The Clare Echo 08/04/21

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APR 8 2021

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ESB to announce Moneypoint as country’s flagship offshore wind project PÁRAIC McMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

l WINDS OF CHANGE: Moneypoint is set for a change of use Photo by Pat Kelly

MAJOR new plans for Moneypoint are to be announced which will see it become the country’s flagship offshore wind energy development.

A proposed 270km2 development of a floating offshore wind farm is to be announced off the coast of

counties Clare and Kerry as part of a new strategy set to be unveiled by ESB later this week.

Up to 1.5 million homes across the country will be powered by the capacity that is to be generated from the offshore wind farm. Potential to create 600 jobs including those in construction have been mooted.

Reference to wind energy in the County Development Plan and the Strategic Infrastructure Framework Plan (SIFP) for the Shannon Estuary are expected to maximise its chances of getting the green light.

Full Story pg 10

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THURSDAY, APR 8 2021

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Email: ger.naughton@clareecho.ie or niall@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

‘Shortsighted’ to omit pubs

lSWEET DREAMS: Four week old Alva from Ennis enjoying her first Easter

NELIGIBILITY of publicans to apply for outdoor dining grants has been slammed as “short-sighted”.

Speaking at a meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) said the Government were “very short-sighted” by failing to include publicans in the Outdoor Dining Enhancement Scheme.“It isn’t about having the pint or what have you but it is about a key selling point, it is the craic and the ceol,” she stated. €17m has been set aside for the scheme which is comprised of two parts and will be delivered in partnership between Fáilte Ireland and Local Authorities across the country.

Part One of the Scheme will provide funding for individual tourism and hospitality businesses to develop and increase their own outdoor seating capacity.

Cllr Mary Howard (FG) welcomed the announcement of the grant, “we have to change the way we live our lives to stay safe”. However, she was also annoyed by the criteria. “I have a huge issue that there has been no mention whatsoever of what they call ‘wet pubs’. The Irish pub is integral to the experience of many people,” she added.

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THURSDAY, APR 8 2021

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THURSDAY, APR 8 2021

Shortage of weekend mental health services 'distressing' PÁRAIC MCMAHON

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paraic@clareecho.ie

SHORTAGE of mental health services on weekends is proving "very distressing" for Clare families.

Having questioned the extent of community psychiatric services available in February, Cllr Susan Crawford (GP) appealed to the March meeting of the Regional

Health Forum to "clarify exactly" the services on offer.

New and existing services have been available "throughout all phases" of the pandemic, Maria Bridgeman stated in response. "The referral pathway to Mental Health Services remains the same with access through the GP. Emergency appointments are available for existing Service Users through their Community Mental Health Team".

Mental health services in the Mid-West are delivered in the community "via our network of community mental health teams," the Chief Officer of Mid West Communi-

Children waiting two years for speech and language therapy CHILDREN in Clare are waiting up to two years for speech and language therapy, an elected representative has flagged, writes Páraic McMahon.

Detail on the return of both speech and language therapy

and occupational therapy for both children and adults in Co. Clare was requested by Cllr Susan Crawford (GP) at the most recent sitting of the Regional Health Forum West.

Services were reduced in line with national guidelines

l EDUCATION: Children are waiting for therapy since before the pandemic, according to one councillor

as part of the response to COVID-19. “Priority cases” continue to receive the services, the Chief Officer with Mid West Community Healthcare stated.

Maria Bridgeman added, “A number of Speech and Language Therapists for child and adult services who were redeployed to support the HSE Covid 19 response have now been returned to their substantive roles and have resumed services for children and adults in Co Clare.

“A number of Occupational Therapists in Co. Clare who were also redeployed to support the HSE Covid response services have returned to their posts since March 8th 2021”.

Her comments were disputed by Cllr Crawford. She said the return of speech and language therapy services as referenced by Ms Bridgeman “does not reflect experiences on the ground”.

Cllr Crawford said she has “documented evidence” of children waiting two years prior to COVID-19 for access to the services.

ty Healthcare outlined. "In Clare our Adult Community Mental Health Services are delivered through 4 sector community mental health teams, these are based in Ennis, Shannon, Kilrush and Lisdoonvarna".

All four services are delivered by a multidisciplinary team including psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, occupational therapists, social workers and a team of nurses operating from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

"Access to acute services has remained the same through the Acute Psychiatric Units in Ennis and Limerick. Crisis services also continue to be available at the Emergency

Department at University Hospital Limerick for both existing and new service users and can be contacted on 061 301111 (24/7). Additional Crisis Services are available in Clare (087 7999857) and Tipperary (086 830 6663) until 3am," Bridgeman concluded.

A lack of access to community mental health services in Co Clare at weekends "is proving very distressing for patients with acute need," Cllr Crawford commented. She believed acute general hospital settings were not appropriate for individuals with an acute need. "The treatment there has proven unsatisfactory to say the least," she added.

No additional ambulance services despite failure to meet response targets

by PÁRAIC McMAHON NO ADDITIONAL resources have been sought by the National Ambulance Services (NAS) for the West Clare area, despite its presence below the county's average response time last year.

From the period of January 1st 2019 to November 18th 2020, the average response times for ambulance ECHO & DELTA calls for Co. Clare are 15 minutes 56 seconds.

On average, category 1 (life threatening) calls in West Clare last year were 15 seconds over HIQA’s target response time of under 19 minutes. 875 category 1 calls were recorded in West Clare in 2020.

"Currently, no additional resources have been sought for the West Clare area," Bill Forbes, Chief Ambulance Officer, National Ambulance Services West stated.

At a recent meeting of the Regional Health Forum West, Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) queried if the HSE were preparing plans to "ensure adequate emergency medical cover is in place for 2021" as he cited "the significant increased population levels in our coastal communities during the 2020 summer season, and the full expec-

l IMPORTANT: Ambulance services tation of similar situation for the summer of 2021".

Forbes in response detailed that the NAS "utilises dynamic deployment to meet any increased service demand requirements".

Data on the monthly average response times was sought by Cllr Murphy after reading the response from Mr Forbes. "The use of averages tends to hide more than it reveals more often than not," the Kilkee representative commented. "It seems I'm a bit fixated on the ambulance service but it is hugely important to the community I represent".

NEWS 5

THURSDAY, APR 8 2021

'Unreal criminality' leads to rising concern in village PÁRAIC MCMAHON

R

paraic@clareecho.ie

ISING crime in the village of Newmarket-on-Fergus has prompted concern from local residents.

On Friday last, Gardaí seized €20,000 worth of estimated cannabis from a property on the main street of Newmarket-on-Fergus.

It followed a serious assault whereby one individual was left with several stitches, the matter is set to go before a sitting of Ennis District Court.

An increased Garda presence has also been observed following the completion of the second phase of the Gleann Cora housing estate. The completed 32 units were acquired by Co-operative Housing Ireland (CHI) who allocated the properties based on nominations forwarded from Clare County Council's housing list.

The Clare Echo has also been made aware of drug dealing and use in the village from three properties.

Newmarket-on-Fergus natives de-

clined to speak on the record as they cited their fears with a potential retaliation. "The criminality in the village today is unreal," one resident told The Clare Echo.

"We're no different to anywhere else, we're not escaping crime in its different forms," Cllr Pat McMahon (FF) stated.

The local county councillor added, "It is the times we are living in, there is rising crime".

McMahon did not believe the current levels of crime were worse than he has seen during his time on the local authority. "It comes in waves, we're no different to other places, it comes in waves".

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Cllr McMahon affirmed that a strict process has been monitored by CHI regarding the second phase of the Gleann Cora estate.

He cautioned that drugs were initially given out for free "and then it multiplies, they are unable to pay back the debts, their parents and grandparents are threatened, the debts hit thousands of euros fairly quickly, they move up the ladder fast and then take valuables".

l DRUGS BUST: Cannabis is seized by Gardaí in Newmarket-on-Fergus

Photo by John Mangan

Adult disability service operations 'very positive'

by PÁRAIC McMAHON ADULT disability day and respite services operating at 70 to 85 per cent capacity have been described as "very positive".

Provision of a time frame for the return of adult disability day and respite services in Co Clare were sought

by Cllr Susan Crawford (GP) at the March sitting of the Regional Health Forum West.

Close working relationships between the HSE and service providers during the summer months allowed for "the earliest possible resumption of services in August and September" last year, Chief Officer with Mid

West Community Healthcare, Maria Bridgeman detailed.

Capacity reduction has been "necessary" to comply with public health guidance and to keep all users safe, she highlighted.

"Service Providers in Clare have confirmed that some services have fully resumed where other services are operating at 70 % to 85 % capacity which is very positive. It should be noted that a number of individuals have chosen not to return to their Day or Respite Service while Level 5 restrictions are in place. Where this has happened, regular contact is maintained with these individuals and their families," she added.

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'Laura's legacy must be remembered' PÁRAIC MCMAHON

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paraic@clareecho.ie

AURA Brennan's legacy in advocating for the HPV vaccine must be remembered as calls for urgent administering of the jab have been voiced.

Last month, the Brennan family of Ennis sent an open letter urging health officials to reinstate the vaccination scheme for teenagers. The family stressed that the importance of the HPV vaccine must not be forgotten during the global pandemic.

At the age of 26, Laura died from cervical cancer in March 2019. She spent her final few months campaigning and advocating for the HPV vaccine. She has been credited with saving thousands of lives through her endeavours. Laura was named as the 2019 Clare Person of the Year, an honour she received prior to her untimely passing.

An immediate plan to ad-

minister the vaccine to students is urgently required, Senator Martin Conway (FG) believed.

He called for an action plan to be implemented by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly (FF) and the HSE to catch up on the backlog of students waiting.

Senator Conway stated, "The HPV vaccines programme is in

crisis with rates dropping from over 80pc in 2019 to 53pc in 2020. Without immediate action, we will be failing to deal with a preventable cancer. The vaccine programme can be managed in a very safe manner.

We need a more creative approach to catch up by engaging with our local network of phar-

lCAMPAIGN: The late Laura Brennan

macists and dental practices.

The Irish Pharmacy Union have publicly stated they are willing to support the HPV Programme and this needs to be actioned".

Conway who is Fine Gael's Seanad spokesperson on Health believed "through planning and using resources available" the HPV vaccine programme can work alongside the COVID-19 vaccine.

"As a Clare person, I am acutely aware of the legacy of Laura Brennan, who during her life did amazing work to raise awareness and arrest the trend of vaccine hesitancy. Just over two years ago, Laura passed away from cervical cancer aged just 26. In recent weeks, Laura's family are bravely carrying on her work and have called for the HPV vaccine programme to be reinstated to the current public health agenda. I fully support this," the Ennistymon man said.

He added, "We cannot afford to lose this momentum for the programme and ultimately, the HPV vaccine will save lives".

THURSDAY, APR 8 2021

Health officials insist ECT is available at UHL HEALTH officials have insisted ECT services remain available at University Hospital Limerick despite the assertions of a Clare councillor, writes Páraic McMahon.

Clarification on the operation of ECT at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) "and the reason it is not available in Ennis General in the interim" was sought by Cllr Susan Crawford (GP) at the most recent sitting of the Regional Health Forum West.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the most common type of brain stimulation used to treat severe depression. It is used when the depression has not responded to other treatments. During ECT an electric current passes to the brain through electrodes placed on the head. ECT is always carried out under a general anaesthetic in a hospital by a specialist doctor.

Chief Officer with Mid West Community Healthcare, Maria Bridgeman said ECT was available for the region at UHL. "ECT requires very specialist training and facilities as well as anaesthetist oversight.

These standards are met in UHL for the region," she said.

Cllr Crawford rejected the response and said the sentiments of available ECT services in UHL "are again not borne out in practice". The Green Party representative said that patients were travelling to Dublin to access treatment.

"I can confirm that ECT is available in Limerick, it's available in our acute unit attached to UHL," Bridgeman insisted. She acknowledged that one patent was travelling to Dublin for a period, "they have been offered ECT in Limerick if they wish to avail of this".

Locum cover can't let elderly patients 'fall through cracks' for Covid-19 vaccination

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

COGNISANCE of the risk of elderly patients "slipping through the cracks" for COVID-19 vaccines due to the absence of permanent GPs must be heeded by the HSE, a Clare councillor has flagged.

In a query submitted to the Regional Health Forum West, Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) appealed for information on "the process that ensures elderly patients of local GPs who are on long term leave, and who are being dealt with by a succession of locums on an ongoing basis, are not slipping through the cracks for Covid vaccination".

A written reply from National Community Strategy and Planning noted that vaccine administration "is limited only by the supply of approved vaccines and that is dependent on manufacturers meeting their supply commitments". The majority of patients over 85s have received their first dose of the vaccine "as scheduled" from their GP. An acknowledgement of "problems with communication with GPs generally" was made by the HSE. "Some issues have arisen with the distribution of vaccines to some GP Practices over the last week and we wish to apologise to GP practices, their teams and the patients who may have been impacted by these.

Confidence was evident in the reply that "the totality of the over-70s programme will be completed within the original timeframe of mid-May".

Of the response received, Cllr Murphy labelled it "very generic and seems to be very cut and paste". At the time of writing the question, the Kilkee representative had been contacted by three women over the age of 80 who had no contact regarding their vaccine with their worry heightened "when they approached GP and due to extended absence and plethora of locums he hadn't a clue".

