The Clare Echo 13/01/21

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JAN 13 2022

‘ShannonDoc must provide real answers’ PÁRAIC McMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

C l Keelan Sexton (above) and the Clare footballers had their first competitive outing of the year when they were defeated by Cork at the weekend in the McGrath Cup

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

LARITY must be provided

by ShannonDoc in regards to its profits and the return of services provided, according to an East Clare councillor.

Criticism of the out of hours GP service was voiced by Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF) this week as he stressed the need for answers to be provided by ShannonDoc. Killaloe representative O’Brien stated, “ShannonDoc have received over €5m to cover out its out of hours service in the Mid-West but

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at the same time, its offices and dispensaries in Killaloe, Shannon and Ennistymon remain closed”.

Cllr O’Brien felt it was time for ShannonDoc management to come before a meeting of Clare County Council to justify their actions before elected representatives. He added, “What services are they providing for the monies they are receiving, I believe they have made an operating profit for the last number of years”.

In 2020, ShannonDoc recorded an income of €8m, €1.9m of which came from GMS income. This total income was up on the €7.3m of 2019, accounts show.

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2 NEWS

Index NEWS

THURSDAY, JAN 13 2022

TWO PAWS ON THE BALL

2-13

GREENER CLARE

14

RECRUITMENT

22

CLICK FOR CLARE HEALTH & FITNESS

20-21 23

MOTORING

24-29

SPORT

30-34

A

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

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

NEWSDESK

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

SALES

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

Roslevan residents anxious

 BIG FAN: A North Clare canine taking its place among the substitutes as Clare’s senior footballers welcomed Cork to Hennessy Memorial Park in Miltown Malbay on Saturday Photo by Gerard O’Neill

NXIETY is growing among Roslevan residents over a potential imbalance in the provision of the type of housing in the area.

Of the 361 social housing units to be constructed in the county between the second quarter of this year and the end of 2023, 198 (55%) are in the Ennis Municipal District.

76 of the units will be in Roslevan alone.

Speaking at Monday’s meeting of Clare County Council, Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) remarked, “this is a very large number of housing in the one estate”.

Planning for 23 to 24 houses adjoining the Cooperative Housing Ireland led development was noted by Cllr Flynn.

“There is a huge lack of opportunity for people to buy in the private rented or affordable sector, if Clare County Council has any say on the additional houses to go into social or private sector, I would advise that the residents are anxious that they be appropriately mixed”.

He added, “the market was completely flawed in that it was only providing rented housing up until a year and a half ago, now it is only providing social housing”.

NEWS

THURSDAY, JAN 13 2022

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4 NEWS

Púca coming to North Clare

T

by PÁRAIC McMAHON HE Púca will be coming to North Clare but not to Ennistymon as initially planned.

Clare County Council have confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that the statue will be offered to other North Clare towns, villages and community operated tourism sites through an Expressions of Interest process to be announced shortly.

Kilkenny sculptor, Aidan Harte who designed the Púca told The Clare Echo that he informed Council officials any new arrangement would require a new contract “specifying the exact location and firm dates”.

“I’d be delighted to see it in another Clare town eager to have it, but after eight months’ of delay, I would not again agree to something completely open ended,” he added. Aidan was hopeful an agreement would be reached by the end of the month Local objections prompted Clare County Council to pause plans for the Púca in May. The €30,000 artwork caused an international stir at the time with a strong reaction on either side of the debate to the plans which divided Ennistymon.

STATUE: The controversial artwork was created by Kilkenny sculptor Aidan Harte

Fr Willie Cummins denounced the sculpture from the altar as “sinister”, Senator Martin Conway (FG) described it as “offensive”.

The Council were presented a petition containing 263 signatures

from locals against the two-metre tall statue.

Among the high-profile supporters for the sculpture were actor Chris O’Dowd, comedian Dara Ó Briain and MEP Mick

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Wallace (IND). Ger O’Donohoe, owner of This Is It café in Ennistymon also was in favour of the Púca making home in the North Clare town.

Members of the Council’s Arts Office had selected the Púca as the winning entry of nineteen submissions for a €500,000 scheme aimed at revitalising Ennistymon.

The scheme is aimed at increasing the amount of time visitors spend in the town, as well as improving and developing signage, pedestrian access and significant additional car parking spaces. The artwork was inspired by the town’s equine heritage and Irish folklore.

Clare’s history includes links to the Púca. Rineen National School was reported to be haunted by a Púca while Brian Boru is said to have been the only man to ever successfully ride and tame a Púca.

Officials in Clare County Council met with elected members on Tuesday where it was confirmed that it would not be proceeding with plans to install the artwork in Ennistymon. The Local Authority has proposed to relocate the art piece within the North Clare Electoral Area. Meanwhile, it has also been proposed that a new art piece for the Ennistymon project will be developed through a full public consultation process.

THURSDAY, JAN 13 2022

‘Substantial’ expense for property owner after oil robbery

by PÁRAIC McMAHON ONE property owner in Barefield has been left with a “substantial” bill after they had home heating oil stolen while their electric gates were also damaged.

Gardaí received a report this week of an incident where home heating oil was stolen from a house in Drumquin, Barefield between New Year’s Eve and January 2nd.

Crime prevention officer, Triona Brooks outlined, “The electric gates into the property were also damaged to gain entry and have cost the owner a substantial amount of money to repair”.

On ways to secure your oil tanks, she advised, “invest in a good quality closed shackle padlock and fit it to the tank opening.

“Placing a wooden or metal fence, trellis or wall around the tank can give significant protection to the tank and is probably the strongest method of making it hard for the thief to get at the tank.

“Remote oil level gauges are available which will set off an audible alarm when the oil level drops dramatically”.

Scariff ‘destined for growth’ with boost PÁRAIC MCMAHON

S

paraic@clareecho.ie

CARIFF is “destined for growth” following confirmation of €524,000 in regeneration works, elected representatives have predicted.

Under the Rural Regeneration Development Fund (RRDF), the Department of Rural and Community Development have allocated €524,000 for the design and planning stages of a regeneration of the East Clare town centre.

Plans include the provision of a multi-service innovation and engagement digital hub, improvements to the public realm in market square and the town centre, efforts to tackle dereliction and the delivery of enhanced parking and ancillary facilities. Funds allocated will assist in bringing these works estimated to cost €655,000 to the planning stage.

A member of the Scariff Town Team, Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) predicted the funding would “change the whole fabric of the town”. He stated, “It is a number of years since the development of the town square, at the time it was a new beginning for the town, now we will have a change of lifestyle and it will bring in a more modern approach and more pedestrian and safety measures for public realm”.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Cllr Hayes

affirmed that the support for businesses and the community will arise from the digital hub. Attempts to tackle dereliction and the addition of a new car park were also welcomed. “It will set Scariff on the right track going forward particularly with work ongoing for the Killaloe Bypass and Inis Cealtra, Scariff is destined for growth”.

He acknowledged the efforts of those involved in the Killaloe Municipal District and Clare County Council in submitting the application.

Clare TD, Joe Carey (FG) labelled the project as “a game changer for the town of Scariff and its large hinterland”. He said the funding “will pave the way for further significant streetscape improvement throughout the centre of Scariff town including the square area thereby improving accessibility whilst also catering for additional parking capacity including for coaches which will attract new tourism business.”

Funding allocated “will be transformational for Scariff town,” Deputy Cathal Crowe (FF) believed. “Scariff is known for being vibrant and picturesque but now, with major works planned for the nearby island of Inis Cealtra it’ll become a tourism gateway of even greater importance in the Lough Derg region. This funding will help to revamp the town centre and address dereliction first and foremost”.

Upgrade works represented “a landmark regeneration project” for Scariff, Senator Timmy Dooley (FF) commented.

NEWS 5

THURSDAY, JAN 13 2022

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6 NEWS

THURSDAY, JAN 13 2022

Decision on Blake’s Corner ‘months away’ PÁRAIC MCMAHON

A

paraic@clareecho.ie

N OUTCOME on an oral hearing held by An Bord Pleánala held in June to explore future options for Blake’s Corner will not be known “for some months yet,” senior officials in Clare County Council have conceded.

Clare County Council had been hopeful of receiving a decision before the end of 2021 but have not adjusted their expectations. A virtual oral hearing took place on June 9th and 10th via Microsoft Teams. It followed a compulsory purchase order by the local authority for two properties at Blake’s Corner in Ennistymon, 14 objections had been issued for the CPO. Under the proposed N67/N85 Inner Relief Road at Ennistymon, traffic congestion issues in the North Clare town will be addressed. It involves the construction of a new bridge approximately 80m upstream of the existing Michael Conway Bridge. The existing bridge, a protected 7-arch masonry bridge, will be pedestrianised to allow pedestrian and cyclist access only, and a plaza will be constructed at the western end.

Cllr Shane Talty (FF) sought an update on the current status of the inner relief road at Monday’s meeting of the Council. “It was

subject to media attention in December, some of it negative which suggested years were going back and progress was slow”.

Director of Service, Carmel Kirby referred to a recent accident at Blake’s Corner and said the Council were “eagerly awaiting” a decision from An Bord Pleánala.

“It is almost overdue at this stage,” she admitted. Detailed design and land acquisition would follow a favourable outcome, if granted.

Ongoing support of Transport Infrastructure Ireland to finding a solution to Blake’s Corner was acknowledged by Seán Lenihan.

The senior engineer in the Council’s project management office added, “some of the negative press over Christmas was disappointing to hear, considerable work has been done in the last couple of years”. He added, “I know we had an accident there before Christmas, over 12,000 cars turning that corner every day in both directions, most driver behaviours are aware of complexity of the junction”.

Lenihan told the meeting that it would be a “multi-million euro project”. The oral hearing “took 12 months” to take place with the planning authority, he said. “It is still with the inspector, it hasn’t gone to the board so I expect it will be a couple of months yet,” the Miltown Malbay native revealed. “If the decision is favourable we will be moving at pace, TII are fully behind a resolution of the current situation”.

Council defend right to exclude media from SPC meeting

by PÁRAIC McMAHON PLANNING OFFICIALS led the call for members of the media to be excluded from a recent meeting of Clare County Council’s Rural Development Strategic Policy Committee (SPC).

In what was the final sitting of the Rural Development SPC of 2021, the meeting was held ‘in camera’ with both The Clare Echo and The Clare Champion not permitted to attend.

The SPC is responsible for all areas of policy concerning the council’s town and village enhancement, community, information and communications technology functions.

Chaired by Cllr Pat Hayes (FF), the SPC is also comprised of Cllr Mary Howard (FG), Cllr Pat Burke (FG), Cllr Bill Chambers (FF), Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF), Cllr Shane Talty (FF), Cllr Joe Killeen (FF), agriculture representative Denis Tuohy, co-founder of Love Shannon Niamh O’Callaghan, community representative Eugene Crimmins, environmentalist Anny Wise and Jean Tierney of Clare Youths Service.

The Director of Service for Rural Development in

the Council is Leonard Cleary.

Members of the SPC have told The Clare Echo that they were opposed to the decision not to have the media attend the briefing which focused on the County Development Plan and how members could make submissions.

The Clare Echo understands that officials in the Council’s planning section

were not willing to be put in a position where they would be questioned publicly on the potential implications to rural areas of the County Development Plan.

A spokesperson for Clare County Council said the decision to hold the meeting ‘in camera’ was “normal practice” and added, “the organisation reserves the right not to invite the media to such briefings as appropriate to the needs of the organisation”.

IN CAMERA: Rural Development Director of Service, Leonard Cleary Photo by Arthur Ellis

Coláiste Muire named as top feeder school

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

Please do not grieve alone We listen and support You are welcome to contact us by call or text

COLÁISTE MUIRE is the top feeder school in Co Clare.

Of the 138 students who sat the Leaving Certificate in the all-girls Ennis secondary school, 114 percent have pursued third level studies giving Coláiste top marks in terms of third level advancement.

Mary Immaculate Secondary School in Lisdoonvarna with 43 students sitting the State Exam had a progression rate of 102 percent followed closely by Rice College in Ennis where 100 percent of the 109 students advanced to third level.

Kilrush Community School (99%), Scoil Mhuire, Ennistymon (94%), St Anne’s Community College, Killaloe (92%), Ennistymon CBS (90%), St Joseph’s Tulla (88%), Kilkee Community School (85%) and St Joseph’s Spanish Point (85%) all recorded top marks.

Scariff Community College (84%), St

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NUMBER ONE: Coláiste Muire

Flannan’s College, Ennis (80%), St Caimin’s Community School Shannon (80%), Kilmihil Community College (78%), St Patrick’s Comprehensive School (74%), Ennis Community College (73%), St John Bosco Community College, Kildysart (58%) and Ennistymon Vocational School (45%) completed the list.

St Flannan’s College had the highest contingent of students from the Class of 2020 advancing to third level (217) followed by the Coláiste (114), and St Caimin’s Shannon (113).

Figures do not include the many school-leavers who went into further education, such as post-Leaving Cert (PLC) courses. Nor does it cover those who pursued an apprenticeship, an “earn-andlearn” approach that leads to a qualification at either further education or higher-education level. Students who enrolled in British colleges or college places in the EU are not included in the figures.

NEWS 7

THURSDAY, JAN 13 2022

‘A giant of New York business’

T

by PÁRAIC Mc MAHON RIBUTES have been paid at either side of the Atlantic Ocean to Broadford born New York businessman Danny Moloney who died on Monday morning.

Born on January 6, 1947, Danny remained very proud of his East Clare roots throughout his seventy five years while he certainly made his mark on the business community of New York.

With him every step of the way was his beloved wife of forty seven years Rose, a native of Mayo and his dear son Danny Junior.

In 1975, Danny founded the moving company Liffey Van Lines which would go on to become one of the largest and most successful movers in New York, Ireland and beyond. Trucks belonging to the company which grew into a giant are regular sights on the streets of Manhattan and further afield. Shipping containers to and from Ireland is also a mainstay of Liffey’s business, as is storage, a perpetual need of New Yorkers living in cramped spaces.

He is remembered for the thousands of jobs he provided to Irish people whether it be those who emigrated to the Big Apple or individuals that headed Stateside for the summer months. New York GAA, the Aisling Irish Center, the Hibernia Provident Society and the Emerald Guild Society were among the organisations he generously supported.

Each St Patrick’s Day, he hosted a delegation of Clare politicians. The annual welcome he extended has been fondly remembered by elected representatives. For years, Moloney was the backbone of the parade in Mahopac, his second home in New York’s Putnam County. His collection of vintage cars were among the main attractions for the parade which would be followed by a huge celebration at his home. The late Brendan Grace was among his closest friends.

An example of the pride he held for East Clare was clear to see in 1997 when he underwrote accommodations for the Tulla Céilí Band when they were celebrating their fiftieth anniversary.

Mayor of Clare, Cllr PJ

TRIBUTE: Danny Moloney pictured with his wife Rose and Danny Jnr

Ryan (IND) was an annual visitor of Danny’s and had been due to meet him this March, “he always went to the full limit no matter who it was,” he recalled of the warm welcomes he received.

“Danny was an extraordinary Irish man abroad, he gave employment to hundreds of Clare men and women,” Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) stated, his mother was a first cousin of the deceased. Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) said, “the people of this county will never forget what Danny Moloney did for us”.

“Danny was a special talent, he gave widespread employment to Clare people abroad,” Cllr PJ Kelly (FF) noted. Funding that led to the start of Carrigoran House was provided by Danny, Cllr Pat McMahon (FF) detailed, “He started at the very bottom and worked his way up to lead companies, he gave so many Clare people the chance to work, he is a massive loss to Co Clare and the Clare community in New York”. Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) remarked, “his heart and soul was in Co Clare”.

Plans for Kilrush Maritime Training Centre take a dive PLANS for a Maritime Training Centre in Kilrush have met another stumbling block, writes Páraic McMahon.

Funding was not secured for the €8m Kilrush Maritime Training Centre in the Rural Regeneration Development Fund (RRDF) announced by the Department of Community and Rural Development on Thursday.

Cathal Crowe TD (FF) expressed his disappointment that funding was not allocated but remained confident of the project’s potential. “Whilst I’m disappointed that it hasn’t been approved on this occasion, I very much consider this to be a viable project for the future and I hope to work with local councillors and stakeholders to ensure that new life is breathed into these plans and that it goes forward once again for public monies.”

Clare County Council Officials were confident that the project would be included for funding but have been left surprised by its initial omission.

Last month, Enterprise

Ireland had announced funding of €1.75m for the project which was described by Clare County Council Chief Executive, Pat Dowling as “a significant boost” and enabled the local authority to commence with the expressions of interest process for a preferred partner to operate the facility.

Dowling added, “The importance of obtaining a suitable maritime operator with extensive knowledge of this sector is paramount and will require significant time and effort by the SEI team in terms of procurement. The Expressions of Interest process for a potential operator resulted in eleven entities requesting access to the EOI documents for which three have now been qualified to proceed to Stage 2, the competitive tender by negotiation stage. It is envisaged that this second phase will commence in quarter one of 2022”.

It is envisaged that the training centre would create 28 jobs and that approximately 1,200 people would receive training at the centre each year.

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8 NEWS

THURSDAY, JAN 13 2022

Man (32) charged with murder of John O’Neill PÁRAIC MCMAHON

Opposition to prospective licences in East growing

 John O’Neill

paraic@clareecho.ie

LISDOONVARNA is reeling following the discovery of a man’s body in “unexplained circumstances” on Friday morning.

John O’Neill (79) was found dead at his house in the heart of Lisdoonvarna on Friday morning prompting a Garda investigation which so far has resulted in the arrest of Thomas Lorrigan (32). At a special sitting of Ennis District Court on Saturday night, he was charged with murder and remanded by Judge Marie Keane to appear via video-link from prison at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

Gardaí were alerted to the incident at around 8am on Friday morning by a phone call and are not looking for anyone else at this stage in relation to the incident. It is understood Mr Lorrigan was known to Mr O’Neill, senior Garda sources have said the suspect was a regular visitor of the victim’s.

State Pathologist Margaret Bolster attended the preserved scene on Friday afternoon with a technical examination completed by the Garda Technical Bureau.

Since 1973, John ran O’Neill’s Town House with his wife Chris, the local B&B was built by his great great grandfather. John was viewed as a very active figure in promoting tourism in Lisdoonvarna.

His wife Chris died in July of last year

following an illness, she was the founder of the Burren Painting Centre. A native of Gossport in the UK, Chris was a former Chairperson of Lisdoonvarna Fáilte and was regarded as “a powerhouse” in the area.

They had two children together, Seán and Graham who are well-known through their involvement with St Breckan’s GAA club.

John and Chris also had five grand-children.

Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG), a native of Lisdoonvarna said it was “a really tragic event”. He outlined that the “tragic loss” of John has been felt by the entire community. “It is a terrible situation for the family who were recently bereaved of Christine in the summer, they had an intrinsic involvement in tourism in the area”.

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 MINING: Tulla

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

S

TRONG opposition to the awarding of prospecting licences in Tulla and Bunratty is stemming from environmental groups and local politicians.

A two-week extension has been granted by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications for submissions relating to a prospecting licence sought by Meath based Minco Ireland Ltd to prospect for base metals, baryte, gold and silver ores in Tulla and Bunratty.

The holder of a prospecting licence is entitled to explore for mineral deposits and does not authorise mining of any minerals. The activities permissible under a licence are, in general, non-invasive and of minimal environmental impact.

Futureproof Clare amassed over 1,500 signatures to a petition in opposition to the granting of the licence.

All-Ireland group Communities Against the Injustice of Mining (CAIM) joined forces with Clare groups including the newly formed local group called Keep Tulla

Untouched. An area of over 51km sq is included in the Tulla application.

Senator Roisin Garvey (GP) was among those to request Minister for the Environment, Eamon Ryan (GP) to delay the awarding of the licence.

Awarding the licence would pose “an unacceptable risk,” Emanuela Ferrari of Futureproof Clare believed. She warned of the habitat and biodiversity loss associated with mining.

Local livelihoods would be negatively impacted by mining, Emma Karran of Futureproof Clare flagged.

