The Clare Echo 13/05/21

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Púca statue cursed from the start PÁRAIC McMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

P

LANS for a Púca of Ennistymon sculpture have been scrapped.

Local backlash emerged during the course of the week to Clare County Council’s plans for the sculpture which had an estimated price tag of €30,000 and formed part of the Destination Towns Programme.

Clare County Council confirmed that the process to put the sculpture in place

M OTO R I N G FEATURES

Pages 32 - 38

has been paused with a full review to be published in the near future. The Púca was one of 18 submissions received following advertisement of an artist’s brief earlier this year.

It was selected by an adjudication panel comprising a community representative, an independent artist, the project manager for the Ennistymon scheme and Clare County Council’s Arts Office. It was inspired by the equine heritage and Irish folklore of Ennistymon.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Denis Vaughan of Save Ennistymon’s Heritage described the proposal as “totally inappropriate for Ennistymon.

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Ennistymon has a tradition as a market town with a big emphasis on agriculture”.

He added, “It is a monstrosity, it is a ghostly figure, we’ve had enough ghosts and don’t need anymore”.

Vaughan criticised the level of initial consultation by the County Council.

Community ideas must be listened to otherwise future plans for Ennistymon will fail, he predicted. “It is a typical example of design by community, I wonder to God what were the other options”.

Full Story pg 2

2 NEWS

Index NEWS

THURSDAY, MAY 13 2021

WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD

2-15

GREENER CLARE

16

ENTERTAINMENT

17

RECRUITMENT

22-23

LOUGH DERG

26-31

MOTORING

32-38

SPORT

39-42

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

P

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

NEWSDESK

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

SALES

Email: ger.naughton@clareecho.ie or niall@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

Púca plans postponed

lMAJESTIC: The Green School Team in Scariff Community College held a photo

competition “Our World - What a Wonderful world” to promote stewardship of nature in the online world of leaning. The competition received 199 entries and was sponsored by Derg Credit Union Photo by Aiveen Mulgannon

LANS to erect a new statue in Ennistymon have been paused

by Clare County Council following local backlash in the past week.

A public engagement is to be initiated by the local authority in light of the concerns expressed in Ennistymon on the proposed Púca of Ennistymon sculpture which was estimated to cost €30,000.

Following local objections to the Artist Sculpture concept, Clare County Council will review the submissions received and will engage in a listening process with the local community over the coming weeks, a spokesperson confirmed to The Clare Echo.

On Monday afternoon, the local authority confirmed to The Clare Echo that the process to put the sculpture in place has been paused with details of a full review to be published in the near future. €500,000 has been allocated towards the overall street improvement project

by Fáilte Ireland under the Destination Towns Programme, with the Local Authority providing an additional 25 per cent match funding. The addition of the sculpture is part of the capital investment aimed at increasing visitor dwell time, along with improving signage, pedestrian access and additional car parking.

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THURSDAY, MAY 13 2021

Fresh delay for embankment construction at Springfield PÁRAIC MCMAHON

C

paraic@clareecho.ie

ONSTRUCTION of embankments at Springfield in Clonlara has been dealt with a further delay.

An additional minor delay has been experienced by Springfield residents who have been forced out of their homes multiple times due to flooding over the past 15 years.

Planning for flood protection works began in early 2016, after more than 10 families had to evacuate their properties and a further five had their access roads completely cut off.

Proposed €1.2m works which involves the construction of a flood protection embankment, land raising, penstock/sluice, pump station and associated works were approved by An Bord Pleanála in November.

Very severe flooding occurred along the lower River Shannon basin with a particularly severe effect on the houses in Springfield in 2002, 2009, 2015 and 2020. In April, a consultant hydro geologist was on site at Springfield to carry out

l FLOOD: Springfield

Photo by Brian Gavin/Press 22

works related to karst features and connectivity. The findings from this report is to be submitted to Clare County Council this Friday with consultants requiring a week to examine this and revert to the local authority with any recommendations.

Consultants for the project have completed the general and particular specifications for the works. Ninety per cent of the drawings are now prepared and a Preliminary Health and Safety Plan is being worked on. A series of 12 trial holes

Ennis soccer clubs at risk SOCCER clubs in Ennis are at risk of going bust, an elected representative from the county town has warned, writes Páraic McMahon.

As he welcomed the return of sporting training for clubs across Clare as “mighty altogether,” Cllr Mark Nestor

l FUNDS: Tim Smyth Park

(FF) pleaded with Clare County Council to consider lowering rental costs at local authority operated facilities such as Lees Rd and Tim Smythe Park.

Clubs that have to rent pitches twice a week have informed Cllr Nestor they

Photo by Eamon Ward

are unable to meet financial costs at present with fundraising ceased for the past 15 months. “If current costs remain as they are, clubs have told me they will go to the wall”.

His call was supported by Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) who acknowledged a need to alleviate costs. “It can be a big drain,” he said of the financial impact of renting Council owned facilities.

“It is an ongoing issue for clubs,” Chief Executive Pat Dowling acknowledged. He flagged that soccer clubs have a parent body that are more than capable to intervene.

“They should be going to their parent body to ensure they are adequately resourced”. He said the Council could look at doing “something reasonable”.

were recently carried out by the Council at various locations around Spingfield with samples taken to ensure the proposed design was fit for purpose.

Further clarification has to be issued by Clare County Council to the Office of Public Works (OPW) following the submission of Section 50 of the Arterial Drainage Act. As of recent weeks, Clare County Council’s project management office remained in negotiations with landowners to acquire lands necessary to construct the embankments.

Construction of the embankments was due to begin at the end of May and is set to last for a six month period according to the local authority. The start date as of yet is unclear as the hydrologist’s report has yet to be analysed.

Cllr Michael Begley (IND) admitted he was “a bit concerned” that the negotiations had slowed down the works.

The construction was due to begin at the end of April but were postponed one month”.

Carmel Kirby, Director of Service outlined that “additional” work was followed with landowners “to ensure” no knockon effects would occur regarding the scheme’s design. “There is a short delay with additional design work to be done to get the project to deliver the desired result,” she stated.

Fr Fitzgerald takes time out from ministry

by PÁRAIC McMAHON LEAVE of absence has been granted to an Ennis priest, the Bishop of Killaloe has confirmed. Castleconnell native, Fr Ger Fitzgerald has taken time out from his role as co parish priest in Cloughleigh to consider his future in the ministry.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Bishop Fintan Monahan confirmed that Fr Fitzgerald “for personal reasons” has taken a break from the parish “to discern for his future ministry. He has sought that himself for personal reasons, he wanted to take a break”. This request was approved by the Bishop and is believed to cover a one year period. “I honestly don’t know how much time he will need. As the phrase goes ‘how long is a piece of string’”.

Priests in the Abbey cluster in areas such as Ennis, Clarecastle, Quin, Doora and Barefield have been covering the duties of Fr Fitzgerald in his absence. Unconfirmed reports on the reasons for Fr Fitzgerald’s

departure have circulated on social media in recent weeks.

When asked by The Clare Echo what led to Fr Fitzgerald’s decision to seek time out from his duties, Bishop Monahan stated, “I can’t comment on that. There is as you say a lot of rumours, I really can’t say anything on it, a lot of stuff has been on social media, some of it is true and some of it is not”.

Ordained in June 2011, Fr Ger was assigned to the parish in that summer. During his decade in the county, he has been warmly welcomed in Cloughleigh and has been praised for his work with the homeless community and assisting the most vulnerable of the population. If Fr Fitzgerald returns to his ministerial duties, it is unlikely that this will be in Cloughleigh.

“He has time to discern and to look at the issues that arose and his future, there is no plan beyond that. He is taking time out at the moment, I don’t know and he doesn’t know what the next step will be at this stage,” Bishop Monahan outlined.

l BREAK: Fr Ger Fitzgerald Photo by Martin Connolly

THURSDAY, MAY 13 2021

NEWS

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6 NEWS

THURSDAY, MAY 13 2021

'We're continuously falling through the cracks' CIAN O’BROIN

A

cianobroin@clareecho.ie

CARRIGAHOLT man is calling for an investigation into the issuing of primary medical certificates, following two unsuccessful attempts to obtain one for his 24-year-old daughter.

Patrick Gavin, who serves as the postmaster in Carrigaholt, has been campaigning for 10 years on legislation that has so far, denied his daughter Isabelle Sequin from being granted a primary medical certificate. Primary Medical Certificates are issued by the HSE and certifies that a person is a severely disabled and permanently disabled person for the purposes of Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Regulations 1994.

Patrick said that his daughter, who receives 24-hour care, has

been denied the cert due to the fact that she has all her limbs even though she does not have full use of them. "She can't be left on her own. She's with the Brothers of Charity in Kilrush, with her mother and with me. She can't run, she can't walk properly. When she is finished walking, she needs the wheelchair. She tends to fall over quite a bit as she has splayed feet".

KOD Lyons solicitors in Dublin are now taking on Isabelle's case. Associate Solicitor, Stephen Kirwan argued that cases like Isabelle's occur because the previous set of regulations containing medical criteria governing the grant of PMCs are far too narrow and exclusionary in nature and that they are simply not fit for purpose. The criteria are currently under review.

In a previous attempt to overrule a similar case brought by Stephen through KOD Lyons, three doctors told the High Court that their hands are tied due to legislation.

Patrick is aggrieved at the decision not to grant Isabelle a primary

medical certificate and is calling for a full investigation into the legislation and process. His campaigning has seen him on Prime Time on RTÉ in 2005 concerning an ASD unit in a Kilrush primary school and he has been visiting politicians' offices for the past 10 years in a bid to get support for Isabelle.

He is currently seeking help from with Clare TD, Joe Carey (FG) who stated that he has been in touch with the local health office, in order to make initial enquiries on Mr Gavin's behalf. "The terms and condition of the scheme are very restrictive. The officials who process applications are bound by these rules". He said further engagement will be required with Patrick to explore how the system can be changed.

Patrick wants these people to be held to account. "If I were to get one it would mean the VAT off the fuel I use to transport my daughter, costing €1,000 per year. I need to have the front seat made adjust-

lCAMPAIGN: Isabelle Sequin and Patrick Gavin

able as it is more difficult for her to get in and out of the car. I can't put her in the back as she can't get out. It would mean €1,500 a year towards her, which isn't much in today's society. We would then have it for life".

Patrick feels that KOD Lyons are Isabelle's only hope. Despite having references from the former Minister of State for Disability Issues from 2016 to 2020 Finian McGrath (IND), her doctor, the

Photo by John Mangan

Brothers of Charity and Senator John Dolan (IND), Isabelle's case has continuously fallen through the cracks in the system. Patrick says that despite KOD Lyon's confidence, he is used to setbacks.

"Everything you want or need in this life has to be fought for. I'm a pensioner looking after my daughter. I need to be looking out for ways and means that she will be looked after when I'm not there," he concluded.

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THURSDAY, MAY 13 2021

Ennistymon priest defends saying mass during lockdown GORDON DEEGAN

A

CLARE parish priest has defended staging regular Sunday morning masses during Covid-19 lock-down saying that no person has got the virus from attending his masses.

PP of Ennistymon, Fr Willie Cummins was speaking on Sunday after 48 mass goers attended 11am mass at the local Catholic church in the north Clare town.

He told the congregation he was hopeful the turnout would increase next week.

As of Monday, priests can celebrate masses with 50 people - however, during the Covid-19 Level 5 lockdown, it has been a criminal offence to attend public mass, other than funerals and weddings.

In an interview outside Church after mass ended on Sunday, Fr Cummins said: "There hasn't been one person who has got Covid from being in there". He admitted to celebrating mass "the whole time" during the lockdown.

Asked was 50 the average attendance at his 11am mass on a Sunday, the veteran priest replied: "There would often be some more". He said that the people attending his mass "haven't been put at

risk".

He added, "Look at the size of the Church. It is all sanitised and the doors are left open all day."

During mass on Sunday in the large church, there was one person in each row separated by two rows to the next person with the vast majority of mass goers masked.

Fr Cummins said: "I wouldn't do it if I was causing trouble". He said: "A packed Church wouldn't happen and that

wouldn't be right."

On his way from Church to deliver communion to parishioners unable to attend mass, Fr Cummins said "look at the size and the height of the Church here". He said that the Government and all those people who are making up those rules "don't give an ounce of intelligence to anybody". He said: "Let us use our own bit of common sense."

"There are too many people who love this old messing - making rules for everyone and telling others what to do. I don't tell anyone what to do. I invite them and try to get them to see for themselves what way mass is being said". He added, "Go to Lahinch and see the crowds there at the weekends".

Asked if the Gardai have been in touch concerning the Sunday morning masses, Fr Cummins replied: "No, the Gardai are very understanding people." Asked if he had informed his bishop (Bishop of Galway, Brendan Kelly) of the Sunday masses, Fr Cummins replied: "Someone else told him."

The most recent Covid-19 figures for the north Clare electoral area that contains Ennistymon show it has one of the lowest Covid rates in the country with the statistics showing that there were less than five cases in the most recently fortnightly period to May 3rd.

Extra resources to cost €15k a week BETWEEN €10,000 to €15,000 per week is projected to be spent by Clare County Council in providing additional resources to coastal amenities to cope with a forecasted staycation surge, writes Páraic McMahon.

Extra resources are already in place at some of the seven Blue Flag beaches in West Clare with preparations ongoing to finalise the requirements for additional sites. To cater for this increased costs, the potential of paying a “nominal fee” for toilet, beach cleaning and car parking facilities is to be considered.

Among the extra personnel are a full-time attendant at the public toilets and additional staff to deal with the collection of bins and litter picking.

Normal seasonal staff of the local authority include environmental/ community wardens dealing with beach bylaws, traffic wardens and outdoor MD crews engaged in works at public bins and toilets.

Acting senior executive officer in the West

Clare MD, John O'Malley outlined, "The projected costs of additional resources on top of the significant existing costs to resource these areas is in the region of €10,000 to €15,000 per week.

“It is difficult to put an exact cost on this due to the fluctuating numbers visiting the amenities and the changing weather conditions".

Citing the activity in Co Clare's coastal locations last summer "and the significant influx of visitors expected for this year," a joint proposal from Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF), Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG), Cllr Shane Talty (FF) and Cllr Susan Crawford (GP) sought "a detailed analysis" on the enhanced human resources needed.

O'Malley admitted that the increased human resources needed were "significant" to allow public toilets stay open seven days a week from May to September.

He acknowledged the recent investment by the Council in facilities at a number of beaches across West Clare.

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THURSDAY, MAY 13 2021

Ennistymon family of 10 face prospect of living in two cars PÁRAIC MCMAHON

A

paraic@clareecho.ie

N ENNISTYMON family of 10 are facing the prospect of having to live in two cars.

A court order issued last Wednesday has instructed the Mongan family to get rid of the caravan that they have living in since December.

Prior to this, the family of ten lived in Ballymacraven, their children range in age from four to sixteen. The decision to leave the group scheme of six houses was for the safety of their ten children, Margaret Mongan explained.

Among the injuries sustained were a fractured hand for Margaret and broken teeth for her husband Martin. In a letter issued to Clare County Council Chief Executive Pat Dowling on Tuesday morning, “emergency measures” were requested as the family have been ‘rendered homeless’ in what was

described as a “present crisis”.

Margaret added, “We have tenancy in Ballymacraven which we were willing to surrender three months ago but we’ve been told by the Council to take legal advice and once we surrender we give it up completely and we will be off the Council housing list forever because we were leaving ourselves homeless. I tried to explain how, violence went on in the home we were in, to keep our children safe and not have families killing each other it is not safe for us to live back at Ballymacraven”.

Once their caravan is removed, the family of 10 will be living in two cars, one a five seater and another a seven seater. “It isn’t appropriate for anyone to live in,” Margaret stated.

Efforts have been made by the Mongans to source temporary accommodation. “We’re willing to rent private accommodation but any landlord once they hear our surname are no longer interested,” Martin said.

“It is upsetting and embarrass-

l HOMELESS: Brittney, Michael, Martin, John, Margaret, Julie Ann, Helena, Mary Margaret, Charolette

ing, you ring and you look for help and a home but once you give your surname, they ring you back look we don’t do long-term renting or it is already gone and you’re put onto somebody else,” Margaret added.

Residents have made complaints to An Garda Síochána. Margaret acknowledged, “In some way I can’t blame them because we are living at the back of their houses.

Unfortunately we don’t want to be here and we would leave right

Photo by Gary Collins

now this minute if we could get a house”.

“Everyone is entitled to live and to have a home, I feel that if it was a group of people, settled people or foreign people, there is no way they would be left thrown on the side of the road, something would be done for them,” Martin warned.

In a statement to The Clare Echo, a spokesperson for Clare County Council said staff were engaged with the family regarding avail-

able accommodation. “In general, where there are issues within estates there are processes to be followed to substantiate and address the issue(s) in order to work towards continued occupation of the allocated property.

“The internal process is as set out in the Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy which was adopted at the March meeting of Clare County Council. In addition, there is a process with An Garda Síochána in relation to the protection of the person and property.

“Given the demand for social housing it would be unsustainable to facilitate transfers from allocated properties unless and until the processes above have been exhausted. Clare County Council as a housing authority is obliged to meet a housing need and not a housing want, to that end there are situations where people make choices not to accept allocations in the hope that their accommodation preference can ultimately be acceded to,” the spokesperson added.

Decision on Gort Biogas plant delayed by An Bord Pleanála Gents and Ladies department

OPEN MONDAY

by CIAN O’BROIN AN APPEAL by a company looking to build a bio-gas plant 800m from the town square in Gort has once again been delayed by An Bord Pleanála.

Three years ago, Sustainable Bio-Energy Limited applied for planning permission for a bio-gas plant on a 25-acre site outside the town boundaries. In January 2020, Galway County Council refused the planning permission, which has since seen an appeal process that has now been drawn out to June 24, 2021.

Local concerns, expressed through the Gort Bio-Gas Concern Group, has allied the community against what they fear, "will force people to choose a different place to live." Group member Ciaran O'Donnell informed that public meetings held by the group, with attendance in excess of 400 people before COVID-19, shows how galvanised the community are against the threat of the plant.

The smell, high volumes of traffic, noise pollution and the reduction in house prices are all cited as concerns of the community if the proposed plant is to go ahead. "This would be the largest bio-gas plant of its kind on the island. If we look at similar developments, such as one plant developed in Ballybofey in Donegal, which is located 5km outside of the town, we see that schools had to be closed on numerous occasions due to the smell produced. This one in Gort is only 800m from the town square and will see 24-hour transportation of digestate, which is the organic matter produced after the biogas. The town would no longer be an attractive place to live," Ciaran stated.

He also expressed concern around community development sites which have been

a lifesaver throughout the pandemic. One such amenity is the Gort River Walk, which borders the proposed site for the plant. The 3.4km looped river walk has seen volunteers clock up over 364 hours since January 2020 as well as the removal of an illegal dump, a wall of briars and an invasive plant species known as Old Man's Beard.

The area, which is prone to systemic flooding has caused great concern amongst the group and Ciaran stated that the plant would upset Gort's image as a Heritage town.

"We have had no public consultation or communication of any kind with the company. We held our own community meeting on March 10, 2020 and have been doing Zoom meetings since the pandemic began.

This has developed great community spirit within the town. We will not go away until the threat goes away. This is just too big a risk," he stressed.

l NO THANKS: A bio gas protest poster

Photo by Gort Bio-Gas Concern Group

NEWS

THURSDAY, MAY 13 2021

Clare is Amazing,

11

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Clare from Above Explore 3 – Open Spaces, Explore ALL fascinating Amazing Places of Clare. It will geosites in Clare surprise you!

Header as per last weeks edition

From the ground, we can sometimes be less aware of the spectacular scenery and the remarkable diversity of Clare’s countryside. A birds-eye view from above offers a great perspective and shows the abundance of riches of Clare – from the River Shannon and Lough This ‘Clare is Amazing’ page, sponsored by Clare County Council and Derg inClare Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, whichinforms our over the weeks Visit Tourism, will be a regular feature this paper ahead.

We will be reminding readers of experiences that eastern boundary, to the Burren and the rugged Wildcan be explored and enjoyed in Clare in line with the latest public health guidelines.

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What have you discovered and golden beaches in the West. loved on your trip-taking and staycations within the County? Tell us, and you could win some great prizes, and we’ll share some of the best tips on in the ahead.

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images of the county – a reminder of some of the open For now, here are just a few suggestions: spaces and amazing places you can enjoy around Clare walks suited to walkers of • Be athe Tourist for aand day.months In any typical during weeks ahead. great Timeloop to play!

Text Attached in Word CARRAN TURLOUGH Document

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Tell our readers what you loved most about your recent trip around the County, and win some great prizes - including a Family Staycation Holiday.

Every second week we will draw winners for our latest prizes from those who provide good feedback and tips. Then, at the end of August, we will also draw from all entrants for a very special weekend staycation for either a family or two sharing (the winners choice!).

different levels of fitness. Our cliffyear, Clare would be welcoming over top, mountain-top, and hill-top walks 1.2 million visitors from within Ireland are spectacular. and worldwide. They are drawn to Clare because of all the possibilities • Bring a picnic, or buy a picnic. As FA N O R E Bin’E A C H are not yet open, ‘eating places for enjoyment and fun. Our seascapes, T U R L O U G H F L O W S I N TO either bring a picnic or check out landscapes and lakescapes provide T H E S H A N N O N E S T U A RY the places youCarran can pick up a tasty them with the amazing LL UNESCO Global Geoparksnatural have wonderful Turlough Geosite takeaway.

