The Clare Echo 08/06/23

County records sunniest week since 1995...

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

COUNTY CLARE has recorded its sunniest week since 1995 while nighttime water restrictions have been introduced in Fanore.

A total of 105.3 hours of sunshine were recorded at Shannon Airport’s met station in the past week making it the sunniest week in Clare since 1995 and the brightest spell recorded by an Irish weather station since 2018.

Since Tuesday night, eight hour restrictions on water use in Fanore came into effect and will continue for that duration for successive nights until reservoir levels stabilise. Water schemes in Ballyvaughan, Ennistymon, Kilfenora and Lahinch are experiencing shortages

BAGS OF CLASS

and reduced pressure due to low reservoir levels.

Spells of sunshine are generally a good omen so far as hurling is concerned with Kieran McDermott famously singing in The Banner Roar in 1995 that “All Munster suffered sunstroke and the grass was all burnt dry”.

Brian O’Connell’s minors were crowned All-Ireland champions for the first time since 1997 on Sunday while the senior hurlers are bidding to defeat Limerick in the provincial final for the first time since 1995 this coming Sunday.

Close attention is being paid to the water in Bunratty to see if the dolphins have arrived, their presence was last spotted there in 2013 when Clare’s senior hurlers last won the All-Ireland title.

l Clare selector Fintan Leamy on the bagpipes leads the Clare Minor hurlers into Cusack Park after they defeated Galway at the weekend tto claim All-Ireland glory

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

Fossett’s to mark 135th anniversary in Bunratty

FOSSETT’S Circus 135th anniversary will be celebrated this month in the beautiful surrounds of Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, writes Páraic McMahon.

‘The Big Top’ of Ireland’s national circus will be set against the backdrop of the country’s most famous medieval castle on June 17th and 18th. The award-winning show will feature the very best of interna-

tional circus acts, including jugglers, aerial acrobats, dare devils and much more.

It will be the first time since 2018 that Fossett’s Circus returns to Bunratty.

Aodhagan Behan, Operations Manager at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, said, “The show is very much part of Ireland’s rich entertainment heritage, so it is appropriate that one of the country’s best known heritage

attractions hosts the circus on the occasion of its 135th anniversary”.

He confirmed that circus goers will receive free entry to the Castle and Folk Park.

The story of Fossett’s Circus stretches back exactly 135 years ago when George Lowe, the original Amazing Doctor Powell, set out on a tour throughout Ireland with his own circus. He and his troupe, which included Edward Fossett, performed at traditional fair greens and marketplaces during the summer of 1888, marking the origins of the internationally acclaimed circus.

Marion Fossett, the ringmaster of Fossett's Circus, has been carrying on a family tra-

dition that has lasted for generations. She outlined, “All of our performers and crew have very fond memories of our last visit to Bunratty in 2018 and this year, we promise to put on an even bigger and better show to the people of Clare. Highlights of our circus include the Globe of Speed featuring FMX Stunt Motorcycle riders, The Wheel of Death, and the thrilling Flying Trapeze high in the roof of the Big Top”.

Ticket bookings for Fossett’s Circus at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park can be made at www. bunrattycastle.ie/events. Each purchased ticket provides free entry to the Castle and Folk Park.

lCOURT JESTER: Otto the Clown pictured at the launch and announcement of Fossett’s Circus coming to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park Photo by Brian Arthur

New white-tailed eagle chicks welcomed

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

NEW chicks from the widowed white-tailed eagle have emerged in East Clare.

A male white-tailed eagle who had been living along in Lough Derg for the past four years has found a new partner, who he recently paired up with and they have now produced two chicks.

As part of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) white-tailed eagle reintroduction programme, the male eagle was released in 2008. Nature conservation, particularly where efforts to protect an endangered species is concerned, can take quite some time to see success.

This is the second time that this male eagle has bonded with a female after his first partner died from Avian Flu 2018. That earlier eagle pairing had also produced chicks including the first hatching and fledging of a white-tailed eagle chick in Ireland for over 110 years.

His previous partner died from Avian Flu and he had been living alone in East Clare for four years until meeting his current partner.

Originally from Norway, the first female partner was released into the wild with 15 other white-tailed eagle chicks in Lough Derg in 2020. She first flew off to Scotland but returned six months later and eventually bonded with the now single

older male. In February of this year, they set up a new territory and built a nest on Holy Island (Inis Cealtra) in Lough Derg. They subsequently mated and the female successfully hatched out one white-tailed eagle chick.

Eamonn Meskell, who heads up the NPWS White Tailed Eagle Reintroduction project, proudly said, “The male eagle has been single for four years since his previous partner died. Of course the fact that he has now found and bred with a new partner is significant to our project

but we’re also delighted to see this eagle that we know well make a new bond and start a new family”.

“A story like this really brings our reintroduction programme to life, as it helps people to learn about eagle breeding behaviour and the fragility of our reintroduction efforts, all told through the story of a widowed eagle. For our project, the appearance of any new chick is a milestone and shows that the continuation of the project is proving successful.”

In addition, at another site in Co

Clare, eagle-eyed NPWS staff have in recent days observed and tagged three chicks reared by one of the male eagle’s offspring from his previous partner. This earlier offspring, a female eagle, has thus far reared ten chicks which are spread around the island of Ireland, some of whom themselves are forming pairs.

Meskill stated, “It is also incredible that one of his offspring is now herself rearing three chicks. This is a very rare occurrence, as a very small minority of nest sites in Ireland, Norway or anywhere else

have more than two chicks on nest. This is the second year that three chicks are on the nest at this particular nest site. This shows how suited Ireland and our lakes are from a habitat and feeding perspective for this reintroduction project”.

Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan (GP) commented, “The successful hatching of these WhiteTailed Eagle chicks symbolises the patience and careful planning of a long term project such as the White Tailed Eagle reintroduction project. It gives us great hope and encouragement for the project which we always knew would take time and perseverance.

“As this story shows, reintroduction of the White Tailed Eagle hasn’t always been straightforward with factors such as Avian Flu and in the past illegal poisoning scuppering efforts. The current phase of the release programme aims to ensure the population is robust enough to give this once extinct species the best possible chance of long-term success in Ireland. The news from Clare of five chicks born to eagles from both phases of the reintroduction programme – and indeed to their offspring - shows why our continued efforts, perseverance and hope can lead not just to lovely stories such as this, but to hope and good news for nature,” he added.

1,458 Clare students begin the Leaving Certificate

1,458 CLARE students commenced the Leaving Certificate on Wednesday, writes Páraic McMahon

State Examinations began this week with thousands of Clare students sitting the Leaving Certificate, Leaving Certificate Applied and Junior Cycle examinations, running until June 27, June 15, and June 19 respectively.

In Clare, 731 females and 727 males began the Leaving Certificate.

Minister for Education, Norma Foley (FF) confirmed that the results of the Leaving Cert will be issued to students on Friday August 25th. The move brings it back

in line with pre-pandemic norms, after two years of receiving the results in September.

Reverting to the traditional time to receive results is a huge relief for students, Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) stated. “It’s also most welcome that the State Examinations Commission will again provide a deferred examinations sitting for those who, for whatever reason, through illness or bereavement might not be in a position to sit the first exam, and also implement a post-marking adjustment following completion of marking, in the context of avoiding any cliff

edge in grades as compared to the pandemic years”.

“Thankfully, we are continuing to progress towards normality following the disruption to teaching and learning resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, the impact of the pandemic is not yet in the past.

“We recognise that it will have disrupted teaching and learning for the cohort of students sitting State examinations this year and indeed the majority of those sitting Leaving Certificate examinations in 2024 will not have sat Junior Cycle examinations,” Deputy Crowe added.

Sunniest week since 1995

CO CLARE has recorded its sunniest week since 1995, writes Páraic McMahon Shannon Airport’s met station recorded 105.3 hours of sunshine in the Banner County making it the sunniest week here in twenty eight years.

It is also the sunniest spell recorded by any Irish weather station since 2018.

Ireland’s unbroken sunny spell is set to come to an end by Thursday night when things are expected to get a little hazier with more cloud cover coming up from Biscay. Although more clouds will be in the sky, it is expected to stay warm for the foreseeable future and in some places get even warmer.

lNEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK: White-tailed eagles on Holy Island Photo by NPWS

Night-time water restrictions introduced in Fanore area

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

NIGHT-TIME water restrictions have been introduced in Fanore.

Restrictions came into effect from Tuesday night (June 6th) from 10pm until 6am on Wednesday morning and will continue for that duration for successive nights until reservoir levels stabilise.

Uisce Éireann confirmed the measures will come into effect for Fanore and surrounding areas. “This is due to operational issues and exceptionally high demand for water during the current warm weather conditions,” a spokesperson confirmed to The Clare Echo

Customers in Craggagh, Crumlin, Dereen West, Fanore More, Fanore Beg, and surrounding areas will be affected.

Uisce Éireann is continuing to tanker water to the reservoir to supplement supply.

An alternative water supply is in place at the car park of O’Donoghue’s pub in Fanore Village. Customers are reminded to use their own containers when taking water from the tanker and to boil water before consumption as a precautionary measure as per HSE advice.

Uisce Éireann’s Regional Operations Lead Duane O’Brien said, “Uisce Éireann and Clare County Council engineers will continue to monitor water levels and work towards ensuring a water supply to customers is maintained where possible over the coming days. However, water restrictions are required

overnight to give the affected reservoirs time to replenish.”

“We would like to apologise to customers who are impacted by these restrictions and ask that people continue to conserve their water usage while we work to restore full supply to these affected areas,” O’Brien added.

Levels of all supplies will be

North’s water supply under pressure

WATER supply schemes across North Clare are experiencing shortages and reduced pressure due to low reservoir levels, writes Páraic McMahon

Ballyvaughan, Ennistymon, Fanore, Kilfenora and Lahinch are among the areas affected.

More pressure on the systems are expect- ed, Uisce Éireann’s Regional Operations Lead Duane O’Brien said.

“We are appealing to customers to conserve water to give the reservoirs time to replenish. We have had a very dry period and with the warmer weather currently being experienced and more forecast, supplies will come under further pressure. Any reduction that customers can make in their usage can collectively result in significant supply improvements for all customers. I would ask that everyone in these areas, and in Clare in general, play their part to help conserve water this summer.

monitored by Uisce Éireann over the coming weeks. Members of the public can report any leaks in the public water network by contacting Uisce Éireann 24/7 at 1800 278 278 or on water.ie.

Uisce Éireann are asking the public to help play their part in protecting essential water supplies for their local communities.

Dream Bigger!

“While we enjoy the sunshine it is important that we all consider our water usage and look at simple yet impactful ways to conserve water. It can sometimes be difficult to know where to start, but even small changes can make a significant difference – and we can all play our part. By turning off the hose and avoiding power washing we can all help ensure there is enough water to for everyone as we go through the summer”.

O’Brien confirmed that Uisce Éireann will continue to monitor all levels of supplies over the coming weeks and months and take any actions necessary to maintain supplies. Members of the public can report any leaks in the public water network by contacting Uisce Éireann 24/7 at 1800 278 278 or on water.ie.

lSHORTAGE: Water tankers have been installed in Fanore

Clare patients among 1000 plus affected by major data breach

by Páraic McMahon Paraic@clareecho.ie

A MAJOR data breach has affected gastroenterology patients in Clare, Limerick and Tipperary.

Over 1,066 patients in the Mid-West have been contacted by UL Hospitals Group regarding a data breach which occurred within the gastroenterology services at Ennis Hospital, University Hospital Limerick and Nenagh Hospital.

The Clare Echo has learned that the breach occurred after an email was sent in an error by a staff member of UL Hospi-

tals Group to an unknown external party outside of the HSE on January 24th of this year and was reported to the Data Protection Commissioner a week later.

Attached to the email was file which included patient names, dates of birth, medical chart numbers and limited medical information of gastroenterology patients.

Phone numbers and email addresses belonging to patients were not disclosed.

Efforts to recall the email and recover the data were not successful and UL Hospitals Group cannot verify if the recipient’s email account is active or dormant.

Top farmer award for Diarmaid

In a memo, Professor Colette Cowan stated, “We have no evidence that any patient information has been further disclosed, shared or published since the initial data breach on January 24th. We have conducted scans on the web to confirm this”.

Patients are receiving written correspondence from UL Hospitals Group to inform them of the data breach with a support line established to answer their questions. The letters were first sent out on Monday (May 29th).

Man escapes conviction for punch after being struck with glass

A 33-year old man who punched a woman in the face with his fist after she struck him across the head with a ginglass in a pub row has escaped a criminal conviction, writes

Gordon Deegan

At Killaloe District Court sitting in Ennis, solicitor for accused man, Kenneth Nealon, Tara Godfrey said that what occurred in Flanagan’s restaurant, Ballina, Co Tipperary on June 13th 2021 “was an unmitigated disaster”.

Judge Alec Gabbett said: “The whole scene was a bit unseemly.”

pleaded guilty to the assault causing harm of Mr Nealon and CCTV footage of the row was shown in court.

Ms Delaney also escaped a conviction after providing €1,000 compensation to Mr Nealon for the ‘gin-glass’ assault injury to Mr Nealon’s head which required three surgical clips to be put in place a 2cm laceration above his left ear.

and Liam Herlihy, Teagasc Chairman Photo

A CRATLOE man has been named as the overall winner of the grassland farmer of the year, writes Páraic McMahon Diarmaid Fitzgerald was rewarded as one of the top grassland farmers in the country at the sixth annual awards which recognise those who are growing and utilising more grass on their farms in a sustainable manner.

An overall prize fund of €25,000 is in place for the awards which are supported. The awards are supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Named as the winner in the young farmer category, Diarmaid was also announced as the overall winner at the awards which took place at the Teagasc Moorepark research centre in Mallow. Along with the honour, he scoops a cash prize of €5,000. The Grassland Farmer of the Year awards are part of the Teagasc Grass10 Campaign which continues to focus on improving nutrient management and efficiency on farm and clover establishment and its management.

Farming a total of 67.5ha all in one block with no outside land, Diarmaid has been contract-rearing heifers for the last two years so the only group of stock he has to look after are the

baby calves in spring and the milking cows. He is milking a total of 150 cows which is a stocking rate of just under 2.5 cows/ha. In 2022, he fed 800kg of meal. An open day is to be held on the Fitzgerald farm later this year.

Fertiliser plans are tailored based on the latest research, he admitted.

“Our thinking on clover and how we best manage it is constantly evolving. I keep a close eye on the latest research from Teagasc and tailor my fertiliser plans accordingly. Getting clover established across the farm has enabled me to substantially reduce chemical nitrogen use. I’m not seeing any impact on pasture growth, in fact some of my best paddocks are getting low levels of chemical nitrogen and the cows love them.”

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue (FF) commented, “As finalists you are joining a group of top class grassland farmers, and I would particularly like to congratulate Diarmaid Fitzgerald on winning the overall Grassland Farmer of the Year Award. It’s an achievement you can be really proud of. It is clear that initiatives such as Grass10 and the Grassland Farmer

of the Year are to the fore in helping farmers achieve the most they can from the natural resource they have on their farm, which is grass. Good management of grass clover swards is essential in meeting the targets set down in the AgClimatise Strategy”.

Judges were impressed with how Diarmaid manages the grass and clover swards on his farm which is situated along the banks of the Shannon Estuary. The judging panel for the Grassland Farmer of the Year competition consisted of John Maher, Teagasc Grass10; Diarmuid Donnellan, AIB; John O’Loughlin, Grassland Agro; Aidan Brennan, Irish Farmers Journal; Pat Gilligan, FBD; and Liz Hyland DAFM.

One of these judges, Aidan Brennan of the Irish Farmers Journal outlined, “One thing that stood out for the judges this year was a notable shift in attitude towards developing clover on the farm and protecting the environment. This was seen as important as grass production itself and it probably reflects the changing attitude among farmers in general. The fact that the average grass growth among the finalists was 13.5 t DM/ha just shows that you can be very efficient while also being very sustainable”.

In evidence, Garda Aine Troy told the court that after arriving at the scene at 12.30am, she spoke to Mr Nealon of Hampsted Park, Shannon Banks, Corbally, Limerick and said that he was irate and being treated in an ambulance at the time.

Garda Troy said that Mr Nealon “informed me that an altercation had taken place. He said that a girl called him a fat c**t and he told her he could lose the weight but she could not lose her fat nose and an altercation took place”.

Garda Troy said: “I viewed the CCTV and it shows Mr Nealon strike the woman in the face with his fist after he was assaulted.”

Mr Nealon pleaded guilty to the assault of Amy Delaney (26) of Johnsboro, Mountrath, Co Laois and Judge Alec Gabbett imposed the Probation Act and ordered that he enter a €200 Probation Bond and be of good behaviour for the next two years.

In court in April Ms Delaney

On behalf of Mr Nealon , Ms Godfrey said: “My client apologises unreservedly. Unfortunately, there was drink all round which is no excuse for anyone.

“My client doesn’t have previous convictions. He works in a factory and is desperate not to get a conviction.”

Ms Godfrey said: "He is pleading guilty to the Section 2 assault even though it did take us a while to come to that plea as he did have injuries. He had staples in his head and time off work.”

“He has received compensation through the courts from the lady who was the injured party in our case.”

Ms Godfrey said: “The State accepts my client was punched first and he punched backhe shouldn’t have punched back. Anyway the glass went through his head.

Ms Godfrey said: “He didn’t cover himself in glory that night, but then again he had been injured himself."

Ms Godfrey said that Mr Nealon wishes Ms Delaney no ill will.

She said: “He really just wants to put this behind him.”

lGRASS MEN: Overall winner Diarmaid Fitzgerald, Cratloe, his parents Sean and Deirdre with sponsors Donal Whelton, AIB; Enda McDonald, Grassland Agro; Michael Berkery, FBD; Charlie McConalogue TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine; Aidan Brennan, Irish Farmers Journal; Professor Frank O’Mara, Teagasc Director;

by O’Gorman Photography

lEnnis Hospital

O’Regan’s in Shannon celebrated both their first birthday and their loyal customer base at their customer appreciation evening on Friday last. Customers of the bar enjoyed complimentary drinks, BBQ and live music in the sunshine throughout the evening. James Hickey, manager of O’Regan’s commented “It was great to enjoy the evening with our loyal customers and friends. We’ve had an excellent first year, and look forward to many more to come”.

Tragedy in Killaloe claims life of 19 year old rising soccer star

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

TRAGEDY struck Killaloe with the death of a 19 year old man, Wassiou Ayawe Moran following an incident with a jet ski in Lough Derg.

On a glorious summer evening in Killaloe, tragedy struck when three teenagers were on a jet ski in Lough Derg and they were flipped into the water last Wednesday.

Two girls who had been on the jet ski were wearing life jackets managed to get to safety after this while the young man did not emerge from the water, he went underwater close to the ESB Mill Yard in an area known locally as Between the Waters.

Action began immediately on a search operation which involved the Killaloe Coast Guard which was located near by tasked to the incident at 5:05pm, Killaloe/Ballina search and rescue, a unit from Killaloe Fire Station and the Rescue 115 helicopter from Shannon.