Failure to have a continuation of care can lead to "an awful potential negative impact," the Fianna Fáil councillor believed. "There is a long-term issue, we have to treat longterm absences in a different way. It is leaving us very exposed in West Clare, we're already dealing with a shortage of GPs in the community".

lJAB: Covid vaccine

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THURSDAY, APR 8 2021

Burke defends Mountshannon Covid protester

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by PÁRAIC McMAHON

LOCAL councillor has defended the character of a Mountshannon Community Council officer who broke lockdown restrictions to take part in ‘truth-seeker’ demonstrations.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Cllr Pat Burke (FG) said Mr Nard Slabbers was involved in the demonstrations in “a personal capacity” which had “nothing to do with Mountshannon Community Council”. He described Nard as “a fine member of the community”.

It comes as Mountshannon Community Council say they will not be removing Mr Slabbers from his elected position despite his involvement in the Scariff demonstrations.

Up until February, weekly demonstrations were held by a group of regularly a dozen people at the Fair Green in Scariff. They expressed their opposition to the mandatory wearing of face masks, a claimed attack on the Irish constitution and increased Government control.

A lecturer, a part-time teacher and other residents of East Clare and some from further afield took to the Fair Green every Saturday for one hour demonstrations for a period of four months. Nard Slabbers, an elected member of Mountshannon Community Council was also a regular participant in the demonstrations.

Nard previously helped to secure global media attention from BBC for East Clare through his involvement in Throne of GAAmes. Complaints and concerns from Scariff residents have been issued to the Community Council over the involvement of members with the now ceased protests. In responding to these worries, the Community Council said what members did as private citizens was their own affair.

One Scariff resident told The Clare Echo that the Community Council had been “very helpful and supportive” to the community during the pandemic while also publishing guidelines from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET). The individual said the actions of Mr Slabbers were “in direct contradiction” to this and called for his position to be considered. “When I saw a member of Mountshannon Community Council demonstrating against mask wearing and with a banner saying something like Vigil for Freedom I was amazed and upset”.

When contacted by The Clare Echo, Co Chair and Acting Treasurer of Mountshannon Community Council, Joanne Dunphy Allen insisted she would be not making any comment.

Elected representatives in East Clare have expressed their view that the involvement of Nard should not prompt his exit from Mountshannon Community Council.

Clare TD, Michael McNamara (IND) told The Clare Echo he was not aware of the election process associated with Mountshannon Community Council. “If you don’t like what somebody is doing, run against them,” the Scariff native commented and noted that the public would get an opportunity to make their views known at any future election of the Community Council.

Cllr Pat Burke (FG) said Mr Slabbers was involved in the demonstrations in “a personal capacity” which had “nothing to do with Mountshannon Community Council”. Cathaoirleach of the Killaloe Municipal District, Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) had been a vocal critic of the demonstrations and believed they were of “no value to the town of Scariff”.

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THURSDAY, APR 8 2021

Imposter page condemned for ‘disgusting post’ about Doolin PÁRAIC MCMAHON

B

paraic@clareecho.ie

USINESS groups in Doolin have condemned the social media activity of a page sharing “hate speech” and damaging the reputation of the North Clare community.

Visit Doolin has been in operation as a Facebook page for the past seven to eight years. During this timeframe it has shared posts that have been hurtful and damaging to the local economy.

In a now deleted post which has been described as “the most disgusting post,” the page attempted to make a joke of suicides in the locality. Families impacted by suicide expressed their upset with the post to The Clare Echo.

On Friday evening, Doolin Tourism issued a statement to condemn the repeated attempts to damage the reputation of the pop-

ular North Clare tourist spot and also to assure the public “Doolin will always remain the friendly and welcoming village that they know.

Doolin Tourism is working hard at promoting Doolin and nurturing the heart and soul of the village”.

Doolin Tourism which is a co-operative of local businesses clarified that it alone “is the only official organisation that promotes Doolin as a destination and has no connection with the “Doolin - Visit Doolin” page whatsoever. Doolin Tourism is the only page that represents Doolin and its businesses and strongly condemns the words and actions of the imposter”.

The Clare Echo understands that the identity of the person behind the page is known to both Doolin Tourism and the Gardaí.

Attempts to have the page removed have been unsuccessful to date. Speaking to The Clare Echo, Chairperson of Doolin Tourism, Niall Hughes said the actions of the imposter page have posed “a constant challenge”. He explained, “We work with Clare County

Council, LEADER and Clare Local Development Company to manage and promote the destination and then you have stuff like that being put up which is heartbreaking to be honest. It is not the first time, it happened last year, there was another scurrilous post that went up, at the time the page was taken down by Facebook but a couple of months later they let it go back up again”.

An Garda Síochána have been made aware of the actions “on several occasions,” Doolin Tourism have confirmed with many reports also submitted to Facebook. “Facebook continues to allow this page to share hate speech and disturbing content. We hope that what happened yesterday isn’t repeated and that the offending page is removed permanently this time”.

There is an onus on social media companies to clamp down on this behaviour, Niall believed. “The problem is this sort of stuff is being tolerated by the likes of Facebook.

Posts like that get a huge amount of attention and a huge amount

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of traffic, a lot of people are very upset not only locally but internationally. Stuff like that generates clicks and I wouldn’t be surprised if that was the modus operandi.”

Meanwhile, The Clare Echo understands that the same individual operating the fake Doolin page has created fake accounts targeting multiple landmarks in North Clare.

The Cliffs of Moher, the Aran Islands, Doolin Pier and the vil-

lTARGET: Doolin village Photo by Kevin L Smith

Aer lingus drop two routes from Shannon Airport AER Lingus is to drop flights from Shannon Airport to Birmingham and Edinburgh as part of its summer schedule for this year while no support should be issued to the airline unless key routes are restored, writes Páraic McMahon.

In recent weeks, Aer Lingus announced its first transatlantic services direct from Manchester to the US and the Caribbean that will begin later this year. It will launch four new routes from Manchester Airport to New York JFK and Orlando from July 29 and will also

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lage of Doolin have all had fake accounts created in their name on Facebook.

He outlined that there had been “serious issues” in the past with relation to a fake page for The Cliffs of Moher. “The people involved have a huge amount of Facebook pages set up representing landmarks throughout the North-West pretending to promote them on behalf of the local destination but they are doing quite the opposite”.

l GROUNDED: Aer Lingus

start flying from Manchester to Barbados in October; and to Boston from summer 2022.

According to the airline, the new services will complement its “Dub-Hub” strategy and it will continue to connect customers from UK and Europe via Dublin to the US. Shannon Airport has been dealt a further setback

by Aer Lingus with routes to Birmingham and Edinburgh to be dropped as part of its summer schedule, The Clare Echo understands.

No Aer Lingus flights

have operated at Shannon since April 2020. At the beginning of March, Aer Lingus announced it was to temporarily lay-off its 129 ground and cabin crew staff at Shannon Airport until June.

Staff had been on the temporary wage subsidy scheme and more recently on the employment wage subsidy.

They are now on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment for the three-month duration of the lay-offs.

Speaking at a Shannon Chamber briefing, Clare TD Joe Carey (FG) said any Government funding for Aer Lingus should stipulate that routes in Shannon return as a condition. “One issue currently being looked at by Government is the possible injection of capital into Aer Lingus, I’ve made the point that the capital injection should be on the basis that key strategic routes to Heathrow and North America be restored.

“It needs to be stitched into any agreement. It is so important that we have connectivity to Heathrow for our FDI footprint in the region,” he stated.

THURSDAY, APR 8 2021

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THURSDAY, APR 8 2021

Shannon DAA debate ‘a distraction’ right now

By PÁRAIC McMAHON

BEGINNING a debate on the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) regaining ownership of Shannon Airport would serve as a “distraction” in the current climate.

Last week, all four Clare TDs, Violet-Anne Wynne (SF), Michael McNamara (IND), Cathal Crowe (FF) and Joe Carey (FG) along with Senator Timmy Dooley (FF) and counterparts from Limerick and Tipperary attended an online briefing from Shannon Chamber.

Shannon resident, Kevin Thompstone who also sits on the Board of Shannon Chamber put forward a detailed presentation outlining the case for Shannon Airport to secure multi-annual funding from the Government in order to sustain operations.

Limerick TD, Brian Leddin (GP) was the first elected representative to submit questions from the floor following Thompstone’s presentation.

“I notice you didn’t broach the thorny issue of Shannon rejoining the DAA and it has been mooted in last year, what are your thoughts on that,” he asked. Shannon Airport is currently under the control of Shannon Group which remains without a Chairperson.

Thompstone said it was good that Deputy Leddin raised the issue of ownership.

“It is not relevant to solving the problem we’re in today, it would distract attention from core issue on getting routes back into play and getting them back as soon as possible. A distraction around organisation structure is irrelevant right

now,” he replied.

Senator Dooley gave his take on the matter at the briefing. “Now is not the time for independence but maybe we need to look at it, we don’t want to be fobbed off with money”.

At the end of September, Maurice Quinlivan TD (SF) argued in the Dáil that Shannon needed to return under the DAA’s ownership.

Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan (GP) responded at the time, “I will be honest. I met the unions based in the airport. I felt that change would take two or three years and would not solve the underlying strategic issues. We have to make strategic decisions on Shannon.

“I am not sure that reconnecting it to the DAA would immediately assist in that”.

lDIFFICULT YEAR: The airport is under the control of Shannon Group

Moneypoint to become flagship offshore wind energy development PÁRAIC MCMAHON

M

paraic@clareecho.ie

ONEYPOINT is to become the country’s flagship offshore wind energy development.

The Clare Echo has learned that a proposed 270km2 development of a floating offshore wind farm is to be developed. It will be situated off the coast of Clare and Kerry in what is viewed as a major lift to West Clare and the wider county’s economy.

Between €1m to €1.5m had been received by Clare County Council in commercial rates from ESB’s plant at Moneypoint, the transition towards offshore energy will ensure this is sustained to some extent. There had been disappointment last year when units at ESB Moneypoint did not prequalify for the T-4 auction for the period October 2024 to September 2025, representing the loss of a crucial contract for the power generating station.

Expected capacity output from the development has the potential to power up to 1.5 million Irish homes. When completed, the total project capacity is anticipated to be between 1GW – 1.5GW. ESB are set to make an announcement on Friday on future plans for Moneypoint. Earlier this year, ESB and Equinor applied to the Dept of Housing to allow site investigation for the proposed Moneypoint Offshore One Wind Farm and its grid connection. Norwegian company Equinor were formerly known as Statoil.

They have been involved in an extensive site selection process since 2019.

Local authority sources have informed The Clare Echo that the project is to proceed to planning in the near future.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Deputy Michael McNamara (IND) detailed that the project would be delivered in two phases. “The first phase, Moneypoint Offshore One is located 16km off the Clare / Kerry Coast. The expected capacity from the first phase is estimated to be 400MW with the final windfarm area likely to be in the order of 70km2.

The second phase, Moneypoint Offshore Two would be located a further 20km west of Moneypoint Offshore One, taking the total project capacity to between 1GW – 1.5GW. The latter phase would have a likely area of 200km2.

“As the project develops, it is hoped to be able to take advantage of the excellent wind conditions and excess energy generated to produce climate-neutral, hydrogen fuel which could eventually replace oil-based fuels in vehicles and transportation,” the Clare TD added.

If the site is deemed suitable, planning permission is anticipated to be sought under the terms of the Marine Planning and Development Manage-

ment Bill which is due to be enacted this year. The development is included in various objectives of the Clare County Development Plan and the Strategic Infrastructure Framework Plan (SIFP) for the Shannon Estuary which has been developed by Clare County Council, Kerry County Council, Limerick City and County Councils, Shannon Group and Shannon Foynes Port Company which Transitioning ESB Moneypoint from coal to renewables will see the continued supply of electricity generation from the West Clare plant but from a cleaner energy source, Deputy McNamara believed.

“With the coal plant due to cease operation in 2025, the flagship floating offshore wind development wind farm is expected to connect into Moneypoint substation and utilise the spare capacity available following the coal plant closure.”

Moneypoint can play a central role in Ireland’s future low-carbon energy system due to its important location on the electricity system, McNamara added.

Tension over incomplete Cratloe road works

By PÁRAIC McMAHON

“DISENFRANCHISED residents” in Cratloe need to be accommodated with one residence impacted by a failure to complete works along a section of road.

Last year, a roadway in Cratloe was completed under the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) however the final section of the road was not done. A request for the works to be carried out was issued by Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) at the March meeting of the Shannon Municipal District.

“Unfortunately sufficient funding was not secured to finish the section at the very end of this road and it needs urgent attention.

I would hope some additional funding could be secured from the LIS in order to complete the road,” Cllr Flynn stated.

The motion was seconded by Cllr PJ Ryan (IND).

Speaking to The Clare Echo, one resident said they were never approached to seek inclusion in the LIS in 2020.

Tensions had escalated with neighbours over the incident in recent months with the issu-

ing of an enforcement notice mooted.

Senior executive engineer, Tom Mellett said he would be willing to arrange an application for inclusion in the LIS “if the residents in Bonnabinnia would like to apply for the scheme”.

He added, “at present the scheme is oversubscribed and so there is no guarantee that an application will be successful this year, however given that a section of this road has been previously completed under the scheme the Municipal District Office will support the application”.