“Farming, fishing and tourism are dependent upon clean water supply and well maintained landscapes.

“Mining in Clare would devastate many local businesses and the economic systems that the people of Clare have worked very hard to build.

“The proposed site sits close between two proposed UNESCO sites: The Burren National Park and Inis Cealtra off the shores of Lough Derg.”

An emergency motion was passed at Monday’s meeting of Clare County

Council appealing to Minister Ryan not to proceed with the awarding of the licence.

Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) criticised the lack of notice to the public for the plans, “We must say that mining is not of great use to Clare, refusing prospecting licence would be best but a proper extension of time for more public engagement is needed”. Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) called for the ban on fracking in Clare to be extended to mining.

Little to no environmental impact will arise from the prospecting, Cllr Liam Grant (GP) explained.

“Driving your car to Ennis would have more of an impact realistically. If they want to go ahead with mining that it is a different story, we’ve had good and bad examples of that all over the world”. He noted that 1000 people were employed “at one stage” with the Tara mines.

Many of the licences awarded in Clare have not been acted upon, Director of Economic Development, Liam Conneally said.

He confirmed that a procedure would be established to notify elected members when future prospective licences are sought.

NEWS

THURSDAY, JAN 13 2022

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10 NEWS

THURSDAY, JAN 13 2022

J

ANUARY is famous for New Year’s resolutions. There’s something so motivating about pressing the ‘reset’ button and starting a new year with a fresh set of goals – a brand-new year for a brand-new you. And this year that feeling’s likely to be stronger than ever, as we emerge from the worst of the pandemic.

For many of us, becoming slimmer, fitter and healthier will be at the top of the list of our New Year’s resolutions for 2022. Spending so much time indoors, often coupled with more indulgent food choices and disrupted routines, saw many healthy habits fall by the wayside during the pandemic – and then Christmas rounded it off! And let’s not forget, getting into great shape is the very best thing that we can do for our long-term health.

If you’re ready to make 2022 the year that you take control, lose weight, get fitter and gain confidence, read on. Here are seven secrets of success – all backed up by the latest research into weight loss and behaviour change, from local weight loss experts Orla, Fidelma, Louise and Maura from Slimming World.

1 DON’T GO HUNGRY To lose weight you have to eat less, right?

Well, no! What you’re eating is much more important than how much. Swapping high calorie, unsatisfying foods (think chocolate, alcohol, pastries) for foods that are lower in calories and more bulky, so they fill you up for longer, is key to losing weight in a way that’s easy to live with. Research shows that by basing your diet on low energy dense foods, like fruit and veg, and foods that are most filling – or satiating – like lean meat, fish, eggs, pasta and potatoes, you can actually eat a larger amount of food and feel more satisfied while losing weight.

“We might think we need to be overly strict with ourselves when we’re losing weight – counting and measuring all our food and reducing portion sizes right down – but this type of restrictive approach ultimately leaves us feeling more hungry and deprived,” says Dr Jacquie Lavin, Slimming World’s Head of Research.

Some quick and easy changes include using less fat when you cook, so you boil or dry

Maternity Benefit

Fuel Allowance

A ‘New You’ for ’22 fry instead of frying in oil, swapping full fat dairy products for low fat or fat free, ditching sugary drinks in favour of low calorie drinks and adding more fruit and veg to your daily meals.

‘My members find that by making simple changes to their shopping and cooking, which we talk about in our group every week, they lose weight without feeling hungry,’ says Slimming World Consultant Louise who runs the Tuesday groups in the Auburn Hotel in Ennis.

2 IT’S OK TO WALK BEFORE YOU RUN! If it’s your goal to get fitter, remember you don’t have to become a professional athlete to get active - just making a commitment to moving more all adds up. Many people make the mistake of joining a gym, overdoing it in week one and quickly giving up, thinking ‘exercise isn’t for me’. Finding an enjoyable, achievable, and sustainable way of building new active habits into your routine is key – anything that gets you moving more, from heavy gardening or vigorous housework to brisk walking, dancing, cycling, or playing frisbee in the park, counts.

What’s most important is making it a regular habit – as natural to your day as brushing your teeth. Maura says: ‘In our local group we encourage each other to get more active, and we’ve got a new set of 50 online videos for members so they can easily get started at home.’ Maura runs groups each week on Thursdays in Ardrahan and Gort.

3 BE KIND TO YOURSELF We all start January with great intentions, but it’s all too easy to go off track. It’s what you do next that matters most – and the most important thing is not to beat yourself up about it. A Slimming World survey of 1,700 slimmers showed that when they did have a slip up, being self critical was more likely to lead to comfort eating and giving up

Pensions

completely, whereas when they were kinder to be kind to themselves (imagine how you’d talk to a friend who’s had a setback), they more quickly got back to healthy eating, lost weight and they kept it off. So, cut yourself some slack!

4 SET A GOAL It’s hard to achieve a goal if you don’t set it out clearly in the first place! And when you’re thinking about your dream weight, don’t be afraid to be ambitious. Research from Slimming World shows that slimmers who set ambitious targets lose twice as much weight as those who try to be ‘realistic’. Shoot for the moon – you never know where you might land! FIdelma says: ‘As well as setting an overall weight loss target, all my members set a mini goal every week – whether it’s to lose weight, to get more active, to plan ahead or to try something new – making that commitment to a goal definitely helps them achieve more.’ Fidelma runs the Wednesday evening group in the Killaloe Hotel and Spa. 5 DON’T OPT FOR A QUICK FIX It’s no secret that many people find losing weight far easier than keeping it off longterm. To avoid becoming trapped in a yo-yo diet cycle, it’s important to approach weight loss as a permanent change to your lifestyle – and focus on developing new healthy habits that are sustainable for life, as well as getting support to make those changes. Dr Jacquie Lavin, Slimming World’s Head of Research, says: ‘A group support approach is tried and tested - research shows that the more groups Slimming World members attend, the more successful they are. Based on their weight-loss over a year, the top 10,000 slimmers who attended their weekly weight-loss group regularly lost 30% of their body weight – around 5st each. Orla says “In our groups, members are equipped with all the tools they need to stay slim for life, so that they can be confident that the changes they’re making are sustainable forever.’

Orla runs groups in Kilrush on Wednesday mornings, Ennistymon on Wednesday eve-

Whatever your question, we’ll answer your call.

Call Clare Citizens Information on our New Phone Numbers: Ennis: 0818 07 5260 Kilrush: 0818 07 5310 Shannon: 0818 07 5260 National Phone Service: 0818 07 4000 Or visit citizensinformation.ie

A SOURCE YOU CAN TRUST citizensinformation

6 STRIKE A BALANCE An all-or-nothing approach is rarely effective when it comes to weight loss. Restricting yourself when it comes to food and drink might work in the short-term, but pretty soon you’ll be fed up, hungry and giving up completely. A little bit of what you fancy is key!

That might be a Saturday night glass of wine or a bit of chocolate in the evenings. Whatever it is for you, having a flexible approach and a balanced mindset is much more likely to deliver long-term success.

7 YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO IT ALONE The principles of losing weight are quite simple, yet if it was that easy – we’d all be doing it! Studies show that embarking on your weight loss journey alongside other slimmers brings more success than going it alone – sharing the ups and down, having cheerleaders who are on your side, and sharing advice and tips. And not only that - recent research revealed that people who are supported to lose weight in a group increase their mental toughness – developing more control, embracing challenges and growing in confidence -- more than those who choose to lose weight on their own and go on to lose more weight than those who don’t have the support of a Slimming World group. Dr Jacquie Lavin says: “The power of the group and the peer support members give one another is what sets Slimming World apart. Our members become part of a community, something special, which helps them to realise that they are not alone in the challenges they face. That’s combined with our personalised approach – called IMAGE Therapy – which helps every member discover more about themselves as a slimmer, identify their own pitfalls and danger zones, and create practical plans to overcome them.”

To find out more about Slimming World and how to join, visit slimmingworld.ie or see below for your local group details.

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Orla

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ning and Ennis every Thursday morning and evening along with Saturday mornings.

Orla

Mondays Shannon Oakwood Hotel 5.30pm ENNISand 7pm Louise 086 1381874

Louise

Fidelma

Louise

Maura

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Wednesdays Ennistymon Teach Ceoil Ennistymon 5.30pm ENNISTYMON Orla 085 8761334

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Thursdays Gort Gort Community Centre 9.30am KILRUSH Maura 087 2768935

AUBRUN LODGE HOTEL COMMUNITY CEN TEACH COIL TUESDAY EVENINGS Wednesdays MORNI WEDNESDA Y MORNING + TUESDAY Tuesdays Ennis Killaloe Thursdays Ennis Auburn Lodge Hotel Killaloe Hotel and Spa West County Hotel Louise Orla EVENINGS 9.30am, 5.30pm and 7pm 5pm + 7pm 8am, 9.30am, 086-1381874 085-8761334 Orla Louise 086 1381874 Fidelma 087 4395322 4pm and 5.30pm 085-8761334 Orla 085 8761334

Tuesdays Thursdays Labane ENNIS Kilrush ENNIS KILLALOE Kilrush Community Centre Labane Hall Ardrahan Saturdays Ennis CBS PRIMARY SCHOOL4.30pm and 6.30pm STSchool FLANNANS SC 9.30am CBS Primary BALLINA PARISH HALL, SATURDAY MORNINGS Orla 085 8761334 Maura 087 2768935 8.30am and 10am THURSDAY EVEN BALLINA Orla 085 8761334 Orla

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NEWS 11

THURSDAY, JAN 13 2022

TTM revenue surges to €6m

P

by GORDON DEEGAN RE-TAX profits at healthcare recruitment firm, TTM Healthcare increased almost three fold to €6.69m in 2020.

The group recorded the 182pc increase in pre-tax profits despite revenues decreasing by 9pc from €89.6m to €81.7m in 2020.

The firm is led by former Irish boxing international, Brian Crowley and the business continued to box clever last year with directors stating that they anticipate revenues and earnings growth to continue through 2021.

Mr Crowley is also a former EY Entrepreneur of the Year finalist and the directors state that revenues reduced in 2020 due to the challenges brought about by the pandemic.

The business operates here, in Northern Ireland, in the UK and in the Middle East.

The business has offices in Mr Crowley’s hometown of Ennis and also has offices in Dublin, Cork and Manchester.

Numbers employed by the business in 2020 decreased from 1,882 to 1,844 and staff costs decreased from €78.4m to €66.9m.

The pre-tax profits in 2020 were boosted by ‘other operating income’ of €2.73m following income of just €17,011 under that heading in 2019.

The directors state that operating profit increased by 160pc from €2.67m to €6.94m “as a direct result of significant investment in people, service development and capital over the last three years to enable sustainable growth across our group”.

The directors go on to state that “the amazing efforts of all of our talent has meant the excellent momentum achieved in 2020 has con-

the business has been able to navigate the challenges that COVID 19 brought.

On the group’s future developments, the directors state that “the Group continues to look for organic and external growth oppor-

The profit for 2020 takes account on non-cash depreciation and amortisation costs of €843,998.

Directors’ pay remained static at €200,000 made up of emoluments of €188,000 and pension contributions of €12,000.

An Roinn Comhshaoil, Aeráide agus Cumarsáide Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications

 HEALTHCARE: Brian Crowley

tinued particularly strongly into 2021 as we experience continued significant demand across all of our service areas”.

The group’s Talent Solutions business comprises a team of 137 staff across the Group's networks in Ireland and the UK providing specialised, tailored healthcare solutions and consultancy services to its customer base and supports over 2,700 healthcare workers finding both temporary and permanent employment each year.

The directors state that TTM’s “Health and Social Care business experienced a 35pc increase in turnover in 2020”.

The directors state that its international recruitment business enjoyed a record Q4 performance in 2020 post easing of travel restrictions in what was “a challenging, uncertain but extremely successful 2020” for that part of the business.

The pre-tax profit in 2020 takes account of interest payments of €250,378. The group recorded post tax profits of €6m after paying out €674,121 in corporation tax.

The directors state that while the Group has not been immune to the effects of the Covid pandemic and some services were interrupted,

Man dies at scene of Ballinahinch two car collision

by PÁRAIC McMAHON ONE MAN has died following an early morning two car collision in Ballinahinch.

Shortly before 6am, emergency services were alerted to an accident on the R352 Scariff to Ennis road where two cars on opposite sides of the road collided on Wednesday morning on the outskirts of Bodyke.

tunities”.

The strong performance by the business in 2020 further strengthened the group’s balance sheet with accumulated profits rising to €14.71m. The business’s cash funds increased from €4.6m to €10m.

A man aged in his twenties was pronounced dead at the scene with his body transferred to University Hospital Limerick for a post-mortem examination.

The driver of the other vehicle is understood to not have sustained serious injuries.

The Clare Echo understands that the de-

ceased was a native of Galway.

For the entirety of Wednesday, the R352 from Scariff to Ennis was closed to allow a forensic examination to take place.

Killaloe Garda Station have appealed for anyone in the area at the time or who may have further information on the incident or dash cam footage to contact them on 061 320 540.

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO GRANT A PROSPECTING LICENCE Since it appears to the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (the Minister) that there are minerals not being worked under the lands in the areas set out below, pursuant to section 7(1) of the Minerals Development Act 1940, as amended, the Minister intends to grant a prospecting licence for Base Metals, Barytes, Gold (Ores of.) and Silver (Ores of.) to Minco Ireland Ltd., Coolfore Road, QME, Ardbracken, Navan, Meath, C15 KXY3 over the following Townlands in County Clare: Townlands in Tulla Upper Barony: Affick, Annagh (E.D. Kiltannon), Ardbooly Lower, Ardbooly Upper, Ballyslattery or Newgrove , Bunavory, Cloghaun, Cloonaleary, Cloondanagh, Cloondoorney Beg, Cloondoorney More, Cloonteen, Cragg, Cutteen Beg, Cutteen More, Derryulk Lower, Doonaun, Drummaghmartin, Drumullan, Eyrehill, Fomerla, Furhee, Garruragh, Gorteenaneelig, Gorteennaguppoge, Kilboggoon, Kilduff Lower, Kilduff Middle, Kiltanon, Knockadoon, Knockdrumleague, Lissofin, Loughaun South, Milltown, Moymore, Poulaforia, Rine, Tulla, Tyredagh Lower, Tyredagh Upper, Townlands in Bunratty Upper Barony: Caherloghan, Carrahan, Feenagh, Knockaphreaghaun, Lassana, Sraheen, Toonag.

Due to the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) restrictions, the maps and townland lists should be viewed on the Government of Ireland’s website and these are available at (https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/507ceprospecting-licence-notices/). Where possible, they will be made available at Ennis Garda Station; Clare County Council; the Geological Survey of Ireland, Beggar’s Bush, Dublin, D04 K7X4 and the address below.

Please note that the consultation period has been extended to 23rd January 2022. The Minister reserves the right to make details of the objections available to the applicant in order to fully consider their validity.

NB: A Prospecting Licence entitles the holder to explore for mineral deposits and does not authorise mining of any minerals. The activities permissible under a licence are, in general, non-invasive and of minimal environmental impact. The Minister has assessed the exploration programme proposed by the company and has determined that the activities are not likely to have a significant effect on the environment.

Further information, statutory notice and Minister’s determination at: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/507ce-prospecting-licence-notices/ Geoscience Regulation Office, Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, 29-31 Adelaide Road, Dublin, D02 X285.

Ph. (01) 678 2668 Email: GSRO@DECC.gov.ie Ref: M. A. 15/43

Date: 9th December 2021

EU GENERAL DATA PROTECTION REGULATION (EU GDPR) Department responsibilities: The Department welcomes objections and petitions from the public. In responding to the consultation, respondents consent to their name being publically available with the submission. The Department will redact personal addresses and personal email addresses prior to publication. We would draw your attention to the Department’s Privacy Statement: ‘The Department of Environment, Climate and Communications requires responders to provide certain personal data in order to provide services and carry out the functions of the Department. Your personal data may be exchanged with other Government Departments and Agencies in certain circumstances, where lawful. Full details can be found in our Data Privacy Notice which is available on the Government of Ireland website (https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/dfd02-data-protection/) or in hard copy on request’’.

Petitioner’s responsibilities: Each Petition Organiser is a Data Controller and they should be aware of their responsibilities; that details provided by petition signatories when signing the petition (for example names, addresses, email addresses, telephone numbers and so on) are categorised as ‘personal data’ which is subject to GDPR (EU Regulation 2016/679 ‘General Data Protection Regulation 2018’).

Petition Organisers as Data Controllers are required to confirm in their submission that: a) All individuals whose personal data is provided in the Petition have consented to the processing of their personal data by the Petition Organiser and the Department (as outlined in our Privacy Statement above), OR b) That you otherwise have a legal basis (please specify) for providing such personal data to the Department for the purposes of participation in this consultation.

12 NEWS

THURSDAY, JAN 13 2022

SHANNON NEWS in association with

Housing policy is ‘destined for failure’ PÁRAIC MCMAHON

A

paraic@clareecho.ie

SHANNON councillor has warned that the Housing for All Government policy is destined for failure and will not support individuals and families trying to rent or purchase affordable homes in the county.

Under the policy introduced by Minister for Housing, Darragh O’Brien, Co Clare will also be denied affordable housing schemes outside of Ennis. The calculation system introduced Minister O’Brien is focused on large urban centres with a population in excess of 10,000 which rules out towns

like Shannon, Kilrush, Ennistymon and Scariff plus larger areas like Sixmilebridge and Tulla as per the 2016 Census.

Speaking at a recent sitting of the Social Development Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) of Clare County Council, Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) described Housing for All as “somewhat flawed”. Clare’s Housing Delivery Action Plan 2022-2026 “as dictated to by The Minister’s Housing Needs and Demand Assessment does not allow Clare to have a local authority led Affordable Purchase Scheme” which the SPC Chair believed was “very unfair to people in Clare who are crying out for affordable housing”.

Present reliance on the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) in Clare to provide accommodation

REVIEW: Cllr Gerry Flynn Photo by Eamon Ward

on a long-term basis is not sustainable, the Shannon representative cautioned. “With the higher values of property a number of landlords are selling their properties and with a figure of over 1600 homes been provided by this scheme it is

certainly very worrying and puts families in a very difficult situation when trying to establish stability for their children”.

Referring to the criteria whereby only Ennis would qualify for affordable housing delivery, Flynn

said, “the rural areas of Clare and the towns and villages including Shannon would suffer from this policy”. He added, “the Government’s policy is on urban dwelling and this policy will destroy rural communities”.

Housing for All will not address the crisis in the county, Cllr Flynn lamented.

Subsequently, he felt it would make the Clare Housing Delivery Acton Plan null and void. “Our Oireachtas Members in Clare are sleep walking their way through this inequitable policy and this is not acceptable”.

Flynn concluded, “the housing crisis is set to continue as the proposals from the current Minister for Housing fall well short of what is required to address this serious issue”.

Mike McKee memorial unveiled

by PÁRAIC McMAHON A PLAQUE has been unveiled in memory of the late Mike McKee in the Shannon Town Park.

To mark the second anniversary of McKee’s death, a small ceremony took place at the Town Park prior to Christmas where a plaque in his memory was erected and his service to the local community acknowledged.

Members of the McKee family including Mike’s wife Eileen and daughter Ja-

nette attended the event in the Town Park where a first glimpse was given of the memorial.

Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) who was co-opted to Clare County Council following Mike’s death told Monday’s meeting of the local authority that it was “a very fitting ceremony” and helped to show a positive side to Shannon Town Park. McGettigan’s bid to have the Town Park named

after her late colleague at one of her first meetings of the Shannon MD was not supported.

She stated, “It was an honour for me to attend and be part of such an appropriate and meaningful ceremony.

“The bandstand will now for me and others be a place to remember such a great man who brought, music, film and joy to all age groups, set in the surroundings of the park that Mike worked so hard to achieve”.