At approximately 7:30pm, the man’s body was discovered by the bridge close to where the accident happened and was then removed to University Hospital Limerick for a post-mortem. The Clare Fire and Rescue Service was stood down at 8pm.

An Garda Síochána have already began the process of taking eye witness statements following the tragedy. The Marine Casualty Investigation Board will also be involved in the investigation.

At Wassiou’s funeral on Monday,

the Limerick FC soccer player was remembered as a “true hero on the field”. From Old Clare Street in Limerick, he was hailed as a gifted soccer player. A recording of ‘Stay With Me (Everybody’s Free)’, sung by London rapper Ironik, was played at the start of the mass held at St Mary’s Church in Limerick City.

A poem entitled ‘Wassiou Awaye Forever 19’, was read out by a family friend who recounted how Wassiou’s “infectious laughter and smile, would light up any room” and, “who right from your early start, had gifted feet and was potential soccer star”.

Fr Richie Davern, parish priest at St Mary’s, told mourners no one was feeling Wassiou’s loss more

deeply than “his mum Tracey, and no mother should have to live this day, no mother should have to see their child go before them”.

A number of symbols representing all that was important in Wassiou’s life were presented at the altar by his sisters Abbie, Ariana, Tiana and Aaieshah, including a soccer ball, a fruit drink, a mobile phone, and cigarette papers.

“Tiernan O’Neill, the principal of Moyross national school, told us that Wassiou was to soccer what Munster’s Keith Earls is to rugby –such was the talent and gift Wassiou had for that sport,” said Fr Davern.

“From a very young age, Wassiou had a passion for sport, particularly soccer, he played for several teams, but no more was he prouder than

when he was selected to play for Limerick FC, he had a passion for soccer and his commitment for this passion was unparalleled. He never gave up on achieving his goals, and, his teachers and coaches have described him as the most gifted soccer player they had ever seen.”

“As a team member he led by example, and his sportsmanship and dedication earned him the respect of his peers, elders and opposition alike, his work ethic was unmatched, and his commitment to the sport was infectious and inspired others around him to push themselves even harder - he was a true leader on the field.”

Fr Davern, speaking on behalf of Tracey Moran, thanked “the emergency services who attended the

scene” of last Wednesday’s fatal jetski incident and “all our family and friends and neighbours who have rallied around us”.

“Wassiou was a gifted young man whose life came to an end too soon. He is remembered not only for his sporting abilities, but also for his unwavering spirit and determination.

“He showed great compassion and kindness to all of his brothers and sisters, and they will all truly miss him,” he continued.

“His tragic and untimely death has left a void that will never be filled but his legacy will remain. His indomitable spirit and commitment to excellence will always be an inspiration to young soccer players who follow in his footsteps”.

Fr Davern said a phone call received by Wassiou’s mother following last Wednesday’s tragedy was “the devastating news that every parent dreads - they know that their young children full of fun and life are at risk in this world, but they live in the hope that that phone call will never come”.

Some mourners wore white T-shirts emblazoned with a photograph of the soccer player, and were driven in three white Chrysler limousines, Rolls-Royce and Lamborghini SUVs, which also bore Wassiou’s image.

They followed a horse-drawn carriage carrying the deceased’s remains in a gold casket.

One of ten siblings, the rising soccer star was laid to rest in the Mount St Lawrence cemetery.

O’Regan’s celebrate in style

O’Regan’s is the sister bar of The Terrace Bar & Kitchen and Grape & Grain Off Licence with further additions and offerings in the complex to be announced in the near future.

l Lough Derg and (inset) Wassiou Ayawe Moran

Lord Inchiquin passes away

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

LORD Inchiquin, Conor O’Brien a descendant of Brian Ború has died following an illness.

Born on 17th July 1943, the 18th Baron Inchiquin died on 3rd June 2023 peacefully at his home, Thomond House on the Dromoland Estate in Newmarket-on-Fergus, a month shy of his 80th birthday.

Baron Inchiquin is one of the older titles in the Peerage of Ireland, it was one of two titles created on 1 July 1543 for Murrough O’Brien, Prince of Thomond, who was descended from the great high king Brian Boru.

Chief of the 700,000-strong O’Brien Clan, Conor married Longford native Helen O’Farrell in 1988, they have two daughters, Slaney and Lucia and two grandsons, Conn and Jack.

He was the youngest son of the 15th Baron Inchiquin Fionn Myles Maryons O’Brien who married Josephine Bembaron in 1939. He has one sister, Fiona, who is married to Romano Obert de Thieusies. He became Chief and Peer on the death of his uncle Phaedrig, the 17th Baron on 20th May 1982.

Dromoland Castle had been the home of the O’Briens until 1962, a year later US businessman Bernard McDonough had turned it into a luxury five star hotel. O’Brien transformed the residual Dromoland Estate into a sporting and leisure venue.

Conor was educated in England at Eton College. O’Brien commissioned into the 14th/20th Kings Hussars of the British Army in 1963. He served as a troop commander in Benghazi, Tripoli, Cyprus on Operation Tosca, Tidworth, Paderborn (as assistant adjutant), Singapore, and Tidworth as adjutant of

the regiment. He became Aide-de-Camp to Commander British Forces Gulf in Bahrain and left the army in 1975, retiring with the rank of Captain. He lived and worked a large spell of his life abroad, with 10 years spent in the Far East, Hong Kong and Singapore, running his own trading company for seven years and working in financial services in Hong Kong before returning to live in Ireland in 1982. He served as the Chairman Dromoland Development Company Limited and of an UK Development Company, Swift International Developments Limited.

From 1984 until 2008, the O’Briens ran an exclusive guest house in their Thomond House home. Activities enjoyed by the 18th Baron Inchiquin included driven pheasant shooting, fishing, horse riding, eventing, hunter trials, clay pigeon shooting and archery. Conor was responsible for the formation of the O’Brien Clan Association and the First Clan Gathering for 400 years in 1992. He formed The O’Brien Clan Foundation worldwide and this was launched in the USA on 17th March 1998.

In 1998, Conor O’Brien visited Antioch, California for St. Patrick’s Day and Antioch’s first St. Patrick’s Day Crinniu and the city’s council proclaimed ‘Sir Conor O’Brien Day’.

The late Portlaoise author and historian, Frank Meehan previously described the Prince of Thomond as an enlightened and exemplary 21st century leader who had earned the love, honour and respect of the hundreds of thousands of local and international clan members.

Members of the O’Brien family have expressed their eternal gratitude to the team in the Dialysis Unit at University Hospital

Limerick and Milford Hospice Home Care Team for their care of Conor.

In a statement, the board of directors and entire team at Dromoland Castle joined together in expressing their “deep sorrow” at Conor’s death. “Our hearts are heavy as we reflect on the passing of this important figure in Dromoland’s history. Ever the gentleman, Lord Inchiquin was a great friend to Dromoland, highly respected and giving of his time to share the rich family history of which he was so rightly proud. We extend our heartfelt condolences on behalf of our entire team, our thoughts and prayers are with Lady Helen, their cherished daughters Slaney and Lucia, and the entire family during this difficult time”.

His funeral will take place at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Newmarket-on-Fergus on Saturday at 2pm.

l Lord Inchiquin Conor O’Brien

Wild Irish Seaweed take home Enterprise Award

Wild Irish Seaweeds, who are supported by Local Enterprise Office Clare, were winners at this year’s National Enterprise Awards, taking home the Best Export Award

Back L-R: Ashling Moloney – Wild Irish Seaweeds, Ann Norton -Leas Cathaoirleach, Clare County Council, Sinéad Dixon Slattery – Business Advisor LEO Clare, Eileen Talty – Wild Irish Seaweeds, Michelle Guthrie – SEDO LEO Clare, Carmel Kirby –Director Clare County Council

Front: Padraic McElwee – Head of Enterprise LEO Clare, Evan Talty & Gerard Talty – Wild Irish Seaweeds

Bill Slattery bidding to win back Council seat

BILL Slattery is bidding to launch a political comeback with the Lahinch man nominated for Fine Gael’s upcoming selection convention for the Ennistymon local electoral area, writes Páraic McMahon

Four years on from his defeat at the 2019 local elections, Slattery is bidding to win back his seat on Clare County Council.

He is nominated for the party’s selection convention in the Ennistymon LEA alongside Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) where it is expected that both candidates will be put forward. Involved with Fine Gael since 1978, Bill was co-opted to Clare County Council in 2011 following Martin Conway’s (FG) election to the Seanad.

He defended his seat in 2014 amassing 1,769 first preference votes but was the only sitting councillor to lose their seat in 2019 when first-time candidates Shane Talty (FF), Joe Killeen (FF), Roisin Garvey (GP) and Garrihy claimed the four seats in the Ennistymon LEA.

Indeed Slattery’s defeat has caused a division between him and Senator Conway.

“I wouldn’t say I was defeated but ousted by certain members of my own organisation,” Bill memorably stated following the 2019 elections. He blamed Conway with adding Garrihy to the ticket which he felt took 159 votes off him in his strongest polling areas of Ennistymon and Lahinch.

Back in 1999, both Slattery and Conway previously clashed when Bill defeated Martin in a selection convention but then party leader John Bruton would make the decision from headquarters to add the future Senator to the ticket. Both men would be the first two candidates eliminated but helped to elect Joe Arkins in a six seat Ennistymon area.

Mid-West Hospital Campaign meet with HSE CEO

Since the 2019 elections, Bill has served as a member of the Clare Joint Policing Committee (JPC).

Lisdoonvarna native Garrihy has served as Cathaoirleach of the West Clare Municipal District and has been vocal on the need for supports to be in place so that towns and villages in the area can be sustainable for future generations.

He has also been a central figure in the community of Lisdoonvarna which has seen a near fourfold increase in its population since the outbreak of war in Ukraine over a year ago.

Fine Gael party members in North Clare will hold their selection convention on June 15th in Ennistymon.

No new candidates have emerged for Fine Gael in the Ennis Municipal District with the sitting trio of Cllr Mary Howard (FG), Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) and Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) the sole nominees for the selection convention due to take place on Monday (June 12th) at The Old Ground Hotel.

Here it is expected that all three will be added to the ballot paper as the party aspires to win three seats for the third election in a row.

2004 was the last time Fine Gael failed to elect more than two councillors in the county town, Joe Carey (FG) topped the poll on that occasion with 1,939 first preference votes electing him on the first count with Sonny Scanlan also successful while Tony Mulqueen lost out.

by Páraic McMahon paraic @clareecho.ie

REPRESENTATIVES of the Mid-West Hospital Campaign held a meeting with the recently appointed CEO of the HSE, Bernard Gloster on Friday morning.

Consistently high overcrowding levels at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) were among the items discussed with the CEO of the HSE.

Ballyvaughan’s Noeleen Moran, Marie McMahon from Ennistymon joined Limerick woman Mary Cahillane and Tipperary historian Conor Reidy as part of the delegation. They asked directly about the reopening of Emergency departments at Ennis, Nenagh and St. Johns and highlighted that the model for healthcare being pursued in the Mid-West leaves over 400,000 people dependent on just one Emergency department and is unsafe and resulting in the trol-

ley crisis at UHL. Communities in the region have been left without the safe level of care that they deserve, they told the HSE CEO. Clarity was also sought on the opening of medical assessment units to 24/7 and the Shannon Doc out of hours GP service.

Noeleen told The Clare Echo, “Several potential initiatives were discussed at the meeting, some of which will be taken on board by the HSE subject to planning and conditions.

“The meeting was a positive engagement and despite not getting a commitment on the reopening of the EDs we were encouraged by Mr Gloster’s repeated assurances that this meeting marked the beginning of what will be an ongoing dialogue between himself and ourselves. We believe this is a very positive development for the Midwest Hospital Campaign”.

lOVERCROWDING: Mid-West Hospital Campaign representatives Noeleen Moran, Marie McMahon, Mary Cahillane and Conor Reidy

lCOMEBACK: (right) Bill Slattery meets Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys in Lahinch Photo by Eamon Ward

beo by the beach

INTRODUCING beo’s coastal cottage which launched June Bank Holiday weekend. Guests in attendance were treated to goodie bags on arrival, live music and Kombucha Aperol Spritzers courtesy of Hurst Botanicals.

This summer founders Aoibhín Garrihy and Sharon Connellan are popping up at

Main Street, Lahinch with their newest venture which will also lend itself to a community space where they plan to host interactive and engaging events from movement and yoga classes to wellness mornings!

For more details on what’s happening over the coming months follow them on social @beowellness.ie

lPOP-UP SHOP: (Clockwise from top left) beo co-founders Aoibhín Garrihy and Sharon Connellan; Sarah Liddy and Sharon Sweeney; some of the gorgeous products available at beo; Amanda Hassett and Ellen Quinn; Laura McAuliffe and Sheila Galvin; Anne White, Fiona Guiheen and Abina Mullane; Clare Garrihy and Edwina Donnellan; one of beo’s super cosy knits

Photos by John Mangan

Councillors cannot relinquish control to Ennis 2040 DAC - Senator Boyhan

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

CLARE Councillors need to step up and not relinquish control to the Ennis 2040 DAC, a Dublin Senator has said while pledging to raise matters relating to the 2040 Strategy with the Minister for Housing.

Senator Victor Boyhan (IND) visited Ennis on Tuesday on the invitation of Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) to assess the Francis Street site, for which a design team was appointed to last week by the Ennis 2040 DAC for a mixed-use development.

Up to 45 housing units could be built on the site, Ennis 2040 DAC maintained while groups such as the Francis Street Alliance have stressed that the site has the potential to cater for persons with different needs.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Senator Boyhan voiced his surprise with the actions of Clare County Council regarding the project. “It is a wonderful site and for housing, I commend Clare County Council for the initiative but I am some bit surprised that they are not developing it themselves given that Clare County Council is a housing and planning authority, it has functions for housing, I sit as a representative on the Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government so I am very aware of the challenges for housing, the importance to support any initiative for housing and it’s

important we don’t get caught up in an ideology of who is building housing.

“This is a very suitable site in the heart of Ennis and therefore very suitable for people with special needs, disabilities or older people, I’ve seen other very successful initiatives where the local authorities have encouraged and supported people from downsizing from existing social housing stock to give them appropriate sizing for their housing need. I’m somewhat surprised with the suggestion that the Council would pursue commercial development on the site because

I’ve walked around Ennis today, it is a beautiful town, it’s not a criticism of the town or local Government structures but there are great opportunities for rejuvenation of shops and commercial premises, that can be taken up within the cohort of the town but the site in question is really suitable and it should be encouraged,” he added.

A member of the Seanad since 2016, he felt Ennis could not miss out on the chance to have a residential scheme in the heart of the town.

“One thing that is endearing is the eclectic mix of architecture in Ennis which are the small artisan cottages and the mixed units with people living over shops. Ennis is a vibrant community, I’d love to live here, you can get a feel and a buzz about the town, it is a really nice place to be and I think it can be a win win situ-

ation, I don’t like to hear of divisiveness on housing projects, let’s work together. The Council could drive this themselves, they need to control this”.

Comments of Ennis 2040 board member, Gerry Cahill on Clare FM that the town was behind the curve when it came to housing were criticised by Cllr Flynn. “The councillors in Clare need to see where their mandate came from and they need to do the right thing for the people that need their support. It is not about high density, I heard the Chair of this DAC Board say we are behind the curve in housing, I’m actually in front of the curve since 1999, I’m a long time working in housing and we’re still changing it to suit the needs of the people”.

Senator Boyhan admitted he had a concern when it came to designated active companies. “I’m always worried about DACs because at the end of the day people elect councillors to advocate for them and represent them. I know Gerry Flynn for years, I know his enthusiasm and his priority is to represent the people, to respect them and listen to them. Councillors have the opportunity to fully control and fully determine the outcomes for this site in Ennis, why would you relinquish that control, they can have total control over the design stage and I think that is what people expect of their councillors.

“Remember, we are only passing through as politicians, I’m passing

through the Seanad and councillors are passing through Clare County Council, we’re in elected office to represent the community and if people lose confidence in you they have

every right to put you out of office”. He confirmed to The Clare Echo that he would be discussing the matter in more detail with the Minister for Housing.

lDEVELOPMENT: Senator Victor Boyhan (IND and Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND)

Magowna House operator received €4.83m for housing Ukrainians last year

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

THE firm housing International Protection Applicants (IPAs) at Magowna House in Inch in Co Clare received €4.83m (incl VAT) from the State last year for accommodating Ukrainians.

Figures from the Department of Integration show that Cork based firm, CRM Properties Ltd received the €4.83m last year with the firm receiving the largest proportion of fees at €2.54m in the final quarter of 2022 under the heading of 'Ukraine Accommodation and/or related costs’.

The firm's contract to house IPAs with the Department of Integration at Magowna House resulted in a stand-off between the local community and Government following the arrival of 34 men on Monday May 15th. Barricades erected by locals at both ends of a road leading to Magowna were removed after

the Minister for Integration, Joe O'Brien (GP) said that no further IPAs would be housed at Magowna for a four week period. The property has capacity for 69 IPAs overall.

Asked to outline the details of other contracts CRM Properties Ltd has with the Department of Integration, a spokesman would only say: "CRM Properties are contracted for one IP contract which is Magowna House which has only recently come into use”.

"CRM Properties also provides accommodation to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. We cannot comment on contractual matters,” the Department spokesperson said.

CRM Properties Ltd with an address of Main Street, Buttevant and owned by Donal O'Brien was only established in 2020 and its most recent accounts show that it recorded profits of €50,690 in 2021.

In a recent written Dáil reply on the Magowna issue, the Minister for

Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O'Gorman (GP) told Clare TD Michael McNamara (IND) that “properties such as Magowna House and others

throughout the country are fundamental to the accommodation of vulnerable people and to prevent homelessness”.

He said that Magowna House

is accommodating 34 adult males presently in three external holiday homes to the main building and the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) has contracted Midwest Simon to provide additional supports to the international protection applicants living there to enable them to access education and training. He said, "This supplements the work being done by Clare County Council to link them with public services.”

In a separate Dáil reply to Clare TD, Cathal Crowe TD (FF), Minister O’Gorman said (IPAS) are currently utilising six locations in Clare.

He said that they are Clare Lodge Hostel in Ennis, King Thomond Hotel Lisdoonvarna, Knockalisheen accommodation centre, Unit 1 Quin Road Business Park Ennis, Kiltanon Court in Tulla and Magowna House in Inch. He said, "There are a total of 614 IPAs currently being accommodated in Co. Clare”.

Three members of Doherty family from Ennis in court on organised crime charges

THREE members of an Ennis family appeared in court on Friday charged with organised crime offences, writes Gordon Deegan

At Ennis District Court, three members of the Doherty family of St Michael's Park, Ballymaley, Ennis appeared in court charged with participating in a criminal organsiation.

In total five members of the wider Doherty family were arrested, charged and brought before Ennis District Court this week.

In a planned operation, Gardai arrived at St Michael's Park, Ballymaley on Ennis's Galway Rd shortly after 8am and arrested the five with three later charged at Ennis Garda Station and two charged at Shannon Garda Station.

Sgt Louis Moloney told the court that all cases are to proceed by indictment to be tried at the circuit court and that Books of Evidence are to be prepared.

