The Clare Echo 07/04/22

065 671 9021

clareecho.ie

APR 7 2022

IT’S FERGIE TIME... ‘Disturbing’

daylight attack on mum & kids PÁRAIC McMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

A Paddy McMahon and Micheal O’Dea from Cooraclare at the Clare Ploughing Championships in Newmarket-on-Fergus

Photo by Natasha Barton

N ATTEMPTED broad daylight robbery of a mother out walking in Ennis with her two children has been described as “very disturbing”.

On Sunday afternoon, three men attempted to rob a mother in front of her two children on the Drumcliffe Road.

The two young children had their phones smashed by the men who approached the family from behind.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Cllr

Johnny Flynn (FG) expressed his worry that an incident like this would occur in broad daylight. “It is very disturbing,” he admitted. “We all love Ennis and are very proud of Ennis but there is a small element impacting negatively on our quality of life”.

He said that the quality of CCTV used by An Garda Síochána covering Ennis town centre and the approach roads is of a very high quality that will aid them in their efforts to use enhanced technology to deal with crime.

“It shows a dreadful attitude to women. Gender based violence is totally unacceptable.”

MORE ON pg 11

2 NEWS

Index NEWS

THURSDAY, APR 7 2022

TOWING THE LINE IN NEWMARKET-ON-FERGUS

2-13

ENTERTAINMENT

14

GAA SOCIALS

16

GREEN PAGE

17

RECRUITMENT

21

MOTORING

22-26

SPORT

37-30

36C Abbey Street, Ennis, County Clare Telephone: 065 671 9021

NEWSDESK

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Email: niall@clareecho.ie or sales@clareecho.ie This publication supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Press Council’s Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Press Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, Lo-call 1890 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie

“A

LEAD ON: Participants in the 2022 Clare Ploughing Championship in Newmarket-on-Fergus RECORD crowd” attended the Clare Ploughing Championships, writes Páraic McMahon.

Hosted on the six acre field of John Meehan in Crussa, Newmarket-on-Fergus, close to 1000 people attended the match which Meehan described as “a record crowd.

"It was one of our biggest crowds ever,” he told The Clare Echo.

It was Meehan’s fourth time hosting the Clare championships, having done so in 1973, 1997 and 2002 prior to Sunday.

Photo by Natasha Barton

Senior, U28 and junior classes, confines and open were held in what was the first Clare Ploughing Championships in three years. Single furrow and horse ploughing were also to be seen with new and vintage machinery on display. There was also the rare display of Oxen ploughing, the bullocks had been trained to pull logs by one farmer who is in possession of a high amount of forestry.

Farmers and attendees travelled from counties such as Dublin, Tipperary, Cork and Mayo both to compete and enjoy the spectacle.

1800 827 555

CATCHING UP: Paddy McCormack from Newmarket-on-Fergus and Paddy Hasset from Ballinruan Photo by Natasha Barton

THURSDAY, APR 7 2022

NEWS

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Calls for 'clean sweep' of Shannon Group

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

“A

CLEAN sweep” is needed of the board of Shannon Group plc in order to drive Shannon Airport forward, the Chairman of Save our Shannon has declared.

The Clare Echo understands that relations between Board members including past officials and Pádraig Ó Céidigh led to his departure from the role of Shannon Group Chairman after just six months.

Conal Henry’s swift appointment as his successor indicates that levels of Ó Céidigh’s discontent were known at Government level with the former Aer Arann CEO and founder’s absence from a special launch on the resumption of transatlantic services from Shannon Airport also notable.

Denis Vaughan, Chairman of Save our Shannon has described Ó Céidigh’s exit as a “debacle” which “clearly demonstrates that a complete and necessary review is required.

It has shone a light on a dysfunctional system of appointment, one that was distinctly unsuitable and incapable of comprehending the seriousness of the issues facing Shannon.

In its own perverse way the collapse of the

AIRPORT: SOS Chairman, Denis Vaughan pictured at a SOS rally in July

Photo by Eamon Ward

Ó Céidigh’s appointment has fortunately focused attention of the real issues”.

Vaughan stated that political parties are “part of the problem” and therefore argued

Jacqueline O’Brien DENTAL

that the Public Services Appointments mechanism to fill such vacancies should be avoided.

“The PSA has now clearly proven its unsuitability. By its very nature it is constrained by politics and self-interest”.

According to the Ennistymon man, a new post should be created for an Executive Chairman of Shannon Group with a three year renewable contract and he referenced the late Dr Brendan O’Regan as an example of a previous Executive Chairman.

“The world aviation industry is well populated with Irish trained executives who only got their positions because they were well regarded and qualified. Therefore it’s not acceptable that Ireland cannot attract such people. It is a full-time function allowing the holder to give their undivided attention to the job. An Executive Chairman will avoid wasting time on mundane issue that interfere with the primary role."

“A clean sweep will open the Executive Chairman appointment to a whole range of private sector applicants. The old way of doing things has obviously failed Shannon.

“Only for the Ó Céidigh banana skin we were about to have another five years of the same-old same-old,” Vaughan added.

THURSDAY, APR 7 2022

Bidder pays €15,000 for Tony Griffin’s All Star award

by STUART HOLLY AN INTERNATIONAL donor has claimed the rights to Tony Griffin’s coveted All Star, with an enormous €15,000 bid meaning the 2006 trophy is heading overseas.

Energy Atlantica from Nova Scotia in Canada came in with the top bid and speaking today, Griffin confirmed that a mystery donation will match the €15,000 bid meaning that the Ballyea man has raised an incredible €30,000 to help war victims in Ukraine.

The former Clare forward who retired in 2009 has close links to Nova Scotia from his time studying in Canada.

The author of the best-selling Teenager’s Book Of Life said, “Thanks to everyone who put a bid in and sent messages of support and positivity, the good news is that amount will be matched by an anonymous donor bringing the whole amount going to the Red Cross to €30,000 and that will be to fund humanitarian aid in Ukraine so it’s a brilliant cause and hopefully it will do exactly what we want it to do which is help those of us, our brothers and sisters, who need it.”

Griffin, who earlier spoke of feeling helpless about the crisis in Ukraine, was awarded a coveted All-Star award in 2006 – having previously been nominated for the award in 2004 and 2005.

Ennistymon mother uses Census time capsule to pay tribute to late daughter

Providing dental care for the whole family New patients welcome Nervous or anxious dental patients welcome

Amy Dutwill-Wall and her daughter Estlin

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

Emergency appointments available

119 O'Connell Street, Limerick City Centre 061 413263 - info@obdental.ie

www.obdental.ie

AN ENNISTYMON mother has used the Census time capsule to pay a heartfelt tribute to her late daughter.

Homes across the country filled up their Census on Sunday evening with the 2022 version having a new feature that encouraged participants to fill out a time capsule which will be opened in one hundred years time and imparts a message to future generations.

Amy Dutwill-Wall wrote about her daughter Estlin from Ennistymon who was just nine days short of her fourth birthday when she was killed in a crash as her father was driving her to crèche in March 2017.

Vincent remained in a coma for five weeks

and was in hospital for a total of three months, missing his daughter’s funeral.

"Tonight as we count those in our house and our family, we are thinking so much of our beloved little girl Estlin Luna. She was tragically taken from us five years ago, just before her fourth birthday in a car crash. Estlin was our first born child and the love of our lives.

"She was never counted in a Census and so we are so relieved to be able to mention her here. She was beautiful, creative, funny, so smart and clever and confident beyond her years. We were honoured to be her parents and honoured still to grieve her for the rest of our lives. Estlin Luna, we carry you in our hearts, love always, Mommy, Daddy, Mannix and Lucie,” Amy wrote.

NEWS 5

THURSDAY, APR 7 2022

All night long - nightclubs set for later closing times PÁRAIC MCMAHON

N

paraic@clareecho.ie

IGHTCLUBS in Clare are set for later closing times as part of a major overhaul of the country’s licencing laws.

Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee (FG) is to publish legislation within the next couple of weeks that will be before the Oireachtas in advance of its summer recess.

As part of the proposed legislation, nightclubs will operate at different hours to pubs and late bars, and they will have to apply for a special nightclub permit. Under the current laws, nightclubs and late bars can only stay open until 2.30am if they obtain a Special Exemption Order (SEO) from their local district court, at a cost of €410 per night.

Venues are also required to have a Public Dancing Licence, but this is to be abolished.

Bars are currently required to close at 11.30pm on Monday to Thursday, 12.30am on Friday and Saturday, and 11pm on Sundays. An SEO is required every time a licensed premises wants to trade past normal opening hours.

 IN THE CLUB: Venues could soon be open until 6am

Chief Executive Officer of Ennis Chamber of Commerce, Margaret O’Brien said the initial appetite was not very strong to extend the closing time in the county town.

“While I believe there is a real need for reform in nightclub licensing, opening until 4, 5 or 6am will very much depend on location, population, demographics and from

an operator perspective, the business case for longer opening hours. While later opening could help address some of the adverse impacts associated with the current concentrated closing time during the hour between 2am and 3am, in a town the size of Ennis, I’m unsure if there is a strong enough appetite to lengthen opening hours any further.

Owner of The Claremont Hotel and Nightclub in Lahinch, Eamon Fitzgerald felt the proposals were “up in the air”. He said, “They’re trying to bring Ireland on a par with the likes of Paris and Berlin, it is one thing putting Dublin on a par with it but a little town on West of Ireland is not the same”. Later closing times necessitates improvements to public transport and an increased Garda presence, he stressed.

“We would welcome anything progressive in licensing law changes, it is early days.

Apart from ourselves and staff difficulties, anything would need the approval of An Garda Síochána going forward, at times they are stretched, it is something definitely that needs to be addressed. If they didn’t come on board, we are on a hiding to nothing. Safety is paramount and the transport systems have to have something in place for provincial towns, what’s there at the minute isn’t substantial never mind if hours were changed,” Eamon stated.

For The Mont in Lahinch, a closing time of 3am was possible, their current closing time is 2am. He told The Clare Echo, the desire to leave nightclubs open for longer didn’t appear too strong, “Tomorrow is another day too, if you’re going into 6am then Sunday is a wipeout”.

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THURSDAY, APR 7 2022

'Extraordinary' few days for John Wall with clear bone scan PÁRAIC MCMAHON

Q

paraic@clareecho.ie

UIN’S John Wall has been celebrating an “extraordinary” few days with a bone scan showing no signs of cancer, the results of which were obtained days after partaking in the ‘Climb with

Charlie’.

In 2017, John received a terminal diagnosis for stage four prostate cancer, during this period he has become a leading health advocate in the country campaigning for the distribution of medical cards for terminally ill patients and also the administration of the HPV vaccine.

On Monday, he was informed that his bone scan was clear. A bone scan can show whether any cancer cells have spread to your bones, which is a common place for prostate cancer to spread to. “After a few bumps

over last several months, life's looking mighty fine for the next several. Cancer has knocked, but no one's at home,” John stated.

His terminal diagnosis remains but as ever John remains determined to live his life to the full. He recently made the decision to come off his hormone treatment, “I wanted a bit of me back, I was missing the person, the energy and the voice. I had a bone scan and it came back as clear, I’ve increased energy and normality back in my life. Carpe Diem has always been my motto as you know and I’m sticking with it”.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, the air traffic controller admitted that his news has been an uplift for many people. “There are a lot of people waiting for results, it is important for those of us that want to talk and shared our lived experience that we share this news. It shows we can live with a terminal diagnosis, where there is a heartbeat there is life and where there is life there is hope. We are all living our best lives”.

He paid tribute to his family and friends

for assisting him to get through the dark days as they now have a more positive view ahead. “It allows me to look past the horizon, cancer is not an issue this summer. I never felt an abnormality in my head but in reality, physically I wasn’t myself. I now recognise the person I am”.

His outlook on life has not been altered by this week’s developments, “The smile on my face is maybe bigger but I will still live my best life. Regardless of good or bad news, I would still be trying to be the best person I can, I won’t let this define who I am, I want to be remembered as a person and not for a diagnosis. I’ve got the person I used to know back”.

While in Westport over the weekend, John made a decision on a whim that he wanted to be involved in ‘Climb with Charlie’. Thousands took part in the fundraiser for motor neurone disease led by former RTÉ broadcaster, Charlie Bird with over €2m raised. “It was one of the most difficult and emotional things I’ve ever done in my life but one of

the most rewarding,” John reflected.

“Vicky Phelan and Brian Lynch were it not for them, I wouldn’t have got to the top, I had no training done whatsoever, I was in Westport with a group of friends for the weekend and decided to do it. I walked to the top with Daniel O’Donnell and Vicky’s sister Lindsey, it was literally one step in front of the other”.

Across the country, people know of Vicky Phelan, Ennis native Brian Lynch who resides in Gort is a friend of John’s with whom he is eagerly looking forward to walking along the Flaggy Shore with. “He is a personal inspiration for how he has been dealing with his diagnosis. The inner strength he has really puts the rest of us to shame”.

He continued, “I don’t think too far ahead.

I never had any intention of climbing Croagh Patrick, even in the top of my health it wasn’t something I would do and I’m from Mayo, it just happened. For the latter third of the climb, it was literally one step in front of the other. It reinforces to me, that a prognosis or diagnosis will not define me”.

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DETERMINED: John Wall at his home in Quin Photo by John Mangan LA

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NEWS 7

THURSDAY, APR 7 2022

Water infrastructure cited as plans for 28 homes in Lahinch refused INFRASTRUCTURE: Lahinch

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

P

LANS to build 28 houses on Station Rd in Lahinch have been rejected

by Clare County Council.

Several objections were made once Victoria Cross Retail Ltd lodged an application to construct 28 homes on Station Rd in Lahinch in February of last year. Further information had been sought by the Council before reaching a decision.

Inadequate wastewater infrastructure was cited by the planning authority when announcing its decision.

The development “would set an undesirable precedent for development of further housing estates served by such ad hoc treatment systems. Taken in conjunction with the level of existing and approved development in the vicinity (it) would result in a risk of pollution and would be prejudicial to public health,” the Chief Executive Order

detailed.

Objectors referenced “at capacity” water utilities, “compromised” water quality and the inability of the infrastructure to cater for the 4,000 inhabitants of Lahinch during peak season. Pharmacist, Sasha Wealleans noted in her submission, “During holiday periods, there is an increase incidence of gastrointestinal complaints that present in the pharmacy”.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Denis Vaughan (LAB), Chairperson of the Labour Party’s Clare branch commented, “While we celebrate the acknowledgement of a lack of sewage infrastructure in Doolin, Ennistymon and Lahinch implicit in Clare County Council decision to reject planning permission for 28 luxury houses at Station Road, Lahinch, we remain appalled that Council are content to ignore the underlying problem.

WUntreated raw sewage is pouring into the Atlantic and rivers North Clare. This is Clare County Council’s responsibility. They have the power to stop this now”.

He claimed that swimmers in Lahinch have developed e-coli with the regularity of do not swim notices also flagged. “We ask the Council to consider that their inaction in this matter may well be responsible for rising cancer cases in the county. Action now will save lives and save our tourist industry.

We call on our elected representatives, the Clare County Council, to immediately allocate the funds required to upgrade the local effluent treatment and water system. Ignoring this scandal is not the solution”.

Clare homes can get pyrite payments OFFICIALS in the Department of Housing have said it will be able to recommend to the Government an extension of the defective concrete block scheme to Co Clare if latest samples show a link to damage between the blocks and homes tested, writes Páraic McMahon.

In a statement to The Clare Echo, a spokesperson for the Department of Housing outlined that it held recent meetings with Clare County Council officials on February 7th and March 11th to try “progress matters”.

Representatives from the local authority stated that based on recommendations from their technical advisor they were satisfied that samples from a different set of five properties recently tested confirmed the presence of reactive pyrite with oxidisation and secondary gypsum formation as per the IS 465 standard.

Clare County Council are now finalising the I.S. 465 reports in respect of those 5 properties and will submit them to the Department as soon as possible.

