The Clare Echo 07/11/24 by The Clare Echo

‘Ennis

will

be

like Malaga - but will businesses survive?’

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

ALMOST half of businesses in Ennis Town Centre have experienced a reduction in trade due to the ongoing €11.5m public realm works.

A new poll conducted by The Clare Echo has found that 44 percent of businesses in the town

centre have recorded a dip in trade while a third (33%) have said the public realm works have had a significant negative impact on their business to date.

No impact in business has been recorded by 18 percent of the businesses located on O’Connell St, Abbey St, High Street and Bank Place

that were surveyed. Traders in the town have warned that the trends of shoppers have changed and a big challenge once works conclude late next year will be to encourage customers back into the town.

A moratorium on all construction activity will be place in from November 28th throughout December and until January 6th to facilitate and encourage Christmas trading.

Prominent retailer, Patrick Bourke told The Clare Echo, “When it is all done it will be very good and European looking, it will be a smaller type of Malaga but will the traders survive till the end game?”

Call: 065 - 6719021

NEWSDESK

SALES

Email: editor@clareecho.ie or

kieran@clareecho.ie

36C Abbey St., Ennis, Co Clare ross@clareecho.ie denise@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

West Clare hotelier returns to White House

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

WEST CLARE hotelier

Donald Trump is set for a return to the White House after his victory in the US Presidential

election.

Four years after losing to Joe Biden in the 2020 Election, millions of Americans voted to give Trump a second chance in what has been described as one of the biggest comebacks in US political history. It was a historic election campaign which saw Trump survive two assassination attempts and witnessed the withdrawal of his initial opponent President Biden in July, four months before election day.

Final votes are still being counted but the majority of Americans in key battlegrounds states voted for the Republican candidate Trump over sitting Vice President and Democrat candidate Kamala Harris. The economy and immigration were cited as chief concerns for those in such states that backed Trump.

Trump’s suc-

cess was a topic of conversation in Doonbeg on Wednesday with American flags flying in the village (pictured). Significant investment has been made by the Trump family in West Clare, they serve as one of the region’s main employers with over 305 jobs at peak season at Trump International Golf Links and Hotel Ireland in Doonbeg. The continued investment and supporting of local jobs has long been appreciated by the people of Doonbeg who do not necessarily agree with the policies of the seventy eight year old.

Donald stepped down as a director of the West Clare resort in January 2017 but his children, Ivanka, Eric and Donald Jr. are still listed as directors of TIGL Ireland Enterprises Ltd and TIGL Ireland Management Ltd, the companies behind the resort.

Tommy Tubridy of Tubridy’s Bar and Restaurant told The Clare Echo, “We’re delighted to have him back in as President, it will be good for the local economy and business. I met him the last time he was over, his son Eric was over here in July, he seems to be running the Resort and he is very happy with how things are going, he is asking how things are going with other businesses

in the village. The golf course and the resort works very well with the businesses in Doonbeg”.

Tubridy returned to Doonbeg this week after a break Stateside where he was on holidays as opposed to canavassing for Trump. “I’ll be in business 50 years next year, I’ve seen business go from strength to strength since the golf course opened in Doonbeg”.

Hopes are high in Doonbeg that Trump will pay a visit to the village during his term as President. “I’m hoping he’ll pay a visit and come to Doonbeg at some stage during the Presidency,” Tommy said.

Clare MEP, Michael McNamara (IND) said it was “a stunning electoral victory for President Trump. I conveyed my congratulations to him and his family this morning”.

General Election candidate, Michael Leahy

(IFP) said he was happy to see Trump back in the White House and is taking inspiration from his success. “The fightback for liberty now moves to Ireland. Inspired by Trump’s return against all odds let’s dump the Irish left wing Uniparty”.

Addressing supporters in Florida, Trump said, “I want to thank the American people for the extraordinary honour of being elected your 47th president and your 45th president”. He added, “This is a magnificent victory for the American people that will allow us to make America great again”.

Trump will make history as the first sitting President to have been convicted of a felony after he was found guilty of falsifying business records. He also faces charges for allegedly inciting the violent attack on the US Capitol on January 6th 2021.

Having a ball: Lisa Hehir, Jackie McCaw, Jean Linnane, Caroline McMahon and Caroline Sherlock enjoying the Cahercalla Community Clare Black Tie Ball at the Inn At Dromoland last Saturday

Photo by John Mangan

Photo by John O’Neill

Change of heart as Cooney enters election race for Fine Gael

CLLR JOE Cooney (FG) has changed his mind and is now going forward to contest the General Election in Co Clare, writes Páraic McMahon

Senior political ﬁgures including Taoiseach Simon Harris (FG) were among those to urge the O’Callaghans Mills man to reconsider his initial decision. Having opted last week not to enter the race, Cooney conﬁrmed to The Clare Echo on Sunday that he will now appear on the ballot.

Fine Gael have now gone from one candidate to three in the space of ten hours with Dr Tom Nolan (FG) and Cooney joining ﬁrst-time candidate Leonora Carey (FG) on the ticket. Joe was added following a meeting of Fine Gael’s Executive Council on Sunday.

An elected member of Clare County Council since 2004, Cooney has delivered poll-topping performances at a local level in 2009, 2014, 2019 and 2024 where he was elected on the ﬁrst count. This June he received 2,819 ﬁrst preferences in the Killaloe Municipal District, up on the 2,697 he received in 2019 and the 2,790 of 2009 but it didn’t

eclipse his personal best of 2,843 in 2014. Such is his ability to hoover up votes, he has been dubbed ‘the dyson’ by pundits on The Electoral Chair, a tag which has stuck.

A former Mayor of Clare, Cllr Cooney explained why he changed his mind. “Having considered contesting the General Election in recent weeks and on foot of representations from people across the county and following discussions with Taoiseach Simon Harris urging me to put my name forward, I have decided that now is the right time for me to do so.

“I have consulted at length with family, friends and supporters to ensure I was in a position to give 100 per cent to my campaign and my tenure as a TD should I be elected.

“I am honoured to contest this election and to receive the opportunity to potentially represent my county in Dáil Éireann. If I say I will do something, I will do it. I am deeply committed to our communities, and my dedication to serving the people of Clare is central to everything I do,” the former Chairman of Clare

GAA stated.

Housing, health services, rural communities, infrastructure, tourism and Shannon Airport were listed as key issues by Cllr Cooney.

Meanwhile, Fine Gael has also selected Kilkee-based Dr Tom Nolan as a candidate in Clare for the General Election.

Senior officials from Fine Gael met with Dr Nolan on Thursday and on Sunday morning confirmed his candidacy alongside first-time candidate Leonora Carey (FG).

Nolan has lived and worked in West Clare since 1980, specialising in musculoskeletal medicine in Kilrush and Ennis in recent years.

Dr Nolan outlined, “Politics for me is a means of securing social justice and ensuring ‘cothrom na feinne’; a fair crack of the whip for all. To this end, I served as a Town Commissioner for 10 years. I was one of a group of seven, – hugely backed by the people of the Loop Head Peninsula – who fought against the imposition of the Loran-C mast, and not only won a victory at the Supreme Court but brought about legislative change.

“As part of the Kilkee Planning Development Group, I resisted the overdevelopment that blighted Kilkee in the late 1990s. With the late Peadar McNamara and Dr. John Barton, I formed and was secretary of the Health Services Action Group, which campaigned to resist the downgrading of local hospitals, as proposed by the Hanly Report. While our A&E department closed in 2009, we succeeded in ensuring that Clare was one of the ﬁrst areas nationally to get the new Paramedic service,” Nolan added.

Putting his name forward for Fine Gael “is an opportunity for me to fulﬁl my ambition to ﬁnish the job of restoring acute medical services to Ennis Hospital and to improve Primary Care, especially in out-of-hours services.”

In 2011, Dr Nolan hit out at then Government Clare TDs, Joe Carey (FG), Pat Breen (FG) and Michael McNamara (LAB) on the lack of work they did to highlight the difﬁculties caused by the removal of emergency services from Ennis and Nenagh hospitals.

Good week for Fine Gael in Clare - Carey

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

IN less than a week, Fine Gael has transformed its position from fighting to hold its single seat in Clare to being in the running to elect a second TD in the upcoming election.

That’s the view of Leonora Carey, the party’s candidate in the Ennis area, who says the addition of Dr Tom Nolan and Cllr Joe Cooney as her running mates has boosted their prospects.

“When I was selected as a candidate at the Clare Fine Gael election convention in early September, the expectation was the the national executive would add at least one running mate to maximise the party’s share of the vote,” Leonora said.

“I am glad that National Director of Elections Olwyn Enright and her team took the time to focus on selecting the candidates who have the best chance of delivering a strong voice for Clare at national level.

“Not only is Dr Tom Nolan well known throughout West Clare as a caring and

compassionate doctor but he has also distinguished himself as a champion for social justice both in his role as a member of Kilkee Town Commissioners and as a committed advocate for environmental responsibility,” noted Ms Carey, herself a healthcare professional.

“Cllr Joe Cooney is a seasoned politician whose service to the community is reflected in the impressive

vote he has consistently delivered in successive local elections. He has supported and canvassed with my father and brother in their General Election campaigns and I look forward to working with him to deliver a strong Fine Gael performance...The past week has been a good one for Fine Gael but also, and more importantly, for the people of Clare,” Ms Carey added.

l Cllr Joe Cooney, Leonora Carey, Minister of State Martin Heydon and Dr Tom Nolan canvassing at Ennis Mart

Caherlohan allocated €3.2m under Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

€3.2m in funding has been granted to Clare GAA from the Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund to develop Caherlohan.

On Monday morning, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD (GP) and Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne TD (FF) the second round of funding allocations under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). This follows the first LSSIF round of allocations announced in January 2020. The total amount of grants awarded is €173 million, benefiting 35 individual projects

Funds allocated will result in an expansion of the gym space to accommodate full panel training in Caherlohan, the addition of two new full-sized sand based playing pitches, twelve new floodlights and a spectator stand with a capacity of over 1,300. Floodgates are set to be provided at pitches three and four with the stand planned for pitch three. The funding is also set to facilitate further integration of Clare Camogie and Clare LGFA with Clare GAA.

Construction of a new hurling ball-wall with a synthetic surface apron are part of the plans along with a new machinery shed and equipment store. There will be a dedicated area to the north of the existing building which is earmarked for use as a farmers market. Walkways, public allotments, wildflower meadows, a sensory garden and bee keeping area were also part of the application. Resurfacing of the car park will take place and

250 spaces including those for buses and EV charging are to be included.

An extension of the dining room will be completed, the existing building will be extended to form a reception area and accessible public toilets. A first floor extension will be carried out to provide additional player welfare facilities including new video analysis room, a multi-purpose room for County Board meetings, exercise classes, social, dining, community group use and an administrative area. Unfinished rooms are to be fitted out to cater for physios, medical and referees room.

Head of Operations with Clare GAA, Deirdre Murphy when discussing the plans for Caherlohan told a meeting of the County Board, “The estimated cost of the development is €5 million and if our grant application succeeds it will provide 70 percent”.

Welcoming the granting of the funding, Murphy said Clare GAA were “absolutely thrilled”. She stated, “This will lead to the development of Caherlohan so that its facilities truly reflect its name. We will turn the venue into a vibrant facility for the whole community. It will enable us to move with purpose towards the integration of the GAA, Camogie Association and LGFA in Clare”.

She continued, “Thanks to everyone who put so much focussed work in a very short time frame to ensure this successful outcome, particularly our Clare GAA officers and staff, Pat Dowling and Jason Murphy and his team - Helen Quinn, Morgan Lahiffe, Tim Forde, Barry O’Loughlin, Catherine O’Hara and Kay Nolan in Clare County Council and our elected representa-

tives who gave such fantastic cross-party support to this project. Particular thanks to Timmy Dooley, Roisin Garvey and Cathal Crowe for their tenacity and dedication in getting this over the line and to Joe Cooney who initiated a cross-party meeting of Clare politicians with Clare GAA last December. The subsequent visit of Thomas Byrne to Caherlohan, facilitated by Timmy Dooley and Cathal Crowe was also critical”.

According to Murphy, Clare GAA had to follow “an extremely rigorous” application process. She said they were “indebted” to Stephen Lohan and Peter McKenna in Croke Park for their assistance along with Kieran Leddy and John Brennan of Munster GAA and Stephen Lowry of PITCH consulting. Other individuals singled out for praise by the Head of Operations were Mark Quinn, Conor Gilligan, Jamie Vaughan, Niall Fitzgerald, Brian Lohan, Terence Fahy, Caroline Madden, Jimmy Browne, David Hoey, Michelle Moroney, Micheal Duffy, Jean Meier, Aoife Leyden, Joe O’Donnell and Sean Lenihan.

Opened in 2015 after it was purchased in 2005, Clare GAA’s Centre of Excellence at Caherlohan regularly appeared in the headlines from 2019 to 2021 as a handful of club delegates particularly those from Whitegate, Tulla and Wolfe Tones were vocal in their criticisms of the facility. Since the retirement of Pat Fitzgerald as County Secretary in July 2022, there has been little to no negative remarks passed about the facilities by delegates.

Costings provided in November 2019 by then Chairman Joe Cooney revealed that the property was pur-

chased by Clare GAA for €2.3m, phase one development cost in the region of €700,000, phase two cost an approximate €1.5m, phase three development cost €210,000 while €90,000 was spent on dressing rooms, teams room and the dining area. The Saffron and Blue strategic review published in October 2021 recommended that Caherlohan be made the long-term headquarters of Clare GAA.

Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) described the Government investment as “transformative”. He commented, “This multi-million-euro investment in Clare GAA is hugely welcome and is a wonderful end to a hugely successful sporting year for the county”. The Meelick native added, “As someone who has a lifelong love of sport, I am all too familiar with the link between successful teams and proper training and support facilities, and this investment in Clare GAA will be pivotal in future successes. The desire, talent and determination is there in abundance by everyone involved in Clare’s Gael-

ic Games teams and an enhanced Caherlohan will act as the spine to future sporting success from those wearing the Saffron and Blue”.

General Election candidate, Leonora Carey (FG) said, “This project will completely transform the Caherlohan centre from one which is poorly presented, unfit for purpose and unable to meet the needs of existing users, into a high quality, accessible sporting venue that will facilitate sports participation at recreational and competitive levels”.

All applications submitted under the LSSIF Fund were required to have the

prioritised endorsement of a National Governing Body for Sport (NGB) or a Local Authority. This prioritisation was one of a number of factors taken into account in the assessment and ultimate ranking of projects. It was informed by factors such as the potential to enhance sports participation, sustainability, similar access for both men and women, and the ability to execute the project within a specified timeframe.

In September, Clare GAA received €478,668 for an all-weather pitch under the latest round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme.

Caherlohan

Photo by John Mangan

Mother in law of Clare TD Crowe dies in traffic tragedy

by Páraic McMahon news@clareecho.ie

CLARE TD Cathal Crowe’s (FF) mother in law died while purchasing a lotto ticket in Charleville.

Mary Fehily (72) suffered fatal injuries when she was struck by a car near the main street of Charleville in Cork shortly after 2pm on Saturday. She was purchasing a lotto ticket to support the local GAA club when she was a hit by a car which mounted the kerb.

A second pedestrian, a man aged in his sixties and a club official suffered serious injuries. Deputy Crowe confirmed that he would be temporarily standing down his canvas for the General Election.

In a statement online, the Meelick native said, “I struck gold when I married into Maeve’s amazing family. The fabulous lynchpin of that family was Mary Fehilly. We are absolutely heartbroken to have tragically lost Mary this weekend. She was the most wonderful mother to

Maeve and her siblings and an adoring wife to George”. He said, “As we try to get to terms with Mary’s loss I will be temporarily standing-down my canvassing for the upcoming General Election. My office team will continue to handle queries and representations that come our way but I ask for the forbearance of the public as I take a few days out of the political ‘fast lane’ to prioritise, over all else, Maeve, Sam, Charlie,

Eve and the Fehilly family. Family must come first. Mary, there will not be the likes of you again. Sleep gently with the angels”.

Gardaí are investigating the circumstances of the tragedy. Superintendent Gary McPolin urged anyone who witnessed the tragedy to contact Gardaí.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Mallow Garda Station at 022 31450, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111.

l Mary Fehil, mother in law of Clare TD Crowe

Clare to have record long ballot paper for General Election

by Páraic

CLARE is to have its longest ever ballot paper for a General Election with a total of nineteen candidates already declared.

Previous records of sixteen General Election candidates in Clare as recorded in 2011 and 2016 is set to be surpassed when the people of the county head to the polls to elect their four TDs to serve the next term at Dáil Éireann with a confirmed field of nineteen candidates to choose from.

Fifteen candidates put themselves forward for election in Clare in 2020, 1943 and 1923, the latter of which saw five TDs elected when Eamon de Valera then of the Republican Party, Eoin MacNeill then of Cumann na nGaedhael, Brian O’Higgins with the Republican Party, Conor Hogan of the Farmers’ Party and Labour’s Patrick Hogan prevailed.

Five had been the highest amount of female candidates to run in the same General Election in Clare but this figure has almost doubled and now nine women will appear on the ballot paper.

Fianna Fáil have had three candidates in situ since their convention in September with sitting TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) joined by Senator Timmy Dooley (FF) and Cllr Rita McInerney (FF).

Fine Gael went from one candidate to three in the space of ten hours on Sunday with first-time candidate Leonora Carey (FG) joined by Dr Tom Nolan (FG) and Cllr Joe Cooney (FG).

Sitting TD, Violet-Anne Wynne (IND) will be fighting to retain her seat, her former party colleague Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) will be battling to take a fair share of the 8,987 first preferences she received four years ago.

