The Clare Echo 12/01/23

THE WILD ROVERS

CLARE PEOPLE URGED TO JOIN UHL PROTEST

by Ronan Judge news@clareecho.ie

CAMPAIGNERS are seeking a show of strength from Clare people at a “critical” moment in the delivery of healthcare services in the Mid West.

A protest in response to the ongoing overcrowding crisis at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) is planned for Limerick city on January 21.

The Mid West Hospital campaign group say it is important Clare people attend to deliver the message that the

situation at UHL can no longer be tolerated.

“We really want as many people as possible to turn out. It is a critical time and we have to show that the situation in Mid West has to change”, Noeleen Moran of the Mid West hospital campaign told the Clare Echo.

Ms Moran continued, “It really is crunch time and we have to show that enough is enough. I think things have changed since professor Declan Lyons spoke on RTE

about how mistakes were made when hospital services were reconfigured in the Mid West”.

A bus organised by Women’s Collective Ireland, Clare; Clare PPN and the Traveller Community Development Project, will leave the Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis on the morning of January 21.

l Ellen Griffin, Bernie Kelly, Ava Cotter and Emma Keating with the Clare Intermediate Cup at the Fergus Rovers GAA Club Victory Social held last weekend

Photo by Natasha Barton

Move over Rover

(clockwise from far left) Aine Slattery and Orlaith O’Connor of Fergus Rovers with the Clare Intermediate Football Championship Cup at the Fergus Rovers GAA Club Victory Social; Intermediate and Junior Captains Christina Hill and Maeve McCarthy with special guest Ailish Considine at the Social; Cathal and Christina Hill with Teresa and Sean Hill

Photos by Natasha Barton

‘TDs should risk party whip to force Ennis hospital change’

by Ronan Judge news@clareecho.ie

TDs and Senators in the Mid West should be willing to risk losing the party whip to ensure a 24-hour service is restored to hospitals in Ennis, Nenagh and Limerick, a meeting has heard.

At the January meeting of Clare County Council, there was unanimous backing for a cross party motion calling on the health services executive (HSE) to open Ennis general hospital, Nenagh hospital and St John’s hospital in Limerick on a 24/7 basis.

The motion was tabled in response to the overcrowding crisis at University Hospital Limerick (UHL), which serves close to 400,000 people in the Mid West.

Speaking at the meeting, councillor Mary Howard (FG), “Today (January 9) we have 489 people waiting on trolleys nationally. And 10% of those people are in UHL. We feel this is a national crisis all over the country. We are appealing to our all of our Oireachtas members in Clare, Tipperary and Limerick to stand together and insist on appropriate and safe healthcare for the citizens of the Midwest.

“These facilities should be kept open 24 hours a day. Bigger is not always better. We are appealing to all our Oireachtas members to fight for their constituents. Even it means losing the party whip. We’ve waited too long and now is the time we need to stand together”, Cllr Howard added.

Mayor of Clare, Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF) said, “We want the backing of all our Oireachtas members in the Midwest because what is happening in UHL at present is criminal and cannot be tolerated and should not be tolerated in a civilised society”.

Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF), a member of the HSE regional health forum West, told the meeting that “it is worth noting that today the first patient was brought into Ennis general hospital through that new protocol with the ambulance service”.

“It allows for paramedics to reassess, clinically, the needs of patients. That is a big step change. It is the first patient that has gone through to Ennis since 2011 when they closed the A&E”, he added.

Cllr Murphy urged TDs and senators to

throw everything, including the “kitchen sink”, at solving the crisis.

He said, “The reopening of the ED in Ennis is going to take time. In the interim there are solutions out there. There are solutions not necessarily within UHL’s gift. This is the national ambulance service who have changed their protocol. That is absolutely to be welcomed. What needs to be done now is that our Oireachtas members need to push hard and for that protocol to be widened to allow patients to be brought to the local injuries unit. And most importantly, that our Oireachtas members are pushing very hard that the A&E is open 24/7”.

Cllr Gerry Flynn (Ind) told the meeting the

model of health care in the Midwest “has failed the public” and the public have lost confidence.

“It is a sad indictment on a number of grounds”, he said.

Cllr Pat Daly (FF) said the establishment of the HSE was a “major mistake”.

“It’s time now to abolish the HSE and go back to the old model of the health boards”, Cllr Daly added.

Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) said action on the matter needs to be swift

“We need to move fast on this, otherwise we are going to see more deaths occurring”, she added.

37 home offers for Ukrainians

According to to the latest figures, there are 4,008 displaced people from Ukraine in Clare with 3,806 being accommodated in 29 multi-occupancy properties across 14 settlements in the county.

As part of the county’s response to help people affected by the war, the local authority led ‘Offer a Home’ was launched on December 1, 2022.

The council says it has received 37 offers of unoccupied homes to date. Details of the local response to the crisis are contained in the council’s monthly management report for January.

The report states, “We have made contact with all those who made offers and our team have carried out 26 assessments to date. We have arranged assessments of the remaining properties for the coming weeks. Of the homes inspected only one did not meet the requirements, three require minor works and three are not yet available.

“The Offer a Home scheme has enabled Clare County Council to support three Ukrainian families that were living in multi-occupancy (DCEDIY) accommodation in Kilmaley. The contract with DCEDIY was being terminated and Clare County Council, working closely with our matching partner Mid-West Simon, was able to source a home for these families in the county.

“We have 20 Ukrainian people accommodated in homes under this scheme so far. We were contacted by a family who have been independently hosting a Ukrainian family and have provided assistance to them with the Ukrainian family being transferred to alternative accommodation under the ‘Offer a Home’ scheme. We have a new member of staff joining us in January, he will be working with the accommodation team and will be providing support to homeowners and their Ukrainian residents. We continue to work closely with Mid-West Simon matching Ukrainian families to suitable homes in the county.”

l COMMENTS: Cllr Mary Howard (FG) said that Oireachtas members should stand together and insist on appropriate healthcare in the Midwest

Photo by Eamon Ward

CLARE County Council is assessing potential new homes for Ukrainian families after receiving dozens of responses to a fresh appeal for accommodation, writes Ronan Judge

Big Sleep event sale at Home Trends

EVERYBODY knows how important it is to get a good night’s sleep.

Home Trends bedroom store located on Parnell Street, Ennis have reduced all their mattresses, bedframes, divans and bedroom furniture. With up to 50% off, you are guaranteed to find what you are looking for.

There is nothing worse than tossing and turning on a lumpy mattress with the springs and broken-down base audibly protesting with the slightest movement. It is the type of torment that will send you running to your nearest bed store.

Since opening its doors in 2013, a decade now, Home Trends has been synonymous with quality beds and bedroom furniture that you can count on. The ongoing repeat business is a testament to the professional and friendly approach by staff and excellent quality and value available in store. Home Trends is a family run, Irishowed furniture store and is your one-stop shop for all your furniture and bedroom needs.

At Home Trends a number of the product ranges on display are provided directly by Irish Suppliers bringing a better-quality product to their customers at very affordable prices. Home Trends’ very own manufactured mattresses are engineered through spring air, the world’s leading manufacturers in pocket sprung mattresses. Unlike many competitors, Home Trends buy directly from the manufacturer which means bypassing the wholesaler guaranteeing massive savings to the customer.

Whether you are upgrading your own bedroom, your child’s or guest room bedroom, this is an excellent time to invest in that quality piece. Home Trend’s Big Sleep event SALE features up to 50% on top rated brands that won’t be beaten on price. All size mattresses are on sale and if you are looking for a particular size, this can also be organised. 3ft single Irish made, orthopaedic mattresses now only €129, 4’6 double Irish made orthopaedic mattresses from €189. If you are looking for something a little more luxurious, the 4’6 royal coil pillow top mattress is a great choice. It features a 7 zoned pocket sprung support system providing excellent support for spine, lower back and hip alignment, retailing at just €499, HALF PRICE, with all sizes available.

The delivery Team does nationwide delivery and can take away your old mattress, bedframe for a nominal fee. All packaging will be recycled free of charge.

Don’t miss out on the Big Sleep Event SALE where you can save up to 50%. SALE must end this Saturday 14th January at 5.30pm. Home Trends Parnell Street, Ennis - OPEN Mon-Sat 09:30am-06:00pm. Call (065) 6797853 / www.hometrendsfurniture.ie.

by Ronan Judge news@clareecho.ie

CLARE County Council has granted planning permission for a large scale housing development in Quin.

Last month, the council gave the green light to plans by Datcha Construction to develop 41 residential units at Quin Gardens.

Planning permission is subject to 25 conditions.

The development comprises 13 detached houses, 10 semi-detached houses and 18 terrace houses and includes ancillary surface car parking, vehicular and pedestrian access to the proposed development, connection to existing public water supply; foul water drainage services including the provision of surface water attenuation and all associated site development and landscape works.

The 1.87 hectare site is on the south of Quin Village near the Newmarket on Fergus road.

In submissions, local residents had expressed concern over the potential impact on traffic flows, access and the possible impact on the lesser Horseshoe bat.

Last year the council sought further information due to the development’s direct hydrological connectivity to the lower River Shannon Special Area Conservation (SAC) and its close proximity to the Poulnagordom Cave Quin (SAC) and old domestic buildings (Creevagh) SAC.

The request stated, “It must be satisfactorily demonstrated that the proposed development will not have significant adverse effect on the status of the European sites and their associated qualifying interest features and will not negatively affect the conservation objectives or the integrity of the European sites”.

In granting permission, the council states that, subject to conditions, “the proposed development would not seriously injure the amenities of the area

or of property in the vicinity and would be in accordance with proper planning and sustainable development in the area.”

A number of submissions raised concern over the potential impact of the development. In a her submission, Quin Garden resident, Ann Crean stated she believed the development is “too large in an area where there is already an existing housing estate”.

Concern was also raised about road safety and access; traffic impacts; the potential for flooding and the impact on the lesser horseshoe bat.

The council also received a report from the from the government’s development applications unit (DAU). The DAU noted that the proposed development encompassed a 1.87 hectare site.

The report states, “Given the scale, extent and location of the proposed development, it is possible that subsurface archaeological remains could be encountered during the construction

phase that involves ground disturbance”.

The planning report states, “Having reviewed the qualifying interest features and Special Conservation Interests of the Poulnagordon Cave (Quin) SAC and the Old Domestic Buildings Keevagh SAC, Lower River Shannon SAC and River Shannon and Fergus estuaries SPA respectively and the absence of a direct footprint associated with the works to within a European site, I am satisfied that there is no potential for direct effects from proposed works”.

On the potential impact on the lesser Horseshoe bat, the planner’s report says that site clearance will be undertaken outside the active bat season and bird nesting season.

The report states that the area on the southwest of site will be maintained as a biodiversity area and fenced off from the remainder of the site prior to the commencement of the development.

Ella Crean, Craig Quinn and Nicole Gleeson attending Ennis RFC’s victory over Clonmel in the Munster Junior Cup at the weekend. Full report, see sport

Photo by Joe Buckely

‘Ghost street’ concerns for Abbey Street

by Ronan Judge paraic@clareecho.ie

ABBEY Street in Ennis risks becoming a “ghost street” after it emerged a planned upgrade of the historic thoroughfare is likely to have slipped down the list of the government’s urban funding priorities.

At the January meeting of the Ennis Municipal District (MD), a senior official with Clare County Council said that the planned Abbey Street public realm project “may not fit the criteria” for the next round of funding under the Urban Renewable and Development Fund.

Leonore O’Neill, senior executive officer, was responding to a motion tabled by councillor Johnny Flynn (FG) who sought a feasibility study for Abbey Street, in light of recent work to Parnell Street and planned upgrades O’Connell Street and Barrack Street.

Cllr Flynn stated, “Further to public realm upgrade projects completed in Parnell Street and planned to commence for O’Connell Street and Barrack Street, which combined will have costed circa €20 million, I and my fellow Ennis Municipal District Councillors ask that Ennis Municipal District carry out a feasibility study of similar works for Abbey Street in order to apply

for Part 8 Planning to enable the lodging an application to Government for Urban Renewable and Development Fund (URDF) funding under what would be a third phase of the Ennis Town Centre Public Realm Regeneration”.

At the meeting, Cllr Flynn said, “There is 800 years of history in Abbey Street. Brian Spring, in ‘Broad

history of a narrow street’, refers to one or two tales of ghosts on the street. What we don’t want to see, is that we don’t want Abbey Street to become a ghost street and be left behind”.

Cllr Flynn said Abbey Street is included on the list of priority areas needing an upgrade in the Ennis area for the upcoming county

development plan.

He said, “We are probably going to be spending close on €20m on Parnell street and other streets, whether it’s the surface or infrastructure. So Abbey a Street cannot be let become a ghost street and left behind”, he added.

In reply to Cllr Flynn’s motion, Ms O’Neill stated,

“The inclusion of Abbey Street in future public realm regeneration projects is a priority for Ennis Municipal District. Ennis Municipal District, together with Ennis 2040 recently met with the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) team to determine what the likely priorities under Call 3 of

the fund will be. Whilst we are still awaiting the guidelines under the next call, early indications are that there will likely be a focus on Housing for All and Town Centre First”.

Ms O’Neill told councillors that a meeting was recently held to try and gauge what the priorities might be for call 3 of the URDF funding.

She said, “We put forward proposal areas that we would like to include in future calls, one of them being Abbey Street. What are they indicating to us, obviously there are no guidelines at present, it is just an indication, is that the focus is going to be on derelict buildings and converting derelict buildings.”

Ms O’Neill said call 3 appears to have a different focus and is “unlikely to include public realm regeneration projects”.

“We want to advise councillors, that we have highlighted to the department that Abbey Street is a priority for us, but it may not fit the criteria for the next call”, she added.

