from Derek Marren, Siemens Ireland, sponsors of the showroom of the year award

BUSINESS 27

THURSDAY, DEC 6 2018

RECRUITMENT

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

SEAT TO FILL? Be seen in The Clare Echo recruitment section.

Call 065 671 9021 or email ciara.farrell@clareecho.ie or ger.naughton@clareecho.ie.

Take the pain out of sharing news of your vacancy today.

Saturday 5th of January 2019 Would you like to work at Ireland’s most visited natural attraction?

The Cliffs of Moher is holding a

RECRUITMENT OPEN DAY FOR 2019 SEASON at the Falls Hotel Ennistymon from 10am to 4pm

A World Class

VISITOR EXPERIENCE

The Cliffs of Moher are currently recruiting for the following seasonal positions to join our exciting team: l

CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENTS CAFÉ GENERAL WORKERS E: careers@cliffsofmoher.ie

lCo. Clare, Ireland.

•

Excellent Renumeration Rates

•

Uniform Provided

•

Staff Shuttle Bus from Ennistymon & Lisdoonvarna Meet with our staff & managers throughout the day to learn more about working at a World Class Visitor Attraction.

You are welcome to bring an up to date Curriculum Vitae.

If you require any further information, please email careers@cliffsofmoher.ie Co. Clare, Ireland.

E: careers@cliffsofmoher.ie

www.cliffsofmoher.ie

If you would like to apply for one of these roles please forward your Curriculum Vitae accompanied by a cover letter to: careers@cliffsofmoher.ie by 5pm on Saturday the 5th of January 2019.

www.cliffsofmoher.ie

CANVASSING WILL DISQUALIFY.

l

CLEANERS

CLIFFS OF MOHER CENTRE LTD

l

GENERAL OPERATIVES

EMPLOYER.

Liscannor, Co. Clare, Ireland.

Onsite Training Provided

If you or someone you know would be interested in working as part of our team, please come to the recruitment open day on Saturday 5th of January.

Would you like to work at Ireland’s most visited natural attraction, at a spectacular tourist site with a magical vista that captures the hearts of over 1.5 million visitors each year?

We are looking for people who can contribute to our world class visitor experience during the 2019 season.

•

IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

E: careers@cliffsofmoher.ie

www.cliffsofmoher.ie

Save up to 50% by booking online

www.cliffsofmoher.ie OPEN 9AM – 5PM IN

December, January & February

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark

Motoring MOTORING EXPERT NEIL BRISCOE GIVES HIS VIEWS

AUDI KEEPS THINGS SIMPLE WITH NEW A6 ROAD TEST: AUDI A6 2.0 TDI SALOON

I

SAME-Y STYLING FOR NEW A6 BUT WHAT LIES BENEATH IS HUGELY TASTY

HAVE become a touch wary of the current trend for high-end, highprice, baking. You know the stuff I mean — cupcakes with towering decorations, donuts with flavours you’ve never heard of, baked goods that seem to be calculated to please Paul Hollywood’s delusions of grandeur rather than actually do anything much for your taste buds.

Too many of these over-complicated concoctions are just piles of over-worked sugar, with little actual flavour.

Consider the new Audi A6, then, to be as metaphorically far away as possible from such a comparison. This is no overwrought pastry, this is a perfectly mixed, judiciously baked Victoria Sponge. A lack of needless complication, but one filled with great ingredients and imbued with near-perfect taste.

Whereas some competitors are reaching for the outer boundaries of the sketch pad with outré styling and too much decoration, Audi has decided — and not for the first time — that the previous model was so good looking that the new one can, basically, be more of the same but slightly nicer.

That’s actually not the case for the interior, which throws out the style and feel of the old A6’s cabin, and instead imports the three-screen layout from the (much more expensive) likes of the A7, A8, and Q8. You get a big digital screen in front of you for instrumentation and sat-nav, and two screens in the centre console — lKEEPING THINGS SIMPLE : The Audi A6 2.0 TDI Saloon

one for infotainment, one for heating, air conditioning, and other vehicle functions.

Different it may be, but once again the effect is one of simplicity, of not bothering with ornamentation. Its design reduced to its basic principles, albeit married with near-perfect quality.

Not quite perfect operation, though.