Residents on the road are “disenfranchised” due to the omission of the road in front of their property from the works, Cllr Flynn stated. There is “no issue” from the other residents with the road being completed, Cllr Pat O’Gorman (FF) advised, “there was a bit of a misunderstanding at the beginning but it has been sorted”.

NEWS 11

THURSDAY, APR 8 2021

COVID-19: The Path Ahead Ireland’s COVID-19 vaccination programme is now fully operational. As we vaccinate, Government will have more options in terms of easing restrictions. Vaccines are being delivered to GPs around the country as well as special Vaccination Centres strategically located for ease of access.

PEOPLE / FIRST DOSE

Ireland’s COVID-19 Vaccination Programme 4 Million 3 2 1

January—March

April—May

May—July

People over 80, frontline healthcare workers, over 65s in long-term care facilities and their carers.

People aged 65—79, people at high or very high risk, key vaccine workers, and other vulnerable groups.

Everyone aged 18—64.

1

2

3

Phased Easing of Restrictions

12th April

Stay Local for April

19th April

Full schools reopening Two households can meet outside for social/ recreational purposes You can move within your own county

Additional high performance sports training will resume, including senior intercounty GAA and Sport Ireland approved high performing athletes.

Construction of housing and childcare facilities recommences

26th April Golf, tennis, pitches reopen Outdoor amenities including zoos and wildlife parks reopen Funerals up to 25 mourners Outdoor training for all exercise activities for under 18s can recommence

People who have been fully vaccinated (first and second doses, or single-dose vaccination) may socialise indoors with others who are also fully vaccinated, 14 days after final vaccination.

Infection levels are still dangerously high. Over the next few months we are asked to make one final effort to keep each other safe and protect our health services.

— For full details of current Level 5 Restrictions and the new relaxations, please go to gov.ie

12

THURSDAY, APR 8 2021

in association with

‘Conservative’ Ennis town mobility plan to be reviewed PÁRAIC MCMAHON

E

paraic@clareecho.ie

NNIS’ temporary mobility plan has been branded as overly “conservative” with elected representatives calling for selected streets to reopen.

Brought in as a response to COVID-19 to enable social distancing “on the narrow streets of Ennis,” the Temporary Covid-19 Ennis Town Centre Mobility Plan is subject to ongoing review with a meeting of the mobility group to be held in the next fortnight.

Mobility stakeholders include all seven councillors in the Ennis Municipal District, the HSE, An Garda Siochana, Ennis Chamber of Commerce, Retail Excellence Ireland, Retailers of Ennis, Better Ennis Vintners Federation, Older Persons Council and disability advocates.

Senior executive officer with the Ennis

MD, Leonore O’Neill explained, “It was collectively decided by the group not to alter the traffic re-routing measures during the current level 5 lockdown”. She noted that the guidelines on social distancing had not changed. She insisted that what is in place is “a temporary measure” and outlined “proper public consultation” would occur if permanent pedestrianisation was to be considered.

Reopening of certain streets should be considered “Clare’s COVID numbers continue to improve,” Cllr Pat Daly (FF) proposed

l Ennis street closures Photo by John Mangan

at Tuesday’s meeting of the Ennis MD. He detailed that business persons in the town were “tired and upset” presently, “the pandemic has caused serious damage”. He stated, “There is a fear among businesses in O’Connell St and Abbey St that their business will never reopen, I hope to see light at the end of the tunnel when Level 5 is reduced”.

Wellbeing has been tested for all people, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) commented.

She predicted there will be a push to change the current approach at the next stakeholders meeting. “We’ve had a year of learning so scientists pointing to very low risk of transmission outdoors, we have learning under our belts and need to bring that to our committee”. She added, “there is a concern that we have been too conservative”.

Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) noted the measures were introduced as a reaction to the pandemic. He added, “I know the vaccines are coming on but there are more strains, the worst thing we could do is have a knee-jerk reaction and reopen too soon, we have to tread carefully.”

Summerhill works depend on Parnell St COMMENCEMENT of the Summerhill section in this year’s roadworks programme is dependent on the completion dates of the Parnell Street public realm works, writes Páraic McMahon.

Summerhill’s inclusion in the programme was welcomed by Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) at Tuesday’s meeting of the Ennis Municipal District. He asked that the work “be expedited in as prompt a manner as possible given the inconvenience that the residents have endured as a result of traffic detours in the area”.

Senior executive engineer, Eamon O’Dea confirmed the start date was “dependent on completion dates on elements of the Parnell Street Public Realm Works and on the Temporary COVID-19 Ennis Town Centre Mobility Management Plan”.

He was hopeful works would proceed in 2021.

“We’re all in agreement that these works should be prioritised, these people have been very patient,” Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) commented.

‘Planning Regulations can’t be ignored’ at Homesavers site

by PÁRAIC Mc MAHON

ENNIS councillors have reiterated their concerns that a business employing 55 persons is breaching planning permission regulations and the Clare County Development Plan, writes Páraic McMahon.

A report on the planning and development status of Homesavers which operates at Ballymaley Business Park on the Gort Rd since October was sought by Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) at this week’s meeting of the Ennis Municipal District.

As previously reported by The Clare Echo, Clare County Council have an ongoing enforcement file in relation to the development.

Legal advice is being sought by the local authority, acting senior executive planner, Gareth Ruane confirmed. “The Planning Authority are aware of an alleged breach of planning permission in a premises at the

l Homesavers

Ballymaley Business Park”.

At the end of November, the High Court set aside an injunction preventing the Homesavers retail chain from operating three shops in Waterford. The injunction had been secured by Waterford City and County Council a month previously.

Speaking on Tuesday, Cllr Flynn said he was “fully in favour of competition” and detailed that he shopped at “every corner shop in my area. I believe in fair competition in the retail sector”. He expressed the view that Ballymaley was zoned for the sale of “bulky items” such as furniture and appliances “not for retail and convenience food stuff”. Flynn said he was concerned the County Development Plan had been breached.

“Nobody is not in favour of creating jobs but it is about creating the right jobs in the right location. We don’t want people to lose confidence in the planning system, we are part of the planning authority,” the Ennis man added.

Councillors must allow due process unfold, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) remarked. She revealed her amazement at the amount of merchandise on offer at the store with staff “content”. “It is all well and good that 40 or so people are employed but planning cannot be ignored. It does appear as though there is an infringement”.

All elected representatives will support employment and new businesses but planning must be adhered to, Cllr Ann Norton (IND) commented. “I don’t want people losing jobs or people not having an opportunity to open businesses in or around the area but we have to make sure people follow protocol and proper planning guidelines”.

Homesavers have previously told The Clare Echo they are confident the Ennis store is in compliance with all planning regulations.

NEWS 13

THURSDAY, APR 8 2021

Shannon’s cargo potential has been left untapped

Kids are key to dumping problem PRIMARY school children have been identified as the potential saviours to curb the rates of illegal dumping and littering within Shannon, writes Páraic McMahon.

In a bid to strengthen the messaging of the ‘Leave No Trace’ policy, Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) called on the Shannon Municipal District to involve community groups and schools within the area to drive home the importance of clamping out littering and dumping.

Senior executive engineer with the local authority Brendan Flynn said efforts would be made to strengthen the campaign in col-

laboration with Shannon Tidy Towns with schools encouraged to “actively participate” in the An Tasice Green School program.

“There is also an opportunity to promote this message on the Information Boards along the Estuary Loop walk and Shannon MD have confirmed that this will be actioned,” Flynn stated.

“Many people have never heard of it,” Cllr McGettigan remarked of the policy. She encouraged the Shannon MD to start a competition among local schools to get the ball rolling. “The children will lead the way and it will become the norm to leave no trace”.

paraic@clareecho.ie

a stepping stone for cargo,” the Meelick native commented at a briefing hosted by Shannon Chamber. “Cargo is something waiting to be exploited, I don’t think we’re fully exploiting that to its potential,” he

ARGO potential at Shannon Airport has not been maximised, a Clare TD has stated.

Air traffic has collapsed since the start of the pandemic. Shannon Airport is no exception to this and recorded a drop of over 86 percent in passenger numbers last year.

With passenger air traffic ground to a halt, Clare TD Cathal Crowe (FF) believed it posed an opportunity to pump further resources into cargo rather than hoping to vaccination roll-out leads to an increase in passenger numbers.

“Demand for cargo is up at the minute and it is going to be up for a few months because of the fiasco at the Suez Canal. I see a huge future role for Shannon being

lDEMAND: A cargo plane in Shannon

PÁRAIC MCMAHON

C

Shannon’s first ever service to Corfu to take flight in July

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

RYANAIR have announced a new service from Shannon Airport to Corfu that is set to take off in July.

As part of the 2021 summer schedule, Ryanair will be running a twice weekly flight from Shannon Airport to Corfu on Tuesdays and Fridays from July 2nd to the end of October. It will be the first time Ryanair have operated a Corfu service from Shannon.

Director of Commercial with Ryanair, Jason McGuinness stated, “As vaccination rollout programmes continue in the coming months, we are hopeful that international travel will recover and we are delighted to announce this new route from Shannon to Corfu, operating twice weekly from July.

Customers will be able to book flights and postpone or change their travel dates up to two times with a zero-change fee until the end of October 2021, McGuinness confirmed.

Corfu is an island off Greece’s northwest coast in the Ionian Sea, it is defined by rugged mountains and a resort-studded shoreline. Shannon Group CEO, Mary Considine said they had been working closely with Ryanair to deliver the new route. “This is a really difficult period for the aviation sector and today’s announcement by Ryanair is very welcome and positive news for Shannon Airport,” she commented.

Mary added, “Ryanair are a valued aviation partner, and this announcement is a chink of light in what has been an extremely challenging period for Shannon Airport and airports throughout the world”.

lHOLIDAYS: The island of Corfu Photo by Expedia.ie

added.

Private aviation also represents potential for growth, Deputy Crowe underlined.

“I think the pre-clearance opportunities at Shannon haven’t been fully exploited,” he said.

Kevin Thompstone who led the briefing session said that further work can be done at a later date to assess the potential of private development.

Shannon Group are to proceed with a cargo hub development at Shannon Airport. Construction of a large 29,708sq ft distribution facility building, with a 3,767sq ft single-storey office is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2022.

An architect is anticipated to be appointed for the project by May allowing the applications for statutory consent to be submitted by July. “It is a new project and is part of our overall Shannon Group investment strategy for the airport and our property portfolio,” a spokeswoman for Shannon Group outlined.

14 Arts & Entertainment

THURSDAY, APR 8 2021

‘Folk-clubs of our times’ - new glór series fronted by Paula Carroll kicks off this week PÁRAIC MCMAHON

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paraic@clareecho.ie

NEW three-part online concert and chart series kicks off this Thursday as part of glór’s folk music strand this spring.

Paula Carroll, a presenter of The West Wind on Clare FM will curate Folk Nights at Glór which sees emerging and well established artists take to the stage at the Ennis venue.

Series producer Paula described the series which begins streaming on Thursday April 8th at 8pm and runs until Thursday May 6th as “folk-clubs for our times”. The Scariff native outlined, “Glór’s

auditorium is mostly empty these days, but it’s still an atmospheric place, maybe even more so. I wanted to fill that auditorium with music, even if the only audience were the crew. And then present that music to the world. It felt absolutely magical to have these great musicians perform for us”.

After each performance, the guests took to the armchairs “to chat about how music-making has changed in today’s world and what it might now mean for musicians and for us the audiences,” Paula explained.

“I know we’re all confined to our couches for entertainment these days, but through the wonders of technology, you can still join the conversation, we can still have a collective experience,” the creator of the highly popular Kitchen Ses-

collaborations prior to lockdowns.

It will be a Clare special on Thursday April 22nd when Dermot Sheedy, Aisling Lyons and Sean Lyons take to the stage. Dermot is best known as a member of Hermitage Green. A five-time All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil winner, Aisling is one of the rising starts of the Irish harp world and her brother Sean is one of the county’s most sensitive folk singers and guitarists.

Dermot Byrne and Steve Cooney close out the series on May 6th.

Dermot shot to fame as a child prodigy on the accordion and is still considered one of the finest accordion players in the tradition.

He has lived in and around Co. Clare for many years. Steve was given the RTÉ Folk Awards ‘Lifetime Achievement’ Award in 2020.

lMAGICAL: Paula Carroll

Photo by Ruth Griffin

sions explained.

Limerick duo Maria Ryan and Ger O’Donnell are first up for the online series. From Pallagreen, Maria is a violinist, fiddle player and singer. In recent times

she has also toured internationally with Galician piper Carlos Nuñez, played with Crash Ensemble and the Irish National Opera.

Multi-instrumentalist Ger already had a large following online for

Susan Quirke’s new single is Shooting Smother ‘opened my eyes’ ‘sweet, slow and delicate’

by PÁRAIC McMAHON LAHINCH based musician and meditation teacher Susan Quirke has released another new track from her highly-anticipated debut album, which lands on April 23. Written in northern California where she spent a few months song writing, Follow Rivers Way is a sweet, slow, and delicate

lSOOTHING: Susan Quirke

song from the Limerick-born artist. It is the most stripped-back song from her forthcoming album, and one that is particularly close to her heart.

Follow Rivers Way is a tribute to the painful, but often necessary, journey of healing trauma and the promise of transformation that lies at the other side. As well as her enchanting vocals on the track, Susan plays guitar alongside veteran musician Colm Quearney.

