The Clare Echo 11/04/19

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11 Apr 2019

‘SCRAP WINNING STREAK’ Clare cllr slams RTÉ show

PÁRAIC MCMAHON

A

news@clareecho.ie

CLARE politician has urged the Irish Government to put an end to Europe’s second longest running television game show “if it is serious about dealing with gambling addictions”.

Former TD, Cllr James Breen indicated that for progress to be made with bringing down the amount of gambling addicts in Ireland, Winning Streak would have to be axed.

Full story PAGE 2

lRIGHT MAN FOR THE JOB: Francis Naughton from Kilkee, using his 1970s vintage garden plough at the Clare Ploughing Championships in Whitegate last Sunday Photo by Martin Connolly

COMPETITIONS

Competitions

43 + 46

PROPERTY

This weeks property

QUIN RD

33

Quin road business park feature

21

2 NEWS

THURSDAY, APR 11 2019

Index 2-15

NEWS

ENTERTAINMENT

17

COMMUNITY

18-19

QUIN ROAD

21-30

PROPERTY

33-35

MOTORING

36-39

CLARE PLOUGHING CLASSIFIEDS

41 44-45

The Square, Ennis, County Clare Telephone: 065 671 9021

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

SALES

Email: ger.naughton@clareecho.ie or paul.mccarthy@clareecho.ie

lRACY LADIES: At the launch of the Quakerstown point-to-point this week at the Inn At Dromoland is Edel McMahon, Maggie Hassett, Karina Mescall, Helen O’Connor and Aisling Wixted proudly displaying the cheque for €10,040 which was donated to Breast Cancer Ireland. The Quakerstown event takes place in Boston on April 21, gates open at 12 noon; (inset right) Champion jockey Liz Lawlor and her baby Alex at the launch of the event on Tuesday evening Photos by Martin Connolly

H OTE LS IRISH FOR LUXURY

Calls to scrap Winning Streak PÁRAIC McMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

A

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CLARE politician has urged the Government to put an end to Europe’s second longest running television game show “if it is serious about dealing with gambling addictions”.

Former TD, James Breen at the adjourned March meeting of Clare County Council indicated that for progress to be made with bringing down the amount of gambling addicts in Ireland, Winning Streak would have to be axed.

It followed a joint motion from councillors Mary Howard, Pat Daly and Alan O’Callaghan which requested Minister for Communications, Richard Bruton to introduce “legislation to ban gambling advertisements on all social media platforms and internet search engines”.

Recalling a presentation from Coláiste Muire students that she was in attendance for, Cllr Howard said “it showed inter-county players were no longer drinking or smoking and were instead gambling online”.

“Gambling is as likely to happen in the home, office or classroom as

it is in the bookies”. The Fine Gael representative felt online access is increased the potential for gambling to grow which she already estimated to be worth €220m in Ireland.

“Gambling is the fastest growing addiction in Ireland presently, it is the secret addiction. It has passed out alcohol and drugs. I would hope to see a day when there would be no gambling ads on the television or the internet,” Cllr Pat Daly outlined.

Cllr Cathal Crowe praised Clonlara GAA for holding a talk on the dangers of gambling earlier this year which was attended by Cllr Michael Begley who added “Anybody who has listened to Oisin McConville and Niall McNamee, that has been a real eye opener”.

Kilnamona councillor James Breen was adamant one of RTÉ’s longest running shows would need to get the chop if the Government wanted to reduce gambling addictions. “Winning Streak is a glorified gambling addiction, people are addicted to buying scratch cards, people are spending their week’s wages on it. If the Government are serious about gambling, they need to write to RTÉ and ask that programme be withdrawn”.

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NEWS

THURSDAY, APR 11 2019

Changes to Clare Bus are a 'grave injustice' PÁRAIC McMAHON

A

paraic@clareecho.ie

DECISION from the National Transport Authority (NTA) to take the contract for the county’s rural transport co-ordination unit (TCU) from Clare Accessible Transport (CAT) and award it to Limerick Local Link has been met with widespread hostility and labelled “a grave act of injustice”.

Last week, it was announced that the co-ordination of Clare Bus would now be managed from West Limerick as opposed to the headquarters in Feakle. CAT appealed the decision and were notified by the NTA that the only recourse to appeal is through the High Court. Seven part-time jobs will be lost in the county as a result with a further 25 in danger.

Clare Bus made over 55,000 trips last year and the service has been managed by CAT for 16 years. CAT is a registered charity and not for profit company. Despite capital funding being unavailable under the Local Link programme, CAT has independently raised almost €1 million capital to invest in a fleet of 11 low floor easy access buses to ensure equality of access.

An NTA report from 2018 singled out Clare Bus as one of their best value for money services in the county. It showed that the passenger trips for Limerick cost twice as much and their bus services cost three times as much as Clare Bus. On the basis of this report, comparison costs between Clare and Limerick

shows CAT’s structure reduced the costs to the Exchequer by in excess of €250,000 per annum.

Standing orders were suspended at Monday’s meeting of Clare County Council as elected representatives voiced their disapproval with the decision for the service to be managed from Newcastle West. “I’ve nothing against Newcastle West but it’s a long way from Feakle and from Kilkee,” Cllr Pat Hayes said and questioned what signal the NTA were sending out by threatening a voluntary community group with the High Court.

Moving the TCU out of Clare was “a disgrace” according to Cllr Joe Cooney. “I had one elderly person crying on the phone to me not to let the service go.

Our Oireachtas members are meeting the CEO of the NTA on Thursday, I’m calling on Clare County Council to do their utmost to retain this service. It is another attack on rural Ireland."

Co-founder of Clare Crusaders, Cllr Ann Norton revealed that they would be not be able to provide an out of clinic service were it not for Clare Bus. “I found Leo Varadkar to be very arrogant when he was in Ennis, we always seem to be the poor relation in Clare”.

Council CEO Pat Dowling added, “We will be looking at every possible way to mitigate against these concerns. One doesn’t use economics to operate a service. It has to be about targetting those in the greatest need, it is the people in the public gallery that care about the people they are providing a service for”.

A petition with over 3,800 signatures is to be sent to the Minister for Transport seeking the decision be overturned.

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Focus on demos at Garden Festival

APRIL is Garden Festival month in Clare – every year around 3,000 people come to Ennis Showgrounds to enjoy a huge garden fair, expert gardeners talks and entertainment for young and old, great food and crafts on the last Sunday of the month, April 28.

Looking ahead to the big day this year, the focus will be on gardening demonstrations with the theme ‘Gardening – Today & Yesterday’ which are running outdoors in addition to the popular indoor expert talks.

“Gardeners love variety and trying out new things like new plants or new techniques. Most of us enjoy talking about gardening or listening to a talk – a demonstration however is something that tingles all of the gardener’s senses,” said Festival manager Carmen Cronin.

She continued, “Seeing the huge interest in a demonstration held in the last two years with Jim Cronin, we have decided to dedicate a large area at Clare Garden Festival to demonstrations this year.”

There will be four large outdoor demos and two workshops on the day led by local gardeners including Jim Cronin, Tom Barry and Fergal Smith. The festival will also see six expert talks covering topics from Ornamental to Organic Gardening.

For further details visit the festival website www.claregardenfestival. com and regular updates from www.facebook.com/claregardenfestival.

More expansion at St Francis Credit Union

S

T FRANCIS Credit Union have announced Damien Browne as their new Lending and Business Development Manager.

Louis Fay, CEO of St Francis Credit Union, in welcoming Damien to the position, said, "Damien has over 20 years’ experience in the lending sector, ranging from loans to the Farming Community, Businesses and Personal Lending.

"I have no doubt Damien will be a great addition to the lending team here in St Francis Credit Union as we continue to expand our lending function to deal with the increased demand from our Members.”

Loans to Members at St Francis Credit Union currently stands at €45 Million with over €7 Million in loans issued already for the first 3 months of 2019, which is an increase of 22% on 2018.

St Francis Credit Union continues to aspire in meeting its Vision which is “Striving to provide for the Financial needs of its Members in a Co-opera-

CEO Louis Fay welcoming Damien Browne to the St Francis Credit Union team in Ennis

tive and Professional manner” Currently St Francis Credit Union employ 37 staff and has a total of 20 volunteers throughout Co Clare bringing a first class service to its Members.

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6

NEWS

Sports stars set for Irish Open pro-am STUART HOLLY

I

editor@clareecho.ie

RISH rugby legend Paul O’Connell (right) and Clare hurling star Shane O’Donnell are the first Irish sports stars confirmed to take part in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open pro-am, which will take place on Wednesday July 3, ahead of the second Rolex Series event of the 2019 Race to Dubai.

The tournament, which for the first time will be played over the spectacular Old Course at Lahinch Golf Club from July 4-7, will be hosted by The 2014 Ryder Cup Captain Paul McGinley.

Paul O’Connell, who will return home from France this summer said; “I’m a member of Lahinch Golf Club so I know how tricky the course can be but I’m looking forward to being back there this summer and playing with the professionals. They could teach me a thing or two.

“I think the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open will be a really spe-

cial one. Obviously, Lahinch and the Munster region is close to my heart, and I think the support down there will be some of the best the event has ever seen.”

Shane O’Donnell has recently returned home to Clare after studying for a PhD in Harvard.

Shane said; “I’m delighted to be back in Ireland and thrilled to be taking part in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Pro Am. I’ve played at Lahinch a few times and it’s an incredible place to play. It’s great to be back on this side of the Atlantic Ocean and I suppose you don’t get much closer to being back in the USA than at Lahinch! As well as having the hurley back in my hands, I’ll have to get the clubs out too to practise. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

The rest of the pro-am line-up will be announced over the coming weeks. Joining Paul McGinley in Lahinch this July is a star-studded field which includes Shane Lowry, Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell, Lee Westwood, Danny Willett, Tommy Fleetwood and Louis Oosthuizen, with further names to be announced over the coming months.

The European Tour is also giving one Munster primary school the chance to enter into a fun trick shot competition for the chance to win a VIP trip to this year’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, while the winning participant will also have the tournament trophy visit their school for a day.

To enter the competition, parents and teachers are asked to submit the trick shot video online via Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, name the school and location in the post and use the hashtags #DDFIrishOpen and #KidsTrickShot.

The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open takes place from July 3-7. Tickets are available from www.dubaidutyfreeirishopen.com.

THURSDAY, APR 11 2019

l FANTASTIC CAUSE: Claire Doyle (Quinn Property Management), Neal Quinn (Quinn Property Management), Nicola McMahon (Irish Cancer Society), Tara Cooney (Relay For Life Ennis), Auriol Considine (Relay For Life Ennis) and Patrick Morrissey (Irish Cancer Society) at the event launch earlier this week

Relay For Life

ON THURSDAY, Relay For Life Ennis 2019 was launched at the Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis. 2019 marks the second year for Relay For Life Ennis. The event in 2018 attracted hundreds of people to the Fairgreen in Ennis and this year is shaping up to be bigger and better than the very successful inaugural outing.

This year’s event will be held on June 22nd and 23rd in the Fairgreen in Ennis, starting at 2pm on Saturday and finishing at 2pm on Sunday.

At the launch, Auriol Considine, committee chair, also welcomed Quin Property Management as supporters of the event.

The Irish Cancer Society Relay for Life is a 24-hour community event.

At Relay, team members commit to having at least one team member walking around the track at all times. While they are doing that, a festival of fun and entertainment takes place which unites the community in the fight against cancer.

For more info, to register a team or to be involved in any way you can contact the team at relayforlifeennis@yahoo.com.

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8 NEWS

THURSDAY, APR 11 2019

'Haven't you heard of climate change?'

PÁRAIC McMAHON

F

paraic@clareecho.ie

IVE Clare students this week addressed elected representatives of the local authority demanding action on climate change.

Kate Harty, Eleanor Dagnell-Wise, Katie Duson, Áine Dempsey and Wiame Kanane all took part in protests on climate change in March while Eleanor in February was the sole student in Clare to demonstrate at O’Connell monument.

On Monday, they were invited to speak to Clare councillors. “We’re here to talk about something called climate change. Have you heard of it? It doesn’t seem like it, because if you had heard of climate change, then surely you would be doing everything in your power to prevent it by now. If you have heard of climate change, then surely school children wouldn’t need to be here to remind you about the subject,” Kate Harty began.

“We are secondary school students, not politicians, nor scientists. We went on strike on the 15th of March to demand that you must listen to the 97% of climate scientists who agree that

global warming trends over the past century are caused due to human activity. We have to show you that our future is not to be disposed of like the single-use plastics that pollute our planet today because of politicians that refuse to take our future seriously”.

She continued, “Do what is right, not what is easy. It’s easy to sit back and think that if the national government aren’t acting, we don't need to act either. But we do need action, and fast”.

Eight recommendations were proposed by the five students. These were to declare a climate emergency, increasing energy resources in Clare, the introduction of an outright ban on single-use plastics, to provide grants for zero waste shops and businesses, an investment in sustainable transport methods, school buses to collect Ennis students going to Ennis schools, more pedestrianisation of main streets and the rewilding of Council owned land.

Fine Gael’s Johnny Flynn praised the group for their “very solid practical ideas”. Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy admitted, “I realised how ignorant I have been not only as a public representative but as someone on this earth. It is with a great sense of pride that you’re here today educating us but also demanding action”.

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NEWS

THURSDAY, APR 11 2019

9

Clune visits Clare ahead of elections PÁRAIC McMAHON

B

paraic@clareecho.ie

RIAN Crowley’s retirement from politics has blown the Ireland South constituency wide open for May’s European elections.

For the past two European elections, the Cork man topped the poll. All declared candidates are keen to benefit following his departure - Fine Gael’s Deirdre Clune, who has family connections to Quin, is one such individual.

Clune was in Clare on Tuesday for the sod turning to mark the start of works on the Ennis South Flood Relief Scheme as well as giving a talk to students at Scoil Mhuire in Ennistymon.

The Cork woman also canvassed with local election candidates, John Crowe in Sixmilebridge and with Ger O’Halloran in Quin.

It’s 22 years since Deirdre was first elected to Dáil Éireann, when she won the seat vacated by her father Peter Barry. Despite being a front bench spokesperson for Fine Gael, she lost her seat in 2002, regained the spot in 2007 only to lose out in 2011. In April 2011, she was the first person elected to Seanad Éireann but vacated her seat when successful in her first bid to become

a Member of European Parliament (MEP) five years ago. Since then, she has served on the EU’s Transport and Tourism committee. The UCC graduate has committed to pursuing the fact that Shannon Airport does not get to avail of any Government subsidies.