Restaurants and cafés are backdrops within which each visitor landscapes that tell fascinating local geological Situated in the heart of the Burren, this site is a very creative at this time, and you can their ownthat experience. andshape cultural stories inform usYou of our place magical example of how water behaves in the Burren. can order and pick up excellent meals have the great advantage of living in the history of Earth. Specific sites of interest Depending on how much rain there has been in a the‘Walk days with a Hawk’ Win and snacks. It’s also a great way to here. For one or more days, imagine in the landscape are called Geosites; they are acand weeks before you arrive, you may either see a lake, or support local businesses! yourself as a tourist and really explore at the Aillwee Cave Burren cessible towhat the public and adorned with informative signs. dry fields with cattle grazing contentedly. Once the area is can be enjoyed at this time.

Birds of Prey Centre Within the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Take in places that you are not overly Global flooded, it drains underground to the south, resulting in Geopark, familiar we are fortunate to have a number of fascinating the rain that falls here finally emerging at Kilnaboy as one A Hawk Walk at Aillwee is a once in a lifetime with. sites that points interest as you In travel throughout of the sources of the River Fergus, which then flows ontoto opportunity interact with some of nature’s top • provide Head for theofopen spaces.

Clare, predators. Guided and instructed by experienced the Burren.

Hereare areplenty some suggestions for your next visit: Ennis and finally, the Shannon Estuary. there of open spaces and Falconers, Aillwee’s hour-long ‘Walk with a Hawk’

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12 NEWS

THURSDAY, MAY 13 2021

‘A man ahead of his time’ PÁRAIC MCMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie

G

LOWING tributes have been pouring in for former President and Chairman of Clare GAA, John Hanly following his death.

Born in 1928, the Clarecastle native also managed the Clare senior hurlers in the 1960s and spent time as a selector to the county senior footballers.

Educated at Clarecastle NS, St Flannan’s College and St Pats in Drumcondra, John returned to Clarecatle in the 1960s to become principal of the boys school. He was known as The Master and he would influence the careers of many hurlers.

One such hurler was two-time All-Ireland winning captain, Anthony Daly. “My memories of John Hanly will live with me and all who were linked to the Master. He allowed us to hurl and did we love taking bits out of each other in the school and The Master looking out correcting our errors. He was instrumental to me in two of my biggest sporting days,” he recalled.

As Dalo stood over the 65m free in the 1995 All-Ireland that would help turn the tide and see Clare win their first title since 1914, Anthony also remembered his former school teacher. “As I stood over the 65’ I thought of the Master telling me as a right hander free taker to stand with the left shoulder parallel to the left post and strike hard and true with no fear of failure. It was like he was standing behind me once again in the school field”.

Clarecastle will be forever indebted to his contribution to the locality, John Callinan maintained. “It was one of the first schools that hurling was part of the official curriculum and we embraced it. School games often witnessed the master himself partake and never took it to heart if the pupils hit him an odd tip. He challenged us as students of hurling to learn more and ask questions of ourselves to better our skills. He once asked us would we catch the ball below or above the hurley as it was dropping. It had us thinking for some time. This was the coaching guru breaking out and it served generations of Clarecastle hurlers so much that it led us all to love the game and love the man,” the two-time All Star said.

Hanly won three Harty and All-Ireland colleges titles himself during his time at St Flannan’s College. Indeed, he and his son John Jnr became the first father and son to win All-Ireland colleges titles. He hurled from 1939 to 1954 winning medals at juvenile and minor level with Clarecastle plus two Clare senior championships and two Clare Cup medals.

After attending a coaching course in Gormanstown in the late 1960s, John would become a national coach alongside Donie Nealon and Ned Power. He was held in high regard for his coaching ability and lectured aspiring mentors all across the country with deep respect for him in the hurling heartland of Kilkenny. Hanly was in charge of the Clare side that contested the 1967 Munster final and also spent time as a selector to the county footballers but is noted for guiding the county to be win its first Munster minor championship in 1981.

Sean Hehir a National League winner with Clare in 1977 and 1978 was involved with Hanly in 1981. Hehir lauded the “fantastic reservoir of hurling knowledge” that Hanly possessed. Feakle’s Michael Guilfoyle was

lRIP: The late John Hanly

Clare’s top scorer with 1-03 to his name when they defeated Tipperary 3-13 3-11 in the 1981 minor decider. “The methods they employed were wonderful in their explanation and their coaching outlook was ahead of its time and the minors of 1981 will always be thankful for the efforts of John Hanly and his fellow coaches,” he said.

He went for the position of County Board Chairman in order to improve the culture of coaching in gaelic games in Clare. His time in the role from 1964 to 1974 would see both himself and Brendan Vaughan play pivotal roles in the development of Cusack Park. He received a 12 month suspension from the GAA in 1969 for an incident when he was still Chairman and coach of the senior hurlers against Cork in the Munster SHC. Current Clare GAA Joint President, Naoise Jordan said that John was “a man before his time. His coaching drills were brand new to us and perhaps to our own fault we did not pay enough attention to what this brilliant thinker was trying to teach us”.

Jack Chaplin, Chairman of Clare GAA paid tribute to many roles John held in his lifetime involvement with the Association. “At this time, we think of his family and friends as well those in Clarecastle who mourn the loss of one of their greatest characters who symbolised all that’s good about village, sport and community. Clare GAA mourn the loss of one of our greatest friends, colleagues and leaders”.

John was predeceased by his loving wife Maura and son John Junior. He is survived by his daughter Nessa Cullinan, sons Tommy and Andrew, extended family and many friends.

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LOCATING the headquarters of the Department of Rural Affairs and Community Development in Co Clare can signal the Government's commitment to rural Ireland, local elected representatives have declared.

At Monday's meeting of Clare County Council, Cllr Gabriel Keating (FF) proposed that Government consider "decentralising the Department of Rural Affairs and Community Development into a regional location as an indication of their commitment to 'Our Rural Future' Policy document',".

He put forward the argument for Clare to become the new location of the Department's headquarters and referenced it being the first county to have a rural development strategy. "The Department should consider moving to Clare, after all we set the headlines". Keating stated that up to 80 per cent of public servants working remotely at the present time was "the best opportunity to bring the Department to Clare".

"Clare is mostly a rural county, we set the headlines by promoting digital hubs for remote working. If the Government are serious for rural Ireland, Clare which was the first county to have a rural strategy should be the home of the Department of Rural Affairs and Community Development," the Cross native stated. He urged the county's seven Oireachtas members to row in behind his proposal.

Co-ordination for rural development is required, Cllr PJ Kelly (FF) maintained.

"Cllr Keating is always on the ball when it comes to rural development, it is a pity we don't have him in a higher position that he's in". The Lissycasey representative added, "If there are any contradictions in this country, they usually come around rural development. Common sense may be an endangered faculty but a practical suggestion of relocating like this make sense".

Decentralisation is needed to combat the over-growth of Dublin, Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) argued. "The capital has gone too big and they have forgotten about rural Ireland. A step like this would be a move in the right direction".

Chief Executive of Clare County Council, Pat Dowling said the county would welcome any opportunity for decentralisation projects. Locating sections of Departmental services in Clare "could be a practical move into the future," he surmised.

lOPPORTUNITY: Cllr Gabriel Keating (FF)

NEWS 13

THURSDAY, MAY 13 2021

Quick action needed to maximise maritime full potential

by PÁRAIC McMAHON

S

WIFT movement is needed to maximise on the full potential of the maritime infrastructure along the Shannon Estuary by establishing a maritime training centre of excellence in Kilrush.

In light of ESB’s plans to set up a Green Atlantic hub at Moneypoint, Cllr Ian Lynch (IND) urged Clare County Council to begin the process of creating a maritime centre of excellence in Kilrush which would also serve as a hub for West Clare.

National and international focus on the economic and social potential of the maritime industry has been renewed by the plans to set up giant offshore wind energy in Moneypoint, Director of Service Liam Conneally acknowledged.

Setting up a maritime training centre of excellence in West Clare is a commitment of both the Clare County Development Plan 2017-2023 and the SIFP, he highlighted. “The importance of establishing such a Maritime Training Centre of Excellence which recognises the maritime history of West Clare and the Shannon Estuary and the opportunity to create a landmark building and development could define the area as a world class leader in the provision of maritime training and research”.

Business planning, a suitable property and “critically sufficient start-up funding” must be sourced before progress is made, Conneally outlined.

Huge potential exists with such an opportunity, Cllr Lynch affirmed. Locating the centre in Kilrush would allow a quick turnover, he told Monday’s meeting of Clare County Council. He feared that following ESB’s Moneypoint’s announcement that other counties could bypass Clare by building an equivalent facility on the Estuary. “There are a number of derelict and unused buildings that could be easily transformed into a maritime centre of excellence”.

He added, “I chose Kilrush because we have an opportunity to move quickly, if we don’t act quickly, we’re going to lose out”.

“When you look at Kilrush and the facilities that are there, the maritime has huge potential,” Cllr Ann Norton (IND) maintained. She said the area has accommodation to make the proposal a success.

By specifically naming Kilrush, Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) believed it was cutting out a number of opportunities, “West Clare should be able to reap the reward. He also disputed Cllr Norton’s comments on sufficient accommodation in Kilrush. “Many of these types of training courses are based on a two/ three week course, if we don’t have accommodation to house them then, one would have to question its viability”. The Kilkee representative was of the view that Coláiste Eoghain Uí Chomhraidhe in Carrigaholt was the best facility for the centre of excellence.

Development of the Shannon Estuary “which is supposed to be the best Estuary in Europe” was labelled “lop-sided”

by Cllr Pat McMahon (FF). He backed the credentials of Kilrush as a maritime centre of excellence. “A maritime centre would be a great opportunity as part of an overall plan”.

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14 NEWS

THURSDAY, MAY 13 2021

Aer Lingus crew to remain laid off as two routes expected to stay grounded PÁRAIC MCMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie

A

ER Lingus cabin crew at Shannon Airport are to remain laid off until the middle of June at least while it is feared the airline will not fly out of the International Airport until 2022.

Members of the Aer Lingus cabin crew at Shannon Airport had been hoping for a return to work in early June but a roster published on Friday has revealed that they will remain laid off until June 20th at the earliest.

Fórsa trade union have said the

extended layoff is another devastating blow for staff and the MidWest region. The union has called on Aer Lingus to provide a commitment to its Shannon base and to those who work there.

Ashley Connolly, a Fórsa official said the news from Shannon “reveals the continuing vulnerability of the industry and the economy of the Shannon region, which is why we need to hear a solid commitment form Aer Lingus at this critical time.

“The pandemic has struck a devastating blow to every part of the industry, and the future of the industry remains uncertain.

Meanwhile, concern is growing that Aer Lingus will not resume routes to Boston and New York

from Shannon Airport until June of next year.

lSTANDSTILL: Aer Lingus

No provision to extend any Heathrow slots beyond 2022

by PÁRAIC McMAHON THERE is no existing provision to extend commitments from Aer Lingus to their Heathrow slots at Shannon Airport when they expire in September of next year.

Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan (GP) in a parliamentary question by Clare TD, Michael McNamara (IND) was asked to outline “the actions that have been taken to ensure Shannon Heathrow connectivity” with the slots due to expire next year.

When IAG acquired the Government’s 25 percent shares in Aer Lingus in 2015, “certain commitments” regarding the operation of the routes to Heathrow in London were to be followed, Minister Ryan acknowledged.

Aer Lingus’ connectivity commitments remain in effect until September 1st 2022, Minister Ryan confirmed. “There is no existing provision to further extend these commitments, and the operation of particular routes after this point will be a commercial matter for the airline,” he revealed.

Route recovery at Shannon Airport has

l LINKS: Heathrow Airport

Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) has urged Aer Lingus to clarify its

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Speaking to The Clare Echo, Deputy McNamara noted that the response was “very much in line with the laissez faire attitude” of the Irish Government towards the recovery of the aviation sector post COVID-19.

An inability to put in place provisions to extend the commitment of the Shannon to Heathrow routes flew in the face of regional development, the Scariff native stated. “I would be worried for the slots, particularly in circumstances where there are no flights into Shannon currently and there are some into Cork and Dublin”.

He believed that an increase in traffic at Shannon Airport will need to be visible in September when Cork Airport closes for a period of 10 weeks as part of a runway upgrade, “if flights don’t recommence by then I’d be quite concerned”.

Deputy McNamara referenced comments from Shannon Group CEO, Mary Considine on the difficult task they face in attracting airlines to Shannon Airport in the present climate as they anticipate “a tendency of airlines to concentrate on bigger hub airports and capital city airports. I don’t sense any great enthusiasm from the Government”.

Sentiments expressed in the response from Minister Ryan were labelled as contrary to the pleas from Shannon Group for specific incentives, McNamara maintained.

“It is regreettable given the historic role Shannon has played in the past and its current role in trying to attract FDI and developing tourism in the Mid-West”.

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Deputy Crowe stated, “Shannon, for many decades, has been the first stepping-stone for many North Americans entering Ireland and indeed Europe and it is essential that this connectivity is restored in the quickest possible timeframe”.

Deputy Joe Carey (FG) has written to Aer Lingus Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Donal Moriarty stressing the importance of the airline’s transatlantic routes to the Mid-West region from a business and tourism perspective.

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THURSDAY, MAY 13 2021

in association with

Desire amongst public to remember loved ones at Lees Rd

Paint scheme suggested to lift spirits

tative asking for permission to have memorials of different kinds at the popular amenity.

The most appropriate location in her view for the trees would be the islands of the car park areas.

She believed that half a dozen more benches were needed at Lees Rd to give walkers of all ages a place to sit. Similarly, grandparents could do with seats on the sideline of the pitches to watch their family in action, Howard noted. Previous suggestions have went before the memorial committee “and nothing happened,” she lamented.

Lees Rd as a facility would benefit from memorial trees and benches, Cllr Ann Norton (IND) felt. “If someone is willing to pay for a tree or a bench, it is very difficult to disagree with them. John O’Sullivan Park would benefit so much from the benches, it is when people are going for a walk it is nice to be able to sit down. The ideal place for something like this is Lees Rd/John O’Sullivan Park, it is open and spacious”.

Active Ennis should be convening a meeting on the matter, Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG)

INTRODUCTION of a paint scheme for businesses in Ennis town is to be investigated as a means of lifting the spirits of traders, writes Páraic McMahon.

Financial support is to be sought from Clare Local Enterprise Office who previously backed the Ennis Streetscape Improvement Scheme in 2016 prior to Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.

Grant amounts of up to €700 or 50 per cent of the cost of any planned works were provided by the local authority to successful applicants.

A revision of the paint scheme was suggested by Cllr Pat Daly (FF) at this month’s meeting of the Ennis Municipal District.

“Everyone knows traders are split on the pedestrianisation of the town,” and added that the return of the scheme “might reunite them and create a bit of excitement”.

Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) confirmed that management are to contact the LEO on the potential of a separate paint scheme for the town centre.

PÁRAIC MCMAHON

P

paraic@clareecho.ie

LANTING of trees and the provision of benches in memory of loved ones at Lees Rd is to be considered following a proposal by the Mayor of Clare.

Clare’s first citizen, Cllr Mary Howard (FG) appealed to the Ennis Municipal District to follow through on the wishes of persons to plant a tree or have a bench in memory of their loved ones at Lees Rd. A memorial policy has been adopted by Clare County Council, administrative officer Niamh O’Connor outlined. Applications such as the one put forward by Cllr Howard “can be submitted to the memorial committee for consideration,” she stated.

Disappointment with the response was voiced by Cllr Howard. Four people in recent weeks have come to the Ennis represen-

GDPR a barrier to taking car reg to curb dumping

by PÁRAIC Mc MAHON AN APPEAL to have car registrations of consumers using drive-thrus and takeaways in a bid to clamp down on illegal dumping has met a stumbling block in the form of GDPR. With a rise in illegal dumping observed in Co Clare over the past 14 months, Cllr Ann Norton (IND) asked the Ennis Municipal District to examine putting the car registration of a driver collecting a takeaway or going through a drive-thru onto the bag in which their food is in “so when it’s tossed out the window, it can be delivered back to its owners with a fine for littering. This could be a pilot project to deter people from littering”.

Merits of the motion were acknowledged by senior engineer Cyril Feeney “but unfortunately I do not believe there is a legislative basis under the Waste Management Act or Litter Pollution Act upon which we could compel vendors to affix vehicle registrations

l Litter

to takeaway bags”.

He advised that GDPR legislation would class vehicle registrations as personal information. “The takeaway vendors would have no lawful basis for requesting that information from their customers. We will continue to work with the Regional Waste Management Office and REPAK in order to reduce the amount of food packaging put on the market in general”.

Louth Senator John McGahon (FG) in April made the call for the car registrations to be used in this manner. His idea was one Clare County Council could have acted on, Cllr Norton believed. “I thought it was an opportunity for us who are continuously looking at opportunities to reduce tipping, fly dumping and littering across our own county”.

More people are accessing takeaways and drive-thrus with restaurants closed, the Barefield representative flagged. “There will be more demand over the summer season, it will be an awful shame for our county to be littered. They talk about GDPR but at the end of the day we’re given our post by An Post on a daily basis, people use black bags filled with rubbish and dump them on the side of the road, Council sometimes use this information to fine people”.

Feeney’s response was to be expected “because of the difficulties with the legislative barrier that is GDPR,” Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) felt. “We here in Ireland are extremely tolerant in protecting the eco-criminal, I’m talking about those who use the environment as their own dumping ground”.

Speaking at the May meeting of the Ennis MD, Cllr Pat Daly (FF) detailed that he lives near a takeaway in Turnpike, “I see it on a daily basis, they throw the bag out the window, not all but a few”.

maintained. “I’ve had a number of motions looking for increased seats in public open spaces. We should have seating located so people can take a breather”.

Merit and value of the proposal could not be disputed, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) commented. “It would be nice for people to plant a tree or provide a bench to remember people from time gone by,” Cllr Pat Daly (FF) stated.

l John O’Sullivan Park

16 FEATURES

THURSDAY, MAY 13 2021

GREEN CLARE

Saoirse inspired by selection as one 14 young people for global forum PÁRAIC MCMAHON

A

paraic@clareecho.ie

TEENAGE climate activist from South-East Clare will be among one of only 14 young people across the world to partake in the inaugural C40 Global Youth and Mayors forum.

Saoirse Exton’s inclusion in the forum comes off the back of two years of climate activism for the founder of Fridays for Future Limerick. It will be the first of its kind to bring together young climate leaders and six mayors from cities and countries for the next year to discuss ways to bring about a greener globe.

Such is the level of esteem that the 15 year old from O’Briensbridge is held that even county boundaries were cast aside when she was named Limerick Person of the Month in November 2019.

After applying to be part of the Forum, Saoirse was quite pleased to hear she was successful in her efforts. Of the 14 chosen, the TY student at Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh is one of only two from Europe. “With the pandemic, the physical protesting had to stop, it’s not safe to protest and so for a while I didn’t know what to do but when I saw this opportunity I was really inspired and I saw it as a way get my voice heard and represent the thousands of people that care about this

issue. It has really sparked my eagerness to get involved more, not that it ever went away, it is just another way of doing it”.

Back in November 2018, when Australian students began striking on climate change, Saoirse realised that young people can have power and possess an ability to take charge.

This is what inspired her to become an activist while conversations in the Exton household ensured she always green minded.

Climate change has slipped out of the public’s psyche during the past 14 months on account of the pandemic.

“I do hope that as we begin to come out of this crisis and begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel that we will look at sustainable ways to look back to what we call normality. A lot of people when they hear the word normality they think everything as it was but when I hear normality I get a bit worried because the problem is if we go back to the way we were when we have such an opportunity to look back at ourselves and see what we were doing wrong and look at solutions, it is scary to be honest”.

“It is really important to take individual action like eating more sustainably, ensuring your clothes are sustainably sourced but at the same time it is also really difficult to do that because the system isn’t built for individual action, if you can you should look at what you’re doing and find better ways of doing what you do, if you can afford an electric car that should be considered but a lot of people can’t afford to do that so instead we need to advocate for things like public trans-

lACTIVIST: Saoirse Exton in O’Briensbridge Photo by John Mangan

port, climate justice”.

On the subject of advocacy, Saoirse admitted that she would be reluctant to enter politics. “On one hand I have a naive hope thinking that if I go into politics I’d be able to make a change but knowing what I care about and knowing the way I work and who I am it worries me because I know a lot of councillors in Limerick who would be bullied because of their gender, I don’t know if I want to put myself through that and I think this country has a deeply ingrained issue

with what we might call progressive ideals, it would take a long fight and a lot of dedication.

“I’ve been an activist for over two years now and already I’m exhausted. The other thing is I don’t know if I would even get elected because I’m quiet out there. Ideally I would consider it but I don’t even know what I want to study at university”.

Activism as Saoirse has discovered is tiring but the O’Briensbridge teenager has no intention of giving up the fight just yet.

Arts & Entertainment 17

THURSDAY, MAY 13 2021

Rave reviews for Ennis actor PÁRAIC MCMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie

A

SHORT film shot in Ennis and Shannon last year is being screened to audiences across the United States of America this week with early reviews of the performance of a Clare actor in his first role described as highly positive.

An eight day special screening to celebrate Europe Day sees the Irish Consulate in New York and Irish Screen America present PADDY to US audiences.