The idea of having two infinitely variable touchscreens is a tempting one, and one that has many benefits, but it’s yet more proof that sometimes, sticking with straightforward physical buttons is the better way to go. Certainly, proper buttons mean taking your eyes off the road for less time, although I’ll allow that the system is bound to become less distracting with more time and more familiarity. There is some impressive tech bundled into those screens, though, including sat-nav that learns your regular routes and can offer traffic and diversion advice without you having to key in a destination; plus builtin connectivity that will, eventually, offer hazard warnings transmitted from other Audis and even parking space alerts.

Stepping away from the tech for a moment, we should consider other, more traditional virtues, Such as silence. Golden? It sure is in the A6, which benefits from standard-fit double-glazed side glass, so the noise levels in the cabin are impressively low. That cabin is also hugely spacious, much more so than, say, that of a BMW 5 Series. There’s definitely more stretching room.

Power, for our test car, came from a new version of the trusty 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine. This one has 204hp, and a 12-volt ‘mild hybrid’ system, which basically means that the stop-start system kicks in earlier, and stays on longer. Audi claims you’ll get 4.7-litres per 100km (60mpg) on average, and pleasingly we got very close to that for much of our time with the car.

As well as the 204hp, you get 400Nm of torque, which is quite a bit, and in fact it can occasionally overwhelm the front tyres on a greasy surface. Better upgrade to quattro four-wheel drive, then… That punch is much appreciated when you really need it though, and the A6 has pugnacious performance, and actually feels rather a bit quicker than you might have expected it to.

Does that make it fun to drive? Not exactly. Unlike, say, the BMW 5 Series, whose sole mission in life is to more deeply involve you in the driving experience, the A6 is a rather more aloof and distant in its responses. It does corner very neatly, and with no lack of poise, but the over-light steering means that you’re a little more removed from the process. The upshot of that is that the A6 feels truly relaxing and luxurious to drive. Given the excellence of the cabin, it actually makes upgrading to the much more expensive A8 seem rather pointless…

Sometimes, the plainest-looking cake is actually the tastiest and most

FACTS & FIGURES: Model tested: Audi A6 40 TDI S line S tronic saloon Pricing: €59,618 as tested; A6 starts at €50,800 Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel Transmission: seven-speed automatic, front-wheel drive Body style: four-door, five-seat saloon CO2 emissions: 117g/km (Band A4 €200 per annum) Combined economy: 60.1mpg (4.7 litres/100km) Top speed: 247km/h 0-100km/h: 8.1 seconds Power: 204hp at 3,750rpm Torque: 400Nm at 1,750rpm Boot space: 530-litres Safety: EuroNCAP rating: five-stars: 93 per cent adult; 85 per cent child; 81 per cent pedestrian; 76 per cent safety assist

satisfying. The new A6 is proof that, as is so often the case, those seeking to razzle-dazzle you with style are actually hiding a lack of substance. The A6’s subtle, quiet looks are actually hiding one of the tastiest recipes on the road. It’s good enough to be better than an Audi A4 to drive, and not far behind the likes of the BMW 3 Series and Merc C-Class. It’s also very refined at cruising speed.

Mazda’s constant updating of the 6 has kept it ahead of much of the family saloon game, and it remains both better looking and (far) better to drive than the likes of the Ford Mondeo, VW Passat, Opel Insignia, and Hyundai i40. The interior, while it has to yield to rivals in space terms, looks and feels very good, and the new seats are very comfortable indeed. It’s an accomplished motorway cruiser, yet far more fun on a twisty road than any direct rival.

DON’T PLAY GAMES WITH YOUR CARS SAFETY

WITH WINTER HERE, NOW’S THE TIME TO MAKE SURE YOUR ŠKODA IS READY FOR THE ROADS AHEAD.

ŠKODA Winter Service ONLY €149

Let Al Hayes ŠKODA look after your ŠKODA. We’ll give your car a comprehensive service and a full Vehicle Health Check.

As well as checking all your cars fluids, including antifreeze, we’ll also pay special attention to its battery, lights, wipers and tyres.

Book now at Al Hayes ŠKODA. We’re ready to look after you today.

Al Hayes ŠKODA, Gort Road, Ennis, Clare.