FOR DAD: Janette McKee films the memorial event at Shannon Town Park with her mother Eileen in the alongside Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) and (inset) the memorial

Photo by Eamon Ward

13

THURSDAY, JAN 13 2022

in association with

Lack of funding hindering progress in disability friendly parking PÁRAIC MCMAHON

L

paraic@clareecho.ie

ACK of funding has prevented the commencement of a new measure to assist disabled drivers find available parking

spaces.

Vacant accessible spaces can be pinpointed on the SpaceFinder app which is available on Apple and Android with motorists that have Apple CarPlay able to avail of real-time navigation to the nearest available spot.

In December, Limerick City and County Council following extensive trials in the pilot phase became the first local authority in Ireland to begin using the SpaceFinder service, which has been developed

APP: The SpaceFinder service locates available disabled parking

by Limerick firm ParkMagic and is now supported by the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland

(DDAI).

Calls to see the Ennis Municipal District follow the Limerick lead

Ennis station ‘not giving best first impression of Clare’

by PÁRAIC McMAHON ENNIS railway station is holding the county town back from reaping further rewards for its cleanliness, local councillors have claimed.

Citing the final Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) report of 2021 which found that Ennis was the third cleanest town and city in the country, Cllr Mary Howard (FG) took aim at “the weakest link” which was hindering the Clare county town from taking top spot.

Grade A markings were given to Tim Smythe Park, Gort Rd Business Park, O’Connell St, Ennis Courthouse, Ennis Recycle Facility plus the approach roads from Clareabbey Roundabout, Kilrush Rd roundabout and the Quin Rd. Dunnes Stores’ car park received a B+ while the lowest ranking area inspected was the Ennis Bus and Train Station.

An Taisce in its report noted, “The main litter items within the station grounds were food related (e.g., coffee cups, plastic bottles, mineral cans etc.) around the area of the bus stop and at the base of the shrubbery to the rear of the station.

Cigarette butts were pronounced in the immediate

area of the bus stop”.

Speaking at Tuesday’s meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, Cllr Howard outlined that no improvement has been visible at the station since Jim Dempsey of Iarnród Éireann briefed councillors in the Chamber.

She was adamant “day to day management” of the station was required from April to September and a proper management plan.

Volunteers with Ennis Tidy Towns collect six to eight bags of rubbish at the location each time they do a litter pick, Cllr Howard stated. She recalled that volunteers were cleared “by a person unknown to us” who gave the impression he was a figure of authority at the station.

“Over 40 million people were using it every year before COVID, it is the first introduction some people have to Ennis or the last thing they see of Ennis or Clare and frankly it is quite depressing down there”.

Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Ann Norton (IND) agreed that findings from the report need to be brought to Iarnród Éireann’s attention. Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) questioned if Ennis was the only area where the train or bus

station was proving to be a problem.

“It is a recurring theme for us each year,” Cllr Howard responded. “The reality is that it is not being maintained.

“When Patsy Doohan worked there years ago, you could eat your lunch off the floor of the train station, there were hanging baskets and roses, he had huge pride in his job, there is nobody in that office, it has not been maintained but yet it is very profitable for both companies. They spoke out of both sides of their mouth when they came to meet us, they said they had a great relationship with our Tidy Towns, they don’t”.

Iarnród Éireann must be alerted to the unhappiness with the conditions, Cllr Pat Daly (FF) believed.

“We are the tidiest town in Ireland, we would have come first in the IBAL rankings but we were deprived of that because of the train station,” he said.

Director of Service, Carmel Kirby told the meeting she expected the commitments given by Iarnród Éireann at their briefing would be honoured.

Fines should be considered if the rate of rubbish remains high, Cllr Murphy stated.

were voiced by Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) at a recent meeting.

“This could be a crucial part of our Mobility Plan, it is something I would like to see supported going forward”. He felt its addition would make Ennis “more inclusive and friendly for mobility”.

Senior executive officer, Leonore O’Neill confirmed that its implementation was previously explored in the Ennis MD. “Unfortunately, a source of funding was not available to implement the solution,” she outlined.

Limerick’s decision to advance the measure was “very progressive,” Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) maintained. Card payments need to be introduced across the county, she felt.

“We talked about parking as key challenge, we have a chance to bring in more revenue. Sometimes

I go around with no cash or coins because it is all tap tap tap,” the Quin native said.

Potential of the SpaceFinder app must be recognised, Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) commented, “it would be great to become the second major town to develop it”.

Mayor of the Ennis MD, Cllr Ann Norton (IND) welcomed the proposal, “it is a very modern idea”.

She flagged that issues relating to the allocation of the blue permit to use disability parking spaces exist.

Concluding the discussion, Ms O’Neill said she was “happy to discuss costings at a later meeting”.

The Ennis MD explored a proposal similar to the SpaceFinder technology, she added.

Alternative methods to using cash in paying for parking in Clare can be used via the ParkMagic App, she said

14 FEATURES

THURSDAY, JAN 13 2022

GREEN CLARE

Time to say thank you to our Tidy Towns volunteers PÁRAIC MCMAHON

T

paraic@clareecho.ie

IDY Towns volunteers across Clare are to be acknowledged for their efforts in improving the aesthetics of towns and villages all over the county.

All Tidy Towns committees in the county are to receive a letter from Clare County Council in appreciation of their attempts to make their area a cleaner and better place to live.

It follows a proposal from Cllr Mary Howard (FG) before Monday’s meeting of the Council asking that the committees be thanked “for their invaluable work within their communities. These volunteers have been keeping their street and roads litter and weed free, planting shrubs, bulbs and flowers, dealing with dumping and graffiti and ensuring their town or village looks its very best each year”.

Speaking on Monday, Cllr Howard described the Tidy Towns competitions as “one of the best” initiatives introduced in Ireland. “It brings communities together, it allows people who are not part of an area to become part of the community”. She added,

“I think it is the right time to say thank you to everyone involved in their local community who take pride in the area that they live and what they do”.

When safe to do so, a night should be held to applaud the ongoing work of Tidy Towns volunteers, Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) believed. She praised the “fantastic work” of the various committees in the past two years which she said was evident in the improvement in results across the county including Ennis taking the national gong. “There is a great sense of pride of place among Tidy Towns volunteers,” the Shannon representative noted.

Results across Clare in the Tidy Towns competition were “very successful” in the eyes of Cllr Pat Daly (FF) who labelled Ennis’ win as “fantastic” for the entire county.

“Cormac McCarthy and his team of volunteers gave a huge commitment to cleaning up the town. I saw first hand the community effort,” he added.

Daly recently got his hands on the trophy while visiting the home of Margaret Neylon, one of the founding members of Ennis Tidy Towns.

Support for the motion was voiced by Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) who fully endorsed the suggestion from Cllr McGettigan, “we will be partying night and day when we get together again we’ve so much catching up to

do”. The Lisdoonvarna native added, “sometimes we’re too busy to say thank you, this is a very good motion”.

Acknowledgement for the efforts is “hugely important,” Cllr Ann Norton (IND) agreed. The importance of running community schemes becomes evident around the

time of Tidy Towns adjudication, Cllr Joe Killeen (FF) felt, “when you pass through a village you can see the commitment of the local Tidy Towns committee”.

“These are all volunteers, it is important they realise they are being acknowledged and appreciated,” Howard concluded.

Please disPose of Masks Gloves Wipes

ProPerly do not litter or flush down the toilet

why?

1. Risk of spreading virus - somebody else will need to pick it up 2. Endangers wildlife on land and water as well as in our oceans 3. Causes blockages in our wastewater treatment systems

Clare County Council Promoting a Greener Clare  TEAM EFFORT: Shannon Tidy Towns community clean up

@GreenerClare Antilitter Hotline No.: 1800 606 706 Email: enviroff@clarecoco.ie | www.clarecoco.ie

Arts & Entertainment 15

THURSDAY, JAN 13 2022

‘We’ve raised the game for series two of Smother’

S

by PÁRAIC McMAHON MOTHER’S leading lady has said all involved in the RTÉ drama which was filmed in North-West Clare have “raised the game” for its second series.

Dervla Kirwan leads the cast of Smother as the complex matriarch Val Ahern, a role she has relished exploring. The second series of the thriller commenced on RTÉ ONE on Sunday night at 9:30pm.

Twists and turns much like the roads of North Clare traversed were ever-present in series one following the death of her on-screen husband Denis Ahern played by Stuart Graham.

On what to expect from Sunday night, Dervla teased, “More intrigue, more unravelling of the secrets and the lies”. She added, “We’ve raised the game and it’s quite an adrenalised show this season, I think we will have people tuning in. I hope we won’t let them down and I hope we attract a whole

new following”.

Playing the part of Val has been a role the Dublin actress has relished. With a career in the industry spanning over three decades, she said “perseverance” has been the most important attribute she has brought to the table.

Speaking to Baz Ashmawy on RTÉ Radio One, Dervla outlined, “I’m a 50-year-old woman and here at last was a substantial, fully formed, beautifully written, by our writer Kate O’Riordan, female lead that was complex and not two-dimensional and really intriguing, and full of secrets.”

“I’m stubborn as a mule! I really am.

I think perseverance is a great quality that I have. You must never give up.

You can diversify but you must never give up”.

She continued, “It’s so complicated.

I was just determined, you have to be determined no matter what field you enter into not to let individuals grind you down. That’s really the big lesson I can learn so far at the age of 50. Just

don’t give up - keep going”.

Kirwan added, “Knock and rejection can be very tough so you have to find a way to counterbalance that. A career goes through great highs and great lows so there’s a slight polar quality to it, so you have to find another area that gives you great grounding and great common sense. I feel like I’ve survived a lot. I’m not dead yet. I have plenty more years ahead of me! I have loads of ambition, drive, hunger and curiosity”.

Now based in the UK, Dervla admitted that the pandemic has been challenging. “I’ve found it very difficult to keep my joy. That’s a battle, to find your happiness, to keep your gratitude and to keep it real”.

Her family home in the countryside has helped in this regard, “I love going home and closing the door and having a dose of reality where no one gives a damn about who I am and quite frankly neither do I. I love work but I’m not seduced by status at all because that is taken away in the blink of an eye”.

 STAR: Dervla Kirwan

New block print exhibition showcases local landmarks

by ELAINE TUBRIDY A STUNNING new exhibition by renowned artist Patrick Kenneally has gone on display at the Clare Museum in Ennis.

“Environment” is an exhibition of Block prints that depicts some well known landmarks found in Ennis and other parts of Clare.

Block printmaking is making use of a carved piece of wood or lino to imprint an image on paper.

Believed to have its origin in China, block printmaking is an ancient art form that brings together contrasting layers of ink to culminate in a finished art piece that has a unique

and distinctive style.

“The process requires carving and printing multiple layers over time and the end product can be uncertain until the final layer of ink goes down, but that’s the beauty of printmaking” Patrick commented.

“You don’t know what you have until the “big reveal” of the last layer.

“The subject matter of this exhibition lends itself well to the process of block printmaking.

“From the linear forms of the Mill wheel to the architectural lines of the Abbey window, there is a wealth of artistic inspiration in the culture, heritage and history of this beautiful town and its surrounding

environment,” he added.

Patrick Kenneally graduated from Limerick College of Art and Design with a degree (hons) in fine art.

He won the Taylor award for printmaking at the RDS and has had work shown both nationally and internationally.

His previous solo exhibitions include Place at Scariff Library, Boireann and Of Land, Sea and Mind at the KAVA Courthouse, Kinvara.

The Environment exhibition runs until February 4 at the Clare Museum, Ennis.

 TALENTED: (left and right) images from the exhibition

16 COLUMNIST

THURSDAY, JAN 13 2022

JUICY JANUARY CHICKEN GOUJONS Kearney Cooks

J

ANUARY has quietly rolled up on me again. It’s that time of year when I am bombarded by ads for fad diets, crash diets and gym memberships. The TV doesn’t help either, it’s healthy this, lose weight that. Honestly it’s enough to give some people a complex.

Well I won’t be contributing to this diet nonsense. No, instead I will be focusing on comfort food for January, because feck it, it’s winter and we need a bit of comforting. This week I made buttermilk chicken goujons, because goujons are top tier comfort food in my book.

YOU WILL NEED • 4 chicken breasts cut into strips • 500ml buttermilk • 250g plain flour • 2 tsp paprika • 1 tsp smoked paprika • 1tsp turmeric • 1tsp cayenne • 1tsp black pepper • 1tsp salt This should give you enough goujons for four people.

Step One Put your chicken into a bowl and cover with the buttermilk. Leave it sit, overnight in a fridge if possible, but if not, for at least a half hour.

Who will win local seats?

T

HE first opinions polls of 2022 have already landed with more speculation as to what formation of the next Government might look like. We don’t know exactly when the next General Election will take place, but the current Government can stay in office right up to Summer 2025 should they so wish. Nevertheless, there is one election date we do know about on the horizon: that of the local and European elections.

Those polls take place in a little over 2 years from now and as such, the jostling for positions for a place on the various parties’ election tickets will kick off in earnest over the next few months.

If current polls trends were to continue, there would be seismic changes to the County Council membership in Clare.

Thinking back to 2019’s local elections, you would be forgiven for forgetting just how much of a disaster they were for Sinn Féin.

In Kilrush, Ennis and Killaloe, the party polled just 4, 2 and 2%

respectively. Noleen Moran did marginally better in the Ennistymon area with 7% but this was still last place. The late Mike McKee was their sole success, taking 9% of the vote in the Shannon area and a seat on the last count.

His untimely death since has seen Donna McGettigan, who was the party’s Ennis candidate, take the seat which she should have no problem in defending.

It remains to be seen if they might even chance taking a second seat here or if SF will play it safe with one candidate. Ennis will be a big target for the party to try gain a seat, as will Kilrush and Ennistymon.

Killaloe though may well prove a bridge too far going on 2020 General Election tallies which showed SF struggling in the area by comparison to others. This may be related though to the fact it was geographically far from Violet Anne Wynne’s base in Kilrush.

Her increase from 4% in Kilrush to 15% county wide in 9 months typified the rise in SF’s fortunes in Clare.

Step Two Mix your flour and spices together in a bowl. Take your marinated chicken and dip it in the flour mix until it’s fully covered.

Step Three Deep fry your chicken for four or five minutes until it is cooked all the way through. It should be golden brown when cooked.

Step Four Serve the buttermilk chicken goujons with some chips and dip. If you want to be really fancy you can have the goujons in a burger bun with some salad.

I love a dish like this every so often. The

buttermilk makes the chicken beautifully tender and the batter is lovely and crunchy. The great thing about this recipe is most spices work well with this recipe, so you can swap out spices if you don’t have the ones above in your cupboard.

As usual if you have any questions about this recipe or others please feel free to message me on Instagram. Also keep an eye to that Instagram page where I will pop up a video demo of the above recipe.

And finally have a wonderful New Year.

Enjoy

Steve K

Eoin Neylon

An inside look at Clare’s political spectrum

By contrast, FF will be on the defensive come the 2024 local elections. Their increase of 1 seat to 13 in Clare in 2019 means they have the most to lose. However, the addition of some young blood and new faces in the last edition was much needed for Dev’s party in ‘Dev County’.

Mark Nestor in Ennis and Shane Talty in Ennistymon represent the addition of FF reps from a new generation in Clare, but Cathal Crowe’s elevation to the Dáil, being replaced by Pat O’Gorman, has since raised the average age of FF reps on the Council.

With Crowe’s huge vote getting powers gone from the Shannon area, this will make the 2nd FF seat here a target for other parties.

Questions also surround Pat McMahon’s plans here with the FF members wondering if the council veteran might choose retirement rather than face another election.

In the West, the FF support seems solid, given tallies from the General Election but holding 5 of the 9 seats on the Atlantic coast would be an impressive feat.

In Ennis, FF did well to take 3 of the 7 seats on offer, but SF will be aiming to claim one of those births, with Pat Daly the most at risk of losing out, given the 2019 result.

FG’s 2019 election result was certainly disappointing from their point of view, and they will want to improve on the 8 seats they hold. Their 3 seats in Ennis are looking relatively assured with 3 established and active Councillors all indicating they are not for budging from their seats.

Kilrush remains the big problem areas for the Blueshirts as they look to struggle to add to the single seat Gabriel Keating holds for the party from his Loop Head peninsula base.

However, they will feel confident in overturning loses in Killaloe and Ennistymon where Ger O’Halloran and Bill Slattery respectively narrowly lost out last time. Shannon is another area where they have the potential to improve given the 4-vote loss Garret McPhilips suffered there in 2019.

Of note though will be the Independent vote, which is normally a good deal higher in local elections.

This stood at almost 20% of the vote in 2019’s elections, nationally, and 18.2% in Clare.

Nowadays Independents are only polling at around the 10% mark so if this was repeated, and trends followed, Clare’s 5 Independent Councillors could find themselves in dog fights to retain their seats. Ann Norton, Ian Lynch and Gerry Flynn all took seats on the last count in 2019, and Shannon boasting 3 of its 7 seats being filled by Independents would point in the direction of serious casualties among this cohort of high-profile politicians in 2 years’ time.

The final council seat in 2019 we haven’t spoken about is that won by Róisín Garvey for the Greens. Her 15% of the vote in Ennistymon was impressive, but with her departure for the Seanad, it leaves a near impossible task for the Greens to keep the seat which FG will be aiming for.

NEWS 17

THURSDAY, JAN 13 2022

A larger than life Fr Kevin remembered

M

by TONY MULVEY ONTH’S mind masses are now being prepared in Kerry and in his native Cooraclare for the late Fr Kevin McNamara whose sudden death shocked parishioners and his many friends in both counties.

Since his death in hospital while awaiting a planned procedure, many well deserved tributes have been paid to the 66 year-old who was much loved and described as a larger than life person, one of the most inspirational priests to serve in the Diocese of Kerry. Also one of the best known members of the clergy in Ireland, he was charismatic, kind, caring, compassionate, a special person with enormous faith who with his captivating voice touched the lives of so many lives.

In their tributes his former parishioners said he was a great source of comfort to people in times of need and reached out to all walks of life and shared his talents to help others. He could relate to everyone in a simple and down to earth way. But at all times he was a proud and passionate Clare man and a great supporter of the county’s hurling and football teams. He was proud to shout “Up the Banner” on many occasions and in a variety of places.

Fr. Kevin, as he was affectionally known, was seen as an inspirational, good and decent man and was exceptional in his ability to plan for the future. He was also noted for the way in which he reached out in an excellent way to young and old and showed great commitment with his ability to relate to everyone. He was also well known for his generosity and had a special welcome for Clare friends on a visit to Killarney. Each year on February 14th he brought Valentine’s Day gifts for the congregation at mass, gifts of flowers for Mothers Day and sweets for children at Christmas time. “We were blessed to have Fr. Kevin in our lives”, one parishioner said.

An outstanding communicator, he wrote

weekly columns for different publications over the years and the novenas he organised attracted huge crowds. Controversial at times, he regularly spoke out on different issues, one being his objection to the depiction of confession on RTÉ’s Fair City last year. Because of his popularity he was hugely in demand to perform wedding and baptismal ceremonies.

A son of the late Tom and Mary McNamara who had a shop in Cooraclare, Fr. Kevin was ordained in 1981 as a member of the Sacred Heart Missionaries. His first mass was in a ward of St. Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin where his mother was a patient. It was attended by Fr. Kevin’s father and sister. His mother died three days after his ordination.

He commenced his missionary work in Liverpool. He then served with the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart on the Western Road, Cork; in Kenmare for a brief period in 2004 and was based in Killarney from 2005 to 2012. Later he was transferred to Rathmore, Kneevaguilla, and Knocknagree where he spent three years. He then went to North Kerry and for six years was extremely happy and tremendously popular in Moyvane and Knockanure. He made great improvements in the parish, opening a parish office, revamping both churches, restoring the old parish hall, introduced meals on wheels for the elderly, established a radio link and during the Covid lockdown celebrated masses in the Doorway of Hope in Moyvane. He said mass at the side door of the church and parishioners could drive in to the church grounds and hear mass while remaining in their cars.