“If evidence of pyrite induced expansion is evident within the blockwork samples taken from these homes and the necessary causative link to the damage within the homes is established, the Department should be in a position to recommend to Government that an extension of the scheme to Clare would be legislated for,” the Department spokesperson stated.

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THURSDAY, APR 7 2022

Clare students on board with Leaving Cert reform CIAN Ó MUÍNEACHÁIN news@clareecho.ie

A REVAMPED Leaving Cert cycle will be implemented from 2024, Minister for Education Norma Foley (FF) confirmed last week, with Clare students believing it will “reduce stress” of final year exams.

The Clare Echo spoke to County Clare-based students and teachers who gave a largely positive reaction to the recent changes made to the structure of the Senior Cycle, which will see students sit Paper 1 in English and Irish at the end of fifth year (starting 2023-24 school year).

Two new subjects, Drama, Film and Theatre Studies and Climate Action and Sustainable Develop-

UPDATED: St. John Bosco Community College, Kildysart ment, will also be introduced in some pilot schools; while many Leaving Certificate subjects will be

revised and will have assessment components added to the written exam, with the assessment worth

40 per cent of marks and the written exam worth 60 per cent. Áine Ó’Neill, a 5th year student at St. John Bosco Community College, Kildysart mostly welcomed the changes but with some reservations. “Personally, I’m not too fond of the changes to the English paper because English is a twoyear course and I feel that you need the two years to improve your abilities in order to reach a Leaving Cert standard but I do like the idea of having the Irish course split into two parts as it takes a lot of stress off of students.”

She praised the introduction of the new subjects such as drama “I think we need to see more art subjects in the curriculum to cater to people who maybe are not as academic. I appreciate the fact that Climate Action and sustainable development was introduced as a

subject as it is quite a relevant topic recently.”

Josephine Ryan, Guidance Counsellor and teacher at the Kildysart school was in favour of the change but felt that some aspects of the changes had already been in place for years. “Reform is something that is to be welcomed, however the proposals are largely a continuation of a process that has been in place in many subjects for a number of years.

"A large number of Leaving Cert subjects have a practical and/or project option already built into them, thus students are familiar with this system of continuous assessment”.

Another student noted that the changes “will reduce stress at the end of 6th year and hopefully balance out the workload a bit more evenly between the two years”.

Partnership approach 'crucial' to turn STEM challenges into opportunities Sixmilebridge Senior Scientist among BD mentors as 10 scholarships and bursaries presented to UL students

T

HE Site Director at one of Ireland’s leading med-tech research facilities, BD’s Research Centre Ireland (RCI) at the National Technology Park in Limerick, has said that the growing demand for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) based skills in Ireland can be met only through enhancing the public-private approach.

Presenting awards to 10 University of Limerick (UL) students under its leading scholarship and bursary programme, BD’s Site Director, Padraig Fitzgerald said that business/industry and education partnerships are critical to unlocking Ireland’s STEM potential.

Mr Fitzgerald made his comments as BD RCI presented awards to 10 University of Limerick (UL) students under its leading scholarship and bursary programme.

The programme is funded by the company through the UL Foundation to support students from the University’s Access programme, which works to encourage the participation of students from groups who have been under-represented in the University sector.

The BD RCI awards saw four female students studying science and engineering receive the BD Bursaries for Women in STEM. Six students also received the BD Scholarships in Science and Engineering, based on their outstanding academic achievement.

A key element of the BD RCI programme is that recipients of the bursaries and scholarships will also be assigned a professional mentor from BD. Speaking at the event, 2022 mentor Jennifer Hogan from Sixmilebridge said that the support will be invaluable to the students.

“I got this type of mentoring myself when I was in the early stages of my career, and I found it really useful.

"I'm really looking forward to giving back to the programme now as a mentor. It will

be great to interact with the UL students and offer them some guidance on their careers.”

The recipients also got an insight into a cutting-edge STEM environment at the awards event with a tour of BD RCI’s stateof-the-art facility, adjacent to the UL campus in Castletroy.

Commenting at the event, Mr Fitzgerald said: “From government to industry and education, there is consensus that we have a challenge in terms of STEM skills.

"A European Commission suggests that 24 out of every 1,000 female graduates have an ICT related subject and only six go on to work in the digital economy. Growing the number of women engaged with technology is hugely important for the sector as it will bring vital new perspectives as well.

“It is a challenge I am very confident we can meet but it will take collaboration from industry, education partners across third and second level and, indeed, government support. It’s fair to say that we are already seeing inroads and our own awards programme today is evidence of that; industry and third level partners coming together to put supports in place to make sure these students can reach their potential. But we have more to do.

"The task is for industry, education and government to continue working on this, not least in the area of ensuring access for all to third level.”

He added: “Ultimately, Limerick and Ireland have a huge opportunity here. We are clearly a favourable location for inward and indigenous investment, we’ve got an excellent reputation in the space, have got superb collaboration going on between third level and industry, as this programme and other initiatives at UL reflects.”

Those attending the ceremony were given a virtual tour of BD RCI’s state-of-the-art facility, adjacent to the UL campus in Castletroy, with the awards recipients also getting to meet their mentors for the first time.

MENTOR: L-R Padraig Fitzgerald, Senior R&D Director BD, Jennifer Hogan, Senior Systems Verification and Validation Scientist BD from Sixmilebridge and Scholarship Recipient Erin O'Reilly Photo by Arthur Ellis Sarah Hartnett, Director of Development at the UL Foundation said: “It is fantastic to see pioneering companies like BD RCI demonstrate such leadership with their support for the programme to deepen STEM skills and we are delighted to have the opportunity at UL to partner with them. We’re particularly pleased that this engagement focuses specifically on not just women in STEM but under-represented student groups at third level.

“A key element of the programme from our perspective also is that BD also provides mentorship.

"Financial support to help students through their education is one thing but the

professional mentoring brings it to a new level.

"Our students, as a result, have the opportunity to get really deep industry understanding and support along the way and they are really benefitting from this.”

Also attending the event was Deirdre O’Connor, Access Officer at the University, who said: “It really makes a difference to our students when a company like BD RCI demonstrates belief in their abilities. It’s a very important vote of confidence in them.

"We’re really proud when we see the very positive student outcomes from these programmes and illustrates the importance of making third level access more equal.”

NEWS 9

THURSDAY, APR 7 2022

Council hold internal meeting to discuss new location for Púca

A

N INTERNAL meeting has been held to discuss the potential location for the Púca sculpture, writes Páraic McMahon.

Receipt of expressions for areas in North Clare to house the Aidan Harte designed sculpture closed on Thursday March 24th.

A spokesperson for Clare County Council confirmed to The Clare Echo that the application process is being managed on its behalf by stakeholder and community engagement firm, Con-

nect the Dots.

On Wednesday, senior officials in Clare County Council met with Connect the Dots to review the received applications.

The Clare Echo understands that among the areas keen to become home to the Púca are Corofin and Miltown Malbay with the Micheál Cusack Centre in Carron mentioned as another possible location.

Areas outside of the North Clare electoral area have also notified the local authority of their interest in welcoming the Púca.

Originally planned for Ennistymon, local objections prompted the Council to pause plans for the Púca last May. The €30,000 artwork caused an international stir at the time with a strong reaction on either side of the debate to the plans which divided Ennistymon. In January, the local authority announced the Púca would not be ending up in Ennistymon as a result but instead it would be offering the statue to towns, villages and tourism operated sites in North Clare.

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST INVITED Following the publication of the Clare Tourism Strategy 2030 and the Fáilte Ireland’s Visitor Experience Development Plan (VEDP)

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL Invites Expressions of Interest from Landowners to sell site(s) in any of the 4 towns as marked on map suitable for the development of 1 or more

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Development Plan Area. lFUNDS: Johnny Geraghty pictured with Kieran Garry, James Clancy and John Murphy, presenting a cheque to James Lafferty of the Red Cross. The West Coast Motorcycle Club teamed up with the Saoirse Maria Motorcycle Club to hold motorcycle ride out in aid of Ukraine. The bike run raised an amazing €2,233, which the Red Cross will use to help the people of Ukraine

Innovative ideas needed to offset pandemic impact THE potential negative long-term impact of the pandemic on the North Clare tourism sector must be countered with innovative and collaborative thinking, according to Clare County Council.

Clare County Council is currently examining several sustainable transport options aimed at improving connectivity and socio-economic impact for towns and villages throughout the wider Burren region, reducing reliance on coach and private car travel and benefiting the local environment.

One of the concepts being explored is the potential for delivering park and ride facilities with shuttle bus services that could accommodate travel between local towns, villages and places of interest across North Clare and adjoining areas.

The idea would support the existing comprehensive network of existing parking facilities serving the North and East Burren, including Kilmacduagh, Kinvara, Tracht,

Coole Park, Lough Bunny, Fanore and Ballyvaughan.

Director of Rural development at Clare County Council Leonard Cleary said the concept being explored has emerged from the new Clare Tourism Strategy 2030 and Failte Ireland’s Visitor Experience Development Plan (VEDP).

These plans have now been launched.

One of the actions is to undertake research on transport. Therefore, it is appropriate that this transport research is now undertaken to deliver on these plans and to be in a position to inform the Fáilte Ireland supported Cliffs of Moher Strategy 2040.

Clare County Council will shortly be seeking expressions of interest from landowners in Lisdoonvarna, Ennistymon, Doolin and Liscannor in relation to the potential for accommodating shuttle bus services. An external property professional will coordinate the process in this research phase.

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10 NEWS

THURSDAY, APR 7 2022

€9.95m theatre upgrade approved for Ennis Hospital PÁRAIC MCMAHON

HEALTH: Ennis Hospital

A

paraic@clareecho.ie

PPROVAL for a €9.95m theatre upgrade at Ennis Hospital has been confirmed by the HSE. A capital budget allocation to the tune of €9.95m for Ennis Hospital has been confirmed by UL Hospitals Group CEO, Colette Cowan.

The project has already progressed to the design stage.

Ms Cowan released the detail in response to representations by Clare TD, Michael McNamara (IND) on theatre utilisation rates at Ennis Hospital, University Hospital Limerick (UHL), Nenagh Hospital and St. John’s Hospital during the pandemic.

Deputy McNamara outlined, “While I very much welcome this long-awaited investment in theatre facilities in Ennis, I would like to see the project accelerated as figures given to me confirm the HSE’s pandemic response disproportionately impacted theatre usage at Ennis Hospital compared to other hospitals within the UL Hospitals Group”.

2,021 procedures were carried out in Ennis during 2019, but this figure dropped by 56% to 897 in 2021.

This compares to a 40% reduction at Nenagh Hospital (3,392 to 2,029), a 25% reduction at St. John’s Hospital in Limerick (4,091 to 3,086) and an 8% reduction in UHL (10,708 to 9,869) for the same periods.

Reduction in theatre usage at Ennis has

been attributed to the redeployment of staff at UHL to support critical care and emergency care during the pandemic but a shortage of available anaesthetists and theatre nurses across the UL Hospitals Group also is a likely contributory factor.

An increase in theatre capacity and usage levels needs to become the primary method to reduce the excessive backlog built up over

the past two years, Deputy McNamara said.

“Professor Brian Lenehan, the Chief Clinical Director of the UL Hospitals Group told a meeting of Clare County Council in December that the two theatres at Ennis Hospital would predominately continue to be for day-care surgery.

"Considering the excessive waiting lists in the Midwest, I would ask the UL Hospitals Group to revisit its position and consider late evening and overnight surgical cases at Ennis which would necessitate a reclassification of Ennis as a Model 3 Hospital.”

In a written response to Deputy McNamara’s questions on theatre usage in the Midwest, UL Hospitals Group CEO Collete Cowan said, “Virtual clinics are being used across our services as a means of identifying patients who can be progressed to in-person treatment, whether for diagnostic imaging, minor procedures, or full episodes of care”.

She continued, “The HSE has established a Scheduled Care Transformation Programme to ensure a sustained, system-wide transformation process that tackles the challenge of scheduled care waiting times, improves access to scheduled care services, and ensures the safe delivery of care in the context of the on-going pandemic”.

Politicians critical that Dr Holohan's €187k salary will still be paid

by PÁRAIC McMAHON CLARE politicians have criticised the Government for the manner in which the Chief Medical Officer’s secondment to Trinity College Dublin has been handled and the financial impact it will have.

Last month, Dr Tony Holohan announced he was stepping down as Chief Medical Officer in the Department of Health. Though an unelected official, Dr Holohan was regarded as the most powerful figure in the decision making during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He will take on a new specially created role at Trinity College which according to a spokesperson for the college will be "funded by the Department of Health ... under the same terms and conditions of his existing contract".

The post was not put out for open competition and was created with Dr Holohan in mind.

On Wednesday, Department of Health secretary general, Robert Watt con-

firmed that Dr Holohan will not return as Chief Medical Officer and that his academic contract is of “indefinite duration”.

Watt, one of the most highly paid civil servants in the country was questioned

by Senator Martin Conway (FG) at the Oireachtas Health Committee about the controversy over the Department of Health’s decision to continue to pay Dr Holohan’s salary of over €187,000 although he will be working as a professor in Trinity College.

Senator Conway said it could mean the Department of Health was funding Dr Holohan’s Trinity post for the “next 20 years”.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Deputy Michael McNamara (IND) referenced the brouhaha surrounding the attempted appointment of former Minister Katherine Zappone (IND) as a Government special envoy as he expressed his belief that the Government are not learning from their mistakes.

“It’s about the whole idea, the brouhaha about Katherine Zappone and a relatively small sum of money, she was the perfect person for it but it was determined by the Government that it was inappropriate and it wouldn’t be repeated but Tony Holohan’s salary is 14 times more than hers.

"I’m sure no more than Katherine Zappone’s suitability for the position of the special envoy that he’s eminently suitable but the role shouldn’t be created without transparency or open competition whatsoever”.

He added, “We have a problem with recent nurse graduates leaving the State, I dare say Dr Holohan’s salary would pay three or four recent graduates if not more, it would pay for a number of them. It strikes me as something that the Government are refusing to learn”.

Deputy McNamara confirmed to The Clare Echo that he would be raising the matter at a national level on Thursday (today).

THURSDAY, APR 7 2022

Torpey hurling strong despite ash concerns CIAN Ó MUÍNEACHÁIN

T

news@clareecho.ie

ORPEY is optimistic about its future despite concerns over ash supplies which led to the recent closure of Canning Hurleys Ltd. Portumna based, Canning Hurleys had been supplying some of the top hurlers in the country with high quality ash for over a decade closed its operation on March 31, citing “supply chain issues” as a result of rampant ash dieback, a chronic fungal disease of ash trees in Europe and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Seán Torpey of TORPEY, Sixmilebridge, admitted his disappointment at the closure, telling The Clare Echo, “We don’t like to see other competitors going out of business through ash dieback disease.” Mr Torpey, who employs 10 people, explained that “hurley making is quite a small cottage industry” and he is eager for relevant jobs to remain in Ireland.

Business remains strong for the Torpey family, who launched their Bambú hurley during the global pandemic, a move which Seán notes “has been quite a phenomenal

CRAFT: Séan Torpey

success for us so far”. He explained that the Bambú hurley is more durable and generates more striking distance.

Admitting that inflation has affected manufacturing costs in recent years, particularly up to a 40 per cent increase in ash prices, Seán is confident that ash will remain a staple on their production line for the foreseeable future. “I don’t think [players who prefer ash hurleys] are going to be out of luck. They’re

going to be able to go to a game next weekend and still use an ash hurley".

“What I would say is that they would notice that the hurleys may get heavier. With ash dieback, the younger trees are the ones that die first so all that you are left with is older trees and with older trees that ash can be a little bit heavier because it’s denser. These are little things that players maybe didn’t notice up until now”.

Clare Garden Festival is BACK at Ennis Showgrounds GREEN FINGERS: Clare Garden Festival

THE popular Clare Garden Festival which was launched in 2012 and became a stand-alone in 2013 is back at Ennis Showgrounds - this year as usual on the last Sunday in April – the 24th April 2022.