Tel: 065 682 2400 • www.alhayesskoda.ie

30 MOTORING

THURSDAY, DEC 6 2018

DRIVING WHEN DOZY? FORD’S ‘SLEEP SUIT’ SHOWS HOW DANGEROUS THAT CAN BE GOGGLES AND MOVEMENT-RESTRICTING SUIT DESIGNED TO TEACH HOW DANGEROUS IT IS TO DRIVE WHEN TOO TIRED

S

EE a friend or loved one reach for the car keys after a boozy night out and many people will speak out or persuade them to hand over the keys.

But how about when a friend insists on driving when they are simply tired after a long day?

Fatigue is a major factor in up to 1 in 5 road crashes and according to experts, remaining awake for periods in excess of 18 hours can impair abilities to a degree that is comparable to exceeding the drink drive limit in many countries.

Ford has now commissioned the creation of a “Sleep Suit” that enables wearers to experience the debilitating effect that tiredness can have. Transport accidents are the leading cause of death among young people, and the company will integrate training with the suit into Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) its free young driver training programme for 17- to 24-year-olds.

“Drive when you’re tired and you risk driving like a zombie – becoming a danger to yourself, your passengers and

everyone on the road around you,” said Dr Gundolf Meyer‑Hentschel, CEO, Meyer‑Hentschel Institute, who developed the “Sleep Suit”. “Young adults very often subject themselves to ‘intentional sleep deprivation’ – forcing themselves to stay awake so that they can juggle the demands of busy social lives, long working hours and studying for exams.”

The suit partly consists of special goggles that simulate extreme exhaustion, including microsleeps – an uncontrollable response to tiredness.

Microsleeps can result in those behind the wheel driving blind for 10 seconds or more, sometime with their eyes still open, during which time they may have covered hundreds of metres. There may be no recollection afterwards that this has happened.

Connected to a smartphone app, the goggles can be set to simulate the brain shutting down and the driver effectively seeing nothing ahead of them for half a second, then for increasingly longer periods, up to ten seconds. Worn together with a specially designed cap, vest, arm

and ankle bands – with a combined weight of more than 18kg – the overall effect offers an insight into the degree to which tired drivers are impaired. In the US, most drowsy driving crashes are caused by under-25s.

“We were determined to raise awareness of drowsy driving and the ‘Sleep Suit” is the perfect way to demonstrate this,” said Ford DSFL Manager, Jim Graham. “Many people have been thankful that a friend or family member has volunteered to be the designated driver on a night out. But just because they haven’t been drinking doesn’t mean that they are safe to drive if, for example, they are exhausted after staying up all night.”

So, what should you do if think that you may be too tired to drive? According to Dr Gundolf Meyer-Hentschel, the best course of action is as follows: Pull over as soon as it is safe to do so; consume a caffeinated drink and nap for 20 minutes; wake up refreshed and ready to hit the road again. (If not, then it is probably time to find another way home or to your destination.)

NEW MAZDA 3 IS THE STAR OF LA MOTOR SHOW

M

HIGH-TECH FUEL-SAVING COMPRESSION ENGINE SET FOR DEBUT IN NEW 3

AZDA has shown off its all-new 3 saloon and hatchback at the Los Angeles motor show. The all-new Mazda 3 adopts the latest version of Mazda’s ‘Kodo’ design language that embodies the essence of Japanese aesthetics. While the overall design presents a simple, single form, subtle undulations bring the styling to life through shifting light and reflections that glide over the body surface.

The result, says Mazda, is a richer and more powerful expression of vitality than that seen in previous Kodo models. Despite sharing the Mazda3 name, the hatchback and sedan models have distinct personalities — the design of

the hatchback is dynamic, that of the sedan elegant.

The 3 also adopts Mazda’s new SkyActiv-Vehicle Architecture, designed to enable people to make the most of their natural sense of balance. The powertrain lineup comprises the latest SkyActiv-X, SkyActiv-G and SkyActiv-D engines, each of which provides smooth, responsive throttle control in any driving situation.

The new SkyActiv-X petrol engine uses a mixture of both spark ignition and diesel-style compression ignition to make some impressive fuel savings — a claimed 30 per cent improvement in fuel economy, and a claim that it can actually match current diesel engines for fuel

consumption and emissions.

