The Clare Echo 10/03/22

065 671 9021

clareecho.ie

MAR 10 2022

IN THE GOOD BOOKS

Clare likely to welcome 1,000 Ukrainians PÁRAIC McMAHON

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paraic@clareecho.ie

Revellers enjoying the Books and Buns quiz at the Temple Gate Hotel during the Ennis Book Club festival at the weekend.

Photo by Eamon Ward

P TO 1,000 Ukrainian people could be making Clare their home as they flee Eastern Europe.

Already 2,200 Ukrainians have arrived in Ireland since the Russian invasion two weeks ago. The Government has launched an online portal in conjunction with the Irish Red Cross where the public can offer to house the people of Ukraine for periods ranging from six

months to one year.

Junior Minister, James Browne (FF) said up to 80,000 Ukrainian refugees could flee to Ireland while Ennis-based ex member of the Soviet Forces, Maurico Pipistello felt 50,000 was an accurate prediction.

Chief Executive of Clare County Council, Pat Dowling confirmed they have been requested by the Department of Housing “to use discretion and provide accommodation” in the wake of the “worst refugee crisis” since the second World War. Cllr Pat McMahon (FF) said it was likely Clare would welcome up to 1,000 Ukrainian natives.

FULL STORY pg 8

2 NEWS

Index NEWS

THURSDAY, MAR 10 2022

WHO WILL I MAKE IT OUT TO?

2-13

ENTERTAINMENT

14

GREEN CLARE

17

COMMUNITY

19

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by PÁRAIC McMAHON

WOMEN IN BUSINESS 20-25 RECRUITMENT

26-27

SPORT

28-30

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

NEWSDESK

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

SALES

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

No more coal from Russia

 BOOK SIGNING: Joe Queally siging copies of hes book "Echoes from a Civil War" for Brian Howley and Michael McMahon at the Templegate Hotel during the Ennis Book Club festival at the weekend Photo by Eamon Ward

SB have confirmed it will not be taking the delivery of Russian coal at Moneypoint “for the foreseeable future”.

Councillors voiced calls for ESB to stop sourcing supply of Russian coal for Moneypoint. The matter was also flagged by Michael McNamara (IND).

Speaking to The Clare Echo, a spokesperson for ESB confirmed that it sources coal for Moneypoint on international markets with “significant stock levels” at the West Clare power plant present. “ESB has been monitoring the escalating situation in Ukraine carefully for some time. In light of current events, ESB will not be taking delivery of Russian coal for the foreseeable future. ESB will continue to monitor the situation closely on an ongoing basis,” the spokesperson added.

The Clare Echo understands that staff based in Killimer had informed management they would refuse to unload Russian coal if it landed in Moneypoint.

HomeGallery-Linen-Ennis2022.qxp_Layout 1 09/02/2022 15:18 Page 1

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4 NEWS

THURSDAY, MAR 10 2022

Nugent family object Moran back in the mix to Garda involvement in fresh investigation

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

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FULL public inquiry or an investigation by a body outside of An Garda Síochána has been sought by the family of Patrick Nugent into his unexplained death 38 years ago.

While working as a banqueting manager at Bunratty Castle, Patrick was found dead in the Folk Park near the popular tourist attraction on 11th February 1984.

The late William Ryan, a long-time chef at Shannon Airport who was celebrating his wedding anniversary that night, was charged with Mr Nugent’s manslaughter but was acquitted in 1985.

Mr Ryan gave three different statements to Gardaí about what happened on the night.

Last month, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee (FG)

told the Nugent family that Garda Commissioner Drew Harris had ordered a fresh investigation into certain matters raised by retired District Court judge Patrick Clyne who completed a report into the original investigation.

This report was completed for almost twelve months before it was presented to the family, the Department of Justice explaining the “next steps” to the family in October 2021, at this time the Garda Commissioner had not been briefed on the report he told The Clare Echo.

Minister McEntee in a letter dated February 10th informed the family that the new investigation was “to be treated as a cold case and given to a fresh team to fully investigate”. She will not

publish the report completed by Clyne.

Objections to the new investigation have been raised by the Nugent family, their solicitor Kevin Winters of KRW Law in Belfast confirmed with the retired judge’s criticism of the original Garda investigation cited. The family instead want a full public inquiry or an investigation by an outside policing agency, similar to investigations of historical crimes in Northern Ireland.

On Monday of this week, Mr Winters wrote to Minister McEntee and said the proposal of sending the new investigation back to the Gardaí was “hopelessly compromised”.

The family have little confidence that Gardaí investigating Gardaí will bring them answers.

FORMER general and local election candidate, Noeleen Moran (SF) has emerged as a contender to reappear on the next ballot paper when the decision to select Clare’s four TDs is put to the county.

In what is seen as a big development in local political circles, Moran has refused to rule out putting her name back on the ballot paper, despite much frustration with her treatment in the lead up to the 2020 General Election.

Sinn Féin elected their first candidate to the Dáil in Clare since 1922 when Violet-Anne Wynne topped the poll. The Kilrush woman sent shockwaves through the political world when she announced her departure from the party at the end of February, citing a campaign of “psychological warfare”, discontent within the local ranks and a lack of support at a national level.

Wynne had been placed on the ballot paper following a decision by Noeleen to withdraw a month before the election. Both Noeleen and the late Mike McKee had originally been chosen by the party as candidates but were deselected in October of last year.

When announcing her nomination withdrawal, the Ballyvaughan native was critical of the party including taking five months to select a candidate. “I do not think that is an appropriate or fair way to treat someone who was willing to put their name forward and had been selected for the previous 20 months,” she said at the time.

Noeleen was the highest polling female candidate in Clare for the 2016 General Election with 4,216 first preference votes.

She unsuccessfully ran for local elections in Clare in 2014 and 2019.

Outside of politics, the Ennis resident has been a very active figure within the Mid-West Health Campaign, serving as the county’s spokesperson.

While she has kept tight-lipped on Deputy Wynne’s Sinn Féin exit, she remarked to The Clare Echo, “I haven’t gone away” and that she remained a member of the political party while keeping her focus on the hospital campaign.

Currently, Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) is the party’s only elected representative in Clare, she was co-opted to the Council in January 2020 following the death of Mike McKee. She told The Clare Echo her focus was to retain the seat won by her late friend in the 2024 local elections.

 POLITICS: Noeleen Moran

Photo by Martin Connolly

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NEWS

THURSDAY, MAR 10 2022

COVID-19 vaccine booster for 12 to 15 year olds All children aged 12 to 15 are being offered a COVID-19 vaccine booster.

Why is this age group being offered a booster dose?

The protection that your child has from their initial COVID-19 vaccines may weaken over time. Their booster dose should give them better protection and reduce their chances of getting seriously ill.

It is especially important for children with high risk health conditions, or if a family member is more at risk. COVID-19 usually causes mild illness or no symptoms in children this age, but it can cause more severe illness.

How long to wait before getting a booster Most children can get their booster six months after their last COVID-19 vaccine. If they had COVID-19 since their last vaccine, they will need to wait six months after diagnosis before they get their booster.

Appointments and consent You can book an appointment at a HSE vaccination centre on a day and time that suits you at hse.ie/book You can also attend a HSE walk-in vaccine clinic without an appointment. Find clinic times and locations near you at hse.ie A parent or legal guardian must attend the appointment to give consent. If this isn’t possible, you can call our team in HSELive on 1800 700 700.

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6 NEWS

THURSDAY, MAR 10 2022

Airport playing into 'forever wars' with US military

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by PÁRAIC McMAHON

HIFTING more services from Dublin Airport to Shannon Airport would lessen its reliance on the transiting through of the US Military for refuelling, one of the country’s most respected writers has said.

Recent weeks has seen an increase in the amount of number of aircraft transporting US military personnel through Shannon Airport en route to NATO countries in Eastern Europe, prior to Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine.

In 2020, a total of 65,965 US troops passed through Shannon Airport in a 10 month period, more than any year between 2014 to 2017.

Fintan O’Toole, a writer with The Irish Times since 1988 has been critical of the ongoing use of Shannon by US military. He believed it represented “a sort of dishonesty” and little regard to potential implications. “We’re very afraid to say we don’t agree with

what you’re doing in Iraq or Afghanistan, talking about the flights to Shannon would involve us saying why this is a problem, like it or not it is part of a system which is feeding into these forever wars”.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, he explained, “It’s a broader thing about maturity, I’ve ties to the States and I love the United States but a good friend isn’t someone who tells you the thing you want to hear, it is somebody who tells you that actually you might be making a big mistake when you’re doing stuff ”.

Ukraine’s current situation was labelled as “complex”, “horrific” and “completely inexcusable”. He felt Putin’s perceptions were rooted in a weakness from the west in pulling out of Afghanistan “Those big adventures, the post 9/11 ones have proved to be pretty disastrous and I think Ireland’s little part in those was very much based around Shannon, Shannon was our contribution to all of that, if we had been more honest and either said we’re not militarily neutral and

PLANE VIEW: US military lands in Shannon

Photo by John Burns

then think about the implications of that or said we are militarily neutral and we do have a problem whether it is playing a small part in this whole enterprise then we wouldn’t have to face up to it and we’re not generally good at facing up to things,” he added.

This can only change if Shannon becomes less reliant on the US military for activity by receiving a fairer share of the pie from Dublin Airport. “There’s been so much hypocrisy about Shannon, an iconic place that is important to the West and yet very little in

terms of follow through”.

He suggested that Shannon instead of Dublin be made the main stopover and hub for passengers travelling from continental Europe and England to do preclearance in Ireland. “There is no reason why a lot of that couldn’t be done from Shannon just as much as from Dublin, Shannon has all those facilities, if you’re flying from Germany it makes no difference to you whether you land in Dublin Airport or Shannon Airport and then funnel into a plane going to America, it is a lot easier to do the preclearance in Shannon, it is fantastic because there’s much less pressure but there is no overall strategy in terms of what it means to keep Shannon viable”.

Former Mayor of Clare, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) told The Clare Echo she has “no issue” with the US military using Shannon Airport to support efforts in Ukraine. “If that allows for the transit and transfer of military through Shannon, that is the least we can do”.

Charity horse ride In aid of Clare Suicide Bereavement Support

STARTING POINT: Eamon Duggan, Malachy's Bar Photo by John Mangan THE Organising Committee of the Charity Horse Ride around Quin and Doora are back in action this year, having had to cancel it for the past two years owing to Covid.

The event will take place on Saturday March 19th.commencing at 1p.m. from Malachy’s, Quin. It is suitable for all levels of rider. The entrance fee is E25 for a horse and E15 for a pony. Refreshments will be served at Malachys, and The Shebeen, Doora.

A spokesperson for Clare S.B.S. said “This event has been organised for a number of years and sincere thanks is due to the organisers, those who take part, those who give donations, the many people who help on the day, the residents of Quin who toler-

ate the inconvenience, the local land owners who allow the horse ride over their land and the Clare Hunt for their support.”

Clare Suicide Bereavement Support is a voluntary organisation which has been supporting the suicide bereaved in Clare for twenty years. None of the members are paid and the support which is available 24/7 is free of charge. Clare S.B.S. is registered with the Charities Regulator and a report is submitted annually.

Support is offered to families and friends who have lost a loved one by suicide. The support may be on a one to one basis, to a family or community group, or to a group of bereaved people who come together for a Healing Programme.

A death by suicide is usually followed by extreme sadness, turmoil and emotional pain. There can also be a sense of aloneness and a fear of not being accepted or understood. It can also be difficult to admit that one needs support. The support offered

by Clare S.B.S. is completely confidential and those who have looked for support have found a way to gradually move towards self-acceptance and calm. While the loved one who has died is never forgotten, the pain is made easier, the bereaved person learns to deal with the loss and get back to a more normal pattern of living.

For further information or support phone or text: 086 0565373, 087 3698315. www.claresuicidebereavementsupport. com

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8 NEWS

THURSDAY, MAR 10 2022

1,000 plus Ukrainians likely to arrive in Clare PÁRAIC MCMAHON

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paraic@clareecho.ie

LARE could be welcoming up to 1,000 Ukrainian people to live in the county, as violence continues to devastate Eastern Europe.

An online portal has been opened by the Government in conjunction with the Irish Red Cross where the public can offer to house the people of Ukraine fleeing their war-torn country for six months to a year. Already 2,200 Ukrainians have ar-

rived in Ireland since the Russian invasion two weeks ago.

Minister of State at the Department of Justice, James Browne (FF) has said up to 80,000 Ukrainian refugees could flee to Ireland. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage have contacted Clare County Council querying the accommodation needs that can be met in the county.

Mayor of Clare, Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) condemned the invasion “which is a gross violation of international law and human rights”.

He said that Clare County Council stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine with Áras Contae an Chláir “lit up nightly

in the Ukrainian colours, and the Ukrainian and Clare flags are being flown outside the building”. He called for an immediate ceasefire and withdrawal of Russian troops.

Chief Executive of the Council, Pat Dowling described events as “the worst refugee crisis since World War Two”. He confirmed that the local authority has been asked “to use discretion and provide accommodation” with the matter referred to International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS).

It is likely that a planning implication as visible during the pandemic where building and facilities were repurposed for use as field hospitals and vaccination centres will be applied.

Ne wmarket-on-Fergus representative, Cllr Pat McMahon (FF) highlighted that a figure of 40,000 refugees had been mentioned, “the law of average means would have to take in 1,000”. This

required outside the box thinking to meet the housing need as he suggested a more lenient approach for offices that have not been approved by fire officers, “I know they have high standards but those houses, some of them are in good condition and they could be liveable”.

Speaking at Monday’s meeting, Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) labelled the scenes in Ukraine as “outrageous, devastating and embarrassing. We would all love to do more unfortunately our hands are tied”.

He proposed that councillors make a financial contribution to help the Ukrainian families through the Irish Red Cross appeal.

This was backed by Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF), “people have needlessly lost their lives, it is a horrific situation”.

Solidarity is important, Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) noted, “it is something we thought we would never see again, there are some tyrants still around”. He praised the suggestion from Cllr Cooney, “it is a small gesture again but it is the least we can do”.

Event to honour loved ones lost to Covid-19

by PÁRAIC McMAHON LOVED ones lost during the pandemic and frontline heroes are to be remembered during a commemoration event next weekend.