It's a particularly soft sound that Susan is keen to share in advance of a rockier single that is coming down the tracks. Susan says: "I know there's a big focus in the music industry on upbeat 'radio-friendly' releases and I enjoy these as much as anybody.

I've chosen to release this particular softer sounding song as a lot of people are struggling at the moment and I feel our nervous systems need soothing music now more than ever."

Stream/Buy 'Follow Rivers Way'

by Susan Quirke at: https://linktr.ee/ susanquirke. Pre-order Susan's debut record 'Into the Sea', before its worldwide release on April 23: https:// susanquirke.bandcamp.com/

FILMING RTÉ’s hit drama Smother in Co Clare has not only resulted in plenty of plaudits for young actor James O’Donoghue (pictured right) but it also ‘opened his eyes’ to hurling.

Seventeen year old James has starred as Callum in the noir thriller, the season finale of which airs this Sunday on RTÉ ONE. The former Fair City actor has been hailed as one of the strongest performers of the series.

A student of CBC Monkstown where rugby is the primary sport, the Dublin actor told The Clare Echo “I never picked up a hurl before going down to Lahinch to play Callum”. The description he was given of the character after taking on the role included a note which detailed that he was “supposed to be quite good” at the sport. Opening episodes of the show saw the hurley utilised as a weapon when his character clashed with some local teenagers.

He turned 16 the day filming

for the series began and one of the presents he received was of a hurley. “I spent a lot of hours outside the hotel just knocking the ball around and trying to get good at it before I went on screen. We have a few scenes where I’m just lashing a ball around with a hurl.

“After that, honestly I think I would probably get into it, it is very fun and very satisfying to get a nice connection on the sliotar, it is definitely something that I will probably continue into the future and it has opened my eyes to playing a bit of hurling”.

Following in the footsteps of Normal People star Paul Mescal who James described as “a huge inspiration” is a goal for the US born actor that is hopeful of someday making his mark in the States.

Mayo native, Lochlann Ó Mearáin who portrays the character of Rory commended the editing work done to disguise the “incredible storms” in Lahinch when filming first concluded last year, the interior shots were later completed in the autumn. He

joked the wind was even considered a suspect such is its involvement in early episodes.

He told The Clare Echo winding down with a laugh alongside fellow cast was crucial to get a relief from playing the abusive Rory who it is later revealed has a terminal illness. “I was trying to eat as little as possible, I was quite weak and tired to try and portray it, you can do a lot with make-up but nothing matches the genuine feeling of it. It is quite tiring to be so negative and worried all the time but I hope it came across that Rory wasn’t in a great place”.

FEATURES 15

THURSDAY, APR 8 2021

GREEN CLARE

€6m allocated for active travel PÁRAIC MCMAHON

C

paraic@clareecho.ie

LOSE to €6m has been allocated for active travel funding for cycling and walking infrastructure projects in

Co Clare.

In what was the first ever major active travel investment programme for rural Ireland, the combined total of €72.8m is greater than the entire 2019 funding for national walking and cycling programme. €5,986,000 is set aside for Co Clare.

The National Transport Authority had originally earmarked €50m for this scheme but due to the volume of project proposals being developed by local authorities, it has been increased to over €70m.

General projects in the scheme include the reallocation of overall road space which will include segregated cycling lanes and widened footpaths. Cyclist parking, raised pedestrian crossings and reducing road width at crossing points as well as other improvements. The NTA will be tasked with overseeing and supporting the development of the high-quality mobility infrastructure across all projects.

The authority will also ensure that

projects are accessible, age-friendly and maximise comfort to people of all ages and abilities.

Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan (GP) said the projects funded “will make a real difference to rural communities across the country and this is only the beginning”.

A third of the funds will be spent on footpath works across the county, this section of the allocation will also include pedestrian crossing and public lighting in certain areas such as Doolin, Ennistymon and Lahinch.

Separate walking and cycling infrastructure projects for Kilrush are allocated €400,000 with €950,000 earmarked for village enhancement and co-creating and €450,000 for transport studies and mobility plans.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Senator Roisin Garvey attributed the extent of the allocation to a webinar she hosted with Clare groups, Minister Ryan and Clare County Council engineers at the end of January, the interest at which “overwhelmed” the Minister. “It is active travel I’ve worked on for 15 years, I understand this funding better than anyone and what it will enable people to do”.

Subsequent to the works, “more people of all abilities and all ages will be able to walk and cycle more safely,” Senator Garvey added. She

lBIKE: Cyclist parking will be included in the scheme

predicted air pollution and traffic congestion will drop as a result and also lead to “healthier happier children”. Cars will continue to have a role on roads but the Inagh woman maintained accommodating the accesibility of all road users must remain an objective.

Deputy Cathal Crowe (FF) welcomed the announcement as a “significant investment”. He stated, “I think it’s a step in the right direction to ensure that active travel is getting an increasingly sharp focus and this will benefit not only the communities around Clare but also help to grow our sustainable tourism model that I think we are already head and shoulders above many counties with”.

Fellow Clare TD, Joe Carey (FG) noted, “this funding has a particular focus on rural Ireland” as he praised the allocation of almost €6m to Clare County Council.

“Developing high quality walking and cycling facilities will encourage more people to switch to active travel and will contribute to tackling climate change. Connecting communities and making walking and cycling attractive, safe and accessible to everyone is what this funding will help to accomplish,” Senator Timmy Dooley (FF) maintained.

PROJECTS INCLUDE: l Ballycasey Close Green Area - Shannon Footpaths €375,000 l Bus Infrastructure Crusheen €47,000 l Cycle Schemes - Ennis €150,000 l Doolin Footpaths and Pedestrian Crossing €170,000 l Drumindoora Walking/ Cycling Infrastructure €200,000 l Ennistymon/Lahinch Footpath Improvements and Public Lighting €120,000 l Footpath Package A - Ennis €360,000 l Footpath Package B Doonbeg, Kilmihil, Cross, Labasheeda, Connolly, Quilty, Carrigaholt, Kilrush, Meelick, Kilbaha, Kilmurry Village, Sixmilebridge, Kildysart, Kilmaley, Kilkee €444,000 l Killaloe Footpaths €200,000 l Kilrush Walking/Cycling Infrastructure 1 €200,000 l Kilrush Walking / Cycling Infrastructure 2 €200,000 l Lahinch Cycle Lane €175,000 l Light Segregation Cycle Schemes €100,000 l Lissycassey Footpaths

€250,000 l Low Cost Junction Tightening/Pedestrian Crossing Schemes €100,000 l Low-Cost Permeability Measures €100,000 l Miltown Malbay Footpaths €120,000 l Pedestrian Crossings Lisdoonvarna €70,000 l Pedestrian / Cycle Bridge Package - Quin, Creegh, Doonbeg, Cooraclare, Carrigaholt, Inagh €230,000 l Public Lighting - Ennis €140,000 l Quin Village Footpaths €120,000 l Safe to Schools Programme - Support Infrastructure €100,000 l Shannon Banks River Walk €105,000 l Spanish Point Connectivity €160,000 l Transport Studies / Mobility Plans / ABTA (Package) €450,000 l Tulla Footpaths €250,000 l Urban Mobility Plans/Active Travel Network Plans €100,000 l Village Enhancement, CoCreating €950,000

16 COLUMNIST

THURSDAY, APR 8 2021

SIMPLE BLACK PUDDING PASTIES Kearney Cooks

I

GOT an order for pasties in work the other day. As I was making them I realised what a fantastic and easy snack they are to make, and even better to eat. So I thought I would share a version I made at home during the week, using local black pudding and a nice onion jam. You can pick up jars of onion chutney or jam in most shops, but I will post a homemade version on my Instagram (kearneycooks) if you fancy giving that a bash as well. The below recipe is for four big pasties.

FOR THE PASTRY: • For the pastry • 500g flour • 250g cold diced butter • Pinch of salt • 50ml cold water FOR THE FILLING: • One 250g chubb of Meere’s black pudding • 80g onion jam or chutney

Step 2 Heat oven to 220C/fan 200C/gas 7.

Mix together the black pudding and onion jam/chutney with 1 tsp salt and a pinch of pepper. Roll out each piece of dough on a lightly floured surface until large enough to make a round about 20cm across – use a sideplate to trim it to shape. Firmly pack a quarter of the filling along the centre of each round, leaving a margin at each end.

Brush the pastry all the way round the edge with beaten egg, carefully draw up both sides so that they meet at the top, then pinch them together to seal.

Lift onto a non-stick baking tray and brush with the remaining egg to glaze.

Step 4 Tuck into your Black pudding pasties, basking in the glory of your kitchen mastery.

Step 3 Bake for 10 mins, then lower oven to 180C/fan and cook for 45 mins more until golden.

Enjoy

I like to serve this with some pickle and salad, but it can work well with some homemade chips and is lovely when it’s washed down with a cold beer. The great thing about pasties as well is you can nearly fire anything into them. I like to do ones with cheese and pickle, tomatoes and goats cheese, and even the classic Cornish pasty. Just don’t call them Cornish pasties in front of Cornish people, they freak out a bit if you do that.

Steve K

PLUS: • One beaten egg for egg washing Step 1 Feck the butter, salt and flour into a mixing bowl. Rub the butter into the flour using your fingertips or a food processor, then blend in 50ml cold water to make a firm dough. Cut equally into four, then chill for 20 mins.

R

ebecca O’Neill

J

Five tips for journaling This week, Rebecca O’Neill shares her guide to beginning the practise of journaling for relaxation and gratitude OURNALING is something I have made one of my main priorities for the last year. I find it so therapeutic and essential for my mental

health.

It allows you to offload all your thoughts onto a piece of paper with no judgment. It feels like a weight lifted off your shoulders. I want to encourage as many people as possible to start their own journaling to improve your mental well-being and overall mood. Here is a five step guide for beginners on how to get into writing frequently.

JOURNALING PROMPTS: Prompts are such a great way to start off your writing. I find some people struggle on what to write about and tend to lose the motivation to journal. Some great journaling prompts often get you to think about something to write about. “My favourite way to spend the day is..” This prompt associates positive thoughts and can ultimately get your mind thinking. You

could also make a list of 30 things that make you happy. This influences a positive mood and helps you practice gratitude.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO WRITE DAILY: Some people often think once you start journaling, you have to dedicate time every day to write something. This is absolutely not the case. Journaling is completely personal and on your terms. I personally would generally only write every second day or if I feel like I really need to take my mind off something. I never put pressure on myself to write.

SCHEDULE JOURNALING: I am personally an evening person when it comes to journaling.

I think I make more of an impact on myself when I offload my thoughts from the last two days, in the evening time. I would always recommend practicing gratitude in the mornings, but I would also tend to practice this in the evening also. Like I said, this is completely

personal and on your terms with no judgement. Some people benefit more from journaling in the morning too. The two journals I want to recommend are, ‘Five minutes in the morning focus journal’ and ‘Five minutes in the evening a journal for rest and reflection’.

These both can be purchased from your local Easons. These journals are full of prompts and exercises to

help you write.

SCENERY: Your scenery and environment make a massive impact on your writing. I love to light a few candles in the evening and turn on my fairy lights in my room to set the relaxing mood which ultimately helps me fall asleep too. For me, journaling in the evenings is about my own self reflection and winding down. Whereas journaling in the morning helps you focus and sets you up for the day ahead. Everyone has different preferences when it comes to this.

PERSONALISE YOUR JOURNAL: Make your journal your own piece of work. Make it as messy and as neat as you want. You don’t have to write full pages everyday, it may only be a sentence or two.

Write some positive quotes, three things you’re grateful for etc. There are no rules when it come to writing for yourself. Pick up a journal you visually love and just write.

COLUMNIST 17

THURSDAY, APR 8 2021

Eoin Neylon

An inside look at Clare’s political spectrum With

With

A strong forestry sector must be attractive for farmers but currently there is little ambition for the sector from Government, Joe Melody writes

A

PRIL is one of my favourite months but is also one one of the most hectic in that it is a month that sets up the farm in terms of grazing for the year ahead but also in terms of preparing the cows for the breeding season now only less than three weeks away.

We will be bringing our stock up to date with their vaccination program and some mineral boluses for the heifers and cows. If we do our job correctly this should go a long way to setting up our maiden heifers and cows for a successful breeding and production season. Of course the big variable at play is always weather but we can only do our best and adapt to whatever is thrown at us.

It has always been this way for farmers.

Biology and nature are living, moving and evolving so we can not presume that a set of prescribed actions will always produce a reliable set of results but we must persevere using current best practice regardless.

We started the second grazing rotation at home on March 31. Our first few paddocks had covers of grass ranging from 1,280kg dry matter per hectare up to 1,520kg. This would be far higher than what we would normally have on these paddocks for the second round. This is obviously down to the higher soil temperatures than average that the country had in the months of February and March. Most of our late calvers are left out on carried over grass and are getting minerals through lick buckets and as they spring to calve they are being brought home.

Most classes of farm produce are currently enjoying

strong prices whether it be lamb, beef or milk, however one area of real concern is the forestry industry.

The prices are strong and are rising by five per cent which is ahead of construction cost inflation. The issue is not price for farmers and forestry owners, it’s the ability to fell the timber from their forest that has reached maturation.

This is as a result to objections to felling licenses by members of the public, or rather serial objectors. The Department of Agriculture had processed almost 500 appeals with 50 per cent of the objections coming from one individual living in the south of the country. This is coming at a time where we have a housing crisis. In one month last year tree felling licenses were suspended, stopping the felling of more than 100,000 cubic meters of timber. That is enough timber to build 5,000 homes.