Over the past 2 years due to the pandemic, the festival ran a successful series of webinars with expert speakers from all over and topics covered from Organic Gardening to Ornamentals, Design and even Herbs. The theme having focussed around Gardening for Mental Wellbeing.

“We are delighted to see Clare Garden Festival back this year and have decided to come on board as their media partner supporting a locally loved event

to come back to its former glory.

We wish them best of luck and success on the day," said Clare Echo Editor Stuart Holly.

The festival will be back with an exciting range all-day Expert talks on its main stage supported by demonstrations in several areas all over the festival. As usual there will be music, food and childrens entertainment and of course the festival’s popular Garden, Plant, Craft & Food Fair with stalls from all over Ireland.

“We are excited to finally be back with a physical event and whilst the timeline was very short for us to plan it, we were fortunate that so many of our traders who committed in 2020 wanted us back and stayed signed up

all this time. And we were able to add many new and returning stalls now," said festival manager Carmen Cronin. “The overall landscape of the industry has very much changed however and we are finding that many established traders have retired and exciting new ones are coming through. Setting up in this industry is a labour of love and one that festivals like ours can support. I have therefore come up with a Programme for Specialist Traders and I am delighted that we are running a Trial of this for the first time this year supporting Rory Newell’s new venture Forest Moon Nursery.”

The programme for Specialist Traders supports a new trader by offering them a stall space, promoting the stallholder as part of the overall wide-ranging promotion and offering them the opportunity to appear on the festival stage. The 2022 Programme is supported by Mast Insurance for Traders, Caherhurley Nursery and Rainbow Nursery.

Clare Garden Festival is working in partnership with Co Clare Agricultural Show Society and is held annually at Ennis Showgrounds were it will return to this year on Sunday, 24th April. For more information see our website www.claregardenfestival. com and for regular update join us on Facebook @claregardenfestival.

NEWS 11

Men attempt to rob mother THREE men attempted to rob a mother in front of her two children in Ennis on Sunday, writes Páraic McMahon.

In what Gardaí have called a traumatic incident, a mother was approached from behind by three males, one of whom grabbed her as another tried to take her handbag, he broke the strap but failed to grab the bag. Both of the children had mobile phones in their hands which one of the men took and smashed off the ground. The other male in the group was talking on the phone.

This incident occurred on Sunday (April 3rd) at 1:10pm on the Drumcliffe Rd in Ennis. “This was very traumatic for the mother and her two children. If anyone witnessed this incident or anyone that may have dash cam footage we are asking them to contact Ennis Garda Station on 6848100,” crime prevention officer, Tríona Brooks stated.

Meanwhile, Shortly after 12:30am on Saturday (April 2nd), a robbery occurred at Toler St in Kilrush. An elderly man was walking along the street when he was approached by a male wearing dark clothing. This male knocked him into bushes at the side of the street and took a sum of money from him and left on foot. Tríona Brooks told The Clare Echo, “If anyone was in the area of Toler Street between 12 midnight and 12.45 a.m. and saw this male or anyone who has dash cam footage we would ask them to contact Kilrush Garda Station on 9080550”.

12

THURSDAY, APR 7 2022

in association with

‘Shocking & industrial’ - new look of €10.2m Ennis Community College building criticised PÁRAIC MCMAHON

E

paraic@clareecho.ie

NNIS Community College’s new look school building has been labelled “industrial” and “shocking”.

Work on the €10.2m extension of Ennis Community College continues at its Harmony Row campus. The school which has been in existence since 1938 is set to double in size as a result as the building expands by 4,200 square metres.

Feedback on the aesthetics on the building’s exterior look have not been positive, Tuesday’s meeting of the Ennis Municipal District has heard.

Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) remarked that the design and look of the building is “a bit industri-

al” and that “people have been shocked while Cllr Mary Howard (FG) agreed, “it’s very bland looking”.

An assessment at the Maid of Erin roundabout “to accommodate pedestrian crossings” for the “high volume of students” to Ennis Community College was requested by Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF). She said that the matter had been raised by school principal Brian O’Donghue when giving elected members a recent tour of the building.

Mayor of the Ennis MD, Cllr Ann Norton (IND) is Chairperson of the School’s Board of Management with Cllr Howard and Cllr Colleran Molloy also holding roles on the Board. She felt the school “looked amazing” and was confident numbers would continue to increase within Ennis Community College and Gaelcholáiste an

Chláir.

Installation of a pedestrian crossing on the Cusack Rd side “is long overdue,” Cllr Howard maintained.

An explanation regarding the look of the building was sought

by Cllr Flynn. “The design and look of the building, it looks a bit industrial, I understand the inside is beautiful but could the architect explain why it looks the way it looks and the way it functions”.

Cllr Norton stressed that the building wasn’t finished and that the inside was “superb”.

She added, “We do realise there has been a lot of negative comments about it but there will be a lot of greenery around the building on the outside, it will blend in more within the area and community, it takes time”. Cllr Flynn replied, “people have been shocked”.

Completing classrooms was the

Mayoral reception to be held for Ennis sport stars

ON TRACK: Dean and Dylan Casey, Niall Murphy and Mark Hanrahan

by PÁRAIC McMAHON SUCCESSES of Ennis sporting stars is to be honoured with a mayoral reception.

Mayor of the Ennis Municipal District, Cllr Ann Norton (IND) proposed a mayoral reception for the Ennis Track team that won the Junior Men’s European Club Cross Country Championship in February. The team was comprised of the Casey brothers, Dean and Dylan, Niall Murphy and Mark Hanrahan.

“We could all do with a celebration,” Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) stated while seconding the proposal. “I can remember the day in February, seeing Dean and Dylan come in first and second was extraordinary, I think we have Olympians for the future,” Cllr

Mary Howard (FG) commented.

According to Cllr Paul Murphy (FG), a wider scope of sporting stars should be included in the reception. He listed the success of Barefield duo Ethan Coughlan and Tony Butler who along with Kildysart’s Conor Moloney made their debuts for the Munster senior rugby side and followed this up by winning an U20 Grand Slam in the 6 Nations with the national side. He also referenced Ennis’ Alana McInerney who was called up to the Irish women’s rugby squad for the first time in October. “Winning medals is great but we have to recognise others, that is not having a dig at anybody,” he stated.

The Clare Echo understands April 27th has been earmarked for the reception.

Photo by Cian Ó Muíneacháin

initial priority, Cllr Howard outlined as she acknowledged “it’s very bland looking”. Cllr Colleran Molloy predicted, “It will develop quickly into a mature look because of the greenery.

“The old building will be retro-

fitted in such a way that it becomes one modernised school”.

Senior executive officer, Leonore O’Neill did not feel it was necessary to invite the architects before a meeting “to discuss a design approve by planning”.

NEWS 13

THURSDAY, APR 7 2022

SHANNON NEWS in association with

Major European hub ‘would lift entire region’ PÁRAIC MCMAHON

S

paraic@clareecho.ie

HANNON Airport can help lift the entire MidWest region by building year-round access to a major European hub, a county councillor has

argued.

Government support is needed to assist Shannon Group “build regular access to at least one of the major European hubs by promoting the West of Ireland Tourism product in their hinterland,” Cllr Pat McMahon (FF) stated in a recent proposal to Clare County Council.

His call was seconded by Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND).

Presently, Shannon Airport is

HOLIDAYS: Traffic has increased at Shannon Airport over the past month with the resumption of transatlantic services Photo by Joe Buckley

the only International Airport in the country without connectivity to a major European hub.

McMahon previously raised the matter with Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan (GP) during his last visit to the county.

“We need a new route that would operate all year round and would benefit Shannon and whole area.

“I am talking about Frankfurt and Amsterdam, a European hub would be of benefit”.

According to the Newmarket-on-Fergus representative, various Governmental departments need to “get together for once” with Chambers of Commerce in Shannon, Ennis, Limerick and Galway plus representatives from

the hospitality industry “to put money in place” so that the routes can be operated.

Aer Lingus in November 2019 announced new routes from Shannon Airport to Paris and Barcelona but the onset of COVID-19 ensured they never took flight with the national flag carrier later making the decision to remove its

cabin crew base from Shannon.

Following a meeting with former Minister for Transport, Shane Ross (IND) in February 2019 during his only visit to Shannon Airport whilst in the role, Shannon Group were asked to submit a detailed plan on connecting the Airport to a major European hub.

Little came of this proposal.

Extended footpath along popular route planned

by PÁRAIC McMAHON WALKERS in Shannon will be able to avail of an extended footpath along one of the more popular loops in the town.

An extension of the footpath along Bóthar Sioda was sought by Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) before the March meeting of the Shannon Municipal District. The motion was seconded by Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND). The road is the access point to the grounds of St Senan’s

RFC, Wolfe Tones camogie club and Shannon Olympic AFC, all of which are located in Tullyvarraga.

“This is a popular area for walkers and when the pitches are in use it can become quite congested. The footpaths can also be looped in and around the crematorium as this walk from Bóthar Sioda continues on as part of the Shannon Loop,” she stated.

Senior executive engi-

SAFETY: Bóthar Sioda Photo by Joe Buckley

neer in the Shannon MD, Tom Mellett confirmed that an application is being prepared for the location as part of the National Transport Authorities Active Travel Program. It is proposed to introduce a 2m wide footpath from the Crematorium to the Tullyvarraga Rd roundabout, he outlined.

Mellett explained, “The aim is to have a 4m wide shared surface for cyclists and pedestrians creating a complete link along Shannon’s southern corridor”.

14 Arts & Entertainment

THURSDAY, APR 7 2022

Doolin Folk Festival to draw global audience

Y

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

E VAGABONDS, Mary Black and Damien Dempsey are among the headline acts for the eighth annual Doolin Folk Festival.

Now regarded as a highlight of the summer season, the mid-June festival has taken inspiration from the great festivals of the 70s and 80s.

Over the years the Doolin Folk Festival has had it all, from Limerick rappers to Saharan Blues, from Clannad to King Kong Company, the festival takes the broadest definition of Folk Festival in that they believe that Folk Music is the music of the people.

Seán Keane, Matt Molloy, Liam O’Connor, Tara Breen, The Goodman Trio, Cormac Begley, Big Love, Rua Rí and Elikya are among the other acts set to take to the stage in Hotel Doolin.

Festival organiser and Hotel Doolin Managing Director, Dónal Minihane stated, “The festival is relatively new on the scene but it feels like it has been going on forever. When I tell people it is only in its eighth year they can’t believe there wasn’t a festival here before. Doolin is synonymous with

folk music in Ireland and so many musicians and music lovers have a connection with the area, the festival just feels so natural. The weekend is a celebration of Doolin and the music that has drawn and continues to draw people here from all corners of the world”.

He explained that due to the size of the festival, tickets are limited as it is annually a sell out. “We’re not interested in being a big festival. That’s the beauty about The Doolin Folk Festival, our size allows us to create a unique atmosphere, presenting powerful music in an intimate setting and ensuring that audiences and musicians can feel at one and just enjoy the communal spirit of such festivals”.

“Our audience at The Doolin Folk festival know their music, it is truly a music lover’s festival, so there is great pressure to deliver each year and we certainly hope we have delivered with this 2022 line-up. We are delighted to welcome big hitters from the Irish traditional and folk music scene, as well as internationally acclaimed artists,” said festival programmer Conor Byrne.

Weekend Tickets costing €119 are on sale now.

HEALING WITH HELIUM Two beauty spots to feature on TV

ARTS: This summer, Helium Arts will launch their a Creative Health Programme location in CBS Primary School in Ennis.

Designed for children living with long term medical conditions, the programme is led by local artist Ana Colomer (pictured here with a volunteer). The free art camp runs from Tuesday 12 July - Thursday 14 July. Visit hello@helium.ie or call 083 010 3240 for info. Helium Arts are currently recruiting volunteers in the local area to assist lead artist Ana with the workshops and provide one-to-one support to children who may have additional needs. To apply, visit helium.ie/volunteer or email volunteer@ helium.ie

BALLYCUGGERAN and Labasheeda are to feature in a landmark international television production promoting contemporary Ireland through the medium of music and performance art, writes Páraic McMahon.

On Easter Monday (April 18th), the second edition of ‘Ireland in Music’ will be broadcast as a onehour TV show on RTÉ One at 6:30pm having just been beamed into homes across Australia and the United States.

Adare Manor and Navan Fort in Armagh are settings for some of the musical performances along with Labasheeda and Ballycuggeran.

Filmed last summer, Ballycuggeran on the shoreline of Lough Derg is the scene for a performance by Willzee and Luka Bloom.

Labasheeda Pier and the surrounding Shannon Estuary hosts a performance of ‘Beautiful Affair’ by Ennis group Stockton’s Wing and Limerick singer-songwriter Emma Langford.

Other performers featured in the all-Ireland TV special include the Hothouse Flowers, Stephen Rea, Imelda May, Damien Dempsey, Villagers, Rónán Ó Snodaigh, Samantha Mumba, Shiv, Paddy Casey and Moxie.

HEADLINE ACT: Mary Black

THURSDAY, APR 7 2022

NEWS

15

16 OUT & ABOUT

THURSDAY, APR 7 2022

THREE CLUBS CELEBRATE THEIR CHAMPIONS

l WINNERS: (above) Ciaran Russell and his proud father Tom who was part of the Éire Óg management at their Jack Daly Cup victory social in the Auburn Lodge Photo by John Mangan; (below) Scarriff/Ogonelloe Camogie Players Linda Daly, Aishling Corry and Mairead Scanlan Photo by Natasha Barton; and (bottom) Ballyea's Paul Flanagan tidies up Mossy Gavin with the assistance of Eoghan Donnellan Photo by John Mangan

l VICTORY: (above) Eimear Rodgers, Lorraine Grady and Dearbhla McNulty celebrate winning the McMahon Cup for Scariff/Ogonnelloe at Hotel Woodstock Photo by Natasha Barton and (below) Ballyea to the bone - Tony Kelly and Jack Browne receive their third Clare SHC championship medals at Treacy’s West County Hotel Photo by John Mangan

FEATURES 17

THURSDAY, APR 7 2022

GREEN CLARE

Limerick and Clare ETB ‘committed’ to green economy STUART HOLLY

L

editor@clareecho.ie

IMERICK and Clare Education and Training Board (ETB) have shared their support for and commitment to the green economy of the Mid-West.

Director of Further Education & Training in Limerick & Clare ETB Paul Patton stated: “We in Limerick & Clare Education & Training Board are well positioned to meet the skills demands of the green economy and support our learners and trainees to access real career opportunities in this area.”

The comments were made as the ETB attended the inaugural FET Green Skills Summit, hosted by SOLAS and Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI). The Summit was opened by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD, and took place in Wexford Council’s County Hall last week.

Limerick and Clare ETB were in attendance at the Summit to hear perspectives from industry leaders in the green economy, and about the role Further Education and Training (FET) will play in meeting the increasing demand for green skills in Ireland.

There are currently over 50 green skills programmes being delivered by the 16 ETBs across Ireland, with a particular focus on construction, agriculture and technology sectors.

Their programmes include: Skills to Compete - Environmental Studies; Loop Head/

West Clare Sustainable Energy Project - CE; Environmental Health Related Fitness Core Skills; Sustainable Gardening - Core Skills At the Summit, a graduation also took place for Ireland’s first ‘Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) Train the Trainer’ course.

Graduates from Limerick and Clare ETB who completed the course included Christy Morgan, Ronan Lynch and Noel Beasley.

Graduates in attendance were presented with their certificates by Minister Harris at the event. They will now work across the FET sector to train construction industry professionals in net-zero building processes, and the retro-fitting programme underway across the country.

Speaking about the Summit, Andrew Brownlee, CEO of SOLAS, said: “We planned the Summit to take a proactive look at the skills needs of industry and to explore how best further education and training can meet these needs. The Climate Action Plan published in 2021 has set ambitious targets for the decarbonisation of our economy and the transition to this new economy will require significant levels of skills across the country in a huge variety of sectors to come to fruition.

“At the Summit, we heard some great insights on how the further education and training sector can expand on the work we are already doing to equip people across Ireland with the right skills to contribute to the transition to a greener economy.”