Details have yet to be finalised but an event is to be organised by Clare County Council paying homage to the thousands of persons and their loved ones who died as a result of COVID-19 and also to acknowledge the enormous contribution of workers and volunteers across countless sectors.

Chief Executive of Clare County Council, Pat Dowling confirmed that local authorities in recent days had been informed that a national commemoration event will be held from March 18th to 20th “around those who lost loved ones during COVID and to honour those that played a key part”.

A tree planting ceremony on the Sunday is among one of the few confirmed events plus the unveiling of a plaque outside the headquarters of the Council, details will be

circulated via the local media once confirmed, Dowling stated.

Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) had proposed that the Council officially thank the volunteers, staff, community groups and persons that assisted with the COVID helpline.

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

The Chief Executive in response issued the confirmed details on the commemoration and encouraged Municipal Districts to hold their own events at a local level.

Closing date nears for Development Plan

by ELAINE TUBRIDY THE Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council has reminded the people of Clare that the deadline for making submissions on the Draft County Development Plan closes on Monday, 28th March, at 4:00pm.

Once adopted, the County Development Plan will set out the overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of County Clare over a six-year period.

On St Patrick’s Day, 17th March, planning staff will provide an information stand at the Ennis St Patrick’s Day

parade, which will offer information on the Draft County Development Plan and where planning staff will be available to speak with.

A copy of the Draft Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 with associated Environmental Report and Natura Impact Report will be on public display until 28th March, 2022, and is available to view online and may also be inspected during normal opening hours at the following locations: Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis; Shannon Municipal District Office, Town

Hall, Shannon; West Clare Municipal District Office, Town Hall, The Square, Kilrush; Ennistymon Area Office, Ennis Road, Ennistymon; Killaloe Municipal District Office, Mountshannon Road, Scarriff, and at all public libraries in County Clare during opening hours.

Copies of the Draft Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 are also available for purchase from the Planning Department.

To view the Plan and for further information, please visit https://clarecdp2023-2029.clarecoco.ie/stage2-draft/ display/

NEWS 9

THURSDAY, MAR 10 2022

'Virtually impossible' to source accommodation

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

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TTEMPTS for locals to source permanent accommodation in seaside parts of Co Clare has become “virtually impossible”.

Hospitality businesses in the county are finding it “almost impossible” to hire skilled staff, Lahinch hotelier Michael Vaughan admitted. Despite placing job adverts over recent months, he outlined that the only persons making themselves available are living in countries outside the European Union.

A knock-on effect will be experienced in how hospitality businesses operate, he predicted.

“This is going to be a difficult summer for traders in getting the type of help they need, this will be evident particularly in a curtailment of services so cafes and restaurants may open for less hours or less days in the week”.

Thousands of skilled workers left the Irish hospitality industry during COVID-19, Michael claimed with the several returning to their native countries in Europe. “They found the standard of living has improved, Poland is one case in point where the standard of living has improved, Lahinch families from Poland returned home, they had been embedded in the community”. He doesn’t expect students to return to this type of work in the summer of 2022. “Students had built up a tiger chest from the PUP and they won’t return to hospitality for another year or two”.

Hindering businesses such as Vaughan

Lodge Hotel is the price of housing in coastal locations such as Lahinch, he acknowledged.

“By the seaside it is virtually impossible to get reasonable accommodation for staff with the prices that houses are selling. It is proving to be a real difficulty for hospitality whether it is in Lisdoonvarna, Ballyvaughan, Spanish Point or Ennis”.

Emphasising this is the fact that a house on the School Rd in Lahinch sold for €500,000 in the past week when the same scheme of houses would have previously been on the market for €250,000 to €300,000. Michael called this “mind-boggling prices”. “t wouldn’t be a local that could afford this, Lahinch has become almost a place for holiday makers and the elite to live, local people who might aspire to work and live locally here have been priced out of it”.

Vaughan believed there was a “great opportunity” to develop social housing in Ennistymon, Lisdoonvarna and Inagh, “they could become dormitory towns and advance plans to make them sustainable places to live in”.

Presently with the cast of Smother filming the third series of the RTÉ drama, he said that Lahinch is “reasonably busy”. Between cast and crew, he outlined that 40-60 people are staying in the village as a result, “they are going into pubs at night and for lunch and dinner, it is a bit of an early boom for the season. We saw in last couple of weeks people coming to holiday homes, the season is unusual, people are making up for lost times and it is really busy at weekends”.

Ennis rocked by sudden death of Pat Fitzpatrick ENNIS has been rocked by the sudden death of Pat Fitzpatrick, a businessman in the town since the 1970s, writes Páraic McMahon.

A native of Knockerra, Pat is best known in business circles for Fitzpatrick’s Gourmet Garage on the Tulla Rd which he was involved in since the 1970s.

Gaelic football was a great love in his life. Pat proudly represented Killimer at all levels and contested the 1971 Junior A final where they fell short against Lissycasey. Since moving to Ennis, he became an integral part of the Éire Óg club serving in multiple roles including Chairman and County Board delegate.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Cllr Pat Daly (FF) expressed his shock and sadness at the news.

“Having heard the death of Pat was a huge shock to the town of Ennis and to his beloved Éire Óg club.

Pat was one of the coolest characters I ever met, he was humours and reliable. (...) I sat beside him and Des Neylon at the county final last year when Éire

 RIP: Pat Fitzpatrick Óg beat Kilmurry Ibrickane, he was so proud of the Townies, he was a true football man who never forgot his Knockerra roots”.

Pat is survived by his wife, Catherine, children Grainne and Brian, the

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wider Fitzpatrick and Glynn families plus his large circle of friends.

His son, Brian has continued the tradition of a strong involvement with Éire Óg.

Pat’s funeral is to take place on Friday morning.

10 NEWS

THURSDAY, MAR 10 2022

Doolin Coastguard reconstituted with eight crew recruited

by GORDON DEEGAN THE Doolin Unit of the Irish Coastguard has been reconstituted on an interim basis and already eight members have been recruited.

That is according to Minister for State at the Dept of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton (FG) who said that there will be perhaps 12 members to start with for the unit to recommence its work.

Minister Naughton said: “Currently, additional cover is being provided from Kilkee and Killaloe. Helicopter and other emergency services are also being provided."

In the Dáil on Thursday, Minister Naughton told Deputy Darren O’Rourke (SF) the reconstitution of the unit on an interim basis involves a core group of volunteers who, the Coast Guard believes, can work and operate together.

The Coast Guard has moved to reconstitute the unit after a report by mediator, Kieran Mulvey in December concluded no form of mediation would resolve matters of dispute at the unit.

The Clare unit - one of the busiest in the country and covers the coastline along the Cliffs of Moher - was stood down from search and rescue services in November after six volunteers resigned from their roles over interpersonal issues.

Following meetings with volunteers in Doolin, Mr Mulvey said in his report: “Regretfully I have formed the conclusion that no form of mediation will lead to a resolution of the matters of disputation in the unit”.

Mr Mulvey said the volunteers were of the “strong opinion” that bureaucracy around procedures, form-filling and increasing health and safety regulation was leading to an “adverse to risk culture” in the service rather than engaging with volunteers on practical realities.

In her reply to Deputy O’Rourke on the issue, Minister Naughton confirmed that the selection of volunteers to provide service to the reconstituted unit has been completed and those selected have been informed.

Deputy O’Rourke said: “We have seen the Mulvey report, which identified a breakdown of mutual trust, respect and confidence.

That was a real concern and still is, in many respects, because the Doolin unit has not yet been fully reconstituted.

Deputy O’Rourke stated that attention has been focused on cultural and operational difficulties within the Coast Guard and people have been contacted by volunteers and former volunteers about the issue.

He said: “A dire picture has been painted.”

1800 827 555

Hal to say farewell to his beard for Dementia Ireland PÁRAIC MCMAHON

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paraic@clareecho.ie

E HAS been nicknamed Santa Claus’ bad brother and rumoured to be joining the cast of Vikings but on Saturday Kevin Halpin will bid farewell to his gigantic beard, all in the name of a good cause.

To raise funds for Dementia Ireland, a cause close to his heart, Kevin will be losing the beard in a tidy up fundraiser that has already amassed over €3000. Danni O’Brien of Sensory Cuts will be bringing out the razor and scissors to The Sports Bar in Newmarket-on-Fergus to ensure that the much-discussed new look of Hal’s becomes a thing of the past. The big reveal will take place following the Ireland and England rugby game.

Since the death of his mother Kathleen last June, Kevin always wanted to do something to raise funds for dementia, this idea was helped by his daughter Shauna. His look has been a talking point among the children, parents and staff of Scoil na Maighdine Mhúire where Kevin is the ‘lollipop man’.

Saturday will be a very poignant occasion, it will be his mother’s first birthday that she is no longer with him, his five siblings and their father Pat. “There’s no point being down and sad about it because that wasn’t Mum, she was very practical, I know every Irish man says it that we love our mammies but we were really blessed to have Mum as our mother, she never chastised us about doing any-

 FOR MUM: Kevin Halpin pictured with a photograph of his beloved late mother, Kathleen Photo by Joe Buckley

thing, she just encouraged, whatever our decision she just went on with it. It is a sad occasion in many ways, there’s no more hugs from Mum but it’s a celebration for her too”.

“The village was fantastic, they say it takes a village to raise a child but we were lucky, with dementia there are families in cities and towns who can’t let their parent out the door because as soon as they wander, they are lost whereas Mum could go off wandering, then I’d get a text or phonecall or you could follow her around”.

While Kathleen would not have been a fan of the beard, Kevin revealed that it actually formed part of one of their special moments after she moved to Carrigoran. “When Mum went into Carrigoran, they were fabulous to her, she went there in January 2020 and

within a few weeks we had COVID, we were locked out and had window visits, I happened to get a rash on my face, it started growing, by the time we got back in, it was months later and unfortunately Mum had deteriorated so much in that time, she leaned over at one stage and touched the beard, she said ‘it’s so soft’ and I hadn’t heard her speak in about six visits, that was the first thing she had said to me in about six weeks, for a year before that I was no longer her son, I was her husband, her uncle, cousin, lots of things but that moment made me cry and broke my heart, I kept it then because she used to rub it”.

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OUT & ABOUT 11

THURSDAY, MAR 10 2022

CILL CÚIL GAELS TOAST U21 CHAMPIONSHIP SUCCESS HOTEL Woodstock was the venue for Saturday’s social as the Cill Cúil Gaels side crowned U21A football champions finally got to toast to their success.

The Shannon Estuary amalgamation comprising

of players from Coolmeen, Kildysart, Kilmihil and Shannon Gaels defeated Éire Óg in the final 1-10 0-08 when it was played just before Christmas at Hennessy Memorial Park in Miltown Malbay.

l CUP: Enjoying the Cill Cúil Gaels social at Hotel Woodstock were (Clockwise from above): Tadhg Kelly, Frank Kelly, Gearoid O’Grady and Thomas Kelly; Rachael Keating, Molly McCarthy and Sinead Kelly; Matthew Reidy and Josette Hogan; Jack Reidy and Leah O’Donnell Photos by Gerard O'Neill

TENDER FOR SEASONAL FERRY SERVICE FROM THE MAINLAND TO SCATTERY ISLAND, CO. CLARE Iarrann Coimisinéirí na nOibreacha Poiblí in Éirinn aighneachtaí ó iarrthóirí atá cáilithe go cuí chun tairiscint a chur isteach ar sheirbhís farantóireachta séasúrach a oibriú ón mórthír go hInis Cathaigh, Co. an Chláir. Tá sonraí iomlána ar fáil ar láithreán gréasáin soláthair na hearnála poiblí in Éirinn; eThairiscintí (http://www.etenders.gov.ie).

The Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland invite submissions from suitably qualified candidates to tender for the operation of a seasonal ferry service from the mainland to Scattery Island, Co. Clare. Full details are available on the Irish public sector procurement website; eTenders (http://www.etenders.gov.ie).

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

ENNIS MUNICIPAL DISTRICT GRANT SCHEMES 2022

•

Festival & Events Grant Scheme 2022

• PART-TIME TRAFFIC WARDEN, SEASONAL EMPLOYMENT 2022, (OPEN COMPETITION)

•

Community Projects Grant Scheme 2022

Completed applications must be emailed to: recruitment@clarecoco.ie not later than 4.00 p.m. on Tuesday 15th March

Applications from organisations must be based within the Municipal District of Ennis area and the projects submitted for grant assistance must have a Municipal District of Ennis focus.

Application forms and further particulars may be obtained by requesting same from the Human Resources Department, Clare County Council at 065-6846528, via e-mail: recruitment@clarecoco.ie or can be downloaded from the following website: www.clarecoco.ie Clare County Council is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sectors of the Community.

Scriobh chugainn as gaeilge más fearr leat.

The Members of the Municipal District of Ennis invite applications for grant assistance under the following grant schemes

The objective of these grant schemes is to encourage and support local organisations and groups active in the cultural, artistic and community development needs of the Municipal District.

Application forms and guidelines for the both grant schemes are now available from the Municipal District of Ennis Office, Áras Contae an Chláir, Clare County Council, New Road, Ennis by contacting Ennis Municipal District at (065) 6866101, e-mail ennismunicipaldistrict@clarecoco.ie or are available to download directly from Clare County Council’s website www.clarecoco.ie The closing date for receipt of completed applications is on or before 4pm, Thursday 7th April 2022.

12 NEWS

THURSDAY, MAR 10 2022

SHANNON NEWS in association with

Ei expansion to result in 200 new jobs PÁRAIC MCMAHON

E

paraic@clareecho.ie

I ELECTRONICS’ opening of a state of the art extension is to result in the addition of 200 jobs for the Shannon employer.

At a private event held at the brand new 10,000 square metre facility in the Shannon Free Zone on Friday, Ei Electronics Chief Executive, Mick Guinee announced that it would be filling 200 vacancies over the next two months as part of the building’s official opening.

The expansion underpins a strategy of maintaining 100 per cent of manufacturing in Shannon, in addition to the co-location of other key functions on a single site.

Plans of the expansion were first reported in May 2019 with no official figure but on the jobs boost that would arise until this afternoon’s engagement. A select cohort of past employees were invited to the announcement which was closed to members of the public. The company is not to make an official statement until Monday morning, sources have told The Clare Echo.

An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin (FF) visited the Shannon company on Friday afternoon to officially open the extension for Shannon’s largest employer. The three storey, 10,000m2 building adjoins its existing headquarter and includes additional manufacturing capacity, R&D, and office space, and significantly expand its current production capacity over the coming years.