Forestry is a very attractive sector of agriculture

for many people, you don’t have to be very involved as there are professional contractors who take on the project for you. The income from forestry in Ireland is tax free and many of the evergreen species will grow on land that is marginal and not very suited to anything else.

Over a week ago the Government agreed on a climate bill aimed at bringing us to net-zero carbon by 2050. It’s a fine ambition.

If the Government are serious about reducing carbon we need a strong forestry sector that is attractive to farmers. It shows little ambition for the forestry sector in 2021 that a single nuisance serial objector can put a halt to the progress of hundreds of landowners and farmers.

Government must put a system in place whereby these objectors must stump up a deposit to register their objection and a substantial one at that, that will test the courage and integrity of their convictions.

ALL OUT: Jack Enright and Joe Melody happy to see the sheds emptied for the spring

Unions need to take a step back

E

IGHT years ago we had many events to celebrate the centenary of the 1913 lockout.

This was a time where unions really put themselves forward as a vital cog in the machine that was the Irish struggle against the British establishment.

It saw the formation of the Irish Citizens Army to protect striking workers, who would then go on to play an integral part in the 1916 Rising and the establishment of the state.

Unions have continued to be a cornerstone of Irish society since then, helping to push progressive, modernising policies throughout the intervening decades.

Throughout Covid, unions have again been to the fore, advocating for better working conditions, PPE for workers, and safer working practices to minimise risk for their members across a wide range of professions and sectors. Make no mistake, unions are still very much needed and Covid has hit this home, with so many employers accused of not doing enough to reduce the risk for their staff.

What has transpired this past week, though, has seen the darker side of unions come to the fore. Sectoral greed that exists among some union officials has seen them advocate solely with their dues paying members interest in mind, rather than that of wider society. Teaching unions and the NBRU threatening strike actions unless their members are prioritised for vaccines is a slap in the face to many others in society who are happy to wait our turn based on the best practise as advised by the independent scientific bodies, NIAC and NPHET. NPHET had advised that, since the first Covid death here in Ireland, 99 per

cent of all those who have lost their lives have been over the age of 50. Similarly, some three quarters of all those who required hospitalisation have been over 60. It’s clear that age remains the main risk determination factor.

Looking at teaching unions advocate that a 24 year old, fit and healthy teacher be vaccinated ahead of a 61 year old who works in a meat factory or a 59 year old electrician working on the children’s hospital makes no scientific sense.

Coming from a large family of educators, and being a member of the board of management of a primary school, I’m all too aware of the risk that exists within schools. These risks are further heightened in schools

“

NBRU threatening strike actions unless their members are prioritised for vaccines is a slap in the face

“

With

with poor ventilation and overcrowded classrooms.

Nevertheless, the fact remains that someone in their 20s to 40s is not likely to get seriously ill or die of Covid but someone in their 50s and 60s is, unfortunately. The NBRU claiming they’d walk out if they were asked to go back to driving full buses and trams is even more infuriating. In terms of the Luas and Dublin Bus, these drivers are separated from passengers with a screen anyway. Train drivers are entirely separated. Intercity bus drivers are, however, more openly

exposed to the public. But this is still very minimal exposure as passengers board and disembark. Yet, no one is advocating that supermarket staff be prioritised, nor airline staff who are bringing the vaccines into the country in the first instance. If we are to stick to a profession based approach, the roll out will face further delay with an overburden of administration in trying to determine who from what industries are front facing and interacting with the public and who isn’t and therefore should wait longer. We’ll inevitably end up with more situations of mass outrage as people ‘jump the queue’ to get a vaccine they were not yet entitled to.

This is why NIAC have advised to change to an age based roll out, which, according the Chief Medical Officer in the UK, is a 50 per cent quicker process. Cutting half the time required to vaccinate the population, by focusing on the people most at risk of illness and death, is absolutely the way to go in order to save lives and give our health services the break they so badly need for the year of unrelenting Covid pressure they have been under.

This time, the unions have picked the wrong battle in putting their fee paying members’ interest ahead of wider society. By threatening strike action, they are affectively attempting to put a gun to the collective head of Government and telling them to ignore the independent medical advice based on all the scientific data to hand.

In doing so, they advocate for a system that will be slow, cumbersome, open to abuse and will ultimately cost more lives than that of an age based system. They need to take a step back and put wider society first this time.

18 FEATURES

A year of pain

RONAN SCULLY

Thought for the week

O

VER the last year of lockdown after lockdown, we have come to realise how life can be so unfair and heartbreaking

at times.

My work in parts of some of the poorest places in our world with my work with Self Help Africa made me realise that and now recently as we celebrated the first anniversary of the very traumatic sadness of my nieces Aoife tragic death and of course the fear and worry of the Coronavirus also a year on that is having a disastrous effect on our world. I remember so vividly now as I walked a year ago along the streets of the famous little town where I hailed from, at the funeral of my beautiful niece Aoife, I remember feeling the cold shivering breeze of the Coronavirus everywhere also.

I prayed and reflected as I walked, and thought that this time must be one of the darkest and cruelest, and while I have dealt personally with many dark times on my journey through life, at that moment with the loss of Aoife, the tendency to fear and lose faith over how much is wrong, evil or unmended in this our world and indeed in this life made me think "how did I end up here"? Just over 15 years ago Aoife you came into our lives, an angel to us all from that special day. I was living here in Ireland at the time, and had vague and romantic designs on being a dad myself, even though I had no actual relevant experience, and knew absolutely nothing about parenting.

The next best thing was to be blessed with a beautiful niece such as you Aoife, and you became an angel to everyone in our family and now always will be. What followed was years of friendship spanning thousands of miles as you travelled abroad with your wonderful parents. What a brilliant relationship you had with your grandparents, aunts, uncles, and especially your cousins. We treasure the photos of the 5 cousins meeting up over the years on various holidays and family get-togethers.

The esteem in which you were held by your teachers and school friends was evident in their story telling of the antics both at school and outside of school. Your sense of humour and wit shined through your often quiet demeanour and gave us all a good laugh. Your life journey Aoife was short, but for one so young a lot got packed into those 14 years and without you the last 14 years would have been very

different.

Don't take life for granted

On a beautiful sun drenched Friday evening about a year ago now at 7.15pm, Aoife tragically died and her earthly presence to us was no more. In the middle of a global pandemic, Aoife died of something entirely unrelated. But she is still a casualty of this time. She did not have a usual Irish wake or funeral but thankfully due to technology many people were able to join us in saying our goodbyes to Aoife's earthly body.

The pain is indescribable, knowing that Aoife is gone, knowing the terrible loss for her beautiful parents and grandparents. Knowing that all the normal things we do in the face of death have been suspended, all the humanness that we need is gone. We move through life, knowing that death is part of the deal we signed when we jumped into whatever life body we were given or blessed with.

We understand that life is fragile, precarious, precious, but often we don't really feel it. To get through the days without risking insanity we ignore the pact we made with nature, or at the very least we minimise it. We trundle onwards, paying our bills, cleaning our houses, working nearly every hour God gives us, making decisions based not on what will bring us joy and laughter and the most love, but on what is economically sensible, or what fulfils our long term goals.

We are rational and thoughtful and masterful of our world. We are used to being able to fix things, to work a way around a problem or find an answer or figure something out. But not anymore. Not right now for us having lost our precious Aoife, and not right now for the many people who have lost loved one's from this dreadful Coronavirus disease over the last year. Every day and every hour now due to this terrible virus, we are jolted by mortality shocks and challenged by life events so wildly out of our control.

Sometimes, it is distant and troubling, sometimes close and heartbreaking. We all secretly know where our strengths lie, what we do enough of, what we leave by the wayside in favour of less wholesome pursuits. But all these shocks, all this trauma, only serves to enhance those quiet feelings we all suffer that perhaps we aren't doing enough, that we're not living right, that we can do better if we get to have a second chance.

The exhaustion we feel right now especially during this most recent

lockdown is emotional discord: that mortality panic that we simply must live our best lives this instant because who knows when it will all end, coupled with the paralysis of this wild global virus. It's like a single person trying to balance a seesaw by standing on one end.

It's a game we cannot win. Aoife during her short life with us taught me a lot of things about living, but she also taught me that you don't have to balance the seesaw on your own, if at all. Aoife treated every friendship like a tiny miracle and I especially saw that in her friendship with my daughters, her cousins, her school mates, and especially in her amazing friendships with her best friend Cara and her grandad Ricey. Aoife held love and connection so gently in her palms as though they could shatter at any moment, as though she couldn't quite believe she was so lucky as to have these beautiful things in her life. Aoife has taught me that living isn't about doing more or working more or playing more or being more, it's about the connections we make and the friendships we hold dear and the people we help.

The Reason is this

In my bones I know something, as do you and if we are honest we all do at times. It is that there can be no despair when you remember why you came to Earth, who you serve, and who sent you here. The good words we say and the good deeds we do are not ours: They are the words and deeds of the One who brought us here. In that spirit, I hope you will write this on your wall: "When a great ship is in harbour and moored, it is safe, there can be no doubt. But that is not what great ships are built for."

This comes with much love and a prayer that you remember who you came from, and why you came to this beautiful, needful Earth. We will all mourn at some stage in our lives. My grief is not unique, nor is yours. It is ours, together, and we will see it through together.

You don't have to balance the seesaw. You don't have to write the next best seller or be the next top class sports person or the next millionaire. But try to be the reason someone believes in the goodness of people. You are not alone.

Thought for the week

As your thought for the week, always remember that life's road is sometimes extremely tough, because the time we have with our loved ones is just simply not long enough, especially when they are taken away tragically or by an awful virus like the Coronavirus.

I will finish this thought for the week by thanking everyone who helped our family especially Aoife's parents and grandparents in any way over the last year. We would have been further lost without your love and care.

THURSDAY, APR 8 2021

Kilkee Cardiac First Responders commended PÁRAIC MCMAHON

W

paraic@clareecho.ie

ORK of the Kilkee Cardiac First Responders has been highlighted as a fitting example of the community looking out for its members.

Replacement of clinical consumables is provided as per the policy document covering Cardiac First Responders (CFR) and detail on the supply of this support was queried by Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) at a recent meeting of the Regional Health Forum West.

"Has there been any research into the estimated cost saving to the HSE for the voluntary service being provided by the Community Cardiac First Responder groups," Murphy questioned.

"Community Cardiac First Responder groups provide a life saving service for the, often very remote, communities within which they are based," he stated.

Chief Ambulance Officer with NAS West, Bill Forbes said the NAS is supported by CFRs responding to particular

types of medical emergencies "where it is essential for the patient to receive immediate life-saving care whilst an emergency response is en-route to the patient. Community First Responder are not knowingly asked to attend unsafe or potentially violent incidents or any other incidents which require specialist skills".

Forbes explained that clinical consumables were provided "free of charge" for CFRs through the designated engagement officers. Forbes added, "The focus of research amongst Community First Responder groups has always been life-saving not financial cost saving. Therefore, the deployment of CFR volunteers to life threatening emergencies is to supplement the overall response in line with the 'chain of survival', i.e. early access, early CPR and early defibrillation.

Above all, it's about local people being there for the people in their community".

Cllr Murphy admitted he was happy with the process outlined for the provision of consumables for CFRs. "I know of one person still with us because of this in Kilkee. It is communities looking after communities".

A new Kilkee CFR group was established in March of last year.

lVOLUNTEERS: Members of the Kilkee CFR group

Phillips and Hall return to Active Retirement

by PÁRAIC McMAHON Kathleen Leahy of Abbeyfeale TWO Clare officers were returned to their positions on the Mid-West Active Retirement committee.

Quin's Eugene Phillips was returned to the position of Regional Development Officer while Roland Hall of Shannon continues in the role of Regional Treasurer. They remain in their posts alongside Rosemary Shire, Mary Dundon, Mary Cronin, Peg Grimes and Liz Hanrahan.

Also at the virtual AGM,

Active Retirement Association was announced as the winner of the Molly Hyland competition. Entrants are asked to write a poem or piece of prose with 'Swallows' by Kathleen deemed the best this year.

It is named after a former chairperson of the Mid-West branch. Molly was a member of the Nenagh Active Retirement Association, she was married to Kevin, and had two wonderful daughters – Rita and Síle before passing away suddenly in 2012.

COMMUNITY 19

THURSDAY, APR 8 2021

Community ONLINE

CLONLARA

MOUNTSHANNON MOUNTSHANNON ARTS

ART EXHIBITION

DUE to current safety regulations, the Burren College of Art are not able to invite the public to our campus gallery to visit our 2021 MFA in Studio Art and Art & Ecology graduate exhibition, It’s Strange to be Here. However, we would likely to warmly invite viewers to join us on Monday, April 19 at 1pm, for a live discussion with the artists, mediated by Dr. Aine Phillips. They will be showing images of their work and the installed exhibition, as well as answering questions about their experiences as students and artists over the past year during the pandemic. Further information and link to the Zoom meeting for the Artist Talks can be found on our website: https://www.burrencollege.ie/its-strange-tobe-here/

065 671 9021 news@clareecho.ie

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN

CLARE Roots Society Meeting will be held on Thursday, 15th April 2021 at 8pm via ZOOM. The topic will be ‘The Registry of Deeds and its Records’ by Sean Murphy, Genealogist & Lecturer. Sean J. Murphy is a history graduate of University College Dublin, where he taught Adult Education classes in genealogy from 1989 to 2017. He currently gives genealogy classes via Zoom for the National Library of Ireland. He also continues to work as a professional researcher and consultant and publishes historical and genealogical articles. Sean has published one book, Twilight of the Chiefs (2004) and is working to complete another on Dr Charles Lucas (1713-1771), who was born in Ballingaddy, Co Clare. Log on to www.clareroots.org for the Zoom link. All are welcome.