Directed by Roisin Kearney, PADDY was produced by Maeve McGrath and Keith Bogue with Sinead Collopy the writer be-

hind the short film. It was funded by Creative Ireland, Clare Arts Office and Clare County Council.

Ennis actor Cian Hughes stars in what is his first role. The teenager is currently filming a role for the second series of Smother and will sit his Leaving Certificate next month.

Since its world premier at The Galway Film Fleadh, PADDY has been shown all over America and Europe. It was broadcast at this year's Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival, the Kerry International Film Festival and the Waterford Film Festival. It won Best Irish Short at the Catalyst International Film Festival.

PADDY had a special screening at the St Patrick's Film Festival in London this year.

This week, it is to be shown as part of the Toronto Irish Film Festival. It will also feature in Sweden, Turin and across Italy, later

this month it will form part of the Fastnet Film Festival and the Carlow Arts Festival before going to Bulgaria then back to Toronto in July.

Moloney's Bar on O'Connell St in Ennis and the street itself was the base for a vast amount of the filming which took place over a weekend before Christmas.

Producer Keith Bogue told The Clare Echo that the assistance of Ann Moloney and her family was integral to the short film running smoothly. "We've been trying to get back to thank Ann and hopefully we'll get there when the lockdown is over," he outlined.

Keith predicted that Cian will be one to watch in the acting sphere judging by the reaction to his on-screen debut. "The feedback we have been getting from film festivals across the world about him has been amazing," he admitted.

lRISING STAR: Cian Hughes

Author shares precious Kilfenora's Tara forms part of TG4 stories of Tuamgraney priest lineup for Folk Festival series

by PÁRAIC McMAHON the now closed Kino, Cork City KILFENORA'S Tara Howley features on TG4 this Sunday as par of a six part series recorded at the Cork Folk Festival.

Recorded in October of last year before the second lockdown, the six part series gives a glimpse at some top musical performers within the province. The series was filmed at iconic venues in Cork such as

Gaol, St' Luke's and Cork Opera House.

An award-winning multi-instrumentalist, singer and dancer, Tara is part of the lineup for Sunday's episode. She has spent the last number of years as the Piper with Riverdance and is a social media star with her tune a day campaign in 2019 and is behind her father Pádraic Howley's runaway In-

lTRADITION: Doireann Ni Ghlacain and Tara Howley

stagram success story Sing and Step with Padraig.

She is a two-time senior all Ireland champion on the uilleann pipes. Tara has numerous all Ireland titles in solo competitions and with bands and groups in various instruments such as concertina, fiddle, uilleann pipes and many more. In 2014 Tara toured Britain and Ireland with the group Macalla na hÉireann and The Echoes of Erin. She produced and launched her debut solo album in April 2015 and is currently studying Irish music and dance in the Irish World Academy at the University of Limerick. She plays music on this show for us with guitarist Seán O'Meara.

Doireann Ní Ghlacáin who is now living in the Banner County also appears on Sunday's show. The renowned fiddle player and singer is steeped in the musical tradition of the Ó Riada and Glackin families.

She sits down with the musicians to bring the interviews on screen in between performances.

Sunday's episode airs at 9:30pm on TG4.

by CIAN O’BROIN LIMERICK author Mary Moloney has penned the story of a Tuamgraney priest, Fr. Jim Minogue in her third book, 'The Good Old Days.'

A native of Castleconnell, Mary first met Fr. Minogue when the Tuamgraney man moved to her parish in July 1988.

She recalled being struck by his humility, when he showed up at their farm and asked permission to bring communion to her elderly parents on the first Friday of every month. He did so until they passed away in 1995 and 1997.

"He became a good friend to me and encouraged me to follow my passions and take up journalism and a course in computers," she stated.

In the ensuing years, Mary completed a Diploma in Journalism and a course in computers. She spent time working for Matt Kelly productions, which involved working as a researcher on a number of TG4 programmes. She also worked as a researcher for Live 95 and in the Limerick Civic Trust.

Her first two books were comissioned by Fr Minogue.

"Fr. Minogue then became ill. He had given me a box of his memories and papers belonging to him. He asked me to write his life story. So, I did. We did it together, it was a collaboration.

I would visit him while he was sick in Milford and we would put it together.

I had it written two weeks before he passed away on June 4, 2018. It was a privilege to work together those last few months," she stated.

Fr. Jim Minogue had three brothers and five sisters. He attended St. Flannan's College, where he was a keen hurler and an avid fan of the sport. He was trained by his hero, Tull Conisidine, a renowned dual player for both senior Clare football and hurling teams.

The Good Old Days outlined that Fr. Minogue served under seven popes, six bishops and nine parish priests, spending most of his time in his home county of Clare before moving to Castleconnell. Mary wrote the 121-page book over the course of three months.

"I wrote it for his grand-nephew in America, who's name is Cian. Those were Fr. Minogue's wishes. He wanted him to have these memories.

“The day he passed away; I was able to hand the finished book over to him.

This was something deeply personal and it meant a lot for me to be able to do this,” she conceded.

The Good Old Days can be purchased from Mary directly for €10 and a posted price of €5. Her address is Clyduff, Lisnagry, Castleconnell, Co. Limerick.

18 COLUMNIST

THURSDAY, MAY 13 2021

YUMMY ALLERGY FRIENDLY BROWNIES Kearney Cooks

I

am always looking for recipes that cater for the people in my life that don’t get to enjoy all the lovely foods that I get to try. I am lucky enough to not have any food allergies, thank God, however many of my family and friends do. So I like picking up recipes that can cater for them. It’s also useful to have these recipes as a chef, as food allergies are becoming more and more common.

The other night I was experimenting with chocolate brownies and I stumbled upon a ridiculously easy and tasty gluten free and wheat free chocolate brownie recipe.

Step 4 Fire your batter into a lined eight inch brownie tin and horse it into the oven for 25 to 30 minutes.

Step 5 Take your brownie out of the oven and leave it to cool in the tin.

Step 6 Cut into squares and serve with cream, chocolate sauce, fruit coulis or whatever the hell you like. Or even eat it on its own as a snack.

These brownies should be eaten within a day or two of being made as

YOU WILL NEED: • 4 large eggs • 300 g chocolate (I used 150g milk chocolate and 150g dark chocolate)

they wouldn’t last as long as regular brownies, and as with most chocolate desserts the better quality chocolate you use the better the finished product is.

As usual If you have any questions please feel free to message me on Instagram, I do respond to DMs, and I am most easily contacted through there.

Also keep an eye to The Clare Echo socials or the website for the instructional videos as well.

Enjoy

Steve K

Step 1 Melt your chocolate in a microwave or over some boiling water.

Step 2 Put your 4 eggs into a mixer and whisk them at full speed for eight minutes. They should triple in size and be nice and fluffy.

Step 3 Let your melted chocolate cool down slightly and fold it through your fluffy egg mixture until it’s all combined.

R

ebecca O’Neill

E

Emotional intelligence This week, Rebecca reflects on the importance of developing your emotional intelligence and the benefits that it can have

MOTIONAL intelligence is a topic I wanted to explore this week, simply because it is not highlighted enough.

It essentially means being aware of your own feelings and how you express them, while being mindful and engaging in other people’s feelings.

According to Talent Smart, 90% of high performers at the workplace presses high EQ, while 80% of low performers have a low EQ. Your IQ wouldn’t particularly change over time, whereas your EQ can evolve overtime the more we want to grow and learn.

INCREASING EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE: Increasing your emotional intelligence can be a very positive task for you to succeed in your every day life. Here are a few tips for increasing your emotional intelligence: DECREASING YOUR NEGATIVE THOUGHT PROCESS: Introduce new exercises to create a positive thought process that can improve how you view your own emotions. Being able to effectively manage your negative thoughts and have full control over them can make such a positive impact on your wellbeing.

For example, try to reduce negative person-

alisation. This means if someone’s behaviour is affecting you, do not jump to a negative conclusion and think about why their behaviour has presented itself to you.

While researching, I learned that you should “come up with multiple ways of viewing the situation before reacting”. For example, I could be tempted to think my friend didn’t return my call because she’s ignoring me, or I can consider the possibility that she’s been very busy. Once you practice this tool, it will reduce your negative thought process and anxiousness. If you create a bigger perspective, it will allow you to eliminate

DREAM JOB: Reduce the fear of rejection

the possibility of misunderstanding.

REDUCING THE FEAR OF REJECTION: This can be very hard because we were always taught in life that winning and getting what you want causes happiness. But growing up we were never taught how rejection can happen in life also. Avoid emotionally putting all your eggs in one basket and create different scenarios about a certain situation. For example, to explain this further, in my research I learned from these examples. “Increased fear of rejection: I’m applying for my dream job. I’ll be devastated if they don’t hire me” “Decreased fear of rejection: I’m applying for three exciting positions. If one doesn’t pan out, there are two more I’m well qualified for”. Having this outlook on rejection, can protect you from disappointment.

MANAGING STRESS: How we manage stress, can determine our mood dramatically. Being able to manage it in a positive way will make you ultimately happier.

You will either react to the stressful situation or be assertive. One tip I learned while trying my best to reduce my nervousness and anxiousness is to splash cold water on your face and go for a walk. The cool temperature reduces anxiety.

Avoid caffeine drinks due to the caffeine affecting your nervous system.

COLUMNIST 19

THURSDAY, MAY 13 2021

SPRING IN THEIR STEP

Eoin Neylon

An inside look at Clare’s political spectrum

Housing needs middle ground

W l SCHOOL JUMP: Four children heading to school in Clouna, Ennistymon

Photo by Deirdre Scanlan

Discussions over future of Shannon Heritage sites ongoing

by PÁRAIC McMAHON ENGAGEMENT is ongoing between the Department of Transport and Shannon Group on the future of Shannon Heritage.

Shannon Heritage is a subsidiary of the commercial semi-state body Shannon Group.

Sites operated by Shannon Heritage include Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Knappogue Castle, Craggaunowen, King John's Castle, Malahide Castle and Gardens, GPO Witness History Centre, Newbridge House and Farm, Dunguaire Castle and the Casino Model Railway Museum.

A status update on the "proposed transfer of ownership of existing Shannon Heritage sites to another entity" was sought by Clare TD Michael McNamara (IND).

Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan (GP) confirmed that ongoing engagement between the Department of Transport and Shannon Group continued. "Options to secure the future of Shannon Heritage are

currently being considered by Shannon Group but no decision has yet been taken in this regard".

Capital funding will be required by the Government to invest in the sites, Deputy McNamara told The Clare Echo. He expected the matter would not progress until a new Chairperson of Shannon Group is appointed. "Currently it looks like Shannon Group isn't terribly interested in the sites," the Clare TD stated.

If Shannon Group no longer wants to have a responsibility for the sites, Deputy McNamara believed Clare County Council who "have a proven track record in managing tourism sites such as Vandeleur Walled Gardens and the Cliffs of Moher" should be viewed as potential operators.

He acknowledged that the local authority would be "justifiably reluctant" to take on the sites unless Government funding was provided in advance. "They wouldn't have the capital to invest nor would the OPW I expect".

l OPTIONS: Mairead and Aoibheann Ní Chéirín from Ennistymon at Craggaunowen

Photo by Eamon Ward

ITH the grand re-opening of society and the economy at large underway, political focus has dramatically switched away from the pandemic and pivoted back to the issues which dominated column inches and debate topics at the time of the 2020 election.

None more so than housing. As news of an investment fund buying up two of three phases in a housing estate in Maynooth caught national attention, political discussion on the topic peaked once more.

But underneath the public outcry for first time buyers and talk of corporate greed, the real issues surrounding housing and its provision have largely been lost in all discussion of the issue.

For much of the last decade, Government did the entire state a disservice by largely ignoring housing and its responsibilities in the area. The FG/Labour and then FG minority Governments left housing to the free market in the false belief that the market would set itself right, ignoring centuries of economic experience, in terms of property, in the process.

What we were left with was a situation where we went from an over stock of housing at the beginning of the decade, to a sharp lack of housing by its conclusion. The net result was spiralling house prices, rents and number of people experiencing homelessness.

Altogether, a shocking indictment of bad policy. The result of the 2020 election was largely shaped by this failure. If this new coalition don’t work to reverse this trend quickly, it may prove their undoing too.

Nevertheless, the public who expect quick results are destined to be disappointed, not by inaction, but by the very realities of

housing. Building houses is a slow process. There is no way to avoid that reality.

You can fast-track planning as much as possible and invest in timber frames or modular homes, but the reality is, a housing development planned today will take at least 18 months to complete. And that is only if it’s all straight forward, the funding, labour and materials is readily available and there are no objections.

To put that in context, this Government has been in power 10 months now, and during a global pandemic.

We will be a while looking for results yet!

The affordable housing bill published recently gives reason for some hope, but the devil will be in the details. One thing that will prove a fly in the ointment is the provision of labour and materials.

Working on the ground in the industry, I’ve seen how much trouble we are in to try step up construction provision. The labour is not there either in terms of the trades or professionals, thereby driving up wage demands. And now, since the turn of the year, material costs have spiked massively with all of timber, steel, PVC, insulation and more jumping by as much as 35 per cent.

These costs will inevitably be passed onto the consumer.

That’s before we cycle back to the issue of investment funds buying up housing stock. I’ll preface this with the fact that, because I’m in the industry, I do have a vested interest in discussing this topic, but I’ll approach it as pragmatically as I can. First of all, what we need is housing, in all types, shapes and locations.

This includes social, affordable, cost rental, private and private rental.

If we fail to provide one of these types in a sustainable and equitable manner, the whole sector will

remain unbalanced, and prices will continue to rise.

Furthermore, due to the small number of domestic financial institutions in Ireland, there is a serious lack of domestic capital available for private housing development here, relative to the size and wealth of our economy.

NAMA, AIB and BOI remain the largest players in this field here but all are relatively stretched.

Hence the scene requires some form of foreign investment. Obviously, Vulture Funds do no one any good. Their focus is on flipping assets at inflated margins in a short time frame, thereby inflating prices.

Pension funds are much better in that they’re more focused on maximising occupancy and therefore, sustainable, long term return on their investments.

We need these here to help drive and fund further housing provision which can be used to fund the development of further stock for first time buyers.

With more rental property available, rents will go down and more people will be able to save for a deposit for their own place.

As accidental landlords flee the sector, now that the negative equity bridge has been crossed, pension fund backed private rental stock will become more and more important here.

Therefore, talk of outright bans will do a lot of harm and precious little good.

Instead, regulating them better, taxing them more fairly and capping the percentage of a development they’re allowed buy in one go, are far more prudent courses of action.

Far too often, we govern by knee-jerk reaction, swing the pendulum of regulation from one extreme to the other. This is a prime example of the middle ground being best, however.

Be not afraid

20 FEATURES

RONAN SCULLY

Thought for the week

I

N MANY books, plays and films there are many mentions of serious storms.

Characters look to dark frightening skies and warn that a storm is coming.

Sometimes this meaning is not just a weather forecast! In our own daily lives when we face difficult or painful situations we talk about 'weathering the storm' or 'being all at sea.'

This last year or so whether at a personal, local, national or global level, we have all weathered, battled and hopefully survived the storm that was and still is the Coronavirus. It shook and rattled us and we all did our very best to hold on and survive. Hopefully these days now with the exiting of lockdowns, that storm is easing for us. Being afraid is an uncomfortable feeling, especially during times in our life when things are uncertain, when we don't know what might happen and we become filled with uncertainty and worries about the future.

While many things remain outside our control, our mindset is key to coping with difficult circumstances and confidently facing the unknown. Uncertainty is all around us, never more so than today as we hopefully exit out of these Coronarius times.

Whether it concerns the global pandemic of the coronavirus, the economy, our finances, health, and relationships, much of what lies ahead in life remains uncertain.

Yet as human beings, we crave security.

We want to feel safe and have a sense of control over our lives.

Fear and uncertainty can leave us feeling stressed, anxious, and powerless. It can drain us emotionally and trap us in a downward spiral of endless "what-ifs" and worstcase scenarios about what tomorrow may bring. We're all different in how much uncertainty we can tolerate in life. Some people seem to enjoy taking risks and living unpredictable lives, while others find the randomness of life deeply distressing. But all of us have a limit.

If you feel overwhelmed by uncertainty and worry, it's important to know that you're not alone; many of us are in the same boat. It's also important to realize that no matter how helpless and hopeless you feel, there are steps you can take to better deal with uncontrollable circumstances, alleviate your anxiety, and face the unknown with more confidence.

For me I put my faith and trust in God and strive to "be not afraid."

As Mark Twain wrote, "I have

been through some terrible things in life, some of which actually happened." It is up to us to try to choose faith over fear. When life seems to be out of control, let us try to choose to be calm, cool and collected.

Trust in God

God knows how fear can paralyze us so he continually exhorts us to have courage, to have faith, to have confidence. "Do not be afraid; just have faith", Jesus said in Mark 5:36. We are living in anxious times because of the Coronavirus.

Our hearts are tense. Our thoughts are restless. We find it difficult to concentrate. We read the streams of online content constantly and desperately. We devour the news and the news devours us. So many of us have lost family, friends, neighbours and loved ones already.

Sometimes the future especially now as we exit out of lockdown changes quickly and completely, and we are left with the only choice of what to do next. We can choose to be afraid of it. Just standing there trembling and not moving.

Assuming the worst that can happen.

Or we can step forward into the unknown, put our trust in God and pray and have faith that it will be brilliant. Many people have welcomed the gradual easing of coronavirus restrictions and lockdowns. We can now catch up with friends and family in small numbers, and get out and about a little more than we've been able to for a couple of months. Coronavirus has created a time of uncertainty, fear, isolation, and illness. But our faith teaches us that there is light in the darkness. As human beings, we can respond in unique ways with love, compassion and new ways of building our communities and caring for our loved ones. It has been particularly challenging at times to push through in a hope-filled way.

But we must try as much as possible and with courage try to live with faith, not fear. Living a faith filled life means reflecting on what pulls us through, not what holds us back. Those four words, "Do not be afraid," are spoken and referenced countless times throughout scripture. We should pay attention to them. Fear can paralyze us and lead us into many forms of foolish thinking and acting, or not acting rationally. Fear does not allow us to stay calm, remain focused, and think clearly. Fear must give way to faith and trust in God. Place all worry and fear into God's hands and trust. Trust that God is all-powerful and capable of

handling every situation. He may not change things the way you think they should be changed, but He will lift your burden and enable you to move forward without the fear that can easily paralyze and confuse you. In the words of St. Augustine, "Our hearts are restless until they rest in thee."

We are right to be anxious when we are not rooted in God, because apart from God we are unmoored.

Thus it makes sense that the Scriptures command against anxiety.

Anxiety is the opposite of faith but not its enemy. It's a necessary passageway on the road to faith because it discloses our need for God. Moving beyond anxiety is essential to faith. In this sense, then, faith is a task and a struggle for every moment. It is a movement of the will, a spiritual discipline, a determination moment by moment always and completely to surrender to God, to dwell in him, and to rest in his sufficiency. Do not let fear dominate your life.

Thought for the week

As your thought for the week, look at your life's experiences and see what you are doing about them and as the saying goes, go after your dreams and do not be afraid, for Life can be and is short!

These last few months for all of us at a personal, local, national and global level have been filled with worry, anxiety and fear as we have witnessed the Coronavirus spread, seemingly at times out of control.

We have perhaps experienced firsthand the impact of the virus. It is only natural that we are afraid. Perhaps, now more than ever, we need the encouraging and affirming words of Jesus, 'Do not be afraid.'

So may everyday be a thoughtful courageous day for you. May the light of your soul guide you. May the light of your soul bless the work that you do with the secret love and warmth of your heart.

May you see in what you do the beauty of your own soul. May the sacredness of your work bring healing, light and renewal to those who work with you and to those who see and receive your work.

May your work never weary you.

May it release within you wellsprings of refreshment, inspiration, courage and excitement. May you be present in what you do. May you never become lost in bland absences. May the day never burden. May dawn find you awake and alert, approaching your new day with dreams, courage, faith, possibilities and promises. May evening find you gracious and fulfilled.

May you go into the night blessed, sheltered and protected. May God always control the boat of your life and grant you the grace to continue trusting in Him and to be able to resist life's strong winds and storms. May you always go with Him and let Him guide you always.

Amen.W

THURSDAY, MAY 13 2021

Fishermen hopeful pier funding will help industry growth CIAN O’BROIN cianobroin@clareecho.ie

I

NVESTMENT in six piers in the county has helped to improve the livelihood of one remote fisherman in Quilty, who like many, has been fighting against the decline of rural fishing communities.

Funding of €445,719 was recently announced by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine for works at six Clare harbours, including: Bournapeaka Pier, Seafield Pier, Doolin Pier, Carrowmore Slipway as well as Doonmore and Carrigaholt Piers.

Coastal communities in Clare are reliant on the sea for their income whether it be fishing or tourism, Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) highlighted. He outlined that Carrigaholt Pier was once an access point for moving turf down the river 100 hundred years ago and later became a fishing port. "It's a pity we don't have as much fishing as we used to. That's what happens to coastal communities as fishing continues to decline".

Thomas Galvin has been using Seafield Pier in Quilty to fish between the Cliffs of Moher and Loop Head Peninsula.

The Pier has received funding of €65,000 for works that will include repairs to the pier, quay wall and slipway as well as the installation of a crane to enable the fishermen to safely load and offload their boats.