There was widespread support for the Abbey Street project at the meeting.

Cllr Pat Daly (FF) said, “Abbey Street is the gateway into the square and the gateway into the town. I would not like to see it as a ghost street. I don’t think it will ever be a ghost street but it’s a street that needs upgrading”.

l CONCERN: Abbey St and (right) Cllr Johnny Flynn Photo (r): Eamon Ward

Clare FM broadcasts documentary on life of Bernárd Lynch

CLARE FM has announced that it will broadcast a documentary about the life of Ennis native Bernárd Lynch.

This very special documentary will look back at Bernárd’s life, from growing up in St. Michael’s Villas, being ordained in Newry, and then joining the SMA’s which would eventually lead him to New York.

While in New York, Bernárd worked with mainly sick men that were dying in their hundreds and thousands. The cause of these deaths was eventually coined AIDS.

By 1983 New York City had 1,000 reported AIDS cases, by 1987, it estimated 70,000 New Yorkers had AIDS.

While some families turned their back on their loved ones, Bernárd Lynch was there in their final hours, minutes, and seconds to bring peace and comfort.

In the late 80s, Bernárd was home and received a call to tell him criminal charges were being filed against him for the

alleged sexual abuse of a teenage boy.

During this gruelling court case, Bernárd’s accuser admitted he had been forced to testify against his will by the F.B.I.

In Court, attorney Sean Walsh wanted the case ‘dismissed’ ‘thrown out.’ However, Judge Burton B. Roberts refused and went further and gave a verdict: “Innocent” of all charges.

The Brendan O'Regan Restaurant is ideal for special occasions. The menu features traditional cuisine with a modern day creative twist.

This special radio documen-

tary looks back at his advocacy role in New York, the court case and how Bernárd rebuilt his life and found love with his now husband, Billy Desmond.

This documentary has been produced by Clare FM’s Programme Director Padraic Flaherty in collaboration with Bernárd.

Upon hearing the documentary, he said: “There is no such thing as Love. There is only the evidence of Love. The transparent credibility of those who participated in the recording of this documentary is inspirational. Thank you Padraic for a job well done”

Padraic Flaherty is Clare FM’s Programme Director and Head of Operation along with being an award-winning producer, he recently produced “Unsung Hero, Mick Ryan”, ‘The Voice, Laura Brennan” and recently “Caitriona Lucas, Fearless”

Review of cold snap response

CLARE County Council is to review it’s response to the recent period of cold weather after concern was expressed over the impact on rural communities.

At the council’s January meeting, there was praise from across the chamber for the “phenomenal” job done by council crews in making roads and footpaths across the county safe and passable.

The meeting was told the council’s response to the cold snap was above the national average for maintenance. The meeting also heard calls to ensure communities in rural areas of the county aren’t left on the “periphery”. Pat Dowling, CEO of Clare County Council, told the meeting it was “unrealistic” to expect every road and footpath in the county to be treated.

The issue of winter maintenance of the county’s roads was raised in a motion submitted by councillors Cillian Murphy (FF), Shane Talty (FF), Ian Lynch (Ind), Joe Killeen (FF), Joe Garrihy (FG) and Tony O’Brien (FF),

The Poet's Corner Bar is a traditional Irish pub that opens its doors onto the main town street of Ennis. Perfect for a pint, a bite to eat or traditional Irish music session.

In reply, John Leahy, senior engineer roads and transportation, stated that during the recent long cold snap in December, priority 3 routes were treated twice each day, which comprises of 17% of the network in Clare which carries approximately 70% of the traffic volume. A further review will take place in the coming months which will include a review of the recent cold snap and concerns raised.

“Falsely Accused” broadcasts on Clare FM this Friday (January 13th) at 11am.

Welcoming the reply, Cllr Murphy told the meeting he understood the strains on budgets and equipment “but to be honest I’m not at all happy at how this process seems to leave communities on the periphery.”

The Town Hall Bistro

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

The Poets Corner Bar

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

The Brendan O’Regan Restaurant

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

Separation / DivorceBreaking up is hard to do!

THE ending of a marriage is a life-changing event, affecting you, your spouse, your children, and also impacting on your financial future. It can be difficult to approach such situations objectively and without emotion, and so the first step is to seek professional legal and financial advice so that you can consider your options and the implications for you and your family on separation.

Divorce or Legal Separation?

Where your marriage has broken down, you can deal with this by way of Legal Separation or, Divorce and there are 3 main ways to achieve this:

1. If a married couple can agree the terms by which they will live separately, they can sign a Separation Agreement (also known as a ‘Deed of Separation’), which is legally binding.

2. Where a married couple have been separated for over a year, but cannot agree the terms by which they will live separately, either spouse can apply to the Court for a Decree of Judicial Separation and the Court will make Orders relating to their children, property, pensions, and other financial affairs on separation.

3. Where a married couple have been separated for over 2 years, and would like a more final decision that would also enable them to remarry in the future, they can apply

to the Court for a Divorce Decree and again the Court will make Orders in relation to their children, property, pensions, and other financial affairs.

When separating, there are many issues to consider to include:

• Children – If you have children who are still dependant (under 18 years or under 23 years if in full time education, or, if they have a disability), decisions have to be made about where they should live, access arrangements between parents, and also financial arrangements for their financial maintenance and support (to include education, extra-curricular activities and health expenses). Both parents have an obligation to provide financially for their children.

• Spouses’ living arrangements –Decisions on where each spouse will live after separation, and financial arrangements so

that they can both live independently, will be required.

• Property – Decisions on how the spouses’ family home, and any other property, monies or investments/shares should be retained, sold or divided will be required.

•

Debts & Liabilities

account in deciding the issues we have outlined above. The focus is instead on ensuring there are fair and proper arrangements for all the family, and prioritising the best interests of any dependent children.

Mediation

–

Where there are debts such as a mortgage or other loans, arrangements need to be made so that these do not fall into arrears, and to decide which spouse will take responsibility for these.

• Pensions – If either spouse has a pension, then these funds also need to be considered, and how they should be retained or divided between them when it comes to retirement age. In Ireland, the Courts generally adopt a ‘no fault’ based approach in making decisions on the affairs of separated couples. This means that past behaviour is usually not taken into

Mediation can be a very effective, time and cost efficient method of reaching agreement with your spouse on the above items, which Mediated Agreement can then be used to finalise your legal Separation Agreement, Judicial Separation or Divorce proceedings. Both spouses must be willing to engage meaningfully in the mediation process in order for it to work, and it is also important that the agreed Mediator is qualified and experienced in the area of family mediation.

Court proceedings can be fast-tracked if agreement is reached between the spouses at an early stage, either by way of successful mediation or negotiations between them and their legal team.

At Cashin Clancy Solicitors, we are experienced in the Family Law/Divorce and if you would like detailed advices in relation to your circumstances, contact us on 065 6840060 or email enquiries@cashinclancy.ie and visit our website www.cashinclancy.ie for more information about Family Law, Divorce and Separation.

Clare house prices rise by 7% in 2022

THE PRICE of the average three-bed semi in County Clare rose by 7% in 2022, but local agents expect a slowing of the market in 2023, according to a survey by Real Estate Alliance.

Three-bed semi-detached homes in the county now cost an average of €230,000, up almost 7% on the December 2021 average of €215,000, the REA Average House Price Index shows.

The survey concentrates on the actual sale price of Ireland’s typical stock home, the threebed semi, giving an up-to-date picture of the second-hand property market in towns and cities countrywide.

First time buyers made up 60% of the market in Q4 of 2022, with 8% of sales coming from outside the county.

“The length of time to sell high-end properties will continue to increase into the first quarter of 2023,” said Liam Browne of REA Paddy Browne, Ennis, who predicts that prices may fall by 5% in the coming year.

“With a lack of new and second-hand 3 bedroom semi-detached townhouses, which have been influenced by the increased cost in construction and the moratorium on evictions, investors who wish to dispose of their assets will restrict the number of new units coming into the market place.”

The actual selling price of a three-bedroomed semi-detached house across the country rose by 0.36% over the past three months to €291,667 – representing an annual

increase of 8%.

However, house prices in Dublin have fallen slightly by -0.34% in the same period, as mortgage interest rate rises and cost of living increases stem the stream of potential homeowners.

REA agents throughout the country expect prices to rise by just under 3% on average in the next 12 months.

The property market is expected to enjoy a calmer 2023 as mortgage interest rate rises and cost of living increases affect buying ability, according to the nationwide survey.

In Dublin city, which is currently experiencing small price drops in certain areas, agents anticipate modest increases of 3.6% across the year.

This comes off the back of a 2022 which saw average house prices rise by 8% nationally and 5% in the capital – with feverish early year increases slowing down in the autumn and winter.

The country’s large towns experienced 10% growth last year, with 1.2% in the final quarter, and REA agents say that this will continue throughout next year, albeit at a slower pace, with growth of 3% predicted.

The majority of REA members feel that the scheduled changes to the Planning Acts will have little effect on market supply in 2023, due to the time lag between legislation and enactment.

HAVE YOU TOPPED UP YOUR PROTECTION?

COVID-19 and flu viruses are circulating in the community. Keeping up to date with your recommended vaccines will make sure you have the best possible protection from serious illness.

People aged 18 to 49 Everyone aged 18 to 49 can now get a second COVID-19 booster vaccine from a HSE vaccination centre or a participating GP or pharmacy.

Other groups

It’s especially important to keep up to date with your vaccines if you have a health condition that puts you at high risk of serious illness from COVID-19 or flu, you’re pregnant or aged 50 or over.

If you’re a healthcare worker, getting your recommended vaccines is the best way to protect yourself, your colleagues and your patients this winter.

More information

See what vaccines are recommended for you and your family and make an appointment today.

See hse.ie or call our team in HSELive on 1800 700 700 for information.

NEW HOMES

O’SULLIVAN HURLEY PSL No

Caroline trades in New York to offer yoga retreats in Clare

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

A UNIQUE yoga and food experience has been introduced to County Clare thanks to a pair of female entrepreneurs who have established Retreat Yourself.

Yoga instructor Caroline Rouine-O’Connor has relocated to Kildysart from New York City where she ran a successful studio. Back in her native county, she has teamed up with chef Tanya Ranlow to offer a variety of nature and wellness retreats which combine movement, nourishing food and meditation in beautiful locations in the west of Ireland.

The next retreat takes place at the Cliffs of Moher on Sunday, January 22 which will include mindfulness, meditation and movement at Hags Head, followed by tea, snacks and a yoga session in Doolin. All retreats include a three-course veg-

etarian meal prepared by Tanya, who is a Ballymaloe-trained chef.

Mum-of-two Caroline also runs weekly public yoga classes in Kildysart and Clarecastle and she tells The Clare Echo that relocating to Clare wasn’t part of the plan. Having built a life in New York with her husband Sam, a restauranteur, for more than two decades, the family returned to Clare for a wedding in early 2020 for a wedding.

“We all got Covid at the wedding,” explains Caroline. Flights were subsequently grounded and following three months in Ireland, the family made the difficult decision to leave New York behind, along with Caroline’s yoga studio and Sam’s three restaurants. “New Yorkand the whole world - shut down. We home schooled our kids and then eventually put them into Kildysart school.” Caroline adds that her children have fallen in love with Kildysart,

despite the abrupt change of pace from downtown Manhattan.

Caroline began teach-

ing yoga locally in 2020 in beautiful outdoor locations to ensure social distancing, something which was made possible by glorious weather that summer. As

Caroline began to build a community in West Clare, she and her friend Tanya Ranlow, who previously worked with The Cliffs of Moher Retreat Centre, decided to establish their own business called Retreat Yourself.

The pair incorporate activities including paddle boarding, horse riding and hiking into retreats which take place at retreats across the West including Gortglass in Kildysart, the Cliffs of Moher, Clonshire Equestrian in Adare, and the 12 O’Clock Hills. They also offer private retreats for corporate clients and We do a lot of privates as well, we work with the Midwives of Ireland, I work in Clare County Council also, we’ve done a few retreats there and I teach there every Thursday at lunchtime. My public classes are in Kildysart,

“It’s for everybody,” explains Caroline. “What I love about the retreats is every person who comes is so different. Some might be yoga teachers, or they might have never done a movement practice before apart from the obvious, which is walking. In every retreat I also bring in an introduction to meditation.”

Caroline emphasises that ‘togetherness’ is an important part of the retreats, with people sharing during the three-course meal and getting to know each other. “The table is very important for us, we prepare them with flowers, plants and colourful foods. We give the recipes out as well, people are always interested in that.”

Numbers are limited to 18-20 on each retreat to ensure inclusion for all those in attendance. They also offer mobile retreats and overnight retreats for corporate clients and celebrations such as bridal parties.

Most popular Clare baby names

by Ronan Judge news@clareecho.ie

CAOIMHE, Sophie and Jack were the most popular baby names in Clare in 2021.

New data from the central statistics office (CSO) shows Camoihe and Sophie to be the most popular names in 2021 after Sophie was the most common name in 2020.

Jack was the most popular name for newborn boys in 2021 and Noah took the top spot in 2020.

This is according to CSO data classified by area of residence of mother, between 2020 and 2021

The most popular name in 2021 for newborn boys in Ireland was Jack and for girls it was Fiadh. Jack has held the top spot since 2007 with the exception of 2016 when James was the most popular name.

This is the first time that Fiadh has taken the number one spot, climbing from second place in 2020 and third in 2019. Grace had been the most popular name for baby girls in 2020 with Emily being the most popular prior to this since 2011.

Some of the less frequently used girls’ names registered in 2021 and not included in the top 100 names were Anastasia, Tessa, Daria, Órlaith, Roisin and Florrie.