She told The Clare Echo, “As an airport with under 2 million passengers it’s entitled to some form of State aid and I’m looking at that with the European commission and looking at State aid rules.

“They seem to be quite certain so that’s a situation discussed the last time I met Shannon Airport management.

We hope Brexit won’t happen but I get their point that they wouldn’t have a connection to a European destination if the UK leaves”.

With climate change a recurring theme discussed by the EU transport committee, she is sympathetic to people in rural Ireland who cannot necessarily avail of regular public transport, which sees much heavier investment in larger urban areas such as Dublin.

“It’s easier when you have a large mass of people but it is very important and the way forward to reduce emissions and our reliance on fossil fuels, you’re going to see a huge uptake in electric cars because they are going to become cheaper and the battery will be more reliable,” Ms Clune added.

l QUIN CONNECTIONS: Local election candidate Ger O’Halloran with Deirdre Clune, MEP

GARDA CAREER ‘HUGELY REWARDING’ A CLARE local election candidate is encouraging young people to consider a career in policing, following the launch of this year’s Garda recruitment campaign and the Government’s commitment to increase Garda numbers to 15,000 over the next two years.

Ger O’Halloran, running for Fine Gael in the Killaloe area, said, “As Chairman of the Quin Community Text Alert Group and a member of the Clare Joint Policing Committee from 2015 to 2018, I fully appreciate the outstanding contribution of the Gardaí in maintaining the rule of law.”

“A career as a Garda is hugely rewarding. It’s one of public service where members make a

vital contribution to the safety and well-being of their communities and where they forge connections that have helped maintain public respect for our policing service.

“The Government fully supports this transformation as evidenced by its continuing support for accelerated recruitment which has resulted in 2,600 new recruits attesting as Gardaí since September 2014. Through continuing recruitment, Garda numbers will reach 15,000 in 2021.

This ambitious target can only be achieved with a continuous pipeline of suitable candidates.”

Applications must be made through www.publicjobs.ie before Wednesday, April 24.

10 NEWS

THURSDAY, APR 11 2019

Buglar puts helmet safety

Stiff warning to parents over modified headgear PÁRAIC McMAHON

H

paraic@clareecho.ie

ELMETS and hurling, it’s been a long-running story in the world of GAA that has taken on a new twist.

There has always been a fascination with helmets in the game. Top of the pile comes Brian Lohan’s iconic red helmet (opposite page), oft thrown off when the battle was really heating up, Cork’s Joe Deane opted for a similar style but a yellow version. Henry Shefflin and Lar Corbett both sported green and yellow Coopers while Ronan Curran’s employment with Mycro allowed him model their latest brand during the Rebels' high flying exploits in the mid 2000s. And lest we not forget, Ger ‘Sparrow’ O’Loughlin’s vintage round style mycro that could have possibly doubled up as a saucepan for boiling spuds.

It’s Donal Clifford of Cork that holds the distinction of being the first outfield player to wear a helmet in an inter-county match, that being the 1969 National League

l IMPORTANT MESSAGE: Former Clare hurler Brendan Buglar posted online about the importance of having the correct headgear when taking to the hurling field

semi-final against Tipperary. Forty years later, Kilkenny’s Michael Kavanagh became the last outfield player not to wear one in an All-Ireland senior final.

In a sport that brings so much joy and memories, tragedy has left its mark on the

game. Many of those who have played have the scars to show and some wounds have been caused by improper use of headgear.

In 1995, a study taken from a number of Cork hospitals showed that of those admitted with hurling injuries who wore a face

guard, only five per cent had injuries which were to the head. In 2003, the South Eastern Health Board decided to write to the GAA after four people lost the sight in an eye as a result of injuries sustained in hurling activities in Waterford and Cork in June.

Such cases have become less common.

Since the start of 2010 all players have been required to wear helmets during matches and training. The GAA was slow to make wearing helmets compulsory, with a breakthrough in 2005 when those aged less than 18 were required to wear them. In 2007 the rule was expanded to include players playing under 21 and it became mandatory for all ages three years later.

According to GAA rules it is the duty and responsibility of the individual player to wear a helmet with a facial guard that "meets the standard set out in IS:355.. as determined by the National Safety Authority of Ireland (NSAI). Such helmets shall not be modified from their original manufactured state in any circumstances.” Same goes for the Camogie Association, with referees entitled to dismiss a player guilty of refusing to change their helmet if it has been pointed out by the match official.

Although the rules exist, they continue

THURSDAY, APR 11 2019

in spotlight to be broken. A DCU report published in April 2017 revealed that one third of hurlers admitted to modifying their helmet in contravention of GAA regulations, potentially increasing their injury risk.

A special motion to congress in November 2013 removed liability from the GAA should a player wearing a modified helmet sustain an injury, in which case they are not covered under the terms of the GAA Player Injury Benefit Fund. Faceguard replacement was found to be the most common modification (80 per cent), followed by removal of bars (13 per cent), and bending of the bars on the faceguard in the DCU study.

Whitegate’s Brendan Bugler highlighted the dangers of modifying helmets on Twitter last week with a reminder that players are not insured if they wear the NSA standard IS355 helmet. Having recently upgraded his own headgear, the Whitegate man said, “Parents haven’t a clue regarding which helmets have passed the NSA IS355 safety standard test or not. Having spoken to a parent of a child that sustained a serious head injury and was not insured, it was something worth highlighting”.

Player welfare coordinator of the Camogie Association, Paul O’Donovan outlined to The Clare Echo that they are taking a proactive approach to educate players on the dangers of modifying helmets.

“It has to have the standard mark by an approved manufacturer, getting a helmet and modifying the faceguard in anyway we don’t want people to do that”.

O’Donovan continued, “There were some cases where defective helmets had caused injury and that was one of the things and the GAA were very strong to stress the idea that don’t go modifying helmets. Check your own helmet to make sure that the faceguard is not damaged in anyway, from your own perspective as well as the players you’re playing with or against”.

Referees have been reminded to be vigilant on the issue but the onus remains with players and parents. While those playing hurling and camogie will continue to sweat blood and tears fighting the cause at club and county, the message to note is that if the blood is spilled whilst wearing a helmet not in line with NSAI regulation and if it has been modified, the danger is increased while every penny to repair the damage will have to come from the player’s own pocket.

NEWS 11

12 NEWS

THURSDAY, APR 11 2019

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar opens €6.5m Scoil Chríost Rí facility PÁRAIC McMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

S

COIL Chríost Rí’s €6.5m school building was officially opened by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on Friday.

Already in use by staff and students since April 2018, the Cloughleigh school had hundreds of visitors as it marked a special day in its history. Taoiseach Varadkar was greeted by a guard of honour from sixth class students while Minister of State Pat Breen, Deputy Joe Carey, Timmy Dooley TD, Senator Martin Conway, Cllr Johnny Flynn, Cllr James Breen and Cllr Pat Daly welcomed the Dubliner to Clare.

Bishop Fintan Monahan presided over a ceremony to mark the occasion which was attended by Bishop Emeritus Willie Walsh, students, staff, parents, elected representatives of the Ennis Municipal District, principals from around the county and past pupils.

Musical talent was provided by students whose songs included ‘We’re so proud of our school’ and ‘We are the World’.

Introducing Principal Gearoid Roughan, Joe Garry remarked “Every ship needs a captain, we’re fortunate that ours is one of the best”.

In his address, Roughan paid tribute to the building committee which included ex Board of Management Chairman, Cecil McDonough, Cllr Johnny Flynn and Larry Brennan. He extended thanks to former Labour TD Michael McNamara for initiating meetings with the Minister for Education to first progress the development and to Pat Breen, Joe Carey and Timmy Dooley. The Ruan man took a moment to remember deceased members of staff, Marie Keane and David McMahon who he acknowledged were “inspirational teachers”.

“I appreciate the fact you’ve come to meet the plain people of Ireland who as Jackie Healy-Rae said ‘eat their dinner in the middle of the day’,” Board of Management

Chairman Jim Cooney stated. He noted that Mr Roughan forgot to thank himself for his “unbelievable work” which received a round of applause from those gathered.

Cooney also spoke of their “immense regret” with Roughan’s upcoming departure as he takes up a new post at Toonagh NS. “We hope to have a preschool up and running by 2020,” the Ennis man outlined while highlighting the severe lack of second level places available in schools in Clare.

Taoiseach Varadkar spoke for eight minutes and began by assuring the crowd the Clare Oireachtas members are strong advocates for the county. He also complemented the “beautiful playing” from the school band.

“I know Clare is so well known as a county for its music and its trad so it’s great to see many different instruments being played and dancing on the way in with all the other activities. That says to me that this school will be more than a school, it will be a community of learning where learning is enjoyable.”

Responding to Cooney’s comments, the

40-year old said, “In a town like this with a growing population... there is obviously going to be a growing demand for additional school places and demand for second level places as well so we need to make sure that issue is resolved long before any of the kids who are now in fourth or fifth class go looking for a secondary school place.”

As he concluded, Varadkar had a message for some of the 250 students in attendance. “Study hard, learn from each other, learn new skills and become lifelong learners. You are lucky to be citizens of Ireland and citizens of the world, we want you to achieve your dreams. You have here an incredible campus with buildings that will stand the test of time and I think it’s a testament to all involved parents, staff, management”.

Locally crafted cuff links in the design of hurleys, made by Gleeson Goldsmith’s in Ballycasey, were presented to the Taoiseach by pupils Junior Power and Katy Linnane. Music followed from Blackie O’Connell and Siobhán Peoples.

Varadkar open to Ennis expansion TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar has dismissed the theory that a hard border exists around Dublin.

Since becoming Taoiseach in June 2017, Brexit has been a constant issue for Varadkar with constant uncertainty on whether there will be a border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, tariffs and the affect on several businesses and industries who rely exporting to Britain.

Clare’s longest serving councillor, PJ Kelly is of the view that rural Ireland been left behind in the two years of Varadkar’s Government. “It has been totally abandoned, there is a hard border around Dublin,” he told The Clare Echo.

While the Fine Gael leader was in Ennis on Friday for the €6.5m opening of Scoil Chríost Rí, Cloughleigh, The Clare Echo’s Páraic McMahon was afforded a brief interview with the Taoiseach. When asked for his response on there being a hard border around Dublin and a lack of services in the county - leaving men and women’s lives to hang in the balance due to ambulance waits and subsequent delays in being deployed to University Hospital Limerick as opposed to Ennis General Hospital - he responded, “I dispute that.

“For a start I’m here in Scoil Chriost Rí, a massive investment in a brand new school in Ennis. I’m about to go to Limerick where I will be at Edwards LifeScieneces where 600 jobs are being created, the newest emergency department in the country is in Limerick and there has been enormous investment in the university there.

“I understand that people often feel that but if you look at the facts, take Co Clare for example there is 10,000 more people living here than there were ten years ago, unemployment is down by more than half and there has been a lot of investments in schools. What I would like people to be doing instead of being envious of other counties is to actually talk about the kind of things they would like to see happen in theirs”.

Despite investments at University Hospital Limerick, overcrowding peaked at a record 81 people on trolleys last Wednesday but Varadkar was instead keen to talk about how improvements have been made in other parts of the country.

“It is a really serious issue and a really bad problem, it comes at a time when overcrowding in the country as a whole is at a five-year low and a time when some other hospital groups’ overcrowding is a record low. Part of the solution is doing what we’ve been doing already which is increasing the budget and staff for the hospital every year and that’s been happening every year for four or five years, more

l HISTORIC DAY: Saoirse Fitzpatrick, Melissa Milford and Leah Touhy playing music in Cloughleigh School during the Taoiseach’s visit (below); (bottom) Katy Linnane and Junior Power made a presentation to Mr Varadkar

l WHAT’S UP, DOCS: Trainee doctor Isnaila Diallo administering a vaccine to Taoiseach Varadkar during his visit to Cloughleigh last Friday Photo by Martin Connolly

beds and development which has been happening, 23 extra beds with 60 beds under construction.

“It should be perfectly clear to everyone that on its own, that isn’t enough so you need to look at the wider health service in the region, maybe follow some of the examples that have been successful in other parts of the country. Like today, for example there isn’t a single patient on a trolley in Letterkenny or Mullingar and a lot of that is better use of other hospitals like Nenagh and Ennis, much better use of primary care and making sure that once a patient gets into hospital they get their tests”.

“I’m interested in solutions and that’s what people in the region are interested in too,” the forty year old added.

When asked if such a solution would see an extension of opening hours at hospitals like Ennis and Nenagh, Varadkar was not dismissive of the notion. “Yes potentially.

“There is definitely a case for expanding the MAU hours in both those hospitals. In doing things you have to be sure you can staff those hospitals adequately and safely, running anything 24 hours or extended hours can be a challenge and the last thing you want to do is reduce the quality and the standard. I do think it has to be part of the solution and more minor surgery, more outpatients being done in Ennis and Nenagh”.

Photos by Martin Connolly

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14 THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

THURSDAY, APR 11 2019

Ronan Scully

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK Author spreading the word of positivity

HANG IT ON THE CROSS

E

ACH year the Lent and Easter season offers us a moment in time to take the opportunity to consider the deeper meaning of life. We are all from time to time on our journey through life given a Cross to carry. So let us during this Lenten and soon to be Easter season keep in our prayers all who wake up this week who carry a heavy burden. Sometimes we can see clearly the Cross of sickness, bereavement, a broken relationship, other times some of us carry a hidden cross of pain, stress, loneliness, depression and if we look deeper into life we never really know what people are going through in silence.

So let’s make the rest of Lent and Easter be lending a hand, lifting a heavy load. Lent and easter can be a smile on a cloudy day. Lent and Easter can be a crust of bread to the poor, giving shelter from the storm. Lent and Easter can be a thought, a poem, a blessing, a prayer. Lent and Easter can be showing support, care and enthusiasm. Lent and Easter can be listening quietly while someone else has something important they’d like you to hear. Lent and Easter can be a friendly hug, a smile or a warm embrace. Lent and Easter can be offering your time. Lent and Easter can be sitting silently beside someone to watch the sun behind a silver sea. Lent and Easter can be wiping a tear. Lent and Easter can be chasing the moon at night. Lent and Easter can be a whisper, a word, a soft touch at the right moment. Lent and Easter can be a telephone call.text, email or a letter, closing the miles.