Deputy Leader of the Greens, Senator Roisin Garvey (GP) will be contesting her second General Election, she polled 5,624 first preference votes in February

2020 and months later was nominated to the Seanad alongside Dooley.

Five months after running for the European Parliament, both Eddie Punch (II) and Michael Leahy (IFP) are once again seeking the number one vote of the people of Clare. Unsuccessful in their bids to get elected to Clare County Council in June were Kevin Hassett (IND), Michael Loughrey (NA), Amanda Major (IND), Matthew Moroney (IND) and Hilary Tonge (SD) are hoping for a better outcome this time round.

Tonge will be the first Social Democrat candidate in Clare in a General Election while the same applies for Kilmurry McMahon’s June Dillon (AON) who is running for Aontú. Manager of the Nineteenth Bar in Lahinch, Paddy Murphy (IND) and Catriona Ni Chatháin (SOC) who contested the election for the Directly Elected Mayor in Limerick five months ago are also in the running.

Leahy received 12,259 first preferences in the European elections in Ireland South and will be running for the Dáil for the second time, he received 704 votes in Clare for the General

Election in 2020 and was the fourth candidate eliminated.Hassett polled 448 first preference votes in the Kirush local electoral area and was the third candidate eliminated.

Ní Chatháin received 886 first preference votes in Limerick and was the fourth candidate eliminated, she ran for the Socialist Party.

In a statement to The Clare Echo, Corofin based Leahy commented, “Given the damage which is being inflicted on this country by current government policy in respect of mass migration, attacks against freespeech, undermining the stability of society, making housing unaffordable for native people, the radical Woke agenda which undermines family structures and human identity, inequitable taxation policy aimed at undermining private property as well as the efforts to undermine Irish neutrality, I felt I had an obligation to put forward an alternative voice to what is effectively a ‘Uni- party’ of universally left-wing voices”.

Kilkee native Hassett said, “I want to see a future for our young people, a Co. Clare and Ireland that we can be proud of to pass on to

future generations. What we seeing happening in front of our eyes from migration of our young people to foreign countries to immigration of thousands of unknown mostly illegal males to four corners of Ireland is not sustainable”.

He has said his main commitments are to get control of the Irish borders, ensure affordable housing, continue the fight for a 24 hour accident and emergency unit and a model four hospital on a greenfield site.

A teacher, trade union activist and leading organizer of the ROSA socialist feminist movement, Caitriona last year was served a ‘nofault’ eviction notice after she queried an unlawful rent increase with the RTB.

WITH the colder months upon us, local oil provider Banner Oil is helping to ease the winter woes by giving away €500 of free heating oil to three lucky customers.

Order your heating oil or kerosene this October, November or December and be automatically entered into a monthly draw to win 500 litres for free with Banner Oil. Congratualtions the monthly draw winner for October: Margaret Hudson Shannon

Stay warm this winter and enjoy the chance to boost your supply - at no extra cost. With one lucky winner chosen every month, now is the perfect time to stock up and save. Order now for your chance to win by calling 065 905 0179, 086 3800859 or 086 170 8019.

Banner Oil, based in Tiermaclane, supplies heating oil, agricultural, marine & road diesel to domestic, agricultural & commercial customers.

lLONGEST BALLOT PAPER: Clare has 19 candidates in the general election

McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

Photo by John Mangan

Kilmihil man found guilty of harassing Garda on Facebook

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

A JURY has found a Kilmihil man guilty of the Facebook harassment of a local garda.

At Ennis Circuit Court on Tuesday, the jury returned a majority 10-2 guilty verdict where Jason Downes (31) of St Michael’s Place Kilmihil, Co Clare was accused of harassing Garda David (Daithi) King by persistently communicating with him on dates between June 6th and June 16th 2020 and thereby causing him alarm and distress contrary to Section 10 of Non Fatal Offences Against The Person Act.

The jury found Mr Downes guilty shortly after Judge Francis Comerford told them that they could return a majority verdict.

The jury had commenced their deliberations on Friday afternoon and recommenced them shortly after 9.30am on Tuesday morning on the ﬁfth day of the case.

Counsel for the State, Sarah Jane Comerford BL told the jury in her closing speech that Jason Downes set up a fake Tommy Teirnan Facebook

account “for sinister purposes and the manner in which it was used was sinister”.

Ms Comerford said that the ﬁrst message was sent from the fake Tommy Teirnan account to Garda King hours after Garda King had seized a car under the Road Trafﬁc Act from Jason Downes’s brother, Nathan on June 8th 2020.

Ms Comerford said the post said, ‘This scum of a Garda trying to make a name for himself by bullying people who are on disability. Please share this Garda based in Kilrush Garda Station. GSOC has a letter of complaint. Hopefully, they will get to the bottom of it’.

Ms Comerford said that the post continued Garda King “is a bully to have in West Clare”. In evidence, primary school teacher and wife of Garda King, Ciara Bohan told the jury how she was left ‘nervous and scared’ over “nasty” comments made about her husband from the anonymous Facebook account.

Ms Bohan said that she was left “upset and vulnerable” over the anonymous Facebook messenger messages she received about her husband, Garda King in June

2020.

Ms Bohan was seven months pregnant at the time and also had a toddler at home when she received messages from a Facebook proﬁle with the name Tommy

do, he will be very sorry’. When asked by counsel for the State, Ms Comerford (instructed by Clare State Solicitor, Aisling Casey) how this made her feel, Ms Bohan said “I was upset. My husband

receive the nasty messages and nasty sentiments expressed by someone – it is very hurtful”.

The June 16th message came one week after Ms Bohan received a friend request

Teirnan, spelt wrong.

In one message received on her own Facebook account on June 16th 2020, it said ‘tell your husband he is only a shitty arse coward. I will ﬁnd out more about him and when I

went out to do his job as a Guard which I think he did on the day the original messages were posted”.

Ms Bohan said, “He is a good Guard and well respected among his peers. Then to

from the anonymous Tommy Teirnan account and a private message saying ‘your husband is a creep, tell him to stay away from the innocent people in West Clare’.

Ms Bohan said that she was left nervous and scared after receiving the message. She said, “I was upset. It is not a nice thing to receive about your husband”.

In evidence, Garda King said that he was “distressed” by the messages and the posts. He said that the posts included photos of him while on duty, on his wedding day and at a relative’s wedding.

Garda King told the jury, “I was quite distressed. Pictures of me in my private life. My privacy was being invaded along with the allegations”. Garda King and his wife, Ciara Bohan were in court for the verdict and after the jury delivered their guilty verdict, Ms Comerford said today that the State has no objection to Mr Downes being remanded on continuing bail for sentencing at a later date. Judge Comerford remanded Mr Downes on continuing bail to December 13th to ﬁx a date for sentence and Judge Comerford directed that Garda King be asked if he requires to submit a victim impact statement for the sentencing hearing.

77% of businesses impacted negatively

BUSINESSES IN Ennis Town Centre have been hit hard by the ongoing public realm works with a new poll revealing that 77 percent of businesses have been impacted negatively.

There is hope the works will result in a fantastic streetscape but the current climate for businesses has not been aided by the construction works that have forced traffic closures of many streets in the town centre since works began 13 months ago in October 2023.

The Clare Echo has polled 80 businesses situated on O’Connell Street, High Street, Bank Place and Abbey Street to ascertain what affect there has been on business. This included businesses in retail, hospitality, finance and health.

44 percent of businesses surveyed said the public realm works had led to a reduction in business with a third of businesses admitting the works have had a significant negative impact on their trade. Some 18 percent said there had been no impact on their business, 5 percent said it had improved their business while 1 percent said the works have had a sig-

nificant positive impact.

MH Young Interiors and Nuggers on O’Connell Street have been among the businesses to shut during the works with Nana’s Tea Room on High Street recently closing with the unit now up for sale.

Ongoing works are part of one of the largest infrastructural projects to be undertaken in Ennis in decades. It remains on course to be completed by late 2025 as initially scheduled.

From January to July of this year, High Street from Harvey’s Quay/Salt House Lane to Bank Place/O’Connell Square was the main focus of works. O’Connell Street has been shut to traffic since January 8 while a similar closure was soon after implemented from Old Barrack Street junction to the Carmody Street junction.

In September 2023, Clare Co Council signed a contract with Shareridge to deliver an €11.5m upgrade. In a statement at the time of the signing last year, Clare Co Co said “the project will be delivered in phases to minimise disruption to local business and traffic flow through Ennis”. The project is funded under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund with 25% match funding from Clare County Council.

‘Ennis will look good but will its traders survive?’

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

TRADERS IN Ennis have said the impact of the public realm works on business have been “an absolute disaster” but they remain hopeful the county town will look “fantastic” .

The Clare Echo this week polled businesses based in Ennis Town Centre on O’Connell St, High Street, Bank Place and Abbey Street on the impact of the public realm works to their trade. The majority (44%) stated that the public realm works have had a negative impact on their business, a third (33%) have said they have experienced a significant negative impact while under a ﬁfth (18%) have experienced no impact.

Eleven percent of the business owners flagged that there is insufﬁcient parking in the town. Some clothing stores have admitted their trade is down 30

percent this year and others have revealed that if it were not for online sales they would be in a much worse position.Many businesses highlighted that the impact of the works was at its worst when barriers were directly outside their door.

A common theme is a sense of hope among business owners that works can be expedited and that the ﬁnished product will be an improved look for the county town. The loss of tourists and window shoppers has also been lamented, “tourists are coming in by the Temple Gate and they must think they are arriving in Beirut,” remarked one retailer.

Carraig Donn has 43 stores nationwide, Martina Cusack is store manager in Ennis where they are situated in Bank Place. She said the trends of customers have changed due to the public realm works. “Customers can’t access the

shop because they can’t get parking. Then when they do get parking, they are still struggling with access because they have to cross from one side of the street with barriers to the other. People talk and they are all saying what is going on in Ennis because it is easier to shop elsewhere. I had a day off last week and I met four regular shoppers in Ennis who have now started shopping in Kil-

rush and they said it is much easier for them to shop there.”

Former retailer of the year, Jean McCabe has helped Willow become a nationally recognised boutique. She stated, “Ennis badly needed the works and it will be great when it is done but it is a shame that it is taking so long to complete it. The habits of shoppers

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

l Patrick Bourke puts his glue to work

have changed and it is going to be a big challenge to try get people back into town who have different routines now”.

Patrick Bourke is one of the county’s most prominent business men with menswear stores on High Street in Ennis and The Square in Kilrush. “They started in January on 100 yards of a road from the Tea Shop to the Square,

ten months later and they are still not done”. He estimated that €200,000 was spent on this section.

“In the middle of it all, an elderly person fell in March and we didn’t see an elderly person come into our shop for another two months because word got out among the elderly community that Ennis wasn’t so safe, we also have the women that used to come into town for their coffees but they are now avoiding town and are instead meeting on the Gort Rd or the Quin Rd.”

He believed the Council were afraid of Shareridge and the fear of them pulling out of the contract. “For eight weeks that flower snag has been outside our door...with bollards around it and they have not looked at it until yesterday after I confronted them over it, all it is doing is collecting litter and cigarette butts. If this snag turns out to be a spot for winos I’ll put superglue along it and glue their arses to it”.

He continued, “People living west of Fanny O’Deas are not coming into Ennis to do their shopping anymore, they are going to

Kilrush and it is same for people in Kildysart and Miltown because they have other options and less hassle”.

Marguerite Jordan of Mods & Minis, the children’s clothing and occasional wear store explained, “It has had an impact on us and our customers accessing the shop, a lot of our customers would be the elderly in buying items for their grandchildren. It will be fabulous when it’s done but it is taking a long while. Christmas is our peak season and we need to be able to trade properly for that”.

Ennis Photoshop on High Street has been in existence since 1984, owner Pat Kelly said, “people tell us it is down to no parking that they haven’t been coming to Ennis and now people can’t walk around Ennis with the lack of accessibility. Once a business is gone it’s gone and people need to remember that”.

An improvement in business has been experienced by Hillbilly’s Restaurant on O’Connell Street according to Tony Sun. “We’re getting more business as a result of the trafﬁc restrictions but that is

on the delivery side, we would have less people coming into the restaurant because people are having difﬁculties getting parking but we have recorded an increase in business through the deliveries”.

Trends have been visible, Tommy O’Donnell of T O’Donnell Sports noted, “Business is down and the town is shutting down earlier, from 3pm onwards there is very little activity for businesses”.

Stephen O’Callaghan of Cartridge Plus on Abbey Street believed it would take time to fully digest the impact of the works. He admitted that his business has experienced no impact. “My opinion is that the jury is still out because we don’t get to undo the work once it is done, so we won’t get another crack at it. There is a loss of trade in the town in that people tend to be very habitual so it might be hard to get people back into town if they have changed their habits”.

Footfall is down which is hurting businesses, Frank Holly of Holly’s Haven Pharmacy on Abbey Street commented. “What

we’ve seen is a significant downturn in footfall. We’re down nine percent in footfall and customers through the door which may not seem too signiﬁcant but coupled with the rising costs of everything in business it is a challenging trading environment. We’re lucky in pharma that it is quite a resilient industry compared to other businesses so I’d have sympathy for the businesses in O’Connell Square”.

Gerry Connellan of Abbey Newsagents said the impact has not been felt in Abbey Street as of yet but the same cannot be said for other parts of the town, he ﬂagged.

Noel Tierney of Tierney’s Cycles on Abbey Street noted that the difficulties are even greater for business owners who do not own their property. “I’m lucky that I own the property but I’d like to leave the town in a better place. I’ll be staying for the next four to five years and for that time I’d like to be able to concentrate on the business and not having to be fighting Clare County Council and the DAC (Ennis 2040 DAC)”.

Public realm works on target for 2025 finish

COUNTY COUNCIL have said they will continue to work with businesses while pointing out disruption caused by the public realm works has been “unfortunately unavoidable”.

Ennis’ public realm project is targeted to be completed on schedule in late 2025, a spokesperson for Clare County Council confirmed to The Clare Echo.

A moratorium on all construction activity will be place in from November 28th throughout December and until January 6th to facilitate and encourage Christmas trading, the Council confirmed. “The Ennis Public Realm project’s advancement to construction stage followed years of extensive planning and consultation with business community, residents, public and elected members”.

According to the spokesperson, “Ennis town centre remains fully open for busi-

HOME IMPROVEMENT LOANS TO PLAY WITH

ness as work continues on one of the largest public infrastructure projects ever to be undertaken in the town. Major civil and infrastructural works of this nature bring disruption and inconvenience, and this is unfortunately unavoidable. The co-operation of the public, residents and traders in this regard is greatly appreciated”. Management and staff in the Council “will continue to work with the business community to mitigate difficulties and address concerns” and the local authority “is conscious that there are concerns and challenges for the business community at this time”. The Clare Echo in a query to the County Council questioned if all terms of the contract signed between the local authority and Shareridge Ltd in October 2023 have been adhered to, how are relations between both parties at present, what if any measures will be put in place to aid impacted businesses and what the Council can do to restore the respect of the public which

one Ennis retailer claimed has been lost.

A public liaison officer (PLO) has been assigned by the appointed contractor, Shareridge. “Based in the town centre project office, the PLO is engaging extensively with affected parties as the works progress and in advance of the commencement of each work phase”.

Traders and public have been encouraged by the Council “to take every opportunity to meet with the project team to ensure that their needs are communicated, and disruption is minimised wherever possible. The contractor and design team are also convening fortnightly drop-in meetings, as well as issuing weekly progress up-

date bulletins. Affected or interested parties are invited to email ennispublicrealm@ shareridge.ie should they wish to be added to mailing list.

“As part of Clare County Councils ongoing commitment to minimisation of impact on traders and the public, certain targeted areas of the works have been

completed outside normal business hours. This has expedited completion times in areas of narrow street width and high footfall, and ensures that O’Connell Street in Ennis can be handed over for public use at the earliest possible juncture,” the spokesperson added.

A series of Christmas in Ennis events will be held from the end of November across the festive period, the local authority have said. “Clare County Council will be running a calendar of events for Christmas commencing on November 28 with the Official Turning on of the Lights Ceremony following by a series of events each weekend leading up to Christmas. We are really looking forward to large crowds, young and old, coming to Ennis and enjoying what is to offer over that period. Clare County Council together with the appointed contractor Shareridge Ltd. remain committed to open communication with all stakeholders, including businesses and the public”.

Photo by John Mangan

CLARE

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

Photo by John Mangan

Kilrush & West Clare will not survive if we're not ready, says Lynch

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

STEPS need to be taken now to ensure future benefits of Moneypoint are realised in West Clare.

An economic uplift for West Clare will only be achieved if foresight is shown to capitalise on the opportunities, Cllr Ian Lynch (IND) has stressed.

ESB’s €5bn Green Atlantic development at Moneypoint is to create between 50 to 100 jobs with the provision of a €50m Synchronous Compensator while the construction of the offshore windfarm is envisaged to result in up to 600 new jobs.

In 2021, ESB announced details of Green Atlantic at Moneypoint , which will see the site redeveloped into a renewables hub which will include the commissioning of one of the largest Synchronous Condensors in the world, a 1,400 MW offshore wind farm, delivered in two phases, a wind turbine construction and service hub plus the development of green hydrogen production, storage and generation facility.

Cllr Lynch in a proposal before the West Clare Municipal District urged the Municipal District, Clare County Council, Clare Local Enterprise Office and ESB’s station manager at Moneypoint to establish a working group “to ensure that all relevant bodies are aware of the planned works for Moneypoint, so the appropriate arrangements can be made locally to ensure that the economic uplift for increased activity is achieved throughout West Clare”.