A second-generation fisherman, Thomas uses the pier

to lift boxes filled with crabs and lobster from his ship, the Emma Elizabeth. "The crane is a big help to us. We would often have 30 boxes of crabs as well as ropes. Each box could weigh up to 40 kilograms. It's hard manual labour and can often be dangerous leaning over the edge, especially when one of our three-man crew is off for the day".

Naming Thomas as one of the few that keep the fishing industry in West Clare ticking over, Cllr. Murphy is hopeful that the recent investment could incentivise others to take up rope and twine.

Thomas stressed that the initial expense of getting started is one of the main deterrents to newcomers within the industry.

Between a licence, gear, fishing pots costing €60 each of which he could use 1,000 at any one time and a standard 33ft boat, starting expenses could total up to €200,000, he told.

The most pressing deterrent and biggest impact on his livelihood, has been governmental limitations, he admitted. "They keep cutting the list. Salmon, Bass, Spur Dogs and Bluefish Tuna are all gone. We used to fish all of these. Now everyone is concentrating on one or two things. Fishing is getting quieter too. We fish 20 to 25 miles out by big boats. It's full of Spanish and French. They have large quotas every day.

The Irish only have quotas twothirds of the year due to fishing restrictions. Spain and France can catch three to four times more than us. It's impossible to compete with them".

lUPGRADE: Seafield Pier has received funding of €65,000 for works

Photo by eOceanic.com

COMMUNITY 21

THURSDAY, MAY 13 2021

Community

MILTOWN MALBAY CONCERTINA CRUINNIÚ, 2021:

OIDHREACHT an Chláir are pleased to announce that the 9th annual Concertina Cruinniú, originally scheduled for last February,

CONTACT

NEWSDESK 065 671 9021 news@clareecho.ie

KILKEE will now be held in Miltown from Friday, September 17 to Sunday, September 19. Full details shortly on http://www.concertinacruinniu.ie.

ENNIS CHAPEL LANE MARKET

AS WE all begin to emerge from this long period of lockdown, it is fabulous to see the re-opening of non-essential retail happening from 17th May. And this means that Chapel Lane Market can re-open for the first time in 2021 on Sat-

urday 22nd May at 10am!

Chapel Lane Market is Ennis and County Clare's only weekly, community run craft market, supporting local micro enterprises to develop and sell their hand crafted pieces to the people of Clare and beyond.

COUNTYWIDE CLEAN COASTS

Clean Coasts are calling people in county Clare to sign up to receive a #2minutebeachclean kit and join us in our mission to protect our coast, sea and waterways.

For all the beach lov­ ers out there, here’s an opportunity to do something about it in just 2 minutes! Clean Coasts are calling people around Ireland to visit their website and pledge to do a #2minutebeachclean to receive a reusable individual beach clean kit containing a tote bag and gloves.

How to take part in the #2minutebeachclean? The next time you are out and about along the coast or near a waterway, take two minutes to pick up some litter you see, share a picture of it on social media tagging Clean Coasts and using the hashtag #2minutebeachclean and dispose of the litter properly.

To sign up to receive your own #2minutebeachclean kit, visit the Clean Coasts website at www.cleancoasts.org.

MILFORD WALK FROM A DISTANCE

MILFORD Care Centre's annual Memorial Walk continues as a 'Walk from a Distance' this year.

The current physical distancing requirements set down by the Government and the HSE means that, once again, Milford Care Centre's annual Memorial Walk will be undertaken as a 'Walk from a Distance'.

Milford Care Centre are asking the public to complete the 2021 5k walk in their own locality and in their own time, by doing 1km a day for 5 days, between Sunday, 23rd and Thursday, 27th May, and to pledge the usual entry fee of €20 per family for doing so. Entry is via the Milford Hospice website www.milfordcarecentre.ie.

Announcing details of the 2021 'Walk from a Distance', Milford Care Centre chief executive Mary O'Brien said:"We will hold a special blessing ceremony on Friday, 28th May, which will be streamed live on our social media and will give all participants in the walk the chance to virtually link up in solidarity to remember their bereaved. This blessing ceremony will also serve to bring

people together until we can arrange the annual ecumenical service we usually hold in Milford Church, which we have to postpone until some future date when some form of post-pandemic normality returns.

"Like everyone else, we have had to adjust our normal way of operating to avoid the spread of the virus," stated Ms O'Brien.

Register online at www.milfordcarecentre. ie, giving the name(s) of those you are walking in memory of. The staff at Milford Care Centre will write the names(s) submitted on individual memorial ribbons to ensure that the carrying a ribbon element of the walk is maintained.

The ribbons will be placed on the memorial tree in the grounds of Milford Care Centre daily from 23rd – 27th May and images of same will be posted on social media.

A special blessing ceremony will take place at the tree on Friday, 28th May at 12noon (participants will be advised of any change to the time). This blessing with be streamed lived on social media so that families throughout the Mid-West can join together in solidarity to remember their bereaved.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Dear Sir, As a potential tourist to the Ennistymon area I would like to say I think the Púca statue looks great. I would definitely stop en route to view it and spend some time in the town exploring its heritage and hopefully sampling some of its café/ restaurants.

I think it has already put Ennistymon on the map and given people like me a desire to visit. I am reminded of the Eiffel Tower which was initially rejected by the people of Paris as being “ugly” - look

at how many tourists that attracts! To revert to a “tame” boring statue would be disappointing and I for one would be less inclined to visit.

Keep the Púca!

Regards, Bill Reddington, Dublin 11 PS If it is nor erected in Ennistymon, please let me know where it will be erected - because we want to go there!

lADVENTURE TIME: Bruno from Doora enjoying Kilkee

Photo sent in by Eleanor Cullinan

COUNTYWIDE LCETB STRATEGIC PLAN

LIMERICK and Clare Education and Training Board's Local Creative Youth Partnership launched its first Strategic Plan this week.

One of three national pilot programmes, the Partnership is part of the Creative Youth pillar within Creative Ireland, with a remit to develop creative opportunities with young people in their communities.

The Strategic Plan identifies specific groups of young people to be prioritised in the establishment of creative programmes across Limerick and Clare. Young people living in communities of socio-economic disadvantage, those living with a disability, migrant young people and those living in remote, rural communities are all identified as priority groups for the work of the Partnership with immediate focus on communities in the Loop Head Peninsula, West Limerick and Direct Provision centres.

Speaking about the initiative, Chief Executive, George O'Callaghan, said: "Partnership with stakeholders from the youth sector as well as from arts and culture is key to sustaining the work at hand. Limerick Youth Service, Clare Youth Service, Foróige, scouting

groups and community and family resource centres are key collaborators, as are Arts and cultural bodies across both counties, particularly those with a youth arts remit."

He continued: "Also pivotal to the plan are Music Generation Limerick, Music Generation Clare, and the ETB's strong Youth Work team within which the Local Creative Youth Partnership plays an integral part."

Donncha Ó Treasaigh, Director of Schools, also spoke about the work being done with young people in the age range up to 25 and how the published strategy values the voice of the child and young person as a guiding principle for its work. He said: "Consultation with young people in a range of settings continues to shape and influence the kinds of creative programmes presented. Through these consultations, young people have identified a wide range of activities that they would like to explore from the more conventional arts to aspects of environmentalism and popular culture."

Youth and community groups who are interested in finding out more about developing creative programmes in their communities should contact: monica.spencer@lcetb.ie.

22 RECRUITMENT

THURSDAY, MAY 13 2021

Meet Carey Corbett Sullivan Commerical Insurance Advisor Cormac Donnellan CAREY Corbett Sullivan Insurances are delighted that Cormac Donnellan is part of our growing Commercial Insurance Team.

Cormac has a B.Comm degree from NUIG, and started working in Insurance after university in 2015 completing his CIP Insurance exams two years later.

Cormac started his career in Carey Corbett Sullivan Insurances doing all Personal Lines and during the past two years he now does primarily farm insurance, also doing a mix of Personal and Commercial Insurance lines.

Cormac is well suited to Farm Insurance as he spends most of his spare time on his own farm and has a small suckler herd back in West Clare. He also recently completed the Green Cert in Salesian Agricultural College, Pallaskenery.

Call Carey Corbett Sullivan Insurance to talk to Cormac and get a quote on your business. Through our access to both Irish and European Insurance markets, we have a large range of cover to suit the individual needs of your business. Call Cormac, or any of our Commercial Insurance team, for your business needs. (065) 689 3540.

GET TO KNOW CORMAC 1. What was your first car, and did it have a name!?

My first car was a Toyota Corolla. It was the most reliable car I have ever had.

2. What are you bingeing on Netflix over this Lockdown?

On Netflix I am re-watching Only Fools and Horses at the moment, 3. Name 3 things on your bucket list of things to do post Lockdown? l Few nights out for sure l A good sun holiday l Heading to a few GAA matches

S E LR e t a il Top Q ua l i ty Ti l l R ol l s (R a nge of Si z e s ) Vi s a R ol l s T h e r m a l S c a l e La be l s (Pri nte d or Pl a i n)

l FARM INSURANCE: (left)

Commercial Insurance Advisor Cormac Donnellan

Photo by John Mangan

THE RÓS CAFÉ New cafe opening in Newmarket on Fergus - June 2021

Now hiring for the following positions: Full Time Chef Baker Kitchen Assistant Are you looking to be part of a new cafe opening in June 2021. Have you creative ideas that you would like to put into developing menus & offering great food then we want to hear from you

If you are interested in being part of a new, exciting team please send an up to date Cv to: roscafe.nof@gmail.com Closing date for applications is Monday, 17th May 2021

Cal l J im on 086 2579885

Collective cheer as click and collect returns to Clare stores A COLLECTIVE cheer echoed around the county as Clare businesses once again opened for click and collect services, amid the easing of Level 5 restrictions nationwide, writes Cian O'Broin.

Children's boutique store Bit of a Do in Shannon welcomed back mothers and parents looking to add to their wardrobe for the coming months. Owned by Diane Nicholson, the Ballycasey based business has been trading for over 25 years and is overjoyed to see the return of smiles on new mothers faces as they purchased precious clothes for their new arrivals that they welcomed during the pandemic.

Manager Rosie O' Neill stated: "We were very unhappy when we saw that other large supermarkets were able to sell babywear and we were only allowed to post items. We've had so many messages recently on Facebook and WhatsApp from mothers with new arrivals saying how they can't wait to come to our shop."

Gort trader Pat Smyth of Pat Smyths Gents Outfitters is delighted to be open for click and collect services.

He outlined that since Monday, the women's wear section has been doing very

well. Pat remarked that 60 per cent of his clientele are from Clare and that "we greatly appreciate their loyal custom."

From farming stock himself, the 64-year-old expressed the value that country people from Clare get whilst shopping at his city-like store, with ease of access and a personable experience at the forefront.

"We are really traditional here. It's not about the pounds, the pence or the shilling, it's all about the nice clients that you meet along the way."

Resounding success story Katie Rogers of Blackbird Jewellery Ennis, is thrilled at the return to click and collect services which she hopes "will bring more life into the town once again."

HEALTH SERVICE EXECUTIVE

The HSE currently has the following opportunities:

– Healthcare Support Assistants (formerly Home Help) Clare, Limerick and Tipperary North

Ref: NRS10138 Closing date for applications: Monday, 17th May 2021 at 12 noon.

For more information and to apply visit: www.hbsrecruitmentservices.ie/health-caresupport-assistant/

BUSINESS 23

THURSDAY, MAY 13 2021

Cootes Accountants looking forward to the next 25 years CIAN O’BROIN

A

cianobroin@clareecho.ie

N ENNIS based accountancy firm are celebrating 25 years in business, as they adapt to a more hands on role brought about by COVID-19.

Coote & Co Accountants was established

by Declan Coote on Bindon Street, in 1995.

The business moved to a more spacious premises on the Kilrush Road 15 years ago.

Declan and his son Mark have been working side by side since 2019, when Mark returned from Australia having spent eight years at a mid-tier firm handling billion-dollar clients on the stock exchange. The philosophy at the firm is to relieve any pressure felt by clients, allowing them to "do what they do best and continue making money."

Mark admitted that COVID-19 has shifted the role of accountants from annual meetings to regular hands-on engagement.

"We have really learned in these times that you can earn a client for life by standing by them," he stated.

Cootes have clients in every business area,

and each are suffering in some way due to the pandemic, he stressed. This new role, which transcends the traditional requirements of the accountant, is that of an administrator of government supports. Mark conceded that since the pandemic began, letting them know which supports are available has been a top priority.

"We have sat down with our client lists on several occasions when new supports became available. Each of them received a letter. This new way of operating involves engaging more and having a visible presence at their premises. I have taken up a pseudo-CFO role with clients, attending board meeting regularly with them. Clients like that.

"When you are more active, you gain their trust," he stated. The family run business are looking forward to what the next 25 years has in store and Mark hopes that "it will not be as difficult for businesses as the past 18 months has been. There is light now at the end of the tunnel and we will all move forward positively."

l HANDS ON: (right) Mark Coote, Mary Nestor and Declan Coote

Property

THURSDAY, MAY 13 2021

Beautiful homes all over the County

24

Clare house prices rise 2.8% as time to sell falls – survey

T

HE price of the average second-hand three-bed semi in county Clare has increased by 2.8% to €185,000 in the last three months, according to a national survey .

The average time taken to sell has reflected a national trend and fallen by a fortnight to four weeks across the county between December and March, the Q1 Average House Price Index shows.

Nationally, average house prices rose by almost 2% over the past three months, despite the absence of physical viewing, in a marketplace which is seeing the lowest supply and the shortest time taken to sell in recent history.

The Average House Price Survey concentrates on the actual sale price of Ireland’s typical stock home, the three-bed semi, giving an accurate picture of the second-hand property market in towns

and cities countrywide.

The price of a three-bedroomed semi-detached house across the country rose by almost €4,500 over the past three months to €243,603 – representing an annual increase of 3.6%.

The average three bed semi is now reaching sale agreed after just five weeks on the market across the country – almost half the nine-week average this time last year.

Not having to schedule appointments has led to potential buyers making swift bidding decisions on the back of virtual viewings, speeding up the selling process according to Real Estate Alliance.

The biggest rises in Q1 came in commuter counties as buyers move out further from the city in preparation for longterm hybrid working situations.

Dublin city experienced its biggest quarterly rise in over three years as the

price of a three-bedroomed semi-detached house rose by 1.5% to €438,500 during the past 12 weeks.

This represents an annual increase of 2.7% and means that the average Dublin three bed semi has now recovered to its December 2017 price level after a period of decreases, mainly in 2019.

Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford cities shared a combined increase of 1.2% in the past 12 weeks with prices rising by €3,000 to an average of €265,625.

Three bed semis in commuter counties rose 2.3% by almost €6,000 in the past three months to an average of €258,889 – with the average home selling in four weeks – down from a high of 11 a year ago.

As the flight to rural locations continues, prices in the rest of the country’s towns rose by over 2% in Q1 to €168,828.

Former Ennis Supply Building, Gort Road, Ennis, Co Clare

18 Silvergrove, Ballybeg, Ennis, Co Clare V95 C5C2

AMV €150,000

Asking Price €450,000

Contact Diarmuid McMahon 065 6867866

Contact Jason Pyne 065 6867866

For Sale by Online Auction on Friday, 4th June 2021 at 11.00am



5 bed detached executive home



Spacious 0.47 acre site in mature woodland development



Substantial commercial premises, in need of repair



Walking distance of Ballybeg Woods



Located on the Gort Road, Ennis, 2.3 km north of the town centre and 3 km south of the Barefield interchange of the M18



High Speed 1000MB Broadband



870 sq.m. of showrooms and stores



Within close proximity of national & secondary schools



Standing on a site extending to 2,440 sq.m.



Ideally located to Ennis and has easy access to the Galway-Limerick M18 motorway & Shannon International Airport



Exceptional family home which has been developed and maintained to a very high standard

SHERRYFITZ.IE

/SHERRYFITZGERALDGROUP @SHERRY_FITZ

It’s not just about property. It’s about people

PSRA No. 001212

PROPERTY

THURSDAY, MAY 13 2021

O’SULLIVAN HURLEY

25

(065) 684 0200 74 O'CONNELL STREET ENNIS

PSL No 002295

NO ONE SELLS MORE HOMES IN CLARE THAN DNG O’SULLIVAN HURLEY CLAREABBEY, ENNIS

38 BRAMBLE LANE, LIMERICK ROAD,

€219,000

112 LIOS ARD, TULLA ROAD, ENNIS

€215,000

FANRUSK, BAREFIELD

MANUS, CLARECASTLE

€335,000

SHANAWAY ROAD,ENNIS

€100,000

R FO LE SA

R FO LE SA

R FO LE SA

€275,000

€299,000

R FO LE SA

GAURUS, ENNIS

R FO LE SA

R FO LE SA

€269,000

R FO LE SA

79 DROMARD, LAHINCH ROAD

R FO LE SA

R FO LE SA

€325,000

39 VICTORIA COURT, ENNIS

€375,000

MEET YOUR

LOCAL PROPERTY

EXPERTS

DOUGLAS HURLEY

CORMAC O'SULLIVAN

JOHN CLOHESSY

P26

MAY 13 2021

Ogonnelloe driving forward with new development plans THE parish of Ogonnelloe, located on the shores of Lough Derg in East Clare, is one of the smallest in the county, writes Seamus Hayes.

Like all our parishes, the GAA club plays a major part and Ogonnelloe GAA club is one of the oldest having been in existence long before the Association was founded in 1884. The club contested the first Clare hurling final in 1887 and since then has enjoyed its ups and downs.

For underage hurling (u11 to u17), the club is amalgamated with neighbours Scariff and the Scariff-Ogonnelloe teams have enjoyed success in modern times.

At adult level the club competes in the junior A hurling competitions and for the first time in years, the club will have a second adult team this season which will compete at junior C. “Because of Covid and restrictions on travel together with the fact that many people must work from home, we have numbers and this has led to the affiliation of a second adult team,” said club secretary Alan Maher .

Recently the club launched a development plan which will see the erection of a 40x20 indoor astro turf facility.

“We recently completed a hurling wall and this will be incorporated into the astro turf development. We have applied for a sports capital grant and this week we are launching a national fundraiser in aid of the project, which is expected to cost in the region of €220,000, This fundraiser see us raffling a garden room plus €5,000 (total value €20,000), Alan told The Clare Echo.

The club has just published it’s first newsletter “to keep parishioners informed of progress on and off the field.

The development will boost the community which has welcomed many new families in recent times”.

Interestingly the club chairman, secretary and treasurer are all newcomers to the area. Kilkenny man P.J. Delaney is the club chairman and one of the driving forces of the new development. Club secretary Alan Maher is a Kerry native while treasurer Vincent Grady hails from Laois. “A lot of people are setting up homes in this parish which is very welcoming to all. Last weekend we had 65 children between the ages of 5 and 11 attend the first session of our academy for this year,” Alan outlined.

“We have a sand based pitch and dressing rooms of which we are very proud. We have recently installed a gym which our adult players will get to use for the first time this year. The pitch is located adjacent to the local national school which is a huge help to the club. The facilities will be available to the school and to our entire community,” the secretary added.

The club hit a high point in the 90’s when they competed at senior level. Since then they dropped down to intermediate and some years ago went back to junior where they compete at present.

Ogonnelloe is, understandably, very proud of it’s contribution to Clare GAA. The Forde brothers, the Sheedys and John McKenna are some of the club players who played for Clare.

In recent years Liam Harte and Gearoid Sheedy have been part of Clare minor hurling panels. Former club secretary, Pat Gavin is actively involved in all aspects of club life and he is currently secretary of the county Coiste na nOg hurling committee.

Those from the parish who wish to play camogie are catered for in the Scariff-Ogonnelloe club which has enjoyed county and provincial success in recent years.

Getting back up the hurling ladder in Clare and progressing the development plan are targets the club officials are determined to achieve over the next couple of years.

Greenway will boost slow tourism POSSESSING the beauty of the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands will add to the prestige of the Shannon Greenway when it is completed, writes Páraic McMahon.

“Significant progress” has been noted with plans for the Shannon Greenway, Waterways Ireland Regional Manager Éanna Rowe stated on Monday. The route is to start from the “heart of Limerick City” to the University of Limerick (UL), crossing the River Shannon over the Black Bridge and following the old Erinagh Canal to O’Briensbridge and onwards to Killaloe, Ogonnelloe, Tuamgraney and Scariff.

Waterways Ireland are the lead agency on the project. Rowe said on Monday that they were ready to award the tender for the feasibility and route selection aspects of the project which he hoped to have completed by the end of this year before moving onto detailed route design and environmental studies required to get the project before planning authorities by the end of 2023.

Cathaoirleach of the Killaloe Municipal District, Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) described the Shannon Greenway as “a game-changer here for us in East Clare”. In particular, the connection between Limerick, Clare and the River Shannon was commended by the Maghera representative.

“The Shannon Greenway is a massive project when and if we get going,” Cllr Pat Burke (FG) stated. He spoke of a visit to Garrykennedy earlier this month and the vibrancy of the location given its proximity to centres of population such as Limerick and Nenagh.

“The Greenway could encourage slow tourists from Limerick to keep left on Killaloe side, we need to get those people travelling from Limerick, the Greenway would open up the slow tourism and get people to enjoy the waterway and surrounds”.