Some of the less popular boys’ names registered in 2021 were Roan, Santiago, Tiarnán, Kane, Felix and Orson

In an information note, the CSO says its Irish Babies’ Names 2021 publication includes the síneadh fada and other diacritics since it was first introduced for names registered in 2018.

According to the CSO, this change has resulted in a break in the series, with new entries created for names with the síneadh fada and other diacritics.

To book a retreat or a yoga class, visit https:// retreatyourself.ie/ or find RetreatYourselfIRL on social media.

This has an impact in the order of the popularity of some forenames. For example Sean (without the síneadh fada) has always been in the top 100 most popular names for boys. Seán with the síneadh fada is now included in the data and both spellings are treated as 2 separate names since 2018, thus Seán has a rank of 16 while Sean has fallen to rank 102 in 2021.

Ennis, Clarecastle and Kilrush. We do workshops also.

New research finds more than half of dieters have tried to lose weight ‘in secret’

NEW research, led by the UK and Ireland’s largest weight-loss organisation Slimming World, has revealed over half (57%) of slimmers have dieted ‘in secret’ – many because of fears of being judged or failing.

Secret slimmers cited a range of reasons for an undercover or solitary approach, including fears of being judged for being overweight (31%), being embarrassed about needing to lose weight (32%), being scared people might make fun of them (29%) and not knowing what else to do (24%).

The study of 2,000 adults who are trying to slim down found that even of those who are open about losing weight, 83% have embarked on a weight loss attempt on their own.

However, the findings reveal that going it alone isn’t an easy or surefire route to weight-loss success. Over a quarter of secret slimmers say they struggle to feel motivated (28%) and a similar number (27%) agree it’s easy to go off track as noone would know. Of those who had previously attempted to lose weight in secret, 38% would now tell everyone about future weight loss attempts, with another 32% happy to share with anyone who asked if

they were trying to slim.

Those solo slimmers aged 1824 are most likely to diet in secret (81%), while men who are secretly dieting are more likely than women (44% vs 34%) to eat or drink unhealthily in front of others, such as accepting sweets, cakes and biscuits in the office, to keep up appearances.

Despite this, of all those who are trying to lose weight, 37% value the camaraderie of losing weight with a group and the motivation they get from each other. And 34% feel the accountability that comes hand in hand with losing weight with others would keep them on track.

Dr Jacquie Lavin, Special Advisor on the Science of Weight Management at Slimming World, says: “Worries about our weight and the decision to start a weight loss journey can feel deeply personal, so it’s natural to think that a private approach might be best. And for lots of people the idea of admitting you need help or joining a group can be daunting. Losing weight isn’t easy, though, and going it alone is especially hard. Slimming World members say that it’s the shared motivation, plus feeling valued, cared for, and understood, which act as a powerful and positive incentive

to lose weight, and to keep going if you’re struggling. This is often missing from weight loss attempts that we embark on alone and it’s what makes joining a Slimming World group so effective.”

Slimming World member Cherie Forde, who initially lost almost 2 stone on her own, has gone on to lose a further 7.5 stone since joining her local group in the Menlo Park Hotel, Galway. She says: “Over the years, I’d lost weight on and off but inevitably, I would end up putting it back on again and more in a short time. In January 2020, I decided to try doing it again myself as I was turning 50 the following September. I managed to lose almost 2 stone again. This time however, I made a promise to myself and my late mother that I would shift this weight once and for all and so I decided to go back to my Slimming World group.

Everyone was so welcoming. I got brilliant support from the consultant Maura and loads of inspiration and motivation from other members in the group. With their help, I went on to lose another 7.5 stone and I can’t believe I’m now 9.5 stone lighter! I was so thrilled to reach my target weight just before Christmas, definitely the best

Christmas present I ever got. My husband Patsy and sons Jack, Adam and Barry are very proud of me and I’m so grateful for their support too.

I have developed healthy habits for life and now it’s all about maintaining my target weight. I’ll still

be attending group every few weeks to ensure that I stay on track. I always wanted to feel in control of my weight and now I finally am - doing it with Slimming World was much easier than doing it on my own.”

We are continuing to close accounts

Ulster Bank is closing, and our team are continuing to close current and deposit accounts, along with some of our branches. If your six month closure notice period has passed and your deadline is reached, your account is now queued for closure. You must take urgent action now. All personal and business account deadlines are fast approaching. If you are still relying on your bank account and in need of support, please contact us immediately. Need extra support? Call our Vulnerable Customer Line on 1800 656 001

BEFORE AFTER

Man accused of Kilrush assault and ammunition offences

by Ronan Judge news@clareecho.ie

A 26-YEAR-OLD man has appeared in court charged in connection with alleged assault and ammunition offences in Kilrush.

Patrick Wynne, with an address at the Willows, Raheen, Athenry, Co Galway, appeared at Ennis district court charged with two offences. Judge Alec Gabbett remanded Wynne on bail to appear at Kilrush district court on March 21.

In the case, Wynne is charged that at the residence of Brendan O’Sullivan at Fort Road, Cappa, Kilrush on January 4, 2023, he assaulted Mr O’Sullivan causing him harm. That alleged offence is contrary to section 3 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

Wynne is also charged that at the same location on January 5, 2023, he did possess ammunition - six rounds of 12 gauge shotgun cartridges - such possession not being authorised by a firearms certificate.

That alleged offence is contrary to section 2 of the Fire -

arms Act 1925 as amended.

In court, garda Shane Geary gave evidence of charging the accused under caution, at Kilrush Garda station at 12.44am and 12.45am on January 6.

Garda Geary told the court that Wynne made no reply to each of the two charges.

Solicitor Patrick Moylan said this was a suitable case for legal aid to be assigned.

Mr Moylan said he had no questions regarding the arrest, charge and caution of his client.

Judge Gabbett was told that bail had been agreed between the defence and prosecution.

Judge Gabbett noted the accused must reside at his given address and sign on three times a week at a garda station.

Patrick Wynne must also not have any contact with anyone involved in the case.

Judge Gabbett remanded the accused on bail to appear again in court on March 21.

The sergeant said directions from the director of public prosecution (DPP) on how the case is to proceed should be known by the next court date.

Repair of Manchester Martyrs’ Monument

THE Manchester Martyrs’ Monument in Kilrush was recently restored by Clare County Council with grant aid from the Department of Housing and with the support of Cllr. Ian Lynch, Clare County Council. The fully restored monument was visited by Cllr. Ian Lynch and Pat Dowling, Chief Executive of Clare County Council last week.

The project was managed by the Planning section of Clare County Council with input from Kilrush & District Historical Society and Kilrush Town Team. The works to the monument were completed by Mid-West Lime Ltd in collaboration with heritage blacksmith Brendan St. John and involved the full restoration of the stonework and wrought iron railings. All works were guided by conservation best practice.

The Manchester Mar-

tyrs’ Monument was erected in 1903. It was a longstanding ambition of the people of Kilrush to erect a monument to commemorate the memory of the Manchester Martyrs. William O’Meara Allen, Michael Larkin and William O Brien were executed in Salford, Manchester, for the successful rescue of a Fenian prisoner. Their execution in 1867 sparked demonstrations and marches both in Ireland and the UK. It saw a rise in nationalism that culminated in the Easter Rising of 1916. The commissioning and erection of the monument was made possible through raising funds from the local population and the Irish diaspora in America.

Welcoming the project, Cllr Ian Lynch, Clare County Council, said: “The Manchester Martyrs’ Monument is an important part of the history and heritage of Kilrush.

It is a unique monument and a significant landmark that is highly valued by the local community. I was delighted to support this project through the allocation of GMA funds, and I would like to commend the Planning team at Clare County Council for delivering the restoration works to such a high standard.”

Charlie Glynn, Chair, Kilrush Town Team, added: “Maintaining

and safeguarding of historic structures is an objective under Kilrush Town Team’s Community Strategy and we are pleased to see the Manchester Martyrs Monument conservation project come to fruition. Kilrush is one of only 27 Heritage Towns nationally and we welcome the continued capital investment by Clare County Council in our valuable built heritage.”

Reductions still in force in Ennis

SIGNIFICANT reductions in scheduled care are to remain in force across UL Hospitals Group this week as the major internal incident declared on January 2 is stood down.

Extraordinary measures taken across the group and in the community have helped reduced the extreme levels of overcrowding seen early last week at the Emergency Department at UHL.

However, all hospitals are operating above capacity and staff remain on high alert amid a surge of respiratory infection in the community that has not yet reached its peak.

The Hospital Crisis Management Team continues to meet twice daily seven days a week. However, the major internal incident was stood down by UL Hospitals Group CEO Prof Colette Cowan on Monday, January 9.

Day surgery at Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s hospitals remains cancelled until the end of this week as the day wards in these hospitals have been designated as surge capacity for unwell medical patients.

Reductions in elective surgery at UHL and at Croom Orthopaedic Hospital remain in force. All patients affected by cancellations are being contacted directly by staff.

Outpatient appointments are going ahead as scheduled on all sites this week and patients are advised to attend.

Injury Units in Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s are operating as normal. Opening hours for Ennis is 8am -8pm. For contacts for the units, and the services available, see: https://www2.hse.ie/services/injury-units/

‘No sour grapes’ in Flynn’s call for DeValera monument facelift

by Ronan Judge news@clareecho.ie

A CONSERVATION report will be prepared ahead of any potential facelift of the DeValera monument in Ennis, a meeting has heard.

At the January meeting of the Ennis Municipal District (MD), councillors backed a call for maintenance and cleaning of the monument.

Among those lending his support to the proposed project was Fine Gael councillor Paul Murphy, a relative of candidate defeated by Eamon De Valera in the 1917 Clare by-election.

“It is a part of our public realm”, Cllr Murphy said, “Cllr Flynn mentioned the 1917 Clare by-election. On a point of interest, the candidate that DeValera defeated was my great grand-uncle, Paddy Lynch. It just shows there are no sour grapes and I’ll be supporting DeValera on this one!”

In a motion to the meeting, councillor Clare Colleran-Molloy (FF) asked that the DeValera Monument be examined for maintenance and cleaning and that the works be undertaken as soon as possible.

Cllr Colleran Molloy told the meeting the DeValera monument is a “symbol of our history and our culture”.

She continued, “We should be very proud that we have sustained the democracy established in this Republic over a century ago. We know that in times of war, and we know what is going on in Ukraine and you look at the importance of symbolism there. You look at what is going in Odessa, in Kiev and the protection of symbols there.

They were literally sandbagging symbols in Odessa and other cities. It’s important my we have the DeValera monument and other symbols like this”.

In reply to Cllr Colleran Molloy’s motion, Paddy Tiernan, A/Senior Executive Engineer, stated, “The Council agrees to obtain a conservation report for the monument in the new year so that costs can be determined. Thereafter, a source of funding will need be secured to undertake any works”.

Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) told the meeting that the election of DeValera in 1917 to represent Clare was a “monumental result of our fight for independence”.

He said, “We’ve had such a successful stable society and country since then. We’re probably one of the few post colonial countries to have such a length of peace. Eamon DeValera played a very important part in that and the Clare people played a very important part in that”.

Cllr Mary Howard (FG) said, “I think it is important we embrace all of of our history and not be exclusive

Cllr Ann Norton (Ind) said symbols like the DeValera monuments will be important for future generations.

“It is part of our town. It is part of our culture. It is so important that structures like this are maintained because that it is the history of Clare and the history of Ireland. We want the next generation to ask questions, to be informed and if these statues are there the younger generation will ask questions. I think it is hugely important that everything is maintained irrespective of politics”, she said.

SHANNON NEWS

in association with

Holiday show returns after 3-year break

THE Holiday Show in association with Shannon Airport opens on Saturday and Sunday, 14th and 15th January 2023 in a new venue, the Radisson Blu, Ennis Road, Limerick.

Declan Power, Shannon Airport’s Head of Aviation Development said; “We are delighted to be back after a three year hiatus, with dates early in the New Year and a new easily accessible venue. Shannon Airport continues to be the preferred airport of choice for Irish tourists outside of Dublin due to its ease of access and range of flight options to the USA, the UK and Europe.

This past year has seen the introduction of new services to locations such as Liverpool, Paris, Naples and Porto as well as announcing a new transatlantic seasonal service non-stop to Chicago, giving our

customers even more choice from Shannon.”

The Holiday Show conveniently assembles exhibitors from across

the globe, all under one roof. Take the opportunity to secure show-only holiday deals, receive stellar advice from travel professionals, be in

with a chance to win holiday prizes and enjoy free admission and car parking to this great event.

The Holiday Show gives you an opportunity to explore 100s of countries, research different types of holiday packages and places you may have never thought possible, all while receiving one-to-one guidance from experienced and knowledgeable tourism experts.

Seek information from Camino Groups, Silversea Cruises, Malta Tourism Authority, Lanzarote Tourism, Cambrils Tourism and you’ll look at the world through a new set of eyes.

Take the stress out of your journey and fly from Shannon. Reach the far corners of the world with the assistance of the travel experts at FlyShannon.ie who will find your ideal escape.

The Holiday Show 2023 in asso-

ciation with Shannon Airport takes place in the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Ennis Road, Limerick and will be open from 11am to 5pm on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th January. Entry and car parking is FREE. Visitors to the show will have the opportunity to discuss and book their holidays with travel experts and will be in with a chance to win one of many prizes on offer throughout the two-day event.

To keep up to date with exhibitor announcements, prizes and show related blogs, see The Holiday Show in association with Shannon Airport 2023 at www.holidayshow. ie or follow us on Facebook - @theholshow, Instagram - @ theholshow and Twitter - @theholidayshow.

