The Clare Echo 13/07/23

Miltown Malbay to house 42 male asylum seekers

First arrivals to land today (Thursday)

Miltown is fourth centre to come into use since May

Owners of Central Hostel aquired property in April

by Páraic McMahon

FIRST ARRIVALS of the international protection (IP) applicants to take up residence in Miltown Malbay are to arrive today (Thursday).

A twelve month contract has been awarded to the new owners of The Central Hostel in Miltown to house 42 single male IP applicants. They will be housed across seventeen rooms of varying sizes.

An official within the Department of Integration confirmed on Wednesday evening that the facility is to come into use on Thursday (today) but added, “it is not likely to use its full capacity immediately”.

Their arrival comes four days after the conclusion of Willie Clancy week. Located in the centre of Miltown

Malbay, The Central Hostel had previously been a temporary direct provision centre from May 2019 to August 2020 when it was shut down by the Department of Justice.

Tralptop Limited acquired the property in April 2023, it is the first time this provider has been in a deal with IPAS to offer accommodation. It becomes the latest Clare accommodation centre to come into use for housing asylum seekers and persons fleeing war. The Central Hostel is located just under 25km from Magowna House in Inch which continues to have peaceful protests following the arrival of 33 male asylum seekers in May.

Facilities in Tulla and Scariff have also come into use over the intervening two months.

More on Page 5

BASH ON REGARDLESS

paraic@clareecho.ie

lThe Children of Dr Brendan O’Regan, from left Andrew O’Regan,Geraldine Guilfoyle, Margaret O’Regan, Carmel O’Regan and Declan O’Regan at the unveiling of the Bronze Sculpture of Dr Brendan O’Regan at Sixmilebridge Town Square on Monday afternoon.

Photo by Eamon Ward

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Gold Gaisce awards for four Clare youths

President Michael D Higgins awarded four young people from Clare with Gaisce Gold Award Medals recognising their tremendous contribution to communities all across Ireland. Gaisce is a non-formal education Award that supports young people on career and learning pathways. Pictured is Alannah Ryan, who collected her award along with Feargal Kearney, David Meehan and Aisling Donnellan

€2.5m to tackle dereliction

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

SOME €2.5 million in funding has been allocated to Clare County Council, to tackle vacancy and dereliction across the county.

The funding is being allocated to Clare County Council in Call Three of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), a €150 million fund to tackle vacancy and dereliction in our towns and cities.

Welcoming the funding announcement, Fianna Fáil TD for Clare, Cathal Crowe said, “This funding is of huge importance in light of the current housing and supply crisis we are experiencing.

“To see properties lying idle in the centre of our towns and villages at a time when so many people can’t access a home is heartbreaking, so this funding will make a significant difference.

“This will work whereby local authorities will acquire vacant or derelict properties which are either not on the market for sale or to which the market has not responded.

“They will then offer these properties for private sale to individuals who in return will commit to bringing the property into use as a home.

“This also has the added benefit of allowing people to live and participate in their village and town centres – a trend which was one so common but in recent decades, has lessened significantly.

“I welcome my colleague, Minister O’Brien’s commitment to tackling vacancy and look forward to more positive announcements in the future.”

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

O’Regan legacy will never die B

RENDAN O’REGAN’s legacy will never die with a life-size statue of the visionary unveiled in his native Sixmilebridge.

Heavy rain came to a stop as proceedings commenced in the square at 14:10 on Monday afternoon with all five of O’Regan’s children Carmel, Declan, Geraldine, Margaret and Andrew gathered in the front row with eight of his grandchildren and his two great grand-children. His children travelled from the UK, Limerick and Dublin to attend.

Before the series of tributes and speeches began, students from St Finnachta’s National School in Sixmilebridge played music as the hundreds of people in attendance took shelter from the beating rain.

Commissioned by Sixmilebridge Historical Society and Shannon Chamber, the statue was created by Kilbaha’s Seamus Connolly, one of the country’s leading bronze sculptors. Connolly’s grandfather ironically worked with Brendan in the early days of Foynes and he later transferred to Shannon.

His statue situated in the Square is opposite the house Brendan was born into in 1917. He was the fifth of seven children of James O’Regan from Sixmilebridge and Nora Ryan from Kilrush. Their house was the largest in Sixmilebridge at the time with 12 rooms and it included a shop which served the village.

A leader in thought and action, Brendan O’Regan’s contribution to Ireland’s economic progression is immense. He created Ireland’s first industrial duty-free zone, Shannon Free Zone, Ireland’s first new town of the 20th century, Shannon Town, Shannon College of Hotel Management and he was the ‘father’ of duty free, which is now a $90billion industry worldwide. Through founding Cooperation North, he was a conduit for international peace.

Audience members included project sponsors, Ei Electronics, representatives from Clare County Council, Eoin Gavin Transport, Neil Pakey, the Shannon Airport Group, Irish Hotels Federation (IHF), Shannon branch, and Shan-

non College of Hotel Management, University of Galway. Ei served as the main sponsor with Shannon Chamber pointing out that the project may not have got off the ground without an instant positive response from CEO, Mick Guinee.

Brian O’Connell and Cian O’Carroll who both collaborated to write an extensive book on Dr O’Regan were present in the audience along with members of the public. Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Cllr Joe Cooney (FG), Clare TD Michael McNamara (IND), Senator Timmy Dooley (FF), Cathaoirleach of the Shannon Municipal District, Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF), Cllr John Crowe (FG), Cllr PJ Ryan (IND), Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF), Cllr Pat McMahon (FF) and Cllr Pat O’Gorman (FF) were present with Cathal Crowe TD (FF) arriving as the event was drawing to a close.

Brendan’s son Andrew told the crowds, “There aren’t words I can find to express our gratitude for

the manner in which we humbled by your generosity”. He revealed it was the first time since his father’s passing in 2008 that the entire family was all together, “I’m sure the statue will bring a tear to their eye or two or 10,” he said to his siblings. He praised the sculptor for his “courtesy” in sharing his vision for designing Brendan as “a great communicator”.

“For us, Brendan was really just our Dad, a father who loved us all unconditionally and unreservedly, while as children we knew in various ways of Brendan’s working life and his commitment to it, in other ways it was all just background to our family. We knew of his work and had a sense of its importance and had an idea of the belief and determination which he brought to it, it was only in my 20s in Shannon that I learned that his initial BOR were short for Bash On Regardless, I’m not sure to this day if that was in jest or awe but I think it might be a bit of both.

“I also wonder if as children we understood the manner in which Brendan as a man was able to make people understand that their contribution was important and that they were part of a bigger endeavour and something particular to the Mid-West”.