Meanwhile, an application for national accreditation of the Lough Derg Blueway has been submitted, Waterways Ireland have confirmed. A total of 21 trails exist on the Lough Derg blueway, 13 of which are in Co Clare. A walking trail linking Killaloe and Tuamgraney is already regarded as a strong addition to the trails of East Clare. The 4.5km Bealkelly to Tuamgraney pedestrian route has been warmly welcomed since the €842k trail opened last November.

Potential of a pilot for tranquillity moorings for Co Clare is under consideration within Waterways Ireland. “We want to see how it would work. It would not become a mecca for boats, it would be a place to moor up and be at one with nature,” western regional manager with Waterways Ireland, Éanna Rowe said of future plans for Lough Derg.

Speaking on Monday, Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) applauded the working relationship between Waterways Ireland and Clare County Council. “We often have debate on scenic Cliffs of Moher in the West but this is a way of selling the whole county,” he stated.

Hayes believed the success of the Blueway has been hugely positive for Lough Derg’s use. “The fishing industry was a big problem, fishing on the lakes has taken a downturn in recent years. Ireland’s surprising heart, I think that is what Lough Derg has”.

Completion of indoor arena elevates Scariff Rugby

by EOIN BRENNAN Almost 60 years in existence, Scariff Rugby Club is in the midst of its most exciting period of development following the completion of an unprecedented indoor 4G Arena at their home grounds at Fossabeg.

Over four years in development, this hugely impressive 40x20 metre astro-turf space also includes an external viewing stand, a state-of-the-art facility that is understandably a major source of pride for Club President Michael Madden and his committee.

“It’s brilliant to finally see it come to fruition last week. It was a very ambitious project and like anything of this scale, had its fair shares of ups and downs.

But having gathered the committee to see the finished product last Friday, the smiles on their faces said it all.

“Look, this is a major achievement that will be a legacy for the club going forward and I’m delighted that we were able to think big and finally get this project over the line.”

While the official opening won’t be until the autumn, plans to rent the facility to clubs and organisations are envisioned when restrictions allow during the summer while Scariff Rugby Club are also

teaming up with Derg Isle Adventure Centre in Carrowmore to become an addition indoor option.

“Along with using it ourselves, we want to maximise its potential to any teams or clubs that are interested. It’s a great development for East Clare and amazingly we are only one of three rugby clubs in Munster to have a stand at their venue. So more than anything else, I think it demonstrates the ambition we have as a club to be the best we can be. We want to ensure that if you want to play the game, you don’t have to go

to Ennis or anything like that. We have the coaches and facilities to cater for players of all ages and we’ve put a lot of work into being the best at what we can do.

“And that’s where we want to be. So when people look at giving their children a chance to play rugby, they are confident that Scariff is as good as anywhere else and overall it’s a great opportunity to build an East Clare team.”

Backed by a strong junior set-up and thriving East Clare Titans underage structure, Scariff also expanded their female rugby wing during the 2020 lockdown.

“We’re hosting the IRFU ‘Give Rugby a Try’ programme during the summer so I’d urge people to keep an eye on our Facebook page for more details on that. In particular, Robin McKenna has been instrumental in developing the ladies section of the club at Under 16 and 18 over the past twelve months. We’ve currently 36 girls training at those age groups so we’re very excited at the prospect of their potential too in the coming years.”

25 years after officially opening their new grounds at Fossabeg, Scariff have certainly exceeded all their initial expectations.

MAY 13 2021

P27

Crowes embraced by community in Mountshannon

T

HE Crowe family name has become synonymous with quality across the reaches of south east Clare for a number of years. That reputation is being reinforced on the eastern tip of the county with the establishment of Crowes Grocers & Bakers in Mountshannon in December of last year.

Six months into their journey and led by owner Timmy Crowe, Crowe’s in Mountshannon has reimagined the foodstore and extended the offering of services to the community and surrounding areas, along with passing visitors. Fuel services, a busy car wash, hot deli, fresh food and bakery produce, along with organic and gluten free offerings are all within the reach of the locals in Mountshannon. Having partnered with Inver, the petrol pumps opened to the public recently and by all accounts, Crowes are now firing on all cylinders.

Marie Starr, a native of Whitegate who took up the position of General Manager at Crowe’s Mountshannon after returning from Australia where she worked in hospitality management, tells The Clare Echo there are more than 10 staff employed as part of the growing team.

She admits the shop has been an enormous lift to the community. “The local reaction has been extremely positive, we’ve had

General manager Marie Starr with Roisin Kavanagh, chef and deli manager

so many well wishes and cards, and people coming in. The day we opened a gentleman came in with a lovely fiver and said ‘this is your first fiver’ and we’ve it hanging up be-

Photo by John Mangan

side the til. It’s just been phenomenal.

“Visitors to the shop love the home baking; ham is literally runing out the door, and everyone is delighted with our deli, our

homemade salads, our meat selection and our hot food. It’s growing every day and we have lots of regulars.”

Marie stresses, “We always like to get customer feedback. If we haven’t got something we’ll always try our best to get it in, it’s all about the community, we’re here for them.

It’s what their needs are, we’ll try meet them as best we can.”

Marie also credits the Crowe’s with their dedication to quality and customer service, “That’s why I was really happy to work for the Crowe family, they’re all about everything being fresh produce, everything has to be made from scratch. Even the little suppliers they source, it’s about attention to detail and the products that they want to give out to the community. They’re defintely a home brand. It’s great to see that Timmy has the four grocery stores and coffee shops and his parents and sister have the other ones in Quin and Ministers Cross, you can see their family through it all.”

While looking forward to a busy summer, Marie also moved to thank the public for their overwhelming support as the business begins its journey in the community. “We want to thank the local community for supporting us and we look forward to growing with them over time.”

Crowes Grocer & Bakers Mountshannon Homebaking, fresh food, hot deli, breakfasts, lunch and daily dinners

GARAGE OPENING HOURS

Mon – Sat: 07.00am– 10.00pm Sun: 08.00am – 10.00pm Kilkishen, Quin, Nenagh, Sixmilebridge, Mountshannon

Mountshannon, Co Clare V94CX9V 061 927874

P28

MAY 13 2021

River Shannon can become ‘Ireland’s surprising heart’

R

EPOSITIONING the River Shannon as “a key tourism destination” has been detailed as a fundamental aim of the Shannon Tourism Masterplan.

Western regional manager with Waterways Ireland, Éanna Rowe described the plan as “a real step change for tourism” in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands. The masterplan was compiled following consultation with Fáilre Ireland and ten local authorities including Clare County Council.

Addressing a briefing of Clare County Council on Monday, Éanna noted that was “the first time a single holistic plan for the River Shannon” was developed. “We wanted to deliver a co-ordinated strategy to reposition the Shannon as a key tourism destination”. Further goals included the identification of a world class visitor experience and to define the area’s unique tourism offering.

“We came up with the vision for the mighty Shannon to become Ireland’s surprising heart,” Rowe stated. “Its environment is a special and unique product, it is one we want to develop but to develop in a sustainable way”. He detailed that the 360

O’Briensbridge Photo by John Mangan

linear kilometres of the River Shannon includes three large lakes and three distinct discovery zones.

Seven strategic initiatives have been recognised as the “catalyst for informing implementation” of the plan, he said. They include

Cruise & Explore the Iconic River Shannon & Breath-taking Lough Derg with Killaloe River Cruises

Lakeside Drive Ballina, Killaloe, Co. Clare www.killaloerivercruises.com

Reopening June 2nd Tickets available online now

the creation of signature points to boost the messaging and communication, enhancing the on-water visitor experiences by rejuvenating cruise hire, improving marina and berthing facilities, the introduction of tranquillity zones and building the blueway net-

work.

Waterside visitor experiences can be boosted by focusing on harbours, amenities, infrastructure, lesser used waterways and more usage of historic buildings in public ownership around Lough Derg. Villages and towns along the Shannon will also benefit, the strategy flagged with the mobility plan for Killaloe and Ballina part of this work.

Protecting the environment of the River Shannon is another strategic initiative, this will explore “how bogs can be revitalised” in the Midlands. Improving connectivity via the encouragement of sustainable and slow travel, trails, better public transport and slow on-water travel is earmarked. Interaction at community level is viewed as “crucial” to the Shannon’s potential in the tourism space to ensure “the visitor will go back with a wonderful experience of being immersed in the community”.

Work on the Shannon Discovery Points has already started in Clare in what Éanna called “an early win”. He explained, “We try to create areas where we arrest the visitor and get them to enjoy the vista or piece of history by storytelling or picture”.

ADVERTORIAL

Empowering East Clare learners through further education

WITH light at the end of the tunnel finally emerging post COVID-19, it’s more important than ever that adult learners receive the skills and support they need to help them choose the next step in their education.

The community of East Clare is being given the opportunity to do just this, with the Further Education and Training Centre, Scariff Campus, offering a wide range of relevant and innovative courses for learners, local communities and business in the region. The campus is this year marking 21 years in serving the local community. Further Education and Training provides fantastic options for learners who wish to develop their skills and abilities in a way that is best suited to them, whether that involves learning additional skills to help secure a new role in your current career or helping you to explore an entirely new pathway.

With this in mind, Scariff Campus is providing both full-time and part-time courses ranging from non-accredited to QQI Level 1 to 6 Major Awards. There is a wealth of choice on offer, with some learners using the opportunity to upskill and transition back to paid employment, while others are looking to expand their skills to help achieve a qualification or to enhance their lives by meeting new people. As you can imagine the motivations of those who seek Further Education and Training at the campus are varied, but the empowering sense of achievement that learners gain from the courses on offer are universal.

So let’s take a closer look at what courses are currently on offer: On a full-time basis, learners can now undertake courses in Fashion Design and Office Administration which are both available at QQI Level 5 Major Awards. These particular courses combine an excellent mix of practical and theory-based components. These are delivered by a highly skilled and experienced team of staff, who use a combination of on-site delivery, practical industry-related workshops, site visits and work placement to achieve their goals.

These popular full-time courses are further enhanced by an array of additional assistance for learners on campus, including literacy, numeracy, ICT, information and guidance supports. It is also worth noting that learners can keep their benefits and continue to work part-time.

On a part-time basis the campus also offers many flexible options, developed through its Vocational and Employee Skills Development, Core Skills and Community Education teams. These courses range from non-accredited to QQI Level 1 – 6 Awards and take place on campus and at other community partner locations throughout East Clare.

Some of the proposed courses for September 2021 include courses in Cooking and Nutrition, Sport and Fitness, Biodiversity and Sustainable Living, Childcare, Healthcare, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Family Learning, Art and Craft, STEM, Introduction to Learning and Digital Skills.

For more information simply log onto learningandskills.ie/scariff-campus or email: fetscariff@lcetb.ie or telephone: 061 921 863 for full-time courses, or 061 640 760 for parttime courses.

Scariff Campus Empowering East Clare with Further Education and Training courses At Scariff Campus we offer a wide range of relevant and innovative courses for learners, local communities and business in East Clare. We provide full-time and part-time courses ranging from non-accredited to QQI Level 1 to 6 Major Awards. We are here for you whether you would like to upskill to make the transition back to paid employment, achieve a qualification, develop and expand your skills, or meet new people to enrich your life.

Community-based part-time, flexible courses in areas such as:

Check out our offering this Autumn

Part-time courses Introduction to Healthcare QQI L4

Full-time courses Fashion Design QQI L5 Office Administration QQI L5

#FindTheBestInYou

Healthcare Support QQI L5

Art & Craft

Digital Skills

Family Learning

Biodiversity & Sustainable Living

STEM

Sport & Fitness

Early Childhood Care and Education QQI L5

Introduction to Learning

Early Childhood Care and Education (Modular) QQI L6

Cooking & Nutrition

Get In Touch

Provision is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union

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MAY 13 2021

East Clare ready to unlock potential as one-stop destination for visitors

T

HE Tourism East Clare network is continuing with the expansion of its local tourism network.

This vibrant network and community are a combination of local enterprises, community groups, destination groups, festivals and events from across the East Clare region.

This community and network establish East Clare as an exciting and connected destination, attracting both domestic and international visitors.

Earlier this year, the network was awarded €20,000 as part of the LEADER Programme. The proposal of a Network Expansion, Marketing & Product Development Plan for Visit East Clare is spearheaded by Aoife O’Mara.

Aoife began work on Tourism East Clare’s social media in September 2020, and since then, the network has seen an increase in online support. The online community

is currently supported by approximately 5,000 users across multiple social media platforms.

Tourism East Clare was also awarded €5,000 from Killaloe Municipal District and a further €5,000 from Fáilte Ireland, which was awarded through Clare Tourism.

Arlene White, Chairperson of Tourism East Clare, said, “We are delighted to have the support of Clare County Council and Fáilte Ireland to continue to develop and expand our network and to promote East Clare as the fantastic destination that we all know it is. We are also extremely grateful for the support we received from Clare Local Development Company (CLDC) through the LEADER programme, and also through their Network Development Online Training programme, which was co-ordinated by Tina and Jarlath O’Dwyer, The Tourism Space.”

Thanks to this funding, Tourism East

Clare is working on enhancing opportunities for its members through multiple initiatives. These initiatives include access to one-on-one supports for increasing their online presence and access to multiple marketing campaigns.

Later this month, the network will launch the first of their email newsletters. Highlighting news, updates and events from across the East Clare region. Members of the network will have the opportunity to deliver news and offers into the inboxes of subscribers.

Tourism East Clare is delighted to announce that they are now working with local photographer Ruth Griffin. From Feakle, Ruth brings an artistic flair and exciting perspective to this ever-growing network. She will be working to create a comprehensive image database of the region over the coming months, as well as working on marketing campaigns.

The network is supported by a committee of local representatives across a variety of sectors and industries.

“We are very excited about the future for East Clare and feel that by working together across all our communities as a network, we can put East Clare on the map as a one-stop destination for domestic and international visitors,” Arlene said.

With inter-county travel having resumed on the 10th of May, the East Clare community is optimistic for the domestic tourism season ahead.

Through collaborating with members of the East Clare community, the network hopes to create a community of like-minded individuals passionate about enhancing the entire East Clare region. We are looking forward to expanding our network and following the success of similar tourism networks in the region.

MAY 13 2021

2021 Tourist East Clare Committee Arlene White: Clare Walks Ltd. (Chair) Christine O’Brien: Ardboula House (Sec.) Ger English: East Clare Community Co-op (Treas.)

Ursula Hogan: Hawthorn Lodge B&B Cillian O’Mara: My Next Adventure Vera O’Rourke: Sunrise B&B Niamh Wiley: Mid-West Ireland Languages

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PICTURED: (top) Gerry Horan and Pa Riordan fishing at Mountshannon; (above) Kieran Browne, Bambi Carroll, and Mary Elliot horseriding; (left) exploring the waterways of East Clare by canoe; (far left) sisters Edel and Orla Cusack from Feakle keep revellers entertained Photos courtesy of Ruth Griffin Photography.

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MOTORING

MOTORING

THURSDAY, MAY 13 2021

PLUG AND

MOTORING EXPERT NEIL BRISCOE GIVES HIS VIEWS VIEWS

K I A’ S E V 6 W I L L C O S T € 5 5 , 0 00 I N I R E L A N D

W

HAT Hyundai has, Kia will eventually get. Or sometimes vice-versa. While the two Korean car makers are, technically, rivals (and have separate importers in Ireland, as everywhere) they are actually part of the same massive Hyundai group. So, being as Hyundai has just recently revealed its all-new Ioniq 5 electric car, now it’s Kia’s turn.

This is the Kia EV6, and like the Ioniq 5, it’s a hatchback-shaped, crossover-sized family car, riding on a new all-electric platform which Hyundai and Kia call the E-GMP. That stands for Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) and it T means a ‘skateboard’ style chassis, with was never this easy before.

When the batteries the floor, and a electric mounted cars firstunder launched, a decade choiceago, of an electric at one endwith (the those earlymotor models came back end, for rear-wheel drive) or an electric Shortfour-wheel ranges, inconsismotorbuilt-in at eachhassle. end (for drive in charging opportunities, high pricsometent markets). es,Kia andfora sense that you somethe moment willwere sell adriving single 77kWh batterythat model, with toa a 229hp rear-mountthing was closer fridge than a car. edWell, electric driving the rear thatmotor has all changed and wheels. this newIt will cost,Zoe in basic form, €55,000, Renault is an exemplar of that reducing change. to €50,000 if you include the SEAI grant for When the Zoe originally launched, it sufprivate buyers (assuming that grant is still in fered from most, if not quite all, of those play when the EV6 arrives on these shores early electricStandard car shortcomings. in October). equipment willRenault include kept updating the Zoe, though, 19-inch alloys,and dualrefining 12.3-inch curved driver display screens, Kia’s UVO Connect online

I

RENAULT ZOE R135 GT-LINE

services, charcoal grey ‘vegan’ leather upholstery with ‘premium relaxation seats,’ LED headlamps and a smart power tailgate.

You could also upgrade to a €59,345 GTLine model (€54,395 after grants for private buyers) which comes with the same battery and motor, 20-inch alloys, suede & vegan leather seats (ventilated in the front), blind spot view monitors, ‘augmented reality’ heads up display and a panoramic sunroof.

Eventually there will be an ultra-high-performaking it better everyTaycan time, and forS2020 mance (think Porsche Turbo speed) there’s this, the model.yet whether Kia GT version, but all-new it’s not certain Well, say all-new...

Actually, will offerI that one to Irish buyers. under the Underneath, there’s a and very chassis clever platform, skin, the basic structure of the and are ground-breaking that it but features an 800Zoe much as theyinwere, the body, volt charging system.

Whata does that mean? although familiar, looks little sharper, It means it charges up very, very quickly. Preand Renault has systems managedhad to carve out prea viously, 800-volt been the little space inside, that you no servemore of high-end Porscheso and Audi models, longer constantly rub elbows with but Kiahave will to bring it to the mainstream with the EV6.

The maximum your front-seat passenger. charging speed of the battery is 220kW so you’ll need hook Much more importantly, the to Zoe’s it up to and one electric of IONITY’s ultra-rapid chargers battery motor are new.

The for best effect. Do that and you’ll be able to 52kWh is far, farcapacity larger than charge battery from tenintoZoe 80 per cent in just the pair of AA Duracells you in the 18-minutes, or thereabouts.

In agot bigger hurry original.

InSpend fact, with onlyminutes an extraon2kWh than that? just five charge, to play withhave relative to the Zoe’s of closest and you’ll an extra 100km range.ri-For the first year of ownership, IrishOpel Kia EV6 buyvals — the Peugeot e-208 and Corers will get a discount on IONITY’s charging

prices, reducing them from 79c per kWh to means that it can make you joyful through its 29c per kWh. rationality, or that its technical styling looks The EV6 will also be one of the first EVs to natural and organic. come to the market with ‘V2L’ capability. That Style-wise, at the front, you can see that the stands for Vehicle To Load and it basically EV6 wears a steady evolution of Kia’s current means you can use the EV6 as a big porta- styling, with angular headlights and a ‘digital’ ble generator. You’ll be able to use it to run vestige of Kia’s current ‘Tiger’ radiator grille. power tools, or charge up an electric scooter, Around the back, things get a little more drafor instance. Or, eventually, it will be able to matic, with a swooping brake light arrangesend power back into the national grid, via a ment that starts where the rear tyre ends, special home charging point, at times of peak and sweeps up and over the Kamm-style rear sa-e — the This Zoe capability can squeeze out an charger, allows it to make the of most of lowdemand. is seen as extra critical to end. that It puts one slightly in mind Maserati’s 45km of claimed one-charge range. With a byer-powered chargers.

Hook a Zoe one of manage the extra electric demand created late-nineties 3200GT Coupe, andup is to arguably fully-topped-off battery, Zoe should be toothe the ESB’s 22kW on-street chargers boxy EVs, and it could be athe nice little earner, most striking bit of styling from (the Kia since — in you’ll able to the original good fortheory as much asbe 395km.

Insell fact,power you’llbackwhite and greenSoul ones,crossover. located on pavements) and to the grid at peakthan times, then charge “Making EV6 available for probably do better thatand if you’re driv- upit’ll add 125kmthe worth of range to in customers just one hour EV6 later on, town, on cheaper overnight rates, dealer order at this stage inthe theshops car’s journey ingthe mostly around where the regenof charging, while you nip to or have potentially at a small profit.

–– shows the excitement, interest and paserative to scavenge somesion lunch. home, with a 7.4kWh home-charThebraking E-GMP system platformhelps will allow Kia to create thatAt this forward-looking, state-of-the-art extra charge you go, but if you’re ger wall-box, it will vehicle fill the battery fromcreated,” empty to a whole newasfamily of electric cars, allmixwith the battery electric has already ingEV inprefix somebadge. motorway miles, the realistic the brim around nineMD hours while you snooze. said in Ronan Flood of Kia Ireland.

“The information the car is rather sparse The fact huge buzz Kia EV6 is unlike rangeKia’s drops to aroundon250-280km.

Which that thisaround model the is called the Zoe R135 for the moment, any other model we have brought to is still pretty decent.so all of the also reveals another improvement — the electric above still, is slightly TBC. The up quickly. motor, which hasmarket and it isup proof that elecBetter the Zoe charges been beefed to deliver — company instead seems tric vehicles can be fun and Plug it into a 50kWh rapid charger and guess what — 135hp and 245Nm of torque (alto be having a live readare getting Irish moit’lling go from from empty to 80 per cent charged though the extra power doestorists strip a little range the Annoying energised in Hipster’s around 30-45mins.