Fiona Maloney, Director of Further Education and Training, ETBI added: “Ireland’s Education and Training Boards are ideally positioned to meet the skills demands of the

Loop Head lighthouse forms a key part of ETB green skills training

green economy. We have over 50 green skills programmes delivered across our sector and NZEB Training Centres of Excellence in Waterford & Wexford and Laois & Offaly ETBs, with three more to follow in Limerick & Clare, Cork, and Mayo, Sligo & Leitrim ETBs.

“We will work closely with our SOLAS colleagues to support the implementation of the Green Skills for FET 2021-2030 Roadmap, to ensure that our learners and trainees have the appropriate skills to both power Ireland’s green economy and access career opportunities.”

WHAT GOES IN MY RECYCLE BIN?

18 COLUMNIST

THURSDAY, APR 7 2022

EASY LEMON CHICKEN TRAYBAKE and a delight to eat.

The below recipe uses chicken thighs however those can be substituted for drumsticks or breasts, depending on what tickles your fancy. It is also a fairly affordable meal, which I am aware is a concern for many these days. I also love doing this kind of dish when people are over as its so easy to do, won’t take up a lot of time and can be put in the middle of the table and people can help themselves.

A one dish wonder that can cover many situations, my lemon chicken traybake.

I will have the instructional video that goes with this column on my Instagram @kearneycooks this weekend and you will also find all my other recipes there as well.

Kearney Cooks

I

YOU WILL NEED • 6 to 8 chicken thighs • 500g new potatoes • 5 cloves of garlic • 2 lemons • 2 red onions • 5 large sprigs of thyme • 250ml chicken stock HAVE been busy at home these days. With the weather being so fine I have been spending my time outdoors, sowing veg, planting fruit

trees and getting the garden ready for the summer. However just because I am short of time doesn’t mean I can’t whip up a hearty feast, that is full of spring flavours,

Step One Put your potatoes into your oven dish with a drizzle of oil and season with salt and pepper.

Cook in your oven for 10 minutes @180 degrees. Whilst the spuds

are cooking toss your chicken in the juice of one of the lemons and season with salt and pepper. Cut your onions into quarters, peel your garlic, and cut your other lemon into wedges.

Step Two Take your potatoes out of the oven. Add the onions, garlic, lemon and chicken stock. Place your chicken thighs on top of all this and put the uncovered dish back into the oven for a further 40 to 50 minutes until the chicken

is cooked through and the skin is golden brown.

Step Three Spoon some chicken, potatoes, onion and garlic onto a plate and drizzle with some of the stock.

Serve it up with a nice green salad and pair it with a nice bottle of white wine, perhaps a nice Italian Suave.

Enjoy

Steve K

Dancing returns to Newmarket-on-Fergus PÁRAIC MCMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie

S

OCIAL dancing returns to Newmarket-on-Fergus Community Hall this Saturday, five decades on from when it first started at the same location.

Following a €450,000 refurbishment of the Community Hall, a bill of €100,000 is left to be paid with the Board of Directors responsible for the Community Centre turning to dance in a bid to cover the final costs. The fifteen year loan of €100,00 has been provided by Community Finance Ireland but the nine-person Board are anxious to repay this as quickly as possible.

Two dances have been scheduled for the venue, the first takes place this Saturday (April 9th) from 9pm to midnight with Sean Boland providing the music. There is a capacity of 100 with tickets selling on the door at €10.

Tom Casey was involved when the marquees were first held in Newmarket-on-Fergus in the early 1970s, he has got back in the swing of things after seeing a notice in the parish newsletter compiled by Mary Power, that the €100,000 bill remains.

In the 70s, Tom had the task of booking marquees and the bands, after hosting three marquees it

was decided a community hall could be built, this was greatly aided by a generous donation from Mrs Higgins whose late son Paul operated the popular Weavers Inn in the village, “it was one the greatest donations given to Newmarket-on-Fergus parish,” Casey reflected of the land given where the hall is now situated.

Five marquees were ran one after another with crowds in excess of 1000 attending, by the time the fifth was held, the community hall had been built and with it a space for the community to be proud of.

The committee at the time was chaired by Fr Tim Tuohy with Mary Kennedy the secretary and Fergus Marren the treasurer. “The community hall is going since, it is used for bingo and you name it”.

Other uses included, karate, hip hop, Zumba, the Tradaree Bridge Club, the Baby and Me Music and Dance plus the long-running beavers, cubs and scouts.

“We want to see if we can get social dancing going in Newmarket-on-Fergus for next winter,” former local election candidate, Tom explained. “The real objective is to run these social dances and see can we have them in the future,” Ger Fahy of the Board of Directors outlined, he acknowledged the support of the community to date.

Ger explained that Corofin’s social dances held every Friday night are proving very successful in funding its equivalent hall. “We met them and had a good chat, they

GOOD TIMES: Tom Casey and Ger Fahy

were very open and honest with us which was very helpful”. In his ten years involved, Ger can only recall Crystal Swing being an act for a dance but he is hopeful the social

dancing could spring a new lease of life into the refreshed hall.

Organisers are hopeful of capitalising on the weekly crowds that would have attended dances in

The Bellsfort Inn, the venue owned by the Fitzgerald family and located in Stonehall has not reopened since the pandemic.

Don’t be a bully

THURSDAY, APR 7 2022

RONAN SCULLY

Thought for the week

I

AM just having a few thoughts now that are very personal and are about something very specific, an epidemic that has been striking at young people and adults alike at an alarming rate.

It is, “Bullying.”

What is happening now in Ukraine as I have witnessed by been here is bullying and torture of the highest order as it is in over 30 more troubled and conflict areas of our world at present. Our church and society teaches that torture and bullying is evil. Jesus Christ himself was a victim of torture, suffering incredible pain and indignity by the authorities. He was a victim of bullying and name-calling and many wished he would just go away. During this Lent, let us reflect on how we can better recognize bullying in ourselves and others so we can build more welcoming and loving homes, schools, businesses, companies, communities and countries. Like me you probably grew up and were taught, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” But I want to tell you that it’s not true.

I broke plenty of bones playing football and hurling and I’ve been teased, mocked and at times bullied. And I can tell you firsthand, the wounds of a broken body heal far more quickly and more cleanly than the damage words or bullying can cause. Words matter. Words have weight, they can wound, they can divide, they can destroy, and they can even bring death. Bullying is evil, because it strips another person of his or her worth and dignity. A mother recently told me about the horror of bullying that her daughter is going through and has gone through in her school and where her cries for help have fallen on deaf ears from the powers that be in our society. Although her daughter has become stronger and more assured after she dealt herself with the bullying and thank god is doing well in life now. But not everyone survives this experience.

In the last few years a great deal of attention has been drawn to the subject of bullying, in light of some high-profile suicides which were the result of bullying. And while bullying in schools and amongst teenagers and young adults is nothing new, it seems that bullying has gained a whole new dimension, thanks largely to technology, social networking and the Internet.

Instead of trading punches on the playground after school and going home to cuts and bruises, bullies can now perpetrate their taunts and torture victims morning noon and night, with the ability to reach their

vulnerable victims in the middle of the night in the “sanctuary” of their own homes. Many of these taunts, such as those posted on the Internet; do not disappear as quickly as cuts and bruises. Once uploaded, they may very well be out there forever, allowing victims no reprieve, even when their bullies are not within physical proximity.

We must as a society try to stamp out the real evil of bullying.

Personal Experience

Personal experience and the experience of the son of the mother whom I mentioned at the start of this thought for the week who thankfully survived bullying and is making his way through life now on his own terms gives me a perspective on the wounds that bullying leaves behind especially school and workplace bullying.

They are raw and painful, and while the pain sometimes decreases with time, they permanently alter one’s psychological make-up, much as a disfiguring cut or abrasion does to one’s physical skin. I grieve deeply for those young people who have taken their own lives because they either believed the things that their bullies said about them, or they simply couldn’t live with the thought that other people believed them. As the saying goes, “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.”

Thought for the week

As your thought for the week, never underestimate the power of your words and actions! Always as much as possible try to use them for the good and well being of others! A prayer I always say from my Nana Scully’s prayer book goes as follows, “Heavenly Father, those who bully others in manipulative or overt ways, and use their power in school, in work or family situations, to oppress and to deliver injustice to others, are responsible for needles stress and misery in others’ lives.

Lord please protect children, teens, adults and the elderly from bullying. Guard them from others’ manipulation and dominance that

cause difficulties and anxiety in relationships, in physical and mental health.

Ensure that children, students, adults and the elderly find protection from the oppression and bullying of any other child or teen, or any adult. Help them to flourish in Your grace, to develop their full human and spiritual potential without the crippling effects of anyone’s injustice or betrayal.

Protect children, teens and adults from criticism and bullying that crushes self worth as a child of God, and that creates fear and destroys the trust that should help honest sharing of issues, of mistakes, of facts, of feelings, of conscience, and can remain to affect the person’s life even in their absence. Please protect children, teens and adults from intellectual and spiritual bullying and domination by judgment of others and their motives, by persons who act and judge as if they themselves are more perfect and valuable than others; whilst ignoring the value and welfare of others, and threatening their lives. Please protect those in the workplace from overbearing and unjust employers or supervisors who treat others as inferiors.

Please also protect innocents from unjust charges and resulting from others manipulation of the truth. Whatever kind of bullying occurs, it is a serious offense against others, Father we bring to You each person who is oppressed, who is treated unjustly and overlooked unfairly, and each person who is judged by others as being less valuable, less worthy, and to be degraded and ignored. Father, take each of these persons into Your heart, and give them Strength, Peace, and Justice. Father please convert the offenders and give them just Humility and Respect for others. Father, I thank you that even though at times I might be troubled and oppressed, I am never crushed. Even though I sometimes may get embarrassed and be faced with tough situations, even though it seems as if I am unable to find my way out, I will never despair. Even though I may be disliked, bullied, called names, and persecuted, I know You will never leave me or forsake me. You will never desert me to stand alone.

Even though I may be struck down to the ground, I will never be struck out or destroyed. I will never give in, give up, or quit. You are with me, You are for me, and You are in me—so I always win. You said that in this world life might get tough but to be of good cheer because You have overcome this world.

Thank You for your words of wisdom, “I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” You said that the righteous would have many times when life would get hard but You would deliver us out of them all.

Thank you Lord, for delivering me.

Amen.”

FEATURES 19

SOCIAL BUTTERFLIES

TWINNING: The young guns, Ronan Lanigan and Philip Talty at the Éire Óg social on Saturday evening Photo by John Mangan

Clare County Council is currently inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the below competitions. Clare County Council will, following the interview process, form panels that will be used to fill sporadic vacancies that may arise subject to sanction approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage.

• IS ANALYST DEVELOPER (NETWORKS) Completed applications must be emailed to: recruitment@clarecoco.ie not later than 4.00 p.m. on Friday 29th April 2022

• SCHOOL WARDEN, PART-TIME & SPORADIC COVER PANELS (WEST CLARE MD, INITIAL ASSIGNMENT TO ENNISTYMON) Completed applications must be emailed to: recruitment@clarecoco.ie not later than 4.00 p.m. on Thursday 28th April 2022

• SCHOOL WARDEN, SPORADIC COVER PANELS (ENNIS MD) Completed applications must be emailed to: recruitment@clarecoco.ie not later than 4.00 p.m. on Thursday 28th April 2022 Application forms and further particulars may be obtained by requesting same from the Human Resources Department, Clare County Council at 065-6846528, via e-mail: recruitment@clarecoco.ie or can be downloaded from the following website: www.clarecoco.ie Clare County Council is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sectors of the Community.

Scriobh chugainn as gaeilge más fearr leat.

20 COMMUNITY

THURSDAY, APR 7 2022

Community SHANNON

NEWSDESK 065 671 9021 news@clareecho.ie

ENNIS

lFUNDRAISER: Ready for the Odd Socks Cycle in aid of the Clare Branch of Down Syndrome Ireland Photo by Joe Buckley ODD SOCKS CYCLE CYCLISTS across Clare are gearing up for the ‘Odd Socks Cycle’ which takes to the road at the end of April, writes Páraic McMahon.

A peloton of cyclists will leave Shannon Leisure Centre to take on the ‘Odd Socks Cycle’ at 9am on Sunday April 24th. The fundraiser is in aid of the Clare branch of Down Syndrome Ireland.

Spot prizes are on offer for the best odd socks on show during the cycle.

According to Laura Cahir, the event “will take place to raise much needed funds for our local Down Syndrome Clare branch”.

She explained that cyclists can choose between a 100km or 50km spin. “Cyclists have a choice of routes through the beautiful Clare countryside.

Cyclists looking for a longer spin will travel 100km

CONTACT

via Quin, Kilkishen, Bodyke and Broadford while those who want a shorter outing can cycle a 50km loop via Quin, Ballycar and Newmarket on Fergus. Refreshments will be provided on both routes and at the finish”.

A committee of eight parents voluntarily run the local Down Syndrome branch in Clare. They strive to organise fundraising to help pay for essential therapies for their 85 members spread across the county. The therapies include speech and language, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, home tutoring, swimming, therapeutic horse riding, singing and music groups.

Persons unable to cycle are encouraged to avail of tickets for the monster raffle. Further information is available on the Down Syndrome Clare Facebook page

ENNISTYMON

HELLO HOW ARE YOU CAMPAIGN For a nation of great talkers, how do we really ask and really listen?

Hello, How Are You? is a simple yet effective mental health promotion campaign developed by Mental Health Ireland, that encourages people to say ‘Hello’ and ask ‘How, Are You?’ The concept of the campaign is to ask with meaning, and to really listen to the person’s response.

The campaign breaks down the steps: HE.L.L.O. (H: Hello E: Engage L: Listen L: Learn and O: Options) which supports people to reach out, say hello and ask how are you?

Mental Health Ireland has coproduced a suite of resources to provide people with the tools and confidence to genuinely ask Hello, How Are You? and really listen to the response, as well as how to support and signpost someone to appropriate services or agencies if needed.

Jo Donohoe, Mental Health Promotion Manager at Mental Health Ireland, explained: “There are lots of ways you can get involved on April 7th, the national Hello, How Are You? Day. We are asking community groups, workplaces, and organisations across the country to join us, get involved and host an event such as a coffee morning, a walk, or a workshop.

No event is too small to start conversations and to say Hello, How Are You?” As an individual, you could pick up the phone and call a family member or friend or meet someone for coffee, while using tools and resources that can be downloaded from our website.

We are a nation of great talkers! Let’s make those conversations even more meaningful on April 7th'’ For more ideas on events and how to get involved visit hellohowareyou.info.

CARRIGAHOLT MR PERSONALITY CARRIGAHOLT man Andrew Naughton (pictured right) will represent Clare at the 15th Annual Mr. Personality Festival which is being organised by Kilkenny County Macra na Feirme. The festival will take place from the 8th to 10th of April at the Springhill Court Hotel. Andrew is a 23 year old College Technician. He is an active member of Kilrush Macra na Feirme.

Andrew has a keen interest in sports, including football and rugby. He is also interested in farming and Star Wars. He’s a man of many talents. Andrew believes he will make a good representative for Clare because he is cracked, sporty and outgoing!

He has a jam packed weekend ahead of him!

Tickets for the banquet/restaurant can be booked by contacting Lydia in the Springhill Court Hotel on 056 7721122. Full details are available on www.mrpersonality.ie.

COUNTYWIDE

lTALENTED: Artwork by Noreen Scully ENNISTYMON SCHOOL OF ART THE annual exhibition from Ennistymon School of Art will be launched at The Courthouse Gallery Ennistymon on Thursday April 7th , and running until April 17th. Opening is from 6pm. The 2022 exhibition is titled “Chrysalis”. The Art School, which is affiliated with Ennistymon Vocational School, is run through the Limerick & Clare ETB. Running from mid-September until May it offers QQI awarded PLC courses in Level 5 and Level 6.