Acting Director of Service for Tourism and the West Clare MD, John O’Malley said they along with colleagues from the Economic Development Directorate of the Council, Clare LEO “and other key staff” would “liaise with senior staff from ESB Moneypoint on setting up a team to work

together to ensure that the benefits of the future plans for the facility are delivered on for the West Clare area”.

Speaking at a meeting of the West Clare MD, Cllr Lynch admitted he tabled the motion “out of frustration and out of concern”. He flagged that Kilrush was bucking the trend nationally with “restaurants and cafes opening up when they’re closing across the country but we will have two shops closed by the end of the year due to retirements”. He continued, “We’re promised down the road that 600 people coming will save Kilrush, they are here now and there is nowhere for them to stay”. Improved communication could have improved the availability of accommodation in West Clare, “there’s a huge number of Air BnBs, people would be delighted if they knew the amount of people coming for shortterm lets then they’d be delighted to not be changing the sheets every two days”.

Kilrush native Lynch warned, “Kilrush and West Clare will not survive if we are not ready for these 600 people”. He continued, “There is no property for sale or developer building in Kilrush” and said, “Moneypoint is there, it is not a future project, it is there now” while pointing out 600 workers were presently on site.

Cathaoirleach of the West Clare MD, Cllr Rita McInerney stressed, “it is vital we avail of this opportunity and have this uplift”. O’Malley told the meeting that “a number of meetings” have been held “over the last year or two”. He stated, “We have the connection made in relation to that, we’ll drive forward to get a more concrete route. We’re aware of any opportunities and we will work on that”.

Pan fried pork chops in a Wild mushroom and mustard sauce

INGREDIENTS (for 2 servings)

n2 table spoons of butter

n1 onion diced

n2 garlic cloves crushed

n4 pork chops

n150g wild mushrooms

n1 table spoon of dijon mustard

n1 table spoon of wholegrain mustard

n1/4cup of white wine

n1/4cup of boiled water

n1/2teaspoon black cracked peppercorns

n1/4cup of cream

METHOD

Step 1

Melt 1tablespoon of the butter in a frying pan,add the onion and garlic and fry for one minute stirring

Step 2

Next add the mushrooms and sautéed for two minutes stirring.Then set asside

Step 3

In another pan add a little butter and add the chops just to brown on both sides.Cook for five minutes on medium

heat then set aside.

Step 4

Bring back the onions and mushrooms in the pan and heat up.Then add the wine and let it bubble for one minute then stir

Step 5

Add the water and mix.Add the Dijon Mustard and the wholegrain and stir in.Let it stimmer for one minute

Step 6

Add the cream stir in the add the chops to an oven dish and pour the mushroom and sauce all over the chops

Step 7

Place in the preheated oven 160°C for fifteen minutes. Enjoy!

EXCLUSIVE MIDWEEK SPECIALS

NOVEMBER 2024

Whether you seek relaxation or adventure, our carefully curated winter packages promise an enchanting escape surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes of Killarney.

✓ Bed & Breakfast ✓ Evening Meals

✓ Free Access to Leisure Facilities ✓ Free Entertainment

CHRISTMAS CRAICER BREAKS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024

Enjoy a relaxed, fun-filled break in Killarney with fine food, entertainment, and loads of fun at The Gleneagle Hotel with our annual pre-Christmas Craicer Breaks.

✓ Bed & Breakfast ✓ Evening Meals ✓ Free Entertainment ✓ Access to Leisure Facilities

Cumann na mBunscol Allianz in Clare Finals Cusack Park

CUMANN na mBunscol an Chláir hosts he Primary School Football on 13 and 14 at Cusack Park, Ennis. Schools and communities from all corners of County Clare—spanning from the wilds of Loop Head peninsula in the west, across the Burren in the north, down to the southern shores of the Shannon estuary, and eastward to the Twelve O’Clock Hills—are rallying to support their young athletes on the big stage.

Close to 100 primary schools participate annually in this vibrant celebration of Gaelic football. The event brings together players from small two-teacher amalgamated schools, large urban centres, DEIS schools, parish combinations, Gaelscoileanna, mixed schools, multi classes and si gle-stream classes, all unified by a shared passion and a determination to reach the Cusack Park finals.

The finals will be held over two thrilling days, with six divisions for boys and girls competing for county glory and the pride of their communities. Under the dedicated guidance of teachers, principals, coaches, and GDCs, these young players have been tirelessly preparing, refining their skills and building team spirit in anticipation of their big day.

Cumann na mBunscol an Chláir are calling on all clubs, communities,

families, and supporters across Clare to come out and cheer on these fantastic young players. Their hard work and determination, combined with the incredible support from their schools and communities, will make for two unforgettable days in Cusack Park.

The finals are a highlight of the sporting calendar for Clare’s prima-

ry school students, offering the experience of competing in a stadium renowned throughout Munster. With skill, sportsmanship, and community pride on full display. This year’s Cumann na mBunscol Clare Football Finals promise to be a truly special event for all involved.

Come out and support the stars of today and tomorrow!

Pop-Up gaeltacht tonight/ Preab- ghaeltacht anocht

LE MACDARA Ó CONAOLA

CANNY’S will host a Pop-Up Gaeltacht anocht (this evening), Déardaoin (Thursday), at 8pm.

So, whether you’re a cainteoir dúchais (native speaker), líofa (fluent), as cleachtadh (rusty), or only have cúpla focal (a few words), there will be a céad míle fáilte romhat to the comhrá (conversation/chat), spraoi (fun) agus craic (craic)!

The fun event is in aisce (free) and all you have to do is bring your grá (love) for the teanga (language)! Or just éist (listen) as the language flows freely.

Canny’s, Cill an Aonaigh/Kilanena, Thursday/Déardaoin, 7ú Samhain/November, 8pm, In aisce /Free of charge

AN BHFUIL SCÉAL LE ROINNT AGAIBH ?!

Bígí i dteagmháil linn agus leanaigí ar Facebook agus Twitter muid ag: @macallaanchlair R-phost: macallaanchlair@gmail.com

Imeachtaí/Events:

DOCTOR! DOCTOR!

Thought for the week: God Heals Our Brokenness Spreading the word of positivity

lPop-up Gaeltacht i gCanny’s ANOCHT!

lLUIMNEACH – AIFREANN GAEILGE, chuile Dé Domhnaigh, 10.30am, Mainistir an tSlánaitheora, Sráid San Doiminic, Luimneach lClare FM - Cúl-chaint le Domhnall Ó Loingsigh chuile Dé Sathairn, ag 9am ar Clare FM l CILL INÍNE BAOITHE - Ciorcal Comhrá san XPO, chuile Dé Céadaoin ag 7.30pm

lINIS – CAINT AGUS COMHRÁ, chuile Dé Luain ag 11am sa gCopper Jug, Dé Céadaoin ag 11am in O’Brien’s, oíche Déardaoin sa Temple

Gate (8pm), agus Dé Sathairn i nGlór, 11am-12pm. Déan teagmháil leo ag: caintaguscomhra@outlook.com

lLUIMNEACH – Ciorcail Comhrá. Chuile Dé

Céadaoin ag 10.30am, Bialann Eden, Ollscoil Luimnigh.Tuilleadh eolais ar fáil ó Noel ag 086 792 8389.

lAN SCAIRBH – “Lón i nGaeilge”, 1-2pm, CHUILE DÉ MAIRT i gcaife “An Gáirdín”, fáilte roimh chuile dhuine.

RONAN SCULLY

Kintsugi is the japanese art of repairing something that has been broken with gold, with the understanding that the object is more beautiful because it has been broken.

Like the art of kintsugi, God repairs the brokenness in our lives and makes us more beautiful through the process. For in the broken areas of our lives Jesus can ﬁll us with himself.

My daughter Mia broke her leg and knee a few years ago when she was 12 years old while playing tag rugby. The doctor wrapped her full leg after her serious operation in a bright red cast, and for a few weeks she took it easy, allowing herself to heal. Within months after the cast had come off and the long road of physio had begun, she was back on her bicycle, cycling hard with her once-broken leg. When my wife and I ﬁrst saw her on her bicycle, we gasped and ran towards her, certain she couldn’t withstand the movement. But she did. Her leg was strong and solid, and she was smiling. That which was once broken was now healed. The funny thing about healing is that something healed still holds the memory of its former brokenness.

Thought for the week

Always remember that some of the most beautiful people are those who have known defeat, known brokenness, rejection, abandonment, loneliness, and have found their way out

of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, sensitivity, and an understanding of life.

Beautiful people do not just happen. So look on everyone with compassion as we don’t know what other people are living through. Never give up on yourself or on others because life is short and we all need a bit of a resurrection experience in our life no matter who we are now and then and when it happens everything falls into place.

A prayer poem by Deborah Ann that I love to pray when feeling broken and that helps me goes as follows; “God keeps doing wonders, with broken hearts. He can still heal and mend all the injured parts. But, you must give Him your heart as it breaks each little piece of it and all the little ﬂakes. God can perform miracles, on hearts that are damaged. He can undo the impact where grief has ravaged. But, you must go to Him, with a heart surrendered so He can do the repairs without being hindered. God continues to do wonders, miracles He still performs for the heart that is broken He mercifully transforms! Just as a doctor treats each patient differently according to their needs, God will help you heal from your heartbreak in exactly the way you need. Whether you’ve been let down by disappointment, rejection, or resentment, Jesus came to heal your broken heart.” Heavenly Father, I surrender into Your hands all that is hurting in my life. You alone can repair my brokenness, bind up my wounds and revive Your intended design for me.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

l PRIMARY SCHOOLS FOOTBALL FINALS: Scariff Bridge, div 2 winners 2023

Macalla an Chláir

l Pictured at the Cahercalla Community hospital Black Tie Ball fundraiser at the Inn At Dromoland last Saturday is Dr. Michael & Gerry Harty.

Photo by John Mangan.

Your November gardening checklist

NOVEMBER in the can be a busy time and with this lovely dry spell its certainly nice to be out and doing the tidy up jobs in the garden

These little jobs are the things we all put off doing, so here is a check list for you to follow;

lPlant your spring bulbs in the borders of youe beds and in your pots. Whether its daffodil or tulips you would like to add to your spring collection now, is the time to start. Snowdrops and blue bells can give a lovely display under trees.

lLift dahlia tubers after the first frost, clean them off and store them in dry compost in a cool, frost-proof place. Make sure to label them also.

lCut down faded perennials that are looking tatty, then mulch the surrounding soil with garden compost or bark chip.

lGather up and bin the fallen leaves of roses affected by black spot, so they don’t carry disease over the year.

lRemove fallen leaves from pathway to ensure safety and keep pathways nonslip.

Leaves can be used in compost heap or to mulch up beds.

lWeed the beds to prevent them from taking hold over the winter.

lAdd mulch around perennials trees and shrubs to help insulate roots and retain soil moisture.

lPrune dead or diseased branches from trees and shrubs. Avoid the spring flowering shrubs if they are starting to bud already.

lBring in tender plants if you want to keep them overwinter.

lIt’s the time of the year again to feed the birds. Clean your feeders and stock up on seede. Provide fresh water for birds as natural food sources dwindle.

lIn flower beds consider leaving the seed heads on plants like sunflower and coneflowers as food for the wildlife.

Its also the month of All Souls and a lot of blessing of the graves are taking place over the weekends. We have a lovely range of pots on offer for this month suitable for the graves so call in to see.

l NOVEMBER GARDENING: plant your sping bulbs in pots

Ferns Wellness Health Store turns one year old

FERNS Wellness Health Store celebrates its first year anniversary this week.

This is no small achievement in light of so many local business closures in recent times. “We are delighted and beyond grateful to our customers and family”, Tracey explains “and we are also very mindful of those businesses who have had to close their doors recently. There is a person or a family behind each one of those businesses and our hearts go out to them.”

“James, Laura and I appreciate the sacrifice and hard work involved in trying to make a small business succeed and it often comes at great personal cost. We wish them the very best of luck in the next chapter of their lives.

As a token of our appreciation to our wonderful customers, we hope to bring some early seasonal cheer by giving away prizes this week!

Starting from Thursday 7 th of November and running to Thursday the 14 th inclusive, every customer will receive a raffle ticket with purchase. They will then be entered into a draw with a chance to win some of our favourite products. We are also taking this opportunity to shine a light on to some local favourites.

James what is your prize pick for the giveaway?

“Moss Boss tonics are one of my favourite, made locally by Edel Breslin and the fabulous Oir Tonics team.

The honey tonic comprises of Atlantic Irish Sea Moss, Apple Ci-

der vinegar, Clementine and Raw Honey. Inspired by the traditional uses of Irish Sea Moss in coastal counties it is said to help digestion, boost the immune system and keep sore throats and chest issues at bay. Packed with pre and probiotics, essential minerals and antioxidants it also comes in a Turmeric variety.

Limited editions Tart Cherry and Lions Mane tonics are also proving very popular. All of the ingredients are organically certified and it tastes delicious. I wouldn’t be without it”

Laura what is your local hero prize pick?

“Wild Atlantic Hemp is a seed to shelf Irish CBD Company run by husband and wife team, Daniel Lyons and Laura Jayne Foley in Carrigaholt, Co Clare. They farm with nature and promote regenerative farming methods. Their oil is processed from Irish

grown hemp flowers using a traditional extraction process and is fully licenced and accredited. I use it for meditation and astral travelling but it can generally be used for stress relief, a sleeping aid, menopausal relief and for reducing all over injury or body pain. I am so delighted for someone to win this beauty!

Tracey’s Choice?

Poulnataggle Organic Eggs from Tubber are incredibly popular as is our local honey. Ute is passionate about her farm, takes wonderful care of her hens and you can see that immediately in the quality of the eggs. The kids absolutely love them! I will pair this with our local honey, organic breads, jams, organic tea & coffee to make a lovely breakfast hamper for our lucky winner.

Prizes will also be given away on our social media @ferns.wellness. Good Luck Everyone!

Does it really work? Real-life experience with EMS training

Aneta is a working mother who found herself struggling to lose the few pounds she gained over the holidays. With a busy schedule and limited time to hit the gym, EMS presented a convenient solution that fit into her lifestyle. She was also delighted that she could bring her young daughter along to the Bodywow studio.

“I’m back to my pre-holiday weight, and I feel more toned. I didn’t think such short sessions would be so effective.”

a flexible option that can help busy individuals achieve fitness goals without demanding excessive time or energy. She’s found a way to balance family, work, and fitness in a manner that suits her fast-paced life.

Leszek - Overcoming Sciatica and Gaining Conﬁdence

Leszek had been struggling with sciatica for long time now, relying on painkillers to manage his discomfort. When he started EMS, he was initially drawn to the potential relief for his back pain but soon discovered additional benefits.

stress on his body, something traditional workouts couldn’t offer. His sciatica pain has subsided significantly, and he’s gained newfound confidence in his appearance. “

John - An Elderly Man Embracing Fitness at 83

At 83, John wanted to remain active but was hindered by chronic back and knee pain and a general lack of energy. Despite his age, John was determined to improve his quality of life, and he turned to EMS for support.

Leszek showcase the versatility of EMS for people with varying needs, ages, and lifestyles. While some use it to maintain fitness despite busy schedule, others find it an effective solution for loosing weight , managing age-related issues or chronic pain.

“Having a place that allows my along was ta says trainer son! My look sions

“After a few sessions, I didn’t need thepain killers anymore,” he was so focused ting rid of the that I didn’t lose some I’d gained too. For the first time in years, I feel control of my body. It’s a relief not to be in pain and to see a real difference in my physique,” he shares.

EMS allowed Leszek to target problem areas without putting undue

He has been doing EMS workouts for four weeks and is already feeling a significant difference. “I feel more mobile and have less pain. For someone my age, it’s not easy to stay active, but EMS has given me a way to exercise without exhausting myself, I wish I knew about it earlier.

John’s experience demonstrates that EMS can be beneficial even for seniors who might struggle with traditional exercise routines. By improving his strength and reducing his pain, EMS has allowed John to stay engaged in his life and move with greater ease.

Is EMS Right for You?

The testimonials John, Aneta, and

Many EMS users report positive changes in their fitness levels, pain management, and overall well-being. EMS offers a promising, accessible fitness solution for those seeking efficient, targeted workouts. With the convenience of short sessions and the potential for significant results, EMS might just be the answer to staying active and fit, no matter

Aneta - A Busy Mom Managing Weight and Time

l A WORKOUT FOR EVERYONE: inset images left - right: Aneta, Leszek, John

l PRIZE PICKS: Laura and James with their prize picks

Lisdoonvarna Fáilte triumphs at IPB Pride of Place Awards

by Páraic McMahon @clareecho.ie

LISDOONVARNA Fáilte has won the Inclusive Communities Category at the 2024 IPB Pride of Place Awards.

Nominated by Clare County Council, Lisdoonvarna Fáilte was recognised for its exceptional work in fostering inclusivity among local residents, Ukrainian refugees, and individuals in Direct Provision.

Its community initiatives, such as coffee mornings, fitness classes, and creative workshops, have significantly contributed to social connections and wellness in the north Clare town. Future plans include a therapeutic community garden and expanded childcare services, furthering their commitment to creating inclusive community spaces.

In addition to Lisdoonvarna Fáilte’s success, Circular Clarecastle was a runner-up in Category 4 (Population 2000-5000). Known for its rich heritage and tight-knit community, Clarecastle has been recognised for its year-round activities, from seasonal festivals to environmental clean-ups, fostering a sense of unity and pride.

Bunratty Local Development Association and Newmarket on Fergus Community Forum were also nominated for awards in categories 1 and 3, respectively.

Outstanding efforts of communities across Ireland are celebrated in the IPB Pride of Place Awards which were held on Saturday at the Hillgrove Hotel in Monaghan and hosted by Monaghan County Council, in association with Co-operation Ireland.