Permission sought for Sixmilebridge apartments

by Ronan Judge news@clareecho.ie

A PLANNING application has been lodged with Clare County Council for the development of four apartments in Sixmilebridge.

Winterparks Property Europe is seeking permission for the project which would involve the demolition of an existing derelict building on George’s Street.

The developers also are also seeking a change in the building’s and intend to install a 12 space car-park.

The panning application States that the applcaiant are seeking approval for the “demolition of existing outbuildings and for the renovation and change of use of existing derelict commercial property to a ground level car park with residential apartments over.

The development proposal includes; ground floor level: 12 number internal car parking spaces and 2 number external access stairwells.

The first floor level would have: 3 number 2 bedroom apartments and 1 number 3 bedroom apartment.

The application also seeks permission for additional first floor area, works to create new front facade, balconies, circulation

routes, new roof finish and structure, new windows to existing/amended and new openings, thermal upgrading, new connections to all public services, bin storage, bicycle parking and new vehicular entrance/ barrier,

Three additional external car parking spaces, hard landscaping and all ancillary site works, also form part of the proposed development?

The application states that the location for the proposed development is within an Architectural Conservation Area as defined in the Draft Clare Development Plan 2023 to 2029.

A decision on the application is not expected until March.

Campaign against Gort biogas plant raises €50k

by Ronan Judge news@clareecho.ie

ACAMPAIGN aimed at mounting a legal challenge to plans to develop a large scale biogas plant near Gort has so far raised €50,000.

Donations have come flooding in from Galway and around Ireland since a public meeting organised last week by the Gort Biogas Concern Group.

The group oppose plans by Sustainable Bio-Energy Ltd for a biogas plant on a 10.1 hectare site in the townlands of Ballynamantan, Kinincha and Glenbrack, Gort.

The meeting last Wednesday was overshadowed after a local farmer threw bags of cow-dung at local TDs Anne Rabitte (FF) and Ciaran Cannon (FG).

Ciaran O’Donnell, spokesperson for the group, said that while the incident took the focus off from the meeting, support for the campaign has intensified.

“It did take the focus of the purpose of the campaign for a while. But there is a lot of genuine frustration and genuine concern in Gort about this issue and everyone has their own way of dealing with it. It’s not right, what happened, it’s the not the ethos of how we want this campaign to operate. This gentleman probably felt genuinely frustrated because he was not being listened to. It did detract a bit from our message which is that no one wants this plant”, Ciaran told The Clare Echo

He continued, “Things have taken at an exponential rate since last the meeting last week. It’s just goes to show how much this issue means to the people of Gort and South Galway as a whole. The response has been amazing. We have had contributions from all over Ireland. All sorts of people and businesses have supported it. I was looking at the fundraising page and one of the contributions was €5 from a third class student in national school. In total its up to €50,000. We had raised €40,000 within the first four hours and its continued to rise since then. We’re going to carry on and there are other fundraising initiatives planned. We’re hoping to have a big concert on February 11 and there are a number of performers lined up for that”.

The fundraising campaign was launched in response to An Bord Pleanála’s decision last month to grant conditional permission for the biogas plant after Galway County Council refused the application.

Gort Biogas Concern Group are hoping to seek a judicial review of the decision.

Mr O’Donnell said the community is disappointed and frustrated by the decision and the timing of it.

He said, “Our only option to challenge the de-

Notes

IRISH LANGUAGE CLASSES

Irish language classes will recommence in the X-PO Killinaboy on Wednesday 11th January at 7:30pm. The Ciorcal Chómhrá will last 90 minutes. Doolin-based Mick O’Riordan is the múinteoir. Mick has many years experience teaching the language.

The class atmosphere will be relaxed. Craic is guaranteed as well as learning. The aim is to develop confidence in conversation with a little teaching involved. The lessons are free of charge and donation to X-PO is welcome but voluntary. Tuille eolais (more information) is available at 087 216 23 51.

cision by An Bord Pleanála is through a judicial review. We have eight weeks from the notification being sent out of their decision to grant permission, which was on December 22. Obviously people are very disappointed and very frustrated by the decision, with the timing of it just before the Christmas. I think people felt they were having their noses rubbed in it”.

The proposed biogas plant would utilise anaerobic digestion technology to produce renewable energy and organic fertiliser.

Opponents say the development would have an adverse effect on Gort and the environment.

“In terms of biogas plants elsewhere in Europe and globally, they are often small and positioned where they are needed. What is being proposed here is a large scale, industrial sized plant near a town. All of the waste will have to be transported by road to the plant so very quickly, the environmental credentials are lowered. This plant would be 900 metres from the town square and will have a total footprint the size of Kinvara”, Mr O’Donnell said.

He continued. “There are a lot of positive developments in Gort. There is the town development plan which is going to be a big benefit to the town. You talk to businesses and they will tell you that footfall around Gort is up because of the river walk. People want to come to Gort, to visit, to live here and work here. We don’t want to be known as the place with the funny smell. If this plant goes ahead, it will cut all this progress off at the route”.

CLARE ROOTS

SOCIETY TALK

Date: Thursday January 19, 8pm

Venue: Clare Education Centre, Kilrush Rd, Ennis

Lecture: The Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland: Locating the Local with Dr Brian Gurrin, of the Virtual Treasury Note: This lecture, held in the Education Centre, will be via Zoom.

Annual Membership 20 euro or 5 euro at the door on the night.

The Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland was launched in June 2022, on the centenary of the destruction of the Public Record Office of Ireland at the Four Courts in 1922.

The Virtual Treasury brings together tens of

thousands of copy records and transcripts to replace, as far as possible, the vast collection destroyed in that opening engagement of the Irish Civil War a century ago.

In his talk Dr Brian Gurrin will begin by telling the story of the lost Public Record Office and explaining how the team of historians, archivists and computer scientists ollaborated to virtually recreate many of its lost collections. He will then demonstrate resources available for local researchers in the Virtual Treasury.

Play about Rineen Ambush visits Corofin

Dermott Petty’s exciting new play ‘2 Days in September’ will be performed in Corofin Community Hall on Wednesday night next January 18 at 8pm.

This highly acclaimed innovative production, which uses a mixture of direct theatre as well as video material, has already played to capacity audiences in Doolin, Miltown and Kilkee.

Centred around the Rineen Ambush and the subsequent burnings in Ennistymon, Lahinch and Miltown Malbay, the tense filled story of events unfolds through the eyes of the local population and will provide the Corofin audience with a unique opportunity to reflect on happenings which rocked the entirety of County Clare in September 1920.

In fact the Rineen Ambush provided the backdrop to the Moanreel Ambush at the eastern end of the Corofin Parish in December 1920. The play was commissioned by Clare County Council, is directed by Joan Hanrahan and received a Decade of Centenaries Arts Project Award in 2021. It is performed by the Clare based BallyCartoon Players.

The event is hosted in Corofin by the local Cumann Staire is Dúchais Chora Finne Group. Numbers are limited to 100 and those wishing to attend are requested to contact Roisín Neylon at 0860696534 in order to reserve a place.

The admission subscription, which will be payable at the door on the night, will be €10 with a reduced rate for teens.

Funding to help victims of crime in Clare

MORE funding for organisations working with victims of crime will ensure that anyone who suffers as a result of crime in Clare will receive every assistance available to them, a Fine Gael Senator said.

Senator Martin Conway was speaking with regard to a funding announcement, totalling €5.25m for more than 65 organisations to work with victims of crime.

“The work of organisations in Clare, and all across the country that help victims of crime is outstanding. They provide support, information and advice on the rights of victims, outreach work, court accompaniment and crime victim helplines,” Senator Conway said.

The allocations range from €3,000 to €740,000, and they cover:

• National and larger organisations such as Women’s Aid, Ruhama, and One in Four;

• Local organisations working with victims such as Domestic Violence Support, Women’s Refugeand Rape Crisis outlets;

• General victims support organisations including Victim Support at Court; and

• Specialist organisations including Migrant Rights Centre and Dignity 4 Patients.

“There is an increased budget of €5.8m allocated to the Department of Justice specifically for victims of crime in 2023, and the remaining funding will be made available later in the year once further service need assessments have been completed,” Senator Conway explained.

“I am particularly pleased that Clare Haven is to receive €16,000, which will prove a very welcome boost to delivery of the services available to victims of crime.”

Last October, the Department of Justice

North Clare Historical Society

Dr John Treacy will deliver North Clare Historical Society’s first talk of its 2023 series with Vying with the ‘tin gods’- A history of Local Government in County Clare.

The shiring of the Kingdom of Thomond in 1570, and adoption of English common laws led to the creation of modern County Clare as a political and social entity. This lecture outlines the complex web of political evolution that led to the modern process of local governance in the county,

invited applications for funding from registered charities, voluntary community groups, and other organisations which provide services – or plan to provide services – supporting victims in the criminal justice system.

Funding is given to organisations that meet the objectives and that can show they have the required management and compliance policies and procedures in place.

The Department of Justice currently funds a number of NGOs that provide supports for victims of crime on a multi-annual basis. These agreements aim to assist the organisations with their long-term planning and cash flow, and to ensure more effective and efficient use of funding. These organisations will see an increase in funding of 7.9pc in 2023

now delivered by Clare County Council. It will explore the historic agencies and structures used to administer County Clare.

Treacy is co-author, together with Dr Matthew Potter, of The Story of Clare and its People 1570 – 2020. His other research interests include 16th -20th century maritime history, the 1588 Armada in Ireland, historic burial grounds and funerary traditions.

The talk will take place on Monday 16th January at the Courthouse Gallery, Ennistymon at 8pm. All welcome.

l Artists impression of the proposed biogas plant

Uisce Éireann celebrates 10th year of its sponsorship of the Green Schools Water Theme

Moneypoint a major part of our 'untapped potential'

UISCE ÉIREANN has confirmed its continued sponsorship of An Taisce’s Green-Schools programme to support schools working to gain a Green Flag under the water theme.

connecting to both Tarbert and Moneypoint, you can put that electricity onto that grid to power the

Native pygmy shrew quickly disappearing from our landscape

MINISTER for the Environment, Ea mon Ryan (GP) has pinpointed Moneypoint as a vital component in Ireland reducing its energy emissions.

Members of the Shannon Estuary Economic Taskforce are currently assessing the strategic strengths and comparative advantages of the Estuary will be assessed by the Taskforce while also scoping out potential economic opportunities. The group is to have a report compiled by the end of November.

Chairperson of the Taskforce, Barry O’Sullivan recently met with Minister Ryan and for the Green Party leader their engagement hammered home the possibilities for the entire region surrounding the Shannon Estuary.

During his time as Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources from 2007 to 2011, Ryan set a target of 40 percent of the country’s energy com-

turbines you can put up in any area but at sea, the resource is huge and the wind power is really strong,” he stated.

Offshore wind energy by Moneypoint is central to this. Speaking on Radio Kerry’s flagship current affairs show, Kerry Today, Minister Ryan outlined, “We will have a lot of offshore wind which will come into shore at the Shannon Estuary, that’s where we have the deep-water port.

"If you look at what the likes of ESB are proposing and look at Moneypoint on the other side of the Estuary and similar with Tarbert on this side, you’ve all you need there, you have a really good deep water jetty so any ships can get in, you have a platform there which you could deploy turbines out but what the ESB want to do, you bring the offshore wind in there, you use the grid which we have, there’s major electricity wires

“When the wind isn’t blowing, the ESB are saying we should do and everyone in Europe is now talking about and starting to do, you convert the electricity into hydrogen and use electrolysis, it is a new but advancing technology, when the wind isn’t blowing you burn the hydrogen to generate power and you run the power out on the same grid, you have a continuous stable electricity source,” he explained.

Now in its tenth year the sponsorship has seen over 2.6 billion litres of water saved, which is equivalent to filling 1,040 Olympic size swimming pools. 176 students across Clare and the Western region are water ambassadors with 49 schools in Clare and neighbouring counties involved with Green Schools. In total over 370,000 students across Ireland have completed the programme, achieving 1,310 Green Flags, as well as participating in a range of additional initiatives, including poster and video competitions, Walks for Water, Water Ambassador programmes and a range of workshops with Irish Water and other stakeholders in the water sector.

An auction for the country’s first “major offshore projects” is to commence this year on the east coast, Minister Ryan said. “Most of them you drive the turbines into the sand banks on the coast, we’re now planning phase two which goes to the west and south-west, it can be done”.

Scientists from Atlantic Technological University (ATU) and South-East Technological University (SETU) in Ireland have identified how our smallest mammal, the pygmy shrew, is disappearing because it is being outcompeted for insect food by the recent arrival of the invasive greater white-toothed shrew.

€350m.

Speaking at the launch, Eamon Gallen of Uisce Éireann, said: “We are immensely proud to continue our sponsorship of the water theme and our association with Green Schools. This partnership is the perfect fit as it and embodies our core values while helping the next generation understand and appreciate Ireland’s water resources and encourage conservation from a young age.

“It is truly inspiring to see how the schools taking part in the Green-Schools water theme are setting an example for how we should all value our precious water resources and have proved just how much water can be salvaged.”

Joanne Scott, Green Schools Manager, said: “We are delighted to have the continued support of Uisce Éireann. The support over the past nine years has enabled us to create and develop resources, events, and ongoing initiatives to assist schools as best we can with their work on our water theme. Each year our schools have achieved incredibly low water use and a strong school-wide culture of water conservation which is demonstrated in the massive water savings made since the sponsorship began.”

The Green-Schools water theme is a grassroots sponsorship that aims to foster awareness and understanding of water conservation, supply, protection, and pollution issues among schools and offers practical ideas, actions, and solutions on reducing consumption levels and increasing sustainability.