Viewers will be treated to a diverse range

of artworks and practices such as drawings, paintings, sculpture, ceramics and combined materials and installation pieces. “Chrysalis” describes the nature and process of development, and transition that occurs during the creative cycle. Each student engaged with this process as part of their experience on the course.

The studio is an environment that is inclusive, open and creative.

Keep an eye on our social media for a sneak preview of artworks; Twitter: Ennistymon Vocational School@EnnistymonVS

ENNIS CLAR ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY THE lecture this month is ‘Limbo Landscape: the history and geography of children’s burial grounds’ by Tony Kirby.

It takes place on Tuesday 12th April in the Old Ground Hotel, Ennis, at 8.00 pm and entry is free.

Hope you can join us!

Enquiries to Frances at fogorman51@gmail.com or Mary at 0878362491

NATIONAL SPRING CLEAN APRIL 1st marked the official launch The National Spring Clean 2022!

The initiative takes part in the month of April and for the past 23 years National Spring Clean has volunteered over 12 million hours of their time to remove 42,000 tonnes of litter across the country.

Community spirit is integral to the work that The National Spring Clean does and each year communities from all over the country come together to ensure their local areas are as clean possible for everyone to enjoy together.

This year the theme of community pride is at the forefront of the campaign with The National Spring Clean urging people of all ages to gather friends, family, classmates, neighbours or colleagues to unite in cleaning their shared green spaces together.

National Spring Clean 2021 was the biggest and the longest campaign so far, taking place between March and August, and despite the current situation and restrictions at the start of the year.

In County Clare over 3,500 volunteers registered to carry out over 200

clean-ups throughout the county in 2021. In 2022, over 130 groups and communities already registered to carry out a clean-up as part of the National Spring Clean, with some groups who have already been carrying out some clean-ups while waiting for the official launch of the campaign.

Among them, Tulla Tidy Towns have been carrying out regular clean-ups and have encouraged people in the area to “adopt a patch” and carry out a #2minutestreetclean.

This year, the campaign is on track to make 2022’s National Spring Clean campaign the biggest yet with the organization already surpassing the number of registrations they had gained this time last year.

It is also an opportunity for volunteers to take local actions to make a change at a global scale as combined local actions can have a global effect on how we dispose and treat our waste.

This has a substantial impact on the levels of emissions of several greenhouse gases which contribute to climate change.

Log on to our website at www. nationalspringclean.org.

RECRUITMENT 21

THURSDAY, APR 7 2022

BUSINESS AND RECRUITMENT

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

New order at Ennis Chamber as Ryan elected Chair

N

by ELAINE TUBRIDY

EW Ennis Chamber President Colin Ryan has committed to "building membership" as he takes on his new role.

The Bank of Ireland Branch Manager was was elected President and Sheila Lynch, Partner at Cashin Clancy Solicitors was elected Vice President at the recent Ennis Chamber AGM. Colin Ryan, who last year served as Vice President, thanked Darragh McAllister, outgoing President for his hard work and commitment.

He stated, “Ennis Chamber has been fortunate to have had strong presidents during the Covid years, first Allen Flynn, owner Old Ground Hotel, followed by publican Darragh

McAllister over the past year.”

Outlining his focus for the year ahead, Colin said, “My mission is to build membership. Already we are back to pre-Covid numbers, and I’d like to grow membership further over the coming year.”

He added, “It’s critical we have a strong voice to represent business in Ennis during these rapidly changing times and Ennis Chamber fulfils that role.”

Colin, who has been involved in Ennis Chamber at executive level for eight years, brings solid experience to his new role.

Sheila Lynch, who steps on board as Vice President said, “We know things are very challenging in business right now and we play our part as a Chamber by delivering lobbying supports and training opportunities.

"Other supportive events in the pipeline include a HR workshop to be delivered by GHR, one of Ennis Chamber’s newest members, which will focus on how to deal with key issues arising in HR right now. This event, to take place in May, will focus on HR challenges facing the SME sector.”

Business models have changed, as have town dynamics in recent years and they will continue to evolve. Colin Ryan said, “Our aspiration is for Ennis Chamber to be a constant in terms of support we give members during these changing and challenging times. “ Colin Ryan and Sheila Lynch said they look forward to working closely with Ennis Chamber CEO, Margaret O’Brien and staff of Ennis Chamber over the coming year.

SUPPORT: Colin Ryan and Sheila Lynch

FET Hospitality team excel at chef competition

by ELAINE TUBRIDY LEARNERS and apprentices from Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board’s College of Further Education and Training, Hospitality Campus were took home multiple awards at the Salon Culinaire at IFEX in Belfast recently.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the event is an opportunity for chefs from both the education and industry space to test their skills against the very best.

As one of the largest and most prestigious culinary competitions in Northern Ireland, this was the perfect platform for the learners at the Hospitality Campus to showcase their skills under the guidance of their mentors, competing for a variety of awards.

The talented team spent weeks getting ready for the competition, honing their skills in their respective categories and over the three days they took home a total

of five awards.

Olga Lezdina won silver in the Senior Classes DAERA Northern Ireland Chef of the Year 2022 and earned a certificate of merit in the Chef Skills Open Class Plant Based Chef Challenge.

Megan Watkins also took home silver in the Student & Junior Class IFEX Young Chef of the Year category.

A third silver medal went to Louise Casey in the Chef Skills Open Class Restaurant Innovation Dessert of the Year and Kate Neilon earned a certificate of merit in the Student & Junior Classes Student Culinarian of the Year 2022 category.

Head team mentor Chef Will King and Instructor Chef Kieran Shaughnessy were thrilled with the team’s results.

Speaking about the awards, Bernadette Enright, Campus Manager, said: “This competition was the perfect opportunity for

our learners to upskill, build confidence and learn from their peers in the industry.

"These five awards are down to hours and hours of preparation and so much hard work and passion from our learners, under the guidance of highly-skilled instructors at the Hospitality Campus.”

Speaking about the team’s achievements in Northern Ireland, Paul Patton, Director of Further Education and Training, said: “This is a great achievement for the College of Further Education and Training, Hospitality Campus. Well done to the participants, winners, instructors and managers.”

For more details on a range of fully-funded culinary programmes and traineeships at Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board’s College of Further Education and Training, Hospitality Campus go to https://collegeoffet.ie/hospitality/

22

MOTORING

MOTORING

THURSDAY, APR 7 2022

P L U G A N D T MOTORING EXPERT NEIL BRISCOE GIVES HIS VIEWS

SKODA’ S N EW FA BI A . ORDI NARY RISES UP

NO ELECTRIC POWER, NO HYBRID, AND NO PERFORMANCE V E R S I O N — S O W H AT D O E S T H E N E W FA B I A D O T O S TA N D O U T ?

HERE is nothing wrong with being ordinary. We are fed a constant Instagram diet that says we RENAULT ZOE all have to be #amazing, that only the best will do,R135 and that if you’re not striving then you’re losing. This is all utter rubbish. As the bad GT-LINE guy in The Incredibles says: “When everyone’s super, no-one will be…” There is, it has to be said, a sort of T was never this easy before. nobility in ordinariness.

A sense thatWhen doing electric cars first launched, decade enough is sometimes just that —a enough. ago, those early came with And enough can be very,models very good. built-in hassle.

Short ranges, inconsisThe new Skoda Fabia is ordinary.

That’s tentbelittling charging it, opportunities, high pricnot me quite the opposite — es, a sense you were driving somein and a world of that pointlessly large, expensive, thing that was closer to a fridge than a car. and frequently unpalatable crossovers and Well, that has all changed and this famnew SUVs, the Fabia — a humble five-door Renault Zoe is—anfeels exemplar of that change. ily hatchback ordinary in the same When thea Zoe originally launched, it suf-is way that really good cheese sandwich fered fromThere’s most,no if not quite all, ofhere those ordinary. ornamentation — early electric car shortcomings. Renault just tasty goodness. kept updating andnew refining Zoe,2014, though, This is the first Fabiathe since and that previous Fabia was older than that in its bones, being based in part on the old PQ26 VW Group platform, that actually dated back to 2009. This new Fabia gets the same MAB-A0 platform as already essayed by the likes of the VW Polo, T-Cross, and Taigun; the Seat Ibiza, and Arona; and Skoda’s own Kamiq crossover. And, just as the Kamiq is rather more usefully practical in terms of sheer interior square footage than the Seat and VW equivalents, so too is the Fabia.

Open up the bootlid (no need for pointless electric assistance, here), and inside you’ll find 380-litres of luggage space. To put that into perspective, that’s the same volumetric offering you’d get from a VW Golf hatchback, a car that is both larger overall, and significantly more expensive to buy. Better still, the Fabia has its direct relative, the VW Polo (which uses the same MQB-A0 chassis and engines) beaten to the tune of 30-litres.

The rear seats are a little less commodious.

I

If the Fabia’s driver or front seat passenger are on the tall side, then those sat in the rear will find their knees in a close relationship with the backs of those front seats. It’s not quite cramped — that would be an unfair making it better every and for description — but it’stime, certainly not2020 over- sa-e — the Zoe can squeeze out an extra charger, that allows it to make the most of lowthere’s this, the model. ly-generous in all-new space terms.

This is the only 45km of claimed one-charge range. With a er-powered chargers. Hook a Zoe up to one of Well, say all-new...

Actually, crossover under the — fully-topped-off battery, the Zoe should be the ESB’s 22kW on-street chargers (the boxy area inI which the equivalent skin, the basic structure andproperly chassis ofbeaten. the good for as much as 395km. In fact, you’ll white and green ones, located on pavements) and the Kamiq — has the Fabia ZoeUp arefront, muchthings as they thebetter. body, If probably do better than that if you’re driv- it’ll add 125km worth of range in just one hour arewere, very but much although familiar, looks a little sharper, both the Polo and the Ibiza (and the old Fa- ing mostly around town, where the regen- of charging, while you nip to the shops or have and has managed to are carve a erative braking system helps to scavenge some lunch. At home, with a 7.4kWh home-charbia)Renault suffer from cabins that veryout much little more space so that on the plain and inside, unexciting side,you thennothis extra charge as you go, but if you’re mix- ger wall-box, it will fill the battery from empty to longer have is… to constantly with new Fabia well, it’s rub not elbows suffering.

The ing in some motorway miles, the realistic the brim in around nine hours while you snooze. your front-seat passenger.

The fact that this model is called the Zoe R135 primary surfaces are of very high quali- range drops to around 250-280km. Which importantly, thename Zoe’shas is still pretty decent. also reveals another improvement — the electric ty,Much and wemore like the way the Fabia battery and electric motor are edges new. The been subtly embossed into the of the Better still, the Zoe charges up quickly. motor, which has been beefed up to deliver — 52kWh battery in Zoe isThe far, far larger than instrument binnacle. main dials and Plug it into a 50kWh rapid charger and guess what — 135hp and 245Nm of torque (althe pair controls of AA Duracells in the it’ll go from empty to 80 per cent charged though the extra power does strip a little range heating are simpleyou andgot unadorned original.

In fact, with only an 2kWh so in around 30-45mins. The Zoe has a neat away — 386km compared to the full 395km of in the extreme, but they areextra functional to playOK. withInrelative to the Zoe’s that’s the Style-spec test closest car we riwere trick, though — it has a clever charging the cheaper R110 version). That makes the Zoe vals — thethere Peugeot e-208strip and of Opel Cor- system built-in, called the Chameleon feel very zippy indeed, and even when you’re driving, is a nice man-made suede material that caresses the underside of the central infotainment screen (eight inches across here, 6.5-inches as standard) while the high-backed front seats have a nice quilted pattern to the fabric. They are also exceptionally comfortable. Bisecting the dashboard is a strip of metal (or at least metal-coloured plastic) that runs through Lowdown: Skoda Fabia 1.0 TSI 95hp Style: the round air vents and adds a distinct touch from 0-100km/h, fuel economy of 5.0-litres per 100km, and CO2 emissions of 116g/km. 1.0-litre turbo three-cylinder petrol engine of styling elan. It’s a really good cabin, this.

If the cabin design puts the Fabia ahead, 116 is, of course, not zero, which would be developing 95hp and 175Nm of torque, then the engine package arguably puts it on better. But then it would also be much more driving a five-speed manual transmission the back foot. There is not even a smidge of expensive, and that would arguably put the and front-wheel drive. CO2 emissions (anelectrification — not even mild-hybrid pow- Fabia out of reach of an awful lot of its target nual motor tax) 116g/km (€190). Fuel consumption: 5.0-litres per 100km (56.4mpg). er — and the engine range is built entirely audience.

Actually, a word on prices — this Fabia is 0-100km/h 10.6sec. Price: €23,350 as tested; around the long-serving 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine. These engines run from much more expensive than it ever used to Fabia starts at €19,150. Our rating 4/5. Vera mere, basic 65hp, to a rather more useful be. The utterly base version, with that weedy dict: Ordinary is not an insult.

80hp, to a very much better turbocharged 65hp engine, starts at €19,150, a good €5,000 increase on where the last Fabia began its 95hp, and a range-topping 110hp.

Our test car came with the 95hp engine, journey in 2014. This is a recurring probwhich has claimed acceleration of 10.6secs lem in the small car market — increasing legislation for standard safety kit is driving up prices in this cost-sensitive corner of the market, and hence why many are feeling + 2.11% APR pushed towards buying crossovers. At least Model tested: Skoda Fabia 1.0 TSI they seem to be getting more metal for their + 3 Months Deferred Payments 95hp Style money, but it’s hardly in keeping with the Pricing: €23,350 as tested; Fabia environmental imperative. Skoda Ireland starts at €19,150 acknowledges it’s an issue, but still reckons Engine: turbocharged 1.0-litre it can sell every one of the 500 Fabia’s it’s due Megane - Plug-in Hybrid three-cylinder turbo petrol to get this year.

The chip shortage has alZoe - 100% Electric Transmission: five-speed manual, Captur - Plug-in Hybrid ready wreaked its havoc on the Fabia — this front-wheel drive new one should have been in Ireland last Body style: five-door hatchback Clio - Hybrid November, but here we are in February — CO2 emissions: 116g/km Motor tax: €190 per annum so deliveries should be reasonably prompt.

Combined economy: 56.4mpg (5.0 Should you buy one? Absolutely. The new litres/100km) Fabia is resolutely sensible, but also rather Top speed: Models shown: Mégane Sport Tourer Iconic E-TECH Plug-in Hybrid 160 – RRP €30,356; ZOE GT Line Z.E.50 R135 – RRP €32,427; Clio RS Line E-TECH 140 –is RRP €29,307; Captur S-Edition Hybrid 160 190km/h – RRP €30,037 (ZOE, Captur and charming.

Its Hybrid interior one of the very bestE-TECH Plug-in Mégane RRPs include €5,000 SEAI grant for private buyers, prices valid in November 2020). Finance example ZOE Play R110 Z.E.50. RRP €27,728. Deposit €11,534. Term 48 monthly payments of €339. APR 2.11%.

Total cost of credit inc fee of €75. Offer is 0-100km/h: 10.6€659 seconds in the small car class, as is its palpable sense made under a hire purchase agreement. Payment deferral available on request. First payment will be taken 90 days after activation of finance agreement. Subject to lending criteria. Terms and conditions apply.

See Renault.ie [Warning: You will not own these Power: 95hp at 5,500rpm goods until the final payment is made]. Renault Bank is a trading name of RCI Banque Branch Ireland and is authorised and regulated by the French banking authority and supervised Central Bank for conduct of business purposes. of quality.

It’s smooth and refinedbytothedrive Torque: 175Nm at 2,750rpm (albeit not all that much fun in the corners) Boot space: 380 litres (seats up), and that peppy 95hp engine is delightful, 1,190 litres (seats down) and frugal (but could do with an extra gear EuroNCAP Safety Rating: Five-stars: HOGAN MOTORS ENNIS 85 per cent adult; 81 per cent child; in its five-speed manual gearbox).

70 per cent pedestrian; 71 per cent It’s also a perfect reminder that just beGort Road, Ennis, Co Clare safety assist cause something is ordinary, that doesn’t Tel 065 6821704 www.hoganmotorsennis.ie mean that it’s not any good.