It’s cutting-edge tech, and Mazda (a relatively small car maker, just 1.6-million sales per year or thereabouts) has beaten giants such as General Motors, Honda, and Mercedes-Benz in bringing the tech to production. General Motors even issued a ‘kudos to Mazda’ statement in acknowledgement of the achievement.

Based on its key philosophy of designing the car around the human being, Mazda has dramatically enhanced the car’s fundamental driving attributes such that accelerating, turning and braking all feel completely natural.

Having sold over 6 million units since its 2003 debut, the Mazda3 is a global strategic model that has driven the company’s growth from both a brand and business perspective. It has delivered Mazda’s renowned driving pleasure to customers all over the world and been a mainstay of global production at key plants.

“The all-new Mazda3 we unveil today begins a new era for Mazda,” said Akira Marumoto, Mazda’s Representative Director, President and CEO. “The next generation of Mazda cars will enhance the value of the car-ownership experience. Though these products, we will further raise Mazda’s brand value and work towards our goal of building ever stronger bonds with customers all over the world.”

Beautiful homes all over the County UNLOCK YOUR DREAM

S

Property

‘A’ RATED CLUAIN FIA HOMES IN HIGH DEMAND

ATURDAY last saw another very successful launch from the offices of DNG O’Sullivan Hurley. Cluain Fia, a stunning new homes development

by Galvin Construction was launched with the release of 12 of the 42 planned units. On the day, seven homes were reserved from the development which is based in the prime location of Crusheen, exceeding the selling agents expectations.

Speaking to The Clare Echo,

Cormac O’Sullivan of DNG O’Sullivan Hurley said, “We are delighted with the interest shown in this new development and with the finish that Enda Galvin and his team have set out for these homes, the home buyers have secured a stunning home and we are confident the remaining four units in phase one will be agreed by Christmas.

“We believe there are a number of reasons this development has proved so popular. The ‘A’ rated energy efficiency, the standard

level of (turnkey) finishes and choices, proximity to M18 and village amenities, countryside and community living are just some of the benefits worth mentioning. Galvin Construction are renowned for quality building and the Cluain Fia development will be another fine example of their craftsmanship.”

To register your interest in Cluain Fia or for all enquiries, call DNG O’Sullivan Hurley on (065) 684 0200.

l CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Eimear Howley, Kilfenora, purchaser of the third Cluain Fia house to be sold, with Cormac O’Sullivan of DNG O’Sullivan Hurley; Jean Stack and Martina Sheehan were on hand from AIB to offer advice to potential buyers; with Catherine Murphy DNG is Brendan O’Brien from Flagmount who purchased the 2nd house; Gavin Collins from Wicklow is the proud owner of the 1st house sold from the new development Cluain Fia in Crusheen, with Catherine Murphy of DNG; members of the DNG O’Sullivan Hurley team at the launch day (L-R) Cormac O’Sullivan, Catherine Murphy nad John Clohessy Photos by Martin Connolly

SPORT

THURSDAY, DEC 6 2018

l NATIONAL HONOURS: Congratulations to Ennis RFC product Aaronn Hennessy (pictured here with fellow rising star Oisín Mangan) who has been named on the Ireland U19 side to take on Australia this weekend

Perfect time of year for a few lessons...

W

HEN you go to the driving range, don’t just turn up and aimlessly hit balls. This is the perfect time of the year to visit your local PGA Golf Professional to get a few tips on how you can make improvements for next season.

When you are making a swing change it can take weeks or months for you to become comfortable with that new move or feeling, therefore these dark winter months are great to make these changes at the range. Generally most of us don’t get to play much golf with the days so short however we do get to visit our local driving ranges after work. But just turning up aimlessly won’t benefit your game. To see dramatic improvements you need to go there with purpose. Time and time again I see golfers hitting buckets of golf balls in a short space of time at the range, however it’s clear they aren’t improving their ball flight at all, in fact it’s often noticeable they are getting bored and their ball flight becomes more erratic the longer they are there. It often takes me a half hour to hit 20-25 golf balls at the range when I see other golfers go through the same amount in five minutes.

Firstly, I make sure I go through my pre-shot routine at a practice session, the same one I will use before every shot I hit on the golf course.

This routine prevents me from rushing a shot and helps me to relax and commit fully to the shot. When your under pressure on the course and you need to hit that perfect shot under pressure, this routine

is a vital element to help you to achieve that shot.