He added, “As adults we had a deeper understanding of this in a developmental sense but for me my very first time when I really understood it at an emotional level was when Brendan’s remains were being removed from the church in Newmarket-on-Fergus to Ennis for his funeral Mass, without any direction from us as a family his cortege made its way through his home countryside and when it arrived at Sixmilebridge on the Tulla Rd, Fr Harry Bohan stepped out in the middle of the road, stopped the cortege and the hearse and the men and women of Sixmilebridge walked before Brendan’s hearse throught the village, it had a really profound impact on me. Now in

the Square across from the house where Brendan was born in 1917, this statue is being unveiled by you to recognise and honour him as one of your own. As you all know it takes a village to rear a child, it seems to me that some circle has finally been closed, he has come home”.

Secretary of the Sixmilebridge Historical Society, Tim Crowe explained, “one of the chief reasons we undertook this project was the lack of awareness of under 50s with Brendan O’Regan”. He outlined their plans to commence an educational project in local primary and secondary schools so that every generation in the future will fully appreciate Brendan’s contribution to Ireland and, to the Mid-West region. “We die twice, once when our organs fail and secondly when people stop talking about us but Brendan O’Regan will never die”.

President of Shannon Chamber, Eoin Gavin said it was double the honour as a Sixmilebridge man to unveil the statue of O’Regan. “Sixmilebridge is proud of their son and he is back where he belongs”. He commented, “We want the story to continue. We want the next generation to understand and pay homage to the past and build a new future for this village, Shannon, and the region, just as Brendan’s successors have done and continue to do. The life-size bronze statue, strategically placed in the Square, Sixmilebridge, for all to see, will serve as a visible manifestation of the founding father of industry and tourism in this region and beyond. It will serve to preserve his memory forever”.

CEO of Shannon Chamber, Helen Downes stated, “people will be visiting this statue, more importantly is the impact it will have on our children and our children’s children”. She maintained Brendan’s impact “goes far beyond this region”.

Fr Harry Bohan in addressing the gathering remarked, “I often got call at 5am from Brendan in the morning saying ‘I have an idea’, I’d be tempted to say hold it till 12pm but I never did because it always came to fruition, every idea Brendan got it had to come to fruition, I describe him as a patriot, he didn’t die for his country but he lived for it”.

l MONUMENT: Brendan O'Regan's youngest Great Grandchild Theodore O'Regan and his Mother Aoibhinn

O'Regan with family members at the unveiling of the Bronze Sculpture of Dr Brendan O'Regan by Shannon Chamber of Commerce President Eoin Gavin at Sixmilebridge Town Square on Monday Photo by Eamon Ward

42 asylum seekers for Miltown

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

MILTOWN MALBAY’s Central Hostel is set to house 42 male international protection applicants.

The Clare Echo has learned that the facility is to come into use for housing international protection applicants in the very near future, an exact date for which has not been specified.

Located in the centre of Miltown Malbay, The Central Hostel had previously been a temporary direct provision centre from May 2019 to August 2020 when it was shut down by the Department of Justice.

42 single males will be housed across 17 rooms at the Central Hostel. A 12 month contract is to be offered to the accommodation provider and this may be extended. Officials in the Department of Integration are unable to say how long the facility will be in use.

With the building constructed prior to the adoption of the 1990 Building Control Act it is considered exempt to the provisions of the Act. Additional fire documentation has been provided from a fire engineer by the owners.

Emergency centres have been opened in all parts of the country.

There have been over 100 accommodation locations utilised in 2022 across 17 counties. Clare County Council will be made aware of the use of the facility. The provider has confirmed that they have not made any links with local NGOs at this point but will work with all parties to support the integration of residents successfully.

Owned by Tralptop Limited, they acquired the property in April 2023. It is the first time this provider has been in a deal with IPAS to offer ac-

commodation. The Centre Management team in IPAS have developed and rolled out (as a pilot initially) a training programme for all centre managers to take part in and this will be offered to the provider. Four to five staff members are to be onsite 24 hours a day with a briefing note advising that “most of the staff have worked at the premises for many years” when it operated as a bar and restaurant.

Since purchasing the premises, Tralptop Ltd have dismantled the

entire bar area including decommissioning and removal offsite of all alcohol and dispensing equipment. They have reduced the accommodation capacity to 42 persons. All roofing leaks have been repaired while the requirements of the Fire Officer have been complied with. Three fire doors have been installed and all rooms have been repainted.

Additional works include the upgrading of all window blinds, decluttering the basement, relaying floor coverings, installing new WiFi and fire alarm systems and removing all excess cooking equipment.

Residents will be provided with a full board service, three meals a day prepared on-site, with the supply of snacks and refreshments available from 11am-9pm. Toiletries are to be replenished weekly. Fire alarms, fire-fighting equipment and security cameras are fitted throughout the common walking areas.

Applicants are eligible to work six months from their arrival in Ireland, most of the residents will be new arrivals. IP applicants access health services through mainstream services: primary care, GP and emergency services. Any IP applicant residing in IPAS accommodation is entitled to a medical card.

An integration fund is to be made available to assist in linkages to the local community in Miltown Mal-

bay. Residents can avail of English language classes through the ETB. An adult resident receives an allowance of €38.80 per week. Residents also get three meals per day. Other assistance from the Department of Social Protection, such as bus fares to attend appointments, is available at the discretion of the local community welfare officer.

International protection applicant (IPAs) are not entitled to apply for or avail of social housing or the Housing Assistance Payment while their claim for asylum is being determined by the International Protection Office (IPO).

As of April 4, 2023, 71,602 persons fleeing the invasion of Ukraine have arrived in Ireland since the start of the war, they are known as Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs). 62,774 people are being provided with accommodation by the State, through the Ukraine Crisis Temporary Accommodation Team. The most recent seven day average of daily BOTP arrivals is 82. 20,304 is the number of International Protection (IP) applicants who are being accommodated by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) and of this 2,675 have arrived in Ireland in 2023. 15,014 IP applicants arrived in Ireland last year.

l MONUMENT: The Central Hostel in Miltown Malbay

Clare CAMHS close to collapse

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

CLARE’S child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) is facing a crisis and at risk of collapse, a Shannon representative has warned.

In a proposal before Monday’s meeting of Clare County Council, Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) said the Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler (FF) needed to invest more resources and room capacity for Clare youth mental health services which is “facing a crisis”. She added, “We need intervention in Clare now before this service collapses.”

An internal survey by staff of Clare CAMHS has revealed that 94 per cent felt the clinical environment was not suitable for the support of young people and is putting children supported by this service at risk. 88

percent of staff have said that they will be seeking alternative employment in the coming year while 94 percent rated morale as ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’.