NEW DIGS: Ei Chairman Jim Duignan, Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Ei CEO Mick Guinee Photo by Eamon Ward

“I’m pleased to be here to witness first-hand the continued expansion of Ei Electronics, one of Ireland’s largest and most successful manufacturing and electronic

companies. For over five decades the company has been a remarkable contribution to Shannon and the Mid-West region and its ambitious plans for future growth and

job creation are very welcome. Ei Electronics is an outstanding Irishowned company creating solutions with a global reach,” the Taoiseach stated.

CEO of Ei, Mick Guinee described the announcement as “another milestone in Ei’s long history”. He said, “Today we embark on our next phase of growth, on the site in Shannon we have occupied for over 55 years. This building is a testament to the dedication of very many people over several decades, built on a strong culture of loyalty, respect, commitment and long service”.

Enterprise Ireland CEO, Leo Clancy was confident that the new facility in Shannon “means a bright future for an excellent company that is a great example of Irish innovation and advanced manufacturing”.

Parkrun comes to Shannon

by PÁRAIC McMAHON SHANNON is to officially begin hosting parkruns from the end of this month.

From Saturday March 26th, the Illaunmanagh parkrun will come into being, initial efforts to initiate this came into play in early 2020 but were derailed due to COVID-19.

Over 100 events connected to the parkrun are held across Ireland including Lees Rd and Clarisford Park. People can register freely online and print out a barcode and then participate in a 5 km event in their local area. When they finish the 5 km course, by running or walking, their barcode is scanned and they get a time which they can then aim to improve on subsequent occasions.

Some of the fine amenities available in Shannon will be highlighted by the route. It begins on the path near the Illaunmanagh cemetery, behind St Senan’s Rugby Club. It continues along the estuary, looping around Lynch Park in Drumgeely before returning to the start. The new Illaunmanagh parkrun is within walking distance of many households in Shannon and within easy reach of the 343 Limerick-Ennis bus route.

The plan is to celebrate this inaugural event with a post

run tea/coffee, and maybe a bun, in the Hope Cafe, Smithstown.

Event directors Niamh O’Callaghan and Rob Stephen are hopeful for a big turnout from locals but also “parkrun tourists” who are regulars at other events.

Along with the duo, Shona O’Flynn (regional parkrun ambassador), Des Broaders, Rob Bryan, Maire O’Donnell and John Hou-

rigan have been involved in the behind the scenes work.

Clare County Council, Clare Sports Partnership and VHI have provided support to get the Shannon parkrun off the ground. “The physical and mental health benefits of parkrun are well documented and the hope is that this parkrun will be a weekly feature in Shannon for very many years to come,” Rob said. For further information, email illaunmanagh@parkrun.com.

FITNESS: The parkrun begins on March 26

13

THURSDAY, MAR 10 2022

in association with

‘Incumbent on us to do everything we can to make Ennis safer’ PÁRAIC MCMAHON

W paraic@clareecho.ie

OMEN in Ennis have appealed to elected representatives to strengthen their efforts to make the county town safer.

In proposing an audit of the public spaces of Ennis, Cllr Mary Howard (FG) said the murder of Ashling Murphy started new conversations across the country including Co Clare. “They’ve asked me how we could make the town safer,” she outlined of discussions with female constituents following the death of the Offaly primary

school teacher.

Lees Rd and Tim Smythe Park were the places to start with the audit, Cllr Howard stated.

She believed the audit needed to focus on lighting levels, footpath conditions and hedgerow maintenance.

Senior executive engineer, Siobhan McNulty detailed that the Active Ennis team and gardening section colleagues “inspect facilities regularly to ensure they are maintained at optimum standard”.

They were also reviewed on foot of the motion.

At Tim Smythe Park, upgrades of the pathways has been completed with a section of pathway near the grotto and de Valera statue in need of improvements once funding is secured.

The perimeter lighting is “suf-

ficient” with future upgrades to focus on internal locations within the park. For both hedegrows and street furniture, she said it would be “desirable” to upgrade the planting scheme and replace existing iron benches and picnic tables.

Works were completed last week at Lees Rd in areas of the woodland were pooling water was an issue. Other areas will be assessed on a phased basis “but the worst affected areas have been addressed”, McNulty confirmed.

“We have costed the installation of a path from the cycle way to the entrance of the woods and will look to deliver this within our current maintenance budget”.

Lighting was described as “sufficient for the usage”, costings of an upgrade of the floodlights to LEDs is to be completed.

‘Main entrance’ to town approved for resurfacing IMPROVEMENTS: Clare Rd

by PÁRAIC McMAHON AN ENNIS road described as “one of the busiest” in Co Clare is to be resurfaced.

Cllr Pat Daly (FF) led the call for an upgrade of the road from St Flannan’s College roundabout to Clareabbey roundabout.

Acting senior executive engineer in the Ennis Municipal District, Barry Conway confirmed that the route had been included in the 2022 Schedule of Municipal District Works (SMDW) for resurfacing.

“It is one of the busiest roads in the county and it is the main entrance into Ennis,” Cllr

Daly stated at the March meeting of the Ennis MD. “It is badly in need of resurfacing on a regular basis”. Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) seconded the proposal, voicing his wholehearted support, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) also backed the need for improvements.

Safety concerns were flagged by Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG), “it is a very important road as Cllr Daly has outlined. There is a portion of the footpath at the Halfway House that is elevated up, while this work is going on could a barrier be put up, it is a significant drop”.

Daly quipped in response, “I hope barriers won’t stop people going to the Halfway”.

The vegetation along the pathways in the woodland was cut back during the growing season while six new bench seats were installed.

Speaking at the March meeting of the Ennis MD, Cllr Howard commented, “if we haven’t learned from what happened in January, we will never learn”.

She continued, “I regularly meet mothers with buggies in Lees Rd and they just want to feel safe, older citizens are the same and they very much appreciate the benches”.

“I will never forget the shocking death of Ashling Murphy, I will never forget it, my mother was being buried at the same time as Ashling was murdered,” Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) stated.

“I’m not sure if lighting would have helped Ashling because it happened during daylight but

lighting does help,” she added.

Discussions to improve lighting have been held by the Active Ennis group, Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) confirmed.

He flagged that lighting on the Steele’s Terrace side of Tim Smythe Park was worth improving. Cllr Pat Daly (FF) agreed, “the pathway near the Eamon de Valera statue needs to be improved, that is important particularly with the chief looking down”.

“I never thought we would end up talking about Eamon de Valera on this motion but sín a bhfuil,” Howard responded.

“Personal safety has become a big issue, it is incumbent on us all to do the best we can to find these weak sports and do the best we can,” the former Mayor of Clare concluded.

14 Arts & Entertainment

THURSDAY, MAR 10 2022

Book Club Festival boost for business

T

by EVAN RUANE

HE annual Ennis Book Club Festival has been hailed by local business owners as “One of the best festivals in Ennis every year”.

The Ennis Book Club Fair, now in its 15th year running, has attracted book lovers from all across the country. The Clare Echo spoke to several local businesses to see how the increased footfall from last weekend’s festival benefitted their business. Máire Ni Ghabhláin of Scéal Eile Books spoke to The Clare Echo about the EBCF. “The Book Club Festival is a very important part of the year. In a way, it’s the start of the tourist season. The festival is very good every year for us. Sales are very good… and it’s not just authors who come to the festival, it’s all kinds.

The footfall [this year] was very good… lots of locals, and plenty of people you wouldn’t have seen before. There were people who came this year and said to me, ‘Oh, I should definitely come again next year. One woman from Cork said, ‘I was never in Ennis before, and I think I’ll come back before next year’s festival’”.

Bookshops were not the only beneficia-

BOOK SIGNING: Teresa Conlon chatting to Declan O'Rourke and Sophie White in Glor Theatre at the Ennis Book Club festival at the weekend Photo by Eamon Ward

ries of the fair. Paul Madden, manager of the Temple Gate Hotel, praised the festival for its ability to attract customers to Ennis.

“Whether it’s a match in Cusack Park, or a festival, or a seasonal time of the year when

there’s big events on; events bring people, and people contribute to an economy spurt in the local town.

A lot of visitors to the book club are repeat business, they come back and stay with

us every year it’s on. We’d get a lot of people who’d stay two or three nights.”

The Clare Echo also spoke to Cora Gunter, Chairperson of the Ennis Book Club Festival, who talked of the overwhelming success of the festival. “The festival was excellent, it was a great success. It was a return to the festivals of pre-Covid; this year we had 2,600 audience members at all the events which would be comparable to the figures we had in 2019 and 2020. The feedback we’re getting is very, very positive, people were delighted to be back at events.”

According to Gunter, many authors stayed in Ennis during the festival to explore the town. “We had a group of female authors for a women’s day event on Friday afternoon, and they shopped and ate around town over the weekend.”

The events took place all throughout Ennis, from the Columbus Church, Clare Museum, to the Temple Gate and Old Ground hotels, to St. Tola’s Goat Farm, where one of the goats birthed twin kids during the event.

Ennis Book Club Festival will be uploading recordings of the weekend’s events, including the festival favourite 10 Books You Should Read discussion, onto their website.

Jimmy Smyth's hurling life recalled in new book REGARDED as one of the greatest hurlers to never win an All-Ireland medal, Jimmy Smyth is the subject of a new book by Ennis historian Ollie Byrnes, writes Páraic McMahon.

Iconic Cork great Christy Ring described the Ruan man as “the best hurler bar none”. Born on 1st January 1931, an ideal sporting birthday, he died aged 82 on 9th February 2013, months before Clare claimed their fourth All-Ireland SHC. Jimmy lined out for Clare on 146 occasions between 1948 and 1967, he was named at right corner forward on the Team of the Century announced in 1984 and in the same spot for the Munster hurling Team of the Millenium, he won an Oireachtas Cup with Clare in 1954.

When the Railway Cup was at its pomp, he collected eight interprovincial medals while with his native Ruan he won Clare SHC titles in 1948, 1951, 1959, 1960 and 1961. During his time at St Flannan’s College in the 1940s, he took home three Harty Cup and All-Ireland Colleges medals.

Post-playing, he became President of Clare GAA. For the past eighteen months, he has been researched intently by Ollie Byrnes for what is the Ennis native’s twelfth book, the tenth on the subject of hurling and the first that focuses on one individual. “He is the centre-piece but it covers a 25 year period. When I first started going to matches by my parents, they were huge followers, Smyth

was coming to the autumn of his career, he was a huge name and a massive figure, he could always do the unbelievable like bust the net when you needed a goal, he was almost impossible to stop, he could hit a 30m free and all you would see is the net shake,” Ollie explained.

New material particularly on Ruan plus the Clare team of the 1950s is contained in the book which will be launched at The Temple Gate Hotel this coming Tuesday at 7pm. Michael Slattery (Clarecastle), Joe Keane (Kilnamona), Paddy McDonald (Kilkee), Jim Fogarty (Tipperary), Seamus O’Reilly (County Express) and Brian Dinan (historian) are guest contributors with an article each in ‘Jimmy Smyth: A Hurling Life’.

Not alone did Jimmy’s skill mark him out from the others, but the fact he studied philosophy at Trinity College also made him unique. “He was hugely interested in people. He was a deep thinking man on the game. He loved ballads and he explained to me one day that Tommy Daly of Tulla was remembered because of the ballads, there’s no one alive to remember how good he was but the ballad and when someone sings Brian McMahon’s song Daly is remembered because of that.

When there’s no one alive that can remember you hurling, this keep you alive. Smyth was unique in many ways, he was a great man to talk, you didn’t get monosyllabic answers,” Ollie recalled.

MAY THE BEST MAN WIN: John Doyle and Jimmy Smyth exchange a warm greeting before the 1967 Munster final at the Gaelic grounds in Limerick

THURSDAY, MAR 10 2022

NEWS

15

16 COLUMNIST

THURSDAY, MAR 10 2022

OPINION: Blood donation Eoin Neylon discrimination must end An inside look at Clare’s political spectrum

T

by DAVID GRIFFIN he passage of the marriage equality referendum on the 22nd of May 2015 marked a seismic shift in Irish society.

It showed us and the world how far we had come as a people- what an accepting and open society we have created. It showed that once again, Ireland has transformed hugely from a once closed, backward and protectionist economy and people, to a modern liberal and open society.

But just allowing same sex couples to marry, does not undo the plethora of divisive and discriminatory structures that still exist within our legal system. One prime example of this is the blatantly homophobic and backward criteria that must be met for a sexually active gay or bisexual man to donate blood in this country.

In January 2017, the Irish Blood Transfusion Service lifted its lifelong ban on men who have sex with men (MSM) donating blood. The deferral time period was reduced to one year following the donor’s last sexual encounter with a man.

The same criteria do not apply to heterosexual blood donors. Whereas the removal of the life ban was a positive step, it was not based on the best available scientific advice, and harped back to time of severe homophobia, and an unjustified fear of gay men.

It is important to note that according to the best available scientific evidence and advances in testing technology, the current twelve-month deferral period imposed on gay and bisexual men exceeds what is required to maintain the safety of the blood supply. As we speak, there are nine EU member states who imposed no deferral period, namely- Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Poland and the United Kingdom. These countries have decided that science must be the driving force in securing and protecting their blood donation infrastructure- they do not divide their society into subgroups, and blatantly discriminate against people based on their sexual orientation. When it comes to blood donation, they treat all of their citizens as equals.

In June of last year, the Irish Blood Transfusion Service imported a large consignment of blood from the UK for the first time since the 1990s, meaning that gay and bisexual men in the UK can donate blood to Irish citizens, but Irish men can’t. This is a clear inequality and needs to be called out. It is not acceptable that we are discriminating against one section of society in Ireland, and at the same time accepting blood from the same community in the UK. Recently, I had the honour of meeting one of the most inspirational blood donation activist we have in this country, Tomás Heneghan. Tomás has sacrificed an incredible amount to ensure that he, as a gay man, can give back, and can give blood.

Tomás travels regularly to the UK, where they do not profile donors based on their sexuality. Aside from travelling internationally at huge expense in order to donate blood, he has also sacrificed relationships in order to satisfy the one-year deferral policy in Ireland- and his story proves how outrageous our system is.

Despite the imposition of the 12-month

No woman left behind?