RENAULT’S ALL-ELECTRIC ZOE PROVES HOW

Fully charged, unplugged and ready for you.

Renault is offering:

€1,000 Green Grant

FACTS & FIGURES

THURSDAY, APR 7 2022

THE ALL-NEW ŠKODA FABIA. FOLLOW YOUR DIFFERENT. With sculpted lines and sporty proportions, the all-new Fabia is designed to make an impact. From its sharply cut LED headlights which extend into its wide ŠKODA grille, to its elongated roof spoiler and sizeable wheels, no detail has been spared.

Starting from only €19,150, contact us today to find out more.

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

Tel: 065 682 2400 • www.alhayesskoda.ie WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) combined fuel consumption for FABIA in l/100km range from 6.1 to 5.0. WLTP combined CO2 emissions in g/km range from 138 to 113.

MOTORING

23

24

MOTORING

MOTORING

THURSDAY, APR 7 2022

PLUG AND

MOTORING EXPERT NEIL BRISCOE GIVES HIS VIEWS VIEWS

NISSAN MAKES THE GREEN JERSEY GREENER

RENAULT ZOE RENAULT’S ALL-ELECTRIC ZOE PROVES HOW A FLEET OF ALL-ELECTRIC LEAFS FOR THE FAI R135

N I

GT-LINE issan is set to electrify Irish football on and off the pitch by supplying a new fleet When of elecT was never this easy before. tric first vehicles to help the FAI electric cars launched, a decade to early grow the gamecame at all with levels ago, those models across Ireland and Short to develop a new generbuilt-in hassle. ranges, inconsisation ofcharging young Irish footballers,high including tent opportunities, pricplayers. es,Irish and international a sense that you were driving someA that teamwas of closer 21 Coaches, Development thing to a fridge than a car.Officers staffand have been seWell, and thatadministrative has all changed this new lected to take delivery of the 100 per cent Renault Zoe is an exemplar of that change. electric Leaf as part of a new When theNissan Zoe originally launched, it green sufinitiative which is helping the FAI to reduce fered from most, if not quite all, of those its carbon as it continues to proearly electricfootprint car shortcomings.

Renault mote and support the development of Irish kept updating and refining the Zoe, though, football.

This team of FAI employees travel thousands of kilometres across the country each year and their transition to a more sustainable fleet is being driven by Nissan in its role as Official Vehicle Partner of the Football Association of Ireland.

The award-winning Nissan Leaf has been one of Ireland’s best-selling EVs for more than a decade. It has been at the centre of Nissan’s charge towards electrification with a range of vehicles that also includes the allnew mild hybrid Nissan Qashqai and the new Nissan Ariya electric coupé crossover.

“One of the most exciting developments in Irish football over the past year has been the emergence of young players who have come through the FAI grassroots coaching system that Nissan has been proudly supporting since 2019,” said Seamus Morgan, Managing Director of Nissan Ireland.

“The new energy and style of play that has characterised this young Irish team has electrified fans. Nissan is delighted to play

making it better every time, and for 2020 sa-e — the Zoe can squeeze out an extra charger, that allows it to make the most of lowthere’s this,offthefield all-new model. of claimed one-charge range.

With a er-powered chargers.

Hook a the Zoeswitch up to to onethe of its part by electrifying the fleet of45km tions.

It enables us to engage with commuenvironment by making Well, I say all-new...

Actually, under the fully-topped-off battery, the Zoe should be the ESB’s 22kW on-street chargers (the boxy vehicles used by the FAI to deliver coaching nities and players of all ages all over Ireland 100 per cent electric Nissan Leaf. This green skin, the basic structure and chassis the good much as 395km.

In fact, you’ll whiteinitiative and green ones, located on pavements) and programmes in schools, clubs and of commuas for we as work to enrich the lives of all through will see the FAI continue our move Zoe are much as they were, but the body, probably do better than that if you’re drivit’ll add 125km worth of range in just one hour nities across Ireland,” he added. although familiar, a little sharper, “As the Officiallooks Vehicle Partner of theing mostly around town, where the regen- of charging, while you nip to the shops or have and Renault has managed to carve out a erative braking system helps to scavenge some lunch. At home, with a 7.4kWh home-charFAI, Nissan has been helping the Associalittle more space inside, so that you no tion’s staff to engage with as many players,extra charge as you go, but if you’re mix- ger wall-box, it will fill the battery from empty to longer haveand to constantly elbows with coaches volunteers rub as possible and toing in some motorway miles, the realistic the brim in around nine hours while you snooze. your front-seat passenger.

The fact that this model is called the Zoe R135 deliver grassroots programmes that offer anrange drops to around 250-280km. Which Much more importantly, the Zoe’s is still pretty decent. also reveals another improvement — the electric opportunity to girls and boys of all ages and battery and electric motor are new.

The Better still, the Zoe charges up quickly. motor, which has been beefed up to deliver — abilities to play football, to enjoy the game 52kWh battery in Zoe is far, far larger than Plug it into a 50kWh rapid charger and guess what — 135hp and 245Nm of torque (aland to hopefully one day play for Ireland,” thehepair of AA Duracells you got in the it’ll go from empty to 80 per cent charged though the extra power does strip a little range continued. original.

In fact, with only an extra 2kWh in around 30-45mins.

The Zoe has a neat away — 386km compared to the full 395km of Commenting on the partnership, Repubtolic play with relative to the Zoe’s closest ritrick, though — it has a clever charging the cheaper R110 version). That makes the Zoe of Ireland manager, Stephen Kenny said: vals — the Peugeot e-208 and Opel Corsystem built-in, called the Chameleon feel very zippy indeed, and even when you’re “The thousands of young players who are coached by the FAI are the lifeblood of Irish football. Thanks to Nissan’s support, these young players are being given every opportunity to develop their skills, to realise their potential and to follow in the footsteps of the other young players who are now part of the Irish team.

“Nissan has played a pivotal role in helping the FAI to travel to schools, clubs and communities across the country to promote and support the development of Irish football. This partnership puts young players first and its role in helping to develop a new generation of Irish international players is invaluable,” he added.

Welcoming the partnership Republic of Ireland manager, Vera Pauw said: “The core positive football experiences. We are also to a more sustainable fleet which will help pillars of the new FAI strategy 2022 - 2025 leading by example in making the switch to it to reduce its carbon footprint. We are deinclude driving grassroots football as the sustainable, electric driving in partnership lighted to join Nissan in leading the charge heart of the game and developing the full with Nissan.” towards electrification and to work togethpotential of football for women and girls. I Commenting on the partnership, FAI er to enable our staff continue carrying out welcome this support from Nissan because CEO Jonathan Hill said: “The FAI is de- their valuable work at grassroots level in it helps us to realise these goals and ambi- lighted to go green and to help protect our towns and communities across Ireland.”

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25

Six Nations action for Clare duo

NEWMARKET-ON-FERGUS’ Emmet Calvey has been included in the Ireland U18 Schools squad that will compete in the U18 Mens Six Nations Festival with Rebecca Rodgers of Killaloe part of the women’s squad.

Calvey was first called up to the schools squad in December off the back of an impressive Senior Cup campaign for Ardscoil Rís.

He is retained in the squad that will travel to Marcoussis, France where they will play three games between April 9 and 17 and face their French counterparts on Match Day 1 on April 9th. On April 13th they will play Wales and will then complete their participation in the Festival on the 17th April when they play Italy.

A prop, Emmet’s inclusion in the 26 man squad is all the more impressive given that he is eligible for the grade again next year. The squad will be coached by Paul Barr (Presentation Brothers College, Cork) and Andy Kyriacou (Munster Elite Player Development Officer). Formerly a pupil of Clonmoney NS, Emmet is one of ten Munster players named in the squad.

Meanwhile, Killaloe’s Rebecca Rodgers has been included in the 26 player Ireland U18 Women’s squad that will travel to Edinburgh over the Easter break to compete in the inaugural U18 Women’s Six Nations festival.

She was part of the extended squad that participated in three weekend camps at the IRFU’s High Performance Centre in Dublin in preparation for the festival which takes place at the Dam Health Stadium beside Murrayfield. The St Anne’s Community College student is one of three Munster players named in the squad.

07-04-22 PAN MUNSTER CLUB U16 FINAL: WATERPARK 22 ENNIS 17 @ IRISH INDEPENDENT PARK, CORK

Ennis ‘stood up manfully’

W

by STUART HOLLY ATERPARK were crowned the 2021/2022 U16 Boys Cup champions after they overcame a stern challenge from Ennis at Musgrave Park yesterday (Sunday, April 3).

Ennis 7 Waterpark 22

Both sides were nip and tuck for the majority of the first half with little separating the sides. However, it was the Waterford side who opened the scoring when Shay Kennedy crossed in the corner just a few minutes before the break. Ben Wallis knocked over the conversion to give his side a 7-0 lead.

Ennis responded straight away with a try from replacement prop Nicolis Roos. Roos initially got his team on the front foot with a powerful carry before he made himself available a few phases later to cross for a crucial try. Odhrán Flynn’s conversion sailed between the posts as Ennis got themselves back into the game to leave the sides level at half time, 7-7.

On the resumption of the second half, Waterpark took the lead again when Dylan Coady crossed in the corner which was converted again by Wallis.

At this stage the game began to break up and some nice offloading from Waterpark saw number eight Sam Jones cross for his side’s third try. Wallis’ conversion was wide as Waterpark took a 19-7 lead into the final 10 minutes of the game. A penalty from Wallis ensured the lead stretched out to 22-7 and this is how it remained as Waterpark secured the U16 Cup title.

Ennis head coach John Queally told The

Ennis’ Nicolis Roos celebrates scoring a try with his teammates. ©INPHO

Clare Echo that his side “stood up manfully” to keep the game competitive into the second half having sustained early pressure, adding that Ennis were unlucky not to score a second try in the first half having been held up on the line twice. He added, “There’s no getting away from it, they were a very good side. At half-time, 7-7 was a fair half time scoreline. In the second half they just came out of the blocks that bit faster and had some good carries and started piling on the pressure, then a few cracks started to show.”

“Our lads were gutted after the game. The one thing is, it’s not the end of the season.

They have the closed and open Cups to play

Avenue close in on leaders

by SEAMUS HAYES Shannon Town Utd A 0 Avenue United A 4 Venue: Lynch Park, Shannon

Avenue United A kept up their strong challenge for league honours with this comfortable win over Shannon Town A on Sunday.

A Thomas Hehir goal helped the Ennis side to a 1-0 half time lead and they went on to add three in the second half through Mark Roche who scored from the penalty spot and a brace from Elias Kunz.

Avenue move to within two points of title holders Newmarket Celtic A who are on 30 points from 11 games, while Avenue have a game in hand on Celtic.

Shannon Town A: Darren Whelan; Cody Waller, Brian Monaghan, Darren Griffin, Colum Treacy; Jack Kelly, Ben O’Neill, Gary O’Connell, Brian O’Connor; Liam Boland, Ciaran Hackett; Subs: Jack Ryan for Boland; Charlie Morrisson for O’Connor; Fionn McInerney for Waller; Steven Carroll for Monahan.

Avenue United A: James Tierney; Cullen McCabe, Simon Cuddy, Dylan Casey, Jamie Roche; Stephen Jordan, Eoghan Thynne, Alan Roche, Mark Roche; Thomas Hehir, Elias

pg 26

Kunz. Subs; Conor Hehir for J. Roche; Mikey Dinan for A. Roche; Cian O’Dea for T. Hehir; Callum Barrett for M. Roche; Dylan Barry for Thynne

SPOILS SHARED AT LAHINCH Sporting Ennistymon 3 Ennis Town 3 Venue: Lahinch

Spoils were shared when Sporting Ennistymon hosted Ennis Town on Sunday in Lahinch.

The home side raced into a 2-0 lead after twenty minutes, their goals coming from Jamesy McConigley and Nna Nneji.

Davy Keenan pulled one back for the visitors at the mid point of the half but Ennistymon struck again through McConigley following a corner by his brother Cathal and they led 3-1 at the interval.

Twenty minutes from the final whistle Robbie Gormley pulled one back for Ennis Town and three minutes later the sides were level after Joe Campbell found the net for the visitors.

Sporting Ennistymon; Jared Gutherless; Ciaaran Monahan, Michael Leigh, Jack O’Dea; Joe

Gallagher, Thierry Bouron, Jamesy McConigley Eoin Marrinan; Darren McNamara, Nna Nneji, Sean McConigley; Subs: Cathal McConigley for Marrinan; Byron Kenny for McNamara; Ennis Town; Aidan Jordan; Ultan Shiels, Sean Perrill, Eoin Keenan, Adam Fleming, Jashar Aliu, Robbie Gormley, Lee Clohessy, Davy Keenan, Dean Coughlan, Joe Campbell Sub: Declan Ensko for D. Keenan.

KEOGH LANDS LIFFORD WINNER Lifford 1 Mountshannon Celtic 0 Venue: Mountshannon

John Keogh’s goal earned Lifford the points

in this Premier Division tie on Sunday. The all important score came in the opening half on a day when Eoghan Monaghan stood out for the winners.

Lifford: Rhys Phillips; Dan Daly, John Mahers, Eoghan Monaghan, Eddie Killeen; Guillermo, Jean Ganda, Matthew Davenport, Gary McNaboe; John Keogh, Nathan Rezende; Subs: Ethan Cronin for McNaboe; Niall Guinnane for Davenport; Darragh Madigan for Ganda; Hamad Kuku for Guillermo; Mountshannon Celtic: Andy O’Dwyer; Niall Minogue, Michael Barrett, Oran Scanlan, Niall Dear; Ronan Dooley, Martin Cunningham, Luke Sugrue, Paul Burke; Ethan Madden, Paddy Fitzgerald; Sub: Guy Vigurs for Dooley;

BRIDGE UNITED IN CONTROL Shannon Olympic 0 Bridge United A 5 Venue: Shannon

Bridge United A scored a comfortable victory over Shannon Olympic on Sunday. The winners held a 3-0 lead at half time following goals from Kieran Quinlan who converted a penalty after half an hour, Leon Daly two minutes later and Jason Loughnane and Jason Loughnane a minute later again. Brian Corry scored twice in the second half.

Shannon Olympic; Zsolt Lakos; Benjamin Cantillon, Ray Quigley, Dean Power, Pa Madden; Rachid Amallah, Sean McDonald, Ciaran Keane, Ryan Kelly; Declan McDonald, Piotr Kaluzza; Sub: Alan Kelly for Keane; Bridge United A; Paul Tuohy; Dan Larkin, Jason Loughnane, Darren Murphy, Alan Mulready; Jonathan Downes, Leon Kelly, Liam Buckley, Kieran Quinlan Leon Daly, Brian Corry; Subs: Steve Stewart for Downes; Mikey Carr for Loughnane; Alex Collins for Kelly; Brandon O’Halloran for Daly; Conor Deasy for Buckley

PICTURED: John Maher hits the back of the net for Lifford

Photo by Cealtra Communications

in North Munster yet, so we’ve two quarter finals in the next two weeks so there’s that to look forward to.

“We’re not going to mourn one game, we’re going to celebrate the nine or 10 games that got us there, and how well we had done.”

Ennis: Jack Dillon, Luke Kennedy, Andrew Cahir Whelan, David Moses, Marco Cleary, Odhran Flynn, Sean Queally, Caoimhin Enright, Conall O’Donovan, Michael Sweeney, Adrian Moloney, Cillian McInerney, Jacob Casson-Rennie, Matthew Jordan-Allen, John Sweeney.

Replacements: Cian Enright, Nicolis Roos, Daniel Humphries, Owen O’Gorman, Evan Casey, Aaron Malone, Diarmuid Boyle, Killian Boland.

Lifford FC draw Tulla in Cup

QUARTER and semi-final draws have been held for the Banner Carpets and Flooring Clare Cup. Eleven teams are left in the hunt to secure Cup glory with three last 16 games yet to be played. The only definite pairing confirmed is the meeting of Lifford FC and Tulla Utd, the Ennis side caused an upset when eliminating Shannon Town Utd A from the competition.