Pat Dowling, Chief Executive, Clare County Council, said, “We are incredibly proud of Lisdoonvarna Fáilte for its dedication to inclusivity and community spirit. Its efforts have created a welcoming environment for all, and this award is a testament to their hard work and commitment”.

Bernadette Haugh, SEO Rural Development, Clare County Council, also praised the community’s efforts, “Lisdoonvarna Fáilte has set a remarkable example of how communities can come together to support one another. Its initiatives have made a significant impact on the lives of many, and we are delighted to see their efforts recognised. at a national level”.

Corofin man completes “the coolest marathon on earth”

IN A strong feat of endurance and resilience, Ciarán O’Connell from Corofin recently completed both a full and a half marathon within 36 hours in mid-west Greenland’s Arctic Circle.

Battling extreme starting temperatures as low as -18°C, O’Connell started each race on the ice Cap itself, making him the only Irish participant to complete both challenges among a field of 77 competitors in the polar challenge.

The “Polar Challenge,” split over two days, offered participants the option to take on one or both race distances (full 42.2km of the half 21.1km), with only a few braving the conditions for the double. O’Con nell, who only took up running during the COVID-19 lockdown, said he was struck by the environment’s intensity and beauty. Reflecting on the experience, he remarked, “I strangely enjoyed the second run the most. While running on spikes, Even though it was tough on the sore legs, starting at -18°C with a wind chill of -28°C, it was an unreal experience. The wind over overnight re vealed the beautiful blue ice drumlins but also required us to run parts of the course

NOTES

RUAN TIDY TOWNS

in deeper snow, all of which was worth it once we hit the undulating mountainous road. But no match for the beautiful roads around Corofin which had acted as O’ Connells training ground”

With clearer expectations on the second and the stunning Arctic landscape as his backdrop, O’Connell was able to appreciate the challenge in a new light. “It was easier to enjoy the run, knowing what was ahead, and it made celebrating with the team and group afterward all the more special,”

Meeting these fellow runner it’s a testament to the strength of the human spirit in one of the world’s most extreme envi-

POLAR CHALLENGE: Ciarán O’Connell completed the polar

The excellent people at Ruan Tidy Towns were rewarded for their endeavours in Croke Park on Friday last when the results of the Supervalu Tidy Towns Awards were announced. Chairperson Linda Hogan accepted a Bronze medal on behalf of the Ruan community. The report on the village made special mention of mural paintings at the Old Post Ofﬁce and at the petrol pumps. There was mention of ﬂower, shrub and tree planting at the Móinín and on the approach roads. The biodiversity of the Riasc and Dromore Woods were highlighted also.

l LISDOOVARNA FAILTE: Ian Jeffers, CEO, Co-operation Ireland; Kathy Coleman, IS Technical Support Ofﬁcer, Clare County Council; Bernadette Haugh, SEO Rural Development, Clare County Council; Cllr Alan O’Callaghan, Cathaoirleach, Clare County Council; Tom Dowling, Chairperson, Pride of Place; Kris Claes, Lisdoonvarna Fáilte; John Hogan, Chair, IPB Insurance

Doonbeg, Co. Clare to benefit from water mains upgrade completed by Spring

DOONBEG set to have new water mains system by March 2025 with construction starting this month.

As part of Uisce Éireann’s National Leakage Reduction Programme, works to replace over 4km of water mains will commence in mid-November along the N67 from Doonbeg Village, onto L-2026 and end near Baltard National School.

The residents in Doonbeg can look forward to a more reliable water supply with the instances of bursts and water outages for customers in the area reduced. This project will also involve laying new water service connections from the public water main in the road to customers’ property boundaries and connecting it to customers’ water supply.

Commenting on the project, Programme Manager at Uisce Éireann, Jack Cronin said: “This project represents a crucial investment in enhancing the water supply for Clare residents. By replacing this section of the watermain, we aim to offer the community a more dependable water service and minimise water loss due to leaks.”

The works will be carried out by experienced contractor Ward and Burke Construction Ltd. on behalf of Uisce Éireann. We would like to thank customers in advance for their cooperation and patience while works on this project are underway.

Works are scheduled to commence mid-November and are expected to be completed by the end of March. To deliver the works

Illegal camping issues in Kilkee

by Páraic McMahon Paraic@clareecho.ie

KILKEE experienced a quite summer on the business front but a busy one regarding illegal camping, elected representatives have claimed.

Officials from Clare County Council and An Garda Síochána are to meet and facilitate an evening session.

Acting senior executive officer in the West Clare Municipal District, Colette Costelloe explained that the aim of the meeting was “to address concerns of the community in advance of the 2025 season”.

An appeal for the meeting to be convened was made by Cllr

Ian Lynch (IND) who wanted the “management of illegal camping in Kilkee” to be discussed.

Speaking at a sitting of the West Clare MD, Cllr Lynch commented, “While it has been a quite summer season in Kilkee, there has been anti-social behaviour with illegal camping”. He outlined, “The residents and businesses in Kilkee are feeling frustrated”.

Voicing her support, Cllr Rita McInerney (FF) flagged, “there is a great group of people businesses and locals keeping in contact with each other and keeping them informed, they did very well over the summer when there was any issues”.

‘Works in Pastel’, a Janet Buell exhibition

‘WORKS in Pastel’, an art exhibition by Janet Buell, will be hosted in Cultúrlann Sweeney Library Gallery, Kilkee, from November 19 to December 20, inclusive.

Janet paints almost exclusively with pastels. Since 2020, she has studied with American Master Pastellist Alain Picard. Janet is a juried member of the Pastel Guild of Europe and is a juried associate of the Pastel Society of America.

Janet’s work has been featured at the Clare Museum in Ennis. She has had two solo shows at the Kinvara Area Visual Artists gallery. Janet also teaches others how to paint with pastels, most recently at the KAVA Plein Air Festival 2024. This past summer, she was part of QUARTET, a group exhibition at the Kinvara Courthouse Gallery.

The show featured lots of hands-on artmaking for gallery-goers, attracting a record crowd of almost 1,000 visitors in ten days.

safely and efficiently, traffic management will be in place at this time in the form of a stop and go system. Local and emergency traffic will always be maintained. To minimise disruption, works will be limited to short sections. The works may require some shortterm water interruptions, and the project team will ensure that customers are given a minimum of 48 hours’ notice prior to any planned interruptions.

Fixing leaks can be complicated. We have over 63,000 km of water pipes underground in Ireland – enough to circle the earth one and a half times. Most leaks aren’t visible, resulting in precious water being lost but we are making progress.

Mary to be awarded Certificate of Bravery for Kilkee rescue

by Páraic McMahon Paraic@clareecho.ie

A RETIRED firefighter is to receive a National Bravery Award for her heroic efforts to save a young boy from drowning in Kilkee.

Mary Noonan who lives in Cork was on holidays in Kilkee in July 2019 when her actions helped to save the life of then seven year old boy Dylan Mullally.

Just after noon on Wednesday, 24 July 2019, Mary was swimming off the steps in Kilkee when she heard shouting and saw a young boy, Dylan going under the water. Dylan’s father Liam had been calling out for help and was wading out towards his son. When Liam was chest deep, he too got into difficulty and called for someone to save his son. Mary swam over to the young boy who was panicking and going under the water.

By the time she got to him he was face down in the water, so she pulled him back towards the shore and began desperately trying to get him to breathe. Dylan was coughing up a lot of water, but Mary got him back to his father who had regained his footing and was out of danger. Although the young boy was taken to hospital due to the risk of secondary drowning, he recovered well and the family thanked Mary, who they called ‘their guardian angel’ for her help.

For her actions, Mary will be awarded a Certificate of Bravery. On Friday, she will be one of 22 individuals presented with a National Bravery Award. The Ceann Comhairle, Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD (FF), will present the awards at Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park to individuals from across Ireland who risked their own lives to aid others in peril.

NOTES

Old Kilfarboy Society November talk

The November talk of the Old Kilfarboy Society will take place on Tuesday, 12th November, in the Malbay, Miltown Malbay at 8pm. Michael Houlihan will talk about Samhain/Halloween. The festival is a mix of Celtic and Christian practices, both of which honoured the dead. Mythology and superstitions have many associated traditions that take place indoors and outdoors on Halloween night. Samhain is one of the quarter days of the Celtic year which is a fire festival and outdoor fires continue to be lit on Samhain night. The festival is associated with the Cailleach, the older feminine energy which is the personification of this time of year. Michael will discuss the origins and traditions of the festival with reference to customs in Co Clare.

Michael worked as an OPW guide for six years on Inis Cathaigh/Scattery Island. He has published six local history books and surveyed Clare’s Holy Wells under the auspices of Clare County Council. The results of the survey are accessible at https://heritage. clareheritage.org/category/ places/holy-wells. He is currently working on a survey of Clare’s 140 children’s burial grounds, also called kyles or Cilleens.

l UISCE EIREANN: aged water mains in Doonbeg to be replaced

l JANET BUELL: Giant Paciﬁc Octopus

lKILKEE: Mary will be awarded for rescuing a young boy in Kilkee

Bad weather can strike suddenly, be prepared

GARDAI have urged road users in County Clare to make sure their vehicles are winter ready, as The Clare Echo has teamed up with Martin Daly Autos to bring readers road safety tips this winter.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Community Policing Unit at Ennis Garda Station has warned road users not to “get caught out” when bad weather strikes.

Driving Precautions in Winter Time

They stated, “Although the weather has been quite mild lately, don’t get caught out if severe weather strikes. A few simple precautions can ensure the safety of you and your family on the roads this winter.

“Bad weather such as torrential rain, severe winds, fog, freez-

ing fog, ice and snow can strike suddenly catching road users off guard.

“In extreme weather conditions, you should ask yourself if making a journey by road is absolutely necessary. If it’s not, consider delaying your trip until the weather and road conditions improve.

“This is especially important if you are a vulnerable road user such as a pedestrian, cyclist or motorcyclist. If using the roads in such conditions is unavoidable— be prepared. Inform family/ friends of your planned route, estimated time of arrival and carry a mobile phone.

“The golden rule is to drive, cycle or walk with care and caution and expect the unexpected. However you should take heed of any warnings from the Emergency

Services not to go out.”

Road Safety Advice from Ennis Garda Station

You should ask yourself is your vehicle ready for this winter??

Some points to remember are:

• service your vehicle so that it is safe for winter driving

•top up with anti-freeze and screen wash

• check for wear and tear on wiper blades and replace them as soon as they start to smear rather than clean windows

• keep tyre pressure at the manufacturer’s recommended level and check you have at least 3 millimetres of tread depth

• make sure all vehicle lights are working and clean.

Is your vehicle winter ready?

Contact Martin Daly Autos by phone; 0656867336

Nuns on the run in Tulla for

Sister Act production

SISTER ACT is making its way to East Clare as students from St Joseph’s Secondary School in Tulla perform their production of the musical from next Wednesday (November 13th).

Running from Wednesday (November 13th) to Friday (November 15th) with performances each night at 19:30, Sister Act: The Musical brings the popular comedy to the East Clare second-

ary school.

Based on the hit 1992 film, Sister Act tells the story of Deloris Van Cartier, a nightclub singer who finds herself hiding in a convent after witnessing a crime

Directed by a dedicated team of teachers and performed by the school’s talented young cast, this production promises to deliver uplifting perfor-

Scariff Library Gallery hosts exhibition of a Clare based

artist

mances and spectacular showmanship that will have audiences dancing in their seats.

Tickets for Sister Act: The Musical are available now at sjt.ie, with all performances expected to sell out quickly. Shows will take place in St Joseph’s Secondary School.

‘BETWEEN Landlines’, an art exhibition by Olivia Henchy, will be hosted in Scarriff Library Gallery, from November 11 to December 14, inclusive.

Olivia Henchy is a visual artist based in County Clare. Her work is at the intersection between landscape and abstraction. She takes inspiration from the nature around her and her curiosity lies in expressing a sensory experience of the landscape through the exploration of shape, line and colour.

Having graduated from Limerick School of Art and Design with a BA honours degree in graphic design and a postgraduate diploma in art and design education, her early career and training in composition and colour comes through in her work today as a painter. After teaching for several years and taking time out to raise her family she has returned to her own art practice. Her work is regularly selected for exhibitions throughout the country.

‘Between Landlines’ is inspired by time spent by the rugged landscapes of west Clare, where she regularly holidays. She is drawn to the visual interplay between the resilience of the landscape and yet its fragility.

Back at the studio, the physicality of the artmaking process aims to mirror that of nature. Burying and unearthing, building up, scraping back, spontaneous movements through shape, line and texture all come into play. It is through this process that she intends to somehow echo the constant state of ﬂux of our landscape.

l BEWTWEEN LANDLINES: ‘Sea Rise’ by Olivia Henchy

l BE PREPARED: bad weather can strik at any time and makes roads dangerous

lNUNS ON THE RUN: Back row, Shóna Ryan, Eve O’Reilly, Aishling White, Charleigh McInerney. 2nd row from back: Niamh O’Connell, Sophie O’Connell, Emma O’Mahoney, Eva Kidney. 2nd row from front: Leah Broomhead, Megan Kiernan, Megan McGrath, Sarah McCormack. Front row: Lily Duffy, Ruth Tuohy, Aoibhínn O’Neill, Ashling McNamara. Photograph: John O’Neill.

Ennis Lions Club raises over €20,000 for Slainte an Chlair

ENNIS Lions Club, in partnership with Clare FM, hosted their third annual Radio Auction on October 20th this year. With over 208 item for sale, the team were delighted with the outcome, raising over €20,000 for Sláinte an Chlair and other local charities. Clare Cancer Support, Sláinte an Chláir is a voluntary organisation at Kilnamona and Raheen, Scarriff which supports the people of Clare and their families affected by cancer.

They work alongside medical teams to provide a range of supportive services and treatments from trained personnel. Services include counselling, lymphoedema management, nutritional advice, meditation, reflexology, Tai Chi, Arts & Crafts and more. At a post event wrap up on Tuesday Auction project leader Hans Eisenberg thanked all of the donors – some new and many for the third year – for

their generosity. He said ‘Without our donors there would be no auction. We cannot overestimate the extent of their goodwill towards our community, even as business costs increase year on year. I urge people to support them back as we come up to Christmas, make local choices and keep the community spirit going’.

Ennis Lions Club President David Goodstein said ‘We are delighted to support Sláinte an Chlair this year because all of their services are free of charge. They depend on community fundraising as much as people in our community depend on them in the worst of times. A number of our members extended families have benefitted from Slainte an Chlair’s support and we are very happy to give back in this way.’

Along with the auction Ennis Lions Club invited local schools to run a Jersey Day to add to the funds. Michael Sheedy, ex-Pres-

World Diabetes Day and Wellness Meet-Up

THE NEXT meet-up of the Clare Adults with Type 1 Diabetes Group will take place on Thursday, 14th November at 7:30pm in The Old Ground Hotel, Ennis.

Finally Susan Ward praised the team at Clare FM for their ongoing support of Ennis Lions Club projects but particularly their whole team effort for the Radio Auction.

ident, thanked the schools that took part and the Clare GAA Hurling Team members who promoted it for Ennis Lions Club. He enthused ‘One lucky participating school will win a set of jerseys sponsored by Boru Sports, who came on board again this year. Winners will be announced next week.’

Ennis branch of Irish Red Cross short-listed for age friendly transport award

THE ENNIS Branch of the Irish Red Cross Clare Area have been shortlisted for the Age Friendly Transport Award at the 2024 National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards.

Their innovative ‘Community Transport’ Project, based in Co. Clare is shortlisted for their exceptional contribution to making Ireland an outstanding place to grow older. Recognised by Age Friendly Ireland, these projects exemplify best practices which are both impactful and can inspire similar efforts across the country.

Curated by Age Friendly Ireland, the annual awards celebrate individuals, organisations, and agencies nationwide that are spearheading initiatives to improve the lives of older adults in Ireland.

The 2024 awards ceremony will take place on 7 November at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Northwood, Santry, Dublin, hosted by Fingal County Council.

Speaking on the annual awards, Catherine McGuigan, Chief Ofﬁcer of the Age Friendly Ireland Shared Service said:

“The shortlisted projects represent the gold standard of innovation and dedica-

tion, showcasing how communities are coming together to improve the quality of life for older adults across Ireland. These initiatives stand out not only for their immediate impact but also for their potential to be replicated across the country.”

The 2024 National Age Friendly Awards include eight categories, each aligned with a World Health Organization (WHO) Age Friendly Theme. These include awards for best in Age Friendly Transport; Active and Healthy Ageing; Business Innovation; Safety and Security; Communications; Environment; Community Innovation; and Housing.

Commenting on the nomination, Irish Red Cross Clare Area said: “The committee and volunteers of the Irish Red Cross Clare Area are proud of being shortlisted for these awards. Under the careful guidance of our Community Services Lead, we provide medical appointment transportation to the people of Clare to all counties in Ireland. Our service provides opportunities for an aging population to maintain a healthy and socially active lifestyle by availing of our services and volunteering their time to help others. Our service is completely free of charge and funded by voluntary donations. We have plans to continue expanding our community services and ﬂeet of vehicles to meet the growing needs of an aging and vulnerable population of rural Clare.”

The meetings are free to attend, open to anyone who wants to learn more about Type 1 Diabetes and an excellent opportunity to meet others. Newcomers are always welcome!