On a personal note he was disappointed at hearing that he would be leaving Moyvane as a result of the diocesan changes announced by the Bishop of Kerry last October. He was on his way to his new parish in Glenfesk before he got a chance to have his next projects off the ground in Moyvane - sheltered housing for the elderly in the parish and a permanent outdoor Stations of the Cross in the grounds of Moyvane church. He always looked forward to visiting his beloved

Cooraclare and from Moyvane it took him less that one hour travelling via the car ferry.

However, from Glenflesk it was a much longer journey to his home place.

Fr. Kevin treated the Moyvane parish newsletter with pride and took steps to have it distributed throughout the parish and beyond. Prior to his sudden death he had prepared a newsletter for the New Year and in it he spoke about the light to help you in darkness. He referred to the weekly newsletter as a receipt for those who attended mass.

After his death on December 21, his final journey home commenced on December 26 when large crowds attended the reposing at Glenflesk and Moyvane churches. For the last time he made the ferry crossing from Tarbert to Killimer and on to Cooraclare church where his funeral mass was celebrated by the Bishop of Kerry, Ray Browne, on December 27.The homily was preached by a close friend, Fr. Teddy Linehan, Tralee who told the congregation he was doing so at the request of Fr. Kevin following a conversation he had with him. In his tribute he said Fr. Kevin walked alongside many people in the journey of his priesthood in the different parishes he served in, he brought life and energy wherever he went.

He said he was a priest of the people and a gifted communicator. He had a unique gift of being able to talk to people, young and old, wealthy or poor, people who were sick or people that were healthy, people that needed a kind word or people that needed a word of encouragement. He met people where they were at. He met then in supermarkets, he met people on the streets, in a pub after a wedding reception or a baptism.

His funeral mass in Cooraclare served as a reminder of all he did for his parishioners when the pandemic hit, not least in the form of organised drive-in masses, stations of the cross and meals on wheels.

Fr.Kevin felt the loneliness of being by himself but he turned that loneliness into a huge strength by helping to organise meals on wheels so that people living on their own could have a hot meal, Fr. Linehan said.

 RIP: Fr Kevin McNamara

Photo by John O’Mahony, KillarneyToday.com

Though he spent years in Kerry his heart was in Clare and one of the symbols of his life was that of a picture of Cooraclare village. So too was the symbol of the Sacred Heart Missionaries, his chosen order, and his rosary beads. His coffin was draped with the Clare and Everton colours, marking his love of sport and one of his newsletters was also presented as a symbol of his life.

“Fr Kevin had a huge heart-what a life he had- how many hearts he touched. His work is done: he is now receiving his All-Star in Heaven”, Fr. Linehan concluded.

Songs aired at mass were two of his favourites The Ciffs of Doneen and the Chapel Gate of Cooraclare. The funeral took place after mass to Dromelihy cemetery where Fr. Kevin was laid to rest alongside his parents.

Sympathy is expressed to his sister, Geraldine Condren, brother-in-law Dave, niece Niamh, nephew Caimin, his extended family, neighbours, Bishop and priests of the Diocese of Kerry, conferees in the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, his parishioners and a host of friends.

ShannonDoc figures are Crowe backs decision to hire Yates ‘not adding up’ - O’Brien by PÁRAIC McMAHON later a broadcaster with Newstalk rebuilding of their communications SENIOR management of ShannonDoc are being pressed to justify its lack of services in Clare given its current financial standing, writes Páraic Mahon.

Speaking at Monday’s meeting of Clare County Council, Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF) declared that it was time to invite management of ShannonDoc before the local authority to gain some rationale behind their actions.

“ShannonDoc have received over €5m to cover out its out of hours service in the Mid-West but at the same time, its offices and dispensaries in Killaloe, Shannon and Ennistymon remain closed,” O’Brien commented.

He believed it was time for

ShannonDoc management to answer questions at a public meeting with elected representatives. “What services are they providing for the monies they are receiving, I believe they have made an operating profit for the last number of years,” the Killaloe representative remarked.

Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) said that Cllr O’Brien would have to put the item on the agenda in time for the February sitting in order for the local authority to submit the request.

In 2020, ShannonDoc recorded an income of €8m, €1.9m of which came from GMS income.

This total income was up on the €7.3m of 2019, accounts show.

F

IANNA Fáil’s decision to avail of former Fine Gael agriculture minister, Ivan Yates for communications advice has been endorsed by the county’s Clare TD. As reported by The Irish Mail, Yates was hired by Fianna Fáil in an advisory capacity to improve its political message.

Newly appointed Head of Communications with Fianna Fáil, Siobhán Russell made the move to appoint the Wexford man.

Since leaving politics in 2001 at a time when he was among the favourites to replace former Taoiseach John Bruton as Fine Gael leader, Yates began a career as a bookie and

and Virgin Media, he co-presented The Tonight Show with Matt Cooper which was produced by Ms Russell. His new company, Media Masterclass is believed to charge €1,500 for the day-long class, with the option of paying an extra €450 for a personal Zoom call and a grilling on a topic of your choice.

Among the politicians to attend one of his workshops was Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF). He said that in the wake of the 2020 General Election, several members of the party’s communications team left the offices to take up new roles with Ministers leading to “a total erosion” of their communications team.

Deputy Crowe outlined that Siobhan Russell is now leading the

team. “All political parties go outside their own staffing to enhance media skills. I first underwent Fianna Fáil media training over a decade ago as a councillor. It is no surprise to have media or pr gurus advising the party, Ivan Yates just happens to be on this occasion”.

Crowe confirmed to The Clare Echo that he attended one workshop with Yates for three hours on media interview skills. “I found it good. This isn’t unique, there is interest this time is because it’s Ivan. I think it was good because he understands the inter connected worlds of media and politics. He was a hard ball interviewer himself, he played out interview scenarios with those of us in attendance”.

18 FEATURES

A sacred space RONAN SCULLY

Thought for the week

T

HERE are times on our journey through life that we simply need to tend to our heart and soul just like we tend to our body.

Every soul deserves a sacred space, a place to connect to Source, to focus on what is sacred and passionate within her heart. In this sacred space a soul is free to connect to God, through a dance of communication unique and genuine, and of which only a free Being can aspire to. A sacred space is a protected area where hopes, dreams, visions, prayers and thankful joys, all can be placed in full sight upon a personal altar. A special focus where love can be celebrated and a place where sorrows, yearning and losses, can be mourned. Every soul deserves such a sacred space.

A sacred and personalised space to dwell in, for comfort and solace.

I crave my sacred space times for meditation and prayer which because of it have become a good habit to me. I go daily here, praying for loved ones, for people I care about and people who asked me to pray for them for one reason or another , visualising healing for myself and others, and most important of all I replenish depletion of my life force by plugging into God. Life is difficult and tragic, delicate and fragile, breathtakingly beautiful and irreplaceable. Life is immortal and transformative, a miracle, a joy, both powerful and gentle. We can create a space in our home where we can retreat to and find God. Creating a designated space for prayer, quiet, solitude, silence, and listening within our home allows us to hear God’s voice in our life more clearly.

Soul Space

We should always try to make a sacred soul space for ourselves.

There is much talk in our world today about tending to our bodies especially from a physical and mental point of view. Media pour out the idea of taking care of one’s body, so we can be healthy, attractive and live longer. But what of our soul? Surely, it has importance as well. Perhaps even more than we think! Every day, we have a choice whether or not to tend to our soul and to create a sacred space for it in our daily lives.

Yes, we can neglect it if we want.

But I feel when you neglect your soul and create a sacred space for it in your life, the beauty and radiance of who you really are can lead to a life of despair, busyness, worry, fear, chaos, ego importance or confusion. We can lose sight of who

we really are. For me looking after the life of your spirit and soul is like cultivating a sacred place where one can retreat too. A beautiful and balanced sacred place does not happen without effort. Once you begin to construct your sacred space and once you are ready to use it, you will find yourself drawn to this place more and more as you’ll crave the solace and comfort it provides.

Place all the loose ends of your life here and see what happens. Sit here and listen to your soul and spirit.

Pray, contemplate, meditate, reflect, listen and dream the dreams of the creator. As you carve out your own piece of heaven on earth you not only uplift your soul and spirit and create harmony in your life but transform every aspect of yourself. Create your own sacred space where you can soak in the Presence of God and be restored in your prayerful and reflective devotions. In the process, you will begin to expand and notice that every space becomes sacred. You are bringing heaven on earth. You are creating a place that grounds you, a place that grounds you in eternity and in God. Whether human-made or springing from the natural world, a sacred place connects us to a reality that transcends our fears.

The ocean, the forest, the rising or setting sun may all define “Sacred”. But humans can make places that hold and extend the best in us beyond the world that inevitably threatens and saddens us. We can all create places where we feel part of a Sacred reality. In our busy hectic lives, our sacred space gives us the chance to ‘Be still and know God’, to refresh, reflect, renew and relax in God’s presence.

Soul maintenance

An important step in soul maintenance is to cultivate a sacred place where you can nurture your relationship with Our Lord through prayer, contemplation, meditation and reflection. With care, reflection, contemplation, meditation, prayer and love, our spirit and soul lives can thrive and flourish. However, should we neglect ourselves and our soul and spirit, we wilt, sink, fade, and wither like untended flowers. This neglect often comes during difficult, stressful, worrying, sad and chaotic times. But spending time reflecting and praying, be it for two minutes or two hours at any time of the day or night, can help restore and rejuvenate us and give us strength to allow us to resume running around dealing with life’s ups and downs. Visualising the soul as we dwell in a sacred place helps us to really feel an inner

space and peace that is sacred.

Here, we can sow the seeds of all our most cherished loving and wonderful life experiences and weed out the self-defeating doubts and worries we have acquired from the time on our life’s journey so far. We must try to establish this awareness more firmly in our lives in the present moment, so that we can experience our souls and spirits more consciously. Such efforts can be distilled down to a central, core practice of one of quieting the habit-mind and concentrating, meditating, contemplating and praying fully at our sacred space at the moment at hand. As time moves forward on our sometimes short journey of life we may be surprised to discover a bountiful harvest of blessings, not only in our own body but in our radiant spirit and soul, as well.

THURSDAY, JAN 13 2022

Meelick’s Maria gets top marks

Thought for the week

As your thought for the week, always remember to share from your sacred space the life giving gifts of love, mercy, forgiveness, truth, kindness, compassion and hospitality to your world around you. Try to create a sacred place the way God might do it. May God’s sacred space continue to grow in your soul and may your spirit of goodness always thrive as you make your journey through this sometimes short life!

Here is a prayer blessing by Eileen Karpeles for a sacred place that I use for mine.

“Out of wood and stone, out of dream and sacrifice, out of love for Our God we build a sacred space.

Out of the work of our hands, hearts, souls and minds, we fashion a sacred space and a reality. May this sacred space be truly a place of meeting: meeting in warmth, joy and openness; meeting in courage, faith, prayer, love and trust. May all who enter here trust one another so surely that they may share the deep fires that burst into anger as much as the sweet spring waters that swell into laughter; the slow erosion of wounded tears as much as the soaring of our joyful spirit.

May these walls know silence as our hearts search inward, each for its own small spark of hope that might otherwise be snuffed out in the noise.

May these rafters hear the voice of the child as surely as that of the orator and the sound of the lute and the clack of the typewriter and the swish of the broom and know that all are as holy as the shout of a million stars. May the rain fall lightly on this sacred space and the sun shine warmly and the winds blow softly and bless it as a place of sacredness, joy, meditation, prayer and peace. In this sacred place of affirmation, God’s love shall be.

God is love. We come from God. We return to God and in between we become love. All things come and go. God’s Love endures forever.

Amen.”

ACCOUNTING: Maria Sherlock gained one of the higest marks in the country in her course

A

by ELAINE TUBRIDY

MATURE student from Meelick, who wanted to help her family’s business enterprise, has gained one of the top marks in the country in the Accounting Technicians Ireland (ATI) Diploma exams, for which she studied online.

Maria Sherlock (54), who now lives in Castlebar, worked for her husband David’s business, Enginuity Engineering and Technical Services, before opting to begin the programme, recognised as the fastest pathway to a fulfilling and rewarding professional accounting career.

The mother of two teenage children, Aisling and Conor, Maria took a career break from 2002-2013, returning to the workforce with the family company.

“With two teenage children, my eyes have been opened to online learning, particularly for mature students,” said Maria.

“I have no concerns now about my children making the perfect career choice, as I can see there are many alternate paths at third-level which you can undertake while holding down a job and raising a family.”

Maria said whilst looking after the company’s accounts she realised there were areas she needed to learn more about.

“I liked the flexibility of studying for the Accounting Technicians Ireland Diploma qualification online. I re-

searched it and work colleagues had good things to say about the programme. I chose to study online as I was busy with work and needed flexibility.

“Also, I had not studied for such a long time and I felt comfortable with the online option.

The recorded lectures could be viewed at any time. But lecturers were always available to answer questions and there was amazing support from fellow students.

“Fortunately, we had met up in Dublin just before Covid hit and set up a WhatsApp group.

There was a great mix of people and we helped each other out. It was a lifeline. I found the entire programme excellent.

“It was exactly what I needed, consolidating everything I had already learned through experience, and putting a strong framework around it. Lecturers were very supportive and knowledgeable.

“The Diploma has been invaluable to me, providing background theory to many transactions I perform on a daily basis.

It solidified my understanding, and it made me more confident in decision making.

“It is a well-recognised qualification and has a good reputation in the workplace. It has enhanced my career and given me options.”

Enrolment for the next academic year of the Accounting Technicians Ireland Diploma, starting later this month, is now open until January 28.

See accountingtechniciansireland.ie for details.

COMMUNITY 19

THURSDAY, JAN 13 2022

Community TOONAGH DUE to the current surge in COVID-19 cases the organisers of the annual charity Toonagh Walk regret that they are unable to hold their usual raffle or provide refreshments in the Hall on Monday (January 17th).

Walkers are asked to adhere to social distancing guidelines and to use the online fundraising page to contribute the walk reg-

istration fee.

Anyone living a long distance away from Toonagh may walk in their own area and donate at www.idonate.ie/ToonaghWalk2022 if they so wish.

The charities benefitting from this year’s walk are Huntingtons, Motor Neurone and Parkinsons Associations and will appreciate whatever the walk brings in to support them.

KILMALEY

BODYKE

KILMALEY TRACK

PROPERTY BURNT OUT

news@clareecho.ie

lREMEMBERING MIKE: Janette and Eileen McKee with Cllr John Crowe (FG), Liam Conneally and Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) unveil a memorial to the late Cllr Mike McKee who passed away in 2019 Photo by Eamon Ward

lTOP DOLLAR: Tony Hayes (middle) sold a heifer for over €7,000 A LAHINCH farming family have achieved their highest-ever weanling prices, writes Páraic McMahon.

At the final Gort Co-opeative Livestock Mart cattle sale of 2021, the Hayes family earned €7,200 for a 430kg Belgian Blue-sired heifer from a pedigree Limousin dam. The heifer was purchased from the Joyce family of Galway with another heifer which made €7,180 also at the same sale. He also sold another homebred-heifer on the night at €3,400.

Tony sells his progeny at Gort Co-operative Livestock Mart and Ennis Mart, weighing 400-500kgs at 9-12-months. Their weanlings averaged between €1,350 and €1,360 in 2020, their top price was €3,000 with €2,900 the best figure the year previous. He said they have sixteen heifers and ten bulls left to sell over the coming months.

He farms forty five acre enterprise with his father Peadar, mother Joan and brother Brendan. Their 35-cow suckler herd comprises mainly Limousin-cross-Belgian Blue alongside some Simmentals, Charolais-crosses,

065 671 9021

A CARAVAN and mobile home in Bodyke were burnt out last week, writes Páraic McMahon.

Gardaí are appealing for the public’s assistance as they investigate the crime which took place on Wednesday last (January 5th).

They believe it occurred between 23:00 and 23:30. Both the caravan and mobile home were parked on Ballydonaghan in Bodyke when they were set on fire. Persons that may have information are asked to contact Scariff Garda Station on 061 922790.

LAHINCH

HIGHEST EVER WEANING PRICES

NEWSDESK

SHANNON

CHARITY WALK

MEITHEAL has undertaken the job of turning on the lights at the Kilmaley Walking/Running Track from 7pm to 8pm every Monday, Wednesday and Friday to facilitate walkers, joggers, runners of all ages.

The newly revamped track offers a great opportunity for family walks and for friends to get together on these winter evenings.

The Meitheal committee looks forward to seeing parishioners take this opportunity to keep fit and healthy in these challenging times.

CONTACT

and Parthenaises. The Hayes’ traditionally strived to breed a plainer-type Limousin cow with first and second-cross genetics from a dairy herd. The family uses 90% of AI on their herd, beginning in March and utilise a Limousin stock bull to mop up until June.

According to the Pallaskenry Agricultural College graduate, “breeding heifers are gone out of control last year and they are very expensive”. He noted, “Some people have lost interest in farming, and there are only a certain amount of younger farmers coming on”. Accolades won by Tony at agricultural shows include the overall commercial champion title at Corrandulla Show, the female commercial champion silverware at Charleville Show, and second and third place at the All-Ireland suckler heifer championships in Swinford, County Mayo.

Tony assists 35% of calvings and uses calving cameras to monitor cows and also checks them regularly. The herd achieves a 375-day calving interval using teaser bulls, a synchronisation programme with heifers and culling non-performing cows.

20 CLICK FOR CLARE

THURSDAY, JAN 13 2021

‘Being online means being open 24/7’ STUART HOLLY

editor@clareecho.ie

A

PERFECT storm of consumers supporting local, a shift towards sustainable shopping practices, and growing concern about the climate crisis has culminated in an increase in custom for health food shops across the country over the last two years.

Bia Folláin’s journey began in March 2007 when owner Trish Moloney decided to open on the windswept hill of Tulla and having spent 15 years developing her business, she acknowledges the last couple have been kind to her industry.

Trish has been involved in the health and wellness sector all her life and before Bia Folláin opened she ran a very successful Reflexology and Therapeutic Massage business called Health & Harmony in the local area. Trish is also a qualified Homeopath having trained at the Burren School of Homeopathy.

A record number of people are expected to try to eat only plantbased foods this month as interest heightens in Veganuary, the movement which started in 2014 that en-

courages people to follow a vegan lifestyle for the month of January.

“Everyone likes to embark on a journey in January, be it detoxing after a festive season or setting out on a healthy path for the coming year,” acknowledges Trish.

Bia Folláin offers a full range of health supplements, health food and drinks along with a wide range of eco-friendly and natural cosmetics, housecleaning products and local produce. Sensitive to the environmental impact packaging can have, where possible they choose products with recyclable, biodegradable or compostable packaging. It is possible to buy rice and flour in bulk from Bia Folláin and to refill a range of household cleaning products and toiletries using your own containers. Their ethos is very much locally driven and they purchase from local producers where possible, such as Poulataggle Organic Poultry Farm and organic sourdough bread from local baker Edel.

Trish tells The Clare Echo that the pandemic has impacted business, but rather in a healthy way.

“During the lockdown phases I was extremely busy as people could travel only a certain distance also I find people are shopping more local

and I do click and collect and online so business has really improved for Bia Follain.” She adds that being located in Tulla brings an added sense of security thanks to a supportive local customer base. “Tulla is a really wonderful community and the business owners are always very supportive. I would have a strong customer base both locally and then the wider surrounding area. I think that’s the best thing about Tulla, it’s rather central and not difficult to get to.”

Another offshoot of Covid-19 was the hyper shift towards online shopping and with some help from Local Enterprise Office Clare, Bia Folláin developed an e-commerce store in March of last year. Trish maintains that the pandemic “really brought around the need to move my business to have an online platform. I wanted my customers to be able to get what the needed, while remaining healthy and staying safe.”

While this brought an increase in administrative duties, it’s something which has become more important to Trish as her customer base widened. “It is very important that my online clients - often people I have never met or even spoken to on the phone from Dublin, Mayo etc - are receiving the same

Trish Moloney of An Bia Folláin

experience as if I were personally with them instore.

“Being online means being open 24/7 so it’s extremely important to have everything updated ready for selling, I always want my customers to be paying the true price of the goods and not an inflated one so I spend a lot of time on ensuring above all else that the prices dis-

played are correct.”