Lent and Easter can be a kiss on a fevered brow. Lent and Easter can be the gift of a flower. Lent and Easter can be teaching with kindness and love. Lent and Easter can be sharing the depth of a powerful silence. Lent and Easter can be wishing you were somewhere when you must be someplace else. Lent and Easter can be a time of healing and a time of forgiving. Lent and Easter can be

taking someone’s place when they must be somewhere else. Lent and easter can be walking, running or driving through the blazing brilliance of the seasons of nature.

Lent and Easter can be just holding hands or looking into one another’s eyes. Lent and Easter can be waiting out the tough times.

Lent and Easter can be touching God through the heart and soul, and letting His will be done.

A Fresh Look Lent and Easter brings with it changes in weather, sending many of us outdoors hopefully all going well more regularly. We get to experience bright, sunny days that are often quickly followed by torrential rains and cooler temperatures and then sunshine a bit like four seasons in the one day type of thing. As we move to the interiors of homes and workplaces for refuge it’s also a good time to consider the interior of our hearts and minds. God is present with us at all times, of course, but Spring, Lent and Easter invites a fresh look inside to see where God stirs.

As the leaves start to blossom on the trees, we are prompted to watch their slow ascent to the air, seeing how at times, a burst of strong wind can blow off half the leaves from a tree in an instant.

How well do we watch the movements of our spiritual lives and how often do we reflect on what the slow breezes or strong gusts of wind signal?

Here is a beautiful Prayer for Lent and Easter Days I love to pray, “God of the seasons, there is a time for everything; there is a time for dying and a time for rising. We need courage to enter into the transformation process. God of Lent and Easter, the trees are saying hello to their green, letting go of what has been. We, too, have our moments of surrender, with all their insecurity and risk. Help us to let go when we need to do so.

As we see the patterns of our own growth, may we learn from them.

God of misty days and harvest moon nights, there is always the dimension of mystery and won-

der in our lives. We always need to recognize your power-filled presence. May we gain strength from this. God of Spring seeds wagons and fields of new sown grain, many gifts of growth lie within the season of our surrender. We must wait sow the seeds and then pray for a harvest in faith and hope. Grant us patience when we do not see the blessings. We yearn for insight and vision. God of flowers touched with spring frost and windows wearing white designs, may your love keep our hearts from growing cold in the various seasons of Life. God of life, you believe in us, you enrich us, you entrust us with the freedom to choose life. For all this, we are grateful. Amen” Hang it on The Cross If you have a secret sorrow, a burden or a loss, an aching need for healing...Hang It On The Cross. If worry steals your sleep and makes you turn and toss, if your heart is feeling heavy...Hang It On The Cross. Every obstacle to faith or doubt you come across, every prayer unanswered...Hang It On The Cross. For Christ has borne our brokeness and dearly paid the cost To turn our trials to triumph...Hanging On The Cross.

Thought for the week As your thought for the week, never forget how very important and how very special each and every one of us is in this life. in finishing may I offer up this comfort blessing or a prayer of mine for a good Lent and Easter for you the reader on your life’s journey that you may see the light in the darkness during these challenging times! May you feel the loving presence of those who hold you in their thoughts and prayers!

May your spirit find what it needs to sustain you on this journey of life! May you discover your inner strength and face all difficulties with dignity and grace.

May you be filled with comfort, love, acceptance, strength, grace and a lasting sense of peace! May the light of your soul guide you.

May the light of your soul bless

the work that you do with the secret love and warmth of your heart. May you see in what you do the beauty of your own soul.

May the sacredness of your work bring healing, light and renewal to those who work with you and to those who see and receive your work. May your work never weary you. May it release within you wellsprings of refreshment, inspiration and excitement. May you be present in what you do. May you never become lost in bland absences. May the day never burden. May dawn find you awake and alert, approaching your new day with dreams, possibilities and promises. May evening find you gracious and fulfilled. May you go into the night blessed, sheltered and protected. May your soul calm, console and renew you. May there always be work for your hands to do. May your purse always hold a coin or two; May the sun always shine on your windowpane; May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain; May the hand of a friend always be near you; May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you. May the blessing of God’s soft rain be on you, Falling gently on your head, refreshing your soul. With the sweetness of little flowers newly blooming. May the strength of the winds of Heaven bless you, Carrying the rain to wash your spirit clean. Sparkling after in the sunlight. May the blessing of God’s earth be on you, And as you walk the roads, May you always have a kind word for those you meet.

May joy and peace surround you, contentment latch your door, and happiness be with you now and bless you evermore! May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow.

May the soft winds freshen your spirit. May the sunshine brighten your heart. May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you, and may God enfold you in the mantle of His love now and always. I also pray for us all to have the power to be gentle, loving, kind and caring to one another and to ourselves; the strength to be forgiving and

be forgiven; the patience to be understanding and compassionate and merciful; and the endurance to accept the consequences of holding to what we believe to be right and good and peaceful.

May we put our trust in the power of good to overcome evil and the power of love to overcome hatred.

Pray for the vision to see and the faith to believe in a world emancipated from violence, hatred and war, a new world where fear shall no longer lead men and women to commit injustice, nor selfishness and unkindness to make them bring suffering to others. Help us to devote our whole life and thought and energy to the task of making peace and a better life for people and children in need in our world and country, praying always for the inspiration and the power to fulfill the destiny for which we and all people were created and that we will always look after the needy in our county, our country and in our world especially so many vulnerable and needy people in our country and world who are in serious need at this time. Remember change starts within yourself and that you can’t change others you can only change yourself so be a change for goodness and genuineness in your own life and always remember for evil to exist it takes good people to remain quiet. Much peace and love to everyone. Also Some friends and family asked me to light a candle for them during Lent and some friends and family are in need of a prayer and candle at this moment especially any of you that are unwell or ill or in hospital or suffered an accident or a loss or some who are having worrying times with family and financial problems and for some who are lacking peace and mercy in their lives. For them and for all of us I offer up my Lenten prayers and candle through this thought for the week and especially for peace in all our lives and in our families and in our world. Amen.

ADVERTORIAL 15

BBnet rolls out JET+ broadband in Ennis

THURSDAY, APR 11 2019

S

HANNON based broadband provider BBnet has made great strides over the past 12 months delivering the fastest broadband speeds to their growing customer base across the Mid-West region.

Headquartered in Smithstown in Shannon, BBnet have been providing homes and businesses with internet connections and related services since 2005.

They have become recognised for providing innovative, resilient internet services to locations that other providers cannot, be that to individual homes, multinational corporations, government institutions or small business customers.

As part of their continued expansion, BBnet, this week announce that their JET+ wireless service is now available in Ennis and sur-

rounding areas and is the perfect solution for homes that cannot get fibre or those who are struggling with lower speed products.

Using the latest in wireless technology, BBnet have been providing their JET service across Limerick, Kerry and Clare over the last 18 months, but Ennis is the first area where their JET+ service will be available, with a download speed of up to 100Mb, and upload speed up to 30Mb, it is an ideal solution for those struggling with their current service.

With considerable delays to the rollout of the National Broadband Plan that have been well publicised, many people in both rural and urban areas are either not able to get fibre connections at all, or are struggling with lower speeds through the old copper infrastruc-

ture. BBnet’s JET+ 100Mb service is more than sufficient to meet the needs of even the busiest homes and offices, so you can stream video, download or game to your hearts desire!

BBnet is passionate about providing quality broadband services in both rural and urban areas, and with a local customer support team based in Shannon, they are ready to help with any special requirements you may have.

For details on BBnet’s Jet+ package, or any other BBnet products, visit the website bbnet.ie or call their Shannon office on (061) 512000.

New photographer for the Mid West

F

ORMER Scarriff auctioneer and successful pilgrimage organiser James Treacy has set up a new photography business based in Scarriff serving the entire mid-west region with his services which range from family photography, groups, wedding photography and miscellaneous photography.

James says he gained a lot of experience from a course he completed in the Limerick Institute of Technology and he has worked as the group photographer on a number of pilgrimages which he has led to the Holy Land and Fatima. He came to national attention last Christmas when his photo was taken with the Archbishop of Jerusalem at the midnight Mass in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve. James told The Clare Echo that much of his focus is on capturing moments in time in spontanious fashion.

“For the particular picture with the Bishop of Jerusalem, it was a split second chance to get a photograph with him because I had written to him eight months previous to get photographs with him and he refused.

But I caught him on the hop and I gave him a bottle of Guinness and I then got my picture taken with him.

“In some circumstances a photographer has to be cheeky to succeed especially for spilt second decisions and my Bethlehem picture is an example of that,” Mr Treacy said.

He intends doing further photography studies in the Limerick College of Further Education and he says he is also going to offer a dual service in videography and photography in weddings. James adds that he will offer high quality printing of his photography in conjunction with a very advanced printer in Scarriff at a

Pictured at the launch of his photography business on the shores of Lough Derg is James Treacy from Scarriff

competitive price.

James is well known as a pilgrimage organiser and has a group going to Fatima in Portugal for the Feast Day of Saint Anthony on June 13 and two further groups going to the Holy Land, one in October and the other at Christmas. James is also running a bus to Knock for the annual Diocesan Pilgrimage which will be led this year by Bishop Fintan Monahan. “I will be responsible for the photography side of things as well as leading the group,” Mr. Treacy added.

In the academic year 2017/18 he completed a Master of Laws (LLM) in International Commercial Law in University College Dublin which is the number one Law School in Ireland and is ranked 47th in the World and he intends pursuing a career in this also next year.

James is also a Graduate of the University of Limerick and Liverpool John Moores University.

James can be contacted on 061921470 or 0860572216.

16 OPINION/ADVICE

THURSDAY, APR 11 2019

Eoin Neylon

An inside look at Clare’s political spectrum

Election predictions...

F

OR those who missed the excellent local election supplement in last week’s Clare Echo, firstly, you missed out! If you can get your hands on it, it contains a run down on all the runners and riders so far declared for next month’s local elections (also available on clareecho.ie). It may also prove useful to accompany this article as we delve through the names and see who is really in the shake up for election to county hall for the next five years.

We’ll go through the local electoral areas (LEA’s) alphabetically, starting with Ennis. This LEA drops from an 8-seater to a 7-seater with the loss of the Quin area from next month on. This is bad news for Quin native and current Ennis mayor Clare Colleran Molloy who’ll hope to find those votes elsewhere.

Her fine tenure as Ennis’ first citizen though should be a timely welcome boost.

Fine Gael will also be very strong as they place their faith in their three outgoing, popular councillors.

Fianna Fáil though, who picked up the 8th and final seat in 2014 will be sweating. They will be under intense pressure to try keep the third seat with newcomer Mark Nestor flying the flag passed to him by the retiring Tom NcNamara. Pat Daly will also be very hopeful of retaining his seat. Another popular councillor who is looking like a safe, if not yet a sure, bet is Ann Norton. Her hard work and national profile as a healthcare advocate should see her through. What will be interesting is how well Labour, Sinn Féin, Social Democrats and the other Independents do. Three from this cohort, along with the third placed FF candidate will be in a dog fight for the last two seats with transfers once more looking decisive.

In Ennistymon, it’s a tighter affair. FF were rocked with retirements meaning they have an entirely new slate of

candidates. SF’s Noleen Moran should be oddson to take one of the four seats on offer, given her impressive General Election performance in 2016.

However, nothing should be taken for granted and a good ground game will be required to hold those hard-won votes.

FG have the only outgoing councillor here in Bill Slattery and he looks set to continue on representing the people of Clare. FF are pretty much guaranteed at least one seat given the voting history of the area.

This means that the second places of the three FF’ers along with Joe Garrihy of FG will fight it out for the last seat here. A FG win in that contest would be a disaster for FF and a lot could come down to how the transfers of the Green Party’s Róisín Garvey will divide. Garvey, for her part, does pose a threat to cause a stir in this difficult LEA. In Killaloe, the 5 sitting incumbents (3 FF, 2 FG) are running once more in an area FG were left scratching their head over five years ago. They had a huge vote, but FF had a better strategy, resulting in them taking the extra seat.

FG will be more shrewd this time and we learned in the 2016 General Election that they can manage their vote well when they want to. Ger O’Holleran, who was mightily unlucky in 2014 in the Ennis LEA, is moving with his native Quin in the Killaloe LEA. This time though, he will have no competition in his locality for votes and what’s more, he has far more time to campaign than he was given 5 years ago. This should be enough to swing the vote and see FG get a seat from their arch rivals in the East. SF, the Greens and SD will find the going tough here if current poll trends are to be believed.

Kilrush is a very cut and thrust LEA as things stand.

At present there are only seven candidates in a five seat LEA. I fully expect FG to add a candidate to the ticket here to replace Oliver Garry who has decided to

withdraw after a distinguished career in public life. Until they do, however, I can only analyse what is in front of me.

Independent Ian Lynch should come home easily enough as Mr Kilrush Town, giving him a huge unspoiled voter base.

Gabriel Keating of FG too looks set for re-election given the fact he can call on votes in Cross and in Ballyea as his own.

The FF frontrunner too will easily win a seat. This leaves Mike Taylor, the remaining two FF’ers and Violet-Anne Wynne of SF fighting for the last two seats. Wynne would, given previous election results, and based on what’s happening on the ground, have far too high a mountain to climb. The fact that Taylor is geographically so close to his running mate puts him at a disadvantage. At present both the remaining FF candidates, given their good geographic spread, have the edge here. This is something FG will surely redress though.

In Shannon things are a little more competitive.

SF’s Mike McKee has one of the safest seats in the country ahead of these local elections. FF and FG will also take at least one a piece here. There are three strong independent councillors also, however boundary changes have hurt Michael Begley somewhat. At least two of those three are dead certs at present. This leaves FG and FF with the remaining IND fighting for the last two seats. At present, the advantage is with the IND, who I suspect to benefit from SD and SF transfers after elimination/election, and FG who should have the luxury of having two dogs left in the fight at the later stages of the contest.

FF are rumoured to announce a third candidate.

Things will change between now and May 24.

But until such a time, presently, given current polling numbers, it looks like Fine Gael could potentially be matching Fianna Fáil with 10 seats.

065 6828 383

I

www.cahirsolicitors.com

36 Abbey Street, Ennis

Six Commandments of making a Will

F YOU think it’s just about making Wills and dividing up what you own between your family, you are mistaken says Sharon Cahir, Senior Law Solicitor. Creating a Will is about supporting family relationships, ensuring clarity, supporting family harmony and avoiding acrimony within your family after you are gone. Sharon says you can leave a legacy of hurt or harmony and making a will with clarity is integral to that .