T EQUALITY: David Griffin

deferral in Ireland, Tomás’ blood could still have ended up in an Irish hospital due to the recent importation of a blood consignment from the UK. Clearly the Irish Blood Transfusion Service have serious questions to answer.We need to treat all citizens equally, and we need to be consistent in our messaging. If it is safe for a gay or bisexual man in the UK to donate blood to Irish citizens, then it is safe for an Irish man to donate blood in Ireland.

We were the first country to legalise same sex marriage by popular vote in 2015, and we have been heralded internationally as a leader in the area ever since, but we still have much work to do. It is time for us to come together once again and it is time for us to demand that this draconian ban be lifted.

I have been campaigning actively to have this blatant discrimination reversed, and I am pleased that Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly (FF) has relented and listened to call from within our party from rank-and-file members such as myself and from national figures such as Senator Fiona O’Loughlin (FF) to implement an individual risk assessment model.

From March, men who have sex with men will be allowed to give blood four months after their last sexual contact with a man, down from the current one-year deferral time. This is an interim measure, and the goal is for a fairer individual risk assessment to be adopted. The IBTS are set to introduce new technology to replace the existing paper health and lifestyle questionnaire with an electronic questionnaire known as the self-assessment health history. Ultimately ending the discriminatory deferral period.

*David Griffin is a native of Newmarket-on-Fergus and is currently working as a parliamentary assistant to Senator Fiona O’Loughlin (FF).

HIS week we see International Women’s Day marked once more; an annual ritual of underlying and highlighting the ongoing second-class treatment of women in society and discussion on how things can improve.

The past 12 months did see some sea change in legislation regarding the protection of women, from moves to make stalking a stand-alone offence, to the criminalisation of revenge porn and unsolicited taking and sharing of intimate photos, as well as more concerted campaigns from the likes of “Take Back The Night” and the controversial “No Woman Left Behind” rally from the National Women’s Council of Ireland last weekend.

Things are getting better, but the pace of change is painfully slow.

All the while, more violence against women means there are many women not with us this Women’s Day who should be.

Political Parties continue to talk a good talk on the issue of women’s equality but when the push comes to shove, actions fall short.

Case in point was the recent controversy with Clare TD Violet-Anne Wynne.

Wynne spoke across local and national media in the past week and a half about her decision to quit Provisional Sinn Féin (SF) in frustration and anger at her treatment both locally and by national figures.

Her story is a tale that has been told in many other parties previously too and no doubt, we will hear again and again from all political parties in future.

It is common knowledge that the first-time public rep had a less than stellar opening year to life in

public office.

Part of the blame for that rest squarely on the shoulders of Sinn Féin.

By not backing seasoned campaigner Noleen Moran, the party effectively tossed her aside to begin with, ahead of the 2020 election.

This was done in a manner that would most likely be described as ‘constructive dismissal’ had it been from a paid role rather than an election candidacy.

As such, SF were felt scrambling for a candidate as polling day approached and ultimately turned to Wynne who they clearly had not vetted properly nor prepared for the spotlight she was to be thrust into what-so-ever.

The litany of past issues surrounding rent arrears with a local charity, anti-vaxx posts on social media, drugs charges for her partner, and other embarrassing social media rants all began to come out.

This, coupled with a feeling within the party that Wynne is not the polished media darling the party puts front and centre, caused many in SF to begin to plot how best to replace Wynne going into the next general election.

It appears that this element has gotten its way and Wynne will now not be the party candidate going forward. She is not entirely blameless here either.

Afterall these issues are hers at the end of the day, and her actions in the aftermath of their revelation did not endear her with party hierarchy nor local activists equally.

Although claiming the party knew of her issues fully, it certainly came as a surprise to many local and national party activists I spoke with at the time.

Speaking with some of these people again this week, there is a relief,

tinged with embarrassment at the manner of her departure.

Make no mistake about it, this will be a messy divorce, and should Wynne contest the next election, expect sparks to fly between her and whom ever SF choose to run instead.

The bookies favourite there is Shannon’s Cllr. Donna McGettigan.

What we can say about SF after all of this is one thing… they are the same as every other political party in Ireland.

If the candidate or politician falls foul of the local chieftain or party hierarchy, the easiest way to discard them is to simple freeze them out. Don’t outwardly say “you’re not wanted” for fear of alienating the fee-paying members who support the politician in question, but do make their continuation with the party so unbearable it becomes utterly untenable.

Seeing Mary Lou McDonald wax lyrically about “leaving no woman behind” at a rally last weekend when she had, according to Wynne, clearly signed off on a campaign to give her the cold shoulder, smacks of hypocrisy.

As it does for all political parties.

Women, and especially young women, just are not afforded the same respect as old men when it comes to political discourse and political life in Ireland.

And in the year 2022, that is one sad reflection on an otherwise great little country. As I write every year around this time; we need to do better for women in politics in Ireland.

On that front, I regret we’ve seen no progress this year at all, save a Minister going on maternity leave.

Basic steps like this shouldn’t be as monumental as they are, however.

FEATURES 17

THURSDAY, MAR 10 2022

GREEN CLARE

‘Be conscious of the effects of single-use cups’

PÁRAIC MCMAHON

S

paraic@clareecho.ie

CHOOLS and businesses have been encouraged by the Mayor of Ennis to get involved in the conscious cup campaign.

According to Karen Foley, environmental awareness officer with Clare County Council, single use takeaway packaging “is a huge source of littering across the county”. This includes, takeaway coffee cups, ice-cream cups, aluminium cans, plastic bottles for fizzy drinks plus sandwich and roll wrappings.

Following a proposal by Cllr Ann Norton (IND), all schools in the Ennis Municipal District will be written to and reminded about the conscious cup campaign. She felt this would help “do our bit for

the environment”.

As part of the conscious cup campaign, there is a specific focus on single use cups with cafes reward conscious consumers for carrying their own cup through incentives. Fifteen businesses are signed up in Co Clare including Holly’s Café (Kilkee), Espresso Bar (Kilkee), Foodies Korner (Ennistymon), Hugos Deli (Lahinch), Hotel Doolin, Skylarks (Fanore), Stonecutters Kitchen (Doolin), Lidl (Ennis), Insomnia (Shannon and Ennis x2), Maxol (Clarecastle), Applegreen (Ennis), Starbucks (Shannon) and BBs (Ennis).

Support and promotion for the campaign is included in the Greener Clare waste prevention programme, Foley outlined. “Businesses, providing takeaway tea/ coffee cups, are encouraged to participate and Tidy Towns groups can also play leading role by en-

Cafés across Clare are rewarding customers for bringing their own cups

couraging local business participation”.

She added, “In terms of addressing single use with students in primary and secondary level schools the preferable route is to encourage and support active participation in the An Taisce Green Schools programme. If the schools are actively involved, they address single use (waste prevention) as part of the programme both in the school and wider community”.

Speaking at the March meeting of the Ennis MD, Cllr Norton ex-

plained that with schools back in full attendance and employers returning to the workforce that the need to highlight the campaign is more important. “We have to think of recycling, it is to get the schools to remind children to be conscious, to be involved and to make sure that they understand the effect on our environment, multi-use plastic and single-use paper, there was a lot of work done before COVID, it would be a pity not to encourage the younger generation and older generation”.

Cllr Norton referenced the efforts of Sweet n Green in Ennis where customers are asked to buy an “environmentally friendly cup” which the healthy food café puts aside for their customer and refill on future visits “at a reduced rate”.

Climate change’s importance was highlighted by the Secretary General of the United Nations, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) told her colleagues while recalling the “to-go cups” she contributed to purchase during her term as Mayor.

18 FEATURES

Peace is a choice

RONAN SCULLY

Thought for the week

J

UST over 12 days ago the Russian tanks rolled across the borders into Ukraine, shattering a peace that Europe had enjoyed since the war in the former Yugoslavia tore that region of our continent apart, 20 years ago.

“Living life in peace,” as John Lennon sang, ended on 24th February, and since that time 13,000 have been killed, two million made homeless and over 1,700 buildings and properties have been razed to the ground in Ukraine.

Most of the two million who abandoned their homes in the face of the Russian onslaught fled to the borders into neighbouring Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Moldova and Romania, with the hope of finding safety for themselves and their loved ones during a time of intense violence and uncertainty.

With my organisation Self Help Africa and as a part of the Irish Emergency Alliance I flew East from Ireland, and on Saturday last, found myself in the beautifully picturesque Carpathian mountains of Eastern Slovakia, right on that country’s border with Ukraine.

On my first night the temperature plunged to minus 10 degrees, and on every night since the mercury has dropped to at least minus eight.

The village of Vysne Nemeche – with it’s population of just 250 inhabitants is the main border crossing between Slovakia and Ukraine.

Just three miles down the road is the Ukrainian city of Uzhhorod.

The road from Uzhhorod and Vysne Nemeche is clogged – with vans, buses, cars and people, many walking on foot with their families

to Slovakia, and the sanctuary of the European Union.

It’s been nearly two weeks since the unthinkable and unbearable happened. Over 132,000 refugees have crossed over into Vysne Nemeche – many carrying a change of clothes and some valuables in plastic shopping bags.

To quote one refugee, Maria, as she came across the border with two of her children and her mother, “being on the Ukraine side of the border is living and waiting in hell and then coming across to the Slovakian side of the border is like arriving in heaven.”

I am here on behalf of Self Help Africa, and our partners in the Irish Emergency Alliance, arranging the delivery of medical supplies into Ukraine, incluidng provide food, blankets, and emotional support to people.

As they pass over the border, people are broken hearted. It’s mainly women and their children.

Some fear that the menfolk of the family, whom they leave behind, will die in the weeks to come as they attempt to resist the massed army of Vladimir Putin as it rolls across their country.

People might be familiar with my work in Africa, and they might be wondering why are we involved in this terrible situation that has emerged in eastern Europe - so I’m happy to explain how this came about.

The core of our work has always been in Africa, of course, but down through the years through that work we have developed the skills and the experience to respond to emergency situations elsewhere around the globe.

REFUGEES: Ronan Scully of Self Help Africa and The irish Emergency Alliance at the border town of Ubla on the Slovakian Ukrainian Border

In Slovakia, Self Help Africa has linked up with Slovak Aid, with whom we have had a fruitful partnership over the past four years in Kenya. Together we are purchasing supplies for onwards distribution to a hospital that’s town has been bombed, in Ukraine.

Self Help Africa is one of the founder members of the Irish Emergency Alliance, a consortium of charities that was formed just two years ago. Our remit is to respond to crisis situations by teaming up and working together to help people around the globe just like we are doing for the people of Ukraine.

Ukraine ia suffering on a scale not imaginable only a short time ago. In response, all people of goodwill must strive and pray for peace and work at creating peace.

We must all contact our leaders in power and implore them to strive for peace, and ensure humanitarian aid, charity and assistance for the people of Ukraine as war rages in the Eastern European country.

The abhorrent and needless killing of so many people in Ukraine must cease now. It is evil. And it is inhumane. War and violence is never the answer. War and violence on this scale can only lead us all towards more death. Let us all call for an end to war and violence especially in trouble spots in our world and especially in Ukraine.

We thought the year 2021 was like no other in our lifetime. Well, 2022 has definitely put an end to that. Nearly two years of battling the coronavirus has devastated our economy, our world, divided families and led to tragic loss of life.

But this David versus Goliath war has only made things far worse.

Our world at present seems to be becoming so unhinged. Everything feels so sad, uncertain, fearful, unknown, harrowing and disheartening especially here, as I work with Ukrainian refugees as they come across the Slovakia border.

Self Help Africa, with the Irish Emergency Alliance and volunteers throughout eastern Europe, is working tirelessly to support the thousands of refugees fleeing Ukraine.

We are ensuring that the people who have fled the war can rest in a warm place while awaiting relatives to come pick them up, or to be brought to a reception station that will arrange accommodation for them, somewhere in Europe.

The refugees, mostly Ukrainians, pour through this town. The flow is sometimes hampered by the bureaucracy. But people are being patient. They wait in queues for as long as 12 to 24 hours in some places, and even longer elsewhere.

Please, if you can afford to, make a donation to help the people of Ukraine. You can do so by visiting: www.selfhelpafrica.org, or at www. irishemergencyalliance.org

THURSDAY, MAR 10 2022

Commmunity centre re-opens after €450k refurbishment

FACELIFT: Newmarket-on-Fergus community centre

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by PÁRAIC McMAHON

€450,000 refurbishment has been completed at the Newmarket-on-Fergus community centre with the location resuming its standing as a hive of activity.

Closed for almost two years on account of the pandemic, the Newmarket-on-Fergus community centre has received a major facelift following completion of a €450,000 refurbishment. Works were carried out by local builder, Alan Woods who trades as Alpa Construction Building & Design. Voluntary work was done by both Kevin O’Connor and Mike Hogan.

New toilets for the ladies and gents have been included plus dressing rooms for each gender with showers, wheelchair accessible toilets and showers, an access corridor, an air conditioned boardroom and a gas fired heating system for the main hall are among the fresh additions. €350,000 of the cost has already been financed with €147,000 of this from the Tomar Trust, €100,000 from Leader funding via Clare Local Development Company, €47,105 off the Clare County Council Community Enhancement Fund, €43,490 from the Sports Capital Fund, €10,000 off the back of the Bingo funds generated by the Communi-

ty Centre and €2,500 from the Shannon Municipal District.

Community Finance Ireland have provided a fifteen year loan of €100,000 and the Board of Directors are keen to repay this as quickly as possible. Directors of the Community Centre are also hopeful members of the public will make donations.

With restrictions lifted, a full schedule of activities has resumed at the Community Centre. LCETB courses on yoga, art and drawing take place across Monday morning and afternoon with Dance Attack Stage Academy and the Irish School of Historical Combat on at separate stages that evening.

Directors are hopeful for an Irish dancing class to take the Tuesday evening (5pm – 8pm) slot. Three Irish Dancing Féises have been booked in for March 20th, May 14th and 15th and May 28th and 29th.

Buses from all over Clare descend outside the Community Centre every Wednesday evening for the hugely popular Bingo.

Among the other activities held are, karate, hip hop, Zumba, the Tradaree Bridge Club, the Baby and Me Music and Dance plus the long-running beavers, cubs and scouts.

Two social dancing events have been confirmed for the venue for the month of April with Sean Boland taking centre stage on April 9th and Johnny Carroll and his golden trumpet leading the way on April 23rd.