Looking forward, Trish believes this side of her business will continue to grow, “People will still want to come instore and ask questions about supplements or discuss their ailments however once the know what they want or what works for them they are open to shopping for that product anywhere. As small businesses we are always competing with the larger retails suppliers.

We will see consumers price check and purchase from the likes of Amazon who often have deals and prices that we can’t compete with.

Consumers will shop online from other lrish health food stores and now thanks to my online shop I am now competing with them.”

Looking to the year ahead, Trish has a simple message for her customers and those further afield. “I hope that 2022 will be a happy and healthy year for everybody and that people will be kind to each other and to themSCAN TO SHOP AT selves.”

To shop at Bia Folláin online visit biafollain.ie, or call 0656831592 for all enquiries.

BIA FOLLÁIN

CLICK FOR CLARE 21

THURSDAY, JAN 13 2021

Custodians of the land’ hope to grow Burren Farm Experience STUART HOLLY

editor@clareecho.ie

‘W

ORKING from home’ is a term that’s taken on great significance since the arrival of the pandemic however a business-forward family in the Burren have been doing just that since before it was trendy.

Cathal and Bronagh O’Rourke set up the Burren Farm Experience three years ago and were on the cusp of launching their first season when the world fell into disarray. With a full schedule of bookings for their unique tourism experience, the couple were forced to rethink their business strategy as they embarked on their new venture.

Bronagh, a former sales person, explains the business was born out of a desire to immerse herself in home life and spend more time with the couple’s three girls, Annabelle (10), Isla (8) and Alice (4). The O’Rourke’s describe themselves as ‘custodians of the land’ and what has emerged is an authentic experience unique to the magnificent Burren.

Burren Farm Experience was first billed as farm and foodie experience for visiting tourists, incorporating three-hour tours on the 500-acre farm nestled between Lough Bunny and the mountains. This would culminate with a picnic on the land or a campfire stew using prime ingredients, including the farm’s own Angus and Hereford beef.

“That’s how it started and then Covid hit and we had to look at alternative ways of doing it,” says Bronagh, a Cavan native who moved to Boston in 2014 after marrying Cathal, a fifth generation farmer on the land.

Today, the O’Rourkes have fostered a multi-faceted business which appeals to tourists and locals alike. A quick trip to the website and you’re presented with a number of options including the Burren Farm Experience tours, an agri camping experience, rental of the ‘Burren Rover’ (a teardrop campervan trailer), along with options to purchase Burren premium beef.

When posed a question about the impacts

SCAN WITH PHONE CAMERA TO START SHOPPING IN CLARE

Bronagh and Cathal and (inset) Burren Premium Beef

of Covid-19, Bronagh notes that due to the young nature of Burren Farm Experience, “to be honest we have no notion of what the good times are like”. However glimpses of light are beginning to emerge as restrictions on travel finally show signs of loosening.

“Our book was full for 2020 but it was all cancelled. We can do walking tours of up to 30 people and they’re actually coming back now. One of our first bookings has postponed and they’re coming this St Patrick’s Day. The pandemic has given me the opportunity to look at different ways to make the business work so we don’t put all our eggs in one basket; we have offerings for school tours now and other things that are more.”

Last year the O’Rourkes also tapped into the explosive staycation market with a glamping offering. “We started accommodation so the bell tents went really well so we’re going to do that again this year. We call it agri camping. People come and each tent has one double and two singles; you can come as a family unit and experience what camping is like without having to bring all the stuff. You camp on the farm and can have access to watching Cathal doing all the jobs on the farm and the kids help out and they do some farm walks with us. The visiting families then go off to the different parts of the Burren on their holidays.

“When people come, it’s all about making the connection and making the landscape jump out at people, you’re sort of interpreting the place for people,” says Bronagh, who

adds that local visitors who take part in the tours are amazed by “what they never knew was here”. On the farm is an old chapel that was the original centre of the parish before the chapel in Boston was built, while recently a famine village was excavated by archaeologist Michael Lynch on the farm, this consists of seven historic houses.

“People are quite surprised by that and we know the area is full of history anyway but we have a lot of historical monuments on the land that are mentioned on the maps of Ireland so to be able to show that and explain it to people is fantastic,” says Bronagh, who also a qualified Regional & Eco Tour Guide.

In a bid to expand their business, the O’Rourkes began selling their farmed beef in November 2020, which Bronagh describes as their anchor product. It is available from the website or indeed both the Milk Market and the Salt Project in Limerick and is something Bronagh hopes to expand in 2022, both locally and potentially into the export market. She explains, “People who want really good ingredients are looking for our product which is what we want. The basis of our business is being a quality slow food producer in a Unesco designated area, that’s what it’s all about and doing it authentically.”

Bronagh adds that you “can almost taste the wild thyme off the Burren in the meat”. “The flavours are amazing and a lot of people have said it to us, even the mince, it has a very distinct flavour. We do all Aengus and Here-

ford cattle so they winter well and obviously in the Burren we have the winterage as well so our cattle live exclusively outside so that is a feat in itself, they don’t get sick because they’re in the fresh air all the time.”

Bronagh counts herself lucky that they are located in the Burren which has been showcased nationally and internationally by television shows such as RTE’s Smother, and last year’s incredible The Burren: Heart of Stone which was narrated by Brendan Gleeson.

However she notes that the ‘look for local’ message has created a strong local market in the last two years. “I think that’s important.

I stay local and I hope people will buy local.

We saw that this Christmas, we sold a lot of beef and people were trying to buy locally in their smaller towns and villages which was really lovely to see.”

The mother of three notes that she’s confident for the season ahead and hopes the Burren Farm Experience can hit the ground running with tours from February along with the agricamping from later in March.

“I think there will be a lot of domestic tourism again this year because it’s very difficult to know if people can fly, SCAN TO VISIT BURREN FARM but I’m hopeful people EXPERIENCE will come this year.”

Visit www.burrenfarmexperience.ie/ or www. burrenpremiumbeef. ie; call 086 3990 440 to make an enquiry.

22 RECRUITMENT

BUSINESS AND RECRUITMENT

THURSDAY, JAN 13 2022

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

'Multi-annual funding would enable forward planning at Airport'

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

R

YANAIR’s decision to scale back services at Shannon Airport has heightened the need for multi-annual supports for the International Airport, a Clare TD has said.

As reported by The Clare Echo, Ryanair will be reducing its January capacity by thirty three percent. Services at Shannon Airport impacted include, Luton, Birmingham, Edin-

burgh, London Gatwick and London Stansted.

In December, €10.1m was allocated to Shannon under both the Covid-19 Regional State Airports Programme 2021 – 2025 and the Covid-19 Supplementary Support Scheme.

Supports offered to Shannon Airport must now be extended beyond 2022, Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne (SF) maintained. “Shannon Airport has had the bad luck of falling between the cracks of statutory sup-

SUPPORTS: Shannon Airport

port. It hasn’t received the same level of supports as the other state airports that are still under the remit of the Dublin Airport Authority, i.e.

Dublin and Cork. But it also hasn’t been incorporated into the category of regional airports – which means it has been, up until now excluded from applying for funding ring-fenced for our country’s smaller airports”.

She voiced her support for Shannon Group’s plea for Shannon Airport to be permanently included in the Regional Airports Programme.

“This will allow the airport to attract more resources and funding to allow them to remain buoyant in these very challenging times.

Forward planning and necessary developments would occur on the back of multi-annual funding, the Kilrush TD believed.

“Footfall in Shannon has been decreasing since 2008, hit its lowest in 2012 and has only marginally increased since then. Obviously, consistent state support is key to returning activity at Shannon Airport to its former glory,” Wynne concluded.

BROTHERS OF CHARITY SERVICES IRELAND CLARE REGION INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY SERVICES

Get Fresh Catering

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Get Fresh Catering are now recruiting for the above positions to join our team in providing Catering Services at St Josephs Secondary School, Tulla, Co. Clare

Experienced Cook / Chef

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SHORTLISTING MAY APPLY ● PANELS MAY BE FORMED ● CANVASSING WILL DISQUALIFY ● EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

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HEALTH & FITNESS 23

THURSDAY, JAN 13 2021

Thursday, Jan 13 2022

Dance your way into 2022 with Sparks Dance Studio SPARKS Dance Studio is owned by local Ennis woman Lourdes Murphy (O 'Donoghue) who has been teaching for 30 years.

Sparks specialises in hip hop dance and has won the All Irelands 15 times in total over the years!

The school has also starred on stage in Disneyland L.A. twice as part of Team Ireland at Dance Excellence '07 '08.

A never to be forgotten moment!

Over the years Sparks has run from strength to strength expanding classes and teachers; the Talented Tots Clubs on Saturdays being a particular favourite.

These specialised drop in clubs for three to five year olds are a big hit for those looking to start hip hop gently with no pressure and lots of fun.

Classes are held from 1.15pm to 2.45pm or 3pm to 4.30pm. Cost €10 pay as you go and must be booked in advance.

A big new addition to our school two years ago was the arrival of past pu-

pil Wilson Chung - a Cambridge graduate of Dance - to our studio! Wilson specialises in Jazz and Hip Hip and along with his junior and senior classes he has now branched out into the Adults category on a Monday at 7.10 pm so all you ladies and gentlemen out there get ready to get your Britney on and sweat!!

Sparks will be performing on stage in Glór this Christmas with two shows and also in The Pantaloons Panto over Christmas so watch out for our famously talented kids.

Enrollments taken now for all ages.

Ring Lourdes on 086 1787455.

All our teachers are fully qualified, garda vetted, child protection/ first aid / and covid 19 return to dance course completed!

The studio is marked with socially distanced dance stars on the floor and fully ventilated. Temperature checking is still ongoing.

24

MOTORING

THURSDAY, JAN 13 2022

MOTORING T HE A L L N EW N I S SAN Q A SHQ A I

PLUG AND

MOTORING EXPERT NEIL BRISCOE GIVES HIS VIEWS

NISSANRENAULT QUASHQAI ZOE R135 0,000 is a pretty big number by anyone’s standards. For our purposes, it’s the numberGT-LINE of Nissan Qashqa-

5 I

is that have found homes on Irish driveways sinceeasy the before. model was first T was never this When launched 2007.first Globally, the Qashqai has electricin cars launched, a decade beenago, a runaway success.

In Ireland, that those early models came with goesbuilt-in doublehassle.

— families here have for 15 Short ranges, inconsisyears now been bewitched by the Qashqai’s tent charging opportunities, high pricof SUVthat looks family es,combo and a sense youwith wereeasy-going driving somehatchback Now, there’s thing that waspracticality. closer to a fridge than a an car.allnew — the generation of QashWell,model that has all third changed and this new qai — Zoe withissleeker, more upmarket styling Renault an exemplar of that change. and athe roomier cabin.

When Zoe originally launched, it sufthough, you’re feredIf,from most, if notexpecting quite all,an of electric those Qashqai, wellcar there won’t be one Renault of those. early electric shortcomings.

Nissan is about to launch an though, all-new, kept updating and refining the Zoe,

all-electric crossover called the Aryia, which is (in broad terms) an all-electric Qashqai rival, but one that will be considerably pricier. So, the new Qashqai sticks with petrol power. Well, almost…

In fact, Nissan will next year launch the Qashqai e-Power, a Qashqai which is powered by an electric motor, but which uses a petrol engine to generate the energy to drive that motor. Confused? Yeah, us too. The Qashqai gets 140kWsa-e — the Zoe can squeeze out an extra making it better everye-Power time, and fora 2020 electric and amodel.

187hp 1.5-litre pet-45km of claimed one-charge range. With a there’s this,motor the all-new rol engine.

That petrol engineunder never the drivesfully-topped-off battery, the Zoe should be Well, I say all-new...

Actually, the the wheels instead skin, basicdirectly, structurebut and chassisisofused the togood for as much as 395km. In fact, you’ll constantly charge Qash-probably do better than that if you’re drivZoe are muchtop-up as theythe were, but of thethe body, qai e-Power’s verylooks small abattery.

The idea ising mostly around town, where the regenalthough familiar, little sharper, thatRenault it gets people used to to driving car athaterative braking system helps to scavenge and has managed carve aout runsmore on electric with you the convelittle space power, inside, but so that no extra charge as you go, but if you’re mixnience of never actually rub having to plug longer have to constantly elbows withit ining in some motorway miles, the realistic to charge up. passenger. your front-seat range drops to around 250-280km. Which There’smore no external plug point, this isis still pretty decent.

Much importantly, the so Zoe’s not a and plugin-hybrid, but itare is technically battery electric motor new. The a Better still, the Zoe charges up quickly. range-extender always 52kWh battery in — Zoedriving is far, far largerand thanonlyPlug it into a 50kWh rapid charger and electric power, but with that theonpair of AA Duracells you gotpower in thepro-it’ll go from empty to 80 per cent charged vided by petrol. borrows original.

Inburning fact, with only Itanalso extra 2kWhthein around 30-45mins. The Zoe has a neat drivingtosystem from the Nissan to‘one-pedal’ play with relative the Zoe’s closest ri- trick, though — it has a clever charging Leaf, the e-208 regenerative braking vals — whereby the Peugeot and Opel Cor-sys-system built-in, called the Chameleon

RENAULT’S ALL-ELECTRIC ZOE PROVES HOW charger, that allows it to make the most of lower-powered chargers. Hook a Zoe up to one of the ESB’s 22kW on-street chargers (the boxy white and green ones, located on pavements) and it’ll add 125km worth of range in just one hour of charging, while you nip to the shops or have some lunch. At home, with a 7.4kWh home-charger wall-box, it will fill the battery from empty to the brim in around nine hours while you snooze.

The fact that this model is called the Zoe R135 also reveals another improvement — the electric motor, which has been beefed up to deliver — guess what — 135hp and 245Nm of torque (although the extra power does strip a little range away — 386km compared to the full 395km of the cheaper R110 version). That makes the Zoe feel very zippy indeed, and even when you’re

QUASHQAI FACTS & FIGURES

Fully charged, unplugged and ready for you.

Model tested: Nissan Qashqai 1.3 DIG-T SV Premium Pricing: Qashqai from €32,000; €37,700 as tested

Renault is offering:

Engine: turbocharged 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol

€1,000 Green Grant

Transmission: six-speed manual, front-wheel drive Body style: five-door SUV

+ 2.11% APR

CO2 emissions: 145g/km

+ 3 Months Deferred Payments

Motor tax: €270 per annum Combined economy: 44.1mpg (6.4 litres/100km)

Megane - Plug-in Hybrid Zoe - 100% Electric

Top speed: 190km/h

Captur - Plug-in Hybrid

0-100km/h: 10.2 seconds

Clio - Hybrid

Power: 140hp at 5,500rpm Torque: 240Nm at 1,650rpm

Models shown: Mégane Sport Tourer Iconic E-TECH Plug-in Hybrid 160 – RRP €30,356; ZOE GT Line Z.E.50 R135 – RRP €32,427; Clio RS Line E-TECH Hybrid 140 – RRP €29,307; Captur S-Edition E-TECH Plug-in Hybrid 160 – RRP €30,037 (ZOE, Captur and Mégane RRPs include €5,000 SEAI grant for private buyers, prices valid in November 2020). Finance example ZOE Play R110 Z.E.50. RRP €27,728. Deposit €11,534. Term 48 monthly payments of €339. APR 2.11%. Total cost of credit €659 inc fee of €75. Offer is made under a hire purchase agreement. Payment deferral available on request. First payment will be taken 90 days after activation of finance agreement. Subject to lending criteria. Terms and conditions apply. See Renault.ie [Warning: You will not own these goods until the final payment is made]. Renault Bank is a trading name of RCI Banque Branch Ireland and is authorised and regulated by the French banking authority and supervised by the Central Bank for conduct of business purposes.

Boot space: 550 litres (seats up), 1,563 litres (seats down)

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

Towing: 1,400kg braked

THURSDAY, JAN 13 2022

MOTORING

MOTORING I MPR ES S ES W I T H REF INEMENT

PLUG AND

25

MOTORING EXPERT NEIL BRISCOE GIVES HIS VIEWS

tem does most of the slowing down for you, and you only rarely need to use the actual, physical brakes. It won’t be available until 2023, and Nissan expects those who previously drove a diesel Qashqai to convert to this new fuel-saving model.

If you don’t fancy e-Power, well that’s OK — you can have a new Qashqai with a conRENAULT ZOE ventional petrol power in the shape of the 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine already emR135 ployed by Nissan, Renault, and Mercedes.

It’ll come in 138hp and 156hp forms, and

I

GT-LINE

T was never this easy before. When electric cars first launched, a decade ago, those early models came with built-in hassle. Short ranges, inconsistent charging opportunities, high prices, and a sense that you were driving something that was closer to a fridge than a car.

Well, that has all changed and this new Renault Zoe is an exemplar of that change.

When the Zoe originally launched, it suffered from most, if not quite all, of those early electric car shortcomings. Renault kept updating and refining the Zoe, though,

both versions have a 12-volt mild-hybrid system to make them a little more frugal around town. We’ve test driven the 140hp version, and while it’s no ball of fire in a straight-line, it is impressively refined and mostly quite frugal (although we’d like to see slightly better around-town economy, given its mild-hybrid status…).

The new Qashqai has a much roomier cabin than before thanks in large part to having a wheelbase that’severy sometime, 20mm than making it better andlonger for 2020 that ofthis, the old boot is bigger, too there’s themodel. all-newThe model.

Well, I say all-new... Actually, under the skin, the basic structure and chassis of the Zoe are much as they were, but the body, although familiar, looks a little sharper, and Renault has managed to carve out a little more space inside, so that you no longer have to constantly rub elbows with your front-seat passenger.

Much more importantly, the Zoe’s battery and electric motor are new. The 52kWh battery in Zoe is far, far larger than the pair of AA Duracells you got in the original. In fact, with only an extra 2kWh to play with relative to the Zoe’s closest rivals — the Peugeot e-208 and Opel Cor-

— now up to 504-litres, an increase of 50-li- tioning. It’s far less distracting to use than tres, which in one stroke wipes out one of the all-screen affairs of many rivals. our biggest gripes about the old version. The Go for the Qashqai with the optional autocabin looks quite conventional in terms of matic gearbox and you can have Nissan’s upits styling, but the quality levels have taken a graded ProPilot electronic driver assistance distinct step up from the old Qashqai — ev- system, which includes a traffic-jam setup erything feels really well made. The central that will follow the car in front at low speeds, touchscreen — nine inches across — has to lane-centring steering, adaptive cruise concome in for particular praise here, as it’s easy trol, speed limit sing recognition, and can to use and Nissan has sensibly kept physi- use the data from the sat-nav to adjust the cal— controls forcan things such as volume,charger, car’s that speed for upcoming sa-e the Zoe squeeze outradio an extra allows it to make corners the mostorofmolowand of theclaimed heating, ventilation, and With air conditorway entrance alsotoa ‘flank 45km one-charge range. a er-powered chargers.ramps.

Hook There’s a Zoe up one of system, whichchargers uses the(the parking fully-topped-off battery, the Zoe should be the protection’ ESB’s 22kW on-street boxy sensors and cameras to warn if you’re about good for as much as 395km. In fact, you’ll white and green ones, located on pavements) and the side off of your shiny probably do better than that if you’re driv- it’ll to addtake 125km worth range in new just Qashqai one hour against a while car park ing mostly around town, where the regen- of charging, youbollard, nip to or thesimilar. shops or have It’s notAt quite as sharp the old Qashqai to erative braking system helps to scavenge some lunch. home, with aas7.4kWh home-chardrive — being roomier alsoto extra charge as you go, but if you’re mix- ger wall-box, it willbigger fill theand battery from has empty madein it aaround bit more relaxed lessyou engaging, ing in some motorway miles, the realistic the brim nine hoursand while snooze. butfact thethat upside truly impressive refinement range drops to around 250-280km. Which The thisismodel is called the Zoe R135 comfort, andimprovement more of what—families reis still pretty decent. alsoand reveals another the electric ally which crave: has space.