In the case, Michael Doherty (62), Ned Doherty (32) and Jonny Doherty (26) all of St Michael’s Park, Ballymaley, Ennis are each charged with participating or contributing to a criminal organisation and such par-

ticipation could facilitate the commission of a serious offence by the criminal organisation under the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010 on dates up to March 5th 2021. Ned Doherty is also charged with on February 24th 2021 at Dermot Hughes Cars, Athlone Rd, Ardsallagh More, Roscommon of engaging in possessing €43,000 in cash knowing that the money was the proceeds of criminal conduct, contrary to Section 7 of Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act).

Ned Doherty is also charged with on three different dates from August 18th 2018 to June 12th 2020 having at St Francis Credit Union, Friar’s Walk, Ennis a cumulative €18,250 that he knew to be the proceeds of criminal conduct, contrary to Section 7 of Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act). In evidence of arrest, charge and caution, Det Garda Aoife O'Malley said that Ned Doherty said in response to caution “I have nothing to say. What can I really say?”

Maryiln O’Driscoll Doherty (32) is facing

seven separate alleged money laundering charges concerning a cumulative €34,420 at Gurranbraher Credit Union, Bakers Rd, Cork on dates from June 16th 2014 to August 7th 2019, knowing that the money was the proceeds of criminal conduct contrary to Section 7 of Criminal Justice (Money Laundering & Terrorist Financing) Act 2021. A fifth accused, Kathleen Doherty (54) of St Michael’s Park, Ballymaley, Ennis faces a single charge at

Low Rd, Bunratty, Co Clare of having in her possession a reciprocating saw with the intention that it be used in course of theft under Section 4 of Criminal Justice Act. Legal aid was granted to solicitors, Daragh Hassett and Shiofra Hasset to represent all five in the case. Sgt Louis Moloney said that Gardai had no objection to conditional bail for the five and all five were remanded on bail to appear before Ennis District to a date in September.

lDonal O’Brien (centre) speaking to Inch locals

Photo by John Mangan

Locals slam lack of information

NO COMMUNITY has the capacity to say no to refugees, a Clare Senator has told a public meeting in Scariff, writes Páraic McMahon

Clare Lakelands Hotel is to come into use as an accommodation centre for international protection applicants, this week. 77 people are to be accommodated across 26 bedrooms at the former hotel which closed over fifteen years ago but has been the subject of renovations in recent years and is located on the main street of Scariff. A valid fire certificate is in place for the building.

Most of the individuals coming to Scariff will be new arrivals to the country and will be eligible to work, six months from their arrival in Ireland.

Speaking at a public meeting in advance of their arrival, Senator Timmy Dooley (FF) told local residents. “No community has the capacity to say no, they might not like it, they might want some assurance, assistance and help but it is not possible for any community to say we won’t take anybody here”.

Publican Mike McNamara told the meeting, “It is an awful pity” that the owner of the hotel was not present to respond to queries from Scariff residents. Manager of the facility, Seamus Murphy was invited to attend, organiser Ellen Cunningham told the meeting.

Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) claimed at the meeting that the previous owner of the building, Tom

TDs criticised for absence

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

DISAPPOINTMENT with the representation of Clare’s TDs for the people of the county has been voiced.

Anderson had sold it.

Lack of information was criticised by McNamara. He stated, “I’ve travelled all over the world and met marvellous people, we have a marvellous town but it is the lack of information”. The former Clare hurling manager added, “As it stands, we are no clearer now as to when I came in here an hour ago, we’re probably less clear and now it is totally confusing.

This point was previously raised by Cllr Hayes. “As a councillor in relation to international refugees into the county or Ukrainian people, we’re the last and really we’re not told, information doesn’t come directly to Councils in relation to what is happening in communities, we’re hearing through the media and different forums, there is a real information about information, the lack of information is the big issue and then the rumour machine, I could walk from one end of the street to the other and I’d hear 10 different stories, everyone telling me different, I have nothing officially in front of me”. He added, “The lack of information leads to speculation, the fact that a lot of single men came to Inch left a sour taste for everybody, I’ve been in the town of Scariff all day and the owner of the hotel showed me inside, he was asked if he would go to Inch and it was suitable, he said Scariff was a public town with sewerage, lighting and everything that goes with it, he saw an opportunity and is a businessman, he gave me a tour of the hotel”.

At a public meeting in Scariff to discuss plans to accommodate 77 international protection applicants at the Clare Lakelands Hotel, the absence of the three of the county’s TDs from the meeting was among the criticisms aired.

Deputy Michael McNamara (IND) was the only Clare TD in attendance with apologies issued by Cathal Crowe (FF) and Joe Carey (FG) by Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) and Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) respectively. Violet Anne Wynne (IND) was absent and did not inform organisers that she would not attend the meeting.

Senator Timmy Dooley (FF) was among the most vocal of the four politicians at the meeting. Apologies were also received from Senator Martin Conway (FG) but none were forthcoming for organisers from Senator Roisin Garvey (GP).

Both Cooney and Hayes were the only councillors in the Killaloe Municipal District present with Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF), Cllr Pat Burke (FG) and Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF) not at the meeting.

“I’m so disappointed here tonight, we’ve voted four TDs in and there is only one of them elected that is here tonight. It is a disgrace. Ye are above in Dáil Éireann representing us, well ye are making a fair job of it, now ye are here and only one person is able to show up, I’m so disappointed,” Scariff man Ted told the meeting.

Cllr Cooney replied, “I said at the beginning of the meeting, Deputy Carey is ill at the moment, I did say that. We have to give credit where it is due, he has been out of duty for the last few months unfortunately for health reasons”.

Prior to this, tensions bubbled on the potential safety implications following on from the addition of 77 new residents at the hotel.

“I put the information up as soon as I got it on both occasions, when I asked the Department why didn’t we get a heads up,” Senator Dooley told the meeting on the lack of advanced notification to the community.

Publican Mike McNamara asked the meeting, “Is this thing done and dusted” to which Senator Dooley responded, “There is a contract signed with the operator and the Department”. He added, “It depends what you want to do, if the purpose of the meeting is to block them coming”.

“Are you suggesting that? Have we enough guards in the town if something happens,” Ellen Cunningham responded. “There is a secrecy about it all,” she commented.

One woman in attendance asked, “How do we know our children will be safe cycling up to and from school, I’ll have to walk with them to school” to which another woman replied, “do you know if your children are safe going to school now”.

Senator Dooley added, “When we asked why we weren’t given information way back, we were told until such time as a contract was signed they didn’t know if it was going to go ahead”.

‘We are not racist or right-wing, we

BIDDING to get more information prior to the arrival of refugees in Scariff “is not about being racist or right wing,” the organiser of a public meeting in the East Clare town aimed at obtaining facts on the use of the Clare Lakelands Hotel had said, writes Páraic McMahon

Opening the public meeting which took place in McNamara’s Pub and Restaurant in Scariff on Thursday, Ellen Cunningham acknowledged the room full of people for attending.

She explained, “This is not about being racist or right-wing, this is just a small town, I’m local here all my life, I feel like our Government, some of our local TDs and councillors have made no effort to chat or call for a meeting to inform us as a community what is going to happen with the hotel, we just want a fair, honest and open discussion”.

Addressing the meeting, Senator Timmy Dooley (FF) outlined, “Different places that wouldn’t be considered ideal for migrants have to be utilised, the Government has a responsibility under various different arrangements that have been agreed to both at European and UN level over the last twenty, thirty, forty years where somebody who seeks international protection or refugee status, the Government has a responsibility to provide them with shelter and food, they don’t get access to social welfare or any of the normal elements there, that is the Direct Provision that you regularly here about, where they are retained and provided with shelter and food, in recent years recognising the shortage of people in the workforce, there is a provision now where after six months they can apply for work permits and be granted the right to work while

their refugee status is being investigated, they look at what happens”.

He added, “I accept that there are people with fears, they are your genuine fears, they may not be my fears, you are entitled to have a public conversation about this, sometimes fears of the unknown you automatically feel that you are branded as racist or right wing but I don’t see any of that from the people, there is scarcely anyone here that I don’t know, I would have known and met you, you might have disagreed with me on a lot of things or agreed with me on things but I know you are not inherently racist at all but that doesn’t take

l NOTABLE ABSENCES: Cllr Pat Hayes (FF), Michael McNamara public meeting in Scariff

Ellen Cunningham and Mike McNamara

Photo by John Mangan

just want information’

from the fact that you have genuine concerns which we have to try address as best we can from our perspective, we can’t solve all the problems”.

Views of the public must be taken on board, Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) insisted. “We’re all well aware of what is happening in the country and the amount of refugees coming into the country, it started with the Ukrainian war, we are where we are and there is always concern. There is going to be a massive change in Scariff, we are led to believe, we have nothing set in stone or in paper, we’re led to believe 77 people will be coming into Scariff, that is a big influx to a town.

“We’re led to believe that it is families and single women but we

haven’t that in writing, we can’t say if it’s true or false and I can tell you straight out it’s not for the want of trying.. We’re all well aware that the hotel is gone into new ownership and has been renovated for these refugees to come and stay in it,” Cooney added. Answers have not been forthcoming from the Government or the Department of Integration when questioned on the matter, Clare TD, Michael McNamara (IND) said. “A long time ago some people from the community approached me and asked me what was happening, I asked a question and didn’t get an immediate answer,” he said while equating the unsuccessful request to get information as similar to what occurred in Inch”.

McNamara TD (IND), Senator Timmy Dooley (FF) and Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) attend the Photo by John Mangan

Geraldine Cotter gearing up for long-awaited release of second album

PIANO player and composer, Geraldine Cotter will celebrate the launch of new album in her native Ennis on Friday (June 9th), writes Páraic McMahon

Glór will host the launch of Ré Órga (‘golden age’) with a special concert performance this Friday evening commencing at 8pm.

Inspired by her musical journey to date, including a specific time that left a huge impression, Ennis in the 1970s, Geraldine’s second album contains a unique character and sound. Her arrangements are deeply rooted in Irish traditional music, while also being informed by the harmonic languages of jazz and classical music.

She admitted, “It’s taken about five years to produce the album. I am a piano player who has always dabbled in writing tunes over the years. I only really felt that this side of my creativity had the promise of something bigger during the COVID-19 pandemic - that shifted my focus in a big way. The album is the result of many late-night explorations, sitting at my baby grand piano, looking out at the rolling hills of Kilnamona”.

Friday’s performance will see Geraldine bring a reed organ with her. “This is a very old and delicate instrument. I was reluctant to bring it to glór, but it is almost like another member of the ensemble. It has

such a unique character and sound. I hope people enjoy the music as much as we enjoyed putting it all together,” she said.

Accompanied by a stellar ensemble of well-known musicians including Eamon Cotter and Cillian Boyd on flutes, Neil Ó Lochlainn on double bass, Matthew Berrill on clarinet, Oisín Boyd and John Boyd on guitars, Gráinne Cotter and Meadhbh Hendrie on fiddles, this performance marks Geraldine’s new release on Raelach Records. The concert will feature new compositions, arrangements of rare archival material as well as new interpretations of wellknown dance tunes.

A retired lecturer in Music Education at Mary Immaculate College in Limerick, Geraldine features regularly on TV, most recently on TG4’s Snugcheol and Slí na mBeaglaoich.

In 2019, along with her brother Eamonn, she was the subject of the TG4 documentary Sé Mo Laoch. Geraldine has contributed to the documentaries Céard an Cheoil, Canúintí, Geantrai and Gradam Cheoil TG4.

In 2017 she was presented with the MÓRglór Award, for outstanding contribution to traditional music in Co Clare. Geraldine has featured on over thirty albums as a collaborating musician. Her debut album is titled Piano +.

Her publications include Transforming Tradition: Irish Traditional

Music in Ennis Co. Clare 1950-1980 (2016), Rogha- Geraldine Cotter’s Choice (2008), Geraldine Cotter’s Tin Whistle Tutor (Ossian Publications, 1983) and Seinn an Piano (Ossian Publications, 1996) - which was the first-ever tutor for Irish traditional music for piano. She has contributed articles to The Art of Place: People and Landscape of County Clare, The Companion to Irish Traditional Music and Encyclopaedia of Music in Ireland.

Geraldine earned her PhD from Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick. Her research interests include: teaching and learning of Irish traditional music, teachers as bridge builders between schools and community, community formation and learning in social contexts.

She teaches and performs regularly at summer schools and events internationally such as the Willie Clancy Summer School, the Catskills Irish Art Week, Rencontre Musicale Irlandais in France and Masters of Tradition Bantry House. She is a member of the Boruma Trio and Shaskeen.

She also performs with the Irish Concertina Ensemble and the Performing Landscapes Collective. She has performed with musicians such as Peadar O’Loughlin, Maeve Donnelly, Eileen O’Brien, Martin Hayes, Liz Carroll, Joanie Madden, Cherish the Ladies and Joe Burke.

Ennis Local Injury Unit to stay open on 24/7 basis

ENNIS’ local injury unit is to be opened on a 24/7 basis to help alleviate pressure on the constantly overcrowded University Hospital Limerick (UHL), writes Páraic McMahon

Government officials accepted a recent private members motion tabled in Dáil Éireann by members of the Independent Group which includes Clare TD, Michael McNamara (IND). They sought the implementation of a range of measures aimed at reducing pressure on overcrowded Emergency Departments across the country.

An expansion of the medical assessment units (MAU)

Notes

and local injuries units (LIU) at tier two hospitals such as Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s to 24 hours across seven days a week was requested along with the delivery of an electronic health system to replace paper-based health records without further delay; and the appointment of designated medical officers in every nursing home and ensure that patients in nursing homes can access treatment by primary care teams.

Confirmation of an acceptance of the motion was issued by the Government who will now look to implement the proposals.

Deputy McNamara said

the basis for the Motion was the ongoing overcrowding in Irish hospitals, with 2022 seeing a record 121,000 patients being left without a bed, and ongoing record overcrowding being experienced across the country during 2023.

He stated, “LIUs deliver efficient, expert treatment to tens of thousands of patients with minor injuries every year and have been of crucial assistance in relieving pressure on Emergency Departments during the pandemic. Furthermore, MAUs play an integral role in Emergency Department avoidance, providing a vital and timely service to GPs and patients.

RAY OF HOPE FUNDRAISER

A FUNDRAISER dance in aid of the Ray of Hope Cancer Hospice in Uganda takes place in Ennis next week. The Temple Gate Hotel will host the dance on Friday June 16th, music will be provided by Peter Burke with dancing from 9pm until midnight. Clare volunteers led by John Conroy from New Quay will travel to the Cancer Hospice in the middle of July. It will be John’s 12th visit and this time he will be joined by Killanena’s Enda Collins, Michelle McNamara from Scariff, Quin’s Áine Quigney, Marie Corbett of Clarecastle and Donegal native Áine Heward. There is a strong Clare link to the Cancer Hospice in Jinja as it was founded by two Quin doctors, Pat and Patricia Hassett. Further information on the fundraiser is available from Michael Maher at 087 6313215.

lIN TUNE: Musician Geraldine Cotter

SHANNON NEWS

in association with

Minister Norma Foley quizzed by students

MINISTER for Education Norma Foley (FF) was quizzed by Shannon students during a recent visit to the county, writes Páraic McMahon Students from second to sixth class at St John’s National School in Shannon conducted a questions and answer session with the Kerry TD.

Offering advice for someone considering a career in politics, Minister Foley said “go for it” and highlighted the benefits of being involved in the community. She suggested the Student’s Council as a way for pupils to get an example of what it like to represent different people.

When asked if she missed being a teacher, Minister Foley outlined, “I was a teacher for many years, I learned a lot in the classroom, I like to think I bring that experience to my job as Minister for Education and that I have the best of both worlds being back in the classroom”.

On her path to becoming a Minister, she admitted that it was “unusual” given that she was handed a seat at Cabinet as a first-time TD and noted that she was elected to the Dáil on the same day as TD Cathal Crowe (FF).

She said of her current role, “I love it, I wouldn’t change a day of it, the best part is coming to meet students and staff. Some parts are challenging”. The most challenging aspect is “getting the Government to agree” as she highlighted there are 4,000 schools with one million students and 100,000 staff in the country.

St John’s students informed Minister Foley that the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins went to primary school in nearby Ballycar NS in Newmarket-on-Fergus, a fact she had been previously unaware of.

Though none of the children will be able to vote for Minister Foley in the next election, she managed to win them over by issuing a ‘no homework pass’ before departing the school.

Aviation schools form new training academy

TWO Shannon aviation training schools have integrated to form a new training academy, writes Páraic McMahon Atlantic Aviation Group has confirmed that its training division has a new name, the Atlantic Aviation Group Training Academy (AAGTA) which will be based at its Shannon headquarters.

Since Atlantic Aviation Group’s acquisition of Lufthansa Technik Shannon Ltd in March 2022, the company has worked to integrate its two training schools, Atlantic Aviation Institute and Shannon Aviation Training Academy (formerly known as Lufthansa Technik Shannon Aviation Training School).

Both training schools will now move forward as a fully integrated training team and will be formally known as the Atlantic Aviation Group Training Academy.

Commenting at the launch of the Atlantic Aviation Group Training Academy, Eva O’Keeffe, Chief Aviation Services Officer, said, “Both training schools are very accomplished with a strong legacy in the delivery of

world class training, Atlantic Aviation Group Training Academy brings the best of both schools together with an expanded scope”.

She credited the Irish Aviation Authority for their support which is helping them depart on “an exciting new chapter, supporting our customers, delivering cutting edge learning, market leading training”.

The Training Academy will be located at Atlantic Aviation Group, Hangar 1 in Shannon.

lHOT SEAT: Minister Norma Foley with staff and students from St John’s NS Photo by Joe Buckley

lFLIGHT SCHOOL: Shane O’Neill, CEO, AAG, Patrick Jordan Executive Chairman, AAG, and Eva O’Keeffe Chief Aviation Services Officer, AAG, at the launch of the Atlantic Aviation Group Training Academy in Shannon Photo by Eamon Ward

Clare Mela for Killaloe this weekend

KILLALOE is readying itself for a day of music, dance and aerial performances this Saturday writes Páraic McMahon

Circus company, Fidget Feet Aerial Dance Theatre have combined with Clare County Council to bring Clare Mela to Two Mile Gate in Killaloe this Saturday (June 10th) from 1pm to 4:30pm.

Funded by the County Council and the Arts Council of Ireland, an array of talent is going to be showcased in the stunning East Clare outdoor setting this weekend at the free event.

Powerful rap to captivating aerial dance, Chinese dragon dancing, unforgettable African drumming, enchanting Nepalese music, an outstanding Polish folk performance, dance and much more is promised.

Persons attending are encouraged to bring their camp chairs or picnic blankets to relax on the grass for the performances as Clare Mela celebrates cultural diversity.

A collaboration with i4drum and Nepalese Musicians – Hiralal, Ramji Gaine, and Brian Fleming, Willzee, Ukrainian popstar Kseniya Doroshenko, Polish golf group Inisowiacy, A DJ set from Fidget Feets Jym Daly and Chinese Lion Dancers are among the acts set for Killaloe.

Lisdoonvarna memories sought for documentary

IT WAS 40 years ago today… Do you remember where you were when you first heard the song 'Lisdoonvarna'? For many of us, in this part of the country, the answer will be in a field just outside of Doolin.