The meeting theme is to celebrate World Diabetes Day with a focus on wellness. More information is available from Grainne at 087 654 8320 or email diabetesinClare@gmail.com.

lENNIS LIONS CLUB: Marie Phelan, Slainte and Chlair at the auction.

lENNIS RED CROSS: members of staff from the Ennis Red Cross with some users of the Community Transport Unit

Parents Give Parteen National School Playground a New Lease on Life

THE CHILDREN of Parteen National School are once again enjoying their favourite swings, slides, and play area, which are now more vibrant and inviting than ever thanks to the parents who came together to rejuve-

nate the school’s beloved playground.

The playground, originally funded by the school’s parent body nearly a decade ago, has long been a cherished part of school life, with features like the big yellow bus, storytime chair, and kitchen area becoming highlights of the children’s daily routines. But after years of exposure to the elements, wear and tear began to show, and a recent risk assessment led the Board of Management to make the difficult decision to temporarily close the playground for safety reasons. That’s when the parents of Parteen National School stepped in to make a difference.

l PLAY-TIME: the children of Parteen National School enjoying their newly refurbished playground

When Principal Miriam Smyth put out a call for help, the response was overwhelming. Parents, many armed with tools, paintbrushes, and professional skills, rallied around to restore the playground, logging an incredible 300 volunteer hours. Parents arrived day after day, sanding and repainting every piece of wood, replacing worn-out sections, and ensuring that all areas met the highest safety standards.

The project was further supported by a generous sponsorship from Parteen’s local Co-Op Superstore, who donated the majority of the paint needed to bring the playground back to life.

The schoolyard became a hub of activity as parents with trades worked alongside others to repair and rejuvenate the muchloved space. Every day, excited children peeked through the railings, watching as their playground was transformed. The

grand reopening took place after the midterm break, and the children’s excitement was palpable as they explored the refreshed playground. Teachers and students alike celebrated the new and improved space, which exceeded all expectations. Principal Smyth expressed her gratitude to the entire parent body for their remarkable effort, saying, “This playground revitalization truly highlights the strength of our school community. It’s a wonderful reminder of what we can accomplish when we work together. The joy on the children’s faces today is a testament to the love and effort our parents poured into this project.”

The playground’s transformation has not only brought new life to the school grounds but has also reinforced the powerful role that parental involvement plays in creating a vibrant, supportive school environment. Thanks to the dedication and hard work of the Parteen National School parents, this playground will continue to be a joyful place for students to play, learn, and create memories for years to come.

Parteen National School are now accepting applications for enrolment - visit www.parteenschool.ie to apply online. Closing date for applications - 31st January 2025

Seán Reidy says farewell to Newstalk

by Páraic McMahon

news@clareecho.ie

SEÁN REIDY has announced his exit from Marconi House bringing an end to his ten year stint with radio stations including Newstalk, Today FM and Spin.

Shannon native Seán had been a senior producer with Newstalk, working on Moncrieff which is fronted by Seán Moncrieff before leaving the station. Prior to this, he held the same role on Lunchtime Live presented by Andrea Gilligan. Before the move to Newstalk, Reidy spent three and a half years as part of the production team for the Dermot & Dave Show on Today FM. His radio career in the capital commenced at Spin 103.8 after moving from Clare FM. During his time as producer of Moncrieff, the show hit an all-time high number of weekly listeners as per the JNLR report of August 2023. The most recent report in

August 2024 saw Moncrieff record a 3,000 increase in listeners to 108,000.

On his departure from the world of radio, Seán stated, “Today marks the end of my time at Bauer Media. From a young age I’d tell anyone who’d listen that I wanted to work in radio. To have the opportunity to be part of the Spin, Today FM and Newstalk teams over the last decade has been unbelievable. This job has brought me to all four corners of Ireland and around the world”.

He paid tribute to the presenters he worked during this time including Andrea Gilligan, Dave Moore, Seán Moncrieff and Dermot Whelan. “To Andrea, Dave, Sean and Dermot, thank you for trusting me with your programs and always encouraging my creative and sometimes mad ideas. Those ideas wouldn’t have been a success without the help of top-class editors, researches, producers, marketing teams and

more. Thank you Marconi House for being such an exciting place to work and for giving me lifelong friends”.

While Seán is leaving radio, he is staying within the media industry and is set to enter the world of podcasting.

Crime Briefs

Criminal damage in Sixmilebridge

GARDAI in Sixmilebridge are investigating a number of criminal damage incidents in the Sixmilebridge area between last Thursday morning, the October 31 and Saturday November 2 2024. The main areas targeted there were Cappa Lodge and Inis Orga.

If you were in the area on any of these dates and saw someone acting suspiciously or if you have any information in relation to any of these crimes, please contact Shannon Garda Station on 061 365900 or the Garda ConfidentialLine on 1800 666 111.

Burglary in Shannon

GARDAI in Shannon are investigating a burglary incident in the Cronan Park area. This incident occurred some time last Tuesday morning October 29 between the hours of 1.30am and 9.30am. A lock was broken on an outside shed and entry gained and items taken. Gardai are appealing to the public for their assistance regarding this. If anyone was in this area at the time or if they have dash cam footage or if they saw anything suspicious they can contact the Gardai in Shannon on 061 365900 or the Garda confidential line on 1800 666 111.

Theft from MPV in Shannon

GARDAI in Shannon are investigating a theft from a motor car which was in the Inis Ealga estate in Shannon last Tuesday October 29. This incident occurred sometime in the early hours of Tuesday morning between 1am and 3am. A childs buggy which had been nearby was used to smash the rear window of the car and a number of items were taken.

Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have been in the area during the early hours of Tuesday morning.

If anyone has any information that could assist Gardaí with their investigation, can they please contact Shannon Garda Station on 061365900 or the GardaConfidential Line on 1800 666 111.

l TEN YEARS: Sean Reidy

Kinvara Tidy Towns Pride of Place competition runner up

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

KINVARA TIDY TOWNS and Williamstown have been named runners-up in their respective categories at the IRB Pride of Place competition.

Organised by peacebuilding charity Co-operation Ireland and sponsored by IPB Insurance, Pride of Place showcases and celebrates exceptional community development efforts across the island of Ireland. This year’s gala ceremony was hosted by broadcaster Brendan McArdle.

Kinvara was competing in the ‘Climate Action & Biodiversity’ category of the 22nd annual competition. During the visit by Pride of Place adjudicators to Kinvara in September, local representatives outlined how the collaborative efforts of the wider community towards climate action and biodiversity have culminated in the development of the Biodiversity Action Plan 2021-2024, which was developed in partnership with Burrenbeo and the Kinvara Ballinderreen Tree Gang. The Plan has so far led to the planting of more than 9,000 native trees by local families, landowners, schools and community groups. The successful Community Climate Action grant application submitted on behalf of eight local groups will facilitate the rollout of many biodiversity and climate actions throughout the community.

Further work highlighted during the judges’ visit included the development of a new Biodiversity

and Heritage Plan for 2024-2027 and collaborative projects with Kinvara Hockey, Kinvara GAA, Kinvara Community Council, residents, schools and business-

es to develop habitat mapping, a biodiversity trail, and a series of wildlife and biodiversity citizen science exploration projects with the local schools in conjunction

with local Ecologists and Galway County Council. Sustainability initiatives by Kinvara Plastic Free and Kinvara Tidy Towns were also outlined, including plastic-free

awareness campaigns in schools and to communities first public realm water filling station to permanently reduce consumption of single-use plastic in the community. All local groups are members of the Kinvara & District Sustainable Energy Group, which has completed a Master Energy Audit of the village to underpin large energy upgrades of community facilities.

Williamstown was nominated by Galway County Council in the ‘0 - 300 Population’ in recognition of its continued development and restoration of Williamstown Mill and Millers Cottage and the delivery by Williamstown Development Company of a looped 3.3km walkway with accompanying boards and biodiversity signage on the Bog Road, as well as a safe walkway linking the primary school to the GAA grounds. Williamstown Tidy Town works in strong partnership with the local primary school in developing biodiversity and environmental initiatives, as well as the community’s focus on inclusion through the hosting of childcare and active retirement activities in the Community Centre.

“Kinvara Tidy Towns and Williamstown were nominated to participate in this year’s Pride of Place due to the significant, positive impact of their work on community wellbeing, improving the overall quality of life in their localities and, ultimately, instilling a sense of pride of place in local people,” explained Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council.

88 year-old artist displays a lifetime of artwork

AN 88 YEAR old artist’s life’s work is on display at Kinvara Area Visual Art Courthouse. The people of Kinvara and environs were treated to a visual feast from the delightful Mary Fuller in KAVA Courthouse on Sunday afternoon. The show runs all this week from 11-5 daily.

It is not very often that an artist gets to see all their work together in one place. The opportunity to review a lifetime of work at a glance is even rarer, but that is what Kinvara Area Visual Arts has provided Clare based artist Mary Fuller this week.

Now in her late eighties Mary has lived and worked in Clare for nearly fifteen years, moving to Ireland from Wales in the UK. Mary studied painting on the part time

degree course at GMIT for six years and brought her characteristic sharp focus to bear on the work she was doing, producing paintings which were described by Dr. Áine Phillips of the Burren College of Art who opened the exhibition on Sunday as “…revealing hidden and buried layers of meaning and experience. Like the Rosetta Stone they decode and translate ancient knowledge and feeling for us at a time in the world where we need, more than ever, insight and enlightenment from the ancients and our wise elders.”

The work is beautiful, inspiring and uplifting, as is the artist herself. Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the wisdom and beauty of Mary’s work.

lPRIDE OF PLACE: community representatives of Kinvara Tidy Towns, ofﬁcials and Elected Members of Galway County Councill, and representatives of IPB Insurance and Cooperation Ireland. Photo by Rory Geary.

Lung Cancer - reduce your risk and know the signs

ALMOST 2,700 people are diagnosed with lung cancer each year in Ireland. It is the most common cause of cancer death in Ireland.

Lung cancer can affect anyone at any age but is more common in people aged 50 and older and in people who smoke. About 8 out of every 10 cases of lung cancer are caused by smoking, but people who do not smoke can get lung cancer too. Bernadette Mullins is a Senior Health Promotion & Improvement Officer Cancer Prevention with HSE Mid West. Here, Bernadette tells us how to reduce our risk of lung cancer and signs of lung cancer to be aware of.

Reduce your risk

lTobacco increases the risk of lung cancer for you and the people around you. The best form of defence is not to start smoking. If you smoke, the best way to reduce your risk of lung cancer is to quit. Give yourself the best chance of quitting for good with free HSE support – contact Quit Mid West on 065 6865841 for non-judgemental support from your local Stop Smoking Advisor www.quit.ie

lRadon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas found in the environment. It has no colour, taste or smell. It can increase risk of

Treatment options and survival rates are better than ever - especially when lung cancer is found early. Know the signs Find Lung Cancer Early

lung cancer in people exposed to high levels of radon over long periods of time. The risk from radon is even higher for people who smoke, so it is even more important to think about quitting smoking if you live in a moderate or high radon area. Visit www.radon. ie for information on how to check radon levels and how to reduce your exposure to radon.

lWorkplaces; some involve exposure to cancer-causing substances like, asbestos, arsenic and silica. Follow your workplace health and safety instructions to help reduce the risk of your exposure to cancer causing substances in your workplace.

lAir pollution exposure increases the risk of lung cancer. The increased risk for each individual person is small. It is difficult to avoid air pollution altogether, and you don’t need to avoid going outside. We can all play a part in reducing air pollution. For example, choosing to walk or cycle instead of driving can help reduce pollution, and is a great way to keep active.

lChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD); if you have COPD you are at a higher risk of lung cancer compared to people who do not have COPD – so be aware of the signs and symptoms of lung cancer.

lFamily History of lung cancer; you are at higher risk of lung cancer if you have a close

relative, such as a parent, brother or sister, who has had lung cancer. Know the signs and symptoms.

Know the signs

If lung cancer is found early, it’s easier to treat and there’s a better chance of recovery. Contact your doctor without delay if you have any of the following signs or symptoms:

• A new cough lasting for more than 3 weeks

• A change to a cough that you have had for a long time, e.g. your cough may sound different to usual, may be more severe, or it may hurt when you cough

• Breathlessness more than is normal for you

• Coughing up blood or blood stained phlegm

• Unexplained chest pain

• Chest infections that keep coming back

• Loss of appetite

• Unexplained weight loss

• Feeling very tired all the time, more than is normal for you

Check that cough

A cough that lasts longer than three weeks could be a sign of lung cancer. Contact your GP or doctor and get that cough checked now. Don’t regret it later. Visit www.hse.ie/ checkthatcough for more information.

Five fold increase in local link passengers

by Páraic McMahon news@clareecho.ie

A MORE THAN five fold increase in users of the TFI Local Link Bus passengers has been recorded in the space of two years. 105,986 passenger journeys were recorded on TFI Local Link services on the week ending October 13th 2024 which represents a more than five fold increase compared to January 2022 when passenger numbers were at 19,982.

Of the 105,986 a total of 5,125 passengers are in Co Clare. The figures relate to Regular Rural Services (RRS). These are scheduled services operating along a fixed route according to a published timetable.

Some Local Link Offices also operate Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) services, where vehicles alter routes for each journey, responding to particular transport demand without using a fixed route or timetabled journeys. These vehicles typically pick up and drop off passengers in locations according to passengers’ particular needs. Passenger numbers for DRT services are not included in the figures.

There are 15 Local Link Offices around the country providing local transport services, primarily for rural communities. Each Local Link Office provides services across one or more county, and all are funded by the National Transport Agency (NTA).

Senator Roisin Garvey (GP) welcomed the rise in bus users in the county. “Having worked hard on securing funding for new and improved local links it is great to see people availing of this amazing and cheap service especially a lot more young people. There is still more to do but I am delighted with the progress to date”.

She said the figures rising was a “dramatic increase” and “coincides with the increased funding for same by Minister Eamon Ryan and the subsequent rollout of the NTA’s Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, from January 2022. Since then, over 110 new and enhanced TFI Local Link routes have been introduced under the plan, covering every county”.

Inagh native Garvey continued, “In Clare alone, passenger numbers have increased by 500% since 2022. This increase is driven by the introduction or enhancement of many

key routes. These include the C12 Ennis to Miltown Malbay service which went from a two day a week to a six day a week service at the start of this year and new bus ser-

Solar panels now a brighter idea for Clare schools

The extension of the ‘Solar for Schools’ programme will help all schools reduce their energy costs and carbon footprint, Clare Fine Gael General Election candidate Leonora Carey has said.

The ﬁrst phase of the programme was launched late last year beneﬁtting more than 1,100 schools and is now binge extended to all schools nationwide. School managers can apply when applications open on Monday, November 11, and will be contacted directly by the Department with details.

“I am delighted that all Clare schools can now beneﬁt from funding to install solar panels on their rooftops. Schools are facing high costs at the moment, and this will be a welcome way to reduce their energy costs,” Ms Carey explained.

“The amount a school will save will depend on a variety of factors but will typically be in the region of €1,375. The panels will be connected to the electricity grid, allowing schools to export their electricity. This will mean more homes and businesses in Clare will beneﬁt from renewable energy.

“Across the country, this extension is set to beneﬁt 4,000 schools with a total

saving of €5.5 million. It will also be a great chance for students in to see climate action ﬁrst-hand, with the visibility of the panels encouraging discussion and further environmentally friendly practices.

“Alongside the panels, monitoring software is being provided to further encourage discussion of how much energy is generated each day, equipping staff and students with a deep

understanding of the energy generated.

“Fine Gael in government is committed to putting the necessary steps to reach our climate targets, and this is further evidence of this commitment. I look forward to seeing solar panels across the rooftops of schools across County Clare in the coming months and years,” Ms Carey concluded.

lSOLAR PANELS: ‘Solar for Schools’ programme will help all schools reduce their energy costs and carbon footprint

vices to places like Quin, Ballyvaughan and Kilkishen that haven't had a bus service for decades”.

lLOCAL LINK: ﬁve fold increase to passengers

Top 30 listing for Co Clare in sustainable tourism index

by Páraic McMahon news@clareecho.ie

CO CLARE has jumped ten places in a ranking of global destinations that have demonstrated a commitment to sustainable tourism.

The Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Movement has unveiled its 2024 Top 40 Destinations Index which sees Co Clare rise from 38th to 28th in a list that also includes Sydney, Singapore, Copenhagen, Barcelona, Melbourne, Montreal and Reykjavik.

Clare’s inclusion in the Index is supported by the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau and Fáilte Ireland.

Councillor Alan O’Callaghan (FF) Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council commented, “The Clare tourism sector receives fantastic support from the local authority and other tourism development agencies. Operators within the sector have played a leading role in helping to create the globally renowned, sustainable and vibrant destination we know today. Clare’s perfor-

mance in the GDS Top 40 Destinations Index is evidence of the sector’s commitment to collaboration and to sustainable practices”.

Karen Ronan, General Manager of the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau said it was an achievement for Clare to retain its position in the top forty and a further boost to increase its ranking by ten places. “The GDS Index evaluates destinations worldwide based on their environmental, social and economic sustainability efforts, and is a vital tool in helping us drive sustainability improvements across our destinations”.

Sam Johnston, Manager, Convention Bureaux of Ireland, Fáilte Ireland commented, “County Clare’s inclusion in the GDS Index aligns with Fáilte Ireland’s important focus to drive positive development around climate action in our industry. This, in turn, strengthens the sustainability credentials of Ireland’s business events sector. Our extensive range of supports and initiatives are helping tourism businesses reduce their carbon footprint and meet the growing demand for sustainable tourism solutions”.

lSUSTAINABLE TOURISM: Co.Clare Recognised by Sustainable Tourism Index

Shannon Airport punching above its weight - Ryanair CEO

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

SHANNON AIRPORT is punching well above its weight but is not the answer to the passenger cap problems at Dublin Airport, the CEO of Ryanair has said.

Ryanair CEO, Eddie Wilson was the keynote speaker at a recent Shannon Chamber luncheon held at Dromoland Castle.