The Zoe has a neat away — 386km compared to the full it395km Playbook, saywhen comesof trick, though — itembodhas a clever charging the cheaper R110 version). Thattomakes the Zoe ing that the EV6 considering ies thebuilt-in, spirit of ‘opposites s u swhen t a i n ayou’re ble system called the Chameleon feel very zippy indeed, and even united’. This apparently mobility.”

RENAULT’S ALL-ELECTRIC ZOE PROVES HOW

SPECIAL OFFERS THIS WEEK ONLY Fully charged, unplugged THINKING OF UPGRADING YOUR CAR? and ready for you.

THEN CALL TO DERMOT CLEARY MOTORS TODAY

AND SEE THE RANGE OF QUALITY USED CARS THEY HAVE ON OFFER

Renault is offering: FOR MORE GREAT DEALS VISIT OUR SHOWROOM ONLINE

€1,000 Green Grant + 2.11% APR White Volkswagen Passat 2.0 Diesel +Automatic 3 Months Deferred Payments WAS €16,950 NOW €15,950

Blue Audi A4 SLine 2.0 Diesel only 26,000 miles WAS €28,450 NOW €27,450

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.

White 520D MSport WAS €21,450 NOW €20,450

Black Suzuki Swift 1.2 Petrol WAS €8,450 NOW €7,450

HOGAN MOTORS ENNIS KILRUSH ROAD, ENNIS, CO CLARE Gort Road, Ennis, Co Clare Contact: Andy Clearywww.hoganmotorsennis.ie 0833657625 Tel 065 6821704

SCAN USING PHONE CAMERA

THURSDAY, MAY 13 2021

MOTORING

33

34

MOTORING

MOTORING

THURSDAY, MAY 13 2021

PLUG AND

MOTORING EXPERT NEIL BRISCOE GIVES HIS VIEWS VIEWS

T H IS SKODA C O S T S € 61 , 0 0 0 NO , THAT’S NOT A T YPO

I

RENAULT ZOE SKODA KODIAQ R135 200 TDI GT-LINE SPORTLINE

T was never this easy before. When F BIG iscars better then bigger again must electric first launched, a decade be brilliant, must be amazing, ago, those and earlyhuge models came with right? Well, notShort necessarily.

You see, built-in hassle. ranges, inconsisthis charging Skoda Kodiaq is the biggest car tent opportunities, high pricthat the Czech brand currently makes. es, and a sense that you were driving someAnd that’s good, because comes with acres thing that was closer to a itfridge than a car. of Well, space that inside, seats for seven, and levels of has all changed and this new comfort Zoe and is refinement thatofhave be exRenault an exemplar thattochange. perienced be believed.

When the toZoe originally launched, it sufHowever, it alsoifcomes withall, a price tag fered from most, not quite of those that’s rather larger than can be covered by early electric car shortcomings. Renault the word ‘big.’ and Humungous is more it, as kept updating refining the Zoe, like though, this particular one we’re testing, in Sportline

FACTS & FIGURES

RENAULT’S ALL-ELECTRIC ZOE PROVES HOW

spec, clocks in at a whopping €61,192.

Yes, you read that right. I’ll wait here for a moment while you go and have a sit down and a restorative cup ofand tea.for 2020 making it better every time, Can a Skoda, any Skoda, there’s this, the all-new model. be worth spending thatall-new... much money on? Well, Well, I say Actually, underlet’s the see... skin, the basic structure and chassis of the The big budget gets you a big power Zoe are much as they were, but the body, output, because Kodiaq although familiar,this looks a littleSportline sharper, comes with the latest generation thea and Renault has managed to carveofout VW Group’s 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine, little more space inside, so that you no which have now todevelops 200hp.

It has with the longer constantly rub elbows same 400Nm of torque as before, but it your front-seat passenger. also has a ‘twin-dosing’ AdBlue injection Much more importantly, Zoe’s system that almost completelythe nullifies battery andemissions electric motor are new.

The the nasty of nitrogen oxides 52kWh battery in Zoe is far, far larger than (NOX) — the harmful emissions that the pairoff of the AA whole Duracells youscandal got in six the kicked diesel original.

In fact, with only an extra 2kWh years ago. to With play with relative to the closest riall that power andZoe’s torque, pervals — the Peugeot e-208 and Opel Corformance — even in a seven-seat SUV

that weighs 1,700-odd-kilos — is actually decent brisk. A 7.8sec 0-100km/h time was, not so long ago, hot-hatch performance.

Not in Zoe spitecan of the Sportline sa-ethat, — the squeeze out anbadge, extra this is a car to go racing around in. With It’s fara 45km of claimed one-charge range. better, and more appropriate, to work fully-topped-off battery, the Zoe shouldthe be torque, leftasthe automatic dual-clutch DSG good for much as 395km.

In fact, you’ll gearbox slush into a higher cog, and cruise probably do better than that if you’re drivalong in a more style. the You’ll get ing mostly aroundrelaxed town, where regenbetter fuel economy that way too, and the erative braking system helps to scavenge Kodiaq returnsasayou real-world per extra charge go, but if7.5-litres you’re mix100km, pleasingly close to the official claim in someper motorway miles, the realistic ofing 6.8-litres 100km. CO2 emissions are drops toataround 250-280km.

Which a range little chunky, 177g/km, which means a is still prettytax decent. €600 annual bill, but to put that in perBetterthat’s still, the uptax quickly. spective, still Zoe less charges in motor than Plug it into a 50kWh rapid charger and someone driving a pre-2008 1.8-litre petrol. it’ll go from empty to 80aper cent charged Cruising along in such relaxed fashion in around 30-45mins.

The Zoe a neat gives you ample time to enjoy the has ample intrick, though — it has a clever charging system built-in, called the Chameleon

CONTINUES pg 36

Fully charged, unplugged and ready for you.

Model tested: Skoda Kodiaq Sportline

charger, it to7-seat make the most of low2.0 TDIthat 200allows DSG 4x4 Pricing: Kodiaq from €35,475; er-powered chargers.

Hook a Zoe€61,192 up to one of as ESB’s tested22kW on-street chargers (the boxy the Engine: turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cyl- and white and green ones, located on pavements) inder turbodiesel it’ll add 125km worth of range in just one hour seven-speed dual-clutch ofTransmission: charging, while you nip to the shops or have automatic, four-wheel drive some lunch.

Atfive-door, home, with a 7.4kWh home-charBody style: seven-seat SUV ger wall-box, it will177g/km fill the battery from empty to CO2 emissions: the brimtax: in around nineannum hours while you snooze.

Motor €600 per Combined economy: 41.5mpg The fact that this model is called(6.8 the Zoe R135 litres/100km) also reveals another improvement — the electric Top speed: motor, which 212km/h has been beefed up to deliver — 0-100km/h: seconds guess what —7.8 135hp and 245Nm of torque (alPower:the 200hp atpower 3,500-4,200rpm though extra does strip a little range Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-3,000rpm away — 386km compared to the full 395km Boot space: 270 litres (seven-seat), 765 of the cheaper R110 version). That makes the Zoe litres (five-seat) feel very zippy indeed, and even when you’re Towing: 2,000kg braked

Web : www.optimummotors.ie

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

MOTORING

THURSDAY, MAY 13 2021

TELEPHONE MAIN LINE: 090 97 42200 | Finance Arranged Rates as low as 3.9%

VISIT: www.alhayesmotors.com | Open Mon – Sat 9am – 6pm YEAR

MODEL

CRAFTER RANGE 171 Crafter LWB High Roof 140BHP 172 Crafter MWB High Roof 102 BHP 161 Crafter MWB High Roof 136BHP 152 Crafter LWB H/R High Mileage 151 Crafter MWB High Roof 136HP 2012 Crafter MWB high Roof 136BHP 2009 Crafter LWB High Roof 5 Ton CADDY VAN RANGE 201 Caddy TDI Highline White 202 Caddy Maxi Life 7 Seater ( silver) 191 Caddy 2.0TDI 182 Caddy 2.0TDI 181 Caddy 2.0TDI Trendline 7 Seater A/T 172 Caddy 2.0TDI 171 Caddy 2.0TDI 150BHP 6 Sp 162 Caddy 2.0TDI 150BHP 6 Sp 161 Caddy 2.0TDI 75BHP 151 Caddy 2.0TDI 75BHP 131 Caddy 1.6 TDI 102 BHP 2012 Caddy 2.0TDI 75 BHP TRANSPORTER RANGE 211 Transporter 2.0TSI 110HP SWB 211 Transporter 2.0TDI LWB 150BHP Highline 211 Transporter 2.0TDI SWB 150BHP Highline 211 Transporter 2.0TDI LWB 150BHP 202 Transporter 2.0TDI SWB Silver ( 0Mileage) 191 Transporter 2.0TDI SWB Grey 191 Transporter LWB 2.0TDI 150HP 182 Transporter 2.0TDI LWB 150BHP 172 Transporter 2.0TDI LWB 150BHP 4X4 171 Transporter 2.0TDI LWB 140BHP 171 Transporter SWB 150HP A/T Extras 161 Transporter 2.0TDI LWB White 151 Transporter 2.0TDI SWB 140BHP 151 Transporter 2.0TDI LWB Trendline Black 141 Transporter 2.0TDI SWB White 2012 Transporter 2.0TDI SWB 102 BHP 2008 Transporter 2.5TDI LWB 6Sp 2006 Transporter 2.5TDI LWB 6Sp SHUTTLE BUS RANGE 191 VW Caravelle Comfortline 191 VW Shuttle 2.0TDI LWB 9 Seater 181 VW Shuttle 2.0TDI 9 Seater 171 VW Shuttle 2.0TDI 9 Seater 141 VW Caravelle GOLF VAN RANGE 181 Golf Van TDI 161 Golf Van TDI 151 Golf Van TDI 142 Golf Van TDI TOYOTA RANGE 191 Toyota RAV 4 Hybrid Luna 162 Toyota RAV 4 2.0TDI Luna 151 Toyta RAV 4 Aura NISSAN RANGE 181 Nissan Qashqai SV TDI 172 Nissan Qashqai 1.5XE DSL 161 Nissan Qashqai 1.5EX DSL 151 Nissan Qashqai 1.5XE DSL 2011 Nissan Qashqai 1.5XE DSL ELECTRIC CAR RANGE 172 Honda Civic 1.0 petrol A/T ( 10KMS) 191 Toyota RAV 4 Hybrid Luna A/T 191 Hyundia Kona EV 5 DR Auto 191 Hyundai IONIQ EX Auto TOUAREG RANGE 191 Touareg 3.0TDI 4x4 A/T Passenger 182 Touareg V6 3.0TDI Comm 5 Seater Extras €333 Road Tax "S" Line 2010 Touareg 2.5TDI A/T 2007 Touareg 2.5TDI OTHER MAKES RANGE 131 Mercedes Sprinter MWB 2012 Mercedes Sprinter MWB 191 Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0TDI 161 Citroen Berlingo 142 Ford Transit Custom LWB 151 Peugeot Partner 161 Dacia Duster 1.5DSL 151 Dacia Duster 1.5DSL 172 Hyundai Tucson DSL 161 Kia Sportage DSL 152 Kia Sportage DSL

PRICE

VISIT: www.alhayesmotors.com | Open Mon – Sat 9am – 6pm MODEL

AUTOMATIC RANGE 211 VW Tiguan 2.0TDI 150HP All Space 7 seater 201 VW Tiguan 2.0TDI H/L 150HP 201 VW Tiguan 2.0TDI 150HP C/L 192 VW Tiguan 2.0TDI 150HP Highline 202 VW Tiguan R2 1.5TSI 150HP Sp Pack 172 VW Tiguan R2 1.5TSI 150HP C/L 171 VW Tiguan 1.5TSI 150HP C/L 182 VW Touareg V6 2.0TDI 5 Seater Commercial 211 VW Passat 1.6TDI "R" Line 181 VW Passat 1.6TDI Trendline Extras 171 VW Passat 1.6TDI H/L 131 VW Passat 2.0TDI C/l 202 VW Golf 2.0TDI 150BHP "S" line 191 VW Golf 1.6TDI C/L 191 VW Golf 1.6TDI H/L 181 VW Golf 1.6TDI H/l 171 VW Golf 1.6TDI H/L 162 VW Golf 2.0TDI 3DR H/l 171 VW Golf SV 1.6TDI H/L 151 VW SV 106TDI C/L 2012 VW Golf 1.6TDI T/L 191 VW Arteon 2.0TDI "R" 181 VW Arteon 2.0TDI "R" 171 VW Transporter 2.0TDI 150HP SWB 202 CW Caddy Maxi 7 Seater 181 VW Caddy TDI Trend Life 7 seater 181 VW Caddy Maxi 7 Seater 2002 Skoda Kodiac 2.0TDI Style 7 Seater A/T 172 Honda Civic 1.0 A/T (10K) 4X4 RANGE 182 VW Touareg V6 3.0TDI 5 Seater Commercial 172 VW Transporter 2.0TDI 150HP LWB 4X4 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe Passenger A/T 2006 Mitsubishi Pajero 2.5 Sport A?T 2005 Nissan Pathfinder 2.5 A/T 2005 Toyota Landcruiser SWB Silver VW TIGUAN RANGE 211 VW Tiguan 2.0TDI 150HP "R" Line Extras 211 Vw Tiguan 2.0TDI 150HP CL All Space 7 Seater 201 VW Tiguan 2.0TDI 150HP H/L 201 VW Tiguan 2.0TDI 150HP C/L VW T- ROC RANGE 211 VW T -Roc 1.0TSI Design 211 VW T-Roc 2.0TDI 192 VW T-Roc 1.6TDI VW T - CROSS RANGE 211 VW T- Cross 1.0TSI Life 201 VW T - Cross 2.0TDI 192 VW T - Cross 1.6TDI VW GOLF RANGE 211 VW Golf 2.30TDI "S" 5Dr 211 VW Golf 2.0TDI Life 5DR 202 VW Golf 2.0TDI "S" 5DR 201 VW Golf 1.6TDI H/L 192 VW Golf 1.0 5DR TSI 191 VW Golf 1.6TDI C/L 181 VW Golf 1.0TSI 161 VW Golf 1.6TDI (38K) VW JETTA RANGE 181 VW Jetta 2.0TDI H/L 172 VW Jetta 2.0TDI H/L 161 VW Jetta 2.0TDI H/L VW PASSAT RANGE 211 VW Passat2.0TDI Estate 211 VW Passat 2.0TDI "R" 202 VW Passat 2.0TDI Business 191 VW Passat 2.0TDI H/L 182 VW Passat 2.0TDI H/L (22KMS) 181 VW Passat 2.0TDI C/L ( 40K) 171 VW Passat 2.0TDI H/L VW POLO RANGE 211 VW Polo 1.0 5DR (0 mileage) 202 VW Polo 1.0 5DR 201 VW Polo 1.0 5Dr VW TOURAN RANGE 211 VW Touran 1.6TDI 7 Seater 191 VW Touran 1.6TDI Silver 181 VW Touran 1.6TDI Highline 7 seater 171 VW Touran 1.6TDI C/L 2009 Audi Q7 2.0TDI 5Seater Commercial Black

€17,500 +VAT €34,500 €15,500 €12,195 + VAT €23,500 €8,500 + VAT €11,790 + VAT €10,975 + VAT €6,910 + VAT €9,500 €8,500 €6,500 €23,170 + VAT €30,450 + VAT €24,000 + VAT €27,500 + VAT €21,500 + VAT €19,500.00 €20,731 + VAT €19,500 + VAT €19,500 + VAT €15,855 + VAT €15,854 + VAT €18,500.00 €16,500.00 €13,500 + VAT €13,500.00 €8,550 + VAT €8,500.00 €6,500.00 €48,500.00 €45,500.00 €39,500.00 €29,500.00 €25,500.00 €12,500 + VAT €9,000 + VAT €8,000 + VAT €7,750 + VAT €35,500.00 €18,500.00 €16,500.00 €21,500.00 €18,000.00 €16,500.00 €13,500.00 €8,500.00 €21,000.00 €35,500.00 €28,500.00 €19,500.00 €58,500.00 €48,500.00 €12,500.00 €6,500.00 €10,500.00 €8,537 + VAT €18,300 + VAT €8,550 + VAT €8,550 + VAT €6,910 + VAT €9,500.00 €8,500.00 €17,500.00 €18,000.00 €15,000.00

CONTACT Sales Team Al : 086 2449645 Niall : 087 6385033 Damien : 087 2368841

TELEPHONE MAIN LINE: 090 97 42200 | Finance Arranged Rates as low as 3.9%

YEAR

€18,300 + VAT €18,292 + VAT €15,855 + VAT €10,162 + VAT €13,415 + VAT €8,550 + VAT €7,750 + VAT

CONTACT PORTUMNA ENNIS TUAM

090 742200 065 6822400 093 26411

35

PORTUMNA ENNIS TUAM

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36

MOTORING

MOTORING

THURSDAY, MAY 13 2021

PLUG AND

MOTORING EXPERT NEIL BRISCOE GIVES HIS VIEWS VIEWS CONTINUED from pg 34

terior. Up front, the Kodiaq has a relatively simple dashboard. You could almost call it ‘slabby’ in its styling, but the use of materials and the build quality are simply excellent.

There’s a hug panel of imitation carbon-fibre that covers a big glove box, and Sportline spec brings with it gloriously comfortable high-backed leather bucket seats, and RENAULT ZOEdea leather wrapped steering wheel that’s lightfully tactile to hold and use.

R135 Use it, and the Kodiaq proves surprisingly adept in the corners. Not surprisingly, it’s no GT-LINE sports car, but it feels accurate and relatively agile for something so big, grips well (the T was never this easyhelps, before.

When optional four-wheel drive here, but firstyou launched, a decade don’t electric expect itcars to get very far off-road), ago, comfortably those early inmodels with and rides spite of came the optionbuilt-in hassle.

Short alloys. ranges, inconsisal (and gorgeous) 20-inch tent back charging opportunities, high room pricIn the seats, there’s lounging aplenty, space three people across the es, and aand sense thatfor you were driving somerear bench, butcloser it’s atoslight disappointment thing that was a fridge than a car. toWell, note that arechanged only ISOFIX seat that there has all and child this new anchors Zoe in the outer two rear not the Renault is an exemplar ofseats, that change. middlethe oneZoe (there’s anotherlaunched, in the front pasWhen originally it sufsengerfrom seat).most, In theif back-back seats, fered not quite all, of there’s those just about tolerable room for adults,Renault but as early electric car shortcomings. ever updating such seatsand arerefining really designed kids, kept the Zoe, for though, and generally for short hops.

I

Fold those third row seats down (easily done — you just tug a handle and shove) and you’re left with 765-litres of luggage space, up to the luggage cover. With all the seats in use, there’s still a half-way decent 270-litres.

Fold all the back seats flat and you have an IKEA-swallowing 2,005-litres to play with.

This is a very, very practical car.

However, talking of practicality swings us back around to price. Yes, it’s nice to have the Sportline spec with its muscular bodykit, big, lusty engine, nice wheels, and gorgeous seats. However, €61k, time, if you’re family making it better every andafor 2020car sa-e — the Zoe can squeeze out an extra buyer,this, is a bit really.

So here’s what I’d 45km of claimed one-charge range. With a there’s themuch all-new model. suggest.

Look back down the Kodiaq range fully-topped-off battery, the Zoe should be Well, I say all-new...

Actually, under the to that model the of 1.5the pet- good for as much as 395km. In fact, you’ll skin, thebasic basicActive structure andwith chassis rol are engine. actually has but cheaper annual probably do better than that if you’re drivZoe muchIt as they were, the body, motor taxfamiliar, than thelooks big diesel, andsharper, probably ing mostly around town, where the regenalthough a little won’t work out awful lot if you and Renault has an managed to thirstier carve out a erative braking system helps to scavenge don’tmore thrashspace it, and you’re me- extra charge as you go, but if you’re mixlittle inside, so not that doing you no ga-mileage. around with Skoda’s longer have toPlaying constantly rub elbows with ing in some motorway miles, the realistic online configurator, we specced one up with range drops to around 250-280km. Which your front-seat passenger. seven and some choice options and got is still pretty decent.

Muchseats more importantly, the Zoe’s a price tag €39,654.motor Whichare is much, much Better still, the Zoe charges up quickly. battery andofelectric new. The more like it. Orinyou and assum52kWh battery Zoecould is far, wait, far larger than Plug it into a 50kWh rapid charger and ing pair you of could withoutyou thegot extra seats, it’ll go from empty to 80 per cent charged the AA live Duracells in the get the new all-electric Enyaq iV SUV. original.

In fact, with only an extra 2kWh in around 30-45mins. The Zoe has a neat This with big Kodiaq bigZoe’s appeal, but you’ to play relativehas to the closest ri- d trick, though — it has a clever charging be just as happy with a more ver- system built-in, called the Chameleon vals — the Peugeot e-208 andaffordable Opel Corsion.

Photo credit: Paddy McGrath Photography

RENAULT’S ALL-ELECTRIC ZOE PROVES HOW

Fully charged, unplugged and ready for you.

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

Renault is offering:

€1,000 Green Grant

SERVICES

+ 2.11% APR

- WINDOW TINT + 3 Months Deferred Payments - LIGHTS WRAPPING - PAINT CORRECTIONS - CERAMIC COATINGS - HEADLIGHTS RESTORATION SCAN ME USING CAMERA PHONE - PAINTLESS DENT REMOVAL - WATER LEAKS REPAIRS 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 INTERIORS 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.