BURREN

NEWSDESK

OGONNELLOE

CLARE ROOTS SOCIETY

JUST a reminder that we are looking for submissions for several ongoing projects.

We all have the gift of creativity within us, and we would love you to share yours with us, whether it be a message to yourself, pre-pandemic, a photograph on this year’s theme, 'REGENERATION', or a favourite saying or word or poem in Irish.

We are also very much looking forward to receiving your contributions for Poetry Day, and A Flow of Words. Springtime has made a grand entrance and although we are still locked down our words are not restricted and can travel far beyond a 5km radius conjuring up images and tales from further afield. This is an ideal time to express yourself through poetry and prose on ‘A Flow of Words’. Poetry Day Ireland is April 29 with the theme of New Directions: Maps and Journeys. Do you have a poem that would suit our special Poetry Day Flow of Words? Send it to us for consideration by April 15.

We are also looking for pieces to suit our Regeneration special Flow of Words to be broadcast on the usual festival weekend, June bank holiday, please submit by May 17. Send us your poetry and prose (fiction and non-fiction) to aflowofwords@scariffbayradio.com and include a phone number.

Writers may be invited to read and record their own piece for radio broadcast. Guidelines prose 600-1000 words, poetry 20-80 lines. Please check out our wonderful new website for further details: https://www. mountshannonarts.ie/.

CONTACT

lEASTER BONNIE: Ellen and Hugh Carroll from Clonlara wearing their Easter Bonnets

OGONNELLOE is planning for the future with the draft of a three year community development plan circulated to local residents, writes Páraic McMahon.

In what marks the final stages of a consultative process that began in 2019, households across Ogonelloe are receiving drafts of the development plan which includes a profile of the community gleaned from the most recent Census results.

As per the Census, the population of Ogonnelloe shows a high percentage of young people with those under the age of fourteen making up 26 percent of the population.

Individuals over the age of 65 make up 15 percent of the local population.

Chairperson of the Community Planning Group, Donal O'Connor explained that planning began when LEADER under the management of CLDC appointed Charlie Jackson to facilitate the process.

"As part of this a questionnaire was circulated to every household and a total of 146 responses were returned.

“The results informed the development of the draft plan".

On the findings from the Census, Donal noted, "While we have high employment figures in the community we also have challenges like the level of car dependency and the absence of facilities such as a local shop".

The draft plan, based on these statistics and feedback from the questionnaires, identifies six key areas of action; community and infrastructure, transport, business and economics, communications, community activities and organisation.

"We have nominated specific people to drive the implementation of the actions in these key areas but before we finalise the plan we are asking the people to have one last look at the draft and come back with suggestions," he said.

Copies of the draft plan and a summary are currently being emailed to as many people as possible while printed versions are available in both churches for those who would like paper copies.

Response sheets at the back of the documents are to be filled out and can be returned to the Parish Office at the Community Centre or via email ogonnelloecommunity@ gmail.com on or before Friday, April 30th.

All responses will be reviewed and the draft plan will be adjusted where possible to reflect them.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dear Sir, Did the county really deserve an OPD which is completely inaccessible by public transport?

Located in an impersonal faceless business park on the periphery of the town, this is NOT progress for the public not all of whom have cars or drivers available up to them.

In my opinion this represents a gross deterioration in health services to the public.

Yours, Muireann Neylon, Ennis

Dear Sir, I was very pleased to read the report in The Clare Echo by Páraic McMahon of Senator Martin Conway’s speech in the Senate last week, supporting journalists from the Iconic Group of newspapers, several who have been laid off in recent weeks.

Union recognition being mandatory within this state would certainly assist workers especially where many employers are taking advantage of Covid-19 to play fast and loose with staff.

Sometime next year when we can see what the real “unlocked” world looks like and what has survived it will be time to remind ourselves that it is people that are

important not just figures or the “bottom line”.

Local properly staffed newspapers are an important part of rural and semi-rural life.

Admittedly we already have enough people with such casual attitudes to their workers without importing more from the UK, where many of us fought against each such reactionary policies for years.

Yours, Keith Cargill, Drinagh, Ennistymon

20 BUSINESS

THURSDAY, APR 8 2021

Darragh McAllister elected President of Ennis Chamber PÁRAIC MCMAHON

P

paraic@clareecho.ie

UBLICAN Darragh McAllister has been elected as the new President of Ennis Chamber.

Darragh alongside business partner Dylan Hayes runs both Lucas' Bar and Considine's Bar, both of which are situated on Parnell St in Ennis.

He makes the elevation from the role of Vice President and succeeds hotelier Allen Flynn.

Flynn of The Old Ground Hotel held the position during a manic 12 month period for businesses as models of operation changed drastically due to COVID-19.

Branch manager with Bank of Ireland in Ennis, Colin Ryan was elected as the new Vice President of Ennis Chamber. They took on the positions following Tuesday's AGM. Speaking after his election, Darragh acknowledged that his tenure would be a challenging one but he insisted he was ready for the task. "The past 12 months have been among the most challenging in living memory, for both business and private life. The spectre of March 2020 continues to haunt us, in new and varied ways. What many have lost can never be replaced and, without a doubt, how we live, work and conduct business has changed irrevocably. However, the spirit of the Chamber is one strengthened by challenge and change.

"In the coming year we will have to face upheaval, like

never before in the history of Irish or international business, but before we know where we are going, we must know where we are. Recovery, in 2021, will not mean a return to business as it was, rather it will mean once again finding our feet in a new reality and ensuring we have a strong stance from which to move forward. Moving forward must mean growth. Any potential rebound from the reopening of the economy may be short-lived and it will be essential for us all to make the most of potential gains," he stated.

Learnings as individuals and as a group will be vital, Darragh maintained as he applauded the members' Esprit de Corps.

"If there is to be a new world then we should not only embrace it but become pioneers. By listening, leading and lobbying for 'Recovery and Growth', our aim is for Ennis Chamber to make its mark on the local economy in 2021".

CEO of Ennis Chamber, Margaret O'Brien expressed her confidence that Darragh "will bring energy and astuteness to the role".

She praised outgoing President, Allen Flynn for his commitment to the role, "he did not waiver once, despite his own business obligations. He always made himself available and gave tremendous support to staff at Ennis Chamber. He represented Ennis Chamber members with professionalism on the many Covid related taskforces and committees to which he was appointed. For a person running four hotels, operating in what became a beleaguered hospitality sector, he remained stoic in his commitment not only to the business community represented by Ennis Chamber, but also to his beloved adopted hometown of Ennis".

l COMMERCE: Ennis publican Darragh McAllister

Cahill Taxation Services promotes Sinead Dooley CAHILL Taxation Services (CTS) are delighted to announce the promotion of Sinead Dooley to the position of Tax Director. Since joining CTS as Tax Senior Manager in 2010, Sinead has been involved in a significant number of key projects, providing strategic tax planning for clients and

l EXPERTISE: Tax Director at Cahill Taxation Services Sinead Dooley

has been actively involved in the recent rapid growth and development of the tax department.

She is a dual qualified Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) and solicitor (LLM). Sinead now lives in Barefield, Co. Clare. Sinead has particular expertise in tax disputes and appeals, estate and succession planning, corporate restructuring and personal tax planning.

Sinead prides herself on providing quality and timely tax advice to help her clients achieve their personal and business objectives.

As part of her new role, Sinead will have increased management responsibilities, whilst continuing to remain heavily involved in advising the firm’s clients and supporting the firm’s continued growth.

Established in 2007, CTS is a consultancy practice consisting of tax specialists and tax experts, providing a full suite of strategic tax and business advisory services nationally. Fergal Cahill, a proud Cork man now living in Quin, is the principal and founder of CTS. Based in Ennis, Co Clare, CTS current boast one of the largest taxation departments on the Western Corridor and the firm has driven steady growth year-on-year which Fergal attributes this to having the expertise of a leading national firm while maintaining the flexibility, personal characteristics of a local firm.

Fergal is delighted with this announcement and he "wishes Sinéad continued success in her career here in the future."

RECRUITMENT 21

THURSDAY, APR 8 2021

Get the Shifts acquired by FRS Recruitment PÁRAIC MCMAHON

A

paraic@clareecho.ie

SHANNON company has been acquired by FRS Recruitment.

Get the Shifts is a temporary staff hiring business which can at three hours notice provide between one and 500 staff at a time.

It hires temporary workers for hospitality businesses, shops and marketing organisations.

Under the terms of the deal agreed, Get

the Shifts will become a division of FRS Recruitment, utilising the shared services, reach and resources of the social enterprise co-operative, FRS Network. All staff working for Get the Shifts will join the FRS Recruitment team.

Founder of Get the Shifts Hannah Wrixon will become the division's general manager.

She said, "By joining forces with FRS, Get the Shifts will be able to benefit from their reach and resources to further build the platform, allowing our business to reach new markets both at home and abroad.

"This represents real progression for all involved with Get the Shifts which will benefit all our existing and future customers. We

can't wait to get started on this exciting new chapter".

Previously named as Network Ireland's business woman of the year, Hannah was born into a hospitality and entrepreneurial family.

Regarded as a leading recruitment business in the country, FRS Recruitment has ten offices nationwide located in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Tipperary, Limerick, Kerry, Kilkenny, Offaly, Cavan and Roscommon. It is part of the FRS Network.

Speaking about the acquisition, Colin Donnery, General Manager of FRS Recruitment outlined, "We are very excited to be working with Get the Shifts and their team.

"Everyone in recruitment can see the innovative approach that Hannah and her colleagues have brought to temporary recruitment in recent years.

"We believe this acquisition is a real accomplishment for FRS as it not only brings a remarkable business under our banner, but also gives us access to the brilliant Get the Shifts team".

Prior to COVID-19, Get the Shifts could support 2,000 flexible workers with five to 10 new clients signing up per week. At the beginning of 2020, they began a focus on the hospitality market in Ireland and UK with plans to use Manchester as a base to launch the business in the UK discussed.

SELR etail To p Q u a lity Ti l l Ro lls (Ra n g e o f Size s ) Vis a Ro lls T h e r m a l Sc a le L a b e ls (Pr in te d o r Pla in ) l ENTREPRENEUR: Hannah Wrixton

Clare Youth Service, a registered charity and voluntary youth work organisation, is the leading provider of youthwork programmes and services to young people in the county.

Applications are now invited from suitably qualified persons for the post of:

Finance Manager (35 hours)

Skill & Experience: • A relevant third level or professional qualification: ACA/ACCA/CIMA/CPA or similar.

• Significant recent experience in a similar role.

• Proven experience in the preparation of financial statements, management accounting and audit.

• Experience of the charitable sector and accounting for charities including requirements of the Charities ACT 2009, SORP and FRS102 would be an advantage.

• Advanced IT skills as well as experience in the use of recognised financial software packages including Sage Line 50 and Quantum or similar payroll packages.

Interested candidates must complete an application form– CV’s will NOT be accepted. Full details of requirements and application forms are available from ldack@clareyouthservice.org Closing date for applications 4.30 p.m. Tuesday April 20th 2021 Interviews are scheduled for Saturday April 24th 2021 Shortlisting will apply. A panel may be formed from this recruitment process from which future vacancies in the organisation may be filled.

Clare Youth Service is committed to a policy of Equal Opportunities.

Posts are subject to Garda Vetting.

Canvassing will disqualify.

Call Jim on 086 2579885

Property

THURSDAY, APR 8 2021

Beautiful homes all over the County

6 RIVERLANE, PARNELL STREET, ENNIS, CO CLARE. V95 Y159

ASKING PRICE €70,000

14 GEORGES HEAD, KILKEE, CO CLARE. V15 PK70

ASKING PRICE €395,000

A

T

Sherry FitzGerald McMahon Licence No: 001212-001189 O’Connell Square House, Ennis, Co. Clare. V95 KW22 065 686 7866

Sherry FitzGerald McMahon Licence No: 001212-001189 O’Connell Square House, Ennis, Co. Clare. V95 KW22 065 686 7866

WELL maintained 1 bedroom apartment in the heart of Ennis. The apartment is on the second floor of the development and is finished to a good standard. There are only six apartments in the block. Due to the convenient location in the town centre the apartment may be suitable for investment, couples or singles. The apartment offers comfortable and modern accommodation with timber flooring, built in wardrobes and electric heating. 52sqm. BER D1. BER No. 102239811

HIS is a rare opportunity to purchase one of the most sought after holiday home locations in Kilkee. The property is an excellent position with sea views out towards the famous Pollock Holes at the opposite side of the bay. This four bedroom detached house is presented for sale in excellent condition throughout. It presents a fresh interior with the first floor living room featuring double doors affording stunning views over the bay & Cliffs. The property is located in a quiet, scenic part of the town adjacent to Kilkee’s Golf Club. Kilkee is one of Ireland’s most sought-after resorts and this is a rare opportunity to acquire one of the town’s best locations.