In a fast-paced presentation, Wilson gave a insight into the company’s business model which has enabled the airline to operate 600

aircraft from 95 bases in 34 states and 234 airports, carrying 200 million passengers per annum. Turning his attention to Shannon, where Ryanair has invested €300million, based three aircraft, operates 26 routes to 10 countries, carried 20 million passengers to date one million of which were this year, supports 1,200 jobs, including 200 highly skilled jobs at its 3-bay heavy maintenance facility, Wilson said that Shannon punches well above its

Clare County Council is currently inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the below competition. Clare County Council will, following the interview process, form a panel for the area set out below from which future relevant vacancies may be filled subject to sanction approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage. Please complete online application form available on www.clarecoco.ie under Careers Section. Only applications completed online will be accepted.

• Resident Engineer –2 Year Contract

Closing date: 12 Noon Friday 29th November 2024 Clare County Council is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sectors of the Community.

Scríobh chugainn as Gaeilge más fearr leat.

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR DEVELOPERS AND BUILDING CONTRACTORS FOR THE PROVISION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN COUNTY CLARE – EXTENSION OF DEADLINE

Clare County Council is extending the deadline for expressions of interest for the provision of turnkey housing developments by Housing Developers and Building Contractors for delivery of affordable housing across County Clare.

Further details of this scheme and a guide to making a submission are available on the Clare County Council’s website under www.clarecoco.ie or by emailing affordablehousing@clarecoco.ie

The latest date and time for receipt of submissions is 4.00pm on Tuesday 31st December 2024. Please note that Clare County Council is not obliged to enter into any agreement with a developer as part of this process.

Dated 07th November 2024.

Signed: Adrian Headd, Senior Engineer, Housing Department.

weight, will live on its own merits but would benefit even more if the Government permanently including Shannon in the Regional Airport Programme.

Stating that Shannon receives more Ryanair investment, in routes, aircraft and capacity than similar regional airports in Europe, he cited Gothenburg, with a population of 600,000, and Nuremberg, with a population of 520,000, as airports with less routes than Shannon. “Shannon is operating in a very competitive environment for scarce capacity in regional airports. It is not competing with Dublin; it is competing with airports such a Marseilles, so it needs to stay competitive. Airlines will put aircraft in airports with the lowest cost base; that’s why Shannon needs to stay competitive,” he added.

Addressing the luncheon, Shannon Chamber president, Eoin Gavin said that Shannon and the region can deliver a lot more, to a lot more companies and overseas visitors if the Government delivers on its commitment to balanced regional development, which includes undertaking a review of the National Aviation Policy, which has not been reviewed since 2015. Regardless of airport caps, which he said is Dublin’s issue, he said that a review of the National Aviation Policy

is essential.

Stating that there is no cap on Ireland’s airport capacity, he said that given the current planning constraint, limiting Dublin’s capacity, Shannon Chamber believes that this is the ideal time to consider a strategic shift in how we distribute air traffic across our other state airports.

“Managing within the cap of 32 million passengers creates a challenge that can be addressed by redistributing traffic across other airports in Ireland. We say this against a background where nearly 40% of Ireland’s population lives within the catchment area of Shannon Airport, while

38% of visitors arriving at Dublin Airport ultimately head to the West of Ireland.

This situation presents an opportunity to strengthen Ireland’s regional airports and improve connectivity across the country, while alleviating the pressure on Dublin Airport. Shannon has untapped capacity, a top-tier infrastructure, and the potential to relieve some of the congestion currently being experienced at Dublin,” he said.

Gavin continued, “Shannon Airport, with its existing infrastructure, can instantly absorb an additional 3 million passengers without the need for any further upgrades, providing

an immediate and practical solution to ease the pressure on Dublin. Not only would better utilisation of Shannon address Dublin’s immediate challenges, but it would also drive balanced regional development, particularly in the west of Ireland”. Gavin also called for improved transport links to Shannon including Government setting a timeline for the development and delivery of a direct rail connection to Shannon Airport. He also said that a Shannon bus service, that would provide regular, direct and reliable services to major cities and towns in the region is also a requisite.

N19 SHANNON AIRPORT ACCESS ROAD IMPROVEMENT SCHEME

PROJECT UPDATE

Clare County Council is progressing the development of the N19 Shannon Airport Access Road Improvement Scheme in partnership with Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Department of Transport. Fehily Timoney and Clandillon Civil Consulting Joint Venture are the appointed Technical Advisors to advance the project through the planning and design stages. The project is being managed by the Mid West National Road Design O ce on behalf of Clare County Council.

The Design Update, that was published in July 2024, included a combination of active travel measures for walking and cycling, improvements to public transport, along with new and improved road infrastructure between Drumgeely roundabout and Knockbeagh Point roundabout on approach to Shannon International Airport.

Since the conclusion of the July 2024 Design Update, the design team have further progressed the design and environmental evaluation of the Preferred Option. The Preferred Option has now been ﬁnalised following extensive stakeholder engagement and detailed consideration of environmental surveys, transport surveys and ground investigations. The design team are now working towards the ﬁnalisation of the Statutory Documentation required as part of the proposed planning application for submission to An Bord Pleanála.

Updated drawings are now available for viewing on the project website www.shannonaccess.ie, with hardcopy maps on display at Clare County Council’s Head O ce in Ennis and Shannon Municipal District O ce.

For further information visit www.shannonaccess.ie or contact the project team at info@shannonaccess.ie or telephone 065 6866147.

Dromoland Castle joins Ireland’s Blue Book for 2025

DROMOLAND Castle joining Ireland’s Blue Book collection of country house hotels, manor houses, castles, and restaurants for 2025.

Ireland’s Blue Book Association, formed in 1974 work to fill the gap between bed and breakfast accommodation and the larger hotel industry, in doing so ensuring the economic well being of some of Ireland’s historic properties which might otherwise have fallen into decay.

Blue Book voucher holders can redeem vouchers across luxury stays or avail of the historic Resort’s many amenities including day excursions to the award-winning Castle Spa, Afternoon Tea and dining eateries Earl of Thomond and The Fig Tree Restaurant along with Charlotte & Co boutique and Dromoland Golf Academy and Pro Shop.

Located in the heart of County Clare along the Wild Atlantic Way, Dromoland Castle is one of Ireland’s most recognized luxury resorts. Set amidst 500 acres of pristine woodlands, the 16th century castle offers a world of refined light-hearted luxury. Dromoland was once the ancestral home of the O’Briens, all the way back to Brian Boru himself, Ireland’s most powerful

High King.

The hsitorical castle has hosted a long list of iconic prefermances such as; legends and luminaries, sinners and saints, barons and Beatles. Renowned for its warm hospitality and its exceptional staff, Dromoland Castle is steeped in history. The castle’s timeless elegance allows you to experience life like royalty, all while enjoying the modern luxuries and comforts expected of a five-star hotel. Guests can enjoy the historic Walled Gardens, traverse scenic for-

est trails, and savour gourmet cuisine inspired by County Clare’s rugged coast. The castle also features an acclaimed Spa and a range of countryside activities, including archery, falconry, yoga, forest bathing, and an 18-hole Championship Parkland Golf Course. This luxurious castle increases the number of castles in Ireland’s Blue Book collection to five.

Commenting on its addition to the Ireland’s Blue Book Collection, Managing Director, Dromoland Castle, Mark Nolan stated: “It is an honour to join the carefully curated portfolio of prestigious properties that make up Ireland’s Blue Book. The collection represents the true essence of Irish hospitality - something that our warm and welcoming team at Dromoland Castle has become synonymous with. We are proud to be a member of an association with such a stellar reputation and look forward to the Blue Book community having an opportunity to experience all that Dromoland Castle has to offer.”

All-Star award for Ennis audiologists

AN AUDIOLOGIST

based in Ennis receives an award from the All-Ireland Business Foundation.

Kelly Hearing, operating out of Holly’s Pharamcy in Abbey Street Ennis has been named Business All-Star AllIreland Independent Audiologist of the Year 2024-25. This accolade recognises the company’s unwavering commitment to providing the highest standards of hearing health care across Ireland, backed by over 35 years of expertise.

Founded by leading audiologist Anne Marie Kelly the organisation seeks to enhance

the lives of its clients through improved hearing. Kelly Hearing Specialists offers comprehensive range of audiological services, including the latest hearing systems, professional wax removal, and tinnitus counselling.

“We are absolutely honoured to receive the title of Business All-Star Independent Audiologist of the Year. This award reflects our passion for providing top-tier hearing health care, and we are incredibly grateful to the All-Ireland Business Foundation for this recognition,” says Anne Marie.

l BLUE BOOK COLLECTION: Dromoland Castle is the 64th property to be added to the Blue Book collection

With the Clare Business Excellence awards taking place on November 27th, The Clare Echo will profile all finalists over the next four weeks.

Bunratty Castle and Folk Park

Best Tourism Experience & Best Use of Digital Marketing and Social Media

Nominated for Best Tourism Experience and Best Use of Digital Marketing and Social Media, Bunratty Castle and Folk Park offers a unique and immersive journey through Ireland’s rich history and culture. From the meticulously restored 15th century castle to the charming 19th century folk park, there is something for everyone to enjoy at Bunratty.

A commitment to authenticity, cultural preservation, and delivering memorable experiences both in person and across digital marketing and social media, ensures a connection with audiences both locally and globally. The unique blend of heritage and tradition, makes Bunratty Castle and Folk Park an unforgettable experience for all and enabling the attraction to grow the community, attract visitors and keep the rich history of Bunratty alive for future generations.

Step into Eva’s, a cozy haven for coffee lovers and food enthusiasts alike. Situated in the heart of Ennis, our cafe offers a warm, inviting atmosphere, perfect for catching up with friends.

Trading close to 15 years, our business has become a beloved spot for simple food done right, while catering to various tastes and dietary preferences.

Start your day with our ﬂavourful breakfast selections, including gluten-free pancakes, homemade granola and savoury scrambles. For lunch, enjoy a rotating selection of homemade soups and hearty sandwiches, or a freshly made salad.

At Eva’s, we proudly serve

At Shannon Estuary Way Retreat, we, a dedicated husband and wife team, are proud to lead with green and sustainable practices. Our retreat harmonises with nature, using eco-friendly materials, renewable energy, and zero-waste principles, reﬂecting our commitment to the environment.

In the Health & Wellness in the Workplace category, we excel through bespoke wellness programmes. We empower organisations with tailored stress management, mental ﬁtness, and nutritional guidance, both on-site and via immersive retreats. Our holistic approach nurtures employee well-being, fostering a healthier, more productive

dishes made from locally sourced ingredients, with many options being organic.

We are delighted to be a ﬁnalist for this award due to our consistent dedication to quality and community engagement.

This recognition highlights our passion for creating a welcoming space that truly embodies the spirit of our locality.

work environment. Winning these categories would validate our efforts and inspire our community towards a sustainable, healthy future. Our shared passion drives us to make a positive impact, setting a benchmark in our industry. Located along the beautiful Shannon Estuary Way, our retreat offers an idyllic setting that enhances the serenity and rejuvenation our programmes provide, making your experience unforgettable.

Preachers Pub, located in the Temple Gate Hotel in Ennis, is a charming blend of traditional Irish pub culture and a warm, inviting atmosphere. Renowned for our award-winning bar food served all day, it’s a favourite among both locals and visitors. Our commitment to exceptional food, service, and ambiance is unwavering. We value customer feedback, which helps us tailor our offerings and enhance the dining experience. Our knowledgeable staff is dedicated to ensuring that every guest leaves satisﬁed. Under the guidance of our Head Chef and talented culinary team, each dish is crafted with the ﬁnest locally sourced ingre-

At Shannon Springs Hotel, our commitment to exceptional hospitality and culinary excellence drives everything we do. Shortlisted for Best Hospitality in Clare and Best Place to Eat – Best Restaurant in Clare at this year’s Clare Business Excellence Awards, we continually strive to create an unforgettable experience for every guest.

Our team takes pride in offering a warm, welcoming environment where attention to detail and outstanding service are our top priorities. The Old Lodge Gastro Pub has become a local favourite, known for its innovative menu, crafted with fresh, local ingredients, and its cosy,

Torpey has harnessed the power of digital marketing and social media to amplify our brand, engage our audience and drive measurable growth. Through a creative blend of content strategies, targeted ad campaigns and active community engagement, we’ve transformed our social media channels into platforms that authentically connect with our customers. By investing in innovative digital tools and analytics, we continuously adapt our campaigns based on real-time feedback, ensuring they are both data-driven and customer-focused.

Our commitment to promoting the game of Hurling shines through in our content, celebrating our heritage, performance and community

dients. Our carefully curated menu offers great value and features exciting daily specials. Whether you’re a regular or a first-time visitor, we strive to exceed your expectations. We proudly support our local community by sourcing from local suppliers, celebrating the flavours and craftsmanship that define our meals. At Preachers Pub, every dining experience is a tribute to local culinary excellence.

authentic atmosphere. From delightful meals to a full range of amenities, we are dedicated to providing a true taste of Clare’s hospitality. Winning these awards would honour the hard work of our team and reinforce our commitment to excellence in Clare’s hospitality and dining scene. Thank you for your support!

values. Our digital strategy goes beyond showcasing our products; we create an interactive, online experience that fosters brand loyalty and expands our reach globally. As a business dedicated to excellence, we are proud of our digital achievements and believe that our impactful, strategic approach to digital marketing and social media sets Torpey apart as a deserving candidate for this award.

We are honoured to be nominated for the Clare Business Awards in the Professional Services Category. As a full-service interior design consultancy based in Ennis, Co. Clare, we specialise in food & beverage, retail, and hospitality design, delivering strategic, brand-focused solutions that create memorable environments.

We leverage our global expertise from working with large international brands to bring high-caliber design to the SME market.

Our innovative approach combines creativity and a deep understanding of design strategy, allowing us to infuse valuable insights into the Irish market.

We embraced its chal-

CD Environmental is a nationwide provider of Environmental & Waste Management Services.

Businesses, industries and homes choose CD Environmental as their reliable, quality, go-to drainage and wastewater utility specialist.

CD Environmental started out in life as a small family business – when Clare man Haulie Moloney began offering high-pressure drain cleaning to businesses in Clare – with a keen focus on pharmaceutical companies. Even in those early days, the company was built on providing a quality, professional service that does what it says it will do.

The company has come

We are delighted to have been chosen as a ﬁnalist in the cherished Customer Service category of the Clare Business Excellence awards 2024. Sherry FitzGerald McMahon is a 4th generation family estate agency business that has been providing customer focused property advice in Clare since 1900.

A keystone of our business is respecting and protecting the trust that customers place in us.

Our staff are focused on ensuring that customers are brought through the process of buying and selling in a friendly, helpful and efﬁcient manner. We ensure that the customer has an excellent experience that is prompt

lenges, preserving its original charm while introducing modern elements, resulting in a destination that resonates with both locals and visitors alike. This nomination reﬂects our commitment to excellence and community engagement.

a very long way since then with a large ﬂeet of specialist trucks and equipment. Today it comprises a team of 25, headquartered in Ennis, run by 2nd generation Alan Moloney and his wife Lynn O’Sullivan, and has grown to offer a deep and wide range of services – from high-pressure cleaning to grease trap and septic tank maintenance, and from relining of pipe work to CCTV surveying.

and proactive while retaining courteous communication. We have invested in excellent customer relationship management and online systems to help and prompt us to communicate with our customers. Ultimately it is the quality and speed of that personal human interaction and relationship that will determine the customer’s overall experience.

Eva’s Cafe Best Bistro/Café in Clare

Shannon Estuary Way Retreat Best Green & Sustainable Practices

Preacher’s at Temple Gate Hotel Best Place to Eat - Best Bistro/Café

Shannon Springs Hotel Best Hospitality in Clare

Torpey Best Use of Digital Marketing & Social Media

Ciara Petty Professional Services Excellence

CD Environmental Professional Services Excellence

Sherry FitzGerald McMahon Customer Service Excellence

O’Donnell & Hogan named hurler & young hurler of the year as Clare win six All Stars

by Páraic McMahon

SHANE O’Donnell has been named Hurler of the Year and Adam Hogan Young Hurler of the Year with Clare receiving six All Star awards.

O’Donnell, Hogan, David McInerney, David Fitzgerald, Tony Kelly and Mark Rodgers were the Clare recipients at the All Star awards on the 140th anniversary of the founding of the GAA.

Clare’s return of six is the same as the total won in 1997 when current manager Brian Lohan was selected at full-back.

Éire Óg’s Shane O’Donnell following an outstanding championship in the county colours was named Hurler of the Year. The Ennis man made his fifty fifth championship appearance for Clare this year in a memorable season which saw him score

2-13 from play in the championship. He also won an All Star for the third year in a row.

Adam Hogan is the third Feakle hurler to win an All Star award and follows in the footsteps of GAA icons Ger Loughnane (1974 and 1977) and Seamus Durack (1977, 1978 and 1981). He was named Young Hurler of the Year, with fellow East Clare man Mark Rodgers having received the gong last year, meaning it is the first time that for two years in a row Clare is home of the Young Hurler of the Year.

Tony Kelly created history by becoming the first Clare hurler to win five All Stars and surpasses the feats of Brian Lohan and Jamesie O’Connor. The Ballyea man previously claimed accolades in 2013, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

A second All Star

award has been won by David McInerney. The Tulla man has collected accolades in Clare’s All-Ireland winning seasons of 2013 and 2024.