So it’s fitting that on the 40th anniversary of the last Lisdoonvarna Folk Festival, Christy Moore will be playing the Doolin Folk Festival - a mere mile away from the original field of dreams.

The legendary Lisdoon-

varna Folk Festival gave a generation a spiritual home, a voice, a common goal. It was where they found their tribe. It was where the youth of Ireland looked around at the repression of the day and said 'no'.

Just six short years later, the counter culture broke free of the chains of the church and paved the way for modern Ireland.

It’s incredible to think that it has been 40 years since the last staging of the festival that organiser Jim Shannon’s par-

ents literally bet the farm on. 40 years since the motorbikes and HiAce vans; since the bottles, barrels, flagons, cans; since the riots, the bike burning, the battle of toilet hill and the tragically sad drownings at nearby Trá Leathan.

And it’s been 40 years since Christy Moore felt he needed something special if he was to make an impression before Rory Gallagher cranked up his Fender, and wrote the song that was to immortalise the festival forever.

Of course, The Doolin Folk

Festival has since taken on a life of its own (in fact, they will be celebrating their 10th anniversary this year). But for the weekend that’s in it, when Christy takes to the stage, when he gets his encore, and when he gets the crowd to sing along to the familiar chorus, it will be a nod to the festival that no other could ever hold a match to.

“Was there anyone here at Lisdoonvarna?” Christy asked his audience recently, “No? Well, there’s probably a few of you conceived there.”

lFUN IN THE SUN: The festival will celebrate cultural diversity

North Clare

lJim Shannon

Gerry Ryan is currently researching a documentary on the Lisdoonvarna Folk Festival. He is seeking footage, photos or any memorabilia from the original 1978–1983 festivals. Contact him at lisdoonvarnadoc@gmail.com

lChristy Moore

‘Put wheels in motion’ for Kilrush NCT centre

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

WEST Clare representatives have contacted Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan (GP) to try “put the wheels in motion” to open an NCT centre in Kilrush. Both Clare TD, Michael McNamara (IND) and Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG) have been vocal in their efforts to open an NCT centre in Kilrush with elected members of the West Clare Municipal District recently backing a motion seeking its establishment.

Kilrush based Cllr Ian Lynch

(IND) said a “suitable property” has been identified within the town to serve as an NCT centre. He cited this and the current backlog in his motion which called on Minister Ryan “to immediately put the wheels in motion” for its opening.

Senior executive officer in the West Clare MD, John O’Malley confirmed that they would write to the Minister on behalf of the elected members.

An ideal location has been found in Kilrush, Cllr Lynch told the meeting.

“There have been lots of discussions in the county. Locating a premises and someone wants to operate it seems to be an issue, we’ve a lot of work done in Kilrush, we’ve identi-

fied a good location, there’s months of waits for NCTs and I think it could get bypassed for being rural but there is a huge hinterland to West Clare, we’re the ideal location”.

Seconding the proposal, Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) outlined, “My NCT is due at the end of June, it is booked since early March, that will tell you the wait time for an NCT. Recently, Senator Malcolm Byrne sent out the Census Stats for the LEAs, I think the 2022 Census for the Kilrush LEA was nearly 25,000 people. We’re talking about the economics of who this is serving, 25,000 people is not a small number of people, it is a fairly significant bite of what is in the county”.

Crane can keep people in fishing industry

How’s she cuttin?

lCRITICAL KIT: Fishing net INSTALLING a crane at the outside pier in Carrigaholt could be the difference in keeping people in the fishing industry, a county councillor has argued, writes Páraic McMahon.

Calls to install a crane at Carrigaholt’s outside pier “to enable the local fishermen to safely load and offload their boats” were voiced by Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) at a sitting of the West Clare Municipal District.

Cranes have recently been installed at Seafield Pier and Liscannor Pier recently, senior executive engineer in the West Clare MD, Alan Kennelly noted. He confirmed, “The West Clare MD will apply for funding from the Department of the Marine when the next round of piers and harbours funding is announced”.

Cllr Murphy, himself a former fisherman explained, “This was a fairly simple ask, I acknowledge and appreciate the answer from Alan. I recently had a meeting at the pier with a couple of the local lads, it’s a small thing but is a hugely meaningful thing because it is the difference between guys staying in the industry and not staying in the industry, coming in from a day’s work and having to horse boxes of fish up the height of the pier in Carrigaholt by hand at the end of a long day, I did it for long enough myself and I know it is one of the things that just wears you down”.

Adding the infrastructure in Carrigaholt would be really beneficial, he stressed. “If we want to see places like Carrigaholt have a fishing industry then we need to support it with some of the technology that is out there, it is there in Seafield and I know it was put in Liscannor, I really appreciate a little bit of focus on Carrigaholt, this would be a gamechang-

er for the two or three lads in Carrigaholt. The conversation evolved around these are guys the same age as me in their fifties and they are looking down at their kids or their cohorts and saying these guys will walk from the industry if they don’t end up with some, they are not luxury items but they are really critical to make sure we keep the next round of people coming through into our fishing industry”.

Overnight parking is also proving to be an obstacle for fishermen in the locality, the Kilkee representative highlighted. “I think it is really important that the outside pier in Carrigaholt is a working pier, the village has two piers, the inside pier is where boats rest and it’s much more of an aesthetic one and not as functional as the outside pier, the outside pier is a real working pier with a lot of angling and fishing going on, we need to take a harder look, I’ve been asked to think about something like an access control on the pier to prevent it being used for overnight parking, guys are coming in late at night with their boats and fish to get off the pier but their cars are blocked in because someone’s car has been parked overnight, it is something we might follow through on when we’re going down the road on this, this is a thing with fishing piers all over the country”.

Potential impact of the crane in Carrigaholt is “massive”, Cllr Ian Lynch (IND) remarked. He stated, “It seems like something small but the impact it has is massive, when you’re talking about such a small industry and people staying or going it is more of an encouragement to do it but it might even be smaller again but going up and down every day, we’ve parked there and walked to the castle and back unbeknownst to the huge impact it could have”.

Niall Melican and his siblings checking out the newly cut turf in Kilmihil Photo sent in by Geraldine Melican

Macalla an Chláir

le MACDARA Ó CONAOLA

An Clár as Gaeilge Teo Togra Páirtnéireachta Forbairt Teanga Pobail do Chontae an Chláir

Is fiú breathnú ar an gclár seo ar TG4 an tseachtain seo:

Recommended viewing on TG4 this week

IS Í Sarah Ghriallais as Muiceanach idir Dhá Sháile i gConamara ábhar an chláir seo. Tá cáil uirthi as a cuid amhránaíochta ar an sean-nós. Tá Corn Uí Riada, ag Oireachtas na Samhna agus an gradam is airde gur féidir le hamhránaí ar an sean-nós a bhuachtáil, buaite aici fhéin agus ag a muintir hocht n-uaire. Tabharfar léargas sa gclár seo ar bhean a bhfuil máistreacht aici ar a ceird agus a bhfuil soiléireacht cantaireachta aici freisin / The Griallais family

from Muiceanach idir Dhá Sháile in Conamara have, won Corn Uí Riada, the pinnacle of sean-nós singing, no less than eight times between them. Sarah Ghriallais, the subject of this documentary, is one of them, a master of the tradition widely known for her respect for the tradition and her generosity in passing it on, for the musicality of her voice and clarity of her style.

- ‘’Sé Mo Laoch’’, Dé Domhnaigh / Sunday, 11ú Meitheamh / 11th June, 9.30pm, TG4

Celebrating Africa Day

Africa Day was celebrated in glór on Monday, 29th May. Amdalah Africa Foundation, Clare Immigrant Support Centre and Clare County Council were among those who participated in the event, which was supported by Irish Aid.

Thought for the week: Forgiveness

Spreading the word of positivity

RONAN SCULLY

IN SAINT Luke’s Gospel we read: “Three days later, they found him in the Temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them, and asking them questions; and all those who heard him were astounded at his intelligence and his replies.” (Luke 2:46-48).

PRAY FOR KNOWLEDGE

The month of June is upon us and the end of the school year has come. What does this mean? “Summer exams” and making sure to read the exam papers properly and following the instructions perfectly! A prayer I always prayed as I faced exam time and never let me down was; ‘Holy Spirit, send your power, help me to remember all that I have learnt, inspire me with the gift of Knowledge’ Amen!

YOU ARE AMAZING

l Sarah Ghriallais

Imeachtaí/Events:

• INIS – CAINT AGUS COMHRÁ, chuile Dé Luain ag 11am sa gCopper Jug, Dé Céadaoin ag 11am in Insomnia (Tesco), oíche Déardaoin sa Temple Gate (8pm), agus Dé Sathairn i nGlór, 11am-12pm

• RAIDIÓ CLARE FM - ‘’Cúl-chaint’’ le Domhnall Ó Loingsigh chuile mhaidin Dé Sathairn, 9am. Seol nuacht chuig: Donal@clare.fm

• INIS - Rith le Ruairí, chuile Dé Máirt ag 7.30pm, ag Local Motion, Sráid Uí Chonaill

• CILL INÍNE BAOITH - Ciorcal Comhrá san XPO, chuile Dé Céadaoin ag 7.30pm

We all know now that we have entered exam season especially if you have a son or daughter or grandchild or nephew or niece doing exams this month. I remember well the stress and tension, the constant reminders from teachers that ‘these are the most important exams you’ll ever take’ and the feeling that you are going to do nothing but spend the next two or three weeks of your life getting the right answers down on paper to the questions you have been asked to answer on the examinations leaflet. But in doing these exams whether it is your Junior Cert or Leaving Cert and which is a time of stress and tension for you and

your parents, I want you to hear some positive messages that are not based upon whether you have achieved A’s, B’s or C’s or whatever in your exams. These exams are very important, revision and study is vital, but what I’m trying to say is that there is more to life than just these exams, although you might not see that now as it is hard to see the wood from the trees when you are in the middle of the forest at times.

My good and great friend’s Dick and David have mentioned this in our weekly conversations to me at various times about this journey through life. Firstly, before you take your exams each morning, remember this simple fact, you are a truly amazing, unique and genuine young person and you are so loved and adored by your family and friends no matter what may befall you.

They adore you in all respects and no doubt you love and adore them too. You have great gifts, savvy, skills, intelligence, knowledge, flair, know-how, talents and abilities that are unique just to you and only you. You have something to offer our community, our city, our county, our country and our world, something that cannot be taken away, or added to, by these exams.

Please always remember that.

Your worth, your value, your youth, your personhood, your life in God’s eyes and in the eyes of the people who love you and adore you is not affected by your performance over these next few weeks. He and we and your loved ones already think you are amazing and one of a kind.

Also please don’t give

up on your faith or whatever and wherever it is that you connect with God, please don’t give up on it.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

As your thought for the week, dare to dream, but, even more importantly, dare to put action behind your dreams and be the best you can be in your exams over the coming weeks. These days candle shrines burn brightly in many of our churches, representing the prayers offered by parents and students at this time. St Paul once said: “With God on our side, who can be against us?”

Parents, Grandparents, loved ones and friends say this prayer written by Bill Turnball each morning for your loved one before they head off to the exams hall as my Nana Scully use to say for me - ‘Dear Lord, You have given wisdom to those who seek knowledge and you have blessed us with strong, healthy minds that hunger to learn.

“Bless my children this day, and this week, as they see the fruits of their labours culminate in the writing of exams that are designed to test their knowledge. I pray that you would guide them to study those areas most important. Help them to discern wisely what time they spend on each subject and when it is necessary to put the books away and just rest. I pray that as they sit at their desks, with pen in hand, that you would give them pause to breathe, to concentrate and to recall all that they have learned. Help them to not be flustered or panicked.

“Give them sharp minds and clear focus. Sharpen their memories and give them the right

words to lay out on that paper to answer the questions before them. I pray that you would bless the work of their minds over this past year and that all of their late nights, long projects, marathon reading and difficult questioning would not be in vain but that you would multiply what they already know into good marks for solid effort. Give them peace about finishing and handing in their completed exams , knowing that they did what they were asked to the best of their abilities. And help them to shake off any concerns or worry so they can focus on the next. And Lord, bless their summers, that they would be renewed in mind and body and challenged for the next years’ work. And bless all those who are graduating and writing for the last time. I pray that they would be filled with humility at all that they have learned and understand that this has been the groundwork laid for what is to come but not the end-all and be-all of their lives. Reach out and touch the hearts and minds of students with a sense that you are with them; with confidence to face the challenge; and with the realization that their anxiety and stress can be a positive energy in their pursuit of excellence. Give them insight to understand what they have studied and help them to remember it when the time comes. Help them to keep in perspective the many gifts and talents you have already given them that they may use for the greater honor and glory of God. Bless all that they do, that they would use their gifts, talents and knowledge to bring goodness and peace to our world. Amen’

Lean ar na meáin-shóisialta muid / Follow us on social media, @ ClárAsGaeilge, Twitter, Facebook

agus Instagram. R-phost / email: lionranahinse@ gmail.com

Working up a sweat at Shannon Family Resource Centre

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

MAKING window boxes, furthering your education, or exercising in your own chair.

Older people, young people, Ukrainians. Engaging with more than 300 people in the community every week, there’s much more going on in the Shannon Family Resource Centre than meets the eye.

Debbie O’Halloran is the newly appointed manager at the Family Resource Centre. A resident of Drumline, Debbie says she is thriving in the new role however her

history with the Shannon FRC goes back 20 years as an intermittent volunteer and board member.

Founded on October 15, 2001 and based in the Community Centre in Rineanna View, the Resource Centre acts as an integral focal point to the community in Shannon town.

“It’s around quite a long time. Even 20 years ago when I was involved as a volunteer with the homework club, residents would have asked, ‘what do we do here?’ but that has expanded through the years,” says Debbie.

One aspect of Shannon Family Resource Centre which has expanded in recent times is staff numbers, which are now at five having previously only employed two people. There has also been a recent uptake in volunteers including volunteer enquiries from the Ukrainian population.

“Our goal is to respond to the needs of people in the Shannon area,” explains Debbie. This comes in the form of a number of programmes and services. One of the newer programmes to be rolled out again in September is Life-

coaching for Women. “The programme supports positive change and is offered to women in the Shannon community who want to take a closer look at themselves and review their current situation, and maybe explore a new pathway to a happy life.”

The programme involved three group workshops with a minimum of six individuals in each session. Other services include the in-demand play therapy which has a waiting list and is run two days a week; kinder music for toddlers which is a combination of music and movement; adult & children counselling which has come sharply into focus since Covid-19 and provides “an opportunity for people to speak on a one-to-one basis”; a lot of work has also been done with Ukraine intervention and support with the employment of a community development worker “who also speaks Russian which is a huge asset to us right now” notes Debbie.

“They come in with whatever they need and we direct them to the homework club, the parent and toddler group, they might go on and do LCETB classes, they’ve done cooking especially around their own food to bring some of their home to the centre, that was a lovely social activity for them.”

A six-week fitness class is also available through the Shannon Family Resource Centre which is offered to the Ukrainian community at Shannon Leisure Centre, which was provided after the Ukrainian community identified as a need within their community.

A new fitness group called Age & Opportunity Pals training will be run by Debbie in September. “This is going to be really exciting, the exercises are specialised for older people so it won’t be too physical and it’s very cleverly designed where all their warm-up is done from the chair so it’s low-risk. The games they play, they’re asked a question and have to move seat for example, so it’s in a social setting and they’re having fun without realising how much they’re moving.

I’m really excited about rolling that out in September.

“I wouldn’t put an age to it,” replies Debbie when asked who can participate. “I’m 54 myself and I went to do the training and I think anybody can do this. The age they target is over 60 but I would recommend it to anybody. If you’re looking for a hard, physical exercise, that’s not it but we certainly get the heartrate going through these easier exercises and games.”

Adult yoga classes are also offered in the centre on Friday mornings at a low cost to encourage participation.

The Shannon Family Resource Centre is a stabilising influence for many people in the community. A rainbow group for children offers peer support for grief and loss for young people. For teenagers, an i-scoil programme is run supporting teenagers who are finding the mainstream school system challenging. “They might be too young to go onto the next step be it a fás programme or something similar. This is hugely successful, three students just finished their training there, it identifies a programme in an area that they may be interested in and we provide that online support with them.”

Debbie notes some of the other programmes available through the centre. “We also have DIY classes for women, that is fun to observe because they’re all chatting, doing woodwork, making designs through woodwork, they’re currently making window boxes and then filling them after. There’s horticulture classes, craft classes that run in particular with Limerick and Clare Training Board. There’s a knitting group that are almost self-sufficient and they meet every Tuesday and we have an increasing Citizen’s Information drop-in service every Friday and that is really popular at the moment with the needs of the community.”

To find out more about Shannon Family Resource Centre, email shannonfamilyresourcecentre@ gmail.come, call 061707600 or visit https://www.shannonfrc.com/.

SHANNON FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE

GREEN CLARE

15 clean-ups organised for World Ocean Day

by Elaine Tubridy news@clareecho.ie

VOLUNTEERS are being encouraged to join the clean up at Ballyalla Lake in Ennis to mark World Ocean Day and Clean Coasts 20th anniversary.

World Ocean Day is celebrated annually on June 8th to highlight the important role the ocean has for our life and the planet. For 2023, the focus of World Ocean Day will be on the 30×30 campaign. For us to create a healthy ocean with abundant wildlife and to stabilize our climate, it’s crucial that 30% of our planet’s lands, waters, and ocean are protected by the year 2030.

Privately organised cleanups are set to happen in different locations throughout the county including Spanish Point, Shannon Estuary, River Inagh Estuary, Kilkee, Corrnaggillagh beach, Quilty, Sixmilebrigde, and more. Volunteers who haven’t registered their own clean-up are encouraged to join the event taking place in Ballyalla on

June 11 at 11am.

Clean Coasts is a charity programme, run through the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce, which engages communities in the protection of Ireland’s beaches, seas and marine life.

Since 2003, Clean Coasts has been working with communities to help protect and care for Ireland’s waterways, coastline, seas, ocean and marine life.

“Clean Coasts are thrilled to see so many groups and individuals stepping up across Ireland to help protect our ocean and celebrate Clean Coasts’ 20th birthday and want to take this opportunity to thank and celebrate the efforts of all individuals and groups who have been protecting the Irish marine environment, whether they have been involved with the programme since 2003 or this is their first time joining the initiative,” said a spokesperson for the organisation.

Clean Coasts thrives to create tangible and immediate improvements to Ireland’s

coastal environment, involving thousands of volunteers removing large quantities of marine litter from our coastline each year.

For the past 20 years, Clean Coasts has grown from strength to strength and now includes two main national clean-up drives, as well as other initiatives, including the Green Coast Award, the Love Your Coast Photography competition, the Clean Coasts Roadshows for coastal communities and the Ocean Hero Awards. All these initiatives are aimed at celebrating the beauty of our coast and the efforts of our volunteers across all of Ireland.

Currently, there are over 2,000 registered Clean Coasts volunteering groups and 40,000 volunteers. There are a variety of group types such as community groups, residents’ associations, tidy towns groups, sports clubs, schools, businesses, universities etc.