The Top Commandments of Will making include:

1

THOU SHALT MAKE A WILL

Don’t underestimate the significance of consultation and having a sounding board making your Will. Maybe you have put off making a Will or Estate plan because you are unsure what to do or maybe you are worried about offending someone who has expectations. Make a Will - do not leave it to chance.

2

THOU SHALT UNDERSTAND A WILL CAN BE CHALLENGED

When a Will is successfully challenged in court, it can be voided in its entirety or partly voided. A provision from an earlier Will can even be reinstated.

Underestimating the strict laws in Will-making and succession is a costly exercise especially for the next generation. The law will protect your assets, in line with the strict requirements of the Succession Act. Wills voided in the court will distribute the property and Estate as if the Will had never existed. In this instance, the distribution of your Estate would be shared between your next of kin under the Rules of Intestacy.

3

REMEMBER ‘THE FAIR DEAL SCHEME’ EXISTS AFTER DEATH

The ‘nursing home loan scheme’, or as it has more commonly come to be known as the ‘Fair Deal loan scheme’, applies where the person in long-term nursing home care has assets and they have to contribute to the cost of their care. The person availing of the Fair Deal scheme may choose to delay paying for their care during their lifetime and defer payment until after their death, using their assets as security for the deferred loan. The person in nursing home care must provide written consent to have a Charging Order registered against their assets when choosing to defer the cost of their contribution toward their care.

The Charging Order is a simple type of mortgage which secures the money that the Health Service Executive (HSE) loans to them in the form of deferred payment. The HSE pays the full cost of care to the nursing home on behalf of

the person in nursing home care, and the person’s contribution is repaid at some time in the future.

4

HONOUR THE STRICT RULES OF VALID WILL MAKING

Wills and the contents of a Will are challenged for a variety of reasons, but the most common grounds are: l The lack of due execution of a Will in the signature by the person making the Will in the presence of two witnesses, all three being at the same place, at the same time. l A person must have the mental capacity to make a Will and be of ‘sound disposing of mind’ to make a legal and binding Will. Perhaps a person was under duress or intoxicated when making their Will. l If a beneficiary named in the Will becomes a witness to the Will-maker’s signature then that beneficiary cannot inherit under that Will. Two independent witnesses are necessary so my advice is ‘Thou shalt not make a homemade Will’ as these simple errors are too easy to make.

When you buy pre-printed Wills in a shop, you don’t know what you don’t know, and it is all too easy to make an error. Homemade Wills increase the risk of a challenge to the Will & your wishes.

5

LET NOT THE STATE INHERIT YOUR ASSETS

The Succession Act states that if someone dies without a Will and there is no-one to take it under the rules for Intestate Estates, then the State ‘shall take the estate as the ultimate intestate successor’. So make a Will and direct where your assets are to go.

6

THOU SHALT UPDATE YOUR WILL IN AGES AND STAGES

Every stage and age bring with it a different consideration for the passing of your assets to your next of kin. There are many reasons to review and update Wills and other estate planning documents.

Maybe you’ve found the love of your life and you want to include them in your Will and Estate plan, maybe you are co-habiting or maybe you are married. Do you have dependants you wish to include? Have you had a new baby or adopted a child? Are you going through a divorce or separation? Have you bought or sold a significant or valuable asset? Are your children now over 18 years of age? Review your Will regularly and update your will to keep it reflective of your wishes.

Cahir and Co Ennis are recognised Solicitors for the Elderly . Call Sharon Cahir on 065 6828383 with your Probate and Will & Succession Questions.

G

Entertainment A little Slap & Tickle in glór

LÓR is delighted to present Slap and Tickle on Wednesday April 24. Conceived, written, choreographed and performed by Liz Aggiss, Slap and Tickle is an award winning, dark and ribald physical commentary on cultural mores and sexual taboos: a disorientating display of interpretations and contradictions about women, girls, mothers, bitches and senior citizens.

Unpicking mythologies, platitudes, refrains, old wives’ tales and the invidious nonsense perpetrated to limit the aspirations of young girls and women, and suppress any sign of spirited independence, Slap and Tickle is a performance of push and pull, punishment and reward…

The performance holds the audiences’ hand and leads them into thinking about female visibility, the aging body, the mature female dancing body on stage, the funny mature woman on

stage.

Beating a path through the personal and historical, Aggiss creates a feminist soup that lurches from spoken word to expressionist movement, from music hall to radio nostalgia, from costume change to prop manipulation.

ABOUT LIZ AGGISS Maverick, anarchic, indomitable and fearless: all words that have been used to describe performance artist Liz Aggiss. Born in an era when children were seen and not heard, Liz never had a clue what she wanted to do. She just knew she wanted to be seen and heard.

For the past 40 years Liz Aggiss has been re(de)fining her own brand of contemporary performance, blurring the boundaries between high art and popular culture; from the early 80’s supporting punk legends The Stranglers with her visual cabaret troupe The Wild Wigglers: classic solo Gro-

CAN YOU BEAT THE CHASER?

tesque Dancer: award winning film Motion Control: Guerrilla Dance interventions: cross disciplinary performance The English Channel: to her current solo Slap and Tickle seen at the following Festivals; SICK! Brighton, Ignite, LEAP, Bend it! DIG, Hear Me Roar, Mature Moves Tasmania. Awards include Bonnie Bird, Arts Council Dance Fellowship, Emeritus Professor Brighton Uni, Hon. Doc. Gothenburg Uni. Hon Doc Uni of Chichester

GLÓR, WEDNESDAY APRIL 24 €16/€14 CONC. PLEASE NOTE AGE GUIDANCE IS 15+. THIS PERFORMANCE CONTAINS STRONG LANGUAGE, STROBE AND LATEX GLÓR BOX OFFICE 065-6843103 OR WWW.GLOR.IE

Clare Youth Theatre ready to hit stage

O l FUNDRAISER: Sponsors Claire Coughlan (The Inn at Dromoland) & Shane Collins (Ború Sports) with Sean O’Connor, Kate Clancy, Colin Ryan, Colin Guilfoyle, Kate Burke & Katie Duggan

ON SUNDAY, April 21, Newmarket-on-Fergus GAA brings ‘The Chaser’ to The Inn at Dromoland.

Contestants will be drawn from the audience and given a chance to answer up to 7 questions valued at €100, €200, €300, €400, €600, €800, €1,000. Contestants have two lifelines ‘Ask the audience’ and ‘Take one’ which will reduce the number of answers by one. Contestants then take the amount won to face The Chaser.

This show is being run to assist in fundraising for club development.

Freddy McInerney, Chairman, said, “We are all looking forward to a great night on Easter Sunday as the show

is really hi-tech and offers a superb night’s entertainment. The show is timed to start at 8pm and we would encourage people to come early to ensure a seat. We would also like to say a particular word of thanks to our exhibitors, Maloney Garden Machinery, Boru Sports, Cummins Car Centre, Eurospar N-on-F, Jim Bolton Sand and Gravel, Roches Feeds and The Inn at Dromoland and to all of those who have taken out advertising at the show.”

Tickets available from Eurospar, Inn at Dromoland, Club shop, online at nofgaa.com or from any member of the fundraising committee and must be purchased in advance of the night.

l ECCENTRIC: Performer Liz Aggis

N SATURDAY April 13 at 8pm, glór studio in Ennis will host The Flowersellers of Amiens, the latest show by Clare Youth Theatre.

The story, which has been devised and created by the Theatre members with directors Eleanor Feely and Clare Townsend, takes place during World War 1 and the turbulent times of that period. Set in Dublin and then in a bombed out convent in northern France, the young cast have created characters who explore what humanity is in a time of war. Through humour, song and tragedy the young people of Clare Youth Theatre demonstrate their vision of morality and hope, against the odds.

Clare Youth Theatre is an initiative of the Clare County Arts Office. Its unique ethos is to explore young people’s innate creativity by giving them the skills to develop autonomy over their artistic projects and to engage in a collaborative way with their community and in topics of interest to them.

Tickets for The Flowersellers of Amiens are €8/5 and available at 065 6843103 www. glor.ie.

18 COMMUNITY

Community

THURSDAY, APR 11 2019

CONTACT NEWSDESK

065 671 9021 news@clareecho.ie

BALLYVAUGHAN

WEST / NORTH CLARE KILLIMER BARN DANCE AS part of National Community Weekend which will take place over the May Bank Holiday weekend (4-6 May), Killimer Parish are holding a BARN DANCE in Knockerra Hall on Saturday, May 4.

There is a History of Dances being held in Knockerra Hall in days gone by. Music on the night is by P J Murrihy and His Band. To Book call 089 241 2943.

FERN CELTIC FUN RUN Fern Celtic School Boys & Girls Soccer Club extends an open invitation to the public to their 5th Annual Easter Monday Fun Run which takes place on April 22 at 11am from Ballyea Community Centre.

Registration takes place at 10.30am. Fee €10 per person/€20 per family. Complimentary refreshments provided afterward’s. Raffle and spot prizes on the day. 5km and 2km routes available to suit all ages and levels of fitness. Walker, Runners, Cyclist welcome.

More details on www.fernceltic.ie.

CLARE BURREN MARATHON CHALLENGE The Ballyvaughan Fanore Walking Club are getting ready to host the 12th Annual Burren Marathon Challenge an event for everyone from the seriously competitive hill runner to the wheelchair user – and everyone in between, thanks to the various distances and the mixed terrain that take participants both on road and off road across the breath-taking Burren terrain.

Starting at the pier in Ballyvaughan at 9am on Saturday, May 25 Both the marathon (26.2 miles) and half marathon (13.1 miles) courses will take place on a combination of road, green road, road trail. The mini marathon (6 miles) will take place on tarmac roads, so it is suitable for wheelchair users or those pushing buggies. All routes take you back to the Pier in Ballyvaughan. All routes are clearly marked and course stewards provide water, fruit and chocolate bars at several points along the route. This is a fully supported marshalled and chip-timed event, and when you finish you’ll get a finisher’s medal and T-shirt as well as soup and rolls in Monk’s pub. The event enjoys exceptional local support from landowners and club members who dedicate their time and energy to making this the most unique and adventurous marathon in the country. Participants can sign up now on clareburrenmarathonchallenge.com. All queries welcome 087 - 7779714 Picture above (left to right) Tom Kelly, Conrad McCullough, Frank Greally (Irish Runner Magazine) Gerry Reidy, Breda McCullough & Mary Clarke Ballyvaughan Fanore Walking Club.

INAGH-KILNAMONA TRACTOR RUN RAISES ALMOST €17,000 The Inagh-Kilnamona Tractor Run committee would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who supported their recent Tractor Run and country music night. Special thanks to Davy Fitzgerald and Sinead Quinn for judging the dancing competition and to John and Sinead Rynne for all their support. Special thanks to all sponsors and supporters in helping to raise the grand total of €16,975 which was presented to Slainte an Chlair, Clare Cancer support.

Pictured is committee members (L-R) James Ginnane, Andrew Shannon, Johnny Cullinan, Nessa Sexton (Sláinte An Chláir), Garda Niamh Hanley-Keogh, Anne Davis, Fr Martin Shanahan, Brian Barry, (Kathleen Hegarty missing from photo).

DOOLIN DARTERS CROWNED CHAMPS

McDermotts Pub Doolin Darts Team crowned North Clare champions 2019. Pictured (l-r) Aidan Fitzgerald, Daryl McManamon, Pascal Flaherty, Pj Connaghan, Dean Burke, John McDonagh and John Flaherty.

KILRUSH

KILRUSH RFC CELEBRATION DAY On Sunday April 14 Kilrush Rugby Club will hold their Annual end of year Celebration in Memory of Frank Nolan, ex-Moneypoint Mechanical. The Under 13s will play Ennis RFC for Frank’s Cup @ 12 Noon in Monmore Rugby Pitch on the Doonbeg Road. This will be followed by a BBQ and Bouncy Castles for everyone. Please come along and support the teams, enjoy the Day, and feel free to bring any friends, or family member who might like to join Kilrush RFC next Season.

COMMUNITY 19

THURSDAY, APR 11 2019

Community TULLA

l READY TO PULL THE TRIGGER: Tulla Drama Group rehearsing for their upcoming play “Arsenic & Old Lace” written by the American Playwright Joseph Kesselring. The play will be performed for 4 nights at the Tulla Courthouse from Wednesday 10th until Saturday 13th of April, all shows starting at 8pm Photo by Roger Duff

ENNIS COLAISTE GIRLS SHOW PROMISE TWO Transition Year Students in Colaiste Muire are celebrating after they won 1st prize in two of the five categories of the Annual TY ‘Press Pass’ journalism awards.

Alice Larkin won first prise in the Sport Category and Rebecca Keane won first prise in the photojournalism section.

Alice’s article was a piece on Shane Dowling, Limerick hurler after winning the All Ireland - the judges praised Aoife for the different ‘angle’ she took on the article and joked about a Clare person writing an article about a Limerick Hurler.

Rebecca’s picture told a story about the difference in generations depicted by her granny’s hands, holding a set of rosary beads and her sister’s hands on a mobile phone – again she got a lot of praise from the judges for her image and the thought provoking nature of it.

Both Alice’s and Rebecca’s teachers (Mr. Richard Hayes & Ms. Kate Minogue) were present and very proud of their students.

CONTACT NEWSDESK

065 671 9021 news@clareecho.ie

of Ennis, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy.

Local group Socks in the Frying Pan will kick up the beat and from 1.30pm ‘Busking’ takes to the streets and will continue around Ennis town at various location till 3pm – please support the buskers – all funds going to TLC4CF to support services for people with Cystic Fibrosis in this region. Other special guests will feature on the day!

There will be 270 alumni in Ennis from 26 countries! From as far apart as Qatar, Australia to Switzerland and Estonia!

How can you get involved?

There will be five locations around the town of Ennis with a designated TLC4CF volunteers as your minder and money collector – so you can just jam and do your thing! Looking for Solo artists, small group, choirs, trad groups, Mad groups, dancers, jive, jazz– all artists welcome!!

Please email Erin with your availability tlc4cf@gmail.com and you will be allotted a time.

TY STAINED GLASS PROJECT Transition Year Students from Gaelcholáiste an Chláir, Inis, with ‘Corr Réisc na hInse / The Heron of Ennis’, one of three Stained Glass Lightboxes they produced for the Creative Engagement Project 2019. Students are pictured with Marie Connole (Art Teacher), Mary Hanley (NAPD), Brian O’Donoghue (Principal), Cian Ó Riordáin (Technology Teacher) and Ann Considine (Múinteoir i bhFheighil). Absent is Project Artist, Nathalie El Baba.