On nine occasions in March of this year, an appointment was not offered by a clinician due to the non-availability of a clinical room. An appointment was postponed to a later time or day on eight different times while shorter appointments were given on a total of seven instances due to a lack of clinical space.

East Clare CAMHS has the lowest number of staff and is the only team without a permanent consultant psychiatrist, and of 12 staff in October 2022 only six still worked there in April.

More space is essential for the service to continue, Cllr McGettigan stressed. Poor staff retention and the shortage of clinical

A nice little Pressie

space is placing a risk to the children supported by the service.

Cllr Michael Begley (IND) said he was “shocked to say the least” upon hearing the figures.

Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) who sits on the HSE Regional Health Forum told the meeting he would put together a question for their next sitting to try obtain further information.

Clare TD, Violet-Anne Wynne (IND) raised the matter in Dáil Éireann in April and again on Thursday. “CAMHS in Clare are split between two teams, one for East Clare and one for West Clare...The service has not even been planned sufficiently to ensure the safety of staff members or service users. Our youth in those areas face the added challenges of isolation, deprivation and the associated difficulties”.

l David Meehan receives his Gaisce Gold Award from President Michael D Higgins

Man claims wife knifed him ‘A representative of distinction’ –ex-TD & minister Brendan Daly dies

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

A JUDGE has granted a man a domestic violence Protection Order against his wife after he lifted his top in court to show a two inch mark on his chest from a knife.

The man alleged in court that his wife had ‘scraped’ his chest with a knife during a row at home. In response to Judge Alec Gabbett asking the man did his wife hurt him when she took the knife to him, the man lifted his top to show the two inch knife mark. Judge Gabbett commented, “a picture paints a thousand words”.

Judge Gabbett told the man that his wife has also secured a Protection Order against him and Judge Gabbett said that the woman has alleged that “he hit me and tried to set the house on fire. I am terrified for myself and my daughter”.

Granting the Protection Order to the man Judge Gabbett commented that “there is no harm in the two of you having a Protection Order in the circumstances”.

In a separate case, Judge Gabbett has granted a Protection Order to a woman after she told Judge Gabbett that he threatened to take their baby out of the country two weeks after its birth.

The Asian woman said that met her Eastern European husband on the Internet. She said, “He told Gardai I stole the baby and a Garda came to me because of what he said”.

Judge Gabbett said, “Don’t be listening to him. That is all nonsense”.

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

FORMER Clare TD and minister, Brendan Daly (FF) has died with his warmth, charm and intellect among the traits coming to the fore in tributes.

Political figures have been paying tribute to the Cooraclare native who died in the early hours of Thursday morning at the age of 83.

Born in February 1940, he attended Kilrush CBS, in the early 1970s he married Kilrush woman Patricia Carmody, she died in March 2014. They are survived by their three children, Niamh, Iomhar and Ronan.

First elected to Dáil Éireann in February 1973, he retained his seat at the next six elections before losing out in 1992 with the historic success of Moosajee Bhamjee (LAB). Daly regained his seat in 1997 but was unsuccessful with further attempts in 2002 and 2007.

Brendan served as Minister for Fisheries and Forestry in 1982, Minister for the Marine (19871989), Minister for Defence in 1991 and Minister for Social Welfare (1991-1992). He was a strong supporter of former Tao-

iseach, Charles Haughey (FF) who appointed him to Cabinet.

Albert Reynolds (FF) who succeeded Haughey appointed Brendan as a Junior Minister in the Department of Foreign Affairs in February 1992.

He had three separate stints as a Senator, firstly as a Taoiseach’s nominee before being elected to the Agricultural Panel in 1993 and then onto the Labour Panel in 2002 serving until 2007. Daly retired from public life following the 2007 General Election.

Tánaiste, Micheál Martin (FF) said he was “deeply saddened” to learn of the death of his “good

friend”. He said the lifelong Fianna Fáil member “was a deeply committed public representative of great distinction who cared deeply about his community, county and country. His was a life of long and honourable service”.

Insight and advice was given by Brendan following his retirement, the Tánaiste acknowledged. “He was a truly outstanding public representative, who served the people of Clare with great diligence, care and attentiveness. He was a native of Cooraclare, a place which shaped and formed his life and about which he regularly spoke with great affection. Brendan cared deeply about his constituents and constituency, tirelessly campaigning and representing them and always seeking to improve their lives”.

“Today, more than anything else, I remember Brendan’s warmth, wit, intelligence and his regular advice and insights. His approach to politics was always people-centred and he had a pragmatic and positive attitude to everything he did. His energy and enthusiasm was infectious. Brendan loved his county, his country and his Party and left his mark on each.”

Sitting Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) said, “Brendan gave years of stellar service to county, country and the Fianna Fáil party. Brendan was a very proud Cooraclare man throughout his life”.

Senator Timmy Dooley (FF) described Brendan as “one of the brightest people I have ever met in politics - he was insightful, he was passionate, he was interested in people and community, he worked tirelessly and often quietly for people who were in most need.

“He was very witty and funny, never taking himself too seriously. He was never blinded by the trappings of office or never stood on ceremony. He remained grounded and humble regardless of the heights he achieved,” Senator Dooley added.

Speaking in the Dáil, Clare TD, Michael McNamara (IND) used the opportunity to remember Brendan, “Among his many attributes, he was a man of great charm, I think everybody who met him would agree on that and that he was a man of many attributes”.

Actions of Ennis family save life of elderly neighbour

MEMBERS of an Ennis family have been hailed by emergency services for their actions in helping to prevent a fatal outcome from a recent house fire.

Emergency services responded to a report of a house fire at Linnane’s Terrace on the Kilrush Rd in Ennis on Monday (June 26th) after 7pm.

Smoke was noticed by neighbours of an elderly male resident coming from the bedroom of the house, they immediately contacted the emergency services, went to the house and started banging on the doors and windows

trying to alert the elderly male. When Gardaí and Fire Brigade personnel arrived they gained access to the house and the elderly male who was semi unconscious was taken from the house by fire brigade personnel who immediately gave medical assistance and the male was then transferred to University Hospital Limerick.

“Only for the swift actions of the Ryan family there could have been a fatal outcome but it was prevented by their actions. We want to extend our thanks to all of the Ryan family,” Sergeant Triona Brooks told The Clare Echo.

‘Major honour’ for Lahinch to host 2026 Walker Cup

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

LAHINCH WILL become only the third Irish venue to ever host the Walker Cup, the oldest amateur event in world golf.

On Monday, it was confirmed that Lahinch Golf Club will host the fifty first match between Great Britain and Ireland versus the United States of America in the Walker Cup from September 5th to 6th in 2026.