Clean Coasts organises hundreds of beach clean-ups

annually mobilising thousands of volunteers, removing considerable quantities of marine litter from Ireland’s beaches and waterways. Volunteering has expanded to also include Corporate Volunteering.

Register for the Ballyalla clean-up on eventbrite.ie.

Beware of Bogus waste ColleCtors

You are responsible for your waste

Remember:

 Never use unauthorised waste collectors;

 Authorised waste collectors are required by law to have a National Waste Collection Permit and will clearly display the waste permit number on the vehicle;

 Do not avail of a waste collection service if this permit (16-25 pages long) cannot be produced;

 Any unauthorised waste collectors or suspicious activity should be brought to the attention of our Waste Enforcement Team. Providing a vehicle registration number will assist us in our investigations;

 Under the Waste Management Byelaws 2018 all householders and businesses may be requested to produce evidence on how waste is managed.

For more information on how to manage your waste responsibly visit www.mywaste.ie

Clare Libraries launch climate action arts & education programme

A NEW climate action arts and education programme has been launched by Clare Libraries consisting of an exhibition and a series of workshops for children, writes Páraic McMahon

‘Green Lines’ is an exhibition featuring the work of five Irish artists created in response to climate change, the environment and sustainability at Seán Lemass Public Library in Shannon.

Funded by the Arts Council of Ireland, the exhibition comes courtesy of University College Cork Art Collection. Works include pieces by Fiona Kelly, Sean Hanrahan, James L. Hayes, Gabhann Dunne and Amber Broughton.

In conjunction with the

Green Lines exhibition, Clare Libraries has also developed a series of workshops exploring the themes of climate change, the environment and sustainability. These workshops will be delivered by artists and authors to children in libraries around the county during May and June, funded by Creative Ireland.

Visual artist Amber Broughton will deliver workshops to children based on her piece, ‘Kingfisher’, which can be viewed as part of the exhibition. Amber will teach children about the biodiversity of flora and fauna and translating that into works of art.

Award-winning author Oisín McGann will deliver workshops based on his book, ‘A Short Hopeful Guide

to Climate Change’. Oisín will use storytelling techniques to look at some of the facts around climate change.

Forager, Oonagh O’Dwyer of The Wild Kitchen in Lahinch, will teach children about native wild and edible plants and seaweed and their importance to biodiversity.

Artist and art educator Ruth Wood will deliver workshops based on her Connection and Creativity series; ‘Wild Child Project’ exploring eco-literacy and experimentation, and ‘Leaf Motif Workshop’ exploring mono printing techniques using flowers, leaves, and plants.

Artist and educator Evelyn Sorohan focuses on innovative ways of thinking about climate through art.

Her workshops will help children understand how our climate is changing worldwide and will inspire them to think about how we might all live in a more sustainable way.

Speaking at the launch of the exhibition, County Li-

l Seaweed

brarian, Helen Walsh said, “I am delighted to welcome this exhibition to Shannon Library showcasing artists that are exploring environmental issues creatively and with innovation. I am also pleased to be able to support

these workshops through our Creative Ireland Clare programme. Culture and creativity bridge the gaps between what we know and feel about climate change, allowing us to shift how we think and approach these issues”.

The Green Lines exhibition is part of the Glucksman Art Library collection of artworks that is available to borrow to schools, community hubs and healthcare settings across Ireland.

The exhibition is open to the until Saturday, 15th July, at Shannon Library, during library opening hours. The workshops will be offered to schools around the county. For more information about events in Clare Libraries visit: www.clarelibrary.ie/.

Winds of change: how technology is driving renewable energy revolution

It’s time to embrace the new tech that will power the nation, says Dr Paul MacArtain, Dundalk Institute of Technology

FROM mobile phones and music streaming to video conferencing and voice assistants, recent technological breakthroughs have dramatically changed the way we live.

Other technologies have also emerged in the past 20 years that have changed the world as we know it in a more visual way, namely the Irish landscape.

One of the changes we are seeing is an increasing number of wind turbines on our hills. Wind energy has had a major impact on Ireland, generating 34% of our electricity in 2022, but unless we understand the technology, turbines can be seen as alien or detrimental.

So why do we need wind energy and why has it had such an impact on Ireland? To answer this question, we need to take a step back and see where we need energy in our lives.

As soon as we realised that our electricity, transport, heating and industry needs were belching out harmful greenhouse gases, thoughts began turning to different ways to generate energy. They used to be called alternative energy sources, yet humans were using wind, water and bioenergy well before coal or oil were extracted from the ground. How many villages in Ireland have a mill on a river or an old windmill tower? How many people simply burned sticks on a fire to keep warm? Natural energy sources have been used since the start of civilisation and will always be there.

Ireland doesn’t have any major reserves of oil or coal, and the one gas field we have, Corrib off the Mayo coast, will run out in the next ten years. So where do we get our coal, oil and gas to burn? Unfortunately, it’s nowhere local. The closest oil field is in the North Sea, off the Norwegian coast, and most of our liquid fuel comes from Russia via the EU or the Middle East. The coal is from Europe, Russia or South America, and the gas we use comes from the North Sea or Russia as well. In reality, we’re bringing the energy to cook our dinners, heat the house and drive petrol and diesel cars from thousands of kilometres away.

Do these countries give it to us

for free? Of course not. As with any commodity, if everyone wants it and someone is selling it, the price will go up. And up. Ireland must compete on international markets for fuel with other bigger and more powerful countries and has to pay the asking price. Ireland pays more than €1million an hour importing fossil fuels. Think about it logically: our country is dependent on an energy source that we don’t have, costs us billions to buy and is damaging our environment. That's not very clever, is it?

What do we have in Ireland?

Do we have any resources that we

could possibly use to turn on the lights, heat the house and drive the kids to school? Thankfully, the answer is yes. The west of Ireland and western Scotland have the highest average wind speeds of anywhere in Europe. After all, there’s nothing in the way between Galway and America.

No hills, no trees, nothing to slow down the wind.

The first step in capturing this renewable resource is building wind farms and installing wind turbines. In simple terms, a wind turbine is a tower with a generator on top. The wind turns the generator and generates free electricity. Free electricity, without the need to burn fossil fuels or purchase them on a continual basis, because the wind is free and in endless supply.

That’s not to say that wind

turbines aren’t expensive. The average onshore turbine costs around €4 million. For that you get a piece of infrastructure that stands up to the harshest weather conditions - rain, hail or snow - for up to 30 years.

Modern wind technology is so advanced that a turbine knows what to do every few seconds without someone manually controlling it and it will constantly adjust to face the shifting prevailing wind to make as much electricity as possible. And more importantly, it doesn’t need anyone to buy fuel and feed it, unlike a fossil fuel system.

It’s not all good news though. The wind doesn’t always blow and if the wind blows strongly at night and everyone is asleep, demand is low and we have nowhere to store it. This resulted in Ireland turning off 7.5% of our wind energy in 2021 because there was nowhere for it to go. In future we’ll be moving this energy to heat and transport which is why people will see advertising around home insulation, heat pumps and electric cars, but again

the reason is that we’ll be using Irish resources.

Like any new technology, such as the internet, microwaves, televisions and even rural electrification, some people are naturally skeptical and afraid of change. Education is the tool to break down the barriers to understanding why more wind farms are needed so urgently in Ireland. Now you know why the sight of wind turbines is becoming increasingly common, hopefully you will see this as another new technology for modern life.

Dr Paul MacArtain is Head of the Department of Electronic and Mechanical Engineering at Dundalk Institute of Technology. He also leads the Learn Renewables education programme, which runs wind energy courses for primary and secondary schools. FuturEnergy Ireland is exploring the potential for Knockshanvo Wind Farm approximately 3km south of Broadford and 4km northeast of Sixmilebridge in Co Clare. For more on this project, visit www.knockshanvowindfarm.ie

l NATURAL RESOURCES: Humans were using wind, water and bioenergy well before coal or oil were extracted from the ground

Shannon Airport records busiest day in seven years

SHANNON Airport recorded its busiest day in seven years over the June Bank Holiday weekend, writes Páraic McMahon

On Friday (June 2nd), a total of 7,800 passengers travelled through Shannon Airport, marking the highest number of passengers to traverse the International Airport in one day since 2016.

Strong transatlantic performance and an expanded range of UK and and European services across 48 flights to and from 18 destinations to seven countries added to the activity in Shannon.

Last month (May 2023) the airport experienced a significant up lift in passenger traffic of 27% compared to the same period in

2022.

Commenting on the figures, CEO of The Shannon Airport Group Mary Considine said, “We are continuing to see an increase in the volume of passengers through Shannon since the start of the year. There is a real appetite for overseas travel, especially as we reach peak holiday season. The boost in numbers

l Shannon Airport

coincides with our new United Airlines Chicago service and the return of Ryanair’s seasonal services to Corfu and Barcelona-Girona over the Bank Holiday weekend.

“This summer we are providing a gateway for thousands of passengers to 33 destinations across 11 countries in the UK, USA, and Europe,” she added.

Airport renews partnership with Women's Open

SHANNON AIRPORT has partnered with the KPMG Women’s Irish Open for a second consecutive year, writes Páraic McMahon. Dromoland Castle hosts the event for a second year in a row. The Ladies European Tour event tees up ahead of the Men’s Irish Open taking place on the 7th of September and will once again see Irish star, Leona Maguire, and a host of elite female golfers competing for a €400,000 prize fund.

Mary Considine, CEO of the Shannon Airport Group said, “Last year, the KPMG Women’s Irish Open brought a fantastic boost in tourism throughout the course of the competition. We are once again delighted to be official partners of this premiere event, which draws global attention to wonderful offering Clare and the West of Ireland has for overseas visitors, as well as showcasing Ireland as a premiere golfing destination.

“Our team is ready to welcome all the international visitors travelling through Shannon Airport for the event. With our US pre-clearance and combined TSA checks, the return home for our US visitors will be hassle free,” she added. Shannon Airport has introduced an advanced security screening system which has halved passenger dwell time, eliminating the need to remove laptops and liquids from cabin bags. The latest scanning equipment reduces touch points and speeds up the

Teeing up the Ennis Chamber Golf Classic

ENNIS Chamber’s golf classic will take place at Ennis Golf Club on Friday next (June 16th).

“We very much look forward to Ennis Chamber Golf Classic on Friday June 16. It is always a great social and networking day in our annual calendar,” said Sheila Lynch, who warmly welcomed Pierse Motors as the event’s new Main Sponsor. The sun beamed down on Ennis Chamber President Sheila Lynch and Donough McGillycuddy, Marketing Director, Pierse Motors as they ‘warmed up’ for the classic. Pierse Volkswagen Ennis will showcase some of their stylish electric vehicles on the day. To book a team of 4 at €295 (to include a meal and refreshments) email: info@ennischamber.ie

Photo by Arthur Ellis

screening process, enhancing both safety and efficiency for all passengers traveling.

Managing Director of Dromoland Castle, Mark Nolan expressed his delight at Shannon Airport continuing on board as a sponsor. “Their sponsorship and invaluable support will truly elevate this remarkable event. Together, we will create a platform that celebrates the extraordinary talents of women in golf and showcases the beauty of the game. Shannon Airport's commitment to fostering excellence aligns perfectly with the spirit of the tournament, and we are thrilled to have them by our side as we bring the magic of golf to new heights”.

Cian Branagan of Forefront Sports outlined, “The overwhelming positive feedback from numerous players at the 2022 tournament reinforces the fact that Shannon Airport provided an exceptional experience, offering a genuinely warm reception and ensuring swift and seamless travel right from the moment they set foot on Irish soil”.

The 2023 KPMG Women's Irish Open is one of the most anticipated golfing events of the year offering both general admission and hospitality tickets throughout the week. The 2023 KPMG Women's Irish Open takes place from August 31st to September 1st, and tickets can be purchased through the official event website.

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

ASSISTANT ARTS OFFICER, 2023

Completed applications must be emailed to: recruitment@clarecoco.ie not later than 12 noon Thursday 22nd June 2023.

CREATIVE COMMUNITIES ENGAGEMENT OFFICER, 2023

Completed applications must be emailed to: recruitment@clarecoco.ie not later than 12 noon Tuesday 27th June 2023.

Application forms and further particulars may be obtained by requesting same from the Human Resources Department, Clare County Council at 065-6846250, via e-mail: recruitment@clarecoco.ie or can be downloaded from the following website: www.clarecoco.ie

Clare County Council is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sectors of the Community.

Scriobh chugainn as gaeilge más fearr leat.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC WORKS

LOWLOADER & UNIMOG DRIVER & OTHER OPW TRANSPORT VEHICLES (4X4, TRUCK, AGRICULTURAL TRACTOR ETC.) (General Operative Band 1)

SOUTH WEST REGION DRAINAGE MAINTENANCE AND CAPITAL WORKS DELIVERY DIVISION based at Templemungret House, Mungret, Co. Limerick

Competition Reference: 2023/050

Applications are invited for the above positions. Competition details and application forms are available at www.gov.ie/opw

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is not later than 5:30pm on Friday 23rd June 2023.

The Office of Public Works is committed to a policy of equal opportunity.

ARE DESIGNER PAINTS like Benjamin Moore, Farrow & Ball and Little Greene Paint Company worth the extra splurge? Here’s a deep dive into some designer tips and tricks on paint selection and what you need to know before you get rolling.

When it comes to quick home updates, it’s hard to beat the budget friendliness and transformative value of a fresh coat of paint. With a few strokes of the brush, a dated room can become a brand new space to uplift, soothe, or inspire those who enter. As a professional interior designer, one of the questions I get asked most frequently is “Is designer paint really worth the money?” Our clients are looking to control costs where possible, and often ask whether it’s worth splashing out on brands such as Farrow and Ball, Little Greene, Benjamin Moore and Zoffany; or whether Dulux or Fleetwood will suffice. It really is the million dollar question, especially if you’re embarking on a new build or costly renovation and the answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think. Specifying a paint is about more than just picking a colour. Other factors to consider are workability (how easy and speedy it is to apply and touch up), wearability (scuffability and colour retention even in deeper colours) and coverage. “The more expensive brands

Deirdre Coleman Interior Designer

Lifting the Lid on Designer Paint

have many advantages over their trade counterparts”, according to Fergus Shanahan, Shanahan Paints. “They offer better coverage and last longer. The ingredient that defines a paint colour is pigment. The more complex the pigmentation, the more interesting the colour. It gives depth, and you get undertones - colours which subtly change in different lights. We’re now stocking Benjamin Moore paints and they’re designed to withstand wear and tear without losing its colour vibrancy, which is particularly important with the highly saturated, deeper colour selections. Low and zero-VOC paints are becoming increasingly popular as a green alternative for homeowners and Benjamin Moore offers a range of premium low-VOC products.” High-end paint brands are able to deliver more impactful colour owing to their use of natural, rather than synthetic colour agents. In terms of making a decision about which colour to choose, the designer brands make it a lot easier by curating a capsule paint collection; for example Benjamin Moore’s Affinity range features 70 shades that are selectedto sit perfectly together which takes a lot of the guesswork out of colour pairings. I usually recommend a mixture of premium and budget friendly paint to ensure clients manage their budget effectively, whilst –where needed – delivering that rich tonal variance as the light changes throughout the day.

ways to enhance your home through creative paint selection:

1Colour Drenching

Colour drenching simply means the entire space - from walls to ceiling to radiators to skirting boards - is painted the same, uninterrupted shade (but you can go tonal). In spring, heritage paint brand Farrow and Ball released Dead Flat® - their “most revolutionary new finish” to dateperfect for colour drenching. With a sheen level of just 2%, Dead Flat is the most matt finish from Farrow & Ball which significantly minimises light bounce, ensuring that you can see pure colour from every angle. As such, this ultra-matt paint finish offers a rich and sumptuous option for those who are looking to create a chalky matte look in their homes - ideal if you’re trying to hide imperfections. This new finish is also multi-surface, making it the ultimate choice for colour drenching. The effect is dramatic, moody and calming as there is less visual noise. Think of it as being cocooned in your colour of choice. Multi-surface does not mean you don’t have to prepare with a primer beforehand on your woodwork and radiators. Washable, wipeable and scuff-resistant, Dead Flat® boasts a tough, long-lasting finish that is ideal for hightraffic areas like hallways.

Both light and dark colours can be used for colour drenching, depending on the desired effect. Light colours can make a room feel larger and more airy, while dark colours can create a cozy and intimate ambiance. A big plus is that the water based formula is toy safe (no nasty solvents yet still tough and scrubbable) with only trace VOCs. Colour drenching can be applied to any room in your home, from living areas and bedrooms to kitchens and bathrooms. My preference in contemporary homes is to go for impact in small powder rooms. You can have fun in a tiny space and make it a bit more luxe as you have less ground to cover (literally).

2Embrace Earth Tones – Especially Browns and Pinks

Earth tones continue to dominate as we all recover from years of all-greyeverything. Delicate pinks, soft neutrals and warm browns are great to use if you want to achieve a natural, modern and uncluttered aesthetic, and they make any room feel cozy and comforting. Fergus Shanahan of Shanahan’s Paints says, ‘Moving away from stark bright whites, we’re seeing richer, moodsetting colours are being more and more to great effect. Dulux have added 5 new colours - all dark colours so there’s a move towards more daring shades both inside on cabinetry and walls and on exterior finishes. People are definitely getting more adventurous in their selections Jojoba - a soft, warm green from Benjamin Moore is proving popular since we launched the range here recently”. Botanical patterns are another great way to bring nature into the bedroom. Fabrics and wallpapers with floral or jungle-inspired designs serve to ‘bring the outside in’ and calm us down. Add natural elements to your bedside table like greenery or pebbles and shells. A nightstand vignette could then evoke memories of a pleasant and relaxing time in nature, easing the mind into sleep. Scent is an often-overlooked element of home decor, but home fragrance can have a big effect on the way your home makes you feel. Again, nature offers us scents like lavender that transport and soothe us.

When you think of natural, earthy design you think of organic flowing lines. This should be the same when designing your biophilic bedroom. Think curved headboards, organic shapes for light fittings and lots of natural fabrics (cotton, linen, wool) with throws and cushions. 3

paint colour should be left to the final stage of planning. Concentrate on and choose your main materials first; fixtures, flooring, tiles, carpets, worktops and so on. Seek professional advice from colour consultants (Shanahan’s offer a free monthly consultation with an expert for customers) and have physical samples of your main materials to hand. Then, select and test in situ. This is the only way to be able to see the reality of the chosen colour. Never select a paint colour from a photograph or screen image, this serves as a guide only, and a paint colour that works in someone else’s home does not mean it is the right one for yours. Look for a neutral colour that has some depth, often one with more of a warm grey or taupe base. Avoid a yellow base. I tend to stick to one off-white colour (Colortrend Arctic Blonde and Subtle are favourites) and use it throughout the property to create consistency and uniformity. Always write down your colour specification. A common mistake is when people go to redecorate they have forgotten the colour they chose five years ago and waste time trying to match up. The painter should have a written list to avoid any confusion. www.benjaminmoore. com offer a free downloadable job worksheet where you can specify paint colours, finishes and specific areas so you can get specific and have a paper record. Use this simple worksheet to save colour swatches as well as specify products and sheens. Archive it for future reference or pass it on to your buyers when you sell.