More information at www.creativeengagement.ie

EAST CLARE

HISTORY COMES TO LIFE AT CBS ENNIS Native Ennis artist and past pupil Mick O’Dea RHA revisited his alma mater, CBS Ennis recently. He gave a presentation on his work and presented prizes to pupils who completed history projects over a number of months. The history projects were based on their families involvement during WWI and/or the Revolutionary Period in Ireland.

Mick O’Dea RHA with (L to R) Isabelle Keane, Sofie Keane, Orlaith Coll, Ruarí O’Donnell and Lucy Shannon.

BUSKING BONANZA IN ENNIS Calling all musicians, dancers and singers!

Would you give an hour of your time to ‘Busk’ in Ennis??

All in aid of TLC4CF, Ennis will host the Up with People international Alumni meeting April 10-14 and the alumni have partnered with TLC4CF to celebrate 65 Roses week.

The event will launch at the courtyard of Temple Gate Hotel at 12:50pm. Up with People international alumni will open open the busking, following a welcome by the Mayor

O’CALLAGHAN MILLS GAA GOLF CLASSIC The annual O’Callaghans Mills GAA Club Golf Classic will be held on April 19-20 at the East Clare Golf Club in Bodyke to generate funds for the running and ongoing development work at the club.

This year will mark 22 years of the event.

The winning team will receive the Fr Connor McNamara Memorial Cup, as well as four by 5 Day Event Tickets to the Dubai Duty-Free Irish Open with full entry to the holder from the Pro-Am on Wednesday to the Final days play on Sunday.

2nd Prize will experience playing the Irish Open Championship course in Lahinch itself, with a Four-ball voucher for use anytime during 12 month period after the event has finished. 3rd Prize gets a four-ball voucher for Shannon Golf Club with lunch. Entry teams of 4 is €160.

Anybody wishing to enter a team contact club chairman Joe O’Gorman at 0877374877.

TJ McNamara chairmen of the Golf Classic, the 2 018 winning team with the Fr Connor McNamara Cup, Martin McKeogh, Liam Whitney and Michael McInerney and Club chairman Joe O’Gorman

20 COLUMNISTS

REELING IN THE YEARS

with Cian O’Broin

THURSDAY, APR 11 2019

Miriam O’Donohoe Join Miriam on her history tours to hidden locations of Clare

1978 H

TRAVELLING MUSICIANS IN CLARE Clare is a county laden with tradition. The bells of craic and custom chime as loudly as they did centuries ago. We take pride in the characters that pop up here every so often. Clare’s very own Tony MacMahon is a prime example. Tony is a traditional musician born in Ennis in 1939. He specialises in the button accordion.

In 1978, RTE ran a special entitled ‘Travelling Musicians’. Tony along with fellow musicians Barney McKenna and Micko Russell sit atop the steps of the O’Connell Monument, twisting and weaving their tunes to the delight of a series of onlookers. After a fantastic session, Tony takes a moment to address the crowd about something dear to his heart. “You always had the travelling musician that would come here…”, he admonishes with a nostalgic eye. “He would play all over Ennis… and these were men that were good players. It’s a tradition that is sadly dying today”.

Tony remembers the men that stayed at his house while he was a boy.

The effect they had on him as a young boy. His hope was to nourish this fading tradition in a very different Ireland. A time where emigration seemed inevitable, even to the most promising traditional musician.

Tony enjoyed an illustrious career with RTE. Tony has since bid his final farewell to the auspices of public performances, now at the age of eighty.

SCATTERY ISLAND’S LAST DWELLERS

Ireland, surrounded by water all on sides, contains 80 smaller island surround our homestay - just 20 of these remain inhabited to this day.

In 1978, Scattery Island off the coast of Kilrush said goodbye to its last remaining inhabitants. However, the remnants of community still survive to this very day. A row of houses opening onto a vacuous street, still leaves the lulls of lives once lived.

Patty McMahon and her brother Austin were the last two individuals to take to the mainland. The landscape tells a tale of islanders sustaining themselves with the ardent demands of agriculture and fishing. Second names native to Clare made up the heart of the community. Amongst them were Brennans, Hehirs, McMahons, Morans and Griffins.

Looking at the etymology of the island, Scattery or Scatt derives from the Nordic word for ‘treasure’. Essentially, a real-life treasure island.

Vikings laid claim to the island in the 10th century until Brian Boru took measures into his own hands, slaying Ivar of Limerick in 977. The island also accommodatPic courtesy Clare County Council ed a British defence camp during the Napoleonic wars. Past wartime afflictions mar the island despite the scholastic grandeur of monastic settlement scattered around the island.

MICHAEL D HIGGINS APPOINTED LABOUR CHAIRMAN Michael D. Higgins originally of County Limerick was sent to his uncle and aunts house in Newmarket on Fergus at the age of four, following the decline in health of his father. Michael often speaks of the difficulty of living in rural Clare in his youth. From a young age to now, Mr. Higgins enjoyed a longstanding career in politics.

In 1978, he was appointed Labour Party Chairman which enabled him to gain a firm footing in politics. At the time he was a lecturer at University College Galway. His initiation at the forefront of legislation had humble beginnings. He landed in Galway in 1960 as a clerk in the ESB. He enrolled in UCG two years later. His first taste for political matters came when he was elected chairman of UCG Fianna Fail. At the time in 1978, Higgins vocalised his distaste for coalitions and commended its rationality in terms of adopting socialist parties. Issues such as jobs, housing, healthcare, environment and culture rested at the top of his agenda. Even today, he frequents the public with his progressive ideologies.

Come back next week as we cast out our hook and reel in the final year of the seventies, who knows it could be a big catch… Until Then!

The incredible story of St Colman...

I ALL,

On a recent visit to Galway, I decided to stop in Kinvara for a coffee. The restaurant offered an outside seating area which captured the delightful view of the 16th century Dunguaire castle, elevated on a rocky outcrop on the shores of Galway bay. As the seating area was crowded, I offered a vacant chair at my table to a sweet elderly woman and her weary looking Chihuahua.

Straight away we struck up a conversation, as she asked “Are you from around these parts?”

Not far, I replied pointing west, just the other side of the Burren mountains in a little valley called Glancolmcille.

“Sure, you must be familiar with the legend of King Guaire and the road of the dishes so,” she proclaimed. Yes I had heard of this tale, but couldn’t recall the details. “Well,” she announced...

Back in the early 7th century there was a hermit by the name of Colman Mac Duach who was born in Kiltartan near Gort, son of an Irish chieftain. Unlike his cousin who earned his claim to the Connacht throne, Colman chose to live as Christian monk on Inishmore. After a number of years, both he and his servant relocated to Slieve Carron in the Burren where in a wooded escarpment of great natural beauty, sheltered by the plateau of Eagles Rock, they both found a spiritual oasis.

Here Colman built a small wooden chapel where for seven long years they devoted their life to spiritual reflection. Their only food was watercress, coarse barley, bread and wild herbs, and for refreshment, the pure crystal spring water which rippled from the mountain to form a small spring well which is thought to have a cure for sore eyes and back pain. This natural spring is now called St Colman’s well.

Here they lived with only the song of forest birds and the music of the mountain streams.

As Easter Sunday approached it signalled the end of lent, which for the servant couldn’t come half fast enough. He looked dishevelled as the 40 day fasting and abstinence had taken its

l HISTORICAL: St Colman’s Holy Well in the Burren

toll on his health. Colman on the other hand had great willpower but was very aware of his friend’s difficulty, hence he included in his prayer a request for his helper’s intentions to be granted. He prayed, “Let this poor child be fed, and fed well, if it be thy will”. Little did Colman know but at that moment a few miles away, a prayer was being said by the generous King Guaire of Dunguaire castle, as follows: “If any in my kingdom are more in need than I, then I pray they have this bounty to sustain them, and welcome”.

Colman’s imploration floated above the Burren mountains where it combined with those of Guaire’s and resulted in both prayers being answered at once.

Succeeding this request, the tables in the banquet hall at Dunguaire began to shake, the plates of food rose, one after the other over the heads of the diners and out the window.

It was an amazing sight to observe as King Guaire and his troops raced down the stairs in all their finery shouting for horses and hounds. “Onwards, Onwards” roared Guaire. The people of Kinvara ran for cover as the charge of wild and colourful horsemen streamed through the town. Onwards flew the dishes across the Clare border until they came to the base of Slieve Carron [via the N67 and 1014] where they reached a track. Up ahead they could see the dishes drifting lower over the crag where they landed at the base of Eagles Rock. King Guaire spotted two silhouettes who appeared deep in prayer.

One by one the vessels landed

before what the king thought were sorcerers, thus ordering his troops to seize them. No sooner had he given the word, the hooves of the horses and paws of the hounds stuck to the limestone pavement beneath them.It was only then that King Guaire recognized the face of the monk that of his cousin.

At that very moment, the king dismounted and embraced his cousin. Guaire realised it was his own prayer that had inspired the dishes to take flight.

At Colman’s request King Guaire and his men joined them for a feast to celebrate. No finer banquet was ever known this side of the Burren, served up with the best sauce of all, hunger.

Later that day King Guaire told Colman that he could have any area of land he choose in which to build a monastery. Next day, Colman set off walking in the direction of Kinvara, leaving the exact location of his decision in the hands of God. As he reached Kilmacduagh near the town of Gort his belt fell to the ground, seeing this as a sign he chose that spot to build his Abbey. To this day the road, Bothar na Mias [road of the dishes], the crescent indents of the horses’ hooves, a later 10th century stone oratory, St Colman’s well and the cave where Colman and his faithful servant took shelter can still be seen at the foot of Slieve Carron.

What a lovely story! I thanked the lady for sharing it with me as we both finished our coffee and went our separate ways.Yet again I value your company and hope you will join me again.

PS: As with all historical sites, take nothing but memories, leave nothing but footprints.

Doing up the home?

Interior design and renovations can be daunting - so we bring you five tips before visiting the Quin Road

1

Fail to prepare, prepare to fail: Don’t go hell for leather into ripping your home apart without taking the time to really consider what you want.

Sit down with your partner (and kids if you have them) to see what your family really needs from the nest.

Do you really need that second

5

Ommmmm: Your home should be sitting room? Is it really a good idea to colour theme can really add a touch your haven. A refuge from the outside put the kids’ playroom next to your chill of class to your home. Keep paint world where all your daily stresses melt space? muted and add a pop of colour to away. So with this in mind, try and creyour soft furnishings. Think ivory ate a space in your home where you Ask around: Similarly, it’s walls throughout and dot teal cushalways a good idea to get ions, lamps and blankets in different can totally chill out.

Treat yourself to a ginormous bathtub, or a quote from a few different rooms around your home. why not make yourself a little meditation spot? contractors. Get some recommendations from friends rather Go for quality: It’s all well than hiring a company you have never and good picking up a cheap Dunnes heard of. flat pack cabinet that will do Clare Stores Where possible, go with a local conthe job for a few years, but Mart QUIN tractor. They need the business and it doesn’t take a genius to the money will go back in to your local figure out that you are better off to area. Stick with your head rather than invest in something that will stand ENNIS your heart and if an offer seems too the test of time. Investing in a few QUIN ROAD good to be true, it definitely is. quality pieces will save you money BUSINESS in the long run and they will age a lot PARK Theme it up: For that expen- better, too. sive interior design feel, try to keep a constant theme going throughout your home. Something as simple as a constant Parking is free at Quin Road Business Park

2 3

4

LIMERICK

T

HE Quin Road Business Park is the quintessential stop for all your home interior needs - but before diving into splashing out on a beautiful table or luxurious curtains you’ll need to consider what will suit your home.

It’s always worth starting out by browsing what’s on offer before returning to the drawing board. Here are five tips well worth following when shopping for your home at the Quin Road Business Park.

22 QUIN RD BUSINESS PARK

Over 70 years of experience under one roof

W

ith branches in 23 locations throughout Ireland, Kellihers Electrical are Ireland’s largest electrical wholesaler, providing excellent service and price to both trade and the public.

“We are extremely proud of our tradition of being 1 of Irelands largest and most successful electrical wholesalers, and we stay committed to keeping all our customers new and old satisfied as best we can” explained Pat Murphy Branch Manager of Kellihers Ennis and Limerick. From their modern showroom on the Quin Road, Kellihers can showcase their wide selection of products and services, which is just one step that the staff and management have taken to broaden their appeal.

One of Kellihers most valuable selling points, and something that has been central to their success, is the fact that they can sell domestic retail products at a wholesale price. “Our customers always come 1st in Kellihers” explained Michael O’Neill. “Ever since the company started operating back in 1936 in Tralee Co. Kerry customer service has been key and we are delighted to say it remains the same today”. Their range of products include, Datacomm Products from Nexans Cabling Solutions, Lighting from LUG, Philips, Disano, Robus, NVC, and of course their own very Popular brand of lighting REXEL. - Internal and External, Cable, Panduit, MCB Switchgear, Heating and Ventilation, Panels, Bakelite (i.e. switches and sockets), and a large stock of Tools.

Kellihers Electrical also stock an extensive range of lighting and heating products for all applications. “In this age of eco-awareness we also stock an extensive range of eco-friendly lighting products that will last longer, save you time and ultimately keep your money where it belongs – in your pocket!!!” explained Kellihers newest employee on the road Sales Representative Bernard Carroll. “Value for money and a quality service are two key elements to any successful business. Without either the likelihood is that customers will be tempted to take their trade elsewhere. Experience is another vital ingredient in the mix” Bernard added. My role within Kellihers is to provide our customers with the best solution for their needs, I work closely with the Customer to understand their requirements and ultimately offer them the best value in the market” LED Lighting and EV Charging are ever more popular, And with the upcoming “Energy Grant” available from SEAI our customers can avail of even better value. There are many special offers available in store and Kellihers are extremely competitive when it comes to pricing. Everyone would like to buy their products at wholesale prices, and at Kelliher’s, you can do just that.

Kellihers Electrical is open to the general public at its modern showroom on the Quin Road from Monday- Friday, 8.00am-5.00pm and Saturdays from 9am-12pm Contact Bernard Carroll – 087-3934544 or bernard.carroll@rexel.ie

QUIN RD BUSINESS PARK

All your Tech needs A T Tech Depot we provide all kinds of IT support & networking expert services for business to Business & home customers.

Our team of tech professionals provide ultimate support for your gaming PC & gadgets, with complete gaming accessories, all kinds of programming & installation assistance on all kinds of software.