ECH. 134 sq.m. (1,450 sq.ft). BER D1. BER No. 113719835

NEWPARK, ROSLEVAN, ENNIS, ASKING PRICE CO CLARE. €175,000 V95 A991

N

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Clare house prices rise 2.8% as time to sell falls – survey

T

HE price of the average second-hand three-bed semi in county Clare has increased by 2.8% to €185,000 in the last three months, according to a national survey by Real Estate Alliance.

The average time taken to sell has reflected a national trend and fallen by a fortnight to four weeks across the county between December and March, the Q1 REA Average House Price Index shows.

“Demand is outstripping supply, which has brought prices up,” said Liam Browne of REA Paddy Browne, Ennis.

“Properties are slow to come on the market but we expect supply to increase going forward.”

Nationally, average house prices rose by almost 2% over the past three months, despite the absence of physical viewing, in a marketplace which is seeing the lowest supply and the shortest time taken to sell in recent history.

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

The price of a three-bedroomed semi-detached house across the country rose by almost €4,500 over the past three months to €243,603 – representing an annual increase of 3.6%.

The average three bed semi is now reaching sale agreed af-

ter just five weeks on the market across the country – almost half the nine-week average this time last year.

Not having to schedule appointments has led to potential buyers making swift bidding decisions on the back of virtual viewings, speeding up the selling process according to REA. The biggest rises in Q1 came in commuter counties as buyers move out further from the city in preparation for long-term hybrid working situations.

Dublin city experienced its biggest quarterly rise in over three years as the price of a three-bedroomed semi-detached house rose by 1.5% to €438,500 during the past 12 weeks.

This represents an annual increase of 2.7% and means that the average Dublin three bed semi has now recovered to its December 2017 price level after a period of decreases, mainly in 2019.

Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford cities shared a combined increase of 1.2% in the past 12 weeks with prices rising by €3,000 to an average of €265,625.

Three bed semis in commuter counties rose 2.3% by almost €6,000 in the past three months to an average of €258,889 – with the average home selling in four weeks – down from a high of 11 a year ago.

As the flight to rural locations continues, prices in the rest of the country’s towns rose by over 2% in Q1 to €168,828.

22

SOLD

THURSDAY, APR 8 2021

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21 THE MAPLES, OAKLEIGH WOOD

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38 WESTWOOD, GOLF LINKS ROAD

36 CLUAIN ROS LEAMHAIN, TULLA ROAD

117 MOORE BAY

25 POWERSCOURT

29 WATERSIDE

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Sport Clare Echo THE

08-04-21

pg 24

instagram.com/ClareEcho twitter.com/ClareEcho facebook.com/clareecho clareecho.ie

First bill for GPS units arrived last year as Collins ‘annoyed’ at negative press for Clare GAA

By PÁRAIC McMAHON

CLARE GAA have said they first received a bill for GPS units last year while the manager of the county footballers has voiced his annoyance with the depiction that his panel are content with poorer conditions.

Reports of discontent, division and frustration within Clare GAA were documented in national media for a sustained one month period between February and March.

Questions on the expenditure of the Clare hurling supporters club only during the tenure of Davy Fitzgerald were raised while one publication included a photo of the storeroom at Caherlohan and insinuated that it was the gym at the Clare GAA ‘Centre of Excellence’.

Speaking previously to The Clare Echo, Chairman of Clare GAA Jack Chaplin rubbished claims that up to €18,000 had been

spent on GPS units by previous senior hurling managers.

Treasurer of Clare GAA, Michael Gallagher told The Irish Independent that he first received a bill for GPS units in 2020, it is understood. During Davy Fitzgerald’s final year as Clare boss in 2016, units were given free of charge on a trial basis.

Fitzgerald’s successors Donal Moloney and Gerry O’Connor rented units from LIT Sports and Leisure Facilities for two years of their three season tenure. The cost was paid

by Club Clare and included money spent on pitch-rental at LIT and live video analysis.

Colm Collins disputed the depiction of Caherlohan when speaking to The Independent. “It’s far from the kip that the coverage is portraying”. The Kilmihil native said he would like to see a bigger gym and admitted he would have changed some aspects of the building’s design.

“It annoys me to see the negativity of recent weeks and I’d say most Clare people feel the same. Anything within reason that we’ve asked for, we’ve got. As far as I’m concerned we’ve been given every opportunity to succeed. This stuff seems to be totally concentrated on the hurling side but I’d hate the impression to be given that the footballers will accept anything, because we won’t, far from it,” the National Football League winning manager added.

Collins’ footballers prepared for last year’s championship at Caherlohan while the Brian Lohan managed hurlers utilised facilities in Meelick, Tubber, Shannon and Gurteen. It followed a request by Lohan to use the field assigned to the footballers which was rejected by the County Board.

To date, €4.8m has been spent on Caherlohan with close to €1m required to bring it up to a suitable standard.

l ANNOYED: Collins is unhappy with coverage of Caherlohan Photo by John Mangan

Feast on a high-Cal diet with Callinan’s autobiography EOIN BRENNAN

D

EPENDING on your vintage, the release of John Callinan’s autobiography ‘To Play, To Live’ is either a welcome lockdown leap down memory lane to an era in which Clare were a match for anyone or a timely introductory insight into one of the county’s greatest ever hurlers.

For an uninitiated younger generation (Generations Z and Alpha to be exact), the Clarecastle native’s senior inter-county career spanned from 1972-87, a time when prominent facial hair pre-dated faceguards and crucially in Clare’s case, there was no championship backdoor.

After all, the fact that Clare were widely considered the second best team in Ireland behind Munster rivals Cork meant that championship success agonisingly eluded this much-heralded side, with Callinan losing four of his six provincial deciders to the Rebels.

However, the versatile performer, famed for his iconic tache and tan (both natural he stresses), was fittingly decorated with two All-Stars (1979 and ’81), three Railway Cups with Munster (1976, ’78, ‘81) and of course Clare’s historic back-to-back National League

titles in 1977 and ’78.

“They were massive,” the Ennis-based solicitor recalled to The Clare Echo this week. “We had been beaten in the National League Final replay in ’76 by Kilkenny so to then beat them in 1977 and ’78 was huge. “Kilkenny were a big scalp, they still are. We had experience of playing and beating everybody at that time but to actually win something like a National League for the first time since 1946 was a big deal and I suppose it essentially endorsed what we were trying to do.

“Unfortunately as far as the team were concerned, there was a four letter word when it came to championship called Cork who were also beating everybody else. We seemed to get a lot of stick over not being able to beat Cork at that time but nobody else could beat them either so perhaps it’s just that our timing as a team was a little bit off.

“I argue in the book that the 1978 team got such a build up through the 1970s that the defeats in 1977 and ’78 but particular the latter kind of overwhelmed Clare people. I mean the same team and management were there again in 1979 but I can’t even remember who beat us. We just fell off a cliff which I would have been railing against. I mean I was only 23 in ’78, Enda [O’Connor] and [Colm] Honan were only 24, [Ger] Loughnane was only 25.

“However it just seemed that historically, the ’67 final defeat, the ’72 defeat and the ’74 defeat were all aggregated together into ’78 rather than just being a match we lost. And people had invested so heavily emotionally in our team that it definitely was a significant blow to the Clare psyche. That said, we came with a team again in ’81 and beat Cork before losing to Limerick so that was probably my biggest disappointment, losing that Munster Final as the core of the team were all at their peak.”

That’s merely a chapter of the Callinan story though as the book, part of Hero Books ‘The Legends Series’ and co-written by former Clare People, Clare Champion and Clare FM journalist Joe Ó Muircheartaigh, also chronicles an unrivalled underage career.

Carving out his passion for hurling in Clarecastle and St Flannan’s, Cal blossomed at inter-county level by excelling for three years at minor and five at Under 21 level while remarkably making his senior championship debut at just 17 in none other than the Munster Final of 1972, inevitably against Cork.

He finished as captain 15 years later amidst his most successful period for the Magpies. And if that wasn’t enough to whet your appetite, there’s also the juicy revelation that he could have been Offaly manager in that infamous 1998 season.

To Play, To Live is out now.

Photo by Joe Buckley

pg 25

08-04-21

Clare Echo THE

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Lynch embraces historic Treaty Utd captain role PÁRAIC MCMAHON

J

paraic@clareecho.ie

ACK Lynch’s place in the annals of Treaty Utd are secured despite its senior men’s side having only played two contests to date.

Manager of the newly-formed Limerick club, Tommy Barrett approached Lynch to offer him the honour of becoming the club’s first captain. The prestige of the role is certainly not lost on the defender who is joined in the squad by Newmarket-on-Fergus duo Shane Cusack and Callum McNamara along with Ennis’ Joe Collins.

Barrett did inform the Edwards Life Sciences manufacturing engineeer that he’d have preferred someone with a more League of Ireland experience but Jack’s leadership attributes and positive attitude put him in the reckoning. “It is a big thing when you’re the first name on the list to captain the first Treaty Utd’s senior men’s team, I suppose I’ll be the answer to a pub quiz question in about 10 years

time. It is a huge honour for myself and my family, I’m hoping to do them proud.”

Their win over Wexford on Friday was not only their first victory but also their debut outing at The Markets Field. “It is a bit of a sickener that there was no fans there with us to enjoy it because I’d say the stand would have been rocking, it is still something that will go down in history, we will be the first squad to have had the pleasure of winning the first game for Treaty Utd, it probably won’t be something I appreciate until maybe the season has ended and all the dust has settled. I’m living in the moment and taking it day by day.”

Speaking to The Clare Echo, the Shannon man lauded their away draw to Bray Wanderers and home win as “super results”. This is particularly rewarding for the 23 year old who called time on his two season stint with Galway Utd in November in order to commit to Treaty, a decision which he flagged was not easy.

His impressions of Treaty to date are “hugely positive” be it from the buy-in of fans, the workings of the Board,

Lynch has been named Treaty Utd’s first ever club captain

training facilities along with their professional approach to preparation.

Among those supporting the club are a cohort of Clare fans which Jack explained was an aspiration for Treaty. “I would have followed Limerick FC back in the day, I was quite surprised to see the amount of support there is in Clare. The fact that it is a new club, I don’t think COVID has had many positives but the fact that the League of Ireland is one of

the first things to go back and that there is a new club in the Mid-West region, I think we’re getting a whole new load of supporters and more buy-in from the surrounding counties.

“From looking at social media, the buy-in from lads in my hometown of Shannon who I wouldn’t have known would have followed all along are now behind Treaty Utd and buying membership. We’re trying to make it a club for the region

as opposed to a Limerick City club.”

References to Jack’s father Tommy, a club legend with Shrewsbury Town and former player and manager of Limerick FC, are commonplace when the Treaty captain is being discussed. He turned to his father when cutting short his time with Cobh Ramblers in 2018.

“That is when the conversations with my own father started. There was definitely times in my younger career that the weight was just a bit too much on my shoulders.

From conversations with himself, I went and played a year at Junior with Regional, I just found my love again for it really, I left all the excess baggage behind me.

“To be fair to my Dad, we used to have these intensive post-mortems after every game, from his side now he gives me a few tips and that is it, it doesn’t need to be a big whole palaver anymore and I can only say thanks to him for buying it into as well, that is what has led me to where I am now. ” This “crisis” in Cobh saw him fall out of love with the beautiful game. “It is something that a lot of lads have

Clare Ladies call for potential sponsors PÁRAIC MCMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie

CLARE Ladies Football have issued a call for support for potential sponsors to assist them in building to the future.

A new main sponsor and gear partner is to be announced soon

by Clare LGFA. They are now seeking partners to aid in a number of initiatives to maximise the potential of Clare Ladies Football and prepare them for success in the years to come.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Clare LGFA Chairman Seán Lenihan explained, “This call for support is not just about sponsorship for our County Teams. For sure, the Intermediate Team is the Flag bearer for Clare Ladies Football and much is expected from them, but what we want to achieve goes much deeper than that.

“We want to build for the future, we want to ensure we have a conveyor belt of talent coming

through and most importantly, we want to have processes and systems in place which offer a pathway to all girls to get involved with their Clubs, stay involved, play the game, enjoy it, have fun and make lifelong friends. By doing this we will have secured their love for the game and their commitment for life”.

Appointing managements were the first task for Lenihan and fellow officers since their AGM at Christmas. Establishing committees charged with Development and Coaching, Gradings, Fixtures and Finance then followed. “One positive from the Covid restrictions is that it allowed a bit of breathing space to look at our systems and processes, analyse what we do and see if we can do things better and much work has been done across these areas which will pay dividends in the future,” he said.

Funding remains of “paramount importance”, the St Josephs Doora/Barefield clubman

emphasised. Gate receipts and fundraising for the organisation has been “decimated”. The finance committee are focused on the areas of savings, sponsorship and fundraising. “The committee are looking at all of the Boards costs over the last 3 to 5 year period to establish the significant repeat costs and to identify if efficiencies and or savings can be found”.

Lenihan acknowledged that the all businesses are just striving to survive let alone contemplating sponsoring different teams. He is hopeful that despite this companies, organisations or individuals would consider partnering with Clare LGFA. “I want to assure any potential sponsor that all support will be greatly appreciated, receipted and suitably/adequately acknowledged via our social media platforms, sponsors public launch night, sponsors pop up board”.