Secondly, most people only practice full golf shots, even though the majority of the golf shots we need to hit on the course are not full shots. I urge you to start hitting a lot of 3/4 and 1/2 swings at your next practice session. Not only will this improve your distance control but it will also help to improve the overall timing of your golf swing.

We all miss a lot of greens due to poor distance control, so next time your practicing take out every iron from your 7 iron to your most lofted wedge and practice 1/2 and 3/4 golf swings using all of these irons and begin to learn how far you can hit each club differently by simply shortening your backswing. Thirdly make practice fun by challenging another golfer at the range to see who can get closest to a target using different clubs but to the same target. Usually competition will help to improve your focus, but it can also highlight where your weaknesses are when your under pressure.

Another game you can play if you are on your own, is to play a golf course in your head using different targets at the range. For instance if there is a tree or some target in the distance imagine it’s the middle of the fairway on the first hole of a golf course. Once you hit your opening tee shot then choose the club you think you would need to hit next, in order to reach the centre of the green.

The secret when your doing this at the range is to change your targets to make the experience more realistic and fun.

Practice doesn’t need to be boring, as long as you find ways that will help you to stay focussed on improving your overall golf game. Never go to a practice session with nothing planned, otherwise you are only wasting your own efforts of going there in the first place. Write down a few different practice sessions of various lengths of time and make sure these sessions will actually help improve your golf game. Stop wasting time aimlessly hitting golf balls in practice, where you aren’t actually improving your game at all.

PGA Golf Professional

#PadraigKnowsGolf

Padraig McGrath

GOLF ANALYSIS

The Scorecard in association with

ENNIS GOLF CLUB SENIOR MENS THUR. 29TH NOV TEAM OF 3 1ST TIM KELLY , MATT FLYNN , TIM SCANLON 45 POINTS 2ND FINBARR LYSAGHT , WILLIE DONNELLON , TOM FOX 44 3RD TOM WOULFE , SEAN DALY , OLLIE KENNELLY , GEORGE GILGER 42 4TH CONOR MURPHY , DON RYAN , JOHN GUILFOYLE 42 5TH TONY LAWLER , TONY KEHOE , SEAMUS BOWE 42 6TH PAT G MCINERNEY , SEAMUS FREHILL , JOHN R RYAN 41 REMINDER : MENS’ CLUB AGM FRIDAY 30TH NOV. AT 8PM IN CLUBHOUSE.

2nd Johnny Kearse, Cathal Ryan, Peter Quinn 61

Club Scramble 1st Dec 2018 1st Della Burns, Mary Mc Mahon, Gerry Connellan 62

Upcoming Fixtures 08/12/18 & 09/12/18 Club Singles Stableford (G)

Team of Four (Two to Count) 1st Martin O’ Neill(7), Frank Gormley(14),Niall Hannon(12) Tommy Clancy(16) 89pts 2nd Ronnie Guinnane(16), Pat Murphy(10), Tim Kelly(22) Paul Higgins(13) 86pts 3rd John Mc Namara(12), N Normoyle(13), Flan Lyons(12) Fintan Mc Evoy(20) 85pts WOODSTOCK Club Singles Stableford 02/12/18 1. Ian Birchall (21) 38 Pts 2. Pat Keane (10) 37 Pts CSS N/A

33

34 CLASSIFIEDS

THURSDAY, DEC 6 2018

Classifieds ACCOUNTANCY

BOOKKEEPING

CONTACT SALES

065 671 9021 sales@clareecho.ie

CHILDMINDER REQUIRED Doora area. To mind 3 children Mon-Fri. Start Feb 2019, age 4,3 and 8 months either in their own home OR in minders home.

Preschool drop/collect. Sept 2019, local school run TEL: 087- 2263101

The Clare Echo Classifieds Contact 065 671 9021

CAR REPAIRS

mbs-clare-echo.indd 1

17/09/2018 20:10:50

CLEANING & POWER WASHING

CAR REPAIRS CONSTRUCTION

CLASSIFIEDS 35

THURSDAY, DEC 6 2018

Classifieds FIREWOOD

DRIVING LESSONS

CONTACT SALES

065 671 9021 sales@clareecho.ie

PAINTING

PAINTING

GRINDS AVAILABLE - ENGLISH

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

English lessons available for leaving cert and junior cycle students. Home Tuition. TEL: 0877793132

GERMAN GRINDS TEACHER REQUIRED German Grinds Teacher required Private additional lessons in German.