4Create a wind down ritual

you take that same colour right down to the skirting boards too, it will create a cocoon-like feeling. In any size room, painting the ceiling with a lighter shade–often a lighter variant of the wall colour–is a clever design choice. This approach provides subtle contrast and

Stay in neutral

Picking neutral paint is notoriously difficult. Choosing from a colour card or copying a magazine spread will not work. Every home has different light, different floors, different greenery outside, and each room has a different aspect, all of which can affect how colours present themselves. White is the most difficult, as most are pigmented with different undertones, from reds to blues and greens, so picking the perfect paint is tricky – but help is at hand. The selection of

Ever heard of the fifth wall? Every room has one. It’s the great expanse of empty space that’s above your head wherever you happen to be inside your home: the ceiling. Just like the tones you choose for your walls and skirting, a thoughtfully selected ceiling colour can make a room feel brighter, bigger, cozier, cheerier, more elegant, or simply more cohesive. You’ve probably come across statement walls and floors, but have you ever considered a statement ceiling? The fifth wall is a blank canvas, just waiting to be put to good use. Whether you want an easy-to-use 3D vinyl sticker, perfect stripes or a hand-painted mural, this forgotten feature offers a wealth of design opportunities. One surprising trick used by many interior designers, is to paint your walls and ceilings in one single colour. The lines of the room disappear, making the room feel larger than it is. Lighter colours will help the room to feel more open. But deeper shades will help to create an intimate, cosy feeling, especially in small or dark rooms. If

adds depth to the space, while maintaining the unity of existing colours. You may also want to consider a light contrasting colour, which also draws the eye upwards while maintaining an overall open, airy look. If you opt for a neutral wall colour however, a bold ceiling is a great way to enhance the space no matter how low your ceilings. Who said wallpaper is strictly for walls? Transform your ceiling into a bold feature with a colourful wallpaper print.

5Combine paint and wallpaper for striking interiors

For design impact, consider using both colour and pattern to create striking combinations. Wallpaper is a fantastic tool to inject atmosphere and texture into your home, and using complementary paint colours alongside can add real depth and design interest. For a joyful dining space, consider a dramatic botanical wallpaper such as Dreamy Jungle Dark from Annet Weelink

Self.ly Interior Design based in Ennis, Co. Clare is focused on wellness interior design, creating spaces that enhance our wellbeing. Interior Designer, Deirdre Coleman, is passionate about designing for the wellness of her clients and focuses on delivering restorative spaces that positively impact on health and wellbeing.

With an interest in designing for wellness, Deirdre is putting her considerable wealth of experience in self-care, health and wellbeing to design homes that make people feel their best

selves.

Self.ly Interior Design offers one hour online design consultations, room designs and full house designs customised to your needs. We also offer property staging and showhouse design focused on wellbeing and hybrid working.

For more information and design inspiration, follow us on Instagram: @Self_ly Tel: 086 3868058

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ANNET WEELINK DESIGN WALLPAPERS ARE AVAILABLE FROM SELFLY INTERIOR DESIGN THE BROWNISH-RED MASAI FROM PAINT & PAPER LIBRARY WORKS WELL IN THIS DINING ROOM WHERE THERE IS PLENTY NATURAL LIGHT

DON’T BE AFRAID TO USE A BOLD COLOUR LIKE THIS POWDER ROOM FROM A LUXE COASTAL HOME. HERE, THE PAINTED WALLS, MARBLE SINK (SWOON!), AND PATTERNED FLOOR TILE ALL FEATURE SLIGHTLY DIFFER-ENT SHADES OF NAVY BLUE, RESULTING IN A DRAMATIC DESIGN THAT FEELS WONDERFULLY COHESIVE.

Heat is on as Clare battle neighbours for Munster title

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

SUPPORTERS

will be hoping the summer hurling weather of recent weeks holds on for this weekend's Munster senior championship final between Clare and Limerick.

Scheduled to start at 1:45pm at TUS Gaelic Grounds on June 11th, anticipation for the clash of the neighbours is building.

Latest forecast charts indicate that temperatures are likely to hit around 23-24C for Sunday’s showdown in Limerick, while scattered thundery showers are forecast for the weekend.

Bank Holiday Monday was the warmest day of the year so far with Shannon Airport

recording the country’s top temperature when mercury levels reached 25.7C.

Met Éireann said yesterday (Wednesday) that our weather will stay warm and quite humid into early next week with good sunny spells and the chance of some afternoon thundery showers at times. Maximum temperatures across Co Clare will be in the low to mid-twenties.

Clare supporters will hope the lengthy warm and dry spell, such as those experienced in the All-Ireland winning years of 1995 and 2013, will be a good omen for Brian Lohan’s charges as they look to secure their first provincial title in 25 years.

The Town Hall Bistro

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

The Poets Corner Bar

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

The Brendan O’Regan Restaurant

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

l Mark Rodgers in action against Limerick

Photo by Gerard O'Neill

Cleary continuing to fight battle to recover from shoulder injury for Munster final

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

CLARE FULL BACK, Conor Cleary is in the reckoning to get a starting jersey for Sunday’s Munster senior hurling final.

Cleary was forced off in agony with thirty four min-

utes played in Clare’s one point win over Cork on May 21st. Subsequent scans revealed that the Miltown Malbay native suffered a dislocated shoulder which typically sidelines players for six weeks.

Two-time U21 All-Ireland and Munster medal-

list, Conor has been working vigorously to defy the odds and be back in contention for game time, four weeks on from the dislocation.

Management are hopeful that the Kilmaley hurler will be able to take his place at the edge of the square in order to try curb the crafty Aaron Gillane from Patrickswell, the duo forming a rivalry in clashes between the counties over recent seasons with Cleary limiting Gillane to 0-03 from

play in last year’s Munster final which was decided after extra time.

First added to the county senior panel in 2014, Conor who has captained University of Galway in the Fitzgibbon Cup has become one of Brian Lohan’s most trusted players on the field and is one of the first names on the teamsheet in the Banner’s defence.

Should Cleary lose out in his race to be back at the heart of the Clare defence, David McInerney

and Adam Hogan have been mooted as potential candidates to line out at full-back with the trio of Seadna Morey, Paul Flanagan and Cian Nolan likely to receive a starting spot as a result.

Éire Óg’s David Reidy continues to recover from a hamstring injury and has the potential to add an electricity to the Clare attack if introduced on Sunday.

No major changes are expected to be made by Lohan and his management

team for the Munster Final with Eibhear Quilligan to man the goals with John Conlon, Rory Hayes, Diarmuid Ryan, McInerney and Hogan to fill defensive roles.

David Fitzgerald, Cathal Malone and Ryan Taylor will occupy central posts in the middle third with Tony Kelly, Peter Duggan and Shane O’Donnell hoping to make their experience of big days count in leading the Clare attack.

l Clare's Conor Cleary in action and (below) leaving the field injured during Clare's win over Cork Photos by Gerard O'Neill

Clare opting for Gaelic Grounds only adds to task of defeating Limerick

Darach Honan CHAMPIONSHIP ANALYSIS

After last year’s classic, this was the Munster Final we all wanted repeated in 2023.

Clare players and supporters alike had the luxury of putting the feet up and enjoying the last games in the round robin, safe in the knowledge that we would be in the decider this weekend. All signs pointed to a Clare versus Tipperary clash but Waterford sprung a surprise and gave their supporters a glimmer of hope for next year.

Tipperary may have peaked too early this year and could face a difficult game against Offaly in their next clash. It will be interesting to see if that loss for Tipp was the beginning of a downward trend or whether they can maintain the levels they played to early in the year.

Limerick did just enough in a Munster championship classic against Cork in their own patch. While there is no doubt that Limerick have dropped off a little bit in this year’s championship, rumours of their demise are far too premature. Limerick had the luxury of being the best team in the country by a distance over the past four to five seasons. At their peak, they played to a level that no other team could get close to. They have certainly dipped a bit this year, possibly finding it hard to maintain standards. It’s more likely though, that they have structured their training to peak later in the year. Having survived the Munster round robin, they will be favourites to go on and retain their Munster and All-Ireland titles.

Limerick probably couldn’t believe their luck when they were handed a home fixture to defend their title in. The natural choice for this fixture was Thurles and it’s a shame that it has been fixed for the Gaelic Grounds instead. You can be sure politics was at play behind the scenes and logic went out the window. Unfortunately, it has added to the scale of the task which Clare now face and places Limerick as firm favourites in the game.

If playing it in Cork was the only option, I think Clare should have taken it. The margins between winning and losing are razor thin between these two teams and if giving up home advantage swings it in Limerick’s favour it will be an own goal for Clare. The Gaelic Grounds will be full and the atmosphere will be loud. In these moments of high intensity, a little more familiarity with your surroundings can give

you an edge. Clare have been hard done by in not having the game in Thurles and the management and players group should channel that to give them an edge. If Clare can bridge the gap of 25 years and win a Munster title in the defending champions home grounds it will be a monumental achievement and a suitable reward for the work that has gone in over the past few years.

On the field it is sure to be an enthralling encounter with many key matchups between players who will be quite familiar with each other at this point. Conor Cleary has done very well for Clare at full back and has a decent record coming up against Aaron Gillane. Cleary’s composure and assuredness at full back would be a big loss to Clare.

Adam Hogan has been excellent since his introduction to the set up. He has a lot of experience at full back having been selected there for schools and underage hurling. If he moves to full back, Paul Flanagan could be brought back in in the corner and his experience could be vital to adding a composure at the back for the Banner. In last year’s Munster Final his cousin Seamus scored eight points from play, and I’d like to see Paul given the chance to quieten him. How this line fares for Clare will be crucial in dictating who wins the game.

Of course, the hard work will have to be done further out the field to ensure that they are given a fighting chance. Diarmuid Ryan is improving each game that Clare have played and he John Conlon and David McInerney have been Clare’s most settled line over the last 2 seasons. In Clare’s last outing Darragh Fitzgibbon caused some issues early on with direct running through the centre. Will this be something Limerick try to target or will they go with Lynch at centre forward who plays as more of a facilitator to others. From a Clare point of view I would like to see John picking up Cian Lynch in this position. John’s physicality in that area is a great strength to this team and if Clare can slow down Limerick’s play in this area he will excel in winning ball and setting up attacks.

In the last clash between these teams, Limerick probably created more chances which were not taken, but Clare were a little wasteful at times too. As teams improve over the course of the season, I would expect there will be far less margin for error in this weekend’s game. Ian Galvin was under utilised in our last two outings, but his finishing should be important this weekend, whether that

is from the beginning of the game or being introduced from the bench. Mark Rodgers had an excellent game versus Limerick in the round robin but was a little quieter since then. Clare will need him to rediscover his devastating form as he is a major

scoring threat but also has a great eye for a pass. He would be a dream to play with and if Tony Kelly and Shane O’Donnell can run off him when he is in possession, he will put them through for goal chances.

The emergence of this

Clare and Limerick rivalry has been hugely entertaining to watch over the last few seasons as excellent players on both sides have treated us to some amazing hurling.

For it to truly be classed as a great rivalry though, both sides have to land some

huge hits. If Clare could beat Limerick in their home patch to win a Munster Final it would be a huge statement from this group that they demand to be seen equals and not contenders.

l Clooney-Quin clubmates Peter Duggan and Ryan Taylor celebrate Clare's win in the Gaelic Grounds at the end of April

Photo by Gerard O'Neill

Jim McInerney backing son and Clare

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

TULLA’S Jim McInerney

will be amongst the thousands of Clare hurling fans who will make the short journey to Limerick on Sunday for the eagerly awaited 2023 Munster senior hurling final between Shannonside neighbours and arch rivals, Clare and Limerick.

It’s a journey he has made many times over the years and while he has always travelled believing that Clare would do well, seldom has he been so excited about a game.

A member of the panel which last beat Limerick in the Provincial final in 1995 when Clare ended a 63 year wait for the Munster senior title, the Tulla team manager has the added interest of having his son David in the current Clare side.

He told The Clare Echo, “it’s an honour to have a family member in the team but I will be no more nervous and excited that I would be at any Clare championship game. At the All-Ireland minor final in Thurles last week I was as nervous and excited as one

could be on such occasions.

"That was a magnificent result for Clare hurling which has received a huge lift as a result of that victory. It was a fantastic performance from a Clare side who were way better on the day”.

Looking ahead to this Sunday’s final, he noted “in the last two years there has been nothing between them. It promises to be another marvellous day and if we get the break on the day, I am hoping it will get us over the line.

"Limerick have come back to the pack a small bit but their big players are coming into form again. There is a big question mark with regard to whether Conor Cleary will be fit to play. We have been very consistent for the last two years and Cleary has been ever present at full back”.

Cleary will not be easily replaced if the Miltown Malbay man is unavailable. “It will be very hard to replace Cleary if he is not available. He is a big man and he has been a rock in our defence. He has a lot of hurling played and it will take a lot to stop him from playing on Sunday”.

A chance to end a twen-

BEST OF

a number of the players involved this is the one medal that has eluded them”.

The 1995 Munster and All-Ireland medal winner who managed his native Tulla to the Clare senior title in 2007 is hugely impressed with how Clare hurling teams are doing at this time.

hurling in Clare”. When asked if he thinks Clare can capture the Munster title, Jim responded, “Last year a small thing would have won the game for us. We are a top team in Munster this year and we are there with a serious chance”.

ty five year drought to win a Munster senior title must be grabbed, Jim said. “These lads are used to playing in

these situations and they play well in such situations. They have played really well on their way to this final. For

“It is phenomenal what is being done. We are producing great players. Last year’s Harty cup win for St Joseph’s Tulla was huge for underage

l Jim McInerney says it's an honour to have a family member in the team; (right) his son David McInerney Photo by Gerard O'Neill

l John Conlon gets away from Aaron Gillane during his man of the match display against Limerick in the round robin

Photo by Gerard O'Neill

Limerick are worried about Clare - Fergie Touhy

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

According to Clarecastle’s Fergie Tuohy, one of the stars of Clare Munster and All-Ireland winning teams in the nineties, “there are some similarities between our win in ‘95 and this season, not least the weather. The sun shone in ‘95 as it is doing at present although some rain is predicted for the weekend and that might not be a bad thing”.

Looking ahead to Sunday’s final Tuohy who works in Limerick noted, “They are worried about us. They are wary of Clare, especially after last year, and they have the added challenge of having the game at their home venue. Can Caroline Currid get their mental approach right?

Ger Loughnane was our Caroline Currid”.

Recalling Clare’s breakthrough in 1995 he said, “we were a team coming along together, we had a good mix. They had beaten us by ten points in ‘94. You couldn’t be friends with the opposition in our time. Now all of these lads know each other, they are sharing houses together. It’s all about ability now”.

“We were champions when we went to Limerick in ‘96 and they beat us by a point,” Fergie pointed out.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, the former wing-forward stated, “these are great times for Clare hurling and it’s great to see what the academies have achieved. Our minors got a trimming two years ago. The process is working. Players and their families are more aware of strength and conditioning and dietary requirements now. Of course young lads have to be bale to

Munster final will bring its own magic - Kiely

hurl but preparations have become very professional”.

“Limerick are coming back to the pack but that happens with success. They will surely want to win this one at home and crown it off. Against Cork they were up ten points but Cork reeled them in but I think that was more to do with fatigue as they hadn’t the pre season done. Their big guns have hit back,” he added.

Tuohy expected Adam Hogan to move to full-back if Conor Cleary is ruled out. “If Conor Cleary is ruled out its likely that Adam Hogan will go in to full back and that will be a tall order for the young man but look at what he has achieved in the past two years since winning the Harty Cup with St Joseph’s Tulla. Brian (Lohan) will believe that all of the team are able for the challenge”.

Who will be crowned Munster champions on Sunday afternoon is the question put to him. “Clare are capable of winning but it will be difficult and they will need to take all of the chances which they create. Limerick have the capability of Kilkenny of old, to go from two to ten points quicky. The approach must be beat your own man first and then help our somebody else”, he concluded.

LIMERICK MANAGER, John Kiely expects Sunday’s Munster hurling final will “bring its own bit of magic” writes Páraic McMahon.

In what will be the eighth time Clare and Limerick face off in the Munster senior hurling final, it will be the first since 1955 to take place in the Gaelic Grounds. Their clashes in 1918, 1974, 1981, 1994, 1995 and 2022 were all fixed for Semple Stadium in Thurles.

Kiely’s Limerick are chasing a first ever five in a row in what will be their chance to emulate the Treaty County side of the 1930s.

Reaching the provincial decider is no easy feat, the Limerick boss noted, “It is so competitive, it has probably been the most competitive of the five, the others had their challenges in their own way but it is definitely one where any of the others could have qualified and it came down to the smallest of margins at the end, I’m delighted to have made it”.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, the four-time All-Ireland winning senior hurling manager referenced the rivalry between the neighbouring counties. “It is going back a long time, the two counties are so close together and who mingle so much together between schools, colleges, workplaces, it is bound to bring its own bit of magic to it and I’m sure it will be evident from the decibels on Sunday but it promises to be a special day for both sets of players and supporters”.

They met on April 29th at the Gaelic Grounds where Brian Lohan’s Clare emerged with victory. It is an occasion that certainly hasn’t been forgotten by Kiely and his management team which includes Shannon’s Alan Cunningham, Aonghus O’Brien of Broadford and Paul Kinnerk who has strong ties to the Banner County with his father hailing from Doonbeg and his parents living in Cratloe.

“Losing to Clare in the round robin was very disappointing for us and is the blemish in our record in the round robin, they were the better team on the night, they outworked us on the night and they were far more accurate than us on the day, they deserved the result in that game but we learned a lot from them,” he said.

Kiely added, “We break it down to the positives for yourself and the negatives on what you could have done better, we could have worked an awful lot harder, no matter what way we analyse the game we were well outworked

on the day, it won’t be good enough on Sunday”.

“We saw the round robin, Clare outworked us in that match by a considerable amount, hence we were chasing the game in the last ten minutes, they were quite comfortable winners, we got a goal but it was a consolation goal, that is the challenge for us on Sunday, we have to find a way of working harder than then across the seventy plus minutes”.

Playing in the Gaelic Grounds is an honour for the provincial final, the secondary school principal maintained. “All of the Munster Finals that have been played here, Cork in 2013 was an incredible day, quite a similar forecast for the day as it was for that game, any Munster final that you play on your home pitch is a fantastic honour and privilege and one that we are looking forward to very much”.

He continued, “Your home ground is your home ground no matter what, we’re very proud of our record here and it means a lot to us. We love training here, we love spending time here and we’re certainly going to look forward to playing a Munster final here”.

Explaining the actions behind the scenes which led to the fixture taking place in Limerick, the Galbally native outlined, “It was a case of they wanted to play in Thurles, Munster Council wanted it in Cork, we were quite happy to go along with that and then the offer was made by the Clare management team to play it in the Gaelic Grounds, between the two County Boards they ironed out an agreement that satisfied both parties, everybody is happy with the fixture now and is looking forward to it, it will be a very special fixture”.

Spectators have been left upset with many missing out on tickets for the keenly anticipated tie. “There’s always going to be people disappointed be it a Munster final or an All-Ireland final no matter when or where you have it but I think what you will find is you will have an even number of people from both counties here on Sunday, the tickets have been split down the middle but you will have a fantastic atmosphere”.