Inagh/Kilnamona’s David Fitzgerald picked up his second All Star

A big step for Clare camogie

MUNSTER SENIOR CLUB CAMOGIE SEMI-FINAL

Truagh-Clonlara 3-10 Clonoulty Rossmore 0-13

Venue: Clonlara

Compiled by Seamus Hayes

STORY OF THE GAME

TRUAGH/CLONLARA

Frees For: 17 (9/8)

Wides: 5 (3/2)

Scores from play: 3-4

Spread of scorers: 6

Top scorer: Áine O’Loughlin (0-7 5f 1’45)

Own puckouts won: 14 from 19 (74%)

Bookings: Sophie Cullen (57)

CLONOULTY ROSSMORE

Frees For: 12 (6/6)

Wides: 6 (1/5)

Scores from play: 0-7

Spread of scorers: 5

Top scorer: Cáit Devane (0-8 5f 1’45)

Own puckouts won: 13 from 18 (72%)

Booking: None

REFEREE: Donnacha O’Callaghan (Limerick)

MANAGER COMMENT “

Ryan Morris, Truagh-Clonlara:

“We have been doing that all year long. These girls don’t know when to stop.

“We died off in the last ten minutes against Sarsfields last year. The girls have learned from that experience and we got two goals in the last five minutes today. We didn’t feel we were under too much pressure, the workrate from corner forward all the way back was superb.

“We were down against Scariff/Ogonnelloe in the semi-final. We were under pressure when Inagh/Kilnamona got the goal. Last year and other years we have been in this position. We know what we are doing now.

The girls never give up and they fully deserve their Munster final place after all the hard work they have put in.

“This is another big step for Clare camogie. Our club scene is very good, Scariff/Ogonnelloe, Inagh/Kilnamona, the ‘Bridge, whoever it might be. We are back in the right place and Clare camogie deserves to be in this final. We will go ahead and give it everything. We will get the bodies right this week and get ready for another big day”.

award. He hit 2-14 in the Munster SHC and was Clare’s star performer in the National Hurling League which saw the county claim their first piece of silverware in a memorable year.

Twelve months on

from being named Young Hurler of the Year, Mark Rodgers of Scariff was named as an All Star. He becomes the first person from the East Clare club to win such an accolade. Hurler of the Year

O’Donnell said the eleven year wait for success “makes you very grateful”. He was among the contingent of 14 Clare hurlers and said it was “fantastic” to be amongst them. “It is a group effort, there is a lot of the management team like Brian Lohan who fostered a real resilient streak in our panel,” he added. Shane said, “If you told me I’d be up collecting this accolade at the end of a year when Clare won the All-Ireland I wouldn’t have believed you”.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Hogan said he fulfilled all his ambitions by getting to win both awards and came following practicing at home every single day while growing up.

Clare manager, Brian Lohan said he was “delighted with how the year has gone, delighted to win, it is very special

Truagh-Clonlara 'really looking forward' to ﬁnal

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

TRUAGH/CLONLARA are “really looking forward to” the club’s first Munster senior camogie final appearance.

In a tight battle, Truagh/ Clonlara emerged victorious against a strong Clonoulty Rossmore side to seal their place in the provincial final on a score of 3-10 0-13.

Joint captain, Laura Foley once again delivered an excellent display at centre back. She was thrilled that they prevailed in a tight battle against the Tipperary champions. “It came down to the last ten minutes and those two goals proved decisive. It was a cracker of a game and we are delighted to be in the Munster final”.

According to Laura, the disappointment of last year “was a big driving force. Last year it was our first year winning the county and we were so focussed on that. We lost by three points at this stage last year and they went on to win the Munster title We felt coming off the pitch that day that we had the beating of them.

"This year there was ab-

solute belief."

Winning in front of their home support in Clonlara was a special feeling, she admitted. “It’s magic playing and winning in front of your home support. Everyone here has been brilliant, helping with preparations at the pitch and putting bunting up down the village.

to do it, great for our bunch and great for the county”.

When questioned on the heartbreak experienced by Clare before winning the All-Ireland for the first time in eleven years, Lohan stated, “We lost five big games, three Munster finals and two All-Ireland semi-finals so you will ask yourself questions whether you are being selfish, are you the right person for the job, are you picking the right team but we had great belief in the guys, they devote their lives to hurling”.

The roar of the crowd today dragged us over the line. This week it’s about getting the bodies right for next week’s final. We are really looking forward to it”. They face Waterford side Gaultier in Sunday's final which takes place in Fethard Town Park at 3pm.

Gantley joins Lohan set-up

FORMER Galway hurler Rory Gantley has joined the Clare senior hurling management for 2025, writes Páraic McMahon Gantley joins the Clare management in the wake of Shane Hassett’s exit and comes on board as a coach where he will be working alongside two-time All Star Brendan Bugler. Clare manager, Brian Lohan conﬁrmed the addition of the Beagh man to Clare FM following Sunday’s exhibition game in Cusack Park.

“We’re delighted that Rory is coming in, we’ve been talking to him for the last while, he had a brilliant campaign with Tubber in the intermediate championship,” the All-Ireland winning manager said. A teacher at Clarin College in Athenry where he holds the role of Assistant Principal II, Rory coached Tubber who reached the Clare IHC final for the first time since 2020. In 2021, he was coach to the Tony Considine-managed Kilmallock hurlers as they won the Limerick SHC title for the first time in seven years. Drom & Inch clubman Hassett had been part of the Clare management for four years. Lohan also admitted to being "a little disappointed" that Cathal Malone was omitted from the 45 nominations for the All Star awards. “We are biased but we’d wonder why Cathal Malone wasn’t nominated and certainly to only get six All Stars is a little disappointing but in the overall scheme of it not that disappointing."

Darragh Fitzgibbon (Cork)

David Fitzgerald (Clare) 11: Shane Barrett (Cork) 12: Seamus Harnedy (Cork)

13: Gearoid Hegarty (Limerick)

14: Shane O’Donnell (Clare)

15: Mark Rodgers (Clare)

l Shane O'Donnell at the All Ireland homecoming celebrations in Ennis and (inset) Adam Hogan

Photo by Tom Micks / inset photo by Gerard O'Neill

l Laura Foley

Photo by Gerard O'Neill

paraic@clareecho.ie

Spirit in camp 'excellent' as Clare kick off Oscar Traynor campaign

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

HAVING twice managed Clare to the Oscar Traynor national title, Doolin native Donie Garrihy returned to the role of Clare manager last season and this Thursday evening he will lead the county into their opening game in this season’s competition.

Frank Healy Park in Doora is the venue for the meeting of Clare and Limerick (kick off at 7p.m) and like any meeting of the Shannonside neighbours whether in hurling, gaelic football or soccer a keen rivalry exists.

This is the first of three group games for the Clare league side and Garrihy is eagerly looking forward to the challenge. Round two will be against the Desmond league and must be played on or before November 24 while round three will be against the Kerry league on or before December 15 and for both of those games Clare will have away fixtures.

Doolin native Garrihy is well versed on

what is required to be successful. He led Clare to back to back titles in 2015/16 and in 2016/17 before their bid for a third title on the trot was stopped by Kilkenny who scored the winner late in that game. Incidentally both title wins were achieved away from home in Crumlin and in Donegal. On what influenced his return to the Clare job, Donie said, “When your county asks you to put up your hand you say yes. You try to give the best you can to the players, the best coaching, best facili-

Handball: Sean wins at Worlds

TWO gold medals, one singles and one doubles and five sliver, (1 singles and 2 sets of doubles) have come to Clare this week from the 2024 World handball championships being hosted in Leinster venues in this, the Centenary year of GAA handball.

ties. It’s very important to keep a high standard and make sure everything is available to the players and we have tried to do that”.

Garrihy’s backroom team includes Denis Hynes and Shane Keegan as coaches, Aaron Ryan (S&C), John Earls and Cathal O’Sullivan (Physios), Johnny Ryan (goalkeeping coach) and Owen McCarthy as kit manager.

The Clare boss first went into management when he teamed up with John O’Malley and Albert Finnin back in 2009/10, a sea-

son when Clare bowed out to Wexford.

This annual competition returned last season after a two year absence due to COVID restrictions and Garrihy answered the call and returned to the role of manager.

“Players expect the best coaching, the best facilities and to be looked after properly. If you don’t provide that and other codes do then you are in trouble. By providing proper facilities players will respond. The spirit in the camp is excellent,” he said.

Two members of this season’s squad already hold Oscar Traynor medals having been part of Clare title winning sides. They are Conor Mullen from Avenue United and Eoin Hayes from Newmarket Celtic

“Limerick always present a strong challenge. We have a new group this year. We only had two games last season but we are guaranteed three this year and if we can finish in the top two in the group we will have

a further game” Asked how he expects Clare to do in this competition the manager replied “I strongly believe that if you prepare properly anything is possible and Shelbourne proved that last week”.

The Clare team will be chosen from the following panel: Shane Cusack, Brian O’Connor, Harvey Cullinan, Jack Kelly, Nathan Boaventura, Dean Hegarty, Aaron Rudd , Tadhg Noonan, Cian McDonough, Eoin Hayes (all Newmarket Celtic), Lee Mulready, Liam Buckley, Jack O’Halloran, Scott Kirkland, Filip Mustowy (all Bridge Unitted), Conor Finnucane (Inch Crusaders), Conor Mullen, Sean O’Callaghan, Jack Dunleavy, Cullen McCabe, Jamie Roche, Kaden Deegan Herlihy, Jakub Ruminowicz, (all Avenue United), Simon Kilker, Jashar Aliu, (Tulla United), Davie Keenan, Lucas Silva, Jun Furson, Kirill Antonov (all Lifford), Charlie Morrisson, James Fahy (both Shannon Town).

Ennis U16 girls on the march

U16 Girls Munster League

Ennis RFC 50-24 Tralee RFC

In a free-flowing game of rugby underpinned by nuermous tries, Ennis got the better of their Tralee counterparts on a score of 50-24 in the U16 Girls Munster League.

Clooney’s Sean Considine won the boys under 15 singles and he was also a winner in the doubles. Tuamgraney’s Diarmaid Nash lost in a tie break in the final of the Men’s Senior Open. Sean Considine also brought home silver in doubles while Eoin Shanahan from Kilkishen. Mike Baker and Shane Hayes won silver in the Men’s O40B doubles.

In addition to this there were 6 gold Plate medals for Mike Baker in the men’s O45B Singles, Luke Madden in 15 and U, Anna Madden in 13 and U, Aine Lenihan with Alannah Coggeran in 19 and U Doubles and Daniel Madden with Iarla Kelleher in 13 and U Doubles.

Chloe Philpott in the ladies under 17 A singles, Cathal Noonan and Daniel Madden in the 13 and U singles contsted plate finals but, unfortunately, lost out as did Niall Malone with Tadgh Carroll in the Men’s Open Doubles and Darren O’Neill in the Men’s C. Clare had 50 players taking part, 26 adults and 24 Juveniles with a further 5, Noah Healy and Ava Considine of Clarecastle, with Ella Kirby, Conall Early and Jack Kirby of Newmarket-on-Fergus in the U11 fun event

Much of the good work was done in the ﬁrst half by the home side and despite conceding two tries,

Ennis led 24-10 at halftime.

Tralee scored ﬁrst in the second half, closing the gap and putting themselves in touching distance. The Kerry side maintained that pressure and ten minutes into the half, Tralee were camped on the Ennis line.

Crucially, Ennis managed to keep their opponents out and turned the ball over. From there on out Ennis didn't look back, scoring ﬁve more tries, leaving the ﬁnal score at 50-24.

U15 Boys:

Ennis RFC 14-22 Waterpark RFC

The U15s Ennis boys suffered their ﬁrst defeat of the season with 14 – 22 against Waterpark.

Ennis found themselves under immense pressure and went ﬁve points down only four minutes into the game. Soon after, however, the boys took the game to their opponents and scored a converted try from Stephen O’Neill.

Both sides attacked and defended well before Ennis’ Josh Flynn dove for the line and scored their next score, converted by O’Neill. The Ennis boys tried to close the ﬁrst half out, but Waterpark found space and

crashed over in the corner, leaving the halftime score at 14 – 10.

The second half showed a tough contest as Ennis were down to 14 men for ﬁve minutes due to a yellow card. Although, they still defended well and held Waterpark out.

Waterpark, however, ﬁnally passed Ennis out on the scoreboard 14-17 after scoring under the posts.

Ennis kept pushing for a winning score, but were continuously met with resolute defending from the visiting side. The last score came from Waterpark RFC when they went over the line in the corner. The referee gave the score when it looked more like the player was well in touch before reaching the try line, bringing the ﬁnal score to 14-22.

Additional Results:

U14 Girls League: Ennis 40 – 14 Shannon U18 Boys Pan Munster: Ennis 0 - 0 Fethard & District

Senior Women’s Division 1: Ennis/Kilrush 87 – 0 Dolphin

Senior Men’s Division 2: Ennis 31 – 21 Castleisland

Fixtures: U18 Girls Munster League: Ennis v Richmond/Scarriff Saturday 9th November. Kick-off at 1:30pm in TBC

Senior Men’s Gleeson League: Ennis v Kilrush Saturday 9th November. Kick-off at 2:30pm in Drumbiggle

U12

Considine calls time on rugby

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

KILMIHIL’s Eimear Considine has announced her retirement from rugby at the age of thirty three.

During a ten-year rugby career, Eimear earned 30 caps for Ireland, the last of which came in their 2614 win against USA last month when she returned to Irish team after two years out of the national side. Eimear took up rugby at the age of 23 as part of the Ireland Sevens programme. After making her Ireland XVs debut during the 2017 Six Nations, she featured for Ireland during the Rugby World Cup that year, while playing her club rugby for UL Bohs.

Her entry into rugby began with a message on LinkedIn from Stan McDowell when he enquired about her interest, it went unnoticed for a while but Eimear took up the opportunity and became part of the squad aiming to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics. Considine took time away from rugby in the second half of 2022 prior to the birth of her ﬁrst child, Caolán in January 2023. She returned to action three months later but sustained an ACL injury in the interprovincial championships which kept her sidelined for almost a year. As ever, Eimear bounced back from this setback and featured for Munster in the 2024 interpros, before she was a late addition to the Ireland squad for their recent WXV campaign, marking her ﬁrst cap for more than two years by scoring in the 36-10 win against Australia in September.

In a statement conﬁrming her retirement, Eimear said, "At the age of 23, I was given an opportunity to play rugby. I had no idea back then of the incredible journey that lay ahead. But now, after ten years, I feel it’s time that the journey ends.

"To all my coaches throughout the years at Bohs, Munster, and Ireland, thank you for backing me. To all my team-mates, I have made friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. To my family, especially Dean, it wouldn’t have been possible without your support and patience. To all the supporters, you’ve been there through thick and thin and I look forward to joining you from here on out”.

Her husband Dean Ryan was part of the Éire Óg side crowned Clare SFC champions last month in what was a ﬁrst Jack Daly win for the former Clare footballer. Her mother Kay and sister Ailish have been two of her biggest supporters in all aspects of a storied sporting career. Prior to turning her hand to rugby, Eimear had been a dual player with Clare in camogie and ladies football and won an All-Ireland intermediate ladies football championship in 2009. She is also an All-Ireland U16 High Jump winner.

l Clare manager Donie Garrihy

l Filip Mostowy scored a hat-trick for Bridge Utd

Photo by Joe Buckley

by PÁDRAIG MCGRATH

AFTER last week's visit to Baltray, I am obviously reminiscing on golf courses from the past this year.

Another course I revisited a few weeks back after 15yrs, was Sligo Golf Club more fondly know as Rosses Point.

I played in the West of Ireland here for over two different decades as an amateur and even though we predominantly played in extreme weather conditions I always loved returning every year. There truly is something special about the links courses around Ireland, they all have so many great memorable holes and they are all so unique in their layouts. Rosses Point is another links course that has several strong holes in particular the following eleven holes come to mind Par 5s 3rd, 5th & 12th, Par 3s 4th, 9th, 13th & 16th, Par 4s 6th, 7th, 14th & 17th.

The course doesn't have a weak hole it is just those eleven holes in particular are some of the best holes around our Island. The following three holes though are so unique in layout and are so spectacular I hope I can do them justice as I try to describe them to anyone who has or hasn't played the course.

Hole 4: This incredible Par 3 is unique due to the greens location because it sits on top of a hill top and any shot that lands on the front of this green or short will roll back some twenty-five yards back down the fairway, leaving you about 15ft below the green surface leaving you a

very tricky chip shot or severe long putt.

To add to the difficulty of this hole it is on the highest section of the golf course and it is always exposed to a strong wind so choosing the right club is always the challenge. Not only is it an extremely difficult if you are short, if you are long on this green there is very heavy rough awaiting any ball that flies over the back. I would suggest choosing your club and ball flight wisely from this tee because distance control is the most important attribute if you are to find this green surface.

Hole 7: This is a fantastic golf hole although from the tee box it is very generous the rough is mainly light on both sides of the fairway but the second shot is extremely daunting.

There is a huge deep ravine with a stream that runs across the green front that hugs the front edge of this green. After a good 300-yard drive you would still be left with anything from a 7 iron to a PW depending on the wind direction. The green is very wide but narrow front to back making the second shot again all about having good distance control.

If the flag is on the front left edge the pin can be over 40 yards closer to you than if it is located at the back right. So, depending a lot on the pin location and the wind direction this hole never plays the same, which is what I feel is an attribute that turns a good golf hole into a great golf hole.

Hole 17: What can I say about the 17th hole at Rosses Point easily one of the strongest, most difficult, most memorable holes of

golf I have or will ever play anywhere.

This hole for me alone is alone worth the three-hour drive to Sligo. This golf hole has broken many of the biggest names in golf's heart over the years. I think anyone who has played this hole has a love hate relationship with it. You love it for being one of the toughest holes in golf the same reason you fear it because you can easily have a double bogie or worse on this truly magnificent golf hole.