The Water Theme is tailored to students at all stages of their development, from junior primary to secondary level with a range of activities to suit all ages. In addition to developing awareness around water conservation the sponsorship incorporates wider engagement around stewardship of our water resources, including raising awareness of the impacts of wastewater on inland and coastal waterways.

“Invasive species are one of the leading causes of species extinctions globally, with over 80% of extinctions on islands being due to these invasions,” explains Irish mammal expert Dr Allan McDevitt of ATU’s Department of Natural Sciences and the Environment (Galway campus).

In the past fortnight, the Irish government approved the procurement of 450 megawatts of emergency generators to help close the gap over winter if there was no wind to generate power and one of the larger power stations experienced a shutdown, this will cost

Minister Ryan insisted that this was necessary. “We will have emergency generators to provide back up as well, we do need that, the really big strategic option by 2030 what we’re planning to have is 5GW of offshore wind and to put that in scale, that is equivalent to the amount of energy we’re using at the current time.

“In 2007, Ireland gained a new small mammal, the greater white-toothed shrew. At first it was thought that this might be beneficial to the island as an additional prey item for birds of prey and carnivores like red foxes. However, it quickly became apparent that it was causing a problem for Ireland’s only shrew, the tiny pygmy shrew”.

"We by 2030 can deliver that level, then the following decade and this is the really big industrial plan for the country, we can use that to go further to really tap into the scale of power that is available”.

“We discovered that the native pygmy shrew was disappearing in Ireland whenever it came into contact with the new invasive shrew. We didn’t know how this was happening given that the two species normally live together in Europe.”

The invasive greater white-toothed shrew is about three times larger than the native pygmy shrew. This group of scientists decided to investigate if the two species were competing for similar food, possibly leading one to outcompete the other.

“Rather than having to sort through insect body parts, we used DNA from the remains of insects in their stomachs to determine what they both had been eating,” says Dr Samuel Browett, lecturer in SETU’s School of Science and Computing (Waterford). “This allowed us to confidently identify what insect groups both were eating.”

“The pygmy shrew needs to eat more than its body weight in insects each day to survive. If this new shrew species is coming in and taking away its primary food sources, the pygmy shrew will struggle to live along side it. We have found that the native pygmy shrew vanishes in as little as a year after first encountering the new species,” states Dr McDevitt, who has been working on shrews in Ireland for 20 years.

“We also have the additional concern here that this invasive shrew may be altering the make-up of Ireland’s insect communities,” says Dr Browett. “This invasive species reaches high numbers so may be removing many of the larger insect species first in the undergrowth before moving on to the smaller species. This requires urgent attention given that we know insects are declining globally and this may have knock-on effects on other species in the Irish ecosystem”.

“We are lacking basic information around the distribution and population numbers of a lot of our smaller species in Ireland, including mammals,” says Dr McDevitt. “This invasive shrew was also very recently discovered in Britain, and we have concerns that it may have similar negative impacts there. Regular species monitoring has never been more vital for understanding and countering biodiversity loss on both local and global scales.”

Pictured at the launch of Uisce Éireann continued sponsorship of An Taisce’s GreenSchools programme are last year’s, Green School, Winners of Secondary Water School of the Year: Eniola Best Olumeyan, Mary Igbinigun and Yinka Adedokun from Balbriggan Community College

‘Clean’ Ennis claims Top 5 spot as national litter levels fall in 2022

THE FINAL LITTER survey of 2022 by business group Irish Business Against Litter shows Ennis remains among the cleanest towns in the country, in 5th spot in the ranking of 40 towns and cities nationwide. Three quarters of Ireland’s cities and towns were deemed ‘clean’ in 2022, compared to just over half in the previous year. Naas was again top of the rankings.

An Taisce conducts the surveys on behalf of IBAL. Its report for Ennis stated:

A very strong performance by a former IBAL Winner – the location of the IBAL sculpture is the impeccably presented and maintained at Abbey Street Car Park. Other top-ranking sites included the three approach roads and O’Connell Street, Market Place / Market Street Lower and Monastery Park. Gort Road Business Park and Ennis Bus / Train Station were very much deserving of the top litter grade this time around – a big improvement compared to a few years ago.

Cleanliness levels nationwide improved by

6% in 2022, with Naas pipping Kilkenny and Maynooth in the rankings. For the third year in succession, Waterford was the cleanest city, ahead of Galway. Urban areas improved by 12%, yet they continue to occupy the lower positions in the IBAL rankings.

“The results reflect a pattern of improvement since the peak of the Covid pandemic, when litter levels soared, especially in cities,” said IBAL’s Conor Horgan. “In particular we are seeing local authorities concentrate their efforts on ridding areas of heavily littered sites. We have no reason to believe this improvement will not

be sustained. Cleanliness is a virtuous circle: clean streets beget clean streets, inspiring a pride and consciousness of the environment among people.”

A strong case for Government schemes

Plastic bottle and cans continue to be a major source of litter, second only to sweet wrappers and present in one in three of the 500-plus sites surveyed. IBAL believes the findings bolster the case for a deposit return scheme, which is due to be introduced this year, and which will see consumers pay a deposit which they can reclaim on returning their containers to a re-

tailer or other collection point. “Based on this data the scheme is sorely needed and stands to rid our streets of a significant amount of litter. The same applies to the proposed coffee cup levy,” commented Conor Horgan. While there was a fall in the prevalence of coffee cups, they were still found in 25% of sites surveyed.

The survey showed cigarette butts remain a persistent form of litter. “We welcome the announcement that cigarette manufacturers will now be contributing to the cost of cleanup, but we really need to see preventative measures such as widespread butt disposal facilities alongside innovative packaging which can store butts,” said Conor Horgan.

The Mayor of Naas Municipal District, Cllr Evie Sammon, will be presented at noon today with the inaugural Dr Tom Cavanagh Memorial Trophy, in honour of IBAL’s founder and Chairman, who passed away in September. 2022 marked the 20th anniversary of the IBAL Anti-Litter League.

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

THE DEVELOPMENT OF JOHN O’SULLIVAN PARK, Lee’s Road is – arguably – the greatest community success story in County Clare over the last two decades. Thousands of people and various community groups and clubs use state-of-the art facility every week as a social outlet, from casual joggers traversing the woodland trails and the Saturday Park Run crew, to underage athletes taking to the field of play as they develop and hone their skills on the multi-use pitches.

Lee’s Road was officially opened in 2005 and is now of such importance to communities in Clare, it begs the question, what did we ever do without it, prior to the landmark development?

Tim Forde is General Manager of Sports & Recreation with Active Ennis and Active Kilrush. “I was brought in to overview indoor and outdoor facilities owned and managed by Clare County Council and in order to make the public aware of what facilities as a company we were responsible for we branded them Active Ennis Sports & Leisure and Active Kilrush Sports Complex.”

Tim is a Shannon native and he quips that the extent of his knowledge of sporting facilities in Ennis growing up “was that Tim Smyth Park had a soccer pitch, and that was it. Lee’s Road, which was dedicated to John O’Sullivan after he passed, is certainly a state-of-the-art facility that is second to none as far as we’re concerned.

“It is the jewel in the crown for sports and

recreation in County Clare,” he says of Lee’s Road. Such is its success, it brings its own set of challenges. “It’s so popular it’s difficult to accommodate everybody. Anybody who has visited from other project management perspectives, looking at developing something similar, have been more than impressed and even some have been intimidated by how well it’s structured, and what it can do.”

John O’Sullivan Park contains a 130-acre triple loop woodland walk, a skateboard park, an exercise unit, three conventional grass pitches, an astroturf facility, synthetic running track and more. Active Ennis are currently trying to secure funding for resurfacing of the running track and installing additional facilities with our athletics offering as well.

Its success continues to be an inspiration for Tim and his team who are continually expanding the facilities available to the people of Clare. “We have been doing that, trying to develop facilities around the county. The astroturf pitch in Kilrush was a recent addition, we developed the integrated GAA pitch and two soccer pitches there. We resurfaced the Cloughleigh astroturf and the astroturf in Lee’s Road, all those projects, we had to go and fight for funding from the government in order to protect our assets. We recently put in place a new meeting room and dressing room facility in Tim Smyth Park which also hosts one of the country’s first what’s called ‘changing places’, it’s a disability friendly toilet and shower facility.”

The popular playground at Tim Smyth Park is a crucial outlet for children and to complement this, are a number of benches with integrated chess boards for people to play chess or checkers while their children are playing. Both Lee’s Road and Tim Smyth Park are recipients of Green Flags from An Taisce for Park Management and biodiversity and sustainability.

On the horizon, Tim divulges, is the imminent development of a MUGA (multi-use games area) for Active Kilrush to complement their outdoor facilities in West Clare. “The MUGA in Kilrush would be the next piece of the puzzle, along with changing rooms. You’re talking about a multi-use games area which could be used for basketball, tennis, volleyball, 5-a-side soccer, it’s a multiple use synthetic surface. We have one in Tim Smyth Park.”

On the indoor side Active Ennis boasts a 25m swimming pool, a kids training pool, a state-of-the-art gym, two saunas and two steam rooms, an aerobic studio and changing facilities. With the arrival of a new year, its role in the community is brought into sharp focus.

“As everyone knows, people make their new year’s resolutions now and at the moment we’re running our January promotion which is discounted 3-month membership for the gym and pool, or a 12-month membership discounted during the month of January,” says Tim. “Our demographic is from age 4 to 100 is what I would say, there’s something there for everybody. We runs programs such as lunch crunch; a teen gym participation programme; ‘My Time’ which is designed for active ages where we introduce people to various disciplines like yoga, Tai Chi, aerobics, aqua aerobics, a taster for them to do those things. We’re very involved with swim lesson programs for the public and for schools. We

engage with a number of charities such as the Brothers of Charity, where they come here and do their physical activity in the gym or pool area. We give people fitness programmes and assessments for whatever they’re trying to achieve in the gym.”

Tim believes County Clare are leaders in the field of structure and facilities, and working closely with Clare Local Sports Partnership they endeavour to ensure “that everyone who is living in this county or visits, has the ability to be actively participating in physical activity when they’re here and encouraging that”.

“It’s all positive feedback. My job is probably the good news job in the County Council because it’s all positive, it’s about providing facilities, providing opportunities, and making sure people can safely and enjoyably be active and sustain activity long into their lives.”

To find out more about Active Ennis facilities and programmes, visit https://www. activeennis.ie/. For information on Active Kilrush Sports Complex, visit https://www.activekilrush.ie/.

Columnist 27 THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jan 12, 2023 Support journalism in Clare by subscribing to www.clareecho.ie/subscribe

Macalla an Chláir

le MACDARA Ó CONAOLA

An Clár as Gaeilge Teo Togra Páirtnéireachta Forbairt Teanga

Pobail do Chontae an Chláir

Thought for the week: “Be Kind and Do Good” Spreading the word of positivity

RONAN SCULLY

A

We won’t see his likes again

Traditional musician Séamus Begley

S a buachaill óg growing up on the Gaeltacht island of Inis Oírr I worked in my parents’ craft and souvenir shop during the samhradh months. I’d play ceol in the cúlra to avoid any ciúnas awkward when custaiméirí would be ag breathnú timpeall. It was usually ceol from a cassette or CD we were ag díol. One of those cassettes, or tapes, was the now classic album, ‘’Meitheal’’, by Steve Cooney agus Séamus Begley (Ó Beaglaoich), who we sadly lost this past Dé Luain. I calculated that I played that album about míle uair over an samhradh, and sold dozens of copies! To say that the album hadtionchar on me musically, would be an understatement mór millteach!

Séamus Begley was one of the finest Native Irish speakers a chuala mé i riamh, agus b’amhránaí, ceoltóir, agus showman den scoth a bhí ann. Agus rógaire den scoth freisin! He played here in Condae an Chláir many times. Aireoidh muid uainn é. Beannacht Dé lena anam ceolmhar. Follow us on Facebook, Mastodon, Twitter, and Instagram - @ ClárAsGaeilge. Gaeilge is for all of us to enjoy!

•

•

Cúl-chaint le Domhnall Ó Loingsigh chuile Dé Sathairn, ag 9am ar Clare FM

T the start of each new year I always try to dedicate the year to being kind and doing good to people and to try and treat people the way I would like to be treated. We all know that life is, at times, hard and difficult. It is filled with disappointments and sadness and is a roller coaster ride of ups and downs that leave us unsure how to stand up and face the music. At times, it leaves us feeling broken beyond repair, and in other situations as though we’re on top of the world, believing we couldn’t be more fulfilled. The thing is, most people never truly open up as to if they are in that time of brokenness or fulfillment, so we just don’t know. I’ve always believed we were put on this planet to help heal and care for the wounds of others. We do that from our own experiences, but we also do it daily through kindness and doing good. None of us are perfect. We all mess up from time to time, well I know I mess up a lot at times anyway. Some of us learned to be quick to apologize and quick to forgive, knowing our own need for grace in this life. But I think we could all take a lesson and how to be more kind and do good in everything wedo, no matter what’s going on in our own lives or around us and we should always try to “Be Kind and Do Good”. I know, for me, I’m certainly going to make it a top priority in my own life to do all things with kindness and goodness as we journey into 2023. When I am gone, I hope it can be said of me that I plucked a thistle and planted a flower wherever I thought a flower would grow.”

MORE LOVING WORLD

In the quest to create a gentler, more loving world, kindness is the easiest tool we can use. Though it is easy to overlook opportunities to be kind, our lives are full of situations in which we can be helpful, considerate, thoughtful, caring, loving and friendly to loved ones as well as strangers. The touching, selfless acts of kindness that have the most profoundly uplifting effects are often the simplest: a word of praise, a gentle touch, a helping hand, a gesture of courtesy, a listening ear, a warm friendly letter or email, the lighting of a prayer candle, a hug or a smile. Such small kindnesses represent an unconditional form of love that we are free to give or withhold at will. When you give the gift of kindness, whether in the form of assistance, concern, or friendliness, your actions create a beacon of happiness and hope that warms people’s hearts. The components of kindness

are compassion, mercy, love, care, empathy, respect and generosity.