Though part of the Limerick panel which dethroned Clare in the 1996 Munster championship, Kiely admitted he was wearing a brown leather jacket on the day, something which wouldn’t fit in as part of the current style for extended panellists. “It was a great day, warm and sunny, similar type of weather coming into it”, he reflected.

l Limerick manager John Kiely with coach Paul Kinnerk

Photo by Gerard O'Neill

Sun shines for Community Games tag rugby and soccer

MIXED

THE St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games Mixed Tag Rugby was held on Friday evening in glorious sunshine in O’Sullivan Park, Lees Rd. Only three teams participated.

Inch/Kilmaley/Connolly beat Quin/ Clooney Green 18 – 3

Quin/Clooney Red beat Quin/Clooney Green 14 – 2

Quin/Clooney Red and Inch/Kilmaley/Connolly 10 – 10 at full time with Inch/Kilmaley/ Connolly etching ahead in extra time to finish 5 – 3.

Inch/Kilmaley/Connolly now go forward to represent Clare in the Munster competition next week.

RESULT

1. Inch/Kilmaley/Connolly

2. Quin/Clooney Red

3. Quin/Clooney Green

Inch/Kilmaley/Connolly – Aly Carmody, Eoin Connellan, Seanie Connellan, Aoibhinn Barry, Liam Maher, Moira Maher, Caoimhe Mc Namara, Laurie Connellan, Liam Power, Jacob Reid, Rebecca Reid, Dearmuid Williams

ST FRANCIS CREDIT UNION CLARE COMMUNITY GAMES

RESULTS SOCCER U12 BOYS 2023

The St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games Soccer for boys U12 competitions were held during the week. Nine teams participated in beautiful conditions. The standard was extremely high with several of the matches decided on penalties. They were coordinated by David Ryan ably assisted by his referees. Thanks to Newmarket Celtic for their facilities. The winner now goes forward to represent Clare in the Munster competition next week.

Preliminary game – Quin/Clooney 3 – 1

Clarecastle/Ballyea

Quarter Finals – Soora/Barefield 3 – 1

Shannon, Newmarket-on-Fergus 3 – 1 Clarecastle/ Ballyea Saffron

Sixmilebridge/Kilmurry 4 – 1 Cratloe

Ennis St John’s 4 – 0 Quin/Clooney

Semi Finals – Doora/Barefield 0 – 0 Newmarket-on-Fergus (7 – 6 after Penalties)

Ennis St John’s 0 – 0 Sixmilebridge/Kilmurry (4 – 3 after Penalties)

Play off – Newmarket-on-Fergus 2 – 1 Sixmilebridge/Kilmurry

The final was a hotly contested game with Ennis St. Johns retaining the title with a narrow 2-1 win over Doora Barefield. The Ennis side had to come from a goal behind at half time to claim the crown with team captain Robbie Lyne getting the all-important winning goal.

RESULT

1. Ennis St John’s – Ian Bradish, Johan Brennan, Patrick Cawley, Rhys Cusack, Daithi Ginnane, Dominik Hildebrand, Eoin Keane, Ronan Kelly, Kirill Kolodi, Robbie Lyne, Tommy Malone, Oran Mangan, Harry O’Brien, Adam Rochford, Callan Unquchort,

James Woods

2. Doora/Barefield – Daire Cullinan, Finn Curran, Fionn Farrell, Luke Kelleher, Milo Leahy, Harry Lenihan, Callum Mc Cormick, Dylan Mc Inerney, Eoin Mc Inerney, Darragh Mc Mahon, Aidan Moroney, Conor Murphy, Donnchadh Murphy, Jack O’Driscoll, Mark Reynolds, Joe Sillman

3. Newmarket – on – Fergus –

4. Sixmilebridge/Kilmurry – Ryan Comerford, Noah Conneely, Jack Fitzpatrick, Cian Flannery, Lee Gavin, Mike Gleeson, Lee Maxwell, Matty Maxwell, J. J. Quigley, Harry Stafford, Darragh Toomey, Jack Willis

ST FRANCIS CREDIT UNION CLARE COMMUNITY GAMES RESULTS TAG RUGBY U14

(above) the u12 Doora Barefield boys soccer team who were runners-up and (left) champions Ennis St Johns

(tabove) Clooney-Quin mixed tag u14 sides and (left) winners Inch/Kilmaley/Connolly

Clare Minors crowned All Ireland champs

ALL-IRELAND MINOR HURLING FINAL

Clare 2-22 Galway 4-11

Venue: FBD Semple Stadium, Thurles

Compiled by Páraic McMahon

STORY OF THE GAME

CLARE: Frees for: 10 (5/5)

Wides: 7 (3/4)

Spread of scorers: 12

Scores from play: 1-15

Top scorer: Marc O’Brien (0-07 5f)

Bookings: James Hegarty (18),

Own puckouts won: 20 from 29 (69%)

GALWAY: Frees for: 9 (5/4)

Wides: 14 (9/5)

Spread of scorers: 6

Scores from play: 4-04

Top scorer: Aaron Niland (008 6f)

Bookings: Michael Burke (61)

Own puckouts won: 22 from 31 (71%)

Referee: Michael Kennedy (Tipperary)

O’Halloran sad minor journey is over but is ecstatic with how it ended

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

MATTHEW O’HALLORAN has spoken of his immense pride at getting to follow in the footsteps of his father by tasting All-Ireland glory with Clare.

In the lead-up to the All-Ireland minor hurling final, Matthew joked at how his father Michael made him watch the 1995 senior final between Clare and Offaly over a hundred times.

Now Matthew is already on the case to try source a video of the minor decider to iniaite the payback. “Maybe a thousand times, we’ll see,” he quipped on the amount of times he’ll offer to put the video on in the O’Halloran household.

Joking aside, the Ard Scoil Rís student then paid tribute to his father who is a current selector with Sixmilebridge’s senior hurlers for the positive influence he has been in his career. “It’s a brilliant feeling, it’s probably the best day of my life, I’m so proud to follow in his footsteps, it’s savage”.

Both of the O’Hallorans shared a moment on the field at Semple Stadium as Clare supporters defied the instructions to stay off hallowerd turf. “I was trying to listen as Eo-

ghan was collecting the cup and he ambushed me, it was a great feeling, this is what you grow up dreaming of”.

He can now be described as the

utility man of the panel given that he has adapted to playing at midfield and half-back during their campaign but the latest twist came at half-time when he deployed to

full back after Ronan Keane was forced off with injury.

With Keane struggling with a hamstring injury in the lead up to the final, members of the Clare

management had tipped Matthew off that he could be featuring in a new role. “The coaches said that I was the versatility man and if anything went wrong they would stick me in, I was prepared for something. We did it for Trigger (Ronan Keane), he has been our talisman all year so we did it for him”.

Although Clare conceded four goals against Galway, the highest amount they have shipped all year, they admirably responded each time to a setback and were the better team over the hour. “It shows the resilience we have in this group, I can’t take much credit for that, the boys out the field and Eoghan, Mark, Ronan they all played their part, it’s brilliant to be a part of”.

Conditions in the searing heat of Thurles made things testing in the early exchanges, he admitted. “The first fifteen minutes were very difficult but we got used to it after that, we did what we had to do”.

Reflecting on their run, Matthew remarked, “It’s been a brilliant journey, I’m sad for it to end but I’m glad we ended it like this, I’m over the moon”.

l (clockwise from above) Ógie Fanning in action for Clare; Jamie Moylan, Rosaleen Monaghan and Joe Casey show their delight; Clare players celebrate in the stands after being presented the trophy; Conor Rynne and Jack Mescal celebrate at the final whistle

Photos by Gerard O'Neill

l Matthew O’Halloran (centre) flanked by Jack Mescal, Ógie Fanning, James Hegarty and Eoghan Gunning

Photo by Gerard O'Neill

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

'There will be more to come for all of us' says captain fantastic

by Páraic McMahon news@clareecho.ie

CLARE’S MINOR captain has pledged that there’s more to come from the side crowned All-Ireland champions.

Corner back Eoghan Gunning may have wrongly been denied the honour of giving a victorious captain’s speech when he received the Irish Press Cup off GAA President, Larry McCarthy but spoke with passion and maturity when in conversation with The Clare Echo moments after leading the county to their second ever All-Ireland minor title.

It was in the moments after accepting the Munster title that Gunning promised Clare supporters that they weren’t done yet and intended to bring more silverware home, so more’s the pity the Banner faithful weren’t treated to another address from the Scariff Community College student.

Not having long to bask in the success, Eoghan was once again looking to the future with optimism and confident that many of the minors would go on to achieve further success in the county colours. “It is incredible but hopefully there will be more to come for all of us, there is a special group, everyone in it is a super hurler, hopefully there will be more silverware in the future”.

Aged just seventeen, Gunning has firmly established himself as a fan favourite. Not since David McInerney lined out at full-back

for Clare’s U21 sides a decade ago has a defender lifted the crowd as much but the Broadford man is striking a chord with supporters so much that it is resembling the Ban-

ner Roar that often accompanied a Brian Lohan fetch and distribution from his heyday.

On getting to experience this Banner Roar, Eoghan reflected,

“Today was surreal, the stadium was packed out, I know it wasn’t all Clare fans but it felt like it was all Clare fans at times, they really got behind us and pushed us on to get

Penalty pain of 2022 spurred Minors

by Páraic McMahon news@clareecho.ie

FROM EXPERIENCING the pain associated with a penalty shootout defeat in a Munster Final to bouncing back and winning All-Ireland and provincial honours, it’s been a case of what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger for Clare goalkeeper Mark Sheedy.

Sixmilebridge’s Sheedy was the man between the posts as Clare became the first team to lose a provincial final following a penalty shootout on May 11th 2022. Fast forward to June 4th 2023 and he was number one on the first Clare team to win Munster and All-Ireland minor titles in the same year.

That pain of 2022 is all worth it to get the ultimate honour, Mark told The Clare Echo. “It’s all worth it now. We had heartbreak against Tipperary below in the Gaelic Grounds, we deserved to win it last year but we had a mission to do this year, our K1 was the Munster Final and our K2 was the All-Ireland, we’ve ticked both of those boxes today”.

With clean sheets in four of Clare’s eight championship games, Sheedy’s ability between the posts is well known and although Galway managed to raise four green flags in Sunday’s decider, he stepped up with vital saves to deny Aaron Niland twice and Harry Holmes from getting further goals.

Sheedy and Clare were well aware of the strong attacking threat posed by

Galway. “I saw a stat this morning that they had beat every team by 16 points so we knew they were a ferocious team and they brought that today and it was an excellent game of hurling. We tried to take that cloak of invincibility off them and we really persevered throughout and we got our scores on the board and pulled through”.

When Clare conceded a goal, they responded each time with Sheedy’s calmness via the puckout accelerating

behind the line”.

While it was Eoghan that had the distinction of getting to climb the steps O Riain Stand to collect the Irish Press Cup and the man of the match accolade, he pointed out that there was an army of people pushing him that direction. “This is special but it is representative of the work done not just by myself but everyone one of the panel members and the management team, this is for everyone”.

After winning the Munster minor title, Gunning and his teammates were together at TUS Gaelic Grounds supporting the county’s U20 hurlers against Cork in the provincial decider. He said they will be doing the same to cheer on the county seniors against Limerick this coming Sunday. “The seniors will be looking at this and getting inspiration off it, we’ll be all there every single one of us backing them and please God they can do the business”.

“It’s special, it is what you dream of when you are younger, lifting All-Ireland trophies and Munster trophies, we’ve worked so hard for this for months on end. Since early December we did a block of conditioning and tackling, we’ve focused on how we work on the ball, it’s just a super feeling to go up and lift the trophy on behalf of the clubs, the schools, our families and behalf of all the team and management,” Gunning the man with a big future told The Clare Echo

their reply.

“We knew coming into the game that Galway were a great team, they got two quick goals but we’ve had a never say die attitude and when that final whistle blew it was a sigh of relief because they were always chipping away and trying to come back”.

Teams can crumble when key players are forced off. Clare lost full-back Ronan Keane to injury on the stroke of half-time, the Killanena defender has been first choice all year but into the void stepped Sheedy’s clubmate Matthew O’Halloran who was moved all the way from midfield to the edge of the square to protect his clubmate.

Mark explained, “We’ve trust in that panel from one to thirty four, everyone that comes on knows there is a job to be done and they will do it, they will definitely do it. You could see Ronan had pulled his hamstring but he still went out to bat the ball, things like that really lift the team, whoever came in was always going to have big shoes to fill but Matthew O’Halloran did it well”.

Looking to the big picture, the teenager was hopeful their success would act as a lift for Brian Lohan’s men in their Munster Final versus Limerick. “It might give the seniors a boost going into their Munster final, we’re trying to develop our way up from U20s to senior, I know a few of the boys will be on the U20s next year and in a few years time some will be on the senior, we’re hoping to get onto that senior squad and start bringing silverware back to the county”.

Clarecastle NS go forth in Munster

CLARECASTLE NS had huge skills in the recent county hurling skills competition. In an incredible showing, Kiernan Sheridan received the maximum score possible with an outstanding 92 out of 92. His schoolmates Donal Garvey and Ryan Casey also excelled ensuring that top place was awarded to the school on a score of 191 points. They will now go forward and represent Clare in the Munster Championship in Mallow

l Clare captain, Eoghan Gunning with The Irish Press Cup

Photo by Gerard O'Neill

l Clare goalkeeper, Mark Sheedy (right) celebrates Photo by Gerard O'Neill

'Clare are capable of getting an upset'

ALL IRELAND SFC GROUP 4, ROUND 2

Monaghan 1-23 Clare 1-18

Venue: St Tiernach's Park, Clones

Compiled by Páraic McMahon

STORY OF THE GAME

MONAGHAN

Frees For: 12 (6/6)

Wides: 9 (5/4)

Scores from play: 1-20

Spread of scorers: 10

Top scorer: Jack McCarron (0-09 1f)

Own kickouts won: 16 out of 22

Bookings: Darren Hughes (50)

Referee: James Molloy (Galway)

CLARE

Frees For: 16 (6/10)

Wides: 3 (1/2)

Scores from play: 1-11

Spread of scorers: 6

Top scorer: Emmet McMahon (0-06 5f)

Own kickouts won: 23 out of 33

Bookings: Daniel Walsh (25) Emmett McMahon (25), Podge Collins (27). Jamie Malone (35)

MANAGER COMMENT “

Colm Collins, Clare:

“One thing we said after the Donegal game was that whatever happened today there was going to be a serious performance and we did do that but just came up a little

short”.

“There was some very good football played. There was an urgency about us today that was missing against Donegal. I am extremely proud of the players and the performance they put in. They gave it everything and just came up a little short”.

“There has been no upset yet, Louth came within a point of Mayo and Cork came close to Mayo and Westmeath came close to Armagh but the upset hasn’t happened yet”.

“The display today showed that Clare are capable of competing at this level. It’s was a fantastic display by the lads, I am just sorry for them that we didn’t get something from the match”.

BRECKANS

IN FINAL, SEMIS FOR ENNISTYMON & CLONDEGAD

BALLYEA FACE RELEGATION; FEAKLE & PARISH PREVAIL

CLARE CUP ROUND-UP

WINNING START FOR CLARE’S SENIOR CAMOGIE SIDE

Padraig Kelly of St Breckan’s

by Gerard O'Neill

GOLF: Áine Donegan qualifies for US Open

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

ÁINE Donegan has qualified for the Women's US Open to be held at Pebble Beach from July 5 to 9 thisÁineyear.qualified on Tuesday in a competition held at Peninsula Golf club in New York. This is a monumental achivement for the young Ennis woman, a member of both Woodstock and Lahinch Golf Clubs.

Currently a student at Louisiana State University, she finished second with a 36-hole total of 145 at Peninsula to secure her place in the third major championship of the women’s golf calendar.

This result continues a fine stretch of form for Áine as she adds this to her impressive 5 top 15 finishes in 7 events in America. She is one of two Irish players in the field, alongside Leona Maguire.

Woodstock Golf Club:

Winners of the ladies Australian Spoons greensomes competition at Woodstock were Eilis Neville and Kathleen McEnery 42 points from Mary Gleeson and Mariann Hintz with 37 points.

In the May medal, Niamh O’Regan won the silver section (0-20) with 73 nett while Mary Morgn with 60 nett won the bronze section (handicap 20 +). The June medal will be played for on Tuesday June 18.

The men’s club singles last weekend was won by Denis Ryan (21) with 46 points. He had two to spare over Sean Howard (18) with third place filled by Henry Butler (18) who also had 44 points.

Brian Gilligan (2) won the gross with 38 points. Category 1 was won by Andrew Mason (10) with 40 points, category 2 by Cathal O'Sullivan (12) with 42 points and category

3 by David McNamara (19) with 44.

In the club modified fourball better ball the winners were Ray Casey (5) and Frank McEnery (19) with 62 from Steve Lahiffe (16) and Liam O'Connor (17) with 61 Woodstock have advanced to the last 16 in the junior cup as a result of their victory over Doneraile last week. The Pierce Purcell team have also progressed thanks to a 3-2 victory over neighbours Ennis at the weekend.

Ennis Golf Club:

Captain Peter Quinn’s prize to the ladies at Ennis Golf Club was won by Bridie Keane (34) with 63 from Helen Gallery (23) with 68. Flor Coffey (28) was third with 68. The gross was won by Ann O’Loughlin (17) with 87.

In the 3 T’s competition Bridget Hoey (27) was the overall winner with 41 points. Peg Hanrahan (29)

won category 1 and Ruth Nihillk (26) won category 2 and they both had 41 points while Patricia O’Reilly (41) won category 3 with 40 points.

Margaret Flanagan (18) was the overall winner in the 9 hole competition with 23 points. Division 1 was won by Mary Nagle (13) with 16 points. Bridie Keane (17) won division 2 with 20 points while Claire Kenneally (21) won category 3 with 19 points.

Winners of the senior ladies outing at Ennis last week were Ann White, Claire Kennelly and Mary McMahon.

Kilrush Golf Club:

The men’s competition at the weekend was the Shannonside team of three which was won by Pat Mulcahy, Geremiah Brennan and Brian Scanlan with 90 points.

The all ladies team winners were Geraldine Burke, Mary Nolan and

Ailish Lorigan with 85 points, two ahead of Anne Cooper, Kathleen Haugh and Honor Kyne. East Clare Golf Club:

The winners of the men’s open last week was Sean McCarthy with Kieran Fox in second place.

The men’s yellow stakes competition at the weekend was won by Brendan McGill with 68 from Ray McInerney with 70 while Eoin McGill won the gross with 71. In the men’s white stakes competition, the winner was Terry Coughlan with 63 from Seamus Mason with 69 while William O’Brien won the gross with 78.

The winners of the ladies Wednesday competition were Breda O Loghlin, Sue Whiting and Helen Conway from Evelyn Skehan, Breda Reid and Siobhan Tiernan with third place filled by Margaret O'Brien. Phil Burke, Trish Kerr and Mary Jo Minogue.