We have widest & latest range of personal computers, laptops & smart phones ready to shop. An array of laser & colour printing solutions. Services & maintenance is available with the smartest ideas in town to repair your devices. We stock a large range of black & colour ink cartridges & toner cartridges as well for all kinds of printers. Our technicians hold an expertise

in ideal till systems for all scales of businesses along with best & quickest professional Data Recovery Solutions in town.

Whether you want game installation assistance, help configuring your system settings, need to get any device repaired, or need assistance with driver updates, we’re here for you to take away all your tech related problems with highly trained technicians within minutes. Professional call out services whenever you need us, wherever you need us.

We are proud providers of Clare’s biggest tech support accessories and gadgets. Answers to all your tech needs, all under one roof. You name it & we have it. Visit us at your nearest location for best tech solutions & services in Clare.

l WHATEVER YOU NEED: TechDepot supply a great range of stock from laptops to printers.

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24 QUIN RD BUSINESS PARK

Absolute Cordless Vacuum

E

NNIS Electrical are delighted to offer customers the all new Dyson V11 Absolute™ vacuum cleaner.

Twice the suction of any cord-free vacuum, this is Dyson’s most powerful ever. An integrated digital motor spins the brush bar up to 60 times a second. Stiff nylon bristles drive deep into carpet to remove ground-in dirt. Soft, anti-static carbon fibre filaments capture dust from hard floors and crevices.

It intelligently optimises power and run time to deep clean carpets and hard floors. The High Torque cleaner head activates a Dynamic Load Sensor system (DLS). DLS monitors brush bar resistance 360 times a second to detect the floor type and automatically optimise the suction for either carpets or hard floors.

The Dyson v11 Absolute intelligently reports performance in real time. The screen displays selected power mode, remaining run time, filter maintenance reminders and blockage reports. It also has up to 60 minutes of powerful floor cleaning, offering the right balance of run time and power to deep clean all around the home.

It also contains an additional cleaner head engineered for delicate hard floors.

The soft roller cleaner-head has soft nylon and anti-static fibre so it’s gentle on hard floors but tough on dirt.

A Wand storage clip handily stores the Combination and Crevice tools on the wand of your vacuum, while a wall-mounted Dock recharges your vacuum and tidily store tools.

For any Dyson enquiries or all your home and business electrical needs, call into Ennis Electrical at the Quin Road Business Park or at their other premises on Parnell Street in Ennis.

26 QUIN RD BUSINESS PARK

10 years in service

S

OMETHING for everyone...Peppermill, Quin Road Business Park, Ennis The Peppermill is open from 7am, 7 days a week serving breakfast, soup and sandwiches and delicious hot lunches throughout the day.

The restaurant is recommended by top food guides including Taste of Ireland, and the breakfasts are famous.

With plenty of free parking and a relaxed atmosphere it is the perfect place for a hassle free, satisfying lunch, and a great place to take a break after a morning of shopping at the Quin Road Industrial Estate. From free WiFi to family friendly dining the Peppermill is ideal for a family or a working lunch. The Peppermill have now been open for over 10 years.

The Clare Echo can also personally recommend the highly popular Peppermill – we’re particularly big fans of the Roast Beef Ciabatta!

QUIN RD BUSINESS PARK

ESCAPE ROOMS COME TO ENNIS

A

N escape room, also known as an “escape game”, is a physical adventure game in which a group of players solve a series of puzzles and riddles using clues, hints, and strategy to complete the objective of the room’s theme.

The Escape Game Experience is the ultimate team activity. Our rooms are used by corporate groups, sports teams, and groups of family and friends who are looking for something different to do together. Step into an immersive world where you have to use your wits, brain-power, and creative thinking.

At Escape Rooms Ennis, all of our rooms are designed around Irish History & Folk-

lore. You won’t find rooms like these anywhere else!

FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED Escape Rooms Ennis was dreamed up by creative couple Connor & Sarah Donovan.

They wanted to combine their love of Escape Games with a way to share Irish Folklore and History with visitors. Whether you are Irish, or just passing through, our games are designed to delight and entertain everyone!

Escape Rooms Ennis, Unit 7, Block B, Quin Road Business Park, Ennis, Co. Clare V95 E161 (shares an entrance with Banner Martial Arts & Fitness) Tel: (353) 89 440 2259, Email:

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30 QUIN RD BUSINESS PARK

Spring clean with Clean Ireland Recycling

C

LEAN Ireland Recycling, Ireland’s most innovative environmentally friendly waste management operator wants to help you clean up this spring! The Big Ben’s Bag from Clean Ireland Recycling offers householders a low-cost alternative to conventional skips.

Advantages of “Big Ben’s Bag” are as follows: l Low cost of disposal. l It comes neatly packaged in a small plastic bag that can be obtained from any of our offices. l Use it when you want to, just contact us when it’s full. l Clean Ireland Recycling uses specially designed trucks with long reach cranes offering much more flexibility to you the customer. l Price includes Collection and Disposal.

“Big Ben’s Bags” are available for FREE in any of our offices in Ennis, Limerick, Shannon or Cree.

If you already have a “Big Ben’s Bag”, please complete the order form online @ www.cleanireland.ie and we will arrange collection within 7 days.

Irelands' Greenest Waste Management Fleet - running on low carbon Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) www.cleanireland.ie • 1890 361 800

BUSINESS 31

THURSDAY, APR 11 2019

BUSINESS

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

Young learners ‘Moving On’

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INAL year learners from Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board’s Youthreach provision in County Clare and Clare Youth Service (CYS) took part in a careers information seminar entitled ‘Moving On’ in the Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis.

This half-day seminar has been taking place annually since 2014 and aims to provide guidance and support to those preparing to embark in further education and training or employment. 40 participants from each of the ETB’s 3 Further Education and Training Centres offering Youthreach provision in Clare (Clonroad Campus, Ennis; Tuamgraney Campus

and Kilrush Campus) as well as learners from Clare Youth Service attended with centre managers and staff.

Eddie Keane, co-ordinator, Mid-Clare Youthreach, was MC for the seminar.

The seminar programme included presentations from ETB Further Education and Training Assistant Managers, Bernie Harten and Martin Cournane; Past learners Benjamin Rees and Emmet Casey; Paul Madden, Proprietor and Manager of the Temple Gate Hotel; Deirdre Aherne, Recruitment Officer, FET Centre, Shannon Campus; Rachael Dunne-Lambe, Youth Information Officer, Clare Youth Service and Cillian Keane, Fitness Instructor and Motivational Speaker.

LCETB join up with farmers...

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IMERICK and Clare Education and Training Board and the Irish Farmers’ Association have just announced the delivery of an innovative pilot course for people who are interested in working in farming. The new part-time course called ‘Preparing for Work in Agriculture’ will be delivered from mid-April through the local ETB’s Back to Education Initiative provision and will run initially in West Clare.

Based in Kilrush, it’s hoped the pilot will attract learners from the surrounding areas. Combining classroom and farm-based learning, the course will cover: Safety and Health on the Farm, Basic First Aid, Manual Handling and Good Farm Practice.

l LEARNING EXPERIENCE: Jamie Kearse, Rachel Daly, Michael Kelly, Cian Daly and Tamara Ryan, Work Experience programme at Youth Service CTC at the LCETB’s ‘Moving On’ Seminar held at the Temple Gate Hotel

For more, contact the Back To Education Initiative Office in the Further Education & Training Centre, Clonroad on 065 6824819 or email: michael.j.ryan@ lcetb.ie.

32 BUSINESS

THURSDAY, APR 11 2019

BUSINESS

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

Care to Make a Difference?

Career in home care calls for people of Clare

H We’re looking for compassionate and caring people to light up the lives of local seniors Join Ireland’s largest non-medical home care provider and work across County Clare

We Offer: • Competitive pay • CAREGiver support • Smart scheduling

Drop into our office for a chat between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday: Unit 16 First Floor, Roslevan Shopping Centre, Ennis Or contact us at the details below:

HomeInstead.ie/Become-a-CAREGiver 065 679 7507

clarejobs@homeinstead.ie PRINT DEADLINE Copy will not be accepted after Tuesday at noon.

Email sales@clareecho.ie for enquiries

OME Instead Senior Care in Clare wants to talk to people with an interest in home care, who would like to join its growing team. This well-known home care company, which already employs more than 4,000 CAREGivers nationwide, is expanding fast, and is inviting applications from people who want to make a difference in the lives of older people.

Home Instead’s dedicated CAREGivers carry out tremendous work in local communities all over County Clare, where they help senior citizens and people with disabilities to live independently in their homes. They provide busy families with peace of mind in the knowledge that their loved ones are being looked after by professional CAREGivers, who provide support to older people.

Home Instead is a preferred care provider for the Health Service Executive (HSE) and supplies home care packages on behalf of the HSE throughout County Clare. The Home Instead brand is recognised nationally and globally, which means that the training and experience you get can be carried all over the country or indeed the world.

Home Instead offers competitive pay rates, flexible scheduling and opportunities to earn supplemental income.

CAREGiving with Home Instead is a genuinely rewarding job, a great way to meet new people, and suited to people from a range of backgrounds.

Call Home Instead Clare on 065 679 7507, email clarejobs@homeinstead.ie or apply directly online at HomeInstead.ie/Become-a-Caregiver

Price reductions at Specsavers

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ESIGNER frames at Specsavers are now available from a new, lower price of just €129, so customers can get their favourite looks for less.

Already renowned for classic, modern and stylish designs at affordable prices, Specsavers has made designer collections from French Connection, Converse and Jeff Banks available at the reduced price of €129, previously €149.

From the sophisticated designs of Jeff Banks, classic styles

by French Connection, through to the modern-contemporary collection from Converse, Specsavers’ designer ranges include the latest styles from some of the most fashionable names around. Now available at a lower price of €129, this makes Specsavers the destination of choice for designer specs.

French Connection, Converse and Jeff Banks collections can be picked up for €129 in Specsavers stores nationwide.

For more information, visit www.specsavers.ie.

Beautiful homes all over the County UNLOCK YOUR DREAM

F 3 CLUAIN ROS LEAMHAIN, ROSLEVAN Contact: Patricia McCarthy & Associates Main St, Newmarket, Newmarket on Fergus, Co. Clare Tel: 061 476 276 P.S.L No: 002601

Property

ANTASTIC location just a 15 minute walk to Ennis town centre and within 0.5 km from the Ennis by-pass.

Built c. 2008 this property has an ultra modern decor which includes porcelain tiling / wooden flooring throughout. The accommodation comprises of livingroom, kitchen/ dining, guest W.C., 3 bedrooms, ensuite bathroom and main bathroom.

Driveway parking for two cars. Fully enclosed rear garden. Not overlooked at the front. Natural gas central heating.

M

1 BALLYCASEY PARK, SHANNON TOP FLOOR APARTMENT FANTASTIC INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY – GROSS RETURN OF C. €9,000 PER ANNUM.

€215,000

AN INCREASE ON AVERAGE RENT IN CLARE

ONDAY, 01 April 2019: According to the latest Rent Index from the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB), in the October-December period (Q4) of 2018, the standardised national average rent of tenancies in County Clare was €628, up from €601 (+€27) one year earlier and down €14 on the previous quarter (Q3 2018).

The standardised national average rent was €1,134 per month, up from €1,061 one year earlier (€73 increase). Conversely, on a quarter-on-quarter basis, rental price inflation dropped from 2.3% in Q3 2018, down to - 0.3% in Q4 2018. This marks the first quarter since Q1 2017 that the standardised average rent has fallen relative to the previous quarter.

The RTB Rent Index, which is compiled in conjunction with the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), is the authoritative guide to the Irish rental market. It is based on actual rents paid on 17,830 tenancies registered with the RTB in the quarter.

Based on the rental data of the latest Rent Index, two additional LEAs meet the designation criteria for rent pressure zones; Navan in County Meath and Limerick City East. The RTB have confirmed to the Minster that these two LEAs meet the RPZ criteria. Following designation as an RPZ, rent increases in these areas are limited to a maximum rent increase of 4% per annum (see here to view new RPZ map locations).

Commenting on the latest Rent Index results, Rosalind Carroll, Director of the Residential Tenancies Board said; “The Rent Index has now provided us

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PARTMENT living at its best wonderful light filled one bedroom apartment, ideally located with local amenities and bus stops on the doorstep, just a stone s throw from the Sky Court shopping centre and industrial estate. The apartment is particularly spacious (c. 68 sq. m) - there is an open plan livingroom / diningroom - with gas coal effect fire opening to fully fitted kitchen, the spacious bedroom has built in wardrobes.

with important data that enables a decision to be taken on designating two new Rent Pressure Zones to be set for the Local Electoral Areas of Limerick City East and Navan. These are the first Rent Pressure Zones to be designated since September 2017. This is important for landlords and tenants as it means that rents in these Local Electoral Areas will be limited to rises of a maximum of 4% annually.

This should help moderate rents in these areas. We would encourage both landlords and tenants to contact us for more information on their rights and obligations and we will be rolling out a targeted information campaign in these areas over the coming weeks.

Looking back over the 2018 year, we have seen another year with continued pressures in the market and continued rent inflation, with rents now 15% higher nationally than the peak in 2007, and 25% higher in the Dublin market. We have seen some moderation in the market in the last two quarters, we would hope with more supply coming on stream and the RTB getting more regulatory powers that we will see further easing of rent inflation in 2019” The Dublin Market and the Cities Dublin’s rental market continues to be the largest in the country in Q4 2018, accounting for nearly two-in-five new tenancies that were registered with the RTB. The standardised average rent in Dublin stood at €1,650, up from €1,530 one year earlier. This represents a 7.8% annual increase in rent in the capital. However, the standard average rent was slightly lower in quarter 4 compared to quarter 3, going from €1663 to €1650

€120,000

Contact: Patricia McCarthy & Associates Main St, Newmarket, Newmarket on Fergus, Co. Clare Tel: 061 476 276 P.S.L No: 002601

P.S.R.A. Licence No. 001044

Thinking of Selling, Letting or Purchasing Property?

Confused by Legislation?

Leave the headaches to us Contact us today

Property Sales, Lettings, Block Management & Valuations Contact us today on:

 065 682 4343 |  info@quinnproperty.com  Unit 4 Quin Road Business Park, Ennis, Co. Clare

PSL #001044

34

PROPERTY

THURSDAY, APR 11 2019

(down lighting). Recess lighting, oven, stainless steel sink with chrome mixer tap, plumbing for dishwasher & fridge freezer.

Utility 2.08m (6’10”) x 2.14m (7’0”) Fully fit out offering ample wall & base units along with ample worktop space. Plumbed for washing machine & dryer, tiled flooring, upvc door to rear & door to wc WC 2.06m (6’9”) x 1.04m (3’5”) Low level wc, whb, tiled flooring, window, vent & chrome fittings.