Put simply, kindness is the conscious act of engaging others in a positive way without asking whether those individuals deserve to be treated kindly. All living beings thrive on kindness and doing good. A single, sincere compliment can turn a person’s entire world around. Holding a door, or thanking someone who has held a door for you, can inspire others to practice politeness and make already kind individuals feel good about their efforts.

Every kind act has a positive influence on the individual who has performed the act as well as on the recipient, regardless of whether the act is acknowledged.

Kindness brings about more kindness and slowly but surely makes a positive impact on humanity. You’ll discover that each act of kindness you engage in makes the world, in some small way, a better place and it warms the heart’s of many.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

As your thought for the week, make it your goal and habit to be actively looking for opportunities to show kindness and do good, to one another and to others when it is possible and needed. Practice genuine kindness and goodness as much as you can in your daily life and ‘plant flowers’ and ‘warm people’s hearts’ wherev-

Honey & sriracha chicken wings

STEPHEN KEARNEY RECIPES

recipe

Gaeltacht – the tiny areas of Ireland where Native Irish is still spoken daily

samhradh – summer

• ceol

– music

• ciúnas – silence/quietness

• custaiméirí - customers

• ag breathnú timpeall – looking around/browsing

• ag díol - selling

• míle uair - a thousand times

• tionchar – influence

• mór millteach – huge/enormous

• a chuala mé i riamh – that I ever heard

• amhránaí – singer

• ceoltóir – musician

• den scoth – top quality/top class

• Agus rógaire den scoth freisin! - And a top class rogue as well!

• Aireoidh muid uainn é - We’ll miss him

er you can! And always remember that compassion has no limit and kindness has no enemy. One thing I find very interesting is how our thinking changes when you hear the words of a terminal diagnosis and you have to fight for each day of life or when you have lost someone to bereavement in your family. To be there for loved ones and children, you let the unimportant go, you start to see the beauty in life and decisions, you become grateful for the smallest things, you understand time and how fragile life is and that every single day is a gift to be cherished and not to be wasted. So please everyone enjoy your life as much as you can and cherish all the moments no matter how small for no one as my family knows only too well that nobody is guaranteed anything or tomorrow anymore. For kindness and goodness is not just being nice. Kindness and goodness is not just being sweet. Kindness and goodness goes way beyond that. We are supposed to treat each other with kindness and goodness, and we are supposed to treat even those who do us wrong with kindness and goodness. “Be kind, one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32). Let this year be a year when we are kind and do good always or as much as we can for the good of everyone.

Put your chicken into a big mixing bowl and pat it dry . Then horse in all your spices and oil for the rub. Mix everything together really well until your chicken is coated thoroughly. Pop your wings onto a wire rack and fire them into a preheated oven at 200 Celsius for forty minutes, turning halfway through.

Step 2

Sauce time . Into a hot pan with your butter , honey and Sriracha. Stir through until the butter has melted and all the ingredients are mixed through. Just before you take your sauce off the heat add in the lemon juice and stir through.

Step 3

Step 1

Enjoy Steve K

A

Crowe: Government must retain tourism VAT rate

FIANNA Fáil Spokesperson on Tourism Cathal Crowe is calling on government to bring certainty to the tourism sector by retaining the lower VAT rate that the industry is subject to.

Following Budget 2023, it was announced that the reduced rate of 9% would be extended until the end of February, at which stage it would be reviewed.

“I am calling on the government to bring certainty to the VAT rate applicable for the tourism and hospitality sector,” said Deputy Crowe.

“At the moment, it’s subject to a reduced rate of 9% introduced in 2021 as a way of stimulating activity in these sectors and giving businesspeople in tourism and hospitality some much-needed financial breathing space.

“On Budget Day, it was announced that this VAT rate would be reviewed at the end of February and many people who work in this sector saw this as an early warning that the rate would climb back up to the normal 13.5%.

“Now that we have finally reached 2023, many commentators are predicting a slump for tourism and hospitality this year and these sectors very much remain in recovery mode following the Covid pandemic.

“In order to allow them to rebuild, we need to ensure that the VAT rate is kept as low as possible and it is my sincere hope that it remains at 9%.

“The input costs for those in tourism and hospitality have also risen exponentially in recent months and colossal utility bills have already put some out of business.

“Many of the rising costs are being passed onto the consumer and I fear that if we tin-

ker around with the VAT rate next month, it could have the unintended consequence of making commodities in these sectors more expensive and thereby discourage consumers from spending.

“January is typically a month where families begin to plan their summer holidays and for this reason, among others, I think it’s important to nail down VAT rates and pricing for the months ahead.

“January is also a slim trading month for many bars and restaurants after a busy Christmas season.

“They too want some certainty sooner rather than waiting until the end of February.

“Tourism and hospitality are vital to the Irish economy and as a representative for Co. Clare I know all too well the positive impact it’s had for us here locally – with more than 12,500 people employed in the sector.

“It’s vital that we act now to protect it.”

Clare record label making waves in music world

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

AS ANTHONY Daly famously alluded to on the steps of the Hogan Stand at Croke Park in 1995, we love our traditional music in County Clare.

However, one Kilfenora-based record label and management company is bucking the trend, putting Clare in the mix when it comes to an eclectic range of musical endeavours.

Welcome To The New World is an independent record label run by musician Enda Gallery, who from his home in rural north Clare has artists on his resume including singer-songwriter Tolu Makay (famed for her version of the Saw Doctors’ N17 with the RTE Concert Orchestra) and trailblazing Irish rapper Strange Boy, among others.

Enda grew up in Leixlip, County Kildare however already had strong links to County Clare thanks to his father hailing from Ennistymon, where Enda spent his summers, and his mother from Kilfenora. A business graduate, Enda traded in his 9-5 office work for a life in music. After completing a Masters in Music Technology, Enda moved to Berlin where his music career began to flourish. Alongside his own music, Enda delved into the world of music production. “Then I met an entrepreneur who saw I was really developing the artists

that I was producing and he asked if I’d like to start a record label with him. We really vibed on the idea of facilitating and amplifying special, brave artists who didn’t get the look from the mainstream, who didn’t fit that classic mould of artists who get funding.”

The pair grew the company and invested in a number of artists who have since started to gain accolades and widespread acclaim including Tolu Makay, Strange Boy, and Willzee. Enda himself is an accomplished artist, and in recent years had his song Its Alright feature on BBC’s hit series Normal People. “We do three things. We’re a record label, where help groups develop as artists, help release and distribute records; we’re a management company where we nurture and develop the careers of artists; and we also create music for specific purposes, such as apps or television.”

The trajectory of the company changed during Covid 19 as the company which invested in Welcome To The New World went into liquidation, giving Enda the opportunity to buy out his company. “At that point I’d been living in Clare for two years so I bought out the contracts and continued and expanded it on from there. It’s been great and it’s been really great to have the support of Clare LEO as well, it’s helped get a

start for some of these groups. It’s a really difficult industry but it has a really big and meaningful impact on who we can help.”

Welcome To The New World represent in the region of eight artists and Enda has a matra of ‘three S’s’ when it comes to developing relationships with new artists. “If an artist is a right fit for us, they’ll be soulful, skilful and sound,” Enda notes. “We want all of the music created on the label to be deep, meaningful, real and truthful. That’s something that’s very important to us. They’ve also got to be very high up in terms of their craft.”

In September 2022, Welcome To The New World took part in an exhibition in Los Angeles with thanks to the support of Clare LEO and the TAME programme. “I went to the States in March playing, I received a visa because I was in a programme called Ireland in Music. Two of our artists were selected to go over and play shows in the Irish Arts Centre in New York. While over there I got to learn about a

lot of the opportunities in America and was tipped off about this conference in Los Angeles in the music production space. I applied to LEO for support to go to that conference and exhibit, tell people about what we do. It resulted in us forming an opening partnership with BMG which are the fourth largest music company in the world. That among other things including forming our first projects with an English company called MediaTracks. So it was so fruitful and those relationships could become lifelong and extremely valuable relationships.”

“It seems there’s quite a lot of awareness about the LEO because there’s a lot of awareness around them and a lot of people pointed me in their direction.”

Speaking about conducting his business in rural Clare, Enda admits that phone reception and internet reception has posed various challenges, but the advantages outweigh these. “Clare is an amazing place for music. It’s a really creative place, the vibe is great, artists love to come here.

Email Enda at enda@wttnw.com or find Welcome to the New World on Facebook

Ennis healthcare recruit firm ‘boxes

clever’

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

PRE-TAX profits at Ennis headquartered healthcare recruitment firm, TTM Healthcare increased by 8pc to €7.2m in

as revenues rise to €96.63m

2021.

The business is led by former Irish boxing international, Brian Crowley and the business continued to grow in 2021 as revenues increased by 18pc rising from €81.75m to €96.63m.

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

• Biodiversity Officer (3 Year Contract) 2023

Completed applications must be emailed to: recruitment@clarecoco.ie not later than 4.00 p.m. on Thursday 2nd February, 2023.

•

Recycling Assistant (Scariff) Panel,

2023

Completed applications must be emailed to: recruitment@clarecoco.ie not later than 4.00 p.m. on Thursday, 26th January, 2023.

• Part-Time Traffic Wardens (Summer Season) Panel, 2023

Completed applications must be emailed to: recruitment@clarecoco.ie not later than 4.00 p.m. on Thursday, 2nd February, 2023.

• Temporary Technician Grade I (Civil & Architectural) Panel, 2023

Completed applications must be emailed to: recruitment@clarecoco.ie not later than 4.00 p.m. on Thursday, 26th January, 2023.

• Retained Fire-Fighter Panels (Part-time)

Clare County Fire & Rescue Service is currently recruiting staff for inclusion on panels for the following stations:

• Kilkee

• Kilrush

• Shannon

Candidates must live and work within 2.4 km of the Fire Station and be available to attend drills and fire alerts.

Garda vetting will apply prior to any appointment(s) that are made.

Completed applications must be emailed to: recruitment@clarecoco.ie not later than 4.00 p.m. on Thursday, 9th February, 2023.

Application forms and further particulars may be obtained by requesting same from the Human Resources Department, Clare County Council at 065-6846251, via e-mail: recruitment@clarecoco.ie or can be downloaded from the following website: www.clarecoco.ie

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

Scriobh chugainn as gaeilge más fearr leat.

Mr Crowley is also a former EY Entrepreneur of the Year finalist and the business has offices in Mr Crowley’s hometown of Ennis and in

Dublin, Cork and Manchester.

The directors state that “the excellent momentum achieved in 2021 has con-

OUTDOOR EDUCATION INSTRUCTORS

FIXED TERM CONTRACT X 1 POST Contract Duration (20.02.2023- 01.12.2023)

Kilfinane Outdoor Education and Training Centre, Co. Limerick

CASUAL PART TIME PANEL (INCLUDING EVENING GAMES & ACTIVITIES)

Kilfinane Outdoor Education and Training Centre, Co. Limerick

The Burren Outdoor Education and Training Centre, Co. Clare

Ref. No. 012821

Online application form and further details are available on www.lcetb.ie/recruitment

Closing time and date for receipt of applications is 12 noon Friday 20th January 2023.

Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board is an Equal Opportunities Employer. Canvassing will disqualify.

tinued particularly strongly into 2022 as we experience continued significant demand across all of our service areas”.

Paying tribute to “the amazing efforts of all our talent” the directors anticipate “revenue and earnings growth to continue throughout 2022”.

The Group manages, supplies, and delivers “innovative health and social care solutions” to the public, private and not-for-profit sectors in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, mainland UK and the Middle East.

Numbers employed by the business rose from 1,844 to 3,080 in 2021 and staff costs rose by 14pc from €66.95m to €76.2m.

The firm’s operating profits more than doubled rising from €4.2m to €9.7m.

However, operating profits were reduced by net ‘other operating expenses’ of €2.25m and interest payable of €242,002.

The operating profit also takes account of combined non-cash depreciation and amortisation costs of €1.05m.

The business recorded post tax profits of €6.16m after paying corporation tax of €1.06m,

Directors’ pay more than doubled from €200,000 to €439,690 made up of pay of €184,690 and pension contributions of €255,000.

The directors state that TTM Healthcare Solutions are specialists in healthcare talent management and healthcare process outsourc-

ing.

They state: “We send over 3,000 healthcare professionals to work in flexible frontline and support service roles every week and place 3,500 permanent roles annually.”

At the end of December 2021, the group’s shareholder funds totalled €22.3m while its cash funds increased from €10m to €18.14m.

The directors further state that the business’s Health and Social Care business experienced 25pc increase in Turnover from €21,337,251 to €26,699,957 in 2021.

They state: “This strong growth was supported by significant investment in property, IT infrastructure and people that delivers a high-quality person-centred service while achieving value for money for all our customers.”

The directors state that the Group continues to look for organic and external growth opportunities.

Last year, TTM Healthcare acquired two firms - in June, it acquired Be Rota Limited, which develops and supplies workforce technology with predominant functionality of scheduling and timesheet management and in July acquired 70pc of MMA Healthcare Recruitment UK Ltd which provides global healthcare talent and recruitment services.