With prices from— Better still, the Zoe charges up quickly. motor, been beefed upstarting to deliver €32,000, d be amazed if theofnew QashPlug it into a 50kWh rapid charger and guess what —we’135hp and 245Nm torque (alqai isn’t right at the top of strip manyacar buyers’ it’ll go from empty to 80 per cent charged though the extra power does little range listscompared in 2022. to the full 395km of in around 30-45mins. The Zoe has a neat awayshopping — 386km trick, though — it has a clever charging the cheaper R110 version). That makes the Zoe system built-in, called the Chameleon feel very zippy indeed, and even when you’re

RENAULT’S ALL-ELECTRIC ZOE PROVES HOW

Fully charged, unplugged and ready for you.

Renault is offering:

€1,000 Green Grant + 2.11% APR + 3 Months Deferred Payments Megane - Plug-in Hybrid Zoe - 100% Electric

Captur - Plug-in Hybrid

Clio - Hybrid

Models shown: Mégane Sport Tourer Iconic E-TECH Plug-in Hybrid 160 – RRP €30,356; ZOE GT Line Z.E.50 R135 – RRP €32,427; Clio RS Line E-TECH Hybrid 140 – RRP €29,307; Captur S-Edition E-TECH Plug-in Hybrid 160 – RRP €30,037 (ZOE, Captur and Mégane RRPs include €5,000 SEAI grant for private buyers, prices valid in November 2020). Finance example ZOE Play R110 Z.E.50. RRP €27,728. Deposit €11,534. Term 48 monthly payments of €339. APR 2.11%. Total cost of credit €659 inc fee of €75. Offer is made under a hire purchase agreement. Payment deferral available on request. First payment will be taken 90 days after activation of finance agreement. Subject to lending criteria. Terms and conditions apply. See Renault.ie [Warning: You will not own these goods until the final payment is made]. Renault Bank is a trading name of RCI Banque Branch Ireland and is authorised and regulated by the French banking authority and supervised by the Central Bank for conduct of business purposes.

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

26

MOTORING

MOTORING

THURSDAY, JAN 13 2022

P L U G A N D T

MOTORING EXPERT NEIL BRISCOE GIVES HIS VIEWS VIEWS

T OYO TA WAS IREL AND ’ S FAVO UR I TE CAR BRAND I N 2 0 21 OYOTA Ireland has closed out the year as Ireland’s most popular car brand. With 12.44 per cent share of the passenger car market and four of its models in the top ten best-sellers list, Toyota sold an impressive 13,053 passenger cars, which represents more than a 30 per cent year-on-year inT was never this easy crease.

Toyota maintains thatbefore. when aWhen wide cars first launched, a decade rangeelectric of electrified options are made availthose earlythey models with able ago, to customers, tend came to choose thesebuilt-in more environmentally friendly models hassle. Short ranges, inconsisas evidenced by the fact that 92 per of tent charging opportunities, highcent pricToyota’s for its lowdriving emission selfes, and a sales sense were that you were somecharging electric thing thathybrid was closer to avehicles. fridge than a car.

In 2021, electrified vehicle options saw Well, that has all changed new significant annualised growth,and withthis battery Renault is anenjoying exemplar of that electrics Zoe (BEVs) a 115 per change. cent inWhen originally launched,increasit sufcrease the and Zoe plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) fered most, not quite all, of those ing byfrom 210 per centifrespectively.

Both BEVs and PHEVs lower volumes in early electrichave cartypically shortcomings.

Renault comparison with that of self the charging hybrids kept updating and refining Zoe, though, (HEVs). In 2021, HEVs increased by 63 per cent from an already strong position built up over the last five years. In actual sales terms, HEVs were by far the most popular electrified vehicles with 16 per cent overall market share, followed by BEVs at 8 per cent and PHEVs at 7 per cent. With significantly more low emission vehicles on Irish roads than any other car brand, Toyota sees hybrid technology as a key cornerstone in the move towards more sustainable motoring.

Toyota, which predicted the demise of diesel some years ago, firmly believes that its hybrids play a vital role in swiftly and easily moving people away from these higher polluting vehicles, particularly as they are very affordable and don’t require plugging in to charge. In 2021 diesel models continued to lose market share and were down 8 per cent, and account for just a third of the overall market, a significant decrease from the 71 per cent share they had in 2015. Alongside this decrease, there is an evident tipping point when it comes to electrified models in Ireland. BEVs, HEVs, PHEVs and other electrified diesel options make up a total of

I

RENAULT ZOE R135 GT-LINE

RENAULT’S ALL-ELECTRIC ZOE PROVES HOW

making it better every time, and for 2020 there’s this, the all-new model.

Well, I say all-new... Actually, under the skin, the basic structure and chassis of the Zoe are much as they were, but the body, although familiar, looks a little sharper, and Renault has managed to carve out a little more space inside, so that you no longer have to constantly rub elbows with your front-seat passenger.

Much more importantly, the Zoe’s battery and electric motor are new. The 52kWh battery in Zoe is far, far larger than the pair of AA Duracells you got in the original. In fact, with only an extra 2kWh to play with relative to the Zoe’s closest rivals — the Peugeot e-208 and Opel Cor-

Fully charged, unplugged and ready for you.

Renault is offering:

34 per cent share in comparison with 33 per cent of solely diesel. Toyota believes the diesel market will accelerate its downward spiral over the next three years and estimates that it will represent only 10 per cent of the entire new sales market by the end of 2024.

Steve Tormey, CEO of Toyota Ireland said, “It’s really heartening to see the continued growth in low emission, electrified car ownership in Ireland, as we move ever closer to a world where CO2 emissions will be a thing of the past. At Toyota, we are proud to play our own part in this transition through advancing battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell innovations while furthering the long term viability of hybrids which are set to become even more efficient in the soon to be

€1,000 Green Grant + 2.11% APR

sa-e — the Zoe can squeeze out an extra 45km of claimed one-charge range. With a fully-topped-off battery, the Zoe should be good for as much as 395km. In fact, you’ll probably do better than that if you’re driving mostly around town, where the regenerative braking system helps to scavenge extra charge as you go, but if you’re mixing in some motorway miles, the realistic range drops to around 250-280km. Which is still pretty decent.

Better still, the Zoe charges up quickly.

Plug it into a 50kWh rapid charger and it’ll go from empty to 80 per cent charged in around 30-45mins. The Zoe has a neat trick, though — it has a clever charging system built-in, called the Chameleon

charger, that allows it to make the most of lower-powered chargers. Hook a Zoe up to one of the ESB’s 22kW on-street chargers (the boxy white and green ones, located on pavements) and it’ll add 125km worth of range in just one hour of charging, while you nip to the shops or have some lunch. At home, with a 7.4kWh home-charger wall-box, it will fill the battery from empty to the brim in around nine hours while you snooze.

The fact that this model is called the Zoe R135 also reveals another improvement — the electric motor, which has been beefed up to deliver — guess what — 135hp and 245Nm of torque (although the extra power does strip a little range away — 386km compared to the full 395km of the cheaper R110 version). That makes the Zoe feel very zippy indeed, and even when you’re

launched 5th generation models. Given our 4th generation models can operate in full EV mode for up to 80 per cent of the time in urban driving conditions, the future looks very promising for the next generation of Toyota hybrids.

“We look forward to another successful year in 2022 and are especially excited for the arrival of our first zero-emission full battery electric car in June, the bZ4X. With our focus on deriving as much power efficiency from batteries as possible, something we have been refining for thirty years, the arrival of the bZ4X will mark another exciting chapter in the Toyota story. There’s a lot more to come from Toyota as highlighted by our recently announced plans to bring 30 BEVs to

the market by 2030, have 3.5 million BEVs on the road globally by 2030, and to achieve 100 per cent carbon reduction in Western Europe by 2035.”

Toyota’s ‘Built for a Better World’ brand promise and its commitment to carbon neutrality doesn’t just end with the supply of zero emissions vehicles. The company is also aiming for its manufacturing plants to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035 by continuously making steady improvements toward reducing energy use and by expanding the use of innovative production engineering technology. In total, Toyota is investing €62bn in realising its vision to deliver a fully sustainable era of motoring and a better future for the world and its citizens.

+ 3 Months Deferred Payments Megane - Plug-in Hybrid Zoe - 100% Electric

Captur - Plug-in Hybrid

Clio - Hybrid

Models shown: Mégane Sport Tourer Iconic E-TECH Plug-in Hybrid 160 – RRP €30,356; ZOE GT Line Z.E.50 R135 – RRP €32,427; Clio RS Line E-TECH Hybrid 140 – RRP €29,307; Captur S-Edition E-TECH Plug-in Hybrid 160 – RRP €30,037 (ZOE, Captur and Mégane RRPs include €5,000 SEAI grant for private buyers, prices valid in November 2020). Finance example ZOE Play R110 Z.E.50. RRP €27,728. Deposit €11,534. Term 48 monthly payments of €339. APR 2.11%. Total cost of credit €659 inc fee of €75. Offer is made under a hire purchase agreement. Payment deferral available on request. First payment will be taken 90 days after activation of finance agreement. Subject to lending criteria. Terms and conditions apply. See Renault.ie [Warning: You will not own these goods until the final payment is made]. Renault Bank is a trading name of RCI Banque Branch Ireland and is authorised and regulated by the French banking authority and supervised by the Central Bank for conduct of business purposes.

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

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28

MOTORING

MOTORING

THURSDAY, JAN 13 2022

PLUG AND T MOTORING EXPERT NEIL BRISCOE GIVES HIS VIEWS VIEWS

Skoda’s new Fabia hatchback arrives in Ireland

HE fourth-genera- provides the perfect entry to was already the largest in the tion Fabia continues our range. The new Fabia has segment – has gained an addiSkoda’s extraordi- generous amounts of space, the tional 50-litres to a capacious nary success story highest levels of quality and 380-litres — that’s the same as of offering all you safety, and excellent value for you’d get in a Volkswagen Golf. need and a little more. Twen- money – with an emotive design The Fabia boasts well-balZOE ty-two years after itsRENAULT debut, the and exceptional fuel economy. I anced proportions, sharppopular small car is more emo- am convinced that this overall ly drawn headlights and rear R135 tive and dynamic than ever be- package willmaking allow us to further lights and featuring the latest LED it better every time, for 2020 sa-e — the Zoe can squeeze out an extra fore. This is the first Fabia to be strengthen there’s our position inall-new the technology.

Inside, the instruthis, the model.

45km of claimed one-charge range. With a based on Volkswagen GT-LINE Group’s entry-level segment attract Actually, ment panel with Well, I and say all-new... under thea free-standfully-topped-off battery, the Zoe should be modular MQB-A0 platform. It new customers thebasic brand. ” ing optional skin,tothe structure andcentral chassisdisplay of the andgood for as much as 395km. In fact, you’ll is theTmost careasy within hasmuch sold as more digitalbut instrument catchdo better than that if you’re drivwas spacious never this before. Skoda When Ireland Zoe are they were, the body, cluster probably its segment further athan 5,280 although Fabia’s over the lastlooks theaeye. andmostly con- around town, where the regenelectricand carsboasts first launched, decade familiar, littleInfotainment sharper, ing enhanced comfort features as came five with years inand Ireland.

Thehas most nectivity are state art. The ago, those early models Renault managed to carve out aof the erative braking system helps to scavenge well as a plethora of Short new safety common reasons for space buying Active, Ambition Style trim built-in hassle. ranges, inconsislittle more inside, so that you noand extra charge as you go, but if you’re mixand assistance systems.

Classic high a Fabia its value for levels will bewith available tent charging opportunities, pric-included longer have to constantly rub elbows ing infrom some motorway miles, the realistic brand such excelmoney, running costspassenger. and market launch. Four petrol en- to around 250-280km. Which es, and qualities, a sense that youaswere driving some-lowyour front-seat range drops lent value high func-than impressive amount of space. gines from Group’s thing that for wasmoney, closer to a fridge a car.

Much more importantly, theVolkswagen Zoe’s is still pretty decent. tionality andhas a host of Simply The latest-generation Fabia also motor current deliv-still, the Zoe charges up quickly.

Well, that all changed and this new battery and electric areEVO new. generation The Better Clever features, this of carthatfeatures emotive power outputs Renault Zoe is anmake exemplar change.a particularly 52kWh battery in Zoe iserfar, far larger thanranging Plug from it into a 50kWh rapid charger and the perfect entry-level model to design, dynamics and 65hp to got 110hp.

Segment-leadWhen the Zoe originally launched, it suf-improved the pair of AA Duracells you in the it’ll go from empty to 80 per cent charged the Skoda newquite Skodaall, numerous assistance ing an aerodynamics a drag 30-45mins. The Zoe has a neat fered fromrange. most,The if not of those new original.

In fact, syswith only extra 2kWh with in around Fabia is now available to order tems.

Now based therelative modu-to the coefficient (cd)ri-of trick, 0.28 and early electric car shortcomings.

Renault to playon with Zoe’s closest though — it has a clever charging in Ireland and and it is competitively MQB-A0vals platform, Fabiae-208 theand optional fuel tank kept updating refining the Zoe,lar though, — the the Peugeot Opel 50-litre Cor- system built-in, called the Chameleon priced from €19,150. is longer and, at 4,108 mm, ex- enable a range of more than John Donegan, Skoda Ireland ceeds the four-metre mark for 900km in the WLTP cycle.

Director, said: “The new Fabia the first time. The boot – which

Prices for the new Fabia start at €19,150

RENAULT’S ALL-ELECTRIC ZOE PROVES HOW

I

charger, that allows it to make the most of lower-powered chargers. Hook a Zoe up to one of the ESB’s 22kW on-street chargers (the boxy white and green ones, located on pavements) and it’ll add 125km worth of range in just one hour of charging, while you nip to the shops or have some lunch. At home, with a 7.4kWh home-charger wall-box, it will fill the battery from empty to the brim in around nine hours while you snooze.

The fact that this model is called the Zoe R135 also reveals another improvement — the electric motor, which has been beefed up to deliver — guess what — 135hp and 245Nm of torque (although the extra power does strip a little range away — 386km compared to the full 395km of the cheaper R110 version). That makes the Zoe feel very zippy indeed, and even when you’re

Fully charged, unplugged and ready for you.

Renault is offering:

€1,000 Green Grant + 2.11% APR + 3 Months Deferred Payments Megane - Plug-in Hybrid Zoe - 100% Electric

Captur - Plug-in Hybrid

Clio - Hybrid

Models shown: Mégane Sport Tourer Iconic E-TECH Plug-in Hybrid 160 – RRP €30,356; ZOE GT Line Z.E.50 R135 – RRP €32,427; Clio RS Line E-TECH Hybrid 140 – RRP €29,307; Captur S-Edition E-TECH Plug-in Hybrid 160 – RRP €30,037 (ZOE, Captur and Mégane RRPs include €5,000 SEAI grant for private buyers, prices valid in November 2020). Finance example ZOE Play R110 Z.E.50. RRP €27,728. Deposit €11,534. Term 48 monthly payments of €339. APR 2.11%. Total cost of credit €659 inc fee of €75. Offer is made under a hire purchase agreement. Payment deferral available on request. First payment will be taken 90 days after activation of finance agreement. Subject to lending criteria. Terms and conditions apply. See Renault.ie [Warning: You will not own these goods until the final payment is made]. Renault Bank is a trading name of RCI Banque Branch Ireland and is authorised and regulated by the French banking authority and supervised by the Central Bank for conduct of business purposes.

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

pg 29

13-01-22

SENIOR INTERCOUNTY FOOTBALL: MCGRATH CUP, ROUND 1

‘Hard to make anything’ of loss CORK 2-09 CLARE 0-10 Venue: Hennessy Memorial Park, Miltown Malbay

CORK: Wides: 7 (1/6) Frees for: 23 (14/9) Spread of scorers: 4 Scores from play: 2-05 Top scorer: Brian Hurley (1-06 3f) Bookings: Kevin Crowley (25), Damien Gore (28).

Red Card: Tadhg Corkery (59) (second yellow card).

Own kickouts won: 12 from 18 (66%)

KEITH RICKEN, CORK MANAGER: “Clare are a serious side, they have been pushing to try get into Division 1 for the last couple of years, I’d have bit the hand off you for a win here today. I was delighted with the performance in the first half, in the second half it’s always hard for both teams because you’re trying to give every guy a game and you’re emptying benches, it’s not that you are bringing on bad players but it losing the momentum, that happened a bit towards the end. I’m delighted to be here in the home of Clare football, it’s lovely to be invited to anyone’s house and to anyone’s home, I’m delighted to be here and I hope the people got good value for money. The wind was hard even to play with it, the ball could be going over the bar or it could take off. I was happy to get 2-09 today.

“I was happy with the workrate and attitude, I’ve been happy with that from the start, their workrate, attitude and commitment to Cork has been magnificent. Hats off to the people who went before me who have done all of that, that is part of their legacy because they picked good guys, we’ve picked up the same guys and brought in a couple of younger guys as an opportunity, we’re creating a culture for this particular group. It’s a match, it’s the McGrath Cup and there’s bigger matches ahead but it’s always nice to have a win.

“Over the last couple of years, look at the people who have had no opportunity to get out of houses with COVID and all of that, we had a couple of hundred people watching this match and it was lovely for them, other people followed it on Twitter and it was lovely for them”.

COLM COLLINS, CLARE MANAGER: “It’s very hard to make anything of it, conditions were very difficult, it was just to get through it and get it done, we gave a good few lads a start in a Clare jersey, you couldn’t read into anything on that.

“There isn’t a whole lot you could say about today, we got chances at the start of the game, we didn’t take them but they took their chances and that was it, that’s what was in it really.

CLARE: Wides: 8 (5/3) Frees for: 18 (12/6) Spread of scorers: 4 Scores from play: 0-06 Top scorer: Aaron Griffin (0-03), Mark McInerney (0-03 2f), Keelan Sexton (0-03 2f) Bookings: None Own kickouts won: 12 from 17 (71%)

Daniel Walsh tries to find a gap through the Cork middle third

“COVID has been very difficult but it’s the same for everybody. I think we’re at the point now nearly where most of them would have had it and had it relatively recently so surely it will open things up for us so that it won’t be as disruptive. At any given time I’d say most county teams have about ten players missing, that’s the fact of the matter but hopefully it will be getting better as we go along,

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

please God we’ll be a lot better when we play them in the second game of the League than we were today”.

REFEREE: Seamus Mulvihill (Kerry)

Compiled by Páraic McMahon

Retired businessman offers to take Clubs aggrieved with Clare GAA conduct on on Clare COO role without pay relegation debacle A RETIRED businessman has offered to take on the new role as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Clare GAA on a voluntary basis, writes Páraic McMahon.

Chairman of Clare GAA, Kieran Keating told the January meeting of the County Board that an “impressive candidate” offered to assume the position of COO without taking a salary. He described the individual as “very much an expert” and someone who commands respect in a commercial environment.

The Clare Echo understands that the individual has links to Crusheen National School with Keating and Vice Chairman Michael O’Connor the officers approached by the potential COO. Clare FM heralded the candidate as a “prominent businessman” based in the United States with international experience.

Keating confirmed that the role will still be advertised as initially intended, “we want to follow due process”. An interview panel is expected to be finalised this month, the Chairman outlined. “The candidate looks like a very interesting proposal for Clare GAA,” he added. Croke Park have yet to confirm if they will sanction the payment of €30,000 per annum for the role.

Strong candidates may not be put off applying to become COO, Whitegate’s David Solan feared. “If this guy is coming in taking no salary, where does it leave other candidates interested in the job that require a salary that has been promised, a backer has been got. It puts another candidate at a disadvantage straight away”. He continued, “The credentials must be extremely high but I hope the candidate and I hate to say it but that he is not coming in as

one of the boys”.

Sponsored support for the position is still available, Keating clarified. “If we end up filling the position with someone not filling the salary then the money will be available for another position”.

The Deerkpark resident informed the meeting, “the candidate wasn’t known to me but he comes recommended and appears highly qualified”. He stressed that the COO role cannot be given to someone just because they are willing to do it for free.