COMMUNITY 19

THURSDAY, MAR 10 2022

Community

CONTACT

NEWSDESK 065 671 9021 news@clareecho.ie

ONLINE CLARE ROOTS SOCIETY ON MARCH 16 at 8pm via Zoom, Kathy Roughan

will discuss her work Who’s been living in my house: Clarecastle 1855-1970’.

MISSING FROM CAPPAHARD

GORT ST PATRICK’S DAY PARADE FINAL preparations are being made this week for Gort’s St Patrick’s Day Parade on Thursday next.

The parade will start from Church Street at 12.30pm with the blessing of the shamrock by Fr Tommy Marrinan PP Groups are asked to assemble in Church Street

from 11.30am. There is no entry fee to take part.

Owners must have appropriate insurance cover on their vehicles.

Celebrations will continue after the parade with live music, set dancing, step dancing, sean-nos dancing, juggling and a circus skills workshop on The Square.

KINVARA ST PATRICK’S DAY PARADE On the 17th of March at 2pm, Kinvara’s St Patrick Parade theme is all about Freedom.

To take part of the Parade, the cut-off date to book is on Monday the 14th of March 2022.

Prizes for best of, Float, Walking Group, best

dress individual, shiniest Tractor and Company Float.Book a space by texting to mobile number, 086 858 4533. All entries are free.

Children's Groups are encouraged to make small flags/ hearts in Ukrainian colours to bring with them.

MILTOWN MALBAY ST PATRICK’S DAY PARADE The Miltown Malbay St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on Thursday the 17th of March, starting at 2.15pm, and the theme for this year’s parade is: “Creatures and Characters”.

All groups are asked to register online at www. stpatricksdaymm.weebly.com.

All parade participants are requested to meet at the E-Town

/ Miltown National School from 1:15p.m, as the Parade will commence from this location. Clare County Council have kindly given us the use of ‘The Malbay Hub’ to those with ASD and their families to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the parade, with sensory kit and ear defenders on site - further information is available on our website.

BRING ME HOME: Family young cat Otis has been missing for around 3-4 months from Cappahard on the Tulla road in Ennis. He is black and white with a white tip on his tail and is microchipped. If you have taken him in or seen him please contact 0899672291 or 0879702972

NO BAKE DARK CHOCOLATE TART Kearney Cooks

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LOVE chocolate, in particular dark chocolate, and I am always trying to get my family to come over to the dark side, but they are firm milk chocolate lovers.

So this week I got some 60 per cent dark chocolate and decided I would try and make a nice chocolate tart.

Now as often happens, life got in the way.

I didn’t have time to make pastry and blind bake it, so I decided a handy workaround would be to make a biscuit base, like I would use in a cheesecake, and I must admit I was delighted with the results of my no bake, dark salted chocolate tart.

YOU WILL NEED: • 1 pack of ginger nut biscuits • 250g dark chocolate • 250ml cream • 75g butter • 1 tsp of sea salt Step One Crush the ginger nut biscuits into a crumb. Melt your butter and then pour it through your biscuit crumb and stir

until combined.

Put your buttery crumb into a pie tin and push it down like you would a cheesecake base, leaving the crumb slightly higher around the edge of the pie tin and a circular centre that is lower down to accommodate the filling.

Step Two Break your chocolate into small pieces and place in a large bowl. Bring your cream to a rolling boil. Then pour the cream over your chocolate and stir the mix until all the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth and a rich glossy chocolate colour.

Then stir the salt through the mixture.

Step Three Pour the chocolate onto your biscuit base in the pie tin. Leave it in the fridge for at least two hours or until the chocolate has set through. Then serve it up with cream or ice cream and enjoy the hell out of that bad boy.

This dessert doesn’t take long to make and is extreme-

ly adaptable. You can use milk or white chocolate if you like , although why you would is beyond me as dark chocolate is class.

You can also add some fillings such as hazelnuts, maltesers, dried fruit etc. You can even mess with the base as well if you were that way inclined, Oreos, Hobnobs etc would all work well.

As usual if you have any questions about this recipe

or others please feel free to message me on Instagram @stevekearney37 or just search Kearney Cooks.

Also keep an eye on the Clare Echo Facebook page or my Instagram page for the instructional video that goes with this.

Enjoy

Steve K

20

Clare Local Enterprise Office Supporting Female Entrepreneurs to #BreakTheBias

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HIS year the Local Enterprise Office Clare is running an exciting new pilot programme for Women in Business.

Nine enthusiastic and motivated female entrepreneurs will work alongside a facilitator, Fiona Levie, with the support of the Local Enterprise Office to take their businesses to the next level. The programme will run over the year and will involve participation in training and courses to achieve predefined objectives for the year. The aim of the programme is to work with established businesses owned/managed by women to support business expansion by increasing employment and preparation for export using the supports offered by the Local Enterprise Office.

The official launch was held during Local Enterprise Week on Tuesday 8th March at the Old Ground Hotel and aligned to mark this year’s International Women’s Day. To find out more about how the Local Enterprise Office can support your business visit www.localenterpriseoffice.ie/clare. #MakingitHappen Pictured (l-r) are Ellen Quinn, Hurst Botanicals; Sharon Barrington, IFF Plastics; Michelle Guthrie, Senior Enterprise Development Officer LEO Clare; Claire Vaughan, Cahir Environmental; Claire Bannon, Avokado & Co; Patricia Farrell, Wilde Irish Choclates; Niamh Hogan, Agile Digital Strategy; Sinéad Dixon-Slattery, Business Advisor LEO Clare; Aoibhin Garrihy, BEO Wellness; Fiona Levie, Facilitator; Sharon Connellan, BEO Wellness; and Geraldine Minogue, Gleeson Goldsmiths.

21

KAREN O’CONNELL

The Country Store, Broadford

EMER O’REILLY EBS, Ennis Tell us about your business:

Based in Abbey Street Car Park, a leading provider of home mortgages in Clare What you enjoy most about business?

I feel a strong sense of responsibility to the communities and I enjoy helping customers get the best out of their mortgage journey What inspired you to start a business?

I took over the EBS in Ennis from my father in 2008 having worked alongside him since 2002. I trained as a secondary school teacher but opted for banking after working for EBS for a few summers in Dublin.

My husband and I took over the Limerick branch in 2013 so we’re all in.

What makes your products special?

EBS are mortgage masters. We are simply the best in the business. Locally we are best known for our expertise in the area of build loans and renovations and we recently launched our Green mortgage with our lowest ever fixed rate of 2.1% for homes with an energy rating of B3 or higher.

Biggest challenge you have faced?

Easy. I opened my business here on the Monday morning after the banking guarantee was signed in October 2008.

There wasn’t a mortgage to be had. With four great people, we worked tirelessly to restructure mortgages for people in real trouble and gave good advice when it was needed. It was hard going.

What tip would you give women who are starting a business?

Believe that you can and you will. Stay

focussed on what you want to achieve and just go for it. Picking the right location is key and after that then, keep talking to people and making connections. There’s a time in every business when you have to decide to employ another person but you wonder can the business afford it. Go for it.

You have to be brave to grow.

Female leaders do you admire and why?

County Clare has many great female role models. I admire those who have been brave and who have achieved in their field.

Senator Roisin Garvey, the first Green and the first woman elected to Clare County Council from North Clare is doing great work in the areas of climate education and community activism. My good friend Anne Sheehan who I grew up with, is General Manager of Microsoft Ireland. She was always going to be a great leader. I knew that when she was 10!

Favourite moment as a business owner?

Opening the second office in 2013 was a good day. I enjoy working with my husband John Cleary. He operates the Limerick office and I am in Ennis. The competition is healthy….. most of the time.

Tell us about your business: A locally owned retail store with a bakery, deli and café with outdoor dining area.

5 words to describe your business?

Local, fresh, quality, friendly, convenient.

Most popular products or services?

Our baked goods are freshly made on site and our hot & cold deli is popular all day.

What you enjoy most about business?

I have loved the last 3.5 years growing and expanding the business and love meeting all the visitors to the store.

What inspired you to start a business?

I always wanted to run my own business as my parents had done before me. I spent many years working hard for others and when I heard that The Country Store was for sale I knew immediately that this was the opportunity for me.

What is your biggest fear?

It is more of a challenge – as we are growing the business, we need to recruit staff and this has been a

challenge. I also suppose another pandemic or when the war in Europe starts affecting supplies and the costs to run a business increasing could damage the ability to keep a business profitable.

Biggest challenge you have faced?

You would have thought it would have been the pandemic, but this was actually kind to us as people stayed local and the business was able to continue to trade.

However the greatest challenge recently has been the increased costs on raw materials and energy costs. It is much more expensive now to operate the business and I am always trying to improve the facilities in the business.

What tip would you give women who are starting a business?

Plan it out carefully and get good advice; I was grateful I had great advice from friends and family that gave me the confidence to make that step.

How do you relax?

I like to spend time with my friends and family; they keep me sane! We have lovely walks in the area so it is a great way to get some head space.

People may be surprised to know...

I have worked hard since I left school at 16, I did not do my Leaving or Junior Cert and loved working since that age... so it’s not all about college and study.

What has been your favourite moment as a business owner?

When I can see the business grow due to changes I have made in the business… this motivates me to keep going.

for energy efficient homes Emer O’Reilly, EBS Mortgage Master EBS Ennis ennis@mail.ebs.ie

065 689 9600

WARNING: YOUR HOME IS AT RISK IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP PAYMENTS ON A MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER LOAN SECURED ON IT Warning: If you do not meet the repayments on your loan, your account will go into arrears. This may affect your credit rating, which may limit your ability to access credit in the future.

Warning: You may have to pay charges if you pay off a fixed-rate loan early.

A typical €100,000, 20 year mortgage for an Owner Occupier Residential Property with a ‘Green’ 4 year Fixed rate of 2.1% and APR 3.2%, this includes 48 monthly fixed repayments of €510.63 and 192 variable repayments of €574.89. If the interest rate does not vary (based on today’s equivalent variable Rate of 3.70%) during the term of the mortgage, the total cost of credit i.e. the total amount repayable less than the amount of the loan would be €35,104.78 (inclusive of €215.00 valuation report fees). The total amount repayable would be €135,104.78. The effect of a 1% increase in the prevailing variable rate (3.70%) will add €42.48 to the 192 monthly variable repayments.

Available to new and existing customers. An early breakage charge may apply in the case of existing customers. A valid BER certificate of B3 or higher is required. Self-Build applicants can only avail of this rate once the property is complete and all funds are drawn. Lending criteria, terms and conditions apply. Rates correct 24/02/2022. Not available to U18s. Security may be required. Emer O’Reilly Financial Services Limited is a tied mortgage agent acting solely on behalf of EBS d.a.c. EBS d.a.c is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

EBS d.a.c is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

22

Ber Collins Crystal Clear

tunity came along to buy Crystal Clear in 2017. We grabbed it with both hands and have since grown it to triple what it was What is your biggest fear?

I let go of fear a long time ago, as I have a 100% success rate of surviving everything that has happened me so far. My mantra, for a long time, has been “I’ll handle it” Biggest challenge you have faced?

Tell us about your business

Our tagline ‘Say Goodbye to Bottled Water’ says it all. We collaborate with schools, colleges, SMEs, and multi-nationals to help them reduce waste from single use plastic bottles through the installation of mains fed water dispensers.

Five words to describe your business

Client-driven, communicative, flexible, and friendly Most popular products

I love the interaction with customers and the feedback when they are happy with the work we have done for them. I am delighted with the freedom it has given me to have a nice work/life balance.

I’ve been going to Kilkee since I was 4 days old. Sitting on what we all call “Essie’s seat” on the Cliff Walk (my grandmother loved to sit here) I feel totally at peace

My husband and I have always had entrepreneurial spirits. We had a vision for a particular type of business and the oppor-

Tell us about your business: I own a custom built hair and beauty salon in Cree, catering for all hair and beauty needs. Established 9 years ago and thrived since day 1, looking forward to celebrating 10 years in business in October 2022 5 words to describe your business?

Successful, Inovative, Energetic, Passionate, Ambitious Most popular products or services?

Wedding hair and make up, and all things nails. Most popular products are on skincare such as Dermalogica and Image and hair products from Alfaparf to Kevin Murphy What you enjoy most about business?

I’m just so proud of how far I’ve come, starting out on my own and now having a fabulous team of 9 dedicated girls in a small west Clare village What inspired you to start a business?

My parents, who have always been self employed and driven in their careers What makes your product special?

The friendly welcome when you arrive into the salon and the passion the girls have in delivering a professional service always What motivates you on a daily basis?

Waking up knowing that no 2 days are the same and going to work doing what I love.

Do you think there are any issues for women in the workplace?

I find that in various environments that women who try to work full-time whilst try to maintain a family home, struggle with the work life balance and financial costs with childcare and supports and lack of facilities

and more needs to be done to encourage women to get out into the workforce.

What tip would you give women who are starting a business?

Go for it, but make sure you have a good therapist, ha ha! No seriously, if you put you heart into it, you will get the rewards just make sure you weigh up your pros and cons A female leader you admire and why?

Adi Roche for all she has done for Chernobyl and humanitarian rights How do you relax?

Beach walks with my dogs Teddy and Poppy People may be surprised to know...

I won the Rose of Clare in 2004 and I’ve also been to Africa on voluntary work which I absolutely loved Your favourite moment in business?

Winning my very first ‘Team of the Year’ award in Cork in 2018 with just a team of 4 staff at the time, and also for 2 years running in 21 and 22 an All Star business award What are your future plans?

Lots coming to Riverside Hair and Beauty in the next 12 months, we have new services coming very soon but I can’t reveal as yet but exciting times ahead.

Write down every memory of a time you were successful. No matter how small it is. Keep adding to the list. Dwell on every little success. Focus on the flow of money coming into the business and have gratitude for the money to pay your bills. A positive mindset is very important.

Female leaders you admire and why?

What inspired you to start a business?

Riverside Beauty

What tip would you give women who are starting a business?

Our contactless Versa Bottle Filler is very popular with schools and colleges and our Blupura units are popular with hospitality What you enjoy most about business?

SARAH GOULD

Leaving a permanent, pensionable job 15 years ago because of illness after just buying a house at the height of the Celtic tiger.

Jacinda Ardern (New Zealand PM). She knows the power of empathy and kindness What place inspires you and why?

People may be surprised to know

I am also a trainer in Holistic Therapies

Favourite moment as business owner?