PICTURED: Brian Crowley, founder of TTM Healthcare

Clare force Kerry down to wire

by Joe Ó Muicheartaigh news@clareecho.ie

Football McGrath Cup at Austin Stack Park, Tralee Kerry 0-14

Clare 0-13

Cork raised some eyebrows when hitting five past the Kingdom last Wednesday in cantering to a 12-point McGrath Cup victory and for vast tracts of this Sunday afternoon clash in Tralee it looked as if Clare where about to inflict some more early-season pain on the All-Ireland champions.

That’s because, for 50 minutes of this entertaining contest, it was Clare that were in the ascendancy — they were much the better team and full-value for the leads they built up at various junctures up to that point.

Early on when good points from play by Jamie Malone, Emmet McMahon, Ronan Lanigan and Cathal O’Connor had them 0-4 to no score to the good after just eight minutes; at half-time after a strong finish that yielded points by captain Eoin Cleary (2) and Padraic Collins ensured once more that they led by four as matters rested at 0-7 to 0-3; early in the second half when a brilliant run the length of the field by Manus Doherty for a fisted point edged them five clear, but above all when Cleary’s third of the day had them 0-11 to 0-7 ahead with 20 minutes remaining.

That’s really when opportunity knocked for Clare to kick on and record a first win in competitive senior football against Kerry since January 2016 when they recorded a 0-12 to 0-9 victory in this same McGrath Cup competition in Fitz-

gerald Stadium. Opportunity knocked because they seemed to have more hunger than Kerry on the day, but perhaps it was this reality that finally roused a big effort from the Kingdom coming down the stretch as they outscored an under-pressure Clare side by 0-7 to 0-2 in the final 15 minutes to edge home to a victory.

It may not have been what Clare’s play on the day deserved, but it’s what happened after two-time AllStar Tom O’Sullivan — one of seven Kerry players who saw action in

last year’s All-Ireland final victory that started this tie for Jack O’Connor’s charges — kickstarted their escape to victory.

After a cheap turnover he fired over from distance in the 55th minute and it’s as if a light was turned on in every Kerry player as a cause that looked like being lost was very much alive — a change in momentum that was hammered home when further points by Tony Brosnan, O’Sullivan and Ronan Buckley had the sides level by the 62nd minute.

From there it was a real dogfight, one that Kerry won in the end despite the best efforts of Keelan Sexton. He edged Clare back in front on 66 minutes, but Kerry’s response was swift as Tony Brosnan and Darragh Roche found the range to put them ahead for the first time going into injury time.

Sexton then leveled on 72 minutes only for super-sub Roche to have the final say with a winner two minutes later.

It’s what teams of Kerry’s quality can always do, but it was rough jus-

tice on Clare.

Scorers for Clare: Keelan Sexton (0-3, 1f), Eoin Cleary (0-3f), Cathal O’Connor (01), Emmet McMahon (0-1), Jamie Malone (0-1), Padraic Collins (0-1), Ronan Lanigan (0-1), Manus Doherty (0-1), Aaron Griffin (0-1).

Scorers for Kerry: Tony Brosnan (0-5, 4f), Killian Spillane (0-2), Darragh Roche (0-2), Tom O’Sullivan (0-2), Micheál Burns (0-1), Dara Moynihan (0-1), Ronan Buckley (0-1).

Clare: Stephen Ryan (Kilrush Shamrocks), Manus Doherty (Éire Óg), Cillian Brennan (Clondegad), Ronan Lanigan (Éire Óg), Cian O’Dea (Kilfenora), Jamie Malone (Corofin), Alan Sweeney (St Breckan’s), Cathal O’Connor (Coolmeen), Darren O’Neill (Éire Óg), Emmet McMahon (Kildysart), Eoin Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown), Dermot Coughlan (Kilmurry Ibrickane), Padraic Collins (Cratloe), Keelan Sexton (Kilmurry Ibrickane), Ciarán Downes (Kilmihil). Subs Ikem Ugwueru for Coughlan (44), Daniel Walsh for Sweeney (44), Aaron Griffin (Lissycasey) for McMahon (44), Gavin Cooney (Éire Óg) for Collins (50), Dara Nagle (Liscannor) for O’Dea (50), Gearóid Cahill (Corofin) for Downes (50), Darragh McDonagh (St Joseph’s Miltown) for O’Connor (62), Dan Keating (Kilmihil) for Malone (62), Shane Griffin (Lissycasey) for Cleary (66), Cathal Downes (O’Curry’s) for O’Neill (66).

Kerry: Shane Murphy (Dr Crokes), Dylan Casey (Austin Stacks), Jason Foley (Ballydonoghue), Tom O’Sullivan (Dingle), Mike Breen (Beaufort), Tadhg Morley (Templenoe), James McCarthy (Kenmare Shamrocks), Diarmuid O’Connor (Na Gaeil), Jack Barry (Na Gaeil), Dara Moynihan (Spa), Micheál Burns (Dr Crokes), Barry Mahony (St Senan’s), Tony Brosnan (Dr Crokes), Eddie Horan (Scartiglen), Killian Spillane (Termplenoe). Subs Barry Dan O’Sullivan (Dingle) for O’Connor (10), Darragh Roche (Glenflesk) for Horan (25), Ronan Buckley (Listry) for Mahony (38), Greg Horan (Austin Stacks) for McCarthy (44), Ruairi Murphy (Listry) for Burns (44), Stefan Okunbar (Na Gaeil) for Barry (56), Jack O’Shea (Austin Stacks) for Breen (62), Dylan Geaney (Dingle) for Moynihan (62).

MANAGER COMMENT “

“It was a tough game with a tough opponent so you have to be at it all the time in inter-county hurling and we were in a little bit of trouble there in the second half.

“We didn’t [take advantage of the black card at the end of the opening half] but you live and learn. “We had a number

of very good performances and it was good to get a number of players back out on the field and give younger lads some game-time as well, some of which had very good performances too.

”We were up against a very good opponent so there’s only one way to learn and that’s in places like this and playing against a very good quality team.

“Overall we’re happy enough to start the year and happy enough to be getting lads back on the field again. Shur you’d love to be winning but it wasn’t for us today.

“At this time of year, it’s all about the next game so we’ll dust our-selves down and get ready for Waterford next weekend.”

MANAGER COMMENT “

“I thought there was a brilliant attitude shown out there today. It was real good committed stuff for a January game. The pitch was in immaculate condition considering all the rain that fell in the last few days.

“I’m delighted to see the big Tipp following out today, absolutely thrilled to see the Tipp people back supporting the lads again, not that they ever didn’t support them.

“I’m very fortunate to have a good group of people with me and a group of committed players that are absolutely driven to play for Tipperary and that’s the key. When you

have fellas coming in every night that really want to play at the top level for Tipperary, it makes my job a lot easier.

Look, I’m just delighted with the competitiveness of the game. I think both teams will have got a lot from today.”

Referee: James O’Regan (Cork)

l CLOSE BATTLE: Keelan Sexton in possession against Kerry at the weekend Photo by Gerard O'Neill

Brian Lohan, Clare:

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

Liam Cahill, Tipperary:

Clare football poker classic

by Seamus Hayes sports reporter

THE annual poker classic to raise funds to assist Clare football teams from development squads up to and including the county senior side will take place on this Sunday (January 15) from 6p.m.

The event will take place at Ciaran’s Bar and the Queens hotel when in the region of two hundred players will take part.

So far there has been a big response from clubs across the county for the event which carries a very attractive prize fund while there will also be a selection of spot prizes available on the night.

Monies raised will go towards the preparation of the various development squad panels at under 14 and 16 levels as well as helping with the preparation of the minor, under 20 and senior county squads all of whom will be busy over the coming months getting ready for their championship campaigns.

Funds raised from this annual event have played a key part in helping prepare many Clare football teams

in recent years, all of whom have made great strides.

The organising committee comprises Kevin Callinan, Tommy Tubridy, Michael Clancy, Mary Far-

rell-Keane, Niamh Madigan, Colm Collins, Seamus Hayes, Ciaran Browne and Michael Talty.

Proposals to change Clare championship formats

by Seamus Hayes sports reporter

PROPOSALS to change the format of a number of adult hurling and football championships were debated at the January meeting of Clare GAA which took place on Tuesday night at the TempleGate hotel.

After much discussion in which views for and against the proposals were offered, it was decided to defer decisions until the February meeting.

In the meantime the master fixtures committee are to consider the proposals and liaise with the clubs which put them forward before bringing a recommendation to the February meeting.

Broadford, Feakle, Sixmilebridge and Newmarket had motions looking for changes to the structure of the senior and intermediate hurling championships. Both Broadford and Feakle’s asked for the new format to come into play for 2024 while Newmarket’s proposal related to the intermediate championship only. Sixmilebridge asked that the senior and intermediate competitions for 2024 return to the pre-covid format of 16 teams with eight first round games.

Broadford proposed that the 2023 senior championship remain unchanged but that the 2023 results should be used for 2024 when the eight quarter finalists in 2023 be graded at senior A with the remaining eight playing at senior B. both A and B to be divided into two groups of four with the top three teams in each of the A groups to qualify for the championship quarter finals along with the top team in each of the B groups. The bottom team in each A group to play off to decide who would be relegated to senior B

While the majority of those voting(by a show of hands) were in favour of this) a final decision was deferred as late changes in relation to the conclusion of the senior B didn’t attract the same support.

Wolfe Tones have asked that all adult championships be run on a group basis with no less that four teams in a group.

A job well done

Aisling O'Rourke and Fiona Breen reflect on their achievements at the Fergus Rovers GAA Club Victory Social last weekend at the Inn At Dromoland. Both their Intermediate winning team and Junior B champions received their medals from Special Guest of Honour and former Clare Ladies star Ailish Considine

Proposals from Ennistymon and Kilmurry-Ibrickane in relation to the under 21 championships led to lively debate but failed because of a lack of a seconder.

Should the time schedule for these championship remain as this year, Ennistymon favoured a straight knock out format with each code given a 3 to 4 week window, one code at a time. The example they gave was for the hurling to run from November 4/5 and conclude on November 25/26 with the football running from December 2/3 an concluding on December 16/17. This proposal had come from their dual players, the meeting was told.

Corofin delegate Pat Curtis told the meeting that starting a week earlier or running a week into the New year would have made a huge difference for his club which contested both the A hurling and football finals Committees appointed

The January meeting of Clare GAA ratified the appointment of a number of sub committees for the coming season as follows;

Audit and risk committee;-Mark O’Connell, Vincent Delaney, Paul O’Sullivan, Fergal Cahill and chairperson Paula McDonnell; Competitions Control committee; Kieran Keating (chairman), Seanie McMahon (Referee’s administrator), Tom Duggan (fixture analyst representing dual clubs), Deirdre Murphy (Head of Operations), Deirdre Chaplin (assistant secretary), Rebecca Sexton (treasurer), Michael Maher, Seamus Hayes, Ambrose Heagney and Eoin Brennan who has been added to the committee for 2023.

Masters Fixtures committee; Colm Browne, Padraic Boland, Tom Duggan, Tony O’Donnell, David O’Brien and Martin Hehir.

Hearings committee; Dan O’Connor (chairman), Gerry O’Malley (secretary) John Morris, Michael O’Regan and Concepta O’Connor.

Planning and Training committee;-Paddy Smith (chairman), Joan Crotty, Sean McMahon Vincent Delaney and one more to be added to replace board charman Kieran Keating.

Coiste na nOg football; P.J. McGuane (chairman), Anne Hayes (secretary), Martin Frawley (Kildysart), Joe Kelly (Cooraclare), Joe Talty (Miltown St. Josephs), Marie Malone (Shannon Gaels) and Pat McMahon (Banner)

Coiste na nOg hurling; Kilmaley’s Stephen McNamara will be the new chairman of Coiste na nOg hurling, replacing Neil O’Brien who was elected as the county’s coaching officer at the recent convention with Pat Gavin from Ogonnelloe continuing in the role of secretary. The remaining members of this committee will be announced at the February meeting.

Affiliations by January 27

All clubs must have their team affiliations for the 2023 season with the board by January 27 so as to enable the preparation of a fixture schedule for the year.

Insurance

In response to a query from Inagh-Kilnamona delegate Paul Gannon as to when GAA officials and players must have their membership paid in order to be fully covered, the meeting clarified that as per the official rule book “the season runs from January 1 to December 31”

Chairman Kieran Keating then asked all clubs to ensure that members of their clubs involved with inter county teams at all levels are registered given that most squads are busy in training for upcoming competitions..

Presidential candidate

Armagh’s Jarlath Burns who is seeking to be elected the next president of the GAA addressed this week’s board meeting.

Beaten in the last election three years ago by current president Larry McCarthy, the former Armagh captain outlined his views on many issues. He has served on a variety of Ulster GAA and Croke Park committees over the past decade.

He spoke of the importance of the GAA to the community and stressed the importance of retaining its amateur status. He expressed concern about player welfare suggesting that inter county managements were putting too much pressure on players in relation to training schedules.

Winter league underway at Dromoland golf club

by Seamus Hayes sports reporter

DROMOLAND

Twenty one teams of four will compete in the Winter league at Dromoland golf club over the coming weeks.

Round 1 will be a 9 hole scramble and will run until Sunday week, January 22. In all there will be seven rounds in the league.

WOODSTOCK

The weekend singles at Woodstock was won by Brian Keogh with 42 points from Paddy Mee-

han with 40 points with third spot filled by Chris McGrath with 37 points

There will be another club singles this Saturday and Sunday

GORT

Martin Callanan (9) with 38 points won category 1 in the weekend singles at Gort.