Clarecastle Chairman Niall Tuohy referenced the support of the financial backer and proposed that the COO role be advertised immediately. This was backed by Wolfe Tones’ Dermot O’Donnell, “When you’re getting into territory with a candidate willing to accept a position then you have a conflict of interest if there is another candidate going for it. The sooner you advertise the better”.

Justin Griffin, Chairman of Lissycasey questioned if the Croke Park funding was died to the COO role. “If I could answer for definite I would, I don’t know for sure. I don’t know for sure if Croke Park will give the €30k if the person in the role isn’t drawing a salary,” Keating admitted.

Central Council delegate, Simon Moroney detailed that the application was submitted to Croke Park on December 21st. “If there is no payment or salary, you will not get the €30,000 that is clear,” he stated. He advised the Committee to wait for written approval from Croke Park regarding the payment. “We should wait until the guaranteed approval is in place. I would prefer to have a guarantee of money,” he added. At this point, Tuohy withdrew his proposal to advertise the position.

PROPER procedure was not followed on the vote which decided that no team would be relegated from last year’s Clare SHC, clubs have claimed.

Clare GAA were requested to hold a special meeting by Broadford, Scariff, Smith O’Briens and Whitegate to discuss the implications of the decision reached at the December meeting of the County Board which voted 18-16 that no teams be relegated from the championship in 2021.

Both Crusheen and Clarecastle had been relegated, Crusheen losing out on scoring difference to Clooney/Quin and O’Callaghans Mills while the Magpies failed to win any of their six championship games. However, Crusheen appealed the decision that scoring difference be a deciding factor seeing as clarification of the rules were only provided after the round robin series commenced, this request was upheld by Munster GAA. Speaking at Tuesday’s County Board meeting, Feakle delegate Mike Daly expressed his view that the final tally of the vote at the December meeting was incorrect. “I was sitting in the back row, I didn’t get the same count as the count recorded, I said nothing and instead questioned mathematical skills but I spoke to people there on the same night who were of the same opinion”. Daly told Chairman Kieran Keating that he should have been appointed two tellers to conduct the vote. “I don’t believe proper procedure was followed,” which he quipped gave clubs a cause to go to Munster Council with next October if they are relegated.

Keating outlined that Treasurer Rebecca Sexton “who didn’t have a horse in the race” counted the hands for the vote.

An in-person meeting is the fairest way to try to reach a resolution to the controversy, Broadford’s Danny Chaplin believed and suggested Thursday evening of this week. The Chairman was slow to hold two meetings of the County Board in the one week and said he would have to liaise with the County Secretary, Pat Fitzgerald to determine when the meeting would be held.

Rules 4.3 and 3.9 were not adhered to at the December meeting, Whitegate’s David Solan highlighted. He said a two thirds majority did not vote in favour of the proposal and argued that alterations to a championship can only be made once in the same year but it happened in both May and December.

For full report by Páraic McMahon, visit www.clareecho.ie.

13-01-22

pg 30

MUNSTER INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL: COROFIN VS BALLYEA, 1:30PM SUNDAY IN MALLOW

MALONE DETERMINED TO KEEP COROFIN’S HISTORIC RUN ALIVE

by SEAMUS HAYES

Corofin’s Jamie Malone

JAMIE Malone has been one of Clare’s leading footballers since making his senior debut in 2014, his displays have earned him an All-Star nomination but it will be with his club Corofin that he makes his first Munster final appearance.

An ankle injury sustained during Clare’s opening round of the 2020 Allianz National Football League surprisingly kept Jamie out of action until October with C o r o f i n’s semi-final with O’Currys marking his return to the field of play while he missed the entirety of the championship for his club’s intermediate hurling team.

Reflecting on their campaign to date, he told The Clare Echo, “it’s been a great year for us so far. One of the best days we have had was winning the championship in Cusack park and then having our first game in Munster at home here in

Corofin and following that up with the semi-final win, they were super days.

Playing with Clare we have been striving to get to a Munster final. I always believed it would happen but I didn’t think that my first Munster final would be with Corofin. In a way it has come out of nowhere but we are delighted to be there and we want to win it and get over the line”.

Losing the Clare IFC final to St Josephs Doora/Barefield in 2020 has been a driving force for Corofin, he flagged.

“The disappointment we had last year was something that did drive us on this year. Momentum is behind us and you can’t beat winning for any squad”.

A striking aspect of their displays in Jamie’s opinion is how Corofin have finished. “A game is not over till you are in the dressing room. We finished strongly in all the games this year. We left it very late against Kildysart, it was the last quarter here against Kildimo and it was the last quarter the last day as well. We have been finishing well. That’s something that let us down last year.

We fell away in the second half of the county final last year against Barefield.

You need to be playing for sixty minutes and it’s going to take another 60 to 65 minute performance on Sunday against Na Gaeil”.

Playing both hurling and football creates a stronger connection among the panelists, the Dublin based teacher believed. “There is no pressure on anyone to play hurling or football, Everyone that is playing in Corofin wants to

play. It’s coming from themselves. The majority of us are part of both squads, it creates a great bond between us. We enjoy doing it. Anytime something goes wrong it’s easy for people to say the dual thing is hard to do. The lads had a very successful U21 hurling campaign and a very successful intermediate football campaign. We were unlucky with the intermediate hurling, we had a bad performance in the quarter final and that’s what cost us. We could easily have ended up in the semi-final or final. It wasn’t anything to do with the dual thing, it was just a bad on the day performance.

It’s an easy thing to do to blame things on the dual involvement but when you are winning everyone thinks it’s great.

We all enjoy doing it, we all want to represent Corofin at hurling and football.

We have a great group of lads who have boosted things in both codes and hopefully they will continue to do so”.

Kerry’s success at the grade does not faze Malone. “Kerry teams are always going to be strong in this championship but Na Gaeil didn’t win all the Munster titles. There are fifteen of them and fifteen of us.

“We are playing on Sunday against another team. We have prepared really well and we are going to give it our best shot. We are happy with how things are going. Hopefully I will be training with Corofin next week and that is something I look forward to doing no matter how bad the conditions might be”.

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

Underdogs won’t be daunted, says Hurley

COROFIN football manager Douglas Hurley admits playing in the Munster intermediate final was an aim when he took on the position for the ‘21 season, writes Seamus Hayes.

“I wouldn’t like to say I wasn’t thinking about it. To be honest I knew the potential in this group. The very least we were hoping for was to be in an intermediate final in our county. We knew how good Kildysart were and I knew if we got over them we were a strong, strong team. We are as well positioned as we ever were to go up to senior.

Are we in bonus territory, we definitely are”.

He stressed that while they are in bonus territory, their Munster final appearance doesn’t come as a surprise.

Moments after supervising training at Pairc Finne on Sunday morning, Douglas spoke of the dominance of Kerry clubs in the Munster intermediate championship.

“Their set-up down there with just eight senior clubs leaves Kerry with very strong intermediate champions year in year out. We can’t overly think about that. We have to deal with what is ahead of us. We have to try and get our match-ups right. I have a set of forwards most teams in the country would love to have. If conditions are right for us and we win an ample amount of possession, we won’t fear them. If we can hold them and go into the last quarter there or thereabouts, they are not going to catch us for fitness, that’s for sure.”

He confirmed that the intermediate champions have had to deal with COVID-19 cases over the Christmas period. “Quite a few of our squad have got it. We have two lads back today. We had a bit to deal with over the Christmas. Hopefully we won’t have any more interruptions. Right now it’s all systems

go for Sunday.”

Referring back to their victory in the Clare IFC final he said, “everyone knows what happened in the Kildysart game and it has given us great belief to drive on. Even in the U21A hurling semi-final, they kept going as well and pulled it out of the bag. I call it the dead zone in the game. If we go into the dead zone with five or ten minutes to go in play, I’d fancy our chances.”

“When you are winning it’s a lot easier,” he remarked of managing dual-players. “It is a big call as to how we can manage it going forward but it was a positive this year, particularly when you are winning as it lifts all tides. It is a positive because they are getting games and if you are getting games and you are winning, you can work with it provided you don’t get hit with injuries”.

For the majority of the Clare IFC, Corofin

were forced to play without All-Star nominee Jamie Malone due to injury. His absence “got other lads to stand up and not be depending on him or looking for him. If we had met Kildysart earlier we might have been in trouble. It allowed us to develop a game plan that he was well able to come into and fit into. In the last three or four games he has been picking it up every day and he is where we want him now coming into this Munster final when he will most definitely be badly wanted”.

Na Gaeil’s tag as favourites doesn’t concern the partner director of DNG O’Sullivan Hurley. “You have minor A and under 21A hurling winners and Harty winners there, lads that have played in county squads. They are not going to be overly daunted by what is going on. They will be relishing this week and going down to put in a performance”.

pg 31

13-01-22

MUNSTER INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL: COROFIN VS BALLYEA, 1:30PM SUNDAY IN MALLOW

Cahill hopes to school Kerry rivals

by SEAMUS HAYES

EXPERIENCE of beating Kerry sides at school level has strengthened the belief of Corofin as they go in search of Munster glory this Sunday.

Valuable lessons were learned in the 2020 Clare IFC and it is standing to Corofin this season, key forward and freetaker Gearoid Cahill outlined.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Gearoid noted, “The Clare championship is so tough. We learned a lesson from last year when we were pipped at the final hurdle by Doora/Barefield.

Taking it a game at a time started back in Cooraclare against Naomh Eoin in July. We are on a roll now, we are a group of players, an ambitious young group, who want to improve our game and who want to win. Once we got out of Clare our approach is that there is another championship here for us. We are really looking forward to the weekend”.

He continued, “We have learned a lot from last year, maybe we were lis-

tening to too much and maybe we felt ourselves that we were favourites and we didn’t back it up. In fairness to Dougie, Geoff and the lads who came in this year, they put their shoulders to the wheel and told us to take it a game at the time and never give up. That showed in the county final against Kildysart, never rest on our laurels, we have never lost or won a game till the final whistle. That’s the main thing we have learned, take it minute by minute and game by game rather than maybe listening to a bit of talk”.

Joint captain of the Corofin/Ruan side that were crowned U21A hurling champions days before Christmas after defeating Newmarket-on-Fergus, Cahill said it hasn’t been difficult to juggle both codes. “We are doing it since we were six years of age. We are very lucky that we have two good management teams who are clubmen first, There are no hurling or football men or women in Corofin. It’s one

club, when we were hurling it was a hurling week and when we were playing football, it was a football week.

“That momentum has carried us on. We are lucky in the club that we have really ambitious coaches and the ambitions of the younger players is really outstanding”.

Cahill went on “there are players who have been out of championship since August or September and we have been lucky that we are still playing championship and we were playing championship until three days before Christmas. We are very lucky in the club at the moment that we are really improving and motivated to do well”.

Experience of being on county and school squads that have had success against Kerry opponents will stand to them this weekend, the Mary Immaculate College student believed. “A couple of us have been on county squads and we have lost to Kerry opposition but a lot of us have come through

Gearoid Cahill

Burren Eye Photography

St. Flannans and we have taken scalps of Kerry teams and got a great education turning over Tralee, Killarney and Dingle schools.

“We have experience of being on both sides of winning and losing against Kerry teams. We have never really played too much attention all year as to who we are playing but rather we have focused on our

own game. We know that if we are with these lads with fifteen minutes to go we will give them one hell of a battle. There is a great confidence there are the moment to do well. This is a very different group to anything that I have been a part of . We are really focusing on ourselves and we are enjoying our football and that is the main thing”.

Work ethic just keeps going up SELECTOR Geoff O’Sullivan insists that Corofin will be focussing on their own strengths this Sunday, with high workrate being the key ingredient to the Clare side’s potential success against Na Gaeil.

“If you look at history it doesn’t do much favours for Clare in the context of playing against Kerry teams. We will go to Mallow believing that we have a squad, not just a team, that is capable of matching any other team that is out there,” said O’Sullivan.

“Our aim is to play to our strengths, not concentrating on the strength of other teams but we have work done on that. The key is to do what we do right and keep doing that and take it up another five per cent and I don’t think we will be found wanting”.

He told The Clare Echo, “A huge part of our success to date is down to the work the lads have put in.

Their work ethic keeps going up and up and we are just not found wanting in the final quarter and that is what is really driving it on.”

Appearing in Sunday’s final “is a great occasion for the club, the parish and the people have followed this team for years. It’s a massive occasion and we are really looking forward to it”.

13-01-22

pg 32

HARTY CUP QUARTER-FINAL: ST JOSEPH’S TULLA VS CBC CORK

‘They don’t know how to give up’ ST JOSEPH’S, TULLA 1-17 CHRISTIAN BROTHERS COLLEGE, CORK 1-15 Venue: Kilmallock

TOMÁS KELLY, ST JOSEPH’S TULLA COACH: “Every day we go out, we never make it easy for ourselves.

A lot of things went against us, but we told them at half-time that this wasn’t new territory for us – the same against Colman’s.

We had played very well in the first half, but just at this level, if you switch off for two minutes a team like CBC are going to punish you and they did.

“We knew how good they were going to be but conditions probably suited us – we’re more of a winter hurling team, I think – and I just have to take my hat off to those lads because they just don’t know how to give up. They are a credit to the school, they are a credit to their communities, they are a credit to their clubs and they are a credit to their families.

“Christians mightn’t know much about us,” Kelly said, “but one thing we don’t do is that we don’t go away or we don’t give up.

“We as a management – myself and Terence [Fahy] and Aidan [Harte] – we didn’t need to do much with those lads because they know it themselves.

“It was more player-driven,

even at half-time, just to keep chipping away, to give a good account of ourselves and to make sure that, coming down the last five or ten minutes, we’d be in with a chance.

“If we’re still in the game with five or ten minutes to go, we’re going to be a hard nut to crack.

The mantra at half-time was that we needed to pick things up but not to panic, either. We did massive hurling in the third quarter but we had still only pared it back by a point. We had to throw some of our bigger guns up top – throw Oisín [Clune] up, throw Adam [Hogan] up. We had to hold them in reserve but, when we let them loose, they’re very hard to contain.”

“We just asked the lads to believe in themselves, that they were as good as any team left in the competition. If we can bring the belief, we’ll be very hard to beat. The scenes here, it is like a county final or a Munster final, but it’s only one more step.

“We’re delighted to be in a semi-final. This is our second year ever playing [Harty Cup], we played for a year in the ’90s, the last day against Colman’s was our first ever win and to get

ST JOSEPH’S TULLA: Own puckouts won: 10/19 (7/12 / 3/7) Wides: 5 (3 / 2) Frees for: 23 (10/ 13) Top scorer: Seán Withycombe (0-14, 0-12f, 0-1 65) Scores from play: 1-4 Spread of scorers: Five CBC CORK: Own puckouts won: 14/22 (5/8 / 9/14) Wides: 3 (2 / 1) Frees for: 12 (6 / 6) Top scorer: Eoin O’Leary (0-11, 10f) Scores from play: 1-5 Spread of scorers: Four

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT St Joseph’s Tulla Secondary School have reached the Harty Cup semi-final

to a Harty Cup semi-final, you couldn’t even dream it.

“I’m in the school 16 years and we started out playing C hurling and found it very hard to win C

titles, which shows the strength of schools’ hurling in Munster. We’d be up against a lot of schools that are bigger than us and it’s just fantastic.”

REFEREE: Johnny Murphy (Limerick)

MUNSTER SENIOR CAMOGIE CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINAL

Scariff/Ogonnelloe can go all the way to Croke Park INNISCARRA 0-08 SCARIFF-OGONNELLOE 1-08 Venue: Inniscarra, Cork

SCARIFF/OGONNELLOE: Frees for: 25 (16/9) Puckouts won: 3 from 11 (27%) Wides: 2 (0/2) Spread of scorers: 4 Scores from play: 1-03 Top scorer: Aisling Corbett (0-05 5f) Bookings: Susan Daly (41) Red Card: Susan Vaughan (62)

INNISCARRA: Frees for: 21 (10/11) Puckouts won: 3 from 10 (30%) Wides: 3 (2/1) Spread of scorers: 2 Scores from play: 0-02 Top scorer: Joanne Casey (0-07 6f) Bookings: Aoife Kavanagh (10), Eimear O’Reilly (24), Aileen Sheehan (46)

DAVID SULLIVAN, SCARIFF/OGONNELLOE MANAGER: “A lot of people said because Inniscarra didn’t win Cork we would have it soft today but you never ever get it soft below in Cork. They boxed us into a tight field and brought a battle for sixty minutes. Have no doubt they were up for the fight. It was awful tough we didn’t start well, we were under pressure for the first fifteen mins but then we raided for 1-2 to go in leading at half time which was huge against the wind.

“Aisling Corbett sailed this team home with frees. That’s two days in a row she has brought us home. We took her out of goal and she didn’t’ know her role on the team or where she fit in but

by God she has been brilliant and we wouldn’t be here without her.

“Our defence has been brilliant all year and again today. We have quality players. I know what’s inside these girls and as I said before it’ll take a fierce team to beat us. The will to win is there.

We met on Zoom 366 days ago we didn’t know each other but we have worked so hard both online back then and collectively since we could get to the field. These are brilliant girls training throughout Christmas, minding themselves from Covid and distancing themselves from gatherings and so on all to be here today. We are ready for anything and we hope to go all the way to Croke Park”.

Compiled by REFEREE: Mike Flannery (Limerick) Derek Dormer

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

Scariff-Ogonnelloe after winning the county championship

Photo by Burren Eye Photography

Vaughan might be cleared

SCARIFF/OGONNELLOE are confident wingback Susan Vaughan’s suspension will be lifted for their Munster final.

Vaughan was shown a straight red by referee Mike Flannery in additional time of Saturday’s win over Inniscarra. As it stands, the former Clare senior and minor camogie player will miss the Munster Final against Tipperary’s Drom & Inch on January 22nd.

Speaking on Scariff Bay Community Radio, manager of the East Clare side, David Sullivan confirmed that they would be appealing Flannery’s decision. “I’m going to say it wasn’t a red card but that is my opinion, I’m a Scariff/ Ogonnelloe person, my opinion is a yellow would have done. We will be appealing it and will be doing everything in our power to make sure Susan is free to play the next day...As far as I’m concerned, we’ll have enough evidence to get her off ”.

pg 33

13-01-22

Dates set for restart of soccer competitions REVISED DATES have been issued for games involving Clare clubs in the Munster FA and FAI competitions.

Avenue Utd and Ennis Town FC will have to wait until February 13 for their next outing in the FAI Junior Cup. Leinster Senior League side Yellowstone Celtic await Avenue in the last thirty two clash with Tony Downes’s Ennis Town FC meeting Ballymun Utd. Should they prevail, they will enter the sixth round on March 6.

Avenue and Ennis Town are also left in the hunt for the Munster Junior Cup along with Shannon Town Utd managed

by Derek Byrne. Last thirty two clashes in this competition are scheduled to take place on February 20 before the last 16 on March 20. The quarter-finals of this competition are pencilled in for April 17.

Last 16 ties in Munster Youths Cup are fixed for March 6 with the quarter-finals down for decision on April 3.

Shannon Town’s Jack Kelly

Photo by Natasha Barton

Ennis U16s power through Kerry rivals

ENNIS U16s travelled to Dingle to take on Rugbaí Chorca Dhuibhne in round 2 of the 2nd phase of the pan munster competition.

In extremely blustery and showery conditions, Ennis built a foothold in the early exchanges with some physical carries from Caoimhne Enright and Michael Sweeney causing gaps in the Dingle defense, which Jacob Cassen Rennie exploited crashing over for Ennis’s first try. The wind was having a major impact on the game with Ennis pilling on the pressure through their pack, only to have it eaten away with good use of the wind and the boot of the Dingle outhalf.

Dingle struck next through their pack with a number of strong carries leading to an inevitable try, which they converted. Both teams swapped scores again before half time with Nicolas Roo muscling his way over for the visitors and a quick reply from Dingle saw the half finish 14-10 in their favour.