Winning Network Ireland Businesswoman of the year 2021

23

GRETTA McMAHON Grettals Petals

Tell us about your business We are very lucky to have the ability to brighten up people’s days by bringing them beautiful bouquets of fresh flowers.

In December, Grettals Petals will be 10 years Blooming in Business, Here for you Most popular products or services?

Without a doubt, our Seasonal Hand tied bouquet is always a winner What you enjoy most about business?

Having the freedom to fulfil my dreams, no day is the same, I absolutely love my job Who inspired you to start a business?

My mother, Mary Carey, as a child I was growing up in a farmhouse B&B with Pony Stud, in Bunratty. She was so enterprising. A wonderful role model, thank you Mom xxx What makes your products special?

We pride ourselves on our long lasting flowers, presentation with pretty finishing touches which make us stand out What is your biggest fear?

My biggest fear would be losing the ability to use my hands What motivates you on a daily basis?

Looking forward to meeting people every day and hearing their lovely stories, and their reasons for ordering flowers Biggest challenge you have faced?

Moving my first shop from Skycourt Shopping Centre to Brú na Sionna. Even though it was practically just across the road, this was an enormous challenge What tip would you give women who are starting a business?

Believe in your dreams… believe in your-

Ailish Connolly & Liz Greehy Kilbaha Gallery

5 words to describe your business?

Quality, Contemporary, Beautiful, Irish Art Most popular products?

Before Covid, our gallery also had a coffee shop and gift shop - both of which were extremely popular. During Covid we went back to only selling original art - and doing it mostly online, however, as things ease we hope to get back to our full offering What inspired you to start your business?

Starting our own business was initially borne out of a longing to be able to live and work here on Loop Head, to provide local employment and to be doing our bit for the local economy.

Also, the family have been steeped within the art industry for many years so it felt like a natural progression What makes your products special?

Art is intrinsically special - an original work of art is a totally unique item to own. Each artist

we work with, puts huge amounts of time and energy into every single piece they produce.

Our artists are carefully chosen because of their extraordinary talent and their overall appeal What motivates you on a daily basis?

Working here on Loop Head, surrounded by our family and our community and living that dream is our forever motivation Do you think there are any issues for women in the workplace?

As a female led business, we are extremely conscious at all times of the various issues faced by women in the workplace and so we always go the extra mile always to ensure flexibility and fairness. We hugely appreciate the amazingness of the female members of our team - without whom, we wouldn’t be here. We also hugely appreciate the men in our lives and their huge part to play Female leaders do you admire and why?

We admire all women - from political and business leaders to nurses, to teachers, to carers, to stay at home mothers; to all women, everywhere, for managing to be incredible humans and to juggle a million things, despite the challenges we face every day What place inspires you and why?

The Bridges of Ross is a constant source of inspiration - a geological phenomenon that serves to remind us that nature is the world’s ultimate creator People may be surprised to know...

Ailish has won a national trophy for her kenpo martial arts skills!

self. Don’t let anyone hold you back. Give it a good try. You’ll have to work very hard.

Nobody said it was going to be easy.

Female leaders do you admire?

Rita Gleeson had the very successful Gleeson Jewellery shop in Skycourt for nearly 3 decades, and always gave me wonderful advice. Thank you Rita.

What place inspires you and why?

Illaunamanagh cemetery in Shannon.

Despite its beautiful location, I’m grateful for every day I have on this earth to spend with my family and enjoy this short life we have on earth People may be surprised to know...

I love listening to crime podcasts!

Favourite moment in business?

My first €15 sale on December 7, 2012.

I’m so grateful, tears came to my eyes so many times since

Irish Contemporary Art

www.kilbahagallery.com

24

Caitríona Considine Moher Cottage

Tell us about your business From a cowshed to a café, Moher Cottage is now an award winning, must-stop gift and coffee destination store and attraction at the Cliffs of Moher in lovely Liscannor Most popular products or services?

Our coffee was voted Best in Ireland which is something we are very proud of, it goes perfectly with our lovely fudge made on the premises too Do you think there are any issues for women in the workplace?

Unfortunately our world is not one where genders are equal so for women in some workplaces you do see bias, stereotypes or discrimination. We work hard in Moher

Cottage with a team of amazing women, and men too, and ensure we are equitable What tip would you give women who are starting a business?

If you have a dream, don’t ignore it, plan for it, get advice and have faith in yourself.

Female leaders you admire and why?

Triona and Edel of the Snack Shack, Mary of Nozomi’s, Tina of Bambino’s, Ailish & Liz of Kilbaha Gallery, Bronagh of Burren Farm Experience, Maeve of Western Herd, Nuala of Ailiwee Caves, Natalie of Irish Crafts, Siobhan of St.Tola’s, Clara of Coastal Ceremonies, Annette of Small Print Ireland West, Sinead of Cheesepress and many many more. All amazing ladies with such drive and generosity too What place inspires you and why?

Breathing in the wild sea air in Clahane in Liscannor is my true happy place People may be surprised to know...

I’m a proud Galway girl, born and bred, but was living in Dublin until I fell in love with the St.Brigid’s Well publican and farmer Kevin so there was no real debate about where we were going to live!

Your favourite moment in business?

In the middle of our first covid lockdown a business person I admire greatly Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook, posted about Moher Cottage on her Facebook page to her 2.2 million followers across the globe telling them how I adapted to selling online since the onset of Covid-19

RUTH KEANE Roots Hair Design, Ennis

Tell us about your business?

I started Roots Hair Design over 30 years ago and we are in the same location today.

We offer a full hairdressing service, including expertise in cutting & creative colouring. We have diversified our offerings over the years and 15 years ago I created an additional business, offering a specialised wig service for cancer patients and people suffering from alopecia, Ennis Wig Clinic.

5 words to describe your business?

Professional, confidential, creative, caring and value.

Most popular products or services?

We are a Wella, Nioxin & Nayo Organic approved salon. Our services include creative cutting & colouring, 12 week blowdries from up to date fully qualified stylists.

In Ennis Wig clinic, we offer a very wide range of wigs in both synthetic and human hair and also headwear.

What you enjoy most about business?

I get great satisfaction from seeing happy clients leaving the salon each day. It also

feels good to be there for cancer and alopecia patients helping them through their difficult journeys.

Who inspired you to start a business?

My parents, P.J and Rita. They ran a very successful business here in Ennis for many years, and instilled an entrepreneurial spirit in me.

What makes your services special?

I believe in the personal touch with great care & attention given to each client. Our stylists are in continuous training on new products and services which is very important to the latest trends. A listening ear is also important.

Biggest challenge you have faced?

3 recessions, and I am still here...

What tip would you give women who are starting a business?

Respect and value your employees. Up to date training is a must. It is important to embrace technology and always try to reinvest in your business. A good support network is also important.

How do you relax?

A nice bottle of wine and good company!

People may be surprised to know….

My age, which I am not disclosing!

Your favourite moment in business?

The 10th, 20th and 30th anniversaries of opening my business.

What are your future plans and what do you want to accomplish in business?

I have achieved a lot over the last 30 years, with special thanks to all my very loyal clients and friends. Lots done, more to do!

25

MAUREEN HARRISON Seoidín

Bríd O’Meara

Lahinch Coast Hotel Tell us about your business: Lahinch Coast Hotel is a four star Hotel with 144 bedrooms, Leisure Centre with Gym, Swimming Pool and a Gastro Style Bar and Restaurant. In 2019 my husband John and I became co-owners of the hotel and started the journey of a new brand and stylish refurbishment.

5 words to describe your business?

Comfortable, family, friendly, seaside, hotel Your most popular products or services?

Our two bedroom suites with separate lounge and kitchenettes are incredibly popular for families and golfers.

What makes your product special?

Our great employees and excellent location Biggest challenge you have faced?

The Covid pandemic closure and then helping to navigate the business through the various lockdowns and guidelines.

Do you think there are any issues for women in the workplace?

For me the issue is ‘work life balance’ and being a woman and a mother-of-two brings a balancing act... I believe there is no perfect balance for any working mother, things don’t just fall into place themselves, they do because we organise it and in general women are great organisers!

What tip would you give women who are starting a business?

Make sure you do a business plan and that it makes financial sense as very often the reality is very different from the dream. That

said, you need to follow your aspirations.

A female leader you admire and why?

Ursula von der Leyen president of the European Commission has impressed me so much, and is also a mother of seven What place inspires you and why?

I spent seven years working at Sheen Falls Lodge in Kenmare, a beautiful 5 star resort Hotel – I met my husband there, got married there and met some of my best friends there as I was part of the management team.

Your favourite moment in business?

Opening our doors during the Irish Open and revealing the hotel’s new look

Tell us about your business Seoidín is a unique Irish jewellery brand that I started 25 years ago in O’Connell St in Ennis. Our designs are always inspired

by Ireland and its beauty. We now have 4 shops in Clare, Limerick and Dublin and of course our online shop www.seoidin.com 5 words to describe your business?

Unique, Irish, inclusive, creative and progressive.

Most popular products?

At the moment our antique ring and pearl collection are really popular and our emerald coloured gems are always a winner.

What you enjoy most about business?

I always wanted to offer something unique to my customers, something that little bit different than what was already out there.

Owning my own business means that I can deliver just that. I’d also say that building a fantastic community around my business, both with our loyal customers and the people that I work alongside.

Biggest challenge you have faced?

Starting the business initially was a huge challenge and a big risk but when you have a dream, you just have to go for it.

You can’t give up.

Do you think there are any issues for women in the workplace?

Things have improved dramatically for women in Ireland in recent years. I would like to think that we have proved that we shouldn’t be underestimated and that we are more than capable of holding our own both in the business world and in general.

What tip would you give women who are starting a business?

Don’t overthink it. A chance not taken is

an opportunity lost. Even if you fail, you will learn from the experience.

How do you relax?

I love to run and partake in yoga classes.

What place inspires you and why?

Many things inspire me, like the coast of Donegal, as it reminds me of my youth.

What are your future plans?

We never rest on our laurels and I think that’s one of the reasons Seoidín has been successful, we are always striving to improve and introduce new things.

We are currently renovating our shop in O’ Connell Street in Ennis. It will be a fantastic Seoidín flagship and will reflect how far we have come since we started on O’Connell street 25 years ago. I cannot wait to reveal the finished product.

26 RECRUITMENT

THURSDAY, MAR 10 2022

Torpey to represent Clare at National Enterprise Awards STUART HOLLY

A

editor@clareecho.ie

MANUFACTURING business from Sixmilebridge is this year’s nominee of the Clare Enterprise Award for 2022.

Torpey will now represent Local Enterprise Office Clare at the 22nd National Enterprise Awards at the Mansion House in Dublin on the 2nd June.

Torpey are the leading brand of hurleys

in the GAA, focused on performance and rooted in tradition. Traditionally a craft based ash hurley manufacturer, Torpey has now developed engineering capabilities and developed Torpey Bambú in 2020. They are now widely recognised as the highest quality provider of hurleys in Ireland (Ash and Bambú).

Torpey will be competing against 30 other finalists from every local authority area for a share of the €35,000 winners prize fund as national judging gets underway in May. Categories this year include ‘Best Export Business,’ ‘Best Start-Up’ and ‘Innovation,’ in

addition to eight regional awards. There are also two new National Enterprise Awards this year with a “One to Watch” award and a “Sustainability / Green” award.

Clare companies have been very successful over the years with National Winners Callan Technology and ABC Nutritionals.

Other category winners have also included Aine Knitwear, Aaron PCB, Get The Shifts and WowWee.ie. The announcement of the nominee took place as part of a very successful Local Enterprise Week programme of events. There were over 220 physical and virtual events taking place across the country, run by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices from March 7th to 11th.

Welcoming the announcement, Cllr PJ Ryan, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, said: “It is great to see a family business like Torpey develop and grow their product lines through innovation and embracing new ways of getting their product to market.

I wish them every success in the national final on the 2nd June and I am confident that Torpey will continue the proud tradition of previous winners from Clare.”

Speaking during Local Enterprise Week Padraic McElwee, Head of Enterprise with Local Enterprise Office Clare said: “The success of the Bambú Hurley reflects the innovative approach Torpey takes to developing their business”.

INNOVATIVE: Cllr PJ Ryan, Cathaoirleach, Clare County Council, Padraic McElwee, Head of Enterprise at Local Enterprise Office Clare and Sean Torpey Photo by Arthur Ellis

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THURSDAY, MAR 10 2022

TOURISM JOB OPENINGS IN COUNTY CLARE Five permanent roles are being created in County Clare. The new positions will form part of a subsidiary company of Clare County Council that will oversee the management, development, and promotion of a portfolio of signature visitor attractions and sites throughout Clare.

General Manager East Clare - The successful candidate will have operational responsibilities for Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Knappogue Castle, Craggaunowen – Bronze Age Park, Cliffs of Moher gift shop and Inis Cealtra Visitor Experience (currently under development). There will be a significant change management dimension to the role.

Sales & Marketing Manager East Clare - The successful candidate will oversee all aspects for the day-to-day promotion of the services, brand, and bookings of visitor attractions, namely Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Knappogue Castle, Craggaunowen – Bronze Age Park and Inis Cealtra Visitor Experience.

ICT Project Manager - The successful candidate will manage the upgrading and centralisation of ICT infrastructure from several sites to a hybrid cloud model, including hardware, networks, and software, recommending, and developing upgrade strategies, working with internal teams and third-party contractors.

Procurement Officer - The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and implementing procurement policy and strategy, coordinating procurement practices to ensure compliance, minimising risk, and maximising savings and benefits available to the organisation from procurement activities at its portfolio of visitor attractions and sites.

Digital Marketing Assistant - The successful candidate will create dynamic and engaging digital content aimed at marketing the organisation’s visitor attractions and destination Clare. The Digital Marketing assistant will be responsible for creating, editing, and publishing accurate and up-to-date information on relevant digital channels.

HOW TO APPLY / FURTHER INFORMATION:

If you are interested in applying, or want to know more about an individual position, contact Máiréad in The Hr Suite on 066 7102887 or email your CV to jobs@thehrsuite.com Closing date for applications Monday 28th March at 5pm.

27

10-03-22

pg 28

NATIONAL HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION 1, ROUND 4: CLARE 0-18 LIMERICK 0-18 AT CUSACK PARK, ENNIS

Lohan frustrated with key decisions byPáraic McMahon

have been more appropriate. I don’t think that was a serious misdemeanour at all, at all.