Holders Newmarket Celtic await the winners of Kilkishen Celtic and Sporting Ennistymon with their main challengers Avenue Utd set to take on either Mountshannon Celtic or Ennis Town FC. Shannon Hibs A will be facing local rivals, the question remains whether it will be Bridge Utd A or Shannon Town Utd B. Newmarket Celtic and Avenue Utd are on separate sides of the draw.

Quarter-Finals: Lifford FC v Tulla Utd Newmarket Celtic A v Kilkishen Celtic/Sporting Ennistymon Shannon Town B/Bridge Utd A v Shannon Hibs A Avenue Utd A v Mountshannon Celtic/Ennis Town Semi-Finals: Lifford FC/Tulla Utd v Newmarket Celtic/ Kilkishen Celtic/Sporting Ennistymon Shannon Town Utd B/Bridge Utd A/Shannon Hibs v Avenue A/Mountshannon/Ennis Town

pg 27

07-04-22

Cusack & Garry Cup Roundup

Finnerty & Donnellan on top

by SEAMUS HAYES

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORTS

Doonbeg’s Paraic Aherne scored the winning point against Éire Óg Burren Eye Photography

Mistakes can stand to u20s

by SEAMUS HAYES

CLARE under 20 football manager Michael Neylon believes his charges face a serious test when they take on Tipperary in the Munster championship at Hennessy Park in Miltown Malbay on Monday (7pm).

Unlike the other underage championships (minor hurling and football and under 20 hurling), this football championship is a knock out competition so defeat on Monday will mark the end of the road for this squad for this season whereas victory on Monday will see the team progress to a semi-final date with Kerry a week later.

Neylon is not looking beyond Monday.

“Tipperary have seven of the starting team that faced Cork in last year’s Munster final when Cork struggled to put them away.

They are a very strong side and include Cathal Deely who played for Tipperary in the Division 3 league final last week in Croke Park”, Michael told The Clare Echo.

“We will have to improve a lot from our league form. We stepped up in the final of the league and we will need to step up again to take this one. It will t a k e everything we have got to come out on top”, according to the manager who is joined in the backroom by Diarmuid Carroll (Limerick) Eoin Murray (O’Currys), Colm Clancy (Corofin), Sean O’Brien (St Josephs Miltown) who is the goalkeeping coach and Oscar O’Dwyer (S and C) Apart from goalkeeper Thomas Collins (Lissycasey) who is ruled out due to a knee injury, the manager and his selectors have a full squad from which to select the team for Monday evening Collins was the team’s first choice goalie throughout the league and his loss is a big blow

to the side. Oisin O’Loughlin (St. Breckans) will take over the goalkeeping duties.

The team has joint captains in Fionn Kelleher (St. Josephs, Doora/Barefield) and Eoin Rouine (Ennistymon).

Kelleher, Fergal Guinnane (Kildysart) and Ciaran McMahon (Ennistymon) are expected to start in the backline while Odhran Cunningham (Killimer), Josh Moloney (Kilmurry Ibrickane), both members of last year’s minor team and Eoin Walsh (Banner) are challenging strongly for inclusion in defence.

Cooraclare’s Brian McNamara, a member of the senior panel and his clubmate Michael Garry could well team up at midfield while up front Brendy Rouine, (Ennistymon), also a member of the senior panel, his cousin Eoin, Lissycasey duo Shane Griffin and Conor Meaney, Thomas Meeneghan (Banner), Joe Raftery (St. Josephs Doora/ Barefield) and Sean McNamara (Michael.

Cusacks) are all pushing for starting places.

Similar to Clare, the Premier county side has been moving up the rankings at senior level and the under 20 players are keen to put up their hands for promotion to the senior side.

With almost half of last year’s Munster final team available, Tipperary will travel to Hennessy Park confident that they can take the first step towards getting back to the final.

For their part, Clare are determined to win this one and erase some of the disappointment as a result of their defeat in Dungarvan last year when Waterford caused a big shock.

The Banner men will have learned a lot in their recent league campaign which ended with victory over Wicklow in the final and all involved will be hoping that the experience gained in that competition will see them triumph on Monday. (left) Michael Neylon Photo by Gerard O’Neill

MONICA Finnerty (Ennis) and Eileen Donnellan (East Clare) were the ladies 18 hole stableford competition winners in their respective clubs.

EAST CLARE GOLF CLUB: Eileen Donnellan was the winner of the ladies 18 hole stableford competition at East Clare at the weekend with 38 points. Mary Farrell was second with 33 points.

In the ladies 9 hole re-entry final the team of Marie Donnellan, Bridget Minogue, Breda McCarthy and Ann C. Harte were the winners with 191 points from Kathleen O’Brien, Margaret Lynch, Mary Farrell and Margaret Hoey with 190 points.

This week’s ladies competition is an 18 hole stableford qualifying Green Jumper competition. In the men’s section sixteen teams have qualified for the next round in the club fourball better ball competition.

WOODSTOCK GOLF CLUB: Last week’s team of four competition in the Spring league was won by Jason Dormer, Paul and Declan Coote and Ollie McNamara with 98 points. They had five to spare over Cathal Nagle, John Dempsey, Noel Moloney and Eugene Killeen with third spot filled by Ross Darmody, Mark Hogan, David McLaughlin and John Brennan with 92 points.

The eight teams through to the quarter finals are; 1: Jason Dormer, Paul and Declan Coote and Ollie McNamara with 309.9; 2: Kieran Quinn, Ray Grogan, Pat O’Brien, Pat McMahon with 309.6; 3: Cathal Nagle, Noel Moloney, John Dempsey, Eugene Killeen with 304.9; 4: Ray, Eddie, Stephen Casey, Frank McEnery with 303.8; 5: Ross Darmody, Colm O’Callaghan, John Brennan, Mark Hogan with 303.8; 6: Paddy Meehan, Eugene Conroy, Brian Kilker, Dickie Pyne with 303.7; 7: Alan Markham, Ronan O’Looney, Joe McInerney, Conor McMahon with 297.1; 8: Kevin Toner, Seosamh O’Riordan, Mattie O’Brien, Tom O’Donoghue with 297.

In last week’s club team of four competition the winners were Ray Casey, Joe Green, Eddie Casey and Peter Cosgrove with 90 points. There will be a club singles competition this week.

This week’s seniors competition at Woodstock was won by Seamus Kelly, Michael Foley, Pat Quinn and Dickie Pyne with 50 points DROMOLAND GOLF CLUB: Danny Mungovan was the winner of the men’s 18 hole stableford competition at Dromoland last weekend with 43 points. In second place was Cillian O’Connor with a similar points total. Third spot was filled by Kieran

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O’Reilly with 41 points while Kyle Neylon won the gross with 41 points. The winner of the high handicap category was Mark Taylor with 41 points.

Joan Ryan was the winner of the ladies 18 hole stableford competition with 38 points from Sandy Smyth with 34. In the 9 hole competition, Eabha Brennan won with 20 points from Suzie Cusack with 18 and Anne Fahy, also with 18.

ENNIS GOLF CLUB: In the ladies 18 hole stableford competition at Ennis last week, Monica Finnerty (23) was the winner with 37 points from Kathleen Frehill (39) who had a similar score. Rose Enright (28) was third, also with 37 points with fourth spot filled by Sinead Hegarty (17) with 36 points.

The winner of the 9 hole competition was Bridie Keane (17) with 22 points from Mary Woulfe (15) with a similar score. Mary McMahon (12) was third with 20 points.

SHANNON GOLF CLUB: The April medal was played for at Shannon last week where Jim Fitzgerald (17) was the winner with 66. Edward Hickey (1) won the gross with 73. In category A, Tony Kenny (8) won with 71 from Jamie Hodge (7) who also returned 71 with third spot filled by Daithi Lohan (6) with 72.

Alan Dempsey (10) won category B with 69 from Michael Cronin (13) with 70 with third spot filled by Kevin Meehan (10), also with 70. Category C was won by Karl Moloney (21) wiith 67 from Ciaran Cusack (25) with 68 with Michael Darcy (21) in third spot with 69.

KILRUSH GOLF CLUB: The men’s 18 hole singles at Kilrush on Sunday was won by Jim Young senior (9) with 40 points from Eoin Fitzgerald (17) with 38. Michael Twomey (18) was third and he also scored 38 points with fourth spot filled by John Sheerin (15) with 37 Ann McMahon (28) won the ladies 12 hole Noel Ryan competition last week with 33 points from Mary Bolton (14) with 28 points.

CLARECASTLE DAYCARE CENTRE: Woodstock will host a golf classic on Thursday and Friday April 14 and 15 in aid of Clarecastle Daycare Centre.

The competition will be for teams of 4 which will cost €120 per team and amongst the prizes on offer will be a round of golf at Trump International in Doonbeg, a round at the Island golf club in Donabate, Dublin, a round at Carton House and a round at Fota Island golf club in Cork. There will also be prizes for the longest drive and for nearest the pin. Contact Anne Marie on 065-6829463 for tee times.

07-04-22

Lessonsfromtheleague

pg 28

Brian Lohan and (left) Tony Kelly

Head of News & Sport Páraic McMahon takes a look at learnings from Clare’s National Hurling league campaign

F

OR the record, Clare’s senior hurlers played five games in the 2022 Allianz National Hurling League, winning one, drawing one and losing three.

They finished in fifth position of Division 1A, above Offaly but beneath Wexford, Cork, Galway and Limerick.

Trust in Youth

Refreshingly, Brian Lohan threw young players in at the deep end for the National Hurling League (NHL). He had little choice due to injuries but we’ll use it as an opportunity to praise the former full-back.

Starting jerseys were handed out to Shane Meehan, Robin

Mounsey, Patrick Crotty, Mike Gough and Darren O’Brien for the first time in this campaign and it is to be welcomed. Future planning has been neglected by previous managements but being on last year’s panel has certainly stood to players like Paddy Donnellan, Cian Galvin and Meehan. (above) Shane Meehan. Photo by Gerard O’Neill

No Plan B?

Key to progression from Munster this year given the return of the round robin format will be a strong panel. Clare used 28 players throughout the course of the League but whether this sounds like a paradox or not, they did not experiment enough with some of the 28 getting insufficient time in the spotlight. Players will make mistakes and when it is the fringe guys, they merit a second chance. Cian Nolan has been one of the top performers in the club scene but frustratingly saw no game-time. The Killaloe man deserves a shot to see if he can cut it at senior inter-county level, the same can be said for Darragh Lohan who was also confined to the sideline. What happens if the tried and trusted do not perform, get injured or suspended?

Tony Kelly effect

Clare’s team contains one of the greatest hurlers of his generation in Tony Kelly, his performances are the primary reason why a quarter-final was reached in Lohan’s debut year.

Keeping him in top form and nick is simply essential as both the team and supporters feed off his presence with the opposition caught in a stir. It’s no coincidence that Clare were unable to win while he was out of action with injury. The task for his teammates is to do their share and carry more of the burden. backline. Cracks in defence are most notable when the pressure is on, quelle surprise and it is this sector of the field that Clare have lost games through cheap frees, loose marking and poor tackling. This is why the likes of Nolan, Gough, Aaron Fitzgerald and Lohan needed to show what they could offer.

Tactical adaptations

A new feature of Clare’s displays is the diagonal movement of ball from defence, regularly play will move from left wing back to full back to right wing back with netminder Eibhear Quilligan now having a greater role in distribution while the game is in-play.

Improving puckout retention remains a challenge with their return of 58% in their last outing against Galway falling short of the 78% achieved against Wexford and Limerick. The tactical nous of the management has yet to be scru-

tinised, it will be over the course of the Munster round-robin.

Treatment table

Busier than it should be, unfortunately. Lohan and his management never had a full deck to choose from with over a dozen players out of action at different stages in the league. One of the county’s unsung heroes, Colm Galvin also announced his inter-county retirement prior to the commencement of the NHL in another blow to their plans.

Old School

Lohan was and remains one of Ger Loughnane’s most trusted lieutenants. He may have taken a leaf out of his former manager’s book with one approach to date this year which yielded an initial reward. Aron Shanagher started Clare’s first competitive game of 2022, an easy win over Waterford. His display was poor for his standards and so the Shannon

Find of the league

In Scariff, they know Patrick Crotty for his dedication, his early morning free-taking sessions and his bundles of potential, they have been aware of this for some time. His scoring prowess in last year’s Clare SHC caught the attention of Lohan while his showings and raised socks in this year’s NHL put him on a much wider radar.

Strong in the air and capable of putting the ball between the posts, it sounds simple but it marks the traits of a decent forward and that Crotty certainly is.

Player of the league

Up until a knee injury ended his involvement, it appeared that Mark Rodgers was on course to be rightly viewed as Clare’s top man of the league. With him out of the equation, there is no clear candidate, given his rise from last year’s NHL when his main contribution was being one of two close contacts following a brief cameo against Wexford, Shane Meehan has stood up to the mark and his haul of 2-04 all from play in five games sees him get the nod.

Defensive frailties

On paper, Clare possess a deadly attack. This is also true in reality at the other side of the field where fatal errors are a regular occurrence. Knowing what is and isn’t a good free to concede appears out of their vocabulary.

As referenced by this writer on Scariff Bay’s Sportsline, a stint in East Clare learning the ‘dark arts’ would do no harm for the Banner

man was shown to the sideline, while there he could see that Mark Rodgers was more than able of wearing number fourteen and it kicked him into gear. When he returned to action he was a different man, including a 0-02 haul from the bench versus Offaly. Unfortunately a quad injury has disrupted Shan’s efforts of proving a point.

Patrick Crotty’s showings put him on many a spectator’s radar Photo by Gerard O’Neill

Spots to fill

John Conlon (below, inset) appears to be the solution in the eyes of management to filling the centre back berth. Diarmuid Ryan is arguably the long-term option for the role and the deployment of Conlon also withdraws Clare’s most physical attacking threat.

The return of Shane O’Donnell is a god-send, so too the addition of Peter Duggan and Ian Galvin.

There are plenty of options up front but nailing down the back six and midfield pairing is not so clear.

Parting shot

Dr Padraic Quinn, one of the greatest GAA men in County Clare, was dispensed by management as abrupt-

ly as a medical bag is pulled from the sideline when a player goes down injured.

The Sixmilebridge GP has been involved with Clare teams since 1979, not taking a penny in the process and deserved better treatment. Fair enough if a new approach was decided but a man who has given so much for so little warranted a more amicable bedside manner from the persons behind his departure.

Can we get out of Munster?

Is féidir linn.

*Lessons from the League continues next week with a report on Clare’s Senior footballers

pg 29

07-04-22

07-04-22

pg 30

Injury-free Clare minors ready for championship bow 9th Cliffs of

by SEAMUS HAYES

A

S CLARE put the final plans in place for the opening round of the Munster minor hurling championship, manager Brian O’Connell (right) and his backroom team will be able to select from a full strength squad.

“Thankfuly there are no injury worries at this time and we have a full squad available for our trip to Thurles to play Tipperary on Tuesday evening”, the Wolfe Tones clubman and former Clare senior captain told The Clare Echo.

O’Connell’s backroom team includes two ex Clare senior managers in the guise of Cyril Lyons (Ruan) and Donal Moloney (Scariff). Fintan Leamy (Clooney/Quin), Liam O’Reilly (Banner), Damian O’Halloran (Inagh-Kilnamona), goalkeeper coach Keith Hogan (Clooney/ Quin) and Cork native Hugh O’Neill (S&C) complete the management.

Clooney/Quin’s John Cahill is the team captain and he is in line for a position in the backline along with Fionnan Treacy (Éire Óg), Rian McNamara (Cratloe), Sean McMahon (Smith O’Briens) and James Hegarty (Inagh-Kilnamona).

Mark Sheedy (Sixmilebridge)

and Oisin O’Rourke (Wolfe Tones) are the goalkeepers in the squad.