Ennis continued to rotate their pack with Roo and Daniel Humphries featuring in the

first half and Eoin O’Gorman and Ben Smith starting the second. The sustained pressure started to tell early in the second half with Seán Queally and Odhrán Flynn leading a very hard working pack around the field constantly stretching the Dingle defense. Next to cross was Nicolas Roo with another strong carry. Soon after Michael Sweeney crossed, followed quickly by Aaron Malone. With more strong additions from the Ennis bench in Diarmuid Boyle and Jack Dillon, Dingle became exhausted and gaps continued to appear.

Jacob crossed again, while John Sweeney was last to cross the whitewash with strong support from Luke Kennedy. Flynn had two conversions in extremely difficult conditions and the game ended Rugbaí Chorca Dhuibhne RFC 14 Ennis 39.

There were a number of candidates for player of the match and was exceptionally hard to split Jacob Cassen Rennie and Caoimhne Enright. Ennis face Kilrush on Sunday at 12 in Ennis RFC in their round 3 game.

CDSL fundraiser A FUNDRAISING DRAW has been launched by the Clare District Soccer League (CDSL).

Cash prizes ranging from €700 to €100 are on offer in the CDSL Members Draw which is open to all members of the public.

Twelve monthly draws will be held, they are planned to take place on the second Monday of every month.

100 tickets remain to be sold. Each ticket costs €100 with entrants in with a chance of winning the top prize of €700. The second placed prize is for €500 while the third ticket out will win €300. A €250 heating oil voucher is fourth prize while prizes five to ten are €100 in cash.

Tickets can be purchased off any member of the CDSL committee.

Chairman of the CDSL, Jason Ryan explained, “we hope to raise funds to improve the county grounds and to run coaching, refereeing, first aid courses and more”.

Busy times for Ennis Ladies

by SEAMUS HAYES ENNIS GOLF CLUB:

The senior ladies at Ennis golf club were busy over the Christmas holiday period when they held a number of outings.

Last week’s outing was won by Brid Cunningham, Margaret Flanagan and Margaret McEnery with 55.5 points. They were followed by Geraldine O’Mahoney, Una Patton and Maeve 0’Grady with 57 points while third place was filled by Mary Lenihan, Joan Cullinan-Coote and Kathleen Pyne with 57.5 points.

In the Christmas week outing the winners were Nuala D’Auria, Bernie Brooks and Mary McMahon with 50 points followed by Bridie Hanrahan, Anne Kelly and Margaret McEnery with 52.3 points. In third place with 56.7 points were Claire Ruane, Liz Kelly and Anne Kehoe.

The previous week’s winners were Bridie Hanrahan, Claire Ruane and Kathleen Pyne with 45.8 points followed by Carmel Verling, Anne Kelly and Mary Glynn with 46.1 points.

The Ennis ladies section held a 14 hole stableford competition on Wednesday when the winner was Flor Coffey (24) with 28 points from Kathleen Frehill (39) with 24 points. Jean Moloney (28) was third with 23 points while the 9 hole stableford competition was won by Geraldine O’Mahoney (13) with 14 points

KILRUSH GOLF CLUB: Last week’s singles at Kilrush was won by Michael Miniter (10) with 29 points. He had one to spare over Derek Garvey (10) with third spot filled by David Abbott (11) on 27 points. Neil Browne (4) was fourth, with 27 points followed

OUR NEW CUSTOM FITTING

ROOM IS NOW OPEN The U16 Ennis RFC side which travelled to Kerry, wearing new hoodies sponsored by Cahir & Co Solicitors

by Brian Scanlan (7) who also had 27 points.

The stableford winner of the Christmas league was Derek Garvey (10) with 36 points while the scratch winner was Malcolm McCarthy (7) with 42 points.

WOODSTOCK GOLF CLUB: The New Year’s weekend open ladies and gents team of four competition at Woodstock was won by Ryan Enright, Pat McMahon, Pat O’Brien and Mike Daffy with 91 points, They had two to spare over Ray, Eddie and Stephen Casey and Frank McEnery with Cathal Nagle, Noel Moloney, John Dempsey and Eugene Killeen a point further back on 88 points in third spot.

FANNY O’DEAS SOCIETY: Pat DeLap has been elected as captain of the Fanny O’Deas golf society for 2022 and he has taken over from Robert McMahon who filled the role for the past two years and to whom tribute was extended for his work in the role. The new president of the society is Noel Haier.

The society’s Christmas outing took place to the Castle course in Lahinch recently. Winners of the fourball scramble, sponsored by Dermot McSweeney, were Declan Conway, Danny Lynch, T. J. Monahan and Brendan Coyne. In second place were Noel O’Shea, Kevin Clohessy, James Whelan and Liam Griffin followed by Peter O’Leary, Leroy Crowe, Tommy Clancy and Lee Melia. Liam Kelly won the prize for nearest the pin while the longest drive prize was won by Danny Lynch.

The society’s first outing for 2022 will be in March.

13-01-22

Clare Echo THE

pg 34

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

Quilty greyhound the first Clare winner of 2022 TROMORE ANGE had the distinction of being the first Clare winner of the New Year.

Owned by Quilty’s David Hogan, Tromore Ange had the honour of becoming the county’s first winner of 2022 at Galway Track. In the fifth race of Saturday’s card, there was an exciting finish to the A3 graded contest where Tromora Ange just got the better of a home straight tussle with the pace setting Danmar Daniel by a neck in 29.42.

Danmar Daniel showed good early pace

out wide to lead on the run towards the opening bend rounding which the eventual winner was the only other runner to avoid crowding. Racing along the back Tromora Ange gradually closed the gap until joining issue on the home bend and just getting the better of the battle close home.

In race six all runners were away on terms for this A5 graded 550 yards contest with Larchill Pop, Grandads Princess and Heathlawn Silver all prominent approaching the

opening bend with Dynamic Diva just in behind the trio. Racing down the back less than two lengths covered the sextet but as they passed the halfway mark the Kieran and Bridget Nugent of Ballyea owned Dynamic Dive swept to the head of affairs on the outside. Exiting the back straight Dynamic Diva was in command and the daughter of Ballymac Best and Dynamic Cool Sky had a length and a half to spare in 30.97.

Clooney Dasher recorded her fourth career success in race eight in this A3 graded 550 yards contest as she made almost all to win by six and three quarter lengths from Drombeg Diva in 30.56. Owned by Clooney’s Martin Williams and trained by Sixmilebridge’s Stephen Murray, the daughter of Skywalker Puma & Cragmoher Susie shaded pace to lead from Drombeg Diva and approaching the opening bend where crowding allowed the front two kick clear down the back. From the third bend the winner gradually drew clear for an authoritative win.

The last meeting of 2021 in Limerick took place on the December 30 and produced three Clare winners. The Parteen based Shanakyle Syndicate spearheaded by Joe Collins, were to the fore in race 4 an A6 contest with Shanakyle Robin who recorded career win number seven in 29.87. Robin is a daughter of Droopys Jet and Ballard Ruggy.

Frank and Mary Browne from Quin were in the winner’s enclosure again with Mine Robin who saw off her rivals in 29.20, this was Robin’s 9th career success, and she is a daughter of Velvet John Joe and Sawdust Café.

Meelick based Michael O’Grady was smiling after Victorious Girl recorded her maiden win in 29.36 – a daughter of Ballymac Vic and drumcashel Girl, she led from trap to line to win by 2 lengths in this A5 contest.

The first meeting of 2022 took place at Limerick Greyhound Stadium last Thursday.

William Casey from O’Briensbridge landed the accolade for the first Clare winner of 2022 with Jocker Willy who finished strongly to claim the honours in 29.17 and in doing so this son of Droopys Roddick and Cailin Pol recorded career win number three.

Dromoher Alice is proving a model of consistency for Ennistymon’s Tom Flanagan, and she ran gallantly to make it win no six in 29.01. Alice is a daughter of Droopys Buick and Flandys Hawkeye.

Joe Collins and the Shanakyle Syndicate were celebrating again when Shanakyle Abbie took honours in an A4 contest to record career win no 2 in 30.02. Abby is a son of Droopys Roddick and Toremore Nosey.

Two Clare owned dogs have been running with distinction in Shelbourne Park. Inagh native Noel Hehir produced a recently impressive and eye-catching performance with Coolavanny Blaze who recorded 29.57 for the 550 Yards trip, Blaze is impeccably bred been by Ballymac Best and Coolavanny Dame. The Rallying Racing Syndicate from Meelick have been enjoying the exploits of Rallying Joy, a daughter of American Sire Pat C Sabbath and Beaming Coyote who landed the spoils recently at headquarters with a very decent 29.87 for the 550 yards trip.

Rosie, who recently retired from racing, had the honour of being the 2000th dog to be rehomed in 2021 by the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust. Rosie took up residence with her new owner Catherine Smith in Limerick in late November and celebrates with Joanne Murray (Welfare Officer, Greyhound Racing Ireland)

Record number of retired greyhounds rehomed MORE than 2000 retired greyhounds were homed across Ireland this year, a new yearly record for the charity organisation for the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust (IRGT).

Established by Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) / Greyhound Racing Ireland (GRI) in 1997, the IRGT is funded through owners’ prizemoney deductions, matched donations by GRI and private donations in its work to rehome greyhounds after retirement and promote them as domestic pets.

In the year up to 30th November 2021, the rehoming of 2,000 greyhounds has been achieved compared to 1578 for the same period in 2020, which is an increase of 27%.

Rosie, who recently retired from racing, had the honour of being the 2000th dog to be rehomed in 2021 and took up residence with her new owners in Limerick in late November.

“GRI, in conjunction with members of the greyhound racing community, has invested significantly on its care and welfare programme during 2021 despite the impact on commercial operations during COVID-19,” explained Mr. Frank Nyhan, Chair of the Board of GRI. He continued, “Our plans for 2022 include a further expansion of the Care Centre/Foster Centre Programme and continuing to financially incentivise the rehoming of greyhounds

in Ireland through additional supports though the IRGT.” On behalf of the Trustees of the IRGT, Barry Coleman (Secretary), said, “Retired greyhounds make wonderful pets and loving companions. That’s why the IRGT is actively involved in the promotion of greyhounds as pets and preparation and rehoming of retired Irish greyhounds at home and abroad through our adoption programme. We are eager to help any owner interested in rehoming their retired greyhound or a potential adopter who would love one as a pet.”

“As the IRGT prepares to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its foundation, the Board of Trustees wishes to thank GRI for its ongoing support, which is making a real difference in promoting greater public awareness of the suitability of greyhounds as pets,” he added.

The IRGT’s main roles including finding homes for greyhounds after retirement, promoting them as domestic pets, advising owners on what veterinary procedures are required prior to the rehoming of their greyhounds, coordinating transport of the retired greyhounds to the various rehoming agencies that have secured homes for the greyhounds and providing financial support. Visit www.irgt.ie for more.

OUR DRIVE RUNS DEEP Training a greyhound to reach up to 43 mph doesn’t happen overnight.

Achieving speed like this takes passion, dedication, the right kind of diet and a genuine understanding between greyhound and trainer.

And, of course, it’s never just about the race or where the dog finishes.

Ask any of over 6,000 Irish greyhound owners, and they’ll say all their dogs are winners.

Find out more at grireland.ie

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 35

THURSDAY, JAN 13 2022

Obituaries

ANNIVERSARY Acknowledgment

Obituaries

Birthday

Anniversary

What is it?

What is it?

What is it?

The Acknowledgment is the family’s thank you to all those who helped and supported them in any way, before, during and after the funeral. Here is an example of how a family notice, in this case an Acknowledgement, looks like on The Clare Echo

Here is a sample text for a Birthday Memorial which you can edit as appropriate.

Remove any brackets and replace with information relevant to your own situation.

Published to honour the memory of a loved one on the occasion of the anniversary of their death and to give details of any services which will be held in their memory.

Often includes a short verse and personal sentiment.

Anniversary notices can be published every year, to coincide with a loved one’s date of death, to remember their passing. Often a Mass or other gathering will be held to mark this occasion.

We provide a template, as well as a selection of popular verses, to guide you. You can also add up to three photos, to make the announcement all the more personal.

Here is an example of how a family notice, in this case an Anniversary notice, looks on The Clare Echo

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First 100 words €40 + vat

Between 100-200 words €60 200 + words on request + vat

MURPHY (4th and 13th 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 remain. We know you are happy back together.

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

Anniversary Mass on Sunday 16th January 2022 at 11am in Tulla Church. Mass can also be viewed on The Tulla Parish Facebook Page.

ANNIVERSARIES Up to 80 words + Photo 80 + words on request BIRTHDAYS Up to 80 words + photo

€20

+ vat

€20 + vat

PLANNING NOTICES CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL CRATLOEKEEL, CRATLOE, CO CLARE Take notice that Jack McInerney intends to apply for permission to build a Dwelling House, install a wastewater treatment system & all other associated site and ancillary works at the above address.

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL BARNANAGEEHA, DARRAGH, ENNIS, CO. CLARE Take notice that Francis

Coote 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 FURROOR, KILMALEY, ENNIS, CO. CLARE Take notice that Garry O’Sullivan intends to apply to the planning authority for permission to construct

a new dwelling house and garage complete with an access road, 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 KILLARD ROAD, DOONBEG, CO. CLARE Further Information – Natura Impact Statement Planning Ref: P21/694 Date planning application Received: 01/07/2021 Development Description: Planning permission to

construct a new dwelling house, site entrance, private garage and all associated site works and ancillary services at the above address.

Location of Development: Killard Road, Doonbeg, Co. Clare Take notice that following a requirement of the Planning Authority, Laura Capon will be lodging a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) in respect of planning application P21/694. This NIS will be available for inspection or purchase, at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority of Clare County Council, Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the NIS may be made in writing to the Authority on payment of the prescribed fee €20.00 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the Natura Impact Statement and a copy of this public notice.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL RHYNAGONNAUGHT, DOONBEG, CO. CLARE Take notice that Margaret Clohessy & Frank Canning are applying to Clare County Council for planning permission to construct a new dwelling house, entrance, private garage and sewerage treatment facilities on an infill site 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 the Planning Authority of Clare County Council Planning Department, Áras Chontae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare 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 of €20 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL, FINTRA BEG, MILTOWN MALBAY, CO. CLARE. Take notice that S. O’Connell intends to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to retain the existing house substructure as granted under P06/2930.

For permission to complete the dwelling house as granted under P06/2930 and to install a proprietary wastewater treatment system along with ancillary site works at the above address.

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL, CARROWNAGRY NORTH, MULLAGH, CO. CLARE Take notice that F. Birney & V. Coogan intend to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to alter and extend their existing dwelling house and construct a new shed along with associated site works at the above address.

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

36

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38

PUZZLEPAGE

THURSDAY, JAN 13 2022

THIS WEEKS PUZZLES JAN 13th

SUDOKU

Love

1

7

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.

ANSWERS 9

4

1

5

7

8 3

2

3 7 4

3

1

6

8

9

6

7

4

2

5

1

8

9

4

3

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9

6

2

6 2 1 5 4

1

8 1 7 3 5 6 9

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6

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2 9

4

4

1/1

2

8

1

7

3

1/11/22, 10:18 AM

Feed

5

9

Dimple

2

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.

7

HOW TO PLAY

5

Diapers

8

3

Cute

5

4

Cuddle

6

6

2

Weight

3

8

Twins

Cry

1 8

Pink

Smile

Crib

3

Nurse Sleep

Crawl

8

Milk

8

7

Cradle

9

2

Colic

5

1

Chubby

5

6

Burp

1

5

Midwife

6

1

Lullaby

4

Boy

9

3

Bottle

3

8

1/1

Booties

5

4

Gums

7

8

High Chair

6

9

Blue

Blanket

2

6

Girl

How to play

Bath

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.

WORD SEARCH

1/11/22, 10:18 AM

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A

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22

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12

13

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19

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23

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R

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10

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7

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Daily Quick Crossword: 11 January 2022 ,1/11/2022 Michael Curl Creator Notes: A free daily online crossword that's not too difficult - just right for solving in your coffee break. http://bestforpuzzles.com

Opening Hours Mon - Sat 10am - 10pm Sun 12 noon - 10pm

AM

Phone 065 6820914

ial silk (5)

#supermacs heart of Ennis

ty (anag.) (7)

G

G O O S E

(065) 682 0914

L O

O'Connell Street, Ennis

L

Order through Supermac’s app

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I

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Introducing our extended delivery service available from 1pm daily

a plant or

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D Y

21 Native of New Zealand (5)

I

25

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24

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21

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20

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19

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18

R A Y O N

17

24

16

21 Native of New Zealand (5)

15

end of a neck of veal or n (5)

14

CROSSWORD ANSWERS 1 Perplexed (7) 2 Lean end of a neck of veal or mutton (5) 3 Take out (7) 4 Nose (slang) (6) 5 Miniature variety of a plant or animal (5) 6 Naturally grown (7) 7 Rental agreement (5) 13 Badly behaved (7) 15 Infuriated (7) 16 Savings (4,3) 17 Accompany (6) 18 Scrub (5) 19 Hairdresser’s establishment (5) 21 Native of New Zealand (5)

(slang) (6)

13

DOWN

out (7)

12

11

1 Implore (7) 5 Oddly amusing (5) 8 Primary (5) 9 Earache (7) 10 Cases (7) 11 Fight with swords (5) 12 Signify (6) 14 Signal fire (6) 18 Closes (5) 20 Small crustaceans (7) 22 Shakespeare play (7) 23 Web-footed bird (5) 24 Artificial silk (5) 25 Dignity (anag.) (7)

ally grown (7)

10

ACROSS

ture variety of a plant or al (5)

7

behaved (7)

of veal or

6

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8

4

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2

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(5)

The Clare Echo Crossword Daily Quick Crossword: 11 January 2022 ,1/11/2022 Michael Curl Creator Notes: A free daily online crossword that's not too difficult - just right for solving in your coffee break. http://bestforpuzzles.com

QUIZ 39

THURSDAY, JAN 13 2022

The Clare Echo Quiz SMOTHER QUIZ:

Clare landmark features in the 1A: What opening titles?

Poulnabrone Dolmen B: Cliffs of Moher C: Loop Head Lighthouse

Dervla is related to which historic 7 Irish political figure?

A: Michael Collins B: Eamon de Valera C: Dick Spring

Which ex Clare footballer memorably What is the surname of the main fami8 tweeted “Ennis is the Yabbie Creek 2 ly in the drama? of Smother” while comparing the RTÉ A: Allen

C: Vaughan Lodge Hotel

Writer of Smother, Kate O’Riordan 4 was also a writer for which show starring Jeremy Piven?

A: Mr Selfridge B: Entourage C: Ellen

5

The signature in the opening titles are from which Irish band?

A: The Coronas B: Delorentos C: Villagers

James O’Donoghue who plays 9 Calum Dwyer played Benjamin Fahey on Fair City from 2012-2017, Dermot and who were his parents on the soap?

A: Dolores B: Renee C: Jo

10

How many IFTAs was Smother nominated for followings its first series?

A: Three B: Seven C: Ten

6

Leading lady, Dervla Kirwan who plays Val previously played Assumpta Fitzgerald in what Irish drama?

A: The Clinic B: Ballykissangel C: The O’Riordans

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

The answers will be revealed in next weeks edition.

l Leading lady, Dervla Kirwan who plays Val previously played Assumpta Fitzgerald in what Irish drama?

ANSWERS 6. Ballykissangel 7. Michael Collins 8. Lawrence Healy 9. Jo 10. Ten

Where in Clare do they reside?

3 A: Moy House B: Lahinch Coast Hotel

drama to Home and Away?

A: Enda Coughlan B: Lawrence Healy C: Joe Hayes

1. Cliffs of Moher 2. Ahern 3. Moy House 4. Mr Selfridge 5. Villagers

B: Ahern C: Anderson

Last weeks Answers . Break in the footpath missing (right) . Pocket missing on woman (right) . Item in persons hand different colour (middle) . Tree missing in the background . Window missing on castle . Zip missing on man (front) . Red missing on booklet (left)

Clare v Cork Photograph: Gerard O’Neill

AND GUTTERING CLARE