“We’ve had a season where you had to contend with Covid, we had to contend with a very condensed season last season and this year for us is a very different challenge where maybe things we’ve ordinarily found extremely easy are that little bit more difficult. Every single team in every sport goes through those phases where there’s a dip in form and the easy things don’t come so easy to them.

“One thing we all know is you will be rewarded for working hard and and working your way through that and I know SCAN HERE FOR that these players MATCH REPORT and we as a management team are totally committed to working through that. We’ll keep going in that direction.”

REFEREE: Patrick Murphy (Carlow)

BRIAN LOHAN, CLARE MANAGER:

“Our fellas worked hard against a really difficult opponent, I’m happy enough with the spirit that was there, the opportunity was there to get a win but we didn’t do that.

I’m a bit disappointed.

“We’ve done a lot of work on our discipline and we’ve done a lot of work on our coaching and a lot of time has gone into the frees, we spent a lot of time talking about the handpass, we conceded 19 frees there and they conceded 13 frees. I thought he was a little bit hard on us but he has a tough job to do and we appreciate it.

“I got a little bit frustrated with some of the decisions, I thought our lads were trying to make a point of not fouling and showing they weren’t fouling, particularly that last free for Colin Coughlan. I thought our lads defended it as well as they could do, they were very obvious about trying to show that they weren’t fouling but he still gave the free, sometimes that happens but it is frustrating.

“It’s a decent performance against a very good opposition, a good bit of spirit in the group, we’re a little bit frustrated with the number of injuries we’re having at the moment and that is the way it is, hopefully we’ll improve from that display.

“Why was it (the goal) disallowed, the obvious thing is a square ball but was it in the square? Our lads at half-time were adamant that it wasn’t but I was here watching it, I was eighty yards from it, a key score like that you’re very disappointed when it goes against you.

JOHN KIELY, LIMERICK MANAGER:

“We fought tooth and nail, anytime you come to Cusack Park and get something out

Tony Kelly bursts past the challenge of Cathal O’Neill

of it you haven’t done a bad day’s work.

“I wouldn’t say rustiness but we’re trying to find a bit of flow, at times it is a bit harder on them than it might normally be, we’re making a number of errors, we’re dropping balls, the ball that is going to hand is not being retained, simple basic things but it will come with more training, the longer eve-

nings, that touch and sharpness will come, we can keep working on it, that is manageable, attitude isn’t something you can put into a team, today it was much better”.

“I thought there was a thing of nothing in that (Aaron Gillane sending off), that was ridiculous. Had the referee run in and told the player to get up off the ground, it would

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

CLARE: Frees for: 12 (6/6) Wides: 15 (7/8) Spread of scorers: 7 Scores from play: 0-09 Top scorer: Tony Kelly (0-11 8f) Bookings: Conor Cleary (46), Jack Browne (73) Red Card: Jack Browne (73) Own puckouts won: 23 from 29 (79%)

SECONDARY SCHOOLS CROKE CUP: ST JOSEPH’S TULLA 1-11 ST KIERAN’S COLLEGE, KILKENNY 3-16 IN NENAGH

Clare hurling in strong place TOMÁS KELLY, ST JOSEPH’S TULLA COACH: “It has been a fantastic season for the team. Look we are very disappointed, we are sports people and we want to win. We targeted this. The energy just wasn’t there today that was in the Harty Cup. The breaks we got in the Harty cup we didn’t get them today.

Congratulations to St Kierans.

They were the better team and we wish them the best of luck in the final.

“We were happy enough with 12 or 13 minutes to go when we were within four points. We always said to the lads if we were within reach down the home straight we would be happy and we were happy at that time. They got us with a sucker-punch of a goal and they got another one within that minute. The game was probably dead then. Sport can turn on fine things and it turned on that two or three minutes. We have no complaints.

“They have a massive pick and a massive tradition. We have a tradition ourselves but

Oisin O’Connor has difficulty getting past Jack Burke Photo by Gerard O’Neill

it’s probably at a lower grade but we are very proud of our tradition. That was their peak performance today. We had seen them a couple of times and that was the best perfor-

mance they pulled out all year.

They are the days you want to pull them out, in All-Ireland semi-finals. We pulled out our best performance probably in the Harty Cup final and we

will always have that to look back on and to cherish.

“We want to be competing at the highest level. We knocked the door down at C and B levels and we are up in Harty level now and that’s where we want to stay. We want to be competitive and to be known as a Harty school. It’s going to be very good for Clare hurling.

You have Rice College next year and you have St. Flannan’s. Schools hurling is a great launchpad for guys to transfer and to progress and go on and represent Clare. Clare hurling is in a very strong place now at underage when you see what has happened at schools level when you see what has happened with ourselves, with Ennistymon, with Rice College, with Flannans, Scariff and Killaloe. We need all those schools to be strong. Everyone needs to be chipping in and to be contributing for the good of Clare hurling.”

ST KIERAN’S COLLEGE Frees for: 9 (4/5) Wides: 8 (5/3) Spread of scorers: 8 Scores from play: 3-09 Top scorer: Harry Shine (1-06 6f) Bookings: Luke Connellan (44) ST JOSEPH’S TULLA: Frees for: 18 (8/10) Wides: 12 (5/7) Spread of scorers: 5 Scores from play: 0-03 Top scorer: Sean Withycombe (1-07 1-06f 1’65) Bookings: Adam Hogan SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

LIMERICK: Frees for: 17 (10/7) Wides: 11 (4/7) Spread of scorers: 7 Scores from play: 0-08 Top scorer: Aaron Gillane (0-07 6f) Bookings: Colin Coughlan (10), Aaron Gillane (46 & 66) Red Card: Aaron Gillane (66) Own puckouts won: 25 from 33 (76%)

Penalty pain for Avenue

by SEAMUS HAYES Venue: Holly Grove, Wexford

AVENUE’s journey in this season’s FAI Junior Cup ended in Wexford on Sunday when they lost to North End in a penalty shoot out after the sides had ended at 2-2 after extra time.

The home side hit the front after 13 minutes when Paul Murphy scored. Avenue got on top after this and on the half hour, Thynne levelled the tie before seven minutes later they hit the front when Elias Kunz headed home from a Dylan Casey free. With just two minutes of normal time remaining the ball broke free in the Avenue area following a North End set piece and they managed to fire a low shot to the corner of the net to level the tie.

Conor Mullen and Cian O’Dea were Avenue’s scorers in the shoot out but North End converted four of their penalties to seal their place in the last eight of the competition.

Avenue United: James Tierney; Cullen McCabe, Jamie Roche, Conor Mullen, Dylan Casey; Alan Roche, Mark Roche, Eoghan Thynne, Tomas Hehir, Elias Kunz, Stephen Jordan; Subs: Philip Talty for Jordan; Cian O’Dea for M. Roche; Gary Roche for Kunz; Callum Barrett for Thynne; Cian McDonagh for Hehir.

pg 29

10-03-22

Dromoland confirmed as host of Women’s Irish Open

SEPTEMBER 22 to 25 has been confirmed for the Irish ladies open golf championship which will be hosted this year by Dromoland Castle Golf Club, writes Seamus Hayes.

As first reported by The Clare Echo on New Year’s Eve, the golf club located in Newmarket-on-Fergus will host the tournament.

Part of the Ladies European Tour (LET), it will be the first women’s professional golf tournament to be held in the Republic of Ireland since 2012.

“We are absolutely thrilled that Dromoland Castle will play host to this year’s Women’s Irish Open.

All of us at Dromoland Castle are delighted to be able to support women’s golf and look forward to extending our legendary hospitality and showcasing the estate’s world class facilities

to Europe’s top golfers”, Dromoland Castle general manager, Mark Nolan stated.

Previous winners include Major winners Laura Davies and Suzanne Patterson as well as the captain of the recent Solheim Cup winning team, Catriona Matthew.

“The Women’s Irish Open has not been played for 10 years and in many ways will be seen as a new tournament, but has its own incredible history,” said Dromoland Castle’s director of golf, Eamonn O’Donnell.

He explained that there will be a Pro-Am on the Wednesday before the event and that the hosting of the event will result in the golf course being closed from Wednesday September 14 to facilitate course set up. “This is an extremely exciting and proud

time for everyone involved at Dromoland Castle and with our members support I have no doubt we will put on the very best tournament possible”, added the club’s director of golf”.

Lady Captain Katrina O’Neill commented, “This is a great vote of confidence for ladies’ golf in Ireland following on from Leona Maguire’s success in the Solheim Cup and winning her first LPGA championship in February this year.

She is an inspiration to all lady golfers in the country.

The return of the Women’s Irish Open will be a huge boost to the next generation of lady golfers who will get the opportunity to watch the professional golfers on the Ladies European Tour play live on our great golf course. This is indeed a great honour for our club and for us all as members.”

Golf tip: club accelaration

By PÁDRAIG McGRATH of P&M GOLF

THE key to achieving optimum distance and trajectory with every club is to make sure your clubhead is increasing in speed as it impacts the ball.

When you choose a less lofted club like a driver, fairway wood, lower lofted rescues or a long iron, you need the clubhead to accelerate through impact in order to achieve the optimum launch and carry distance. If you currently find your ‘five iron vs six iron’ or ‘three wood vs five wood’ go similar distances, this is because you aren't creating enough speed to achieve a high enough launch with your five iron or three wood.

To achieve more clubhead speed through impact, you need to focus on the follow through of the golf swing, after you've hit the ball. Firstly try relaxing your grip pressure and focus on feeling the weight of the clubhead. Take a full smooth backswing and swing the clubhead fully around your body towards the target. The weight of the head of the club you are feeling in your hands does all the work in the golf swing.

The faster this clubhead strikes the ball the higher and further the ball will carry.

The Tempo Trainer is the best training aid I've come across that will help you to

understand how to best improve speed of the clubhead and it will also improve the length of your backswing and follow through. A heavy ball sits at the end of a flexible shaft and because of its heavy weight this ball will help you to understand how you can increase acceleration in your swing. I've seen it transform so many golfers over the years for the better.

To achieve a full golf swing it's also important to rotate your back foot correctly.

The rotation of your back foot lifting off your heel and rotating your foot rolling on to your big toe is crucial if you are to achieve a full swing (see below). Focus on this golfer's final position, he is facing directly towards his target with his right foot completely on his big toe. This is the position you need if you are to achieve better acceleration in your golf swing.

Practice this technique with your Tempo Trainer (right) preferably or with a golf club away from a golf ball initially. You'll always find it better to improve your technique by removing the golf ball. Practice doing hundreds of practice swings at home without a ball before you consider trying it at the driving range with a ball.

Therefore in order to gain the maximum distance with every golf club, you must achieve a golf swing that accelerates through impact with the golf ball. This can only be achieved if you finish your follow through completely.

"Remember you are not swinging the clubhead to the golf ball, you are swinging the clubhead through the ball towards the TARGET" with better speed and accelleration.

Woodstock presentation night Pictured at the Captain’s drive in at Shannon Golf Club were lady captain Connie Corry and men’s captain Derek Sweeney Photograph: Joe Buckley

by SEAMUS HAYES

DROMOLAND GOLF CLUB: The 2022 captains ‘drive-in’ at Dromoland Castle golf club took place on Sunday last when Jimmy McManus (men’s captain), Catriona O’Neill (lady captain) and Éabha Brennan (junior captain) got the season underway. This will be a special year for the club as the Irish Ladies Open will be staged as the venue in September.

KILRUSH GOLF CLUB: In the Spring singles the winner was Tom Buckley (9) from John Stapleton (14). They were followed by Tom O’Dea (28), Tom Cleary (14), Brian Scanlan (7) and Pat Shannon (13) and all six returned 27 points for their rounds.

ENNIS GOLF CLUB: The ladies 14 hole stableford competition played during the last week in February was won by Ann Pyne Gallery (29) with 26 points from Joan Murphy (32) who also scored 26 points. In third spot with 25 points was Una O’Reilly (36).

Anne Casey (18) won the 9 hole competition with 16 points from Della Burns (19) with 14 points with third spot filled by Mary O’Halloran (32) with 13 points In a senior ladies competition the winners were Alice D’Arcy, Bernie Brooks and Brid Cunningham with 33 points from Mary Gardiner, Maureen Moloney and Kathleen Pyne with 30 points. A similar competition for senior ladies last week was won by Mary Lenihan, Margaret McEnery and Bernie Brooks with 56 1/3 points

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from Brid Cunningham, Mary Kearns and Loretto Torpey with 59 1/4 points.

SHANNON GOLF CLUB: Declan Breen (17) won the 15 hole competition last week with 40 points from Gerard Kelly (16) with 39 points with third spot filled by John Kelly (14) with 38 points. After 3 weeks of the winter league team Power of E. Fanneran and J. Pearse, P. O’Rourke and A. Carr, P. Clancy and T. McNamara lead on 222 points.

WOODSTOCK GOLF CLUB: The Spring league continued last weekend when the format was fourball betterball. The winners on the day were Gary Thompson and Sean Howard with 46 points from Tony Coote and Jason Dormer with 44 points. John McGrath and Frank McEnery were next with 44 points followed by Ronan O’Looney and Joe McInerney, also with 44 points. In a similar competition for club members not in the Spring league, Vincent McInerney and Henry Butler were the winners with 42 points.

Members are reminded that the Costello Cup fixture with Ennis goes ahead in Ennis on March 26 and 27.

SIXMILEBRIDGE GOLF SOCIETY: Sixmilebridge golf society will hole its first outing of 2022 on this Saturday, March 12, to Ennis golf club. The tee is reserved from 10.10am and only those pre booked can play on the day. Full details are available from the committee.

10-03-22

Conlon imperious at Irish Masters

Greyhound Ballaghboy Panda with owners master Patrick O’Driscoll and his grandfather Gerry Moloney after winning the ninth race in Galway on Friday night last

Grandfather & grandson team first home in Galway

by MICHAEL MAHER KILMIHIL’S John Collins recorded another double success at Galway Greyhound track while the grandfather and grandson duo of Gerry Moloney and Patrick O’Driscoll also had reason to celebrate.