German student (17 years old) is looking for a learning partnership near Ennis.

TEL: 089-419-6050

The Clare Echo Classifieds Contact 065 671 9021

PROPERTY FOR SALE

PAINTING & DECORATING

36 CLASSIFIEDS

THURSDAY, DEC 6 2018

Classifieds The Clare Echo Classifieds

RELIGION

CONTACT SALES

065 671 9021 sales@clareecho.ie

TYRES

Contact 065 671 9021 ROOFING

TARMACADAM STORAGE

STONEMASON

TREE SURGEON

THURSDAY, DEC 6 2018

Classifieds WINDOW AND DOORS

CLASSIFIEDS 37 CONTACT SALES

065 671 9021 sales@clareecho.ie

The Clare Echo Classifieds Contact 065 671 9021

The Clare Echo Classifieds

Contact 065 671 9021 WINDOW SHUTTERS

38 CROSSWORD/HOROSCOPES

Your Horoscopes Dec 06 Making a sacrifice doesn’t have to feel like a loss ... keep that fact in mind today when someone asks you to give something up for their sake. This small gesture on your part could make a huge difference for this other person and could earn you immense (and long-lasting) brownie points.

You might even be grateful for the opportunity to do this -it’s up to you whether or not you let this fact be known.

Taurus

Gemini

It’s all nice and dandy to mull things over and get all into your own thoughts -- after all, that’s how you develop them into brilliant ideas! But today it’s much more important to put your new ideas to work. Take them out of the abstract and bring them into the real world ... it’s time for a trial run. That new approach you wanted to try with your latest crush? Give it a whirl today.

New ideas can be funny things -- sometimes they inspire you and sometimes they confuse you, but often they merely keep you going down the path you have already been on. But that’s a good thing! Keeping a steady course has its value in life, so try to stay in the direction you’re currently going.

Avoid anything too stimulating or alluring ... now is not the time to veer off and start adventures.

Cancer

Leo

Virgo

If you can put your biggest ideas in a nutshell, you can get all the support -- and perhaps even the financial backing -- you’ve been seeking. Being concise is important because it helps you get to the heart of the matter without wasting anyone’s time (including your own). Instead of going on and on about what you hope to get out of something, just ask for what you want. You don’t have to oversell yourself. If you deserve something, you’ll get it.

Your vision is clear as a bell today -- in every sense. If you’ve been struggling to make a decision or confused about which strategy to adopt, today is the perfect day to look at the situation again. It’s time to reassess ... suddenly, the way might be embarrassingly obvious. Unfortunately, your omnipotent vision might also reveal a few problems you have to deal with. But wouldn’t you rather know about them? Ignorance is not always bliss.

What you expected to be a major turning point might actually become somewhat of a minor blip on your radar screen today. Apparently, your expectations were growing too big.

Don’t get too disappointed about it, though ... everything is happening the way it needs to happen. You should get comfortable with having less control over where your life is going right now. Open your heart and relinquish some control over your future -- for the moment, at least.

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Aries

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ACROSS 1 Grouse meat (4) 3 A disc jockey with a little money nearby?

(8) 9 Disappointed town led astray (3,4) 10 Titled Turk at home once more (5) 11 Long story about English leader (5) 12 I clear off for a cake (6) 14 Everyone that is joining duke is in league (6) 16 Dicky O’Neill’s forename (6) 19 It’s futile going back in time, so it often appears (6) 21 Constant amount for aviator (5) 24 Some bedlinen he’s put outside (5) 25 Relevant language on

You’re entering a new phase where you don’t have to work as hard as you’ve been working. Right now, you can start to let go of the power you’ve been holding onto. Just let go and let other people do the driving while you sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. It may take you a while to get used to not being in total control, but you’ll soon be intrigued by the interesting and exciting directions.

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Creating new things brings you an exceptional level of satisfaction right now -- so get busy! You don’t have to literally build a structure, but you do need to use your mind and your hands together to create something uniquely you.

Cooking, painting, knitting, writing -- even car maintenance -- these are all legitimately positive ways to spend your time today. By tonight, you find a new level of joy in seeing what you can accomplish all on your own.