SCAN FOR ROUND-UP

The sliotar eludes both Brian Guilfoyle and Eoghan Wallace

Photo by Gerard O'Neill

Photo

Eimear Kelly made a big impact off the bench

Photo by Gerard O'Neill

PICTURED: Emmet McMahon scored six of Clare's points against Monaghan

Photo by Gerard O'Neill

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

League title caps of magical Newmarket season

IT’S BEEN a historic season for Newmarket Celtic to remember and it’s fair to say a hugely successful transition from playing to management for Paddy Purcell.

In April, Newmarket became the first Clare club to ever win the FAI Junior Cup, although they fell short in a bid to obtain the Munster Junior Cup, they closed out the campaign by regaining the CDSL Maloney Hardware Premier Division title from Avenue Utd.

Paddy was in the heart of the Celtic defence last season as they fell short to Avenue in the league showdown and the Clare Cup final. When the new season began, he was the manager and has done what all of his predecessors could only dream of.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, after sealing their title win over Avenue, Purcell admitted they felt a pressure to finish off by getting their hands on the league title.

“It was one of our top priorities this year winning the league back, everybody says it is your bread and butter but it is. Losing it twice in the last eight years in the fashion

that we did, basically last kicks of the ball in the final ten minutes of matches and losing last year on a technicality it really did hurt.”

Having lost out to Avenue

Utd 3-2 on Wednesday, it meant the Premier Division would be decided by a playoff which Celtic prevailed in on score of 2-1. “We went into Wednesday with a lot of lads injured and missing, we’re very fortunate to have a big squad, we’ve had a lot of lads who have been very patient and waited for their chances, we’ve been lucky that when they’ve got them that they have delivered, today was another example of that.

"We were so disappointed after the first half Wednesday, obviously we recovered in the second half but tonight was the big one and I’m glad we got over the line”.

That they went 3-0 down and fought back to almost nab an equaliser showed their character but it didn’t dilute the worry experienced when they went a goal down on Saturday. “We started okay tonight, we got a couple of chances, Darragh (Leahy) had a good chance and another half chance after that, to go a goal down I was

sighing but we were a small bit flat even though we had those chances so I was a small bit worried I won’t lie but we rallied well, we really got ourselves into it and grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck. I thought once we went a goal down, we started to come out of ourselves and play a bit better, lads had a bit

more freedom, you could say in their game that they wanted to play forward a bit more, the intensity was there for sure and the will to win was absolutely there. Towards the end, we missed some sitters, Darragh said he was just adding to the intensity but I won’t thank him for that”. Adding to the specta-

cle was the historic but ever-growing rivalry between Newmarket Celtic and Avenue Utd. “There is a rivalry there for many years, we’ve had so much success and have been very fortunate to have so much success in the last eight years, they’ve always been on our coattails and for the last few seasons

they have done well, they did the double last year and won the Clare Cup this year, they are on the up and up, those games are always wafer thin margins normally, I know we went 3-0 down at half-time on Wednesday but at the end we should have nicked the result.

“We need more teams around to come up to those standards, there’s other teams in the league that need to get there, I’d love to have been here as a neutral watching this, it’s hard as a manager or supporter but that is what the tie brings. We need to make sure that both teams respect the fixture and not let it get into something that it should not be over time, the will and desire to win needs to be the focus point and none of the other messing around the sides which can happen”.

After a campaign which ran from August to the beginning of June, a respite is more than earned for Purcell. “I say a break but I’m going away for work in the morning to Florida for a week, that’s not a break but Claire will definitely say it is a break, I’m looking forward to not having 55,000 messages a day over what we’re doing and when we’re doing it but it’s been well worth it”.

Hayes does his bit to end Newmarket Celtic's season on a high

by Páraic McMahon news@clareecho.ie

FRESH FROM ending the season

with a ninth Premier Division medal, Newmarket Celtic captain Eoin Hayes answered his country’s call.

Hayes didn’t have long to bask in the glory that was Newmarket Celtic’s twentieth time winning the Premier Division. He flew out to Galicia in Spain on Monday as part of the Republic of Ireland Regions Cup squad, their first outing is on Friday against Galicia with further ties versus Bavaria (June 11th) and Zenica-Doboj (June 14th).

Back to Frank Healy Park though for the league showdown against Avenue Utd and it comes as no surprise that the Newmarket-on-Fergus native had a starring role in both of Celtic’s goals which clinched the title.

He intercepted a short kick-out gone wrong between Luke Woodrow and Dylan Casey to tee up Darragh Leahy for their equaliser in the opening half. Before the sounding of the half-time whistle, he was bundled down leading to the penalty which Harvey Cullinan duly dispatched to the net.

Reflecting on the tie, Eoin said, “These games go either way, they take on a life of their own, we’re in June now and none of us expected the season to go this far, both teams walked over the line, we

had a lot of injuries and they had a lot of injuries, when that happens it is about who does it on the day, it was a great team performance but I think Darragh Leahy being on the pitch was the difference for me anyway, he was just incredible, he gave me the freedom to do what I

wanted to do and Davy McCarthy will say the same.

“It is great to win back the league, I’m not going to talk nonsense and say it’s home or anything like that, the league is won by whoever wins the league, it was great to win it back, it’s nine leagues and nine

cups now so it was nice to round it off, it was annoying me for a while”.

Eoin didn’t get to finish the game, indicative of the high turnover of players that featured in their clash on Wednesday in Roslevan and the Saturday showdown in Doora.

“During the week, Cathal (Hayes) played, it was another league decider and he hadn’t played in a while, he got injured in that, unfortunately Jack (Kelly) was away today, lads had to step up and do something, Tadhg Noonan came on and nearly scored, there was a lot of lads that came on there, Ronnie McCormack started during the week and only got a few minutes today, it’s just the way football is, lots of players have really come into it.

“We’ve had 25 on the squad and managed to keep 25 which is incredible management if you ask me, how do you keep all of those lads happy, the only way you keep them happy usually is if you pay them and we don’t, Paddy deserves a lot of credit for that”.

Respect is at the core of their strong rivalry with Avenue Utd, the secondary school teacher told The Clare Echo. “It’s big, I always find if you obsess too much about the opposition it can really hinder your performance, I’m on social media but I wouldn’t get involved in what some people consider banter, other people might think it’s funny but I

don’t like it, we’ve had rivalries with Sixmilebridge and Shannon Town, Avenue are just a really good team and as a result rivalries will develop, I’ve nothing but respect for them, their players are really good. Ronan Kerin and Elias were missing today and were big losses, they are really good players, Ronan is playing for the Irish Defence Forces and has played at a really high level, Elias has shown his ability too, it's a great rivalry and I hope it’s kept healthy for many years to come and I’d hate it to be any other way, from my perspective it’s nothing but respect for them”.

Much has been said of his mother Catherine and her nerves watching games. During the half hour that he was off the field, Eoin got to experience the helplessness associated with being on the sideline and in this sector he definitely inherited the Sheedy genes. “I hate watching games, I was inside in the dugout and just hiding behind lads, watching matches brings out the worst in me, I’d be roaring stuff, I was half contemplating if I went for a walk would it waste more minutes than if I sit down, stuff like that goes through my head, I don’t know if a career in coaching or management will be for me, I think I’ll play golf or something”.

l Newmarket Celtic captain, Eoin Hayes

Photo by Joe Buckley

SCAN FOR REPORT

Newmarket Celtic 2 Avenue United 1

Venue: Frank Healy Park, Doora by Páraic McMahon news@clareecho.ie

Inagh hosts Frank Gallery memorial

INAGH COMMUNITY HALL hosts the twenty eighth run of the Frank Gallery Memorial Basketball Tournament this Saturday (June 10).

Action in the tournament has been halted since 2019. The twenty seventh Gallery was played in Breezy Point NY in June 2019 on the invitation of former Claremont Admirals player Dan Leary a Brooklyn native.

Dan was the first American player for the Admirals and guided them to qualification for the National League defeating Portartlington Hawks. All visitors were hosted by local families. The Breezy point Tournament was played outdoors in beautiful conditions and in 3v3 format. On the Sunday the Admirals Old Stars played a Breezy Point Selection for the Gallery Cup, losing a very tight game on 7168 scoreline.

Coach Bill Reagan, another great friend of local and national basketball will be also commemorated. Bill lived for many years at Knocknaraha, Liscannor and passed away in his native New London last August. Bill was the National Coaching Officer for the Irish Basketball Association and National Women’s Coach. He was a major coaching support to the Ennistymon club and was always more than generous with his time to advise and mentor players and coaches. His ashes will be scattered in the Inagh River which flows past all the significant locations in Bill’s years in Clare final entering the Atlantic in Liscannor Bay.

Games will begin at 11.30 am on Saturday and this year is a mixed 3v3 format. Games will be played at both ends and following 3v3 rules will be of twelve minutes duration. Three set of games will be completed before the break at 12:45pm.

On court activity will resume at 1.30pm with an underage boys /girl’s game, the

semi-finals and placement games. The final is scheduled to start at 3.30 pm. Four of the original Claremont will line out with players from later generations. The ladies representation has players from U18, the Cascaders Women’s team and a members of the Western Seahawks Women’s Masters team.

The U.S will be represented by the Farragher Family from Evanston IL. The family were one of the Chicago Investors group in the National League and pivotal in maintaining the contact ever since. John Joe played on the Ireland World University Games Team in 1993 and has played with Admirals when he was on a study abroad semester here in the late nineties, as well as several Gallery Tournaments. He will be joined by son Rea-

SUMMER BISTRO SPECTACULAR

out in Limerick Greyhound Stadium this May, June & July

w Dine on a tasty Main Course Meal from our Bistro Menu

w Enjoy a Cosmopolitan Cocktail or Pint of Heineken

w Includes your Admission & Race Programme

w Reserved seating in our Mezz Bar area

w Full Bar & Tote service available to your table

mon and wife Stephanie.

The tournament MVP trophy is sponsored by ESB Moneypoint, honouring Frank who was a much-respected member of the company. The soccer grounds in Kilrush, Gallery

Park are also named in his memory. Post-game presentations will be made at a reception at the Good House Inagh following the final.

Double delight for Cooraclare's owner

by Michael Maher news@clareecho.ie

COORACLARE owner James McMahon recorded a double victory in Galway over the weekend.

Saturday’s feature contest at Galway Greyhound Stadium was the final of the GoGreyhoundRacing.ie A2 Tri-Distance Stake with the decider over the testing 575 Yards trip and as the traps rose Portumna Sapphire and Ballyea Scrutiny were both away well and they disputed the lead on the long run to the opening bend ahead of Hunters Val and Colossal Venture. As the leaders reached the bend the leader moved slightly off and this allowed the red jacketed Colossal Venture to slip through along the rail to take command turning down the back. Passing halfway the lead was four lengths over Hunters Val but the Colossal Syndicate of Ennis owned Colossal Venture(Droopys Sydney-Droopys Lullaby) was home and hosed exiting the back straight as she scored by four and a half lengths from Portumna Sapphire in 31.66.

In race two, Pats Best Girl was away like the wind from her trap four berth inn this A2 graded contest and racing around the opening bend she led Lissatouk Dave and Drombeg Apollo by over two lengths. Racing down the back Pats Best Girl continued to show the way as Lissatouk Dave tried to bridge the gap. Racing between the final two bends the James McMahon of Cooraclare owned Lissatouk Dave(Laughill Blake-Lissatouk Dolly) began to close along the inner and slipping through off the home bend eased to a two length success over Pats Best Girl in 29.50.

Successful with Lissatouk Dave in race number two, the young Cooraclare owner McMahon made it a personal double on the night as his Lissatouk Peggy(Doratos Woo Hoo-Lissatouk Lady) led at the opening bend on her way to a three and a half length success over the staying on Fantasy Tuppence in 29.51. The winner went up well in company with Derra Dolly and Croaghill Gerry and rounding the opening bend she railed well to lead by two lengths entering the back straight . Striding out well Peggy was in complete control form the halfway mark and stayed on well all the way to the line.

The outcome of the S6 graded sprint contest was in little doubt from an early stage as from traps the Stephen Murray of Sixmilebridge trained Bark Wahlberg was

very smartly into his stride ahead of Lindas Lad and Dynamic Logan . As the leader approached the opening bend he briefly looked in bother as Drombeg Apollo closed in the rail but the door was firmly shut at the turn as the Blessmefatherforighave Syndicate owned son of Premier Fantasy & Geelo Lu Lu kicked clear again to defeat Lindas Lad by three & three quarter lengths in 19.29.

The Lads-Dayout-In-Dublin Syndicate of Clarecastle are certainly having great fun with their son of Ballymac Best and Ballydoyle Grace named Insidethehuddle who recorded his eighth career success in the S1 graded sprint contest by three lengths from Ceide Queen in 19.24. The winner was only in fourth place racing towards the opening bend as Grangeview Liz led the charge towards the inner ahead of Almost There. Between the two bends though Insidethehuddle switched to the inner and made rapid progress and despite swing wide into the home straight quickly asserted on the run to the line.

Friday night’s Galway card featured the final of the Talking Dogs Novice 525 Yards Stake with the concluding A3 graded contest over 525 Yards the top graded contest on the ten race programme.

Racing towards the opening bend in the A7 graded contest Giddyupgar held a narrow advantage over Bardeen Lady with Cregg View close up on the wide outside.

Turning into the back straight, Giddyupgar led the way by over a length to Barheen Lady as Rathkerry Anne began to creep into contention along the rails passing halfway. Approaching the home bend, Giddyupgar drifted off the rails and this allowed the Rachel Hehir of Kilmaley owned Rathkerry Anne (Kinloch Brae-Baby Sugar) through to lead close home and score by a length and a half in 30.10.

The Stephen Murray kennel hit the target in the A5 graded contest as The Grove Syndicate of Roselevan, Ennis owned Groves Joy led off the home bend on his way to a third career success by three and three quarter lengths from Tygra in 29.49. From traps Tygra came away well on the wide outside and led to the bend where general crowding saw her extended her lead to three lengths over Groves Joy passing halfway. Approaching the third bend though Groves Joy (Droopys Sydney-Astro Abby) moved through on the leaders inner before asserting off the home bend to win going away.

PLANNING

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL CARROWCORE, OGONNELLOE, CO CLARE

Take notice that Barry Kiely & Fiona McInerney intend to apply for Planning Permission to construct a new dwelling house, detached garage, new waste water treatment system including all ancillary site services and works at the above address.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority, Clare County Council, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare during its public opening hours.

A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority, in writing, on payment of a fee of €20.00 within five weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the Planning Application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL 321 QUAY ROAD, CLARECASTLE, CO. CLARE, V95K61F

Take notice that Brian Foudy & Associates Ltd of Osprey House, Carmody Street, Ennis, Co. Clare 065 6893565 www. foudyconsulting.ie.

Intend to apply to the planning authority on behalf of Brian & Dawn Greene for permission to retain (a) rear extension to dwelling house (b) covered patio area, (c) shed and (d) garden room, together with all ancillary site development works and services at the above address. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL JOHNNO’S BAR, QUIN ROAD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE, V95KP44

Take notice that Brian Foudy & Associates Ltd of Osprey House, Carmody Street, Ennis, Co. Clare 065 6893565 www. foudyconsulting.ie.

intend to apply to the planning authority on behalf of DGR Vaughan’s Pub Ltd for permission to (a) retain existing beer garden consisting of covered seating and BBQ area as constructed (b) Erect acoustic panel fencing along section of western boundary together with all associated site development works and services at the above address.

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL KNOCKANOURA, CLOONEY, CO. CLARE, V95X9F4

Take notice that Brian Foudy & Associates Ltd of Osprey House, Carmody Street, Ennis, Co. Clare 065 6893565 www. foudyconsulting.ie.

intend to apply to the planning authority on behalf of Thomas & Susan Conheady for permission to retain shed and fuel store as constructed together with all associated site development works and services at the above address.

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

receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL

7 CREGAÚN, TOBARTEASCÁIN, CLONROAD MORE, ENNIS, CO. CLARE, V95FT4A

Take notice that Brian Foudy & Associates Ltd of Osprey House, Carmody Street, Ennis, Co. Clare 065 6893565 www. foudyconsulting.ie.

Intend to apply to the planning authority on behalf of Niall O’Connor & Elaine O’Halloran for permission to (a) construct an extension to existing dwelling house (b) carry out internal alterations and modifications together with all ancillary site development works and services at the above ad-

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL

41 GORT NA RI, ENNIS, CO CLARE. V95 EV7W

Take notice that we Dermot & Hilda O Connor, intend to apply to the

planning authority for permission to construct an extension to rear of the property consisting of kitchen and living space and associated site works. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the Offices of the Planning authority of Clare County Council, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare V95 DXP2, during it public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application. Such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning author-

ity in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

KILMOON WEST, LISDOONVARNA, CO CLARE

Take notice that Fr Robert McNamara intends to apply for PERMISSION to develop the area adjacent to Our Lady Of Lourdes Catholic Church for the purpose of providing a carpark, realign the existing roadside wall of the Church, create a new entrance for the carpark to the public road & all other associated site and ancillary works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of

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

The Clare Echo

1 Icarus statue in Ennis was gifted to Ennis Town Council by Guinness Peat Aviation in 1990 to mark what?

Ennis’ 750-year celebration

50 years of Shannon Airport

A record year for peat sales

2 The statue is often referred to as another mythical Greek figure named Daedalus. He was what relation to Icarus?

Son Father

Second cousin once removed

3 The monument on Frances Street in Kilrush is dedicated to what?

Manchester Martyrs

Easter Rising

The Peru Two

4 According to a recent survey, which Clare town has the most pubs per head in Ireland (one for every 26 people!)

Lahinch Scariff

Liscannor

5How old is the sign hanging over the door of Knox’s Pub in Ennis?

118 years

218 years

15 years

6 In the 1800s, what was located inpresent day Abbey Street Car Park?

An outdoor theatre Roman baths A brewery

7 What is the area known as Cora Chaitlín (Caitlín’s weir) in Irish?

Lisdoonvarna Newmarket on Fergus Cooraclare

8Clarecastle was once known simply as... Castletown Clare Magaluf

9 In 1881, two men digging a drain near Lissycasey discovered what?

A box full of gold coins

A bear’s skeleton

The book of Kells

10 The name Scariff is derived from the Gaelic “Scairbh” which means what?

A rocky ford House of Scars House of Scarfs

Spot the Difference

Can you spot the 7 differences

Last weeks answers

. Part of outfit different colour (front)

. button missing on hat (green)

. Button missing on hat (red)

. Gold part of outifit missing on arm (right)

. Joint in timber missing (front right)

. Bolt missing in timber (left)

. Line on hat missing (front)

Pike Rovers

1. Ennis’ 750-year celebration

2 Father

3. Manchester Martyrs

4. Liscannor

5 118 years

6. A brewery

7. Newmarket on Fergus

8. Clare

9. A box full of gold coins

10. A rocky ford

THIS WEEKS PUZZLES JUNE 8th

WORD SEARCH

HOW TO PLAY

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

The Clare Echo Crossword

7

2 Flesh without fat (4)

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

8

3 Whole (6)

4 Put together (8)

5 Of greatest size (7) 6 Robin (9) 9 Rued (9)

12 Helped (8)

14 Mollify (7)

16 Obstacle (6)

19 Sorrowful poem (5) 20 Throw carelessly (4)