Friday’s card was headlined by the A2 graded fifth interest and as the traps rose for this 525 yards contest Menmal Princess was best away and racing towards the opening bend she led from Brickhill Daisy and Astron Podge on the outside. Turning down the back Menmal Princess led Astro Podge by over length with three lengths back to the chasing pack. Approaching the penultimate bend Astro Podge moved through on the leader’s inner but the pair seemed to get tangled up allowing the pack to close right up. Off the home bend, Springwell Jenny briefly hit the first but Banner natives John Collins of Kilmihil and Albert Long of Ballyea-owned Brickhill Daisy (Droopys Sydney-Rathmeehan May) stormed through in the centre of the track to take command and score by a length and a half in 29.72.

John Collins was back in the winners enclosure in the very next contest, an S2 graded sprint, this time in partnership with John Browne of Ballyea as their Brickhill Paulio railed superbly well between the two bends on her bay to a seventh career success by three & a half lengths over Derra Misty in 19.20. Only fourth best away the winner showed pace to chase down Peteles Lady on the long run towards the opening bend. Moving through rounding the bend the son of Laughill Blake & Rathemeehan Holly kicked clear off the home bend to win.

The most authoritative winner of the night was the Leo McNulty of Shannon-owned Moyolla Miss in the A5 graded seventh contest, the daughter of Sir Paddy & Rylane Dubh routing her rivals - headed by dead heaters Shammer Dubh and Darla The Queen - by upwards of ten and a half lengths in 29.16. In the early strides Sports Glory showed pace along the inner to lead as the eventual winner showed pace out wide. Turning down the back the front pair kicked clear of their rivals but passing halfway the winner turned on the turbo. Clear leaving the back, she drew further clear with every stride from the crown of the home bend.

In race nine, the Gerry Maloney and Patrick O’Driscoll of Clarecastle owned Ballaghboy Panda returned to winning ways in this A5 graded contest as the son of Lenson Panda & Sues Music led early in the back straight on his way to a two-length victory the seventh of his career in 29.54. Peteles Duke was smartly into

pg 30

stride in the centre and led the winner by over a length approaching the opening bend. Rounding the bend Ballaghboy Panda closed up on the leader’s outside before edging to the front entering the back straight. From the halfway mark the winner steadily increased his advantage and was full value for his success.

Saturday night’s card featured the Final of the Bumblebee Kyne Novice 525 stakes with six first-round heats of the Galway Greyhound Stadium A3 with a winner’s prize of €4000 also down for decision.

In the opening heat Danmar Corona was best away and led the charge to the opening bend where Kentucky on the inner and Menmal Prince on the outside both joined and passed the leader. Turning down the back Kentucky led by a length but the Martin Fahy trained Menmal Prince was now in full flight and the son of Paddy Magic and Cottage Brandy swept to the front at halfway as Beautysquickstep moved five lengths further adrift. Between the final two bends Menmal Prince was three lengths clear but the Michael Casey of Mullagh and Martin Fahy owned runner was all out to hold the flying Beautysquickstep at the line in 29.67.

Having finished runner up on her debut over the sprint trip, the Pat Hogan-owned Aulton Jewel made no mistake in race two stepping up to the 525 yards trip as she made all the running to defeat Glasheen Mendoza by four lengths in this A7 graded contest in 29.66.

On Last Thursday night at Limerick Greyhound Stadium, the Banner county produced four winners from the 12 races on offer. It was a second career win for Two Pints who is owned by the aptly named – Guzzling Pints Syndicate from Ennis, and is under the dutiful care of Myles Cummins and Breda Casey from Newmarket on Fergus. This son of Sir Paddy and Miles Girl led from trap to line to record a career best 29.25 Tulla native Donnacha McNamara, had Rockalong Sierra in fine form and he duly obliged to land the spoils in 29.20, Sierra is a son of Droopys Cain and Sues Stout.

Harry Galvin from Cratloe, presented Upland Hills for an A5 graded contest and he didn’t disappoint to record a first career success in a time of 29.25 for this son of Droopys Cain and Star Princess The finale of the evening proved to be fruitful for Clooneys’s Martin Williams when his charge Clooney Dasher notched career win number 5 in 29. 17 for an A3 contest.

WITH the provincial Opens completed, the Masters Squash circuit returned to the Fitzwilliam club last weekend for the Irish Open.

Competing in the O65 section was Ennis CBS’ Mike Conlon, bidding to continue his excellent season thus far. Looming large in his path all season has been the determined challenge of Peter Stephens, with the players meeting in all four provincial finals.

Stephens held a 3-1 lead in these contests, all desperately close-fought and Conlon was motivated to clinch the Blue Riband this time.

After a comfortable 3-0 win over Ulsterman David Ferguson in the first round, Conlon had a substantial challenge in the semifinal.

Starting well with tight driving to take the first game, Conlon was buffeted somewhat in the next game with his opponent striking back to parity. Conlon needed to reimpose his game plan and he did exactly that to claim a fine 3-1 win. Inevitably, the opposition in the final was to be Peter Stephens.

The first game was a tense affair with Conlon making a few uncharacteristic errors but establishing a pattern of play to cope with Stephens powerful serving and cross court boasts.

Conlon’s speed around the

court had the effect of limiting Stephens’ ability to garner winners from his drops or boasts. However, Stephens succeeded in taking the first game 11-8.

The second game was pivotal, with a highly motivated Conlon ramping up the pace and intensity to run into a 9-3 lead. Undaunted, Stephens then redoubled his efforts, with Conlon erring in boasting several balls into the ‘tin’ when winners were on. Stephens levelled the game at 9-9 and the ferocious contest continued deep into a tiebreak to 1515. Conlon kept his composure tand the Ennis CBS man put Stephens under intolerable pressure to give

Conlon a vital game, 17-15.

The huge physical strain of the long second game, saw Conlon dominate the remainder of the match with two 11-4 wins to secure a momentous Irish Open title.

In the O70 competition, John O’Shaughnessy was flying the flag for Ennis CBS. Having shown a lot of consistency through the season, he had already effectively nailed down a place in the Irish team for the Home Internationals – a first cap for the club stalwart. Displaying his typical technical prowess, O’Shaughnessy was competitive and can savour his achievement of representing his country later this year.

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THURSDAY, MAR 10 2022

Recent Deaths Mary O’Leary (née Hand) Knockanroe, Dysart, Ennis, Clare Date of Death: Tuesday 8th March 2022 Christina Lynch (née Malone) Clare Road, Ennis, Clare Date of Death: Monday 7th March 2022 Joan Moloney (née Heffernan) 39 Considines Rd., Ennis, Clare Date of Death: Sunday 6th March 2022 Joan Peters (née Banks) ‘Inishfree’, Woodview, Killimer, Clare Date of Death: Sunday 6th March 2022 Michael Foley Clonola, Kildysart, Clare Date of Death: Saturday 5th March 2022 Joe Black Dough, Lahinch, Clare Date of Death: Saturday 5th March 2022

John Gerard Haugh Corbally, Kilkee, Clare Date of Death: Saturday 5th March 2022 Hannah (Annette) O’Brien (née Healy) Ard Aobhinn, Limerick Rd, Ennis, Clare Date of Death: Saturday 5th March 2022 Eamonn McInerney Euroville, Ballyclough, Limerick / Clare Date of Death: Friday 4th March 2022 John Mc Mahon Ballynote East, Kilrush, Clare Date of Death: Friday 4th March 2022 Austin Dowling New Quay, Clare / Rathfarnham, Dublin Date of Death: Friday 4th March 2022 Pa McGuinness Coolistigue, Clonlara, Clare Date of Death: Friday 4th March 2022

John (Jack) Tuohy Ballynevin, Bridgetown, Clare Date of Death: Friday 4th March 2022

Ita Cleary Tulla rd., Ennis, Clare Date of Death: Wednesday 2nd March 2022

Suzanne (Susie) Mooney Brosna, Kerry / Clare Date of Death: Monday 28th February 2022

Olive HanrahanBrennan (née Cunnington) Pella Road, Kilrush, Clare Date of Death: Friday 4th March 2022

Joe O’Grady Ardnatagle, O’Briensbridge, Clare / Tubber, Clare / Limerick Date of Death: Wednesday 2nd March 2022

Sinead Donnelly (née Hanly) Church Rd., Clonlara, Clare Date of Death: Thursday 3rd March 2022

Noirín Roche (née Feehan) Tradaree Court, Shannon, Clare / Pennywell, Limerick Date of Death: Wednesday 2nd March 2022

Vincent O’Shea Ballycorick (Formerly of Lavalla and London), Ballynacally, Clare Date of Death: Monday 28th February 2022 Doreen Nugent Sheaun (and New York), Scariff, Clare Date of Death: Sunday 27th February 2022

Deirdre Bradshaw (née McMahon) Ballyvaskin South, Miltown Malbay, Clare / Castleconnell, Limerick Date of Death: Wednesday 2nd March 2022 John Martin O’Brien Ballyvannon, Tuamgraney, Clare Date of Death: Wednesday 2nd March 2022

John Edward Sheridan Marian Avenue, Ennis, Clare Date of Death: Wednesday 2nd March 2022

Brendon John Lofting Kilmaley, Clare Date of Death: Saturday 26th February 2022

Jim Molloy Cahercalla, Ennis, Clare / Tipperary Town, Tipperary Date of Death: Monday 28th February 2022

PLANNING NOTICES CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL GOWLAUN COTTAGE, ST BRENDAN’S ROAD, LISDOONVARNA, CO CLARE V95 W7E5 Take notice that Ann Marie Cullen and Stewart Anderton intend to apply for permission to extend the existing Dwelling & all other associated site and ancillary works at the above address.

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL KILCLOHER, KILMALEY, CO. CLARE Take notice that Ciara

Pyne and Paul O’ Donnell intend to apply for planning permission to construct private dwelling house, detached garage, wastewater treatment system and all associated site works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making the copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL BREAFFY SOUTH, MILTOWN MALBAY, CO. CLARE Take notice that P. Sexton intends to apply to the Planning Authority for permission demolish part of existing dwelling/storage area, to extend existing dwelling and connect to existing septic tank 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, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions

or may refuse to grant permission.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL DRUMLESH, INAGH, CO. CLARE I, Micheal O’Loughlin, am applying to the above authority for permission for the following development on property at Drumlesh, Inagh, Co Clare: Permission for the construction of a 2 storey dwelling, detached domestic garage, onsite wastewater treatment system and percolation area, connection to necessary services, utilization of existing entrance as a shared entrance, together with all associated ancillary and incidental site works The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks be-

ginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL SHANTRAUD, KILLALOE, CO. CLARE We, Smith O’Briens GAA Club, am applying to the above authority for permission/ retention permission for the following development on property at Smith O’Briens GAA, Shantraud, Killaloe, Co Clare.

(1) Permission for construction of new entrance and car park area to western side of existing building, installation of electronic scoreboard to the southern side of the existing playing pitch, installation of LED lighting standards to proposed new carpark together with all associated ancillary and incidental works (2) Retention permission for retention and completion of existing clubhouse building and spectator stand which differs from that previously granted permission under previous planning ref 11/857 together with all asso-

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL 42 RIVERDALE, WESTBURY, CORBALLY I, Diarmuid Cunningham am applying to Clare County Council for permission to construct a two storey rear extension with side projection at 42 Riverdale, Westbury. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL LEAMANEIGH MORE, NEWMARKET ON FERGUS, CO. CLARE Take notice that Brian Foudy & Associates Ltd of Osprey House, Carmody Street, Ennis, Co. Clare 065 6893565 www. foudyconsulting.ie. intend to apply to the planning authority on behalf of Interpalace Investment Ltd for permission to. (a) Construct an extension to existing warehouse facility which will consist of offices, warehousing / distribution space along with sanitary and welfare facilities, (b) Construct increased parking and turning

Continues pg 32

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areas. (c) Install new wastewater treatment system and soil polishing filter 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 RADHARC NA MARA, LAHINCH, CO. CLARE Take notice that Brian & Joann Foudy intend to apply to the planning authority for permission to construct a split level dwellinghouse and garden shed together with all associated site development works and connections to public 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

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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 MONVANA, KILRUSH, CO. CLARE Take notice that the Estate of Patrick Carey is applying to Clare County Council for retention permission for the change of design of a dwelling house and garage previously granted under C/603 granted by Kilrush Urban District Council, along with all associated works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding

the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of Clare County Council during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

Continued from pg 31

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QUIZ 35

THURSDAY, MAR 10 2022

The Clare Echo Quiz CRATLOE QUIZ

4 years 10 years 14 years

What famous historical figure 4 gave a public speech at Saint John’s Church? Éamon De Valera Daniel O’ Connell Michael Cusack

endary highwayman?

A Cross A Harp The Ace of Hearts

Daniel Keane of Cratloe died 8 Mr. in what famous event?

The sinking of the Titanic The Spanish Flu epidemic The Battle of the Somme

was Cratloemoyle castle 9 When said to have been built?

Early fifteenth century Early sixteenth century Early seventeenth century

lQUESTION 1: What does the name Cratloe mean?

ANSWERS

What is the population of Who were the first people to be 5 executed at the infamous gallows 10Cratloe as of the latest census? site at Gallows Hill?

6. Westminister Hall, London

Can you spot the difference? Spot the 7 differences.

The answers will be revealed in next weeks edition.

7. The Ace of Hearts

Spot the Difference

8. The sinking of the Titanic

Quiz by Evan Ruane

9. Early sixteenth century

692 656 674

10.692

. Sheep & Cattle thieves during the famine . Members of the United Irishmen after the 1798 rebellion . Rebels fighting against the Cromwellian invasion of Ireland

1. Land of the sallow trees

3

How long did it take local volunteers to build the replica of the Lourdes Grotto that overlooks St. John’s Church?

In Cratloe Woods, what symbol 7 carved onto a tree is meant to mark the buried treasure of a leg-

2. 1791

1806 1791 1746

3. 4 years

was Saint John’s Church 2 When constructed?

Westminister Hall, London Áras an Uachtaráin, Dublin The White House, Washington DC

4. Daniel O’ Connell

Land of the sallow trees Land of the rolling hills Land of the bogs

Cratloe Woods was once famous 6 for its oak trees. What famous building is partly built out of its oak?

5. Rebels fighting against the ...

does the name Cratloe 1 What mean?

Last weeks Answers . Crest on shorts of Derry player missing . Strips on arm of Derry player missing . Crest on Clare player shorts missing . Crest on glove of Clare player missing

. Boots of Derry player different colour . Stripe on boot of Clare player missing . Under Armour logo missing on Clare players

St Josephs Tulla v St Kierans College Photograph: Gerard O’Neill