Bedroom 1/Office 4.65m (15’3”) x 2.08m (6’10”) Dual aspect room, tiled flooring, ample tv & phone points.

Landing Carpet flooring, hotpress housing immersion tank & shelving, access to additional attic storage, doors to main bathroom & bedrooms.

10 GORT LEAMHAN, ROSLEVAN, Located in the popular development of Gort Leamhé¡n, Master Bedroom En-suite 4m (13’1”) x 3.01m (9’11”) Roslevan, less than 500 metres to the Ennis M18 Bypass ENNIS, CO. CLARE Spacious double bedroom, floor to ceiling fitted ward(exit 13). Minutes walk to the Roslevan Shopping Cenrobes, carpet flooring, tv points, blinds & fittings.

FFERING the ultimate in luxurious fittings and tre, all local amenities and a twenty-minute walk to town En-suite 2.04m (6’8”) x 0.09m (4”) finish this superbly built property is presented centre.

Low-level wc, whb with overhead electric shaver light for sale with an enviable interior design finish.

Entrance Hall 5.01m (16’5”) x 2m (6’7”) & wall mounted mirror, fitted shower tray with overhead Location Location are delighted to present Solid teak entrance door with glass panelling, cream electric shower, foldaway glass panel shower door, tiled this contemporary property, extending to 142.09 tiled flooring, carpeted stairs to first floor & solid wood floor & wet areas, electric vent & chrome fittings. sqm (1529 sq ft) this home offers stylish and modern doors with glass panelling to principal rooms.

Bedroom 3 5.05m (16’7”) x 2.06m (6’9”) living quarters and presents an ideal opportunity for Livingroom 6m (19’8”) x 3.07m (10’1”) Large double room with feature bay front aspect window, anyone seeking a home or investment property. It’s very A bright & spacious living room with semi solid oak carpet flooring, loor to ceiling fitted wardrobes, blind & rare a house of this standard comes to the open market. flooring, solid wood surround feature fireplace with cast fittings.

10 Gort Leamhé¡n is a five bedroom family home that is iron insert & polished marble flag with integrated gas fire Bedroom 4 4.31m (14’2”) x 3.01m (9’11”) presented for sale in impeccable condition. Upon entering unit. Ideal family living with glass feature connecting leadLarge double dual aspect room, carpet flooring, blind & viewers will be instantly impressed by the superb finish ing to kitchen-dining, large front aspect bay window, tv fittings. & fittings, accommodtion comprising of an entrance hall, point, blinds & recess lighting.

Bedroom 5 livingroom connecting to open plan kitchen/dining area Kitchen-Dining 5.09m (16’8”) x 3.33m (10’11”) Single room, carpet flooring, blinds & fittings. with sliding doors to rear east facing garden, utility & wc.

A modern kitchen provides a spacious cooking and Main Bathroom 2.04m (6’8”) x 1.83m (6’0”) The first floor has three double bedrooms, one single with prep area, offering a combination of separate dining with Contemporary bathroom, tiled to the highest standard master en-suite, main bathroom & access to attic. access to rear garden. Maple shaker fitted kitchen with incorporating low level wc, whb, bath with electric shower ample base & wall units, breakfast counter, with addition- & fold away glass door, tiled floor & wet areas, mirror & Contact: Location Location, Unit 2, Summerhill, Market Place, Ennis al base storage & generous worktop space. Cream tiled glass shelving.

Tel: 065 68 23718 flooring & splashback, 5 ring gas hob & feature extractor

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€245,000

MOTORING

MOTORING EXPERT NEIL BRISCOE GIVES HIS VIEWS

SEAT’S SEVEN-SEATER TAKES THE FAMILY SUV PRIZE SEAT TARRACO SEATS SEVEN (JUST), LOOKS SMART, AND IS GOOD VALUE

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SEAT TARRACO

NE shouldn’t judge things on looks, of course. We’re supposed to be above such shallowness, but it’s hard not to. We’re humans after all, and just as we love it when food or clothes or people are nice to look at, so it is with cars.

If I were to call something the best looking SUV around, you might take that as damning with faint praise. After all, once you get past big and blocky, there’s usually not much to say about an SUV, any SUV. Seat’s Tarraco, though? Well, it’s certainly a bit more handsome than the norm. As always with Seat, it’s closely related to the two other VW Group mid-size seven seat SUVs that we already know; the VW Tiguan Allspace and the Skoda Kodiaq. In fact, looking at the two cars from side-on, you might find it difficult to tell the Kodiaq and the Tarraco apart. Up front, though, the two are very different. While the Skoda’s face is flat and a bit plain, the Seat’s is much more sculpted.

It’s really nice.

As with both its VW Group stablemates, the Tarraco gets a long wheelbase (2.7-metres between the front and rear wheels) which means you can get an extra set of folding seats in the boot, making seats for seven.

Well, almost. As is common among seven-seat SUVs, the rear-most seats are more theoretical than actual when it comes to space. There’s not much real room back there, so it’s smallest family members only.

On the upside, space in the front and middle rows is excellent (and if you really care about space for seven, Seat’s still-impressive Alhambra seven seat MPV is still on sale…).

You don’t have to have the Tarraco with

seven seats, mind. If boot space is your thing (and that boot is pretty enormous, mind. Even with the extra seats, once you’ve folded them flat you’ve got 700-litres to play with) you can have the big Seat as a five seater. The downside is that means that the extra seats are a €1,000 option, which seems a little pricey considering some rivals give you seven seats as standard.

That said, the Tarraco is actually pretty good value for money. Basic SE models are more expensive than the cheapest Kodiaq (a car I keep mentioning quite simply because the two are so closely matched) but the Seat’s starting point is effectively one spec level higher, so it evens out when you start counting equipment.

As standard, that equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, a digital instrument panel, those LED headlights, cruise control, a rear parking camera, emergency braking, three-zone climate control, and a big eight-inch infotainment touchscreen, which looks rather smart and which has a sort of ‘semi-floating’ effect, compared to the Ateca’s more inset screen.

The big screen is a nice touch, actually, and the way it stands slightly proud of the dashboard adds a little extra class to what is a very nice cabin. No, there’s nothing ground breaking nor excitingly new in here, but it’s well-made, roomy, and very comfortable.

As we’ve so often found in the past with Seats, it’s also the best car of the VW Group models to drive. Just as the Leon hatchback has sharper, more pleasant steering than even that of the mighty Golf, so it proves here — the Tarraco, by mid-size SUV standards, is pretty decent to drive, with good body control and good cornering ability.

It’s really only let down by an urban ride that’s a touch too firm.

It’s also one of the safest cars you can buy.

According to EuroNCAP, the only comparable SUV that scores better in crash tests

is the Volvo XC60, and that only by a single percentage point.

The 2.0-litre 190hp TDI diesel engine fitted to our test car might be becoming a touch unfashionable, but it’s still a good engine. Refinement is excellent, and it’s not bad on the economy front either (although it gets very thirsty around town). The only issue we have is with low-speed performance, where the engine has a touch too much low-rpm sleepiness, which makes tight junctions or flowing roundabouts trickier than they ought to be.

Still, this is a very polished performance from Seat, and it’s arguably the best of the three mid-size VW Group SUVs. Better looking and better to drive than the Skoda, and much better value than the Tiguan.

You should never judge on looks alone, but thankfully the Tarraco lives up to its styling.

FACTS & FIGURES Model tested: Seat Tarraco 2.0 TDI 190 DSG 4Drive Xcellence Pricing: €59,014 as tested; Tarraco starts at €34,700 Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel Transmission: seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, four-wheel drive Body style: five-door, five- or seven-seat SUV CO2 emissions: 196g/km* (Band C €390 per annum) Combined economy: 40-37mpg (7.07.6 litres/100km) Top speed: 210km/h 0-100km/h: 8.0 seconds Power: 190hp at 3,500-4,000rpm Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-3,250rpm Boot space: five-seat - 720 litres (rear seats up), 2,000 litres (rear seats down); seven-seat - 230 litres (all seats up), 700 litres (five seats up), 1,775 litres (all rear seats down) Safety: EuroNCAP rating for Seat Tarraco: five-stars; 97 per cent adult, 84 per cent child; 79 per cent pedestrian; 79 per cent safety assist

Whatever tool we use, we always use our nut.

Every mechanic has the right tools.

What you want is the right technician.

That’s exactly what you get with a ŠKODA Service. Technical expertise from world-class technicians who live and breathe ŠKODA.

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

Tel: 065 682 2400 • www.alhayesskoda.ie

proudly supporting

MOTORING

MOTORING EXPERT NEIL BRISCOE GIVES HIS VIEWS

NISSAN UNVEILS IMQ CONCEPT WITH RADICAL HYBRID SYSTEM

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NISSAN’S NEW HYBRID NEVER NEEDS TO BE PLUGGED-IN

ISSAN has unveiled the all-new IMQ concept vehicle, an advanced technology and design showcase that signals the direction of the next generation of crossovers.

Unveiled at the Geneva International Motor Show, the IMQ seamlessly blends Japanese heritage with state-of-the-art, human-centric technology. It incorporates the latest innovations that bring to life Nissan Intelligent Mobility, the brand’s vision for the future of automotive transportation. Its styling reflects Nissan’s role as a pioneer and leader in crossovers, with a striking look that pushes the boundaries of what a European crossover can be.

At the heart of the IMQ is the next generation of e-POWER, a 100 per cent electric motor drive system that delivers instant, linear acceleration. It has been further developed from the e-POWER technology

currently available in the best-selling Nissan Note and Serena models in Japan. In the IMQ, it delivers a total output of 250 kilowatts and 700 Nm of torque.

This high output is channeled through a new multi-motor all-wheel-drive system, delivering precise and independent control of each wheel. The combination of e-POWER and AWD is ideal for low-grip conditions, such as the snowy alpine roads outside Geneva. Because the batteries of the IMQ are never designed to be plugged in, there’s a 1.5-litre petrol engine on board, which runs at a fuel-saving constant speed, to keep those batteries charged up. Nissan claims that the system is much more economical, and has much lower emissions, than a conventional hybrid system.

The IMQ offers additional insights into Nissan’s technology vision. It’s equipped with an advanced prototype version of Nis-

san’s ProPILOT driving assistance system which can offer enhanced autonomous driving capability. The model also features Nissan’s Invisible-to-Visible technology, unveiled in January 2019 at the CES trade show.

The IMQ marks a bold new direction in Nissan’s design language. It builds on the Nissan badge, integrated into the V-motion grille, which has been given a deliberately more subtle execution. The grille blends vertically into the hood and horizontally with the front bumper to create strong corners at the outer edges. The hood features striking chrome-edged cuts as the fender rises from the wheel arches and tucks under the central section.

Everything about the IMQ’s interior is focused on the driver. This is demonstrated by the graphical user interface, dominated by an 840-millimeter screen embedded in the

instrument panel. It’s completely black - like a smartphone - when powered down, but when powered up, it comes to life to provide e-POWER status and other vehicle information. Further use of the black lamellas is always visible behind the screen.

A smaller, secondary screen above the centre console hosts the IMQ’s Virtual Personal Assistant. It enhances the driving experience by controlling vehicle functions, such as navigation, in response to input from the driver.

The steering wheel is ergonomically shaped to put the driver in a relaxed position and to maximise the visibility of the instrument panel. Advanced, “soft-touch” paddle shift-style functionality is built into the back of the wheel.

New

Renault KADJAR Escape to Real

All-New petrol engine from €229 per month With 3 Years’ Servicing €1,000 Cashback Model shown: New Kadjar Play TCe 140 GPF. RRP €26,995 (excluding metallic paint €575). Finance example: New KADJAR Play TCe 140 GPF. RRP €26,995. Deposit €9,475. Term 36 monthly payments of €229. APR 3.9%. Total cost of credit €1,591 inc fees of €150. Optional final payment €10,717. Includes 3-year service plan. Offer exclusive to Renault Bank. Excess mileage plus excess wear-and-tear charges may apply upon return of vehicle. Offer is made under a hire purchase agreement. Subject to lending criteria. Terms and conditions apply. See Renault.ie [Warning: You will not own these goods until the final payment is made.] Renault Bank is a trading name of RCI Banque Branch Ireland and is authorised and regulated by the French banking authority and supervised by the Central Bank for conduct of business purposes. Offer available at participating Renault dealers.

HOGAN MOTORS ENNIS Gort Road, Ennis, Co. Clare Tel 065 6821704 www.hoganmotorsennis.ie

Book a 24-hour test drive

MOTORING

MOTORING EXPERT NEIL BRISCOE GIVES HIS VIEWS

‘IMAGINE BY KIA’ CONCEPT PREVIEWS LUXURIOUS KOREAN ELECTRIC CARS

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NEW CONCEPT COULD BECOME KIA’S RIVAL TO THE BMW X6

REGORY Guillaume, Vice President of Design for Kia Motors Europe, comments: “We imagined designing an all-electric car that not only answered consumer concerns around range, performance, recharging networks and driving dynamism, but one that also gave you goose bumps when you looked at it, and made the hairs on the back of your neck stand up when you drove it. That’s why our all-electric concept is designed to not only get your pulse racing, but to also signpost our holistic and emotional approach to electrification.”

A visual embodiment of its desire to move forward into the exciting world of electrification, this concept is Kia’s first pure electric four-door passenger car. Intentionally designed to not sit within the industry’s predefined vehicle categories, it coherently draws together elements of a muscular sports utility vehicle, a sleek and athletic family saloon and a versatile and spacious crossover. The ‘Imagine by Kia’ concept represents a more progressive Kia design language for the future, with intelligent reinterpretations of existing Kia motifs and a bodywork characterised by a blend of tautly-drawn sheet metal, crisp lines, and efficient aerodynamics.

Kia’s European design team fully exploited the chassis architecture of the powertrain’s all-electric layout to maximise cabin space and create an airy and spacious interior. In a humorous riposte to the industry’s current

obsession with ever increasing dashboard screens, the concept features 21 individual ultra high-resolution screens. These curve their synchronised way across the top of the dashboard in a layout that is at the same time both casual and coordinated.

While not immediately destined for production, the ‘Imagine by Kia’ concept hints at interior and exterior design elements that could be adapted for future production models from the brand.

While the Imagine By concept is futuristic, Kia has an all-new electric car ready to roll and which will be on sale later this year.