- WHEELS REFURBISHMENT HOGAN MOTORS ENNIS Block C, Unit 6, Phone: 087 356 3868 Gort Road, Ennis, Co Clare Quin Road Business Park, Email: info@dpcardetailing.ie Ennis, Co. Clare Tel 065 6821704 www.hoganmotorsennis.ie Megane - Plug-in Hybrid

Zoe - 100% Electric

Captur - Plug-in Hybrid

Clio - Hybrid

MOTORING

THURSDAY, MAY 13 2021 YEAR

MODEL DESCRIPTION

2021 2021 2021 2020 2020 2020 2020 2019 2019 2019 2019 2019 2019 2019 2019 2019 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2016 2016 2016 2016

FOCUS ACTIVE 1.0 125PS 6SPD 5DR HONDA CIVIC SMART PLUS 4DR 1.0 RANGER WILDTRACK 2.0 213PS AUTO FIESTA TITANIUM 1.0T 95PS M6 FOCUS ZETEC 1.0 5DR 125PS 6SPD PETROL FORD FIESTA TITANIUM 5 DR 1.0 100PS M6 4DR HONDA CIVIC SMART PLUS 4DR 1.0 FIESTA 1.10 TITANIUM 5DR 85PS 5SPD FIESTA ACTIVE 1.0ECOB 100PS S6.1 M6 5DR FIESTA ZETEC 1.10 70PS 5SPD 5DR FIESTA ZETEC 1.10 70PS 5SPD 5DR FOCUS TITANIUM 5DR 1.5TDCI 125PS 6SPD GALAXY TITANIUM 5D 2.0TD 150PS 6SPD FWD HYUNDAI I 30 FASTBACK 5DR PETROL KUGA TITANIUM 1.5 120PS 6 SPEE KUGA TITANIUM 1.5TD 120PS 6SPD FWD CITROEN C3 AIRCROSS FEEL BLUEHDI 100 4DR CMAX ZETEC COMPACT 5D 1.5TD 95PS M6 FIESTA 1.0 ECOBOOST 100PS AUTO FIESTA 1.10 TITANIUM 5DR 85PS 5SPD FIESTA 5DR ZETEC 1.5TD 75PS 5SPD FIESTA ZETEC 1.10 70PS 5SPD 5DR FIESTA ZETEC 1.10 70PS 5SPD 5DR FIESTA ZETEC 1.10 70PS 5SPD 5DR FOCUS TITANIUM 1.0 120PS 5SPD 4DR FOCUS TITIANIUM 1.5TD 95PS 5DR 6SPD FOCUS 5DR TITANIUM 1.5TDCI 120PS M6 FOCUS 5DR TITIANIUM 1.5TD 95PS 6SPD FOCUS TITANIUM ESTATE 1.6TD 95 6SPEED FORD C-MAX ZETEC 1.5 TDCI 95PS M6 4DR HYUNDAI I 30 DELUXE 5DR PETROL KIA OPTIMA EX SPORTSWAGON 5DR ESTATE KUGA TITANIUM 1.5 120PS 6 SPEE KUGA TITANIUM 1.5TD 120PS 6SPD FWD KUGA TITANIUM 1.5TD 120PS 6SPD FWD KUGA TITANIUM 1.5TD 120PS 6SPD FWD NISSAN NISSAN QASHQAI 1.5 SV SS 18 4DR NISSAN QASHQAI 1.5 SV 18 4DR OPEL ASTRA SC 1.6CDTI 110PS 5DR SKODA RAPID AMB 1.0TSI 110HP 4DR TRANSIT CUSTOM KOMBI 310LWB (T) 2.0 130PS VOLKSWAGEN CADDY PV TDI 102HP M5F VOLKSWAGEN SHARAN 2.0 TDI SE NAV BMT 150PS 5DR CMAX ZETEC COMPACT 1.5TD 120PS POWERSHIFT 5D ECOSPORT TITANTIUM 1.5TD 90PS 5SPD ECOSPORT TITANIUM 5D 1.5 95PS FIESTA 1.25 ZETEC 60PS 5SP FIESTA 5DR ZETEC 1.5TD 75PS 5SPD FOCUS ZETEC 1.5TD 95PS 5DR FOCUS 4DR TITANIUM 1.5TD 95PS 6SPD FOCUS 4DR ZETEC 1.5TD 95PS 6SPD FOCUS 5DR TITIANIUM 1.5TD 95PS 6SPD FORD ECOSPORT TITANIUM 1.5TDCI 95PS M5 4DR FORD FIESTA MCA TITANIUM 1.25 60PS M5 4DR FORD KUGA 1.5TDCI 120PS FWD 4 SEAT COMM FORD MONDEO ZETEC 5D 1.5TD 120PS 6SPD HYUNDAI TUCSON 1.7 CRDI PREMIUM BL/DR 2WD 5DR KIA SORENTO PLATINUM 5DR 7 SEATER MONDEO ZETEC 5D 1.5TD 120PS 6SPD MONDEO ZETEC 2.0TDCI (140PS) 5 DOOR 6 SPD NISSAN NISSAN MICRA 1.0 SV 4DR PEUGEOT 2008 ACTIVE 1.2 PURETECH 82 ECOMATI AUTO VAUXHALL CORSA CDTI ECO FLEX S/S S-AUTO 2 SEAT VAN FOCUS ZETEC 1.6 DURATORQ 95PS 5DR FOCUS STYLE 5DR 1.5TD 95PS 6SPD 4DR FOCUS TITANIUM 1.6TD 95 5 DOOR 6 SPEED FOCUS TITANIUM 1.6TDCI (90PS) 5 DOOR 5SP

COLOUR FROZEN WHITE SILVER SABER ORANGE RUBY RED ABSOLUTE BLACK AGATE BLACK BLACK ABSOLUTE BLACK FROZEN WHITE WHITE MOONDUST SILVER MOONDUST SILVER MOONDUST SILVER RED MOONDUST SILVER RUBY RED SILVER SILVER RUBY RED WHITE BLUE SILVER BLACK MAGNETIC BLACK SHAWDOW BLACK MAGNETIC DEEP IMPACT BLUE DEEP IMPACT BLUE RED RED WHITE SILVER MAGNETIC FROZEN WHITE GREY GREY RED GREY GREY MAGNETIC GREY SILVER TECTONIC SILVER MOONDUST SILVER SHADOW BLACK SILVER RACE RED TECTONIC SILVER GREY CANDY RED ABSOLUTE BLACK GREY MOONDUST SILVER MOONDUST SILVER MOONDUST SILVER BLACK GREY MAGNETIC GREEN RED GREY GREY SILVER DEEP IMPACT BLUE SILVER MOONDUST SILVER

YEAR

MODEL DESCRIPTION

COLOUR

2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2009 2009

FOCUS TITANIUM 4DR 1.5TD 120PS FOCUS TITANIUM 5DR 1.5TDCI 120PS 6SPD FORD FOCUS 1.5 TDCI ZETEC 120PS 5DR FORD FOCUS STYLE 4DR 1.5TD 95PS 6SPD 4DR FORD KUGA TITANIUM 5D 2.0TD FORD KUGA TITANIUM 5D 2.0TD 120 S6 M6 FWD FORD KUGA TITANIUM 5D 2.0TD 120 S6 M6 FWD FORD MONDEO ZETEC 5D 1.5TD FORD S-MAX TITANIUM 5D 2.0TD 1 7 SEATER KUGA 4 SEAT TITANIUM 2.0 150PS 6 SPEED FWD MONDEO TITANIUM 5D 1.6TD 115 M6 FWD OPEL ASTRA SRI 1.6 CDTI 110PS 5DR RENAULT CAPTUR INTENSE 1.5 DCI 90 EU6M 4DR RENAULT GRAND MEGANE GT LINE 1.5 DCI 1 4DR AUTO TOYOTA AURIS 1.4D-4D LUNA 4DR TOYOTA AURIS 1.2T LUNA 4DR PETROL TOYOTA AVENSIS 1.6D LUNA 4DR FIESTA 1.25 TITANIUM 60PS 5SPD 5DR FIESTA 1.25 ZETEC 60PS 5SP FOCUS 4DR TITIANIUM 1.5TD 95PS 6SPD FORD FOCUS ZETEC 1.6TDCI 95PS 5DR 4DR FORD KUGA TITANIUM 5D 2.0TD 120 S6 M6 FWD FORD KUGA TITANIUM 2.0TDCI 120PS FWD 4DR FORD MONDEO ZETEC 1.6TDCI 115PS 4DR KA EDGE 1.2 PETROL (70PS) 3 DOOR 5 SP KUGA ZETEC TREND 2.0 TDCI 120PS RANGER DOUBLE CAB 2.2 TDCI 150 B-MAX ZETEC 1.5TDCI 90PS 5SPD 5DR CMAX ZETEC COMPACT 5D 1.5TD 95PS M6 FOCUS 1.6 TDCI ZETEC ECO 105PS 5DR FORD C-MAX 2013 5MYACTIV 1.6TDCI 95PS COMPACT FORD EDITION 1.6TD 95PS 6SPD 5 FORD EDITION 1.6TD 95PS 6SP 5 DOOR FORD MONDEO ZETEC 1.6TDCI 115PS 4DR FORD TRANSIT T260 125 TREND FWD CREW CAB HYUNDAI I30 1.6 PREMIUM 5DR KIA RIO EX 4 1.4D FIESTA MCA ZETEC 1.0 65PS 5SPD 5DR FOCUS 5DR EDGE 1.6TD 95PS 6SPD FOCUS EDGE 1.6TD 95 4DOOR 6SPP FOCUS ZETEC 1.6TD 95 5DOOR 6SPEED FOCUS ZETEC 1.6TDCI 5DOOR KIA RIO EX KUGA C520 TITANIUM 2.0 140 NISSAN MICRA 1.2 30 4DR TOYOTA AVENSIS 2.0 D4D T2 4DR VOLKSWAGEN JETTA CL 1.6TDI D7F 105HP 4DR AUTO C-MAX 1.6TD ACTIV 95PS 5 SEAT C-MAX 1.6TD ACTIV 95PS 5 SEAT C-MAX GRAND 1.6TD ACTIV 95PS FOCUS 4DR ZETEC 1.6TD 95PS 6SPD FOCUS EDGE 1.6TD 95 4DOOR 6SPPED FOCUS ZETEC 1.6TD 95 5DOOR 6SPEED FORD EDITION 1.6 DURATORQ 95PS 6SPD 4DR OPEL ASTRA SC 1.7CDTI 110PS 4DR TOYOTA COROLLA 1.4D4D TERRA MC 4DR C-MAX ACTIV 1.6TDCI (90PS) 5 DOOR 5 SP FOCUS STYLE 1.6TDC 109PS 4DR FORD GRAND C-MAX ACTIV 1.6TDC 95PS 5DR HYUNDAI I30 1.6 CROSSWAGON A 4DR HYUNDAI I30 1.6 DELUXE CROSSWAGON 5DR MONDEO ZETEC 2.0TDCI (140PS) 5 DOOR 6 SPD MONDEO ZETEC 1.8TD (125PS) 5 DOOR 6 SP TOYOTA AVENSIS D4D 2.0 T2 5DR

TECTONIC SILVER DEEP IMPACT BLUE WHITE LUNAR SKY RUBY RED RED RED MAGNETIC BLUE MAGNETIC RUBY RED SILVER WHITE GREY BLACK BLACK GREY PANTHER BLACK WHITE MAGNETIC WHITE GREY PANTHER BLACK RUBY RED SILVER WHITE MOONDUST SILVER MOONDUST SILVER SILVER RED BROWN RED DARK MICASTONE GREY BLUE WHITE WHITE MOONDUST SILVER MOONDUST SILVER MOONDUST SILVER SILVER BLACK BLACK DARK MICASTONE BROWN SILVER BLACK GOLD MOONDUST SILVER MOONDUST SILVER LUNAR SKY SILVER SILVER BLUE BLACK RED MIDNIGHT SKY SILVER GREY SILVER BLACK LUNAR SKY GREY SILVER

37

086 2712210 NIALL O BRIEN

086 2250458 085 7408930

38

MOTORING

THURSDAY, MAY 13 2021

A s hlin e M o t o r s d e mons trate pow er o f d i g i t a l m edia CIAN O’BROIN

A

cian@clareecho.ie

SMALL boutique car dealership in Ennis has demonstrated the power of digital media in the automotive industry, winning two back-to-back national

awards.

Ashline Motors, a small four bay workshop dealership on the Kilrush Road, has once again claimed the Cars Ireland Award for best Social Media presence in Munster for the second quarter running. The award, which is independently voted on by over 1,000 other dealerships, recognises Ashline Motor’s shift to e-commerce after 25 years within the industry.

Johnny Burke, who looks after sales, financing and marketing at Ashline motors recognises the shift in the industry towards digital sales. “This award shows what a SME can do when they put their hands together.

It shows that we specialise in e-commerce.

80 percent of our business is e-commerce.

60 percent is click and collect. I have had dealerships with a turnover in car sales of over €20 million per year wondering how

such a small shop has won. It’s a massive achievement for a place of our size. We don’t have a huge road front presence and have had to adapt to the times.”

Having spent 14 years as an Executive General Manager in the Hendrick Automotive Group in the United States, Johnny has learned the importance of covering all bases. Last year, he redeveloped the website for click and collect, which now makes up 60 per cent of all their sales. He also informed that 98 per cent of people buy their car from a mobile phone. This has made WhatsApp an essential mode of communication for all dealers. “I’m always online. Even on a Sunday, I’ll pick up the phone. It usually starts with sending voice messages over and back, then into a call and then into a sale.

Keeping on top of online analytics is a big part of Johnny’s day. His philosophy online is “less is more.” Through the implementation of Facebook for business, Google Analytics and key performance indicators, he can keep track of times when followers are online and most engaged. He would rather focus in on 1,000 actively engaged followers rather than 12,000 passive ones. Another philosophy within Ashline Motor’s is that anyone can get financed. Johnny is a fully licensed QSA by the Institute of Banking.

l Johnny Burke and Madeleine Vaughan of Ashline Motors

All banking is done on site and there are several lenders that potential customers can avail of.

Despite constantly evolving with the times, Johnny admitted that Brexit will hurt. “The days of going to England to buy a car is gone. Imported cars are harder to get now, with prices of used cars going up

20 or 30 per cent. That’s where we will come in. They will need someone like us who are experienced in revenue and customs. The EU doesn’t exist anymore for that car,” he concluded.

Johnny Burke and Gabriel Vaughan of Ashline Motors are looking forward to opening as normal on May 17th.

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Kilrush Road, Ennis, Co.Clare, V95 XT7H 065-6823055 | 087-0655709 info@ashline.com

Sport Clare Echo THE

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Wexford a crucial game for Clare - Conlon PÁRAIC MCMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie

C

LARE’S hurlers welcome Wexford to Cusack Park this Sunday and are intent on showing an improvement to their shock two point loss to Antrim past weekend.

Brian Lohan and Davy Fitzgerald will renew their rivalry in Ennis this weekend with Lohan getting the upperhand in the counties two clashes last year in both league and championship.

Speaking in the aftermath of Clare’s defeat to Antrim, captain John Conlon insisted that they

always expected “a titanic battle” with the Ulster side. “We have to dust ourselves down really quickly, we haven’t played a game in five months but we need to get back to the drawing board, get back working hard and hopefully turn things back around”.

Conlon equated playing in Corrigan Park to contests at O’Garney Park in Sixmilebridge. “We weren’t at the races, we conceded a sloppy goal and we can’t be giving away those goals at the wrong time especially with the wind. We didn’t have a big enough score at halftime, it was a strong enough wind and we didn’t utilise it but they did in the second half ”.

“We have to learn from it, it is the whole point of the league to

learn from things and get our team right before we play on the 27th of June,” the Shannon based primary school teacher added.

Wexford is a big game for Clare, the Clonlara man believed. “It is a quick turnaround. Wexford is a big game above in the Park. We’ve all missed hurling for the past five months, a few lads are ring rusty and it is about getting in shape and getting back to match sharpness”.

Several changes to Lohan’s side are expected with the likes of Mark Rodgers, Eamon Foudy, Shane Meehan, Darragh Lohan and Cian Nolan all hoping to make their first senior appearance for the county.

John Conlon Photo by Martin Connolly

NET

Lahinch member Power impresses in Walker Cup SEAMUS HAYES GOLFING fans and Lahinch club members in particular, closely followed the fortunes of the Great Britain and Ireland team in their biennial match with the United States at the weekend at Seminole golf club in Florida.

Lahinch member Mark Power was part of the Great Britain and Ireland team which suffered a narrow 14-12 loss to the United States.

Kilkenny’s Power, whose family has a long association with Lahinch, partnered John

OPEN HOURS MON - SAT 09.00 - 18.00

Murphy from Kinsale in the foursomes competition where they achieved some impressive results but it wasn’t enough to deny the home side victory.

There was further good news for clubs across the country this week when more restrictions were lifted.

Club competitions are now allowed and clubs have informed members of the events that will take place over the coming weeks with this weekend set to be busy in all clubs.

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Clare Echo THE

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ALLIANZ NATIONAL HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION 1B: ROUND 1 Compiled by Páraic McMahon

Clare beaten by Antrim in Belfast Antrim 1-21 Clare 0-22 Venue: Corrigan Park, Belfast WATERFORD Frees For: 17 (5/12) Wides: 6 (2/4) Scores from Play: 1-09 Spread of scorers: 6 Top scorer: Ciaran Clarke (1-11 9f, 1 ‘65) Own puck-outs won: 19 from 31 (61%) CLARE Frees For: 12 (6/6) Wides: 9 (5/4) Scores from Play: 0-14 Spread of scorers: 8 Top scorer: Tony Kelly (0-11 7f, 1 ‘65) Own puck-outs won: 12 from 28 (43%)

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

PLAYER WATCH PADDY DONNELLAN (CLARE) Minutes Played: 68 Possessions: 4 (2/2) Clean distributions: 4 (2/2) Short Passes: 4 (2/2) Long passes: (0) Hand Pass: 1 (0/1) Hurley Pass: 4 Hand Pass: 0

DARREN GLEESON, ANTRIM MANAGER “We have a foundation laid within the group and we have to try and push on now and establish ourselves - one win won’t do that for us. It means we have two points on the board and we go again next week with a bit of confidence to the standard-bearers over the last 20 years (Kilkenny) in Nowlan Park. The boys will be looking forward to it.”

“Every game is an opportunity to go out and represent your county. The county jersey is important and I think we have instilled that again.

All the players come from fantastic clubs and all want to represent their county well. Today is done and we move on, we’re finished with it and move on to next week.”

Tackles: 7 (4/3) Turnovers won: 4 (3/1) Hooks: 0 Blocks: 1 Frees for: 0 Frees Against: 1

BRIAN LOHAN, CLARE MANAGER “We weren’t able to match Antrim for desire. If you don’t get that basic right, you’re in trouble. It was always going to be a very competitive game up here. A big strong team and the basic is that you have the same amount of desire as what they have. And we weren’t able to match them”.

“There’s a lot of pressure on now because it’s a game where you have to get results, you have to win and if you don’t you’re under pressure regardless of who you are or where you are” “I suppose the biggest disappointment was the appetite around the breaking ball. We were cleaned out of it on the breaking ball. It wasn’t just one Antrim man that was under the breaking ball. It was sometimes two or three Antrim men in every one of those breaks and we were cleaned out under that. Look we took it seriously but, you know, we just weren’t able to respond to them”.

Paddy Donnellan Photograph: Gerard O’Neill

Clare GAA meeting adjourned due to technical issues SEAMUS HAYES THE May meeting of Clare GAA was cancelled on Tuesday evening as technical issues resulted in many delegates, although logged into the meeting, unable to be heard.

In an effort to resolve the issues, the meeting adjourned for five minutes and a new link was sent out to the clubs but this failed to resolve the matter and chairman Jack Chaplin decided to postpone the meeting, informing those in attendance that the refixed meeting is likely to go ahead this Thursday evening.

At the outset the delegates paused for a moment’s silence in memory of former board chairman and president John Hanly

(Clarecastle) whose death had occurred on Sunday. The chairman Jack Chaplin also included the Kelly family, Ballyea in the vote of sympathy following the death of Anthony Kelly, grandfather of Clare hurler Tony.

Efforts by Whitegate delegate David Solan to raise questions about Caherlohan were ruled out by chairman Jack Chaplin who told the delegates that “a lot of decisions have to be made tonight particularly in relations to fixtures. Éire Óg asked at the last meeting for details in relation to the supporters club accounts for the period of 2012 to 2016. Our advice from Croke Park is that these have nothing to do with us. The Kilmaley delegate asked questions at the last meeting but his club did not write to us seeking that information. We have a lot of business to do tonight with regard to fixtures and structures,” Chaplin told the meeting.

Chaplin added that all clubs were invited to an open day at Caherlohan where they would have been given the opportunity to walk the pitch and thrash out any issues with Board officers. Solan informed the meeting that he could not attend the open day as maintenance work had to be completed at Whitegate GAA on the same day.

A meeting is to be held in the coming week between officials of the Parteen and Meelick clubs with a view to accommodating underage players from Meelick in 2021. A letter from Meelick to this week’s meeting outlined that they do not have the numbers to field underage teams this year.

“We are unable to provide hurling and football games for juvenile members and we are requesting the assistance of Clare GAA in providing games for these players”, Meelick secretary Padraig O’Brien told the meeting.