Competing for places at midfield are Diarmuid Stritch (Clonlara) Pierce O’Shea (Ruan), Dylan Keane-Hayes(Kilmaley) and Tom Curran (Doora/Barefield) while challenging for places in the forward line are Cian Neylon (Kilmaley), Oisin Whelan (Clarecastle), Frankie Lyons (Ruan), Michael Collins (Clonlara) and Dannan Fox (Clooney-Quin).

Clare and Tipperary faced off last year at U16 when both squads had over forty members.

“We had people in Dungarvan on Tuesday night watching their game with Waterford which Tipperary won by two points,” the minor manager outlined.

In preparation for this campaign, Clare played challenge games against Galway (twice), Kilkenny Laois and Wexford.

Dannan Fox was part of the St. Josephs, Tulla Harty cup squad while three of the minor panel, Diarmuid Stritch, Sean McMahon and Rian McNamara featured with Ard Scoil Ris when they won the All-Ireland colleges title (Croke cup) in Croke Park.

“The panel includes a lot of the lads that featured in the Dean Ryan cup final between Ard Scoil Ris and St. Flannans while we also have players from Rice College who competed in this age group at B in the Munster colleges schedule”, explained the Wolfe Tones clubman.

O’Connell is happy that the management team “have a good knowledge of the group. We have had a lot of time working together both at management level and with this squad as they came in at under 15 level. At the outset Covid got in the way but we did a lot of work through Zoom. Through the development squad system we would have seen 60 to 70 players in that time”.

The Clare boss pointed out that “this year for the first time, there will be a Celtic Challenge for under 17 players and it is running in conjunction with the minor championship. It starts this week and the players who won’t make our match day squad of twenty four will play in this. They will all continue to benefit from the strength and conditioning programme”.

For now Brian and his management team are focussing on Tuesday’s clash with Tipperary.

“Tipperary will always be strong at this level. We have trained regularly since the beginning of the year, conscious all the time of the face that most of the players have had schools competitions also. We tried to balance things so that we didn’t overdo the programme for the players”.

Win or lose on Tuesday, Clare will be back in action a week later when they will entertain Waterford in Sixmilebridge. The team which tops this group will go into the semi-final while the second placed team will play the team which finishes third in the other group (Cork, Limerick and Kerry) with the third placed team in Clare’s group playing the team which finishes second in the other group all of which means that the teams are guaranteed a minimum of three games.

Moher cycle ENNISTYMON based, Riverside Cycling Club will host the ninth Cliffs of Moher Cycle Challenge this Saturday.

Initially started to raise funds for local charities and organisations in North Clare such as Ennistymon Hospital, Home Share Clare, North Clare Youth Counselling, Ennistymon Playground and the Burren Chernobyl Project, the event has garnered a reputation as one of the premier leisure cycles in Ireland.

Routes of 40km, 80km and 125km are on offer, taking in the infamous Corkscrew Hill.

Cassidy’s Pub is the resting point before a fast descent down to the Poulnabrone Dolmen before re-joining the 80km route at the bottom of the Corkscrew hill. This route is for the experienced and endurance cyclists with total climbing of 1,600mtrs.

Organisers have told The Clare Echo that whichever event is chosen, there is a medal and refreshments waiting for participants.

Another double win for Sixmilebridge’s Murray SIXMILEBRIDGE’s Stephen Murray recorded another double in Galway while all eyes will be on Fast Fit Paddy in Saturday’s Open 600 Stake in Shelbourne Park.

The A2 graded eighth contest was the feature contest on Friday’s card at Galway that also featured the second round heats of the Ann Cheevers Memorial A5 525.

As the traps rose for the A2 graded feature contest Fast Fit Felix was very smartly into stride in the centre and led towards the opening bend rounding before the red jacketed Astro Podge railed well and took over in front. Leaving the back straight Astro Podge still led by two lengths but off the home bend the Leo McNulty of Shannon-owned Moyolla Miss, who came in as a reserve, swept through her rivals to collar Astro Podge and prevail by a length in 29.16.

In race two, the Martin Griffin of Lissycasey owned No Risk took her career stats to four wins from nine as she withheld the late thrust of Orbsen Olive by a diminishing head in 19.50.

The opening contest of the night was an A5 graded contest and from traps Crimson Blue showed pace in the centre to lead towards the opening bend from Peteles Duke along the inner and Pigeons Nest on the wide outside. Racing down the back straight Crimson Blue opened up a four length advantage but nearing the third bend the Eleanor Hackett owned Pigeons Nest (Ballymac Eske-Playmistyforme) began to close out wide. Rounding the home bend, the leader was beginning to tire as the Stephen Murray of Sixmilebridge trained Pigeons Nest swept by close home to score by a length and a half in 29.51.

The Sixmilebridge handler went on to completed a double in the A6 graded ninth contest as the Kevin Ryan of Ruan owned Arrowhead put up a career best performance on his fourth start as he registered career win number two by eight lengths over Nationwide Fury in 29.09. Third best from traps behind Nationwide Fury and Bumblebee Martin the winner outpaced his rivals on the run to the opening bend which he routed a length clear of Nationwide Fury. Turning down the back the lead was quickly extended as Arrowhead put his rivals to the sword drawing right away from halfway for an impressive success.

In heat four of the Ann Cheevers Memorial Stake, the John Quinn of Gort owned Fast Fit Drop slipped passed the early leaders along the rails to lead and tracking superbly into the back straight the Declan McDonagh of Liscannor trained runner set sail for home down the back. Drawing further clear of his rivals with every stride the Son of Doratos Wildcat and Fast Fit Maeve crossed the line seven & a half lengths clear of No Shift in 29.20.

The concluding A3 graded contest saw the Michael Casey of Mullagh and Martin Fahy owned Menmal Prince make virtually all to defeat Danmar Corona by a length and a half in 29.13.

In the opening A8 graded contest on Saturday, the Marie Corbett owned Kosmos Star took a wide line on the third bend to take command as the Donal Duggan of Tulla trained runner raced on to defeat Heathlawn Darci by a length and three parts in 30.00.

John Quinn’s Fast Fit Paddy goes to traps in the final of the Open 600 Stake in Shelbourne Park this Saturday night.

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31

THURSDAY, APR 7 2022

Recent Deaths Conway (née Mooney), Ann Shannon, Clare Date of Death: Thursday 31st March 2022

Canavan (née Kenneally), Mary Ennistymon, Clare Date of Death: Sunday 3rd April 2022

Fahy, Michael Clarecastle,Clare Date of Death: Saturday 2nd April 2022

Holliday, Chris Ennis, Clare Date of Death: Sunday 3rd April 2022

Lyons (née Murphy), Mary Clare Date of Death: Sunday 3rd April 2022

Kirwan (née McNamara), Bridie Ennis, Clare Date of Death: Thursday 31st March 2022

McNamara, Stephen (Jerry) Lahinch,Clare Date of Death: Tuesday 5th April 2022

McMahon, Brian Ennis, Clare Date of Death: Sunday 3rd April 2022

Nevin (née Pilkington), Dolores Ennis, Clare Date of Death: Monday 4th April 2022

Austin (née Gleeson), Margaret (Peggy) Newmarket-on-fergus, Clare Date of Death: Saturday 2nd April 2022

Robinson, Samuel Ruan, Clare Date of Death: Sunday 3rd April 2022

Cox (née Casey), Ellen (Nellie) Spanish Point, Clare Date of Death: Sunday 20th February 2022

Beirne (née O’Brien), Catherine Barefield, Clare Date of Death: Saturday 2nd April 2022 Burns (née Killeen), Lourda Doonbeg, Clare Date of Death: Saturday 2nd April 2022

TUBRIDY, Christy Kilrush, Clare Date of Death: Wednesday 30th March 2022 Harvey, Sr. Mary Kilkee, Clare Date of Death: Wednesday 30th March 2022 Keating (née Keane), Anna Kilbaha, Clare Date of Death: Thursday 31st March 2022 Baumbach (née Malone), Olive Mary Clarecastle, Clare Date of Death: Thursday 24th March 2022 Healy (née Tierney), Mary Ellen Corofin, Clare Date of Death: Wednesday 30th March 2022

Scanlon, Joe Fanore, Clare Date of Death: Wednesday 30th March 2022

Obituaries

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First 100 words €40 + vat

Between 100-200 words €60 200 + words on request + vat

ANNIVERSARIES Up to 80 words + Photo 80 + words on request BIRTHDAYS Up to 80 words + photo

€20 + vat

€20 + vat

PLANNING NOTICES CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL CAHER, OGONNELLOE, CO. CLARE Take Notice that We Orla & David O’ Shea intend to apply to Clare County Council for Permission for the Construction of a single storey extension to Side & rear of existing dwelling to include Kitchen/ Dining & Living Area, Pantry & Boot Room including internal modifications & elevational changes to existing dwelling & Also For Permission for the Demolition of Existing Sunroom to side of dwelling including ancillary site works at above address.

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL CLOONAWEE, KNOCKANEAN, CO. CLARE, V95 H6RV

Take notice that John, Keith & Dawn Collins intend to apply for permission to Extend the existing Dwelling House to the rear to provide a new kitchen / dining area and to the side to provide an attached Granny Flat & all other associated site and ancillary works at the above address.

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL FANOREMORE, BALLYVAUGHAN, CO. CLARE Take notice that Vanessa McQuaid and Richard Breffit intend to apply for permission to build a new dwelling, install a wastewater treatment system & all other associated site and ancillary works at the above address.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices

of the planning authority, during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL CLONEYOGAN SOUTH, LAHINCH, CO. CLARE, V95 V2H7 Take notice that Ashley Gribben intends to apply for permission to extend and renovate the existing dwelling, install a wastewater treatment system & all other associated site and ancillary works at the above address.

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL FURTHER INFORMATION/ REVISED PLANS

BALLYEA, DARRAGH, ENNIS, CO CLARE Planning Ref: P21/500 Development Description: The construction of a new dwelling house and garage complete with a new entrance, sewage treatment system and ancillary works Location: Ballyea, Darragh, Ennis, Co Clare Take notice that Aislinn McInerney & Stephen Cuddihy have lodged significant further information in respect of planning application P21/500. This information and planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority of Clare County Council, Planning Department, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis, Co Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, not later than 2 weeks after the receipt of the newspaper notice and site notice by the planning authority or in the case of a planning application accompanied by an EIS within 5 weeks of receipt of such notices by the planning authority.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL KILLARD, DOONBEG, CO. CLARE Take notice that Rachel Haugh and Daniel Lynch intend to apply to Clare County Council for planning permission to construct an extension to an existing bungalow with associated ancillary site works at the above address.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the office of the Planning Authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the Planning Authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of five weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL BALLYSCANLAN, CRUSHEEN, CO. CLARE We, James & Leah Carolan, intend to apply for permission for development at this site – Ballyscanlan, Crusheen, Co. Clare. The development will consist of: - Construction of a new dwelling & garage, new access, installation of a wastewater treatment system, percolation area & all associated site works. The

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL DOUGH, KILKEE, CO. CLARE I Aiden Fitzgerald B.Eng. MIEI of AF Engineering, Doolin, Co. Clare, 0879955689, intend to apply to Clare County Council on behalf of John J. Hickie for planning permission at the above address, the development will consist of a dwelling house and proprietary wastewater treatment system & percolation area together with ancillary site works. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost

of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within a period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

continues page 32

32

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PLANNING NOTICES CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL LISBIGGEEN, KILMALEY, CO. CLARE Take notice that Kilmaley GAA Club, intends to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to construct a spectator stand and street lighting along a proposed gravel walkway as well as all associated site works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, New Road, Ennis, during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the planning

authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00, within the period of 5 weeks, beginning on the date of receipt by the planning authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL MOY, LAHINCH, CO. CLARE Take notice that Ciara Russell intends to apply to the Planning Authority for Permission to construct a dwelling house, wastewater treatment system, road entrance and associated site works at Moy More tld., Moy, Lahinch, Co. Clare.

The Planning Application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceed-

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continued from page 31

ing the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority, Clare County Council, Planning and Development dept, Áras Contae and Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare, during its public opening hours: Mon to Fri 9.00am to 4.00pm inc. lunchtime. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee of EUR 20 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The

planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL MOY, LAHINCH, CO. CLARE Take notice that Fodhla Russell intends to apply to the Planning Authority for Permission to construct a dwelling house, wastewater treatment system, road entrance and associated site works at Moy More tld., Moy, Lahinch, Co. Clare. The Planning Application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority,

Clare County Council, Planning and Development dept, Áras Contae and Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare, during its public opening hours : Mon to Fri 9.00am to 4.00pm inc. lunchtime. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee of EUR 20 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse

to grant permission.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL SCHOOL ROAD, ATTYCRISTORA, LAHINCH, CO. CLARE Take notice that Brian Foudy & Associates Ltd of Osprey House, Carmody Street, Ennis, Co. Clare 065 6893565 www.foudyconsulting.ie. Intend to apply to the planning authority on behalf of John Talty Construction Ltd for permission to construct 8 No. detached 4-bedroom dwelling houses together with all associated site development works, wastewater pre-treatment and connections to public services at the above address. A Natura Impact

Statement (NIS) has been prepared and accompanies this application. The planning application and Natura Impact Statement (NIS) may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application and Natura Impact Statement (NIS) may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

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34

PUZZLEPAGE

THURSDAY, APR 7 2022

THIS WEEKS PUZZLES APRIL 7th

WORD SEARCH

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Daily Quick Crossword: 4 April 2022 ,4/4/2022 Michael Curl Creator Notes: A free daily online crossword that's not too difficult - just right for solving in your coffee break. http://bestforpuzzles.com

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Daily Quick Crossword: 4 April 2022 ,4/4/2022 Michael Curl Creator Notes: A free daily online crossword that's not too difficult - just right for solving in your coffee break. http://bestforpuzzles.com

Supporting Journalism in Clare

QUIZ 35

THURSDAY, APR 7 2022

The Clare Echo Quiz

what year did the West Clare 1InRailway close?

A. 1965 B. 1968 C. 1961

Ennis won its second Tidy Towns 7 competition in 2021, but when did the town win its first?

A. 1990 B. 2005 C. 2003

did Clare beat in the 2013 All 2Who Ireland Senior Hurling Final? of these films were not 8Which shot in Clare?

A. Labasheeda B. Kilkee C. Inagh

Well known for their black and 4 white jerseys, which Clare GAA club are nicknamed “The Magpies”.

A. The Banner B. Doora Barefield C. Clarecastle

5

Roughly how many tourists visited the Cliffs of Moher in 2019?

A. 1.6 Million B. 1.8 Million C. 1.9Million

6

Well known storyteller Eddie Lenihan currently lives in Crusheen, but in which County was he born?

Fintan Monahan is the current 9 Bishop of the Diocese of Killaloe but who was the Bishop before him?

A. Bishop Willie Walsh B. Bishop Kieran Ó Reilly C. Bishop Michael Fogarty

Which band wrote and record10 ed the song “Clare, my heart, my home” for the 2018 All Ireland Fleadh in Ennis?

A. The Tulla Céilí Band B. The Kilfenora Céilí Band C. The RTE National Concert Orchestra

By Cian Ó Muíneacháin, St John Bosco Community College

A. Dublin B. Kerry C. Limerick

Spot the Difference Can you spot the difference? Spot the 7 differences.

The answers will be revealed in next weeks edition.

l In what year did the West Clare Railway close?

6. Kerry 7. 2005 8. Star Wars: The Last Jedi 9. Bishop Kieran Ó Reilly 10. The Kilfenora Céilí Band

The Dan Furey Set Dancing 3 Weekend is held each year in which Clare village?

A. The Princess Bride B. Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince C. Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Photo by John Moylan

ANSWERS 1. 1961 2. Cork 3. Labasheeda 4. Clarecastle 5. 1.6 Million

A. Kilkenny B. Cork C. Waterford

Last weeks Answers . part of sign on shop missing in background . Hat different colour on girl . Crest missing on boy (left) . Part of bunting different colour

. line missing on building (right) . button missing on girls jacket (2nd from left)

Sporting Ennistymon v Mountshannon Celtic Photo by Cealtra Communications