The Clare Echo Crossword

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Aquarius

Networking applies to many more areas of your life than your profession. In romance, sports, leisure and even in your extended family, you’ll be much more fulfilled and stimulated if you’re connected to more people. It’s up to you to make the connections you need, though -- so reach out and don’t be shy. People are much more receptive to your overtures than you realize. You’ll feel surprised and encouraged by the associations you’re starting to develop.

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If people are looking to you for inspiration right now, that’s fine -- inspire away! But if they’re looking for you to dig in and do some of the work that they should be doing, find a polite, convenient excuse to say no -- and move on. You’re not meant to do work that someone else could take credit for. Plus, this is not the time for you to take great action.

You can do more later.

Capricorn

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Tallying up what you have or what you need to do is important today -- getting organized right now will help you be more prepared for a few curveballs that are sure to be thrown your way soon. At work or school, you need to check in with those in power and make sure you’re up to date. There’s been some fuzzy communication going on, and it would be in your best interest to double-check that you’re on top of everything.

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THURSDAY, DEC 6 2018

Pisces

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Just like that little engine chugging up that big mountain, you’re chock-full of persistence today. Nothing can stop you once you have your heart set on something (or someone), and today you know exactly what you need to do. The momentum you’ve created is going to take you very far toward your goal. But if you need any encouragement at all, you’ll find it from the usual sources: The friends and family members you cherish the most.

the fourth of June (7) 26 Trendies could be introduced (8) 27 River goddess in Egypt (4) DOWN 1 A goat is able to provide a campfire container (8) 2 Resident in Essex travelling more (5) 4 Academic opener for an ass (6) 5 Benefit that makes a small number suffer (5) 6 One tail wagging with great joy (7) 7 Head back with a fish (4) 8 Loaf in living-room (6) 13 Conspirators about 50 snooker players (8) 15 Mail from settler

(7) 17 I’m getting wine to bring in (6) 18 B-bird dog (6) 20 Animal that’s not terribly content (5)

22 Plenty of cargoes (5) 23 Sparkling wine found in tasting (4)

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QUIZ 39

THURSDAY, DEC 6 2018

The Clare Echo Quiz CLARE GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

many people from Clare have been up Mount Everest?

1 How 3, 6

1,

7 What is unique about Kilfenora?

Archbishop Eamon Martin was born there, as part of a servey it was the least religious village in Clare, The Pope is the Bishop of Kilfenora.

many square kilometers is 2 How the Burren?

What famous Irish Figure was 8 born in Killaloe?

What famous figure’s great 3 grandfather was born in Clare?

Who said this famous quote 9 about the Burren?

What is special about the Shan4 non Airport?

174, 250, 347?

“It is a country where there is not enough water to drown a man, wood enough to hang one, nor earth enough to bury him” Oliver Cromwell, Edmund Ludlow, King Henry the 8th?

was the song “Are you right What is an interesting fact 5 What there Michael” written about?

10 about the Burren related to feral goats?

To protest the English taking food during the Famine, to protest the fact that the West Clare Railway was so unreliable, to protest English troops building a barracks in East Clare?

They’re the most aggressive feral goats in Ireland, they’re the friendliest feral goats in Ireland, they account to 20% of the total Irish population.

6 How tall are the Cliffs of Moher?

This weeks quiz has been created

by Paddy Rynne

350 feet, 390 feet, 450 feet?

l QUESTION 9: How many square kilometers is the Burren?

ANSWERS 6. 390 feet 7. The Pope is the Bishop of Kilfenora 8. Brin Boru 9. Edmund Ludlow n 10. They account to 20% of the population of feral goats in Ireland

It has the most military aircraft activity, it has the longest runway in Ireland, it has the least number of hangars in an airport in Europe?

1. 1 2. 250 km² 3. Muhammad Ali 4. It has the longest runway in Ireland 5. To protest the fact that the West Clare Railway was so unreliable

Muhammad Ali, Elvis Presley, Bill Clinton?

Michael D Higgins, Enda Kenny, Brian Boru?

OLD IMAGES OF COUNTY CLARE

Albert Road, Kilkee, Co. Clare

Image NLI.ie / Collection: Lawrence Photograph Collection

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