“There is another club, Parteen, in the parish and our desire is to have all the kids en bloc go there”. Parteen chairman Mike Lynch said he hoped an agreement would be reached.

There were letters from Tulla and Clonlara clubs before the meeting outlining plans for further development at their clubs.

Tulla plan to erect a stand at Dr. Daly Park while their letter also stated that they are to acquire a premises at Main Street, Tulla while Clonlara have plans to build public toilets, a machinery shed and dressing rooms.

O’Callaghans Mills sought permission to proceed with an arrangement with National Broadband Ireland which will see the erection of a 5x3 metre cabin on the grounds of Hamilton park which has been identified as a prime location to provide fibre network to a large area of Clare. Their letter said that “this will be in situ for up to 25 years”.

13-05-21

Clare Echo THE

pg 41

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Collins urges new additions to take opportunities during football league SEAMUS HAYES

L

IKE all inter county managers, Clare boss, Colm Collins is delighted that competitive action returns this week with the opening games in the Allianz football league.

“Everybody has been on edge waiting for games to start and we are delighted that they are back. We would have loved and every team in the country would have loved a bigger lead-in but beggers can’t be choosers,” the Cratloe clubman said as he prepared to supervise another training session ahead of the Banner county’s clash with Laois at Cusack Park on Sunday (throw in 3.45pm.)

Collins is not overly concerned that this year’s shorter than usual league campaign will quickly be followed by championship football. “Players love playing games and they are going to enjoy this. We are going to be totally focussed from the very start because the games are coming on top of each other, It’s the same for everybody and I am happy enough with this”.

Laois remains Clare’s sole focus, the Kilmihil native stressed. “All we care about now is the game against Laois on Sunday and nothing else is bothering us at the moment.

Last year we were very wasteful in front of goal. We have got to make sure we will take most of our opportunities this year and that we keep possession as turnovers last year were not good. If we can tidy up on these, hopefully we can get a win. There is a good panel of players there with real competition for most positions.”

Pundits predicting Clare’s relegation from

Division 2 is “nothing new”, the Banner boss felt. It comes “despite the fact we came within a win of getting promotion to the top division last year. It doesn’t bother us. We know where we are and we know how good or bad we are. This division is extremely tight and there is nothing between the teams.”

For the first time in his eight years in charge of the Clare senior team, Collins will not be able to call on the services of two players who have been key to the team’s progress, midfielder Gary Brennan who has been the team captain during that time and defender Gordon Kelly.

“Both of them were tremendous servants and they would be missed by any county in the country. It happens, everything comes to an end and we have got to prepare for the future. There are a lot of young fellas in the panel coming through and hopefully we have got people that will come in and take over the mantle,” he commented.

Panellists have responded tremendously to Clare’s preparations this year, Colm outlined. “Everybody has put in a great effort and the hardest thing we had to do last week was to let seven or eight players go that had been training with us. That was very tough because they were all genuine guys and guys with great potential and they will make Clare footballers. I don’t know whether we got it right or not because we had such a short time to make a decision.

“It’s good to be looking forward to playing Division 2 football. The draw for the championship is a plum draw, you are playing one of the top teams in the country and that’s enough to entice anybody to be involved and that’s the way it is”, added the manager.

Amongst the new names expected to fill

key positions for Clare will be Austin Stacks clubman Conor Jordan from Tralee, a son of former St. Senan’s Kilkee and Clare player, George who lined out in defence for championship winning teams from the popular west Clare seaside resort.

The defender has been training with Clare in recent weeks and has featured in a number of internal games. He was due to join the panel before now but a cruciate knee injury meant that this didn’t happen.

Cillian Rouine (Ennistymon), Daniel Walsh (Kilmurry-Ibrickane) and Aaron Griffin (Lissycasey) were amongst those called into the panel after last season’s club championship and they are all expected to be included in the squad on Sunday.

Darragh Bohannon from Shannon Gaels is also believed to be strongly in contention for a place in the starting line up this week, most likely at midfield.

St Joseph Miltown’s Eoin Cleary will captain the side again this year and he is expected to lead the team from centre forward.

Regulars such as Cathal O’Connor, Cillian Brennan, Ciaran Russell, Pearse Lillis, Jamie Malone, Cian O’Dea, David Tubridy, Keelan Sexton, Kevin Harnett, brothers Podge and Sean Collins are all expected to see game time on Sunday.

Goalkeeper Stephen Ryan (Kilrush) is being challenged for the number one spot this year by Killian Normoyle (Lissycasey) and Tom O’Brien (St Josephs, Doora-Barefield).

“Other than the usual niggles, there are no major injury worries and I expect we will have a full strength panel from which to select the team”, manager Colm Collins told The Clare Echo.

Heading into the new campaign, Collins is

Colm Collins Photo by Martin Connolly

disappointed with the association’s decision to do away with the position of maor foirne, a matchday role held by Kilmurry Ibrickane’s Enda Coughlan in the Clare camp.

“Just because a couple of people abused it should not have led to the decision. Why not come down heavy on the people that abused it rather than doing away with it”, he asked.

That said, it’s clear that the man who has led Clare from Division 4 to Division 2 where they have remained for the past four seasons is fully focused on another campaign.

Window of opportunity hinges on momentum - Lillis EOIN BRENNAN WITH the National Football Leagues returning alongside the reopening of barbers, the almost superstitious ritual that is the championship haircut couldn’t have been better timed.

The caveat is though that with the inter-county season so condensed and a winner-takes-all knockout championship prevailing once more, it’s conceivable that the haircut could last longer than the county unless they can hit the ground running from the outset.

Three Division 2 group matches in as many weeks against Laois, Kildare and Cork will either dictate a promotion of relegation play-off for Clare before everything rests

on trying to topple Kerry in the opening match of the Munster Championship at the end of June.

A six-week window of opportunity that requires momentum to extend according to one of Clare’s key engine room players Pearse Lillis (right, photo by Gerard O’Neill).

“These matches are the best preparation we can have to facing Kerry,” explained Lillis. “The league was always a good lead into championship but now that the competitions are so close to each other, this is basically a direct warm-up for the championship. That makes the league vital as it may be difficult to recover confidence from a bad league so it’s really important that we build on each week.

“It’s not going to be perfect from the first game but all you want to do is improve each week leading

up to that big one against Kerry.

“We’ve played Laois, Cork and Kildare a lot since I’ve been on the squad in the last few years so we know to expect good battles and hopefully we can come out on top in a few of them.”

That fact that they host Laois and Cork in two of those outings is an added bonus but in an inchtight division that never fails to disappoint, Lillis is adamant

that Clare can take nothing for granted.

“We obviously love playing in Cusack Park, we’re so used to it now. So even though there’s no crowd there and you won’t have supporters roaring you on, it’s still be nice to have the familiarity of it and have less of a journey, less time in the car.

“So hopefully home advantage can be the difference as Division 2 has been always right down to the wire. That was shown most last year I think when coming into the final few minutes against Armagh, we could have easily gone up or gone down so it just shows the competitiveness

of it. Also there has been some league campaigns that when you look back on them you would be disappointed in terms of draws or one point losses that if one of them swung our way, we would have been up in Division 1 which would be a real achievement”.

One of those regrets came against Sunday’s opening opponents at the same venue last season when Laois, captained by Lillis’ cousin Kieran, pipped the home side by the minimum.

“It was a tough game but a very exciting one,” recounts Lillis. “We lost by a point but those are the kind of games you enjoy playing so hopefully on Sunday now, it’s not the same thing in terms of the result but certainly the same kind of performance and intensity to get us over the line this time around.”

pg 42

13-05-21

Clare Echo THE

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Keane ‘grateful’ to return after heartbreaking series of injuries

by EOIN BRENNAN

E

VERY player in the country is inevitably delighted to be back in the collective training and match environment once more but for Aoife Keane you can infinitely multiple that elation.

All to do with a heartbreaking succession of injuries that have ensured a near four year absence from representing the county. However, with the 2021 season getting underway on Saturday, the talismanic Inagh-Kilnamona player is hopeful that her persistent time on the treatment table is finally a thing of the past.

“It’s my first year since 2017 being injury-free, touch wood, so it’s going well at the moment. I’m just taking it training session by training session, focusing on building consistency and momentum and getting that time on the pitch again. Along with that, I’m just trying to get up to speed with all aspects of gameplay and tactics over the last three years and trying to buy into it. But at the moment, I’m just feeling good and just grateful to be back with the squad."

Just to demonstrate how big a loss Keane has been for the county, she had just received a first All-Star nomination when her sporting world caved in.

Following another successful club campaign with Inagh-Kilnamona in 2017, she tore the patellar tendon in her knee and on the comeback trail the following summer, tore it again.

If that wasn’t bad enough, following a triumphant return to help UL to a fourth successive Ashbourne Cup, the former county dual star ruptured ankle ligaments in May 2019 which took two surgeries and rehab to remedy.

Thankfully there was no another recurrence last year but having played her part in wres-

tling back the McMahon Cup for Inagh-Kilnamona, the physical toll began to mount amidst the inter-county preparations, so much so that her head ruled over her heart to bow out of the All-Ireland Championship.

“I just had to take a step back and in hindsight, it was the best decision. The break gave me the opportunity to just fully focus on getting the body and head right again to go back into a county set-up and thankfully the management asked me back.

“So being back on the field now, it’s just a feeling of being so grateful to be in with the team and the overall group. There’s probably only so much your body and head can take for individual training as mentally you need to keep yourself motivated too.

Thankfully the support I’ve received from the club and county has been unreal so I just have to take it day by day because it could all turn again so quickly.”

It all comes full circle for Aoife on Saturday as her last competitive match for Clare came against Galway in the final round of the All-Ireland Senior Championship in July 2017, with the neighbouring Tribeswomen an even tougher prospect now.

“They’re an excellent side that have contested the last two All-Ireland finals and you can see that real consistency within their squad over the past few years. But Clare have developed too and it was great to be back at the knockout stages last year and great to see Clare Camogie in the limelight again. And to be honest, I think it’s well deserved for the amount of work they’ve put in over the last number of years.

“Galway are at the top where every other county wants to get up to and you’re only going to know where you’re at by playing the best. So it will be a very interesting game on Saturday”.

Crisis averted as camogie goes ahead WITH the cloud looming over the camogie fixture plan finally dissipating on Tuesday, Clare can put all their concentration on commencing the 2021 season, writes Eoin Brennan.

A potential inter-county player boycott of the National League was narrowly averted thanks to the late switch to a split season, leaving a clear path for Ger O’Connell and his squad to test themselves against 2019 All-Ireland champions Galway in Athenry on Saturday.

“At the end of the day, all the girls want to do is play games. Since we’ve been back, we’ve had three inhouse games and the positive about that is that it gives you the chance to look at everyone as opposed to challenge matches where you can only play so many.

“We still have plenty of work to do but we’ll head to

Galway and give it a good shot anyway. We played them two or three times last year in challenges and with Conor [Dolan] being involved with them before, we’ll have our homework done. But at the end of the day, we’ve always said that it’s about us, how we set up ourselves and how we try and play.

“We’ve an idea of what Galway are going to try and do, it’s just hard to try and stop it but ultimately we need to play our own game and impose that on them as much as we can.”

Clare have been eagerly awaiting a return to action following a hugely encouraging 2020 which, despite the unprecedented mid-season shutdown, was sandwiched by major strides in the National League and All-Ireland Championship.

So with expectations understandable risen, O’Con-

Muckinish off to a Flyer

FOLLOWERS of greyhound racing had to settle for one night’s action at the weekend on account of Connacht’s clash with Leinster in the Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup on Saturday.

Spancilhill owned Mucknish Flyer took the spoils in the opening contest on Friday evening.

Crafty Sorentino showed pace from the traps in the A4 Graded 525 Yards contest. At the opening bend, the lead was two lengths over Dromana Bobby in second place along the inner with Muckinish Flyer moving in to second spot as they entered the back straight.

Nearing the third bend

Dromana Bobby moved through on the inner to take a narrow advantage as the Mary Ward owned Muckinish Flyer took closer order. Off the home bend Muckinish Flyer (Ballymac Vic-Brookeville Dash) came through to join issue and at the line proved a head too good for Dromana Bobby in 29.67.

Rathmeehan Blake owned by Ballyea duo John Collins and John Browne swept through to take victory in an S9 graded sprint contest making it two wins from two starts scoring by a length from Woodpark Beauty in 19.69.

Friday’s feature was the A2 graded 575 the yards

eleventh contest. As the traps rose, the Michael Casey of Mullagh owned Mall Finn Junior was very smartly into his stride in the centre of the track and racing towards the opening bend the son of Rio Quattro and Paradise Maria led Standing Proud by over two lengths with Kilbannon Psycho in third place.

Racing down towards the halfway mark, the Martin Fahy trained Mall Finn Junior really stamped his authority on the contest as he extended his advantage to over four lengths and staying on powerfully he scored by six and a half lengths over Kilbannon Psycho in 31.50.

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nell in his third season in charge is ready to match that heightened anticipation with genuine ambition.

“The minimum that we’ve always said is a quarter-final. That’s where we need to be and even beyond that so that’s the ambition we have as a group. There are a lot of good young players coming through and we have lost a few players too but the core of our group is still there and know what we’re trying to do.

“So it’s about trying to do all these things even better than we did last year and also improve our fitness which probably let us down a small bit last year towards the end of games, especially against Cork for the quarter-final.

That’s the level we need to get to, we know that and the players know that too so the ambition is to go beyond where we did last year.”

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

THURSDAY, MAY 13 2021

PLANNING NOTICES CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL BALLYMORRIS, CRATLOE, CO. CLARE I, Darragh and Valerie Griffin intend to apply to the above-named Planning Authority for permission to construct a dwelling house, garage, entrance, wastewater treatment system, and associated site works at Ballymorris, Cratloe, Co. Clare.

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 Offices, New Road, Ennis Co. Clare during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to, or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL LEAMANEIGH MORE, NEWMARKET ON FERGUS, CO. CLARE Ref: P l a n n i n g Permission for extension to dwelling Client: Patrick Dolan & Sharon McMahon Location: Leamaneigh More, Newmarket on Fergus, Co. Clare Please publish the following planning notice in the next edition of the paper, and call for payment. 0861289985 Clare County Council.

Patrick Dolan & Sharon McMahon intend to apply for permission for the following 1. Replacement of existing rear extension with new two storey extension to rear and side, 2. new entrance gate, piers and parking area, including adjustment to existing boundary wall 3. m i n o r modifications to existing elevations 4. demolition of single storey flat roof garage to side of dwelling 5. replace existing effluent system with new

effluent treatment system and percolation area 6. and all necessary site works and services at Leamaneigh More, Newmarket on Fergus, Co. Clare The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of Clare County Council during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application” CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL THE SQUARE, ENNISTYMON, CO CLARE. Take notice that SARAH DALY intends to apply for permission to build a 2 storey Town House to replace the existing shed, connect to services and all 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 TIERMACLANE ENNis Take notice that J. Kelly intends to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to retain extended road, to install and connect surface water line to existing water course at the above address.

The Planning Application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to

the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application.

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL FURTHER INFORMATION / REVISED PLANS CROSS BEG, COORACLARE, KILRUSH, CO. CLARE PLANNING REFERENCE: P 20/671 Development Description: Planning permission to construct a new dwelling house, access road, entrance, private garage and install a new wastewater treatment system along with all associated works at Cross Beg, Cooraclare, Kilrush, Co. Clare.

Location: Cross Beg, Cooraclare, Kilrush, Co. Clare Take notice that Tomas & Nicola Madigan have lodged significant further information in respect of planning application P 20/671. This information and planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority of Clare County Council, Planning Department, Áras Chontae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, not later than 2 weeks after the receipt of the newspaper notice and site notice by the planning authority or in the case of a planning application accompanied by an EIS within 5 weeks of receipt of such notices by the planning authority.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL LACKANNASHINNAGH, KILDYSART, ENNIS, CO CLARE. Take notice that Oliver Garry intends to apply to the planning authority for permission to construct an agricultural machinery shed along with associated site works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making 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 DECOMADE, LISSYCASEY, ENNIS, CO CLARE Take notice that Jacek Magulla intends to apply to the planning authority for (a) retention permission for a wooden shed, (b) permission to construct a new garage and fuel storage shed, (d) permission to construct a boundary fence along the NorthEast site boundary and (c) permission to construct a porch to the front elevation of an existing dwelling house along with 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 DRUMMANNEEN, CRUSHEEN, ENNIS, CO CLARE Take notice that Patrick O’Grady 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 CAHERKINALLIA, KILSHANNY, CO. CLARE Take notice that Patrick Woods intends to apply to the Planning Authority for retention of 2 sheds constructed to the north of his dwelling 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, New Road, Ennis, during its public opening hours (9am to 4pm). A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the planning authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00, within the period of 5 weeks, beginning on the date of receipt by the planning authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL. BRICKHILL WEST, CRATLOE, COUNTY CLARE. Take notice that Sean and Deidre Fitzgerald are applying to Clare County Council for outline permission to build a dwelling house, access roadway and ancillary

43

site works together with proprietary treatment system at Brickhill West, Cratloe, County Clare.

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 of Clare County Council 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, TRAFALGAR LODGE, GERALDINE PLACE, WEST END, KILKEE, CO. CLARE. Take notice that Diarmuid Keane + Associates Ltd. (065-9083667, www. diarmuidkeane.ie) intend to apply to Clare County Council on behalf of Michael Dineen & Aine Burns for planning permission for the following development at the above address, which is located within Kilkee ACA; a). demolish existing derelict and structurally unsafe dwelling house; b). re-construct dwelling house with minor alterations and additional floor space; c). all associated site works and ancillary services. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours.

A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application.

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

44

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THURSDAY, MAY 13 2021

THIS WEEKS PUZZLES MAY 13

SUDOKU 7

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5 9

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learning logic

5

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How to play

psyche

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

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1

6

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4

1

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5/7/2021

thought

6

synapse

5

sense

7

reflex

1

reason

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.

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.

HOW TO PLAY

perception

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intellect

3

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1

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ideas

3

2

emotion

6

4

4

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dream

7

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conscious

6

brain

8

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9

5/7/2021

al (6) aft (5)

WORD SEARCH

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The Clare Echo Crossword

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11

N

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I A M 7

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ay 2021

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CROSSWORD ANSWERS U

18

2 Wealthy, luxuriant (7) 3 Untruth (3) 4 Take small bites (6) 5 Give a guided tour (4,5) 6 Be evasive (5) 7 Collieries (5) 8 Fourth sign of the zodiac (6) 12 Bones of the spinal column (9) 16 Invented narrative (7) 17 Struggle (6) 18 Central American canal (6) 19 Large passenger aircraft (5) 20 Stupefied (5) 23 Solidify (3)

Z

15

1 Young geese (8) 6 Meat from a pig (3) 9 Entertain (5) 10 Make wider (7) 11 Herb (7) 13 Waterside plants (5) 14 Slow down (6) 15 Set of clothing (6) 19 Arbiter (5) 21 Junkies (7) 22 Polish national dance (7) 23 Expertise (5) 24 Unmatched (3) 25 Not easily satisfied (8)

DOWN

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24

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46 PUZZLEPAGE

QUIZ 47

THURSDAY, MAY 13 2021

The Clare Echo Quiz SCARIFF BAY COMMUNITY RADIO QUIZ year was Scariff Bay Community Both Jim Collins and John S Kelly 12007What Radio launched?

6 served in similar roles in their working lives, what were they?

Coffee and “our fair share” of what 3 were consumed by Jim Collins and Brendan Magill when they were attempt-

ing to start the community radio station?

Bananas Biscuits Beetroot

4

Who is the Scariff Bay presenter that launched the first tourism business on the Lough Derg Blueway?

Tom Hanley Ursula Hogan Eoin O’Hagan

5

Sports reporter Alphie Rodgers recently left his full-time post as Group Sales Manager with Treacys West County Hotel to become General Manager of what?

Derg Isle Activity Centre Kilkishen Cultural Centre Brian Ború Heritage Centre

name of the pub he ran in O’Callaghans Mills?

The Blacksticks Bar The Blacksmiths Bar The Blacksparrows Bar

Head of Sport, Leo Doyle made his 8 last competitive appearance in the Clare jersey in what year?

1991 1993 1995

A Flow of Words showcases writers 9 from East Clare on the station, who presents the show?

l Sportline Presenters, Leo Doyle & Pat McNamara

Trish Nugent Roisin Bugler Geraldine Colleran

UL history lecturer David Fleming 10 has become a regular voice on the station each week. In 2012, he was

commissioned to write an official history on what?

Irish Water Iarnród Éireann The University of Limerick

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

The answers will be revealed in next weeks edition.

ANSWERS

6. School Principals 7. The Blacksticks Bar 8. 1995 9. Roisin Bugler 10.The University of Limerick

Four Seven

Pat O’Brien is part of the sports team 7 and also the team behind The Local Media show on the station. What was the

2015 Two Biscuits Eoin O’Hagan Derg Isle Activity Centre

How many days a week does Scariff 2 Bay broadcast Two

Shop owners School Principals Mechanics

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

2015 2019

Last weeks Answers . 50KM on sign missing . Telephone pole missing . Telephone wire missing . Cone missing

.Wingmirror on Mini Digger missing . Road line missing . Window on house missing

Clare Abbey, Clarecastle www.clare.ie

AND GUTTERING CLARE

ROOF MOSS CLEANING