It will be the first time in Lahinch’s history that it will host the international match and it follows Portmarnock (1991) and Royal County Down (2007) as previous Irish venues to host the biennial encounter.

2019 saw Lahinch host the DDF Irish Open when the festival atmosphere in the North-West Clare coastal town demonstrated its ability as a quality venue when Jon Rahm claimed victory.

As part of its preparations for the biggest team event in amateur golf, Lahinch Golf Club will invest €2m in a new wall-to-wall irrigation system this winter before commencing a €2m clubhouse

extension project which will have to target of being complete before the summer of 2026.

Chairperson of Lahinch Golf Club, John Gleeson said, “The Walker Cup has long been an iconic fixture at the pinnacle of men’s amateur golf and for Lahinch to be invited to host the matches, following on from St Andrews and Cypress Point in 2025 is a major honour for our Club and links”.

Along with hosting The Irish Open, Lahinch is noted for having the South of Ireland Amateur Championships as a stable event, it first began in 1895, previous winners include Paul McGinley, Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke.

Mark Kennelly, Golf Ireland CEO commented, “Lahinch Golf Club’s reputation as one of Ireland’s premier links courses is well-deserved. Hosting the Walker Cup for the first time in its history, the anticipation among golf enthusiasts will be palpable”. He predicted “a vibrant atmosphere and a fantastic spectator turnout” in three years time.

The Town Hall Bistro

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

“Lahinch is widely regarded as being one of the finest links courses in Ireland and so there will be great excitement at the prospect of the Walker Cup being played there for the very first time,” said The R&A Chief Development Officer Phil Anderton.

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

Chief Executive of Clare County Council, Pat Dowling said it was a big achievement for the county to be hosting “the oldest and most prestigious amateur event in world golf”.

The Poets Corner Bar

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

The Brendan O’Regan Restaurant

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

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

l SETTING THE STANDARD: Lahinch hosted the DDF Irish Open to huge fanfare in 2019

O’Brien swaps Mayor of Clare for Chair of Killaloe

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

AS HIS year as Mayor of Clare came to a close, Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF) quickly found himself with a new post.

Succeeded by fellow East Clare man, Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) as the county’s first citizen, Cllr O’Brien took over the mantle from Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF) as the Cathaoirleach of the Killaloe Municipal District. With both meetings occurring on the same day, there was a period of two hours where he held both mayoral chains.

Craggaunowen was the setting for the AGM of the Killaloe MD where Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) and Cllr Pat Burke (FG) proposed and seconded the election of the Killaloe man. “He has learned so much about the county going around and delivering so it will be great to have his knowledge back in our MD, there are a lot

of the projects going on here and he will hopefully bring them forward,” Hayes commented. Burke noted he was “a great man to promote East Clare”.

O’Brien was “a fantastic Mayor, he has kept us all on our toes, the Executive and us the elected representatives, he considered everyone,” Cllr O’Callaghan maintained.

“I won’t make any promises here, what you see on the tin is what you get, we’ve a lot of work at hand in the Killaloe Municipal District,

I acknowledge the work

already done, we’re a team and if we don’t stay working as a team then we won’t achieve,” Cllr O’Brien outlined. A bid to get a wastewater treatment scheme for Broadford which is “dragging on” was among the issues raised by the new Chair.

Director of Services, Anne Haugh praised Tony, “we could all see how industrious you were as Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Tony’s car was in the car park of Clare County Council more than any staff member of the

Day to remember

Council”.

When it came to the AGM of the County Council, O’Brien was emotional when giving his final address. He described the role as “a tremendous honour”. He added, “You always have an ambition in the back of your head, you always want to do the best you can. Meeting the people of Clare at home and abroad has been a huge highlight”.

Particular moments referenced by the former Bus Éireann employee included the trip to Milwaukee promoting the county, the commencement of works on the Killaloe Bridge and Bypass, honouring Clare ladies in sport and the Council being named local authority of the year.

Mayor of Clare, Cllr Cooney commended his predecessor, “it has been a privilege to watch you grow in the role, you have represented the county with pride and honour at every launch, function and meeting”.

John and Alice Collins from Carrigaholt supporting the Clare senior hurlers in Croke Park last weekend

Photo By Gerard O’Neill

l NEW ROLE: Cllr Tony O’Brien Photo by Eamon Ward

Inaugural Vandeleur Festival Brings

Fashion, Art And Music To Kilrush

THE inaugural Vandeleur Festival Kilrush will take place on the weekend of July 21st to 23rd and will feature a series of events, including a performance by the Kilfenora Céilí Band and a Fashion Show by the Celia Holman Lee Agency.

The three-day festival gets underway at The Vandeleur Walled Garden and Visitor Centre on Friday 21st July with free admission being provided to an art exhibition by Kil-

rush-based Ailish Malone whose self-taught abstract landscapes are inspired by the West Clare landscape, in particular the Shannon Estuary and the Atlantic Ocean. The popular visitor attraction will also host a musical performance by Teresa Carrig who will be launching her new CD, “Roots of Love”.

From 8pm to 10pm in Frances Street in Kilrush town centre, there will be live music by The Alvin Purple Experience and a Fire

Show by Rogu, featuring three of Ireland’s greatest contemporary circus performers.

One of Ireland’s most enduring and famous céilí bands will take to the stage in a specially erected marquee located within the newly renovated courtyard at Vandeleur Walled Garden and Visitor Centre on Saturday 22nd July at 7.30pm. The Kilfenora Céilí Band will be supported by popular West Clare singer/ songwriter PJ Murrihy.

KILRUSH 2023

The deluxe, high street, and boutique designs from some of the best local retailers in Kilrush and surrounding areas will be showcased on Sunday 23rd July from 7.00pm when The Holman Lee Agency hosts a Fashion Show at Vandeleur Walled Garden. The Fashion Show will be the concluding event of the festival.

Councillor Joe Cooney, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, said, “Vandeleur Festival Kilrush is a valuable addition to County Clare’s events calendar and will shine a spotlight on the arts and culture community in West Clare. The event will also deliver benefits for the local economy and will help to promote the West Clare capital town as a vibrant place to visit.”

Pat Dowling, Chief Executive of Clare County Council, commented, “Working with the local community, the Vandeleur Walled Gardens Experience has developed an event that it is hoped will become an annual feature on the local and national festivals calendar. Clare County Council is committed to investing in the future development of the visitor attraction and the town, which is an important commercial and cultural centre in the wider West Clare area.”

“Vandeleur Festival Kilrush is a real win for the people of Kilrush and the surrounding area, who now have a fantastic festival right on their doorstep,” explained Councillor Ian Lynch, Cathaoirleach of the West Clare Municipal District.