In its third generation, the new Kia e-Soul brings long-range, zero-emissions power to the urban crossover class, and becomes more distinctive, dynamic and innovative than ever. While the e-Soul embraces the iconic design and playful character of its predecessors, it will be powered in Europe exclusively by electric energy, with a choice of two long-range, zero-emissions powertrains. The e-Soul’s new-generation battery packs – either 64 kWh or 39.2 kWh in capacity – are up to 30% more energy efficient than Europe’s current best-selling electric vehicle. The car is offered in Europe without the option of an internal combustion engine.

Fresh, funky and distinctive, the new e-Soul features the same iconic, boxy silhouette, with newly-sculpted lines, sharper details, and more technical lighting elements. Inside, the cabin is more

high-tech than ever, with its cool design and ultimate functionality accompanied by acoustic-inspired shapes and textures, and a new Sound Mood Lighting system. The e-Soul is offered with new colour customisation options, and a range of technologies which includes a wireless smartphone charger, heated and ventilated front seats, a Head-Up Display, and a premium Harman Kardon sound system.

At the heart of the e-Soul’s dashboard is Kia’s new 10.25-inch TFT LCD widescreen system, featuring Kia’s new UVO CONNECT telematics system. UVO CONNECT puts a raft of information at owners’ fingertips, including live traffic, weather, and parking availability. For the e-Soul, UVO CONNECT also provides vehicle charging information, including charging station

locations, charger availability, and connection compatibility. The system can also be accessed via a UVO smartphone app, providing remote access to a range of vehicle functions. Depending on country, this includes the ability to remotely activate the climate control system, to pre-heat or precool the car before a journey. Users can also remotely stop or resume vehicle charging, enabling them to take advantage of cheaper overnight electricity tariffs if charging from a domestic source.

The new e-Soul goes on-sale in select European markets from the end of the first quarter of 2019, sold as standard with Kia’s quality promise: an unrivalled 7-Year, 150,000-kilometre warranty, which also covers the car’s electric motor and battery pack.

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SPORT

THURSDAY, APR 11 2019

Clare bow out at semis

Shanahan to miss Munster campaign

Littlewoods Irl Div 3 Semi-final @ St Brendan’s Park, Birr

Clare 0-10 Limerick 1-11

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LARE bowed out at the hands of neighbours Limerick on Sunday afternoon. Having overcome the Shannonsiders in the opening game of the league, it was the neighbours who were vainquers this time, taking the win and a much coveted final spot.

This was very much a tit for tat affair in the opening half, with neither side able to take a strangle hold of affairs. Clare were dealt a blow with the loss of Louise Browne to injury with less than ten minutes on the clock, Aisling Cahill replacing the Corofin player.

For the majority of the first half, nothing more than the minimum seperated the sides and with ten minutes remaining, a Niamh O’Gorman free followed by a point from play put the Banner ahead by two. Limerick had the final say in the first half when Grace Lee pointed just before the half time whistle to leave Clare ahead, 0-6 to 0-5.

Clare dominated proceedings in the third quarter having introduced Kate McCarthy for Louise McDonell, Niamh Mulqueen moved to centre back and Sinead Power out to the wing. With Kate O’Gorman proving her accuracy from placed balls, four points seperated the sides as Clare looked to pull away.

However, a brace of frees from Noonan halved the l LOCAL RIVALRY: Regan Conway chased down

Photo by Caroline O’Keefe deficit as the game entered the last ten minutes be- by Katie Heelan fore Tangney put the Shannonsiders ahead by a point thanks to a scrappy goal. Noonan and Aine Cunnigham and will meet Kildare in the final. added a point each to have Limerick ahead by a goal Clare: Edel McNamara Kilkishen; Rebecca Cahill Kilmaley, Rebecca as the game entered the closing minutes. Noonan and Crowe Ruan, Jane Fitzgerald Inagh Kilnamona; Niamh Mulqueen Broadford, Sinead Power Inagh Kilnamona, Orlaith Cotter Inagh Kilnamona; Niamh O’Gorman both exchanged points, the goal reRegan Conway Feakle 0-3, Ciara Halpin Clooney Quin; Corina McMamaining the difference between the sides. hon Corofin, Kate O’Gorman Kilkishen 0-4, Sinead Keeffe Kilmaley; LouNoonan who was the lynchpin of her sides victo- ise Browne Corofin, Niamh O’Gorman Kilkishen 0-2, Louise McDonnell ry ended the game with a converted free to see the Ruan. Subs: Aisling Cahill Kilmaley for Browne (inj), Kate McCarthy Shannonsiders take victory Clare 0-10 Limerick 1-11, Clooney Quin for McDonnell, Anna Lee Marsh Broadford for Power

Conquering the long bunker shot

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HE main difference between a short and a long bunker shot is the amount of sand your going to take before the golf ball.

With a short bunker shot, ideally the clubface is striking the sand first and there is a layer of sand between the clubface and the ball so the ball will come out softly out of the bunker. For a long bunker shot however you are looking to strike the ball clean with no sand getting between the clubface and the ball because we are trying to get the ball to come out with full speed - the same as a full shot from the fairway. If however sand is struck, you need to make sure it is after the ball is struck not beforehand, the same as taking a divot after the ball.

To achieve maximum distance from a fairway bunker, a clean strike is of utmost importance.

One of the first obstacles I look for in a fairway bunker is how high is the lip of the bunker I need to clear, and secondly how is my ball lying. These two conditions will determine if I can at all go for the green in the first instance. For instance, if you are 180 yards out from the green and you need a hybrid to reach but your lie is poor or the lip of the bunker is too steep to clear with a hybrid, then take your punishment and take out a high lofted wedge or short iron and try leave yourself a yardage from the pin that you like, instead of possibly driving your ball deep into the face of the bunker making the situation even worse.

I’ve heard the tip to choose more club when you attempt to play a long bunker shot, because if you even slightly strike the sand before the ball you will lose distance. I don’t totally disagree with this, however personally I prefer to select the club I would normally choose from that distance, the same as if I were on a fairway. I prefer to take my normal club and try and pick the ball as clean as possible from the sand, as long as my lie allows me to do so. To practice hitting the ball clean I often walk outside the bunker and I go over to the fairway grass and I take full swings while trying

SIXMILEBRIDGE’S Jamie Shanahan is to miss the entire 2019 Munster senior hurling championship.

Having suffered from a long standing back complaint, Jamie went under the knife in mid-March and is currently on the mend but will not be in a position to line out in his county’s provincial campaign.

This setback comes as the Clare management already must plan without Conor Cleary for their opening game on May 12 away to Wateford. The Miltown Malbay defender is suspended having received a red card in their league defeat to the Déise. Should the Banner emerge from their province, it is hoped Jamie will be available on selection.

Clare soccer clubs need accountability

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EÁN Naughton, East Clare Sinn Féin local election candidate in the Killaloe LEA has called for accountability for the 28 soccer clubs in Clare on the funding provided to Clare district clubs in the wake of the financial controversy at the top of the FAI. Seán Naughton, East Clare Sinn Féin local election candidate said: “It is a matter of huge concern that Sport Ireland, has not been able say ‘yes’ to having confidence in the body charged with the governance of soccer in Clare.”

“Excessive salaries and expenses paid at the top of Irish soccer is nothing new. Yet support for Clare local soccer clubs remains pathetic to say the least and not forgetting

PGA Golf Professional

at the same time that soccer is substantially funded by the taxpayer.

“More will be revealed on the bizarre goings-on among the soccer elite. But, the issue for the 28 soccer clubs in Clare, is financial support to promote the game and to be measured against the euro-millions style income at the top of soccer.”

Naughton continued: “It has been estimated that only 2.5% of FAI funding goes to the professed aim to ‘promote, foster and develope soccer at grassroots level.

This is totally unacceptable.

“The only other funding available for local soccer clubs is from grants. Everything they do they pay for by themselves.”

#PadraigKnowsGolf

Padraig McGrath

GOLF ANALYSIS

The Scorecard in association with

to brush the grass gently with my clubhead.

I’m looking to sweep the ball clean, therefore I practice swinging my club with more of a circular arc, swinging the club around my body trying to create a shallower angle of attack, like when I’m swing a wood versus and iron. Striking the ball from a shallower angle of attack will help you to strike the ball clean from the sand. If however a fairway bunker has a lip I need to clear, then I will play my ball position further forward. This will help me strike more on the upswing and get my ball airborne, however it might also result in a loss of distance so if you can, choose extra club as long as you know you can still clear the lip.

In summary long bunker shots are all about striking the ball as clean as possible with a full swing. Sometimes I imagine I’m trying to strike the centre of the ball rather than the bottom of the ball to help me to achieve a clean strike. But remember, if you have a poor lie or a high lip to deal with then sometimes we just need to get the ball out and simply rely on our wedge play to save par. Knowing when to take your punishment sometimes can be the difference between winning or losing.

ENNIS GOLF CLUB SENIOR MENS SOCIAL GROUP APRIL 4 1ST MICHAEL TORPEY , PAT P MCINERNEY , TONY LAWLER 75 POINTS 2ND EAMON MURPHY , JOHN GUILFOYLE , MICHAEL SULLIVAN 72 3RD FRANK SHEEDY , PEADAR COSGROVE , JIMMY MCENERY 72 Club Scramble April 6 1st Eamon Murphy, Tom Gallery, Conor Murphy (69-2) 67pts 2nd Waltero@Brien, Fergal Croke, Padraig Cusack (65-2) 63pts 3rd Una O’ Reilly, Pat Rutherford, Tom Heath 63pts Mens Committee Trophy Sponsored By Sutton’s Lighting April 6-7 1st Martin Coffey(15) 66nett 2nd Martin O‘Neill(7) 68nett Gross: Matthew Whelan(4) 75 3rd Fergal Croke(15) 69nett Cat A: Cillian O’Connor(9) 71nett Cat B: Cyril Corry(12) 69nett Cat C: Cathal Ryan(19) 71nett KILRUSH GOLF CLUB Senior Men’s Team Competition April 3 1.Seamus O’Doherty, Tom Cleary, Jim Kelly 59 pts 2.Tom Coffey, John McNelis, Tom McGrath 58 3.John Saunders, Michael McNamara, Gerry Duffy 56 Beauty by Dee Ladies Singles April 5 1st Joan O’Malley 24 pts (Back 9) 2nd Anne Brennan 24 pts 3rd Miriam Saunders 23 pts

Mixed Team Competition April 6 1st Peggy Mulqueen, Shane Lillis, M. McNamara 36.67 2nd Claire Pyne, George Nolan, Gerry O’Malley 37.67 3rd John Hehir, Michael Studdart, Mary G Nolan 38.78 KGC 12 Holes Weekly Singles 1st Ger Brennan 29 pts 2nd Tony McMahon 27 pts (Back 9) Spring League 2019 Individual Men’s Final.

1st Tom Prendiville 32 pts 2nd Ger Brennan 29 pts Spring League 2019 Individual Ladies’ Final.

1st Agnes Shannon 28 pts 2nd Joan O’Malley 24 pts EAST CLARE Men’s Singles Matthew Cooney 42 pts John Punch.

41 pts Ladies Wednesday 1st Eileen Donnellan, Marie A Kelly, Breda McCarthy 49 pts 2nd Brid Hayes, Patsy King, Helen Downey 46 pts Friday Scramble 1st Breda O Loughlin, John Fahy, John Brett 2nd Terry Coughlan, Teddy Murphy, Helen Downey, 3rd Redmond Ealsh, Mary Farrell, Ger Daly WOODSTOCK Club Singles April 6-7 1st Tony Neville(12) 43pts 2nd Pat Keane(10) 41pts(B6) 3rd Steve Lahiffe(16) 41 pts 4th Brian Gilligan(0) 39pts

THURSDAY, APR 11 2019

OUT & ABOUT 41

Ploughing in Whitegate

l HORSING ABOUT: Harry Vartelink from Glendree, Tulla, ploughing with his three horses in sunny Whitegate last weekend as the Clare Ploughing Championships were hosted at Cllr Pat Burke’s farm; Anxious moments as Francis Warrewll, TJ Moloney and Mary Tyrell from Whitegate and Mountshannon attempt to get the show on the road Photos by Martin Connolly

l FUN IN THE SUN: (from top) Aoibheann and Andrew White enjoy their Sunday with their baby Eve; David Scanlon from Scariff and his daughter Ciara enjoying their ice creams; (below) All Ireland loy champion Gerry Mullins from Ennistymon demonstrating how to use a loy, an early Irish spade Photos by Martin Connolly

THURSDAY, APR 11 2019

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QUIZ 47

THURSDAY, APR 11 2019

The Clare Echo Quiz CLARE GENERAL KNOWLEDGE QUIZ

race Cal’ is an anagram of 8 ‘Lets which Clare town?

Clarecastle, Crusheen, Spanish Point

What river enters the sea at In the 1880s, landowner Colonel 9 Trump International Hotel & Golf 4 O’Callaghan was responsible for famous evictions in which East

Newmarket-on-Fergus Sixmilebridge Shannon

would find St Brigids Well 10 You near...

ANSWERS

Liscannor, Lisdoonvarna, Tubber

6. Thomas Blood

5

Where in Clare would you find Kilfinaghty Public Library?

1.Edna O’Brien

Bodyke, Feakle, Scariff

Links, Doonbeg?

Doon River, Kilmihil River, River Cree

7. 1979

Clare village?

lQUESTION 6: Which Clare man was imprisoned in the Tower of London for attempting to steal the crown jewels?

2. Labasheeda

2002, 2004, 2006

2018, 1979, 1944

8. Clarecastle

(former Clare Fianna Fáil TD), Clare voters accept the Treaty of Nice in the second referendum held on the issue, and Pat Breen is elected to the Dail for the first time.

the Clare footballers shipped 9-21 against Kerry, take place?

3. 2002

In which year did the following 3 political events occur in County Clare? Death of Sylvester Barrett

what year did the infamous 7 InMiltown Massacre, in which

9.River Cree

Clarecastle, Feakle, Labasheeda

O’Donnell

4. Bodyke

Which County Clare village’s 2 name in Irish means ‘Bed of Silk’?

tempting to steal the crown jewels?

Thomas Healy, Thomas Blood, Tommy

10. Liscannor

Niall Williams, Edna O’Brien, Ger Loughnane

Clare man was imprisoned 6 Which in the Tower of London for at-

5. Sixmilebridge

Clare author wrote The 1 Which Country Girls?

OLD IMAGES OF COUNTY CLARE

West End, Kilkee, Co. Clare

Image NLI.ie / Collection: The Lawrence Photograph Collection

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