He concluded, “Even during these difficult times, our members are putting in huge effort across

the County and across all of the Grades by training on their own, partaking in S&C programmes, linking in virtually with teammates and coaches so that they can literally hit the ground running when collective training resumes on April 19th for the Adult Intercounty Team and April 26th for Underage pods. We have set ourselves the ambitious target of winning the All Ireland Final this year or next. Along the way, there will be exciting times and significant coverage which will accrue much goodwill, media coverage and community support for those companies and organisations that put their faith in us at this stage”.

For further details, please contact any of the following: Treasurer: Geraldine Kelly Email: treasurer.clare@lgfa.ie Secretary: Monica Callinan Email: secretary.clare@lgfa.ie Chairman: Seán Lenihan Email: chairperson.clare@lgfa.ie

gone through but it doesn’t maybe get the exposure, I don’t know are lads afraid to talk about it but it doesn’t get brought up a lot. First Division soccer in Ireland is tough especially when you have lads as young as I was who were in college trying to juggle everything.

I was trying to do a degree in engineering and drive up and down to Cork City where Cobh were trying three times a week, it got too much and to be fair to Stephen Henderson when I spoke to him he couldn’t have been more understanding, it is something I will be grateful to them for the rest of my career, if I had stuck it out and put the head down I don’t know would I be where I am now to be completely honest”.

Football in the last two to three years has “been the most enjoyable I’ve played” and Jack is grateful to anyone who has been in his corner to make it happen.

“It has led me to where I am and captaining Treaty Utd in their first season in the League of Ireland, it has all come full circle thank God and touch wood it stays the same”.

Lahinch Golf Club AGM SEAMUS HAYES THE annual general meetings of the mens and ladies clubs at Lahinch golf club were held virtually on Thursday last (April 1) when the following officers were elected to serve for the next 12 months.

Presidents: Yvonne Morrison and Eugene Gilligan Captains: Margaret Cooney and Johnny O’Brien Vice Captains: Frances Wood and Jim Nolan Ex officio: Helena Tiernan and Eamon Foley The captains’ drive in has been rescheduled to a time when all members are permitted to travel to Lahinch.

08-04-21

Clare Echo THE

pg 26

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Career best for Cooney’s Border Electric A CAREER best was recorded by Border Electric in Limerick on Saturday night while Flyers Iniesta was the only Clare dog to reach the next round of the Con and Annie Kirby Memorial.

Owned by Gary and Donal Cooney of O’Callaghans Mills, Border Electric is firmly back to her best, she is very much on the

Photo by Eamon Ward comeback trail following her last two starts which were her first after a year absence.

She pinged the lids from trap two to take a comfortable lead into the opening corner, sretching clear thereafter, the result was never in doubt for the daughter of Skywalker Puma and Borna Gem as she stayed on strongly to win by six lengths from Ballyelan Josie in second. The time was a slick 28.61.

Indeed, just as the night started with a Cooney winner, the night also ended in similar fashion as Runontheinside produced a trap to line display for connections. Bolting from trap two, Runontheinside put the contest to bed early as he showed brilliant speed down the back straight before staying on expertly to grab the win in an excellent time of 28.64.

Knockdine Blake showed impressive back straight pace to double his career tally in the third race of the night. Owned by Patrick Conlon of Cree and Helen O’Brien of Miltown Malbay, Knockdine Blake was led into the back straight by Slanan Yum Yum but showed a fine turn of pace from bends two to three to storm to the front and take control. From here, the son of Laughil Blake and Mikeys Lass powered home and he crossed the line three lengths clear of Horsepound Gold in second in a time of 28.77.

Flyers Iniesta owned by the Fitzgeralds of Kilrush became the only Clare representative to reach the next round of the Con & Anne Kirby Memorial. The West Clare dog took second stop in heat seven on Saturday night’s second round heats.

Cloneyogan Blaze was first home in the A1 graded ninth contest over 525 Yards in Galway on Friday. Owned by Siobhan Garraghy of Lahinch, Cloneyogan Blaze railed superbly and the son of Kinloch Brae and Tiermana Rum took two lengths out of his rival enter-

ing the back straight. Racing along the back straight Cloneyogan Blaze was making the best of his way home and staying on powerfully drew further away off the home bend to defeat Boyneside Bobby by five and a half lengths in 28.76.

The opening contest of the night was a Novice 350 Yards contest in which Rathmeehan Blake out wide and Room To Stop along the inner were both smartly into stride and they disputed the lead just ahead of Breaghmore Rob as they approached the opening bend.

Rounding the bend the John Collins and John Browne of Ballyea owned Rathmeehan Blake took a definite advantage. Turning for home Room To Stop switched outside to challenge but Rathmeehan Blake held him at bay by half a length in 19.76. The litter double was completed in the S9 graded third contest as John Browne’s solely owned Rathmeehan Kane proved two and a half lengths too good for Kylea Star in 19.53.

In the early strides of the A6 graded contest Glynnscrosschris and Ginnys Girl both showed pace as they raced towards the opening bend where the Thomas Keane of Kilmihil owned Glynnscrooschris railed well and took a couple of lengths out of her rival.

Turning down the back Glynnscrosschris led Ekimov by over three lengths with Ginnys Girl in third place but approaching the penultimate bend Glynnscrosschris was in command as she stayed on well to defeat Ekimov by a length and three parts in 30.04.

Astro Fionn owned by Feakle duo Damien and Gary Pepper made all the running in race 4 on Saturday nights card which was a A8 graded contest as he proved two and a half lengths too good for the staying on Way Out Caprice in 30.04. Away smartly on the wide outside the winner led Dynamic Twinkle and Talansky by two lengths rounding the opening bend. Racing along the back Talanasky gradually closed the gap and looked danger off the home bend but the winner found plenty on the run home to win in good style at the line.

In race eleven the James McLaughlin of Shannon owned Only A Pound showed great determination in this A6 graded contest as he recorded a second career success by getting back up close home to deny Rosshill Holly by a head in 29.48. Smartly into stride the winner led by almost two lengths at the opening bend as Ballylean Rogue and Rosshill Holly gave chase. Rounding the third bend Rosshill Holly came through to challenge and off the home bend she edged to the front but in the final stride Only A Pound rallied gamely to land the prize.

Breckans reappoint Garrihy and management team SEAMUS HAYES DONIE Garrihy and his management team have been re-appointed to manage the St. Breckans senior football team for 2021.

Having led the club back to senior ranks in 2019 when

they won the intermediate Clare title and went on to contest the Munster final, he oversaw the side progress to the Clare senior semi-final in 2020 when they suffered a narrow loss to Cratloe.

Hopes are high amongst supporters of the Lisdoonvarna-Doolin club that they will challenge strongly at senior level in 2021.

Kerry All-Ireland senior medal winner Declan O’Keeffe will continue as team coach along with John Mooney while John McDonagh (Kinvara) will train the team. Pat Haugh and Jersey O’Loughlin are selectors while Aidan McDermott and John Petty will be in charge of stats. John Earls will continue as team physio.

Photo by Burren Eye Photography

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OBITUARIES

THURSDAY, APR 8 2021

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

HAREN PADDY

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We, Paddy’s brothers, sisters and extended family members at home and abroad wish to thank all the people that have expressed their sympathy to us on Paddy’s passing. We

thank the ambulance staff and UHL Cardiac units doctors and nurses for their kindness and respect shown to him in his final hours. Also to his home helps from ‘Clare Care’, Ita and Bridie. We thank all his friends and neighbours of Summerhill and Kilmaley also Mrs O’Brien, Noel Howard and Pat Meehan.

To all the staff of restaurants and shops that he visited. To Ennis General Hospital staff for your kindness to Paddy over the years. We thank Fr. Tom Ryan for the beautiful blessing on route to Kilmaley Church and thank all those who lined the route and stood outside the graveyard social distancing because of Covid 19. We thank the people at home and abroad who viewed it on the Kilmaley parish webcam and ‘funerallive.ie’ . To Fr. Martin Blake for

all your support and kindness to us and the lovely mass for Paddy. To Bessie and Michael Cahill. The gravediggers John and Johnny for Paddys final resting place. To the Healey sisters for their lovely singing. P. J. Murphy funeral director and staff for all you have done for us and Paddy. We, his family home and abroad, thank you.

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PLANNING

THURSDAY, APR 8 2021

29

PLANNING NOTICES CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL BUSHYVALE HOUSE, MOUGHNA, MILTOWN MALBAY, CO CLARE. EIRCODE V95 N5F3 Take notice that NIAMH FOX & SAM GLEESON intend to apply for permission for 1. Change of use of a section of the existing storage shed with workshop area, granted under P19/121, to provide a workshop area / teaching facility for blade smithing and knife making school, with its own new entrance door; 2. To replace the existing shed with a purpose built teaching unit with welfare facilities and office and 3. To upgrade the existing waste treatment system and all 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 TIERGONEAN, DOOLIN, CO. CLARE. V95 EY16 Take notice that Michele Talvin intends to apply for Permission to: 1. RETAIN the Dwelling on site, which has altered fenestration & is a mirror image of that previously granted under Reference P90/935, 2. RETAIN & COMPLETE the works to widen & realign the Entrance to the property & 3. PERMISSION to extend the Dwelling and all associated site and ancillary works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL FURTHER INFORMATION/ REVISED PLANS PLANNING REF: P20/930 Development Description: to demolish existing sheds and to erect slatted unit and machinery shed Location: Breaffy South,

Miltown Malbay Take notice that M. O’Neill has lodged significant further information in respect of planning application P20/930.

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL FURTHER INFORMATION/ CLARIFICATION PLANNING REF: P20/811 Development Description: to retain extended road Location: Tiermaclane, Ennis Take notice that J. Kelly has lodged significant further information in respect of planning application P20/811.

This information and planning

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL FISHER STREET, DOOLIN Take notice that P. Sexton intends to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to revise part of front elevation, to convert part of storage area to gift stall and to relocate exit to proposed smoking area 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

BUILD DIRECT CLARE

in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application.

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL. DROMOLAND ESTATE, NEWMARKET ON FERGUS. CO. CLARE. Slaney O’ Brien intends to apply to Clare County Council for Planning Permission to construct a two storey dwelling house, waste water treatment system and all ancillary and associated site and ground works at Dromoland Estate, Newmarket on Fergus, Co. Clare. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority 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, E20.00, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL BALLYNOTE EAST, KILRUSH, CO. CLARE Take notice that Estate of Cecilia Mulqueen is applying to Clare County Council for retention permission for the change of design of a dwelling house and garage previously granted under P8-15168 along with all associated 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 Clare County Council during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

PLANNING TO BUILD A NEW HOUSE, OR TO RENOVATE OR REMODEL AND EXISTING PROPERTY USING DIRECT LABOUR? ENGAGE THE SERVICES OF AN EXPERIENCED DIRECT LABOUR BUILDING COORDINATOR WITH OVER 35 YEARS OF KNOWLEDGE IN ALL ASPECTS OF CONSTRUCTION.

DEALING WITH

REFERENCES AVAILABLE CONTACT 086 836 8889 EMAIL BUILDDIRECTCLARE1@GMAIL.COM

The Clare Echo Planning Contact 065 671 9021

30 PUZZLEPAGE

THURSDAY, APR 8 2021

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QUIZ 31

THURSDAY, APR 8 2021

The Clare Echo Quiz

THE CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL COAT OF ARMS QUIZ was the Clare County Council 11925When coat of arms introduced?

1954 1986

The antique Irish crown represents 6 which ancient kingdom?

Builg Desmond Thomond

The motto on Clare County Council’s The rose motif abstracted from the 2 coat of arms is Dílis d’ar nOidreacht.

7 shield of the old diocese of Kilfenora What does this mean? is designed to typify what North Clare

Joe Garry Rebecca Maher

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The shielding design of the coat of arms is done to reflect what?

The varied cultures and groups of the county The flat and craggy landscape of the county The splits and divisions from the county’s history

The six compartments of the shield5 ing design are intended to represent the ancient areas of Clare. Which area is missing from this list, Dal gCais, Clann Cuilean, Ui Caisin, Corcumrua and Ui Breacain?)

Corca Baiscinn Cora Caitlín Gleninagh

The tau cross is included in the crest 8 of arms to symbolise the county’s heritage. Where is the tau cross located?

Kilkishen Kilfenora Kilnaboy

l CREST: Clare County Council’s Coat of Arms

Which entity operated by Shannon 9 Group is symbolised on the coat of arms?

Bunratty Castle and Folk Park Shannon Airport Knappogue Castle

The design’s purpose was to repre10 sent the county’s history, achievements and what else?

People Struggles Topography

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

The answers will be revealed in next weeks edition.

6. Thomond 7. The Burren 8. Kilnaboy 9. Shannon Airport 10.Topography

Who made the suggestion for the 3 motto?

Paddy Hillery

attraction?

The Burren The Cliffs of Moher St Brigid’s Well

ANSWERS

1. 1986 2. True to our Heritage 3. Rebecca Maher 4. The flat and craggy landscape..

5. Corca Baiscinn

You’ll never beat the Banner True to our Heritage Each one working for the good of all.

Last weeks Answers . sign missing on door . Leg missing on chair . Badge missing on woman (left) . Light missing

. Rail of lights missing on ceiling . Alarm missing on wall (right) . Alarm missing on wall (background)

Colm Liddy Photograph: John Mangan

AND GUTTERING CLARE

ROOF MOSS CLEANING