He continued, “Everyone in the town is looking forward to a massive weekend of festivities. I am delighted to be able to directly support the event organisers and look forward to welcoming people from all over Clare and beyond to the town next week. It will be particularly exciting to see the world famous Kilfenora Céilí Band perform in the recently upgraded courtyard at Vandeleur Walled Gardens as this event will help to further increase awareness of this valuable heritage tourism product.”

Noel Kilkenny, Chairperson of Kilrush Civic Amenity Trust Ltd, stated, “We are delighted to support the programme of events that has been lined up for next week as it contains something for everybody with performances and activities that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Creating a community-focused attraction is a key priority for the Vandeleur Walled Garden and Visitor Centre, and it is wonderful to have received such positive support from the wider community for this festival.”

Colette Costello, Head of Operations, Vandeleur Walled Garden and Visitor Centre, confirmed that a park and ride service will operate every fifteen minutes between Kilrush town centre and Vandeleur Walled Gardens from 6pm on Saturday and Sunday.

She explained, “People attending the event are encouraged to park in town and walk through the Turret Lane access to the centre which will be sign posted, alternatively we will be providing a park and ride service which will operate every 15 mins from outside Patrick Bourke’s menswear to Vandeleur Walled Garden to facilitate all visitors to the Saturday and Sunday evening events. Visitors with limited mobility are welcome to park in the car park closest to the centre”.

The Fashion Show and Kilfenora Céilí Band performance are ticketed events. Further information on the Vandeleur Festival Kilrush is available from www.vandeleurwalledgarden.ie.

Village premises preference for Newmarket GP

PREMISES TO HAVE a GP service in the village of Newmarket-on-Fergus are being examined but the community should not be made go “cap in hand” to the HSE writes Páraic McMahon.

Monday’s public meeting held in the Community Hall heard that the Community Forum has since March been engaging with political representatives on the risk posed to the future of a GP service in the parish.

Chairperson of the Newmarket-on-Fergus Community Forum, Paddy Enright asked the meeting, “if a doctor is set up in the village, can we guarantee the numbers to have a viable practice”.

Addressing the meeting, Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) said there was three options on the table for the future of a GP service in the parish. They included the GP operating out of a chalet in Carrigoran, sourcing a premises in the village or the surgery leaving Carrigoran and going to Saffron and Blue Medical Centre’s main offices in Clarecastle.

Deputy Crowe said the decision to move the service to Clarecastle was “a commercial decision and it doesn’t do much for Newmarket-on-Fergus. The Meelick native said the village should aspire to have a primary care centre.

Keeping the GP within the village was identified by Deputy Crowe as his preference. The former Spar supermarket which has been closed for over five years was one potential location. “The owner has been approached, there is a lot of goodwill and a deal can be done, the offer has gone into HSE and will be explored by the HSE’s estates management team. The offer is being considered”. This would involve the HSE taking on the building and leasing it.

Former manager of Obair, Pat Cronin said “Our village is dying and dying on its feet, we will lose a doctor but a lot of businesses. We’ve one shop in the village which is a disgrace”. He said there was enough people present at the meeting to buy the vacant premises. “I’m hearing a lot of rubbish, the village is dying,” he concluded.

Sourcing a premises is the first option of the Community Forum, “if not we’ll be back to the people looking to make a contribution,” Enright advised.

Clare TD, Michael Mc-

Namara (IND) quipped that a doctor can see patients in a caravan referencing the mode of transport used by Senator Timmy Dooley (FF) for clinic meetings. “I don’t think it’s reasonable in 2023 to expect a community to kit out a medical facility,” he said while committing to raise the matter with HSE CEO, Bernard Gloster, “I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect a community to provide a health centre”.

Senator Dooley told the meeting, “you don’t need to go cap in hand to the HSE, with the size of this village you don’t need to be quoting stats, neither as Pat Cronin who has done so much for this parish said I don’t think you should have to go and collect, it should be there by right”. He was adamant the community was entitled to a doctor. “You’re not a small village, it is not getting smaller it is growing, you’re in the heart of the corridor between Ennis, Shannon, Galway and Limerick. One option that is not on the table is no doctor being in NOF”. Using the former Spar premises “is a great idea if it works but it will be expensive,” he warned.

Both the Community Hall and Obair building already belong to the parish, Brendan Ryan a former member of the Hall Committee told the meeting, “this building belongs to the people of this parish”. The Chairman questioned in response if it was appropriate to have a private healthcare facility in a community hall, “there is a concern around the privacy and where the doctor needs to operate”. Ryan replied, “this building belongs to the parish. A doctor is very badly needed in this parish, we had two doctors in this parish before. Spar is another private enterprise, are we going from frying pan into the fire”.

Having listened to the contributions, Esther Murphy remarked, “it sounded as if there was only three options”. She suggested compiling a list of suitable buildings and presenting it to the HSE to find the best practice.

Tom Neylon of the Community Forum told the meeting, “the Eurospar premises is not the only one available, whichever premises is best we will look to get”. Wheelchair access and parking are among the aspects the Forum are considering when looking at potential locations.

‘HSE have a duty not to put us on a cliff edge’

by Páraic McMahon

NEWMARKET-ON-FERGUS needs a medical service fitting of its big and growing population, a public meeting has heard.

Over 200 people packed into the smaller hall in the community centre on Monday evening while the larger bingo hall remained vacant. Such was the crowd that there was a spill over onto the main street.

Organised by the Newmarket-on-Fergus Community Forum which itself was formed in January 2020 off the back of a public meeting in December 2019 fighting for the future of medical services in the locality in the aftermath of long-serving GP, Dr Colm Hackett’s retirement.

Since June 2020, rooms in the daycare centre of Carrigoran Nursing Home has been the location of the medical practice in Newmarket-on-Fergus. This current arrangement is to conclude in September posing threats to the future of the GP service in the parish. The retirement of Dr Hackett in May 2019 after forty two years working as Newmarket-on-Fergus’ GP led to Saffron and Blue Medical Centre receiving a contract from the HSE to provide a GP service from Carrigoran.

Politicians present at the meeting included Clare TDs, Cathal Crowe

(FF) and Michael McNamara (IND), Joe Carey (FG) was represented by his parliamentary assistant Ger O’Halloran with Violet Anne Wynne (IND) absent. Senator Timmy Dooley (FF) was the only representative of the Upper House present with Senator Martin Conway (FG) and Senator Roisin Garvey (GP) not at the engagement.

Cllr Pat McMahon (FF), Cllr John Crowe (FG), Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) and Cllr Pat O’Gorman (FF) were the local representatives in attendance.

Disappointment was voiced by locals including Kathleen Donnellan on the absence of a representative from Saffron and Blue or the HSE from the meeting.

As observed by Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) there was a sense of “déjà vu” as the fight for a GP in the village kicked off again.

Local pharmacist Joe Varden of Varden’s Pharmacy told the meeting of the importance of keeping the GP service. He was forthright in explaining the departure of a doctor would have a big financial impact on his business and warned it could lead to the potential loss of jobs in the locality, particularly in the pharmacy.

Chairperson of the Community Forum, Paddy Enright said they

were “very supportive” of Carrigoran who have agreed to extend the use of their facilities until September. “We need a GP in the village, our optimum situation is to have it as near as possible to the pharmacy. If you’ve to commute to Carrigoran are you as well to travel to Clarecastle, Ennis or Shannon”.

He told TDs it was “fiercely important” to acknowledge the size of the parish. “Population wise, we’re twice the size of Tulla and Scariff,

TDs call to revoke

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

MINISTER FOR HEALTH, Stephen Donnelly (FF) is to meet with representative of the Newmarket-on-Fergus Community Forum on the future of a GP in the parish while TDs have said the contract with the current GP should be revoked if plans to take the service out of the village progress.

Under the current HSE contract issued to Saffron and Blue Medical Centre in June 2020, there are between 840 to 890 medical card holders for a Newmarket-on-Fergus based GP.

Addressing Monday’s public meeting discussing the future of a GP in Newmarket-on-Fergus, Cllr Pat McMahon (FF) said he was “shocked and very disappointed” to learn that Dr Gavin was terminating his tenure at Carrigoran in September and planning to relocate the service to Clarecastle.

Such plans act “a huge blow” to the village and parish, he said. “I am abso-

lutely baffled,” Cllr McMahon said of the developments and referenced how Dr Gavin won the contract from the HSE following a process where thirteen doctors had been interviewed.

Expansion of a wastewater treatment plant in Newmarket-on-Fergus gives the possibility of the construction of an extra 100 to 150 houses within the next five to ten years, he said, “this means no public service doctor serving Newmarket is the worst case scenario”.

If the relocation to Clarecastle occurs, the GMS list needs to be “rescinded,” Cathal Crowe TD (FF) stated. The GMS contract provides for the provision of medical and surgical services to persons with full eligibility under the Health Act 1970.

This stance was echoed by Deputy Michael McNamara (IND). “Partly because of the suitable location and partly with the split of private and public, it is a more attractive list when it is private and GMS because one finances

the other”.

The Clare Echo attempted to contact Dr Colum Gavin for comment on Wednesday.

A meeting has been arranged with the Minister for Health and a deputation of the Community Forum with Clare TDs. Deputy Crowe said he met Minister Donnelly twice on the matter and that HSE CEO Bernard Gloster was aware of the matter. “The Minister is not revoking the list, there is no commitment of a magic wand to kit out a premises. The focus is to have a village centre practice”.

“He’s willing to meet us directly in Dublin or via Zoom to take feedback from the public. It shows that it is very important when you have the Minister looking at this,” Chairperson of the Community Forum, Paddy Enright stated. He committed to having a second meeting if needed and to advising the community if progress had been made.

if they can slight on either market-on-Fergus to hold down Recurring vices in cannot continue the Stonehall tary assistant O’Loughlin secure a next year’s Shannon Municipal

paraic@clareecho.ie

l PACKED: A section of the crowd in Newmarket-on-Fergus

have a GP and it is no either parish then Newmarket-on-Fergus should be able down a GP service”.

Recurring battles for health serNewmarket-on-Fergus continue said David Griffin, Stonehall man is a parliamenassistant to Senator Fiona (FF) and is hoping to nomination to contest year’s local elections in the Municipal District. “We’re

not the first community affected by the loss of a GP, Rathangan is a small town in South Kildare with a population of 2,000 people, they were in the exact same situation, a town with no doctor but in that case the HSE came in”. The result was the addition of a primary care centre with a public health nurse, a permanent GP and mental health services. He argued that there was no reason why the same scenario could not be replicated in New-

market-on-Fergus. “We can’t go around this roundabout every four or five years. The HSE have a duty not to put us on a cliff edge”.

Officials in the HSE have not been proactive on the matter, Triona Marren O’Grady stated. “What is stopping the HSE from being proactive and consulting with us as a community, there is a lack of consultation but why is it back to us to make it happen”.

GP contract GP

Newmarket-on-Fergus

Photo by Joe Buckley

l Cllr John Crowe and Brendan Ryan

photo by Joe Buckley

Lighting works in Ballyalla approved & overgrown walkways flagged

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

APPROVAL has been granted for lighting works in the vicinity of Ballyalla Lake totalling €132,500 while separate concerns have been voiced with overgrown walkways in the vicinity.

Funding was obtained by the Ennis Municipal District under the Community Recognition Fund in May for an application for a public lighting project.

A contractor has been appointed to install public lighting from the Gort Rd down to Ballyalla Lake. Acting senior executive engineer in the Ennis MD, Paddy Tiernan confirmed sixteen lighting columns would be erected at approximately 25m centres. “The column height has been restricted to 4m in height in order to reduce the environmental impact of the project including impacts on the local bat species. The estimated cost of the project is €132,500 and we expect the project to be completed by the end of August 2023”.

An update had been sought by Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) at the July meeting of the Ennis Municipal District who

cited his previous requests to improve safety and increase accessibility for the public. His proposal was seconded by Cllr Paul Murphy (FG).

Meanwhile, Cllr Flynn has also highlighted that overgrown walkways are restricting walking in the northern section of Ballyalla Lake. “The overgrown walkways at Northern section of Ballyalia Lake are and have closing in across the paths to the extent that it was impossible to walk without getting wet whilst walking from the bushes long grass following earlier rainfall. I ask that the bushes and grasses be cut back to ensure the safety of users and in particular to remove any visual blind spots at turns/ bends of the paths for vulnerable walkers. The bushes/hedges at the carpark also seem to need cutting back”.

He acknowledged the upgrading and widening of the footpaths in the southern section of Ballyalla. “It is a pity that the surfaces at this section are rough stone and not finished with tarmac”.

Cllr Flynn added, “Overall the amenity was clean and great to see the lifeguard hut in operation”.

Ennis strengthens links to Langenfeld

ENNIS RECENTLY welcomed a group of thirty three visitors from Langenfeld in Germany writes Páraic McMahon.

Since 2013, Ennis has been twinned with Langenfeld and over the past year it has welcomed many visitors from the area. Located in the district of Mettmann, the suburban city is between Düsseldorf and Cologne. Langenfeld was formed from the two localities of Richrath and Reusrath and

received city rights in 1948. Sites such as the Cliffs of Moher, Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Caherconnell Stone Fort and Sheepdog Demonstrations, Lough Derg and the Burren were visited during the trip.

Another batch of thirty three visitors from Langenfeld are due to arrive in Ennis in October.

Padraic McElwee Clare County Council, Heike Cramer, Dr Uwe Hoehner Chairman of Langenfeld Ennis Committee, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF), Bernard Dilger Chairman of Ennis Langenfeld Twinning Committee, Cllr Mary Howard (FG) Deputy Chair of Ennis Langenfeld Twinning Committee, Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF), Detlef Kakob, Cordula Kupper & Martin Plate Langenfeld Ennis Twinning Committee

SHANNON NEWS

in association with

Shannon Airport ranked as country’s best airport brand

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

SHANNON AIRPORT has been ranked as the country’s best airport brand.

Placing at 54th in the top 100 of emotionally connected brands made Shannon Airport the highest-ranking airport brand in Ireland according to the RED C Brand Reaction Index (BRI) Ireland 2023.

RED C conducted the BRI Test among the 170 brands across 22 sectors, to see which brands have the highest connection with consumers. The research was conducted online where 2,025 respondents took part in the survey between June 1st and 22nd.

Tim Ryan, Head of Brand and Marketing at The Shannon Airport Group said, “It is fantastic to see we are ranked as the top airport brand in the country, and this really acknowledges the work across all our departments here in the airport. It is because of this, that people associate such positive emotions and meaningful connections with Shannon Airport”.

Jane Dunleavy, Associate Director at Red C

explained, “We do this Brand Reaction Index study to test if a brand has a strong enough emotional connection to drive positive feelings. Our work suggests that strong emotional connects are vitally important as one of the key shortcuts to deliver brand choice. The higher the BRI score, the more likely a brand is to be chosen vs. competitors”.

Facial expressions are used as shortcuts for emotions in RED C’s Brand Reaction Index. Each time a brand is shown, consumers are asked to choose as quickly as possible the emotion that they feel when they see that brand.

The data is then weighted across age, gender, region and social grade to be representative of all adults aged 18 years and over in the Republic of Ireland.

Other brands ranked under the Airport and Aviation sector in the overall index includes Aer Lingus in 13th place, Cork Airport at 58, Ryanair at 71 and Dublin Airport at 85. The top three brands in the country are Cadbury Dairy Milk in first place, Tayto in second and Lidl in third.

Formal footpath link sought by St Aidan’s school

DESIGN WORKS are ongoing to create a footpath link to upgraded pedestrian facilities in Shannon.

A request for the installation of a footpath “to connect up with the footpath that lines up with St John and Paul’s Church and St Aidan’s school from the adjoining estate” was sought by Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF).

She explained, “this route is already being used as a safe passage for children going to school but is not yet an established foot-

path”.

In response, senior executive engineer in the Shannon Municipal District, Tom Mellett stated, “this office will begin design on creating a formal footpath connection for this estate to the recently upgraded pedestrian facilities servicing the area”.

Speaking at a meeting of the Shannon MD, Cllr McGettigan commented, “this has been brought to me a few times, the footpath is being used but it is not an official footpath, you can see where it is being used”. Her proposal was seconded by Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND).

Shannon

l St Aidans School

One of Clare’s longest running shows set to welcome large crowds to Corofin

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

THE COROFIN (North Clare) Agricultural Show takes place on Saturday week, July 22nd. This is the 72nd year of one of the longest running shows in Clare with the traditional to the quirky planned to entertain large crowds in Corofin. This is a great family day out with lots to see and do. Prizes will be on offer for classes in horses, cattle, sheep, donkeys, and show jumping. In the Corofin Hall there will be a marvellous selection of flowers, vegetables, jams, home baking, crafts and, photography, all vying for the coveted prizes on offer. In the children’s section, there will be competitions for baking, art, poetry and novelty classes including best painted wellie, best decorated hard-boiled egg, and best hand painted stone, to name but a few.

The hugely popular dog show will take place this year at 1pm where your four legged friend can compete in a choice of 12 classes. The Animal Roadshow will have a selection of reptiles, birds, creepy crawlies and mammals, and will allow first

hand interaction with them. This is a must see for children of all ages. Facepainting and a selection of kids games will also take place on the day. Be sure to visit our beautifully unique Vintage Tearooms. Enjoy your tea/coffee in a china cup and saucer with a slice of cake or tart, or perhaps one of

tea in a beautiful setting. An experience not to be missed!

There will be a tug of war and sheaf throwing competitions in the afternoon. We also have fantastic vintage cars on display.

There will also be live music at the Show this year with all money collected going to the Burren Animal Rescue Charity.

The committee would like to thank all of our sponsors for their generous support.

The Launch night for the Show is Friday July 14th at 8pm in the Corofin Hall and is open to the public.

The last date for entries to the show is Friday July 14th and can be made at www. itsplainsailing.com.

Admission: Children FREE.

our delicious scones or buns, all baked locally. A truly enjoyable way to experience afternoon

Adults €10 For more information go to Corofin North Clare Agricultural Show Ltd page on Facebook.

GREEN CLARE

Shannon Estuary report targets 50,000 green jobs by 2050 & creation of green digital powerhouse

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

Moneypoint a major part of our 'untapped potential'

UP TO 50,000 ‘green jobs’ over the next thirty years are among the targets of the Shannon Estuary Economic Taskforce report.

PÁRAIC

an estimated 5,000 hours of commitment by the voluntary Taskforce appointed by Government fifteen months ago to make recommendations on the economic development potential of the Shannon Estuary region.

MCMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

In terms of ‘green jobs’ alone, the report targets the creation of 10,000 jobs by 2035 and 50,000 by 2050 along with having 2GW of green energy capacity in development by 2030, and up to 30GW installed by 2050. The investment value of the entire viable wind resource off the Atlantic seaboard is estimated at up to €120billion.

ing from renewable sources, this was met in 2020. Now, he wants this doubled to 80 percent by 2030.

Launched in Ardnacrusha Power Station on Saturday morning, the 200 page report is the output from

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

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

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

Communications, Energy and Natural Resources from 2007 to 2011, Ryan set a target of 40 per cent of the country’s energy com

Ardnacrusha’s setting for the launch was in recognition of the fact that it almost a hundred years ago unveiled plans to deliver a global renewable energy revolution as it became the world’s most cutting edge hydroelectric station, transforming a fledgling state as it electrified Ireland for the first time and, in tandem, saw the roll-out of the world’s first national grid.

Among the eleven person taskforce were CEO of Shannon Air-

“I’m convinced we can do it, one of the ways we can do it is by switching offshore, our sea area is seven times our land area, there is a limit in Kerry as to how much turbines you can put up in any area but at sea, the resource is huge and the wind power is really strong,” he stated.

Offshore wind energy by Moneypoint is central to this. Speaking

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

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

port Group, Mary Considine, Ennis based Managing Director of SDC Business Consulting Ltd, Siobhan Dolan Clancy, Seán Hegarty, Dispatchable Generation, Storage & Regeneration Manager with ESB while Chief Executive of Clare County Council, Pat Dowling was one of four rotating representatives. Based on the unique natural assets of almost unrivalled deep-water, proximity to one of the world’s largest offshore wind resources with an estimated 70GW generation capacity ten times our current national requirement and available development landbanks for offshore wind supply-chain, green fuels generation and large scale FDI and indigenous industries, the estuary can, the Taskforce found, become the staging post for the ‘Atlantic Green Digital Corridor’.

This, its Chairman Barry O’Sullivan stated, would be the world’s leading green powered digital hub, stretching from Donegal through to Cork and further inland and delivering unprecedented benefit to the State by way of not alone sustainably powering the nation but being the 21st century draw for FDI and indigenous business growth.

A key recommendation to Government in the report to enable this is the creation of a National Floating Offshore Wind Development Agency, a one- stop-shop - as recommended in the EU Green Deal - to ensure that the plan becomes a reality. The Taskforce also recommends that the region, described by Mr. O’Sullivan as “the green front door to Europe”, be given EU renewable energy ‘go-to area’ status. Highlighting the significance of the report was the attendance of An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (FG) to launch it together with Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan (GP), Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment Simon Coveney (FG) and Minister for

curement of 450 megawatts of emergency generators to help close the gap over winter if there was no wind to generate power and one of the larger power stations experienced a shutdown, this will cost

Education Norma Foley (FF) with TDs, Senators and Mayors from counties across the Shannon Estuary region.

Potential for the region to become a powerhouse for Ireland’s future economic development was noted by the Taoiseach. He stated, “what we want to do here in the Shannon Estuary region is to make this the green digital powerhouse for the country”. The plans will take decades to deliver, he acknowledged.

“I see this as an Ireland project and an all-of-Ireland project. We have a single electricity market north and south, and we’re keen to approach this opportunity, this green energy revolution, as something that will involve the whole country, north and south.

Taskforce Chairman O’Sullivan urged political and business stakeholders to play their part in leading the Shannon Scheme 2.0. “The scale in terms of time is infinite because the wind will be around forever. And we’ve enough power out there for about 70 million people. We’ll want to export some of that and play our part in the decarbonisation of Europe. But also we want to attract new industries here and develop our own industries to take that power, create value-add and take the economy to a new level”.

Capacity to rebalance the national economy exists within the Shannon Estuary, Minister Ryan outlined. “This is bringing power to the people, but it’s also bringing industry to where the power is. The big story here is a move-west, northwest, southwest, rebalancing our country. There’s so much development in the east that’s good for everyone but if it’s all in the East the country is imbalanced. Using this power in the west to bring jobs to create energy but also to balance our country, real strong growth right along the west coast, north west, south west, I think that’s the big

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

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

story here. It’s a balancing of the country, the economic development heading west, I think that’s a good news story for everyone.”

He continued, “If 100 plus years ago we could build this damn to power the country, spending a quarter of our total wealth and income, yes, we can achieve that today. We’re inspired by what was done in the past and we repeat it today at scale. We’re good at renewable power. There’s a revolution taking place in the world and we happen to have some of the best resources, wind and solar. And yes, we will develop this for sure. This will be the warmest week in history. This is a wake-up call. We have to act now and act fast. Switching to renewables is one of the things that gives us hope. So today is the answer to the to the fear. We have ways ahead”.

Not alone is it an industrial strategy linked to offshore wind but it is an energy and climate strategy, Minister Coveney remarked. “It’s about reducing emissions and it’s about responding to the climate emergency. But it’s also it’s also about reshaping the Irish economy very fundamentally. And the reason why we’re actually launching this report at Ardnacrusha was that’s exactly what happened 100 years ago. We’re talking about actually reshaping the Irish economy from east to west, counterbalancing the dominance of the East Coast. And this in many ways is an international project”.

Minister Coveney added, “This I think will be a day that people will look back on in five years’ time, in ten years’ time, in 20 years’ time, and say a vision was outlined on that day that actually reshaped Ireland’s economy and our Irish society in a way that was a catalyst for extraordinary investment in the west of Ireland”.

An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (FG) to launch it together with Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan (GP), Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment Simon Coveney (FG) and Minister for Education Norma Foley (FF)

Discharge from treatment plant acknowledged for first time relating to catastrophic North Clare fish kill

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

REFERENCE has been made to “an alleged discharge” for the first time from a North Clare water treatment plant which resulted in a “catastrophic” fish kill in the locality.

In May, up to 2,000 fish died outside Ennistymon on the Ballymacraven River. Species of fish discovered dead include a large number of eel, along with salmon, trout, rudd and flounder, of all ages.

Audits by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the water treatment plants in Ballymacraven, Corofin and Doolough need to be carried out, Cllr Liam Grant (GP) stated. “The Ballymacraven water treatment plant is long overdue an audit,” he commented while seeking a tour of the facilities

for elected members of the local authority to further understand how they operate.

Inspections of the respective water treatment plants were last completed in Doolough in April 2022, Corofin in January 2021 and Ballymacraven in May 2023, following the fish kill. The Ballymacraven River was also subject to monitoring by Inland Fisheries Ireland in the past two months.

Senior executive engineer in the environment section of Clare County Council, Brendan Flynn noted that all three plants were operated by Uisce Éireann which is regulated by the EPA.

He said, “receiving waters should not be polluted if the water treatment plant is operated correctly.

When uncontrolled designs occur from any Uisce Éireann water treat-

ment plant they have the potential to cause pollution in receiving waters. Such an event happened recently in one of the named plants at the Ballymacraven water treatment plant which was subject to an EPA audit thereafter”.

There has been a massive underinvestment in water infrastructure across Ireland for the past three decades, Cllr Grant stated. He believed a tour of the facilities would inform councillors “on what is happening with our water”.

Aspects of the response from Flynn were brought into focus by Cllr Shane Talty (FF). “The response from Brendan is first public acknowledgement that there was an uncontrolled discharge, he doesn’t say the fish kill is linked to it but to my understanding it is the first public acknowledgement, Uisce

Éireann have sent correspondence that something