Category 2 was won by Seamus Noone (16) with 42 points, John Neylon (20) won category 3 with 48 points while Steve Mahon (24) was the category 4 winner with 45 points.

l FUNDING: Clare football manager Colm Collins

Photo by Natasha Barton

Half backs sparkle as Ennis prove too strong for Clonmel

at Ennis RFC Ennis 36 Clonmel 10

In what is a special year for the club, Ennis RFC got their Munster junior cup campaign off to an impressive start with a comprehensive victory over a fancied Clonmel side at the showgrounds this Sunday afternoon.

Six tries, three of which were converted, steered the home side to a fully merited win and a date with Nenagh in round two.

The victory completed a great weekend for the Ennis club as earlier this Sunday the club’s under 16’s accounted for Ballincollig, 18-3 in the Munster league while the ladies team won on Saturday.

Ennis RFC celebrates its centenary this year and the weekend’s victories have delighted club members.

Ennis made a great start to Sunday’s Junior Cup tie with winger Jack Scahill touching down in the corner for the opening try after just four minutes. A great break by outhalf Oisin Mangan created the opening and Scahill was on hand to apply the finish. Colin Kearney’s conversion attempt from a difficult angle was narrowly wide.

Stung by this reverse, the visitors piled on pressure in search of a score and they closed the gap when Ross Slattery landed a penalty.

With their half back pairing of Cian Guilfoyle and Oisin Mangan dictating matters Ennis came storming back and they struck for their second try midway through the half, David Reynolds getting the touch down after the opening try scorer Scahill had played an important part in the move.

Commenting on the contribution of the half backs, Ennis head coach Bryan Murphy said “we had to bring Cian Guilfoyle into the scrum half position today and move Oisin Mangan to number 10. We have a lot of pace in our backline. It’s a young side and they are mad for road. We will be facing another senior side in Nenagh as a result of this and it will be a tough battle again. Clonmel are a serious side as well”.

(above) Cian Guilfoyle makes a break to set up Ennis's first try and (left) David Reynolds touches down for the Clare side's third try

The home side struck for their third try in the 35th minute, full back Colin Kearney getting the touchdown and he landed the conversion to push his side 17-3 clear.

The game was in first half injury time when the winners struck again and with David Reynolds getting through of his second and the team’s fourth try which saw them take a 22-3 lead to the break.

Any fears that the winners might relax a little were quickly brushed aside and eight minutes after the resumption they struck again, Oisin Mangan getting through for the team’s fifth try. Kearney again added the points and the home side were 29-3 in front.

Midway through the half Ennis crossed the try line again but play was called back for an offside infringement.

However they weren’t to be denied and two minutes from the end of normal time Cian Guilfoyle touched down and Kearney added the points putting his side 36-3 ahead.

Clonmel battled to the end and in the final play of the game, deep in injury time, prop forward Brendan Delicate got over for their only try. Ross Slattery added the points with the final play of the game.

As mentioned, half backs Oisin Mangan and Cian Guilfoyle dictated matters for the Ennis side for whom Jack Scahill, and David Reynolds also made valuable contributions.

Ennis; 15-Colin Kearney; 14-Jack Scahill, 13-David Reynolds, 12-Ben Quinn, 11-Cillein Mullins; 10-Oisin Mangan, 9-Cian Guilfoyle; 1-Frank Coffey, 2-Brendan Cleland, 23-Ruairi Quinlan; 4-Mattie McNamara, 5-Stephen Dolan; 6-M.J. Malone, 7-Osgar O’Gorman, 8-David Flynn;

Subs (all used); 16-Ryan Murphy; 17-Evan Smith, 18Enda Galvin; 19-Cian Nugent; 20-Robert O’Connell. Clonmel; 15-Sean McEntegert; 14-Ross Slattery; 13Emre Yaser, 12-Sean Sweetman, 11-David Leo; 10-Matthew Hynes, 9-Joe Sheehan; 1-Brendan Delicate, 2-Liam Ryan, 3-Luke Sheehan; 4-Ryan Phelan, 5-Billy Coffey; 6-Ross Brady, 7-Tom Nugent, 8-Johnny Young; Subs (all used), 16-Matthew O’Toole; 17-Conor Frost; 17-Adam Marren; 19-Rian McCormack; 20-Joshua Dolan;

Referee; Dwayne Horkan, Shannon RFC

Clare clubs seeking to advance in Munster

by Seamus Hayes sports reporter

ACTION in the junior soccer season in Clare has resumed after the Christmas break and the main focus this weekend will be on the Munster youths and junior cup in which five Clare clubs will be seeking to progress, On tTyouths cup sees two Clare clubs away to Cork opposition. Bridge United travel to play Blarney United while Tulla United will be away to Watergrasshill.

Three Clare clubs will be hoping to progress in the Munster junior cup on Sunday and all will enjoy hoime advantage.

Newmarket Celtic will entertain Killavilla from Roscrea, Bridge United will welcome Avondale from Cork while Shannon town

will also welcome Cork opposition in Cork Beg and all games will kick off at 2p.m. and must conclude on the day so extra time and penalties will apply, if needed.

Meanwhile in the premier league Avenue United will Coole FC while Mountshannon Celtic will have Kilrush Rangers as visitors Cup draws

At a meeting of the Clare soccer league on Monday night, draws for a number of cup competitions were made.

Thirty five teams will compete for the Ennis Carpets Clare junior cup which will have three round 1 games.

The first and second round draws were made on Monday night along with the draws for the Michael O’Gorman

youths cup, the Hugh Kelly league cup, the under 17 cup and the women’s cup.

The details are as follows

Ennis Carpers Clare junior cup, Round 1;

Fern Celtic B v Avenue United B; Shannon Olympic v Moher Celtic

Tulla United A v Shannon Hibs A Round 2;

Fern Celtic B or Avenue United B v Newmarket Celtic A; Inch Crusaders v Newmarket Celtic B

Shannon Hibs B v Kilkishen Celtic

Ennis Dons v Coole FC A

Hermitage v Fairgreen Celtic; Kilrush Rangers v Tulla United A or Shannon

Hibs A

Bunratty/Cratloe v Manus Cetic

Sporting Ennistymon v Shannon Town C Coole FC B v Shannon

Olympic or Moher Celtic Tulla United B v Lifford

Rhine Rovers v Connolly Celtic

Corofin Harps v

Bridge Celtic

Bridge United A v Avenue United A

Fern Celtic A v Kildysart Celtic

Bridge United B v Shannon Town A

Mountshannin Celtic v Shannon Town B

Hugh Kelly League cup, quarter finals

Bridge United A v Coole FC

Shannon Town A v Tulla

United A Newmarket Celtic A v Avenue United A Kilrush Rangers v Lifford

Michael O’Gorman

youths cup, Round 1

Bridge Celtic v Newmarket Celtic; Avenue United B v Shannon town Moher Celtic v Shannon Hibs

Tulla United v St. Pats Quarter finals; Bridge Celtic or Newmarket Celtic v Ennis Town Avenue United B or Shannon Town v Tulla United or St. Pats

Moher Celtic or Shannon Hibs v Bridge United; Avenue United A v Coole

Under 17 cup, round 1 Newmarket Celtic v Lifford

Mountshannon Celtic v Bridge United A

Bridge United B v Tulla United A

Bridge Celtic v Tulla United B Quarter finals

Newmarket Celtic or Lifford v Bridge United B or Tulla United A Coole FC v Avenue United A

Mountshannon Celtic or Bridge United A v Shannon Town

Shannon Hibs v Bridge Celtic or Tulla United B

Women’s cup, round 1

Hermitage v Fern Celtic; Bridge United v St. Pats; Semi-finals

Corofin Harps v Bridge United or St. Pats; Tulla United v Hermitage or Fern Celtic

Munster Junior Cup

l WORTHY WINNERS:

Photos by Joe Buckely

Pride in family, club and community

Mary Melican, Emma, Hazel and Barry Keating at the Fergus Rovers GAA Club Victory Social; (below) Tomas and Kate Lees at the Inn At Dromoland event; (bottom) Ava O'Malley and Maeve McCarthy

Photos by Natasha Barton

PLANNING

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL AHASLA, MAURICES MILLS, ENNISTYMON, CO. CLARE.

Take notice that Jake Mellor and Lorraine Nolan, intend to apply for permission for the following works, (A) Demolish existing shed, (B) Renovate and make changes to the existing dwelling, (C) Construct extension to the side of the dwelling, and (D) Construct detached garage to the side of the dwelling, all with associated site works, at above address.

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

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL, KILCONNELL, LISCANNOR CO. CLARE

Take notice that Bebhinn Gleeson intends to apply for (i) Retention Permission for demolition of shed and the construction of new shed as built, (ii) permission to complete works to shed and all ancillary site works for use as a home office (iii) Retention of alterations to fenestration of renovated cottage from that granted under Planning Reg. Ref. P19-399 and (iv) Permission for a detached sauna building. Protected Structure RPS No. 619 applies. This planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in

writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL KILLERK EAST, DARRAGH, ENNIS, CO. CLARE.

Take notice that Kieran Nugent intends to apply to the planning authority for retention permission for (a) changes to a greyhound/ dog shed as constructed (previous planning ref. P08/320) and (b) a small fuel storage shed at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, Clare County Council, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the

planning authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL DOONMORE, DOONBEG, CO. CLARE

Take notice that Maria Kelly intends to apply to the planning authority for permission to construct a new dwelling house and garage complete with a new entrance, sewage treatment system and ancillary works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, Clare County Council, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the planning authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL ISLANDMAGRATH, CLARECASTLE, CO. CLARE FURTHER INFORMATION/ REVISED PLANS

Planning Ref: P22/888 Development Description: The construction of a new dwelling house and garage complete with a new entrance, sewage treatment system and ancillary works Location: Islandmagrath, Clarecastle, Co. Clare Take notice that Sinead Concannon has lodged significant further information in respect of planning application P22/888. This information and planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority of Clare County Council, Planning Department, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis, Co Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to

the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, not later than 2 weeks after the receipt of the newspaper notice and site notice by the planning authority or in the case of a planning application accompanied by an EIS within 5 weeks of receipt of such notices by the planning authority.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL SHYAN, KILMIHIL, CO. CLARE

Take notice that Elizabeth Finucane & Liam Barrington are applying to Clare County Council for planning permission to construct a new dwelling house, access road, entrance, private garage and install a new wastewater treatment system along with all associated works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of Clare County Council during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the

authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL COOLMEEN, KILMURRY MCMAHOBN, CO. CLARE

Take notice that Bevan Sawyer is applying to Clare County Council for planning permission for the conversion of a barn to a granny flat along with all associated works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of Clare County Council during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CHIMNEY CLEANING

Miltown Chimney Cleaning Open Fires, Stoves & Ranges All areas covered Call Pearse on 085 1187811

CHILDMINDER

CHILDMINDER needed in Ennis for a two year old and nine month old girl working two to three days per week, commencing in January. Call 0872858559

Prayer

ANNIVERSARY

THE MIRACLE PRAYER

In the past, I have asked for many

Take it dear Heart of Jesus,

Where your Father sees it, It will become your favour

Promise Publication.

THE MIRACLE PRAYER

Dear Heart of Jesus, In the past, I have asked for many favours.

This time, I ask you This special favour.

(Mention Favour) Take it dear Heart of Jesus, And place it within Your own broken heart

Where your Father sees it, Then in His Merciful Eyes It will become your favour Not mine. Amen.

Say this prayer for 3 days.

Promise Publication.

Irish Grinds available to Leaving Certificate Students Ordinary and Higher Level. All aspects of course are covered and comprehensive notes provided. Contact: 0834777423

PERSONAL ASSISTANT

Personal assistant / carer available in the home days /nights weekends phone 0868493832

TUITION

Irish Grinds Available to honour Leaving Certificate level, all aspects of Irish course & comprehensive notes provided Call 085 2127980.

WORK WITH HORSES

Person wanted to work with horses, full or part time work available. Previous experience with horses essential. Call Tony 087 8100045

MURPHY

(5th and 14th

Anniversaries)

Treasured memories of our dear parents, Nuala who died on 5th January 2018 and Henry who died 25th January 2009 late of Newline, Tulla. The years we were all together will not return but the love and memories will always remain.

Sadly missed by your Daughters Geraldine & Sínead, Sons Matthew, Henry, Gerard and David, your Sisters Maura, Ena & Chrissie, Grandchildren, Daughters in-law, Sons-in-law, Sister-in law, Brother-in-law and extended family and friends.

Anniversary Mass on Sunday 15th January 2023 at 11am in Tulla Church.

The Clare Echo Quiz

WOMEN OF COUNTY CLARE

Who will be grand marshal of the Ennis St Patrick’s Day parade 2019?

Sharon Shannon Biddy Early Mary Fitzgerald

of the following Clare athletes has NOT played international rugby for Ireland Edel McMahon Chloe Morey Eimear Considine

Tuamgraney’s prize-winning author Edna O’Brien published The Country Girls in 1960. But what which of the following is true? The book was banned, It was the inspiration for 50 Shades of Gray, Edna was banned from attending mass

singer Maura O’Connell was cast in which Martin Scorsese film?

Driver The Departed Gangs of New York

Brennan Sharon Shannon

Hothouse Flowers

. Stripes on shoulder different color (middle) . 12 missing on jersey (middle) . Falls hotel logo missing on jersey (right)

weeks answers . Falls hotel logo missing on jersey (middle left)

boots different colour (front)

Crest missing on top (middle back)

Ennis inside centre Ben Quinn makes a break for the line in Ennis RFC’s 36-3 win over Clonmel in the Junior Cup

Photo by by Joe Buckley

Austen Balzac Bronte Cervantes Chekhov Conrad De Maupassant Dickens Doyle Eliot Faulkner Fielding Forster Hemingway Hugo Huxley Joyce Maugham

Melville Milton Proust Shakespeare Shaw Steinbeck Swift Tolstoy Twain Woolf

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