Like every links hole the wind direction can really play havoc on this hole especially if this hole plays into the wind. The tee shot is to a tight fairway that runs out at about 280 yards from the back tee.

You can't afford to run through this fairway because not only will you get a tough lie in the rough but you will be left with a very awkward lie on the numerous of hills that

feature beyond this fairway.

The difficult part is you do need to get as close as you can to the end of this fairway if you have any hope of reaching the green in two.

If you do hit the perfect tee shot towards the end of the fairway you have between 220-180 yards left to the green that is situated some 80ft above the fairway and rests at the end of a very steep fairway.

Not only is the fairway steep, the front third of this green is so steep any ball that lands on the front section will roll off the front false edge and it will continue to roll up to 60 yards back down the fairway leaving you an awkward wedge shot depending on the pins location.

To give you an idea of how difficult this second shot is, in the past I have been around 180 yards from the green after my drive which is usually a strong 7 iron or a smooth

6 iron for me and I have had to use my 2 iron to just about reach the centre of this green.

I have often walked out to this hole in the past also after playing in the west of Ireland tournament just to watch other competitors playing the 17th. In fact, a lot of the competitors would do the same which indicates how truly amazing the 17th at Rosses Point is. When the pin was often located on the front third of this green it was often chaos watching golfers attempting to play it.

I have witnessed some plus handicap golfers having up to five putts on this green as well as seeing others hit a putt that barely pasted the hole continue to roll off the green front continuing down the fairway and leaving themselves a 60-yard wedge shot back to the hole location. This hole has to be one of the greatest holes I have

ever played and I have no doubt will remain in my top five best holes of golf even if I live several lifetimes.

"Rosses Point was the first links course that I ever saw as a young professional starting out on the Tour circuit. I went to play one round and stayed for two weeks."

- Bernhard Langer

"A magnificent links! The stretch of holes from the 14th to the 17th that run adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean are one the best finishing stretches in golf."

- Tom Watson)

On top of being one of Ireland's best links courses the View's Restaurant in the clubhouse has both spectacular sceneries, along with the great food and welcoming hospitality from both staff and members which helps to make Rosses Point a destination everyone should do at least once annually.

The course has two incredible hotels I have stayed in over the years, on site the Yeats Country Hotel is an old school styled hotel with incredibly comfortable rooms and amazing food. Then about 15 minutes away is the modern Radisson Blu & Spa Hotel which is a very modern hotel with very fresh modern decor and has an amazing menu in both the restaurant and bar. Along with these facilities it has one of Irelands best Spa destinations and an amazing pool area for all ages. Rosses Point truly is a great destination for any golfer or even non golfer, whether you are with a golf society, looking for a venue to catch up with old friends or just looking to chill with family.

Winter league gets underway at Woodstock

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

WOODSTOCK GOLF CLUB

THE OZONE Health and Fitness

Winter league got underway at Woodstock at the weekend when the format was fourball betterball, The winners were Aaron Lavery (16) and John Baker (13) with 50 points and they had two to spare over Paul (7) and Tony Coote (10) In third place, also with 49 points, were Paddy Meehan (8) and Brian Kilker (10). The league continues this weekend when the format will be a Texas scramble.

Meanwhile in the club singles the winner was club captain Jarlath Fahy (19 with 41 points from Eoin F. Hanrahan (16) who had a similar score. Cathal Nagle (8) was third with 40 points.

There will be another club singles this week.

The annual general meeting of

the men’s section will take place on Tuesday December 10 at Woodstock hotel at 8pm.

DROMOLAND GOLF CLUB:

The Christmas turkey competition was the attraction for members at Dromoland at the weekend when Gerry McInerney emerged as the winner with 45 points. He had three to spare over Shane Ryan with Fergal Kennedy a further two back in third place.

Daniel Lennon won the category for those with handicaps of 20 and over when he scored 37 points while the gross was won by Shane O’Brien with 34 points.

The ladies 9 hole turkey competition was won by Siobhan Fitzpatrick with 22 points from Jean Colleran with 21 points, Leslie O’Brien with 20 points and Cora O’Toole with 18 points.

In the senior men’s competition last week, category A was won

by Billy O’Mahony from Con Ryan with Niall Cannon in third spot. In the B category Philip Hehir won from James Linnane with Kevin Kent filling third spot.

EAST CLARE GOLF CLUB:

Winners of the ladies team of 2 competition at East Clare on Saturday were Noreen Doyle and Catherine Murphy with 33 points and they won by two from Mary Brennan and Trish Kerr. The ladies 9 hole re-entry competition for October was won by Trish Nash with 21 points from Noreen Doyle with 20 points.

Last week’s ladies Wednesday competition was won by Evelyn Skehan, Helen Conway and Margaret Lynch from Mary Collins. Mary Stritch and Brid Hayes with third spot filled by Colette Ward, Geraldine Condren and Ursula Hogan.

The senior men’s competition

last week was won by Sean Ahern, Denis Corcoran and Tony McNulty from Danny Minogue, Kevin Grimes and Brian Torpey with third place filled by Nick Obolewicz, Pat Duggan and Donal Fleming.

Winners of the Friday mixed scramble were Brian Corry, Mary Hogan, Mary Collins and Pat McNamara from Noreen Doyle, Brian Torpey and Willie Roche with Mary Farrell, Kevin Grimes and Evelyn Skehan in third place.

ENNIS GOLF CLUB:

The ladies 18 hole stableford competition for hampers at Ennis last week was won by Patricia Moroney (18) with 36 points from Mary Lenihan (15) with a similar score. Ann O’Loughlin (18) was third with 32 points while Ann A Gallery (11) won the gross with 22 points.

The 9 hole competition winner was Phil Butler (14) with 19 points from Josephine Tone (21) with 17

points. This week’s ladies seniors outing was won by Martina Corbett, Carmel Cummins and Joan Murphy with 44.3 from Carmel Verling, Ann Kelly and Liz Kelly with 47.9.

KILRUSH GOLF CLUB:

Winner of the weekend 12 hole singles at Kilrush was Michael F Ryan (5) with 29 points from John Robinson (18) with 28,, Tony McMahon (9) with 28 and Eoin Fitzgerald (9) also with 28.

GORT GOLF CLUB:

In the weekend’s hampers competition at Gort the category 1 winner was John Cunningham (12) with 40 points.

Category 2 was won by Ray Beatty (17), also with 40 points while category 3 was won by John Kelleher (19) with 45 points. Paul Brennan (1) won the gross with 37 points.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL

6 CHURCH HILL, ENNISTYMON, CO. CLARE

Take notice that Caleb O’Brien and Nancy Touhy-Hamill intend to apply for permission for development at the above address. The development will consist of the refurbishment of the existing dwelling including external window and rooflight additions.

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 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL

CRAGAWEELCROSS, BAREFIELD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE

Planning permission being sought by Keith & Tracey Molony for proposed private dwelling house, outbuilding to accommodate carer’s accommodation, home office, stable and garden storage, widen existing site entrance, new site access road, new waste water treatment system and all associated site works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours.

A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

Opening hours 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL

GORTEEN, DANGAN, TULLA, CO CLARE (V95 DF80)

I, Rosaleen Hynes, intend to apply for planning permission ‘to retain rear extension’ to dwelling house (previously granted permission under planning reference P04-1799) including all associated site works and services at above address.

‘’The planning application may be inspected, or pur-

chased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission’’

APPLICATION TO AN BORD PLEANALA FOR SUBSTITUTE CONSENT.

I, Declan Lyons, intend to apply for Substitute Consent for repairs to the gravel slipway and adjoining wall with concrete together with widening & repairs to the gravel pathway running to the jetty at Ballynakillew, Whitegate, Co. Clare.

The application is within an SPA & pNHA and is accompanied by a Remedial Natura Impact Statement. Submissions or observations may be made on the application, to An Bord Pleanála, 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, www. pleanala.ie without charge

.Submissions or observations must be in writing and made within the period of 8 weeks beginning on the date of receipt of the application by An Bord Pleanála and such submissions and observations will be considered by An Bord Pleanála in making a decision on the application. An Bord Pleanála may grant the consent subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant it.

The application for consent may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of An Bord Pleanála, or the relevant planning authority during its public opening hours.

CLARE CO. COUNCIL BALLYKELLY, BROADFORD,

Take notice that Kenneth McNamara intends to apply for permission / retention permission for development, the retention permission for development consists of a constructed cubicle house, the permission for development consists of the construction of an unroofed slatted feed area for the constructed cubicle house, new walled silo & associated site works at the above address.

The planning application

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL BALLYVONNAVAUN, CLARECASTLE, ENNIS, CO. CLARE.

Take notice that Emer McMahon & Paul Walsh intend to apply to the planning authority for permission to construct a new dwelling house and garage complete with a new entrance, wastewater treatment system 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, Clare County Council, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the planning authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL THE ISLAND/ CLOGHER, KILFENORA , CO CLARE V95 W7C6

Take notice that Grainne Hegarty intends to apply for permission to revise the plans to extend the dwelling, previously granted under ref 23/573 & 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 KNOCKNEPPY,

LAHINCH , CO CLARE

Take notice that Maryanne Palmer and Tim Mullally intend to apply for permission to demolish the existing derelict structure on site and to construct a new dwelling, garage, install a waste water treatment system & all other associated site and ancillary works at the above address.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL RHYNAGONNAUGHT, DOONBEG , CO CLARE V15 XH11

Take notice that Frances O Sullivan intends to apply for permission to Retain the dwelling and boundary wall as built on site, which differ to that granted under ref 20/219 & all other associated site and ancillary works at the above address.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL. FURTHER INFORMATION/ REVISED PLANS PLANNING REF: P23/466

Development description:

To construct a new ball wall with safety netting & fencing, replacement of existing septic tank with a new wastewater treatment unit and percolation area, a new sand storage area/wall with adjacent open storage shed and all associated site works.

Location: Attyslany South, Tubber, Co. Clare

Take note that Tubber GAA club have lodged significant further information in respect of planning application P23/466. This information and planning application may

Licence Application

The District Court Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956 section 15 APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE

District Court Area of Ennis District No. 12

Mystic Tide Limited APPLICANT

TAKE NOTICE that the abovenamed Applicant Mystic Tide Limited of 67 Parnell Street, Ennis, Clare will apply to the Court sitting at Ennis District Court on the 13 Dec 2024 at 10:30 for a certificate under section 15 of the Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1956 (No. 2 of 1956), authorising the issue of a licence permitting gaming at an amusement hall or funfair, namely Imperial Entertainment 67 Parnell Street, Ennis Co Clare situate at 67 Parnell Street, Ennis, Clare, V95 NH01 in said court area, subject to such conditions as may be imposed in accordance with section 15(4) of the said Act.

The number and kinds of games proposed to be carried on are as follows:-

Number of Machines: 50 Gaming Type Details: vidoe roulette, assorted fruit machines, video and slot gaming machines

The period in the particular year to which this application relates for which the licence is sought is 2025.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that the applicant will rely on the following matters in support of the application:1. The forms of entertainment other than gaming to be provided are as follows:

Forms of Entertainment other than Gaming on the Premises: assorted video games, TV entertainment, tea and coffee refreshments

Signed MHP Sellors LLP

Dated this 1st day of November 2024

Licences Continues on p37

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 Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the pre-

THE DISTRICT COURT GAMING AND LOTTERIES ACT 1956

SECTION 15 APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE

DISTRICT COURT AREA OF ENNIS DISTRICT NO. 12 BANNER AMUSEMENTS LIMITED APPLICANT

TAKE NOTICE that the abovenamed Applicant Banner Amusements Limited of Lower Drumbiggle Road, Ennis, Clare will apply to the Court sitting at Ennis District Court on the 13 Dec 2024 at 10:30 for a certificate under section 15 of the Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1956 (No. 2 of 1956), authorising the issue of a licence permitting gaming at an amusement hall or funfair, namely Lower Drumbiggle Road, Ennis Co Clare situate at Lower Drumbiggle Road, Ennis, Clare, V95 P462 in said court area, subject to such conditions as may be imposed in accordance with section 15(4) of the said Act.

The number and kinds of games proposed to be carried on are as follows:-

Number of Machines: 40 Gaming Type Details: video poker gaming machines and slot gaming machines

The period in the particular year to which this application relates for which the licence is sought is 2025.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that the applicant will rely on the following matters in support of the application:1. The forms of entertainment other than gaming to be provided are as follows: Forms of Entertainment other than Gaming on the Premises: assorted video games and amusement games, coffee station,TV sports and music entertainment

Signed MHP Sellors LLP

Dated this 1st day of November 2024

scribed fee, not later than 5 weeks after the receipt of the newspaper notice and site notice by the planning authority. A Natura Impact Statement has been lodged as part of this application.

. Domestic & Commercial

. Only top quality paints used, giving a high quality nish . Thorough and reliable service guaranteed.

. C2 & VAT Reg. All areas Covered Call Mark on (086)-0561995 winderspaintinganddecorating.ie/ Follow us on Facebook

Irish Cleaner available for Airbnb’s, Residential, Businesses – all jobs considered. Call 085 205 1008

Busy Hair Salon in Kilrush has 3 Chairs to rent for the Right Candidates. Must be qualified in all aspects of Hairdressing.

For further details please contact 0830772167

Bags of Turf and Seasonal Firewood suitable for Stoves for sale by the bag or Trailor. Call 086 834 3527

Recent Deaths

Campbell (née Hurley), Denise Cratloe

Kennedy (née White), Maura Ennis

O’Brien, P.J. Mullagh

Snody (née McMahon), Peig (Peggy Anne) Spanish Point

Snody (née McMahon), Peig (Peggy Anne) Miltown Malbay

Canty, Anthony (Tony) Newmarket-on-Fergus

McNamara, Frank Newmarket-on-Fergus

Conlan (née Conneely), Anne O’Briensbridge

Griffin, John Ballyea

Callinan, Patrick Ennistymon

Dowling (née Leigh), Maura Ennis

Shannon (née Power), Bridie Kilnaboy

Brodie (née Scales), Mary Barefield

Licence

Application

AN CHUIRT DUICHE THE DISTRICT COURT NO. 66.1 GAMING AND LOTTERIES ACT 1956 SECTION 15 APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE DISTRICT COURT AREA OF ENNIS DISTRICT NO. 12 CHRISTOPHER MURPHY AS NOMINEE OF COALQUAY LEISURE

LIMITED APPLICANT

TAKE NOTICE that the above named Applicant of 21, Academy Street in the City of Cork, T12 CV02, will apply to the Court sitting at The Courthouse, Ennis, Co. Clare on the 11th day of December, 2024 at 10.30am for a certificate under Section 15 of the Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1956 (No.2 of 1956) authorising the issue of a licence permitting gaming at an amusement hall or funfair namely at property situate at Part of Ground Floor, Mer

Collins (née Brody), Philomena Flagmount

Forrest, Anne Lahinch

Masterson, Frank Clare

McGuane, Brendan Connolly

Murphy, Annie Ballynacally

Continues from page35

chants Square, Curtins Lane, Parnell Complex, Parnell Street, Ennis, Co. Clare, V95 EC6D in the said court area, subject to such conditions as may be imposed in accordance with Section 15 (4) of the said Act.

The number and kinds of games proposed to be carried on are as follows: 40 Gaming Machines

The other forms of amusement to be provided are as follows: - 2 Video Games.

The Applicant is not disqualified by Section 8 of the said Act from the promotion of gaming under Section 6 or Section 7 thereof.

Dated this 31st day of October 2024

Signed: Murphy and Condon

Solicitor for the Applicant 69 Shandon Street, North Gate Bridge, Cork.

TO: The District Court Clerk., The Courthouse, Lifford Road, Ennis, Co. Clare AND/ Corporate Affairs Department,

Clare County Council, New Road, Ennis, County Clare. AND/ Chief Superintendent, An Garda Siochana, Ennis Garda Station, Abbey Street, Lifford, Ennis, Co. Clare AND/

The Chief Fire Officer, Clare County Council, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare.

The Clare Echo Quiz

1 In what year did the West Clare Railway close?

A. 1965

B. 1968

C. 1961

2 Who did Clare beat in the 2013 All Ireland Senior Hurling Final?

A. Kilkenny

B. Cork

C. Waterford

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

A. Labasheeda

B. Kilkee

C. Inagh

Well known for their black and 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?

A. Dublin

B. Kerry

C. Limerick

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

A. 1990

B. 2005

C. 2003

8Which of these ﬁlms were not shot in Clare?

A. The Princess Bride

B. Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince

C. Star Wars: The Last Jedi

9 Fintan Monahan is the current 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

10 Which band wrote and recorded 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

10. The Kilfenora Céilí Band

Bishop Kieran Ó Reilly

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Spot the Difference

Can you spot the difference? Spot the 7 differences. The answers will be revealed in next weeks edition.

Last weeks Answers

Photo by John O’Neill

Sporting Ennistymon v Mountshannon Celtic Photo by Cealtra Communications

l In what year did the West Clare Railway close?

Photo by John Moylan

Canaletto

Chagall

Dali

Degas

El Greco

Gauguin

Goya

Ingres

Manet

Matisse

Monet

Picasso

Pollock

Renoir

Rubens

Sargent

Seurat

Turner

Van Gogh

Warhol

Whistler

HOW TO PLAY

Sudoku

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

1 Humorous verse form (8) 2 Direction indicator (5) 4 Cut in two (6) 5 Lag behind (5) 6 Game played on a lawn (7)

Sicilian volcano (4)

Vulgar, unrefined (6)

(8)

Waylay (6)

Sea trip (6)

Legal right to property (5)

Doctrine accepted without question (5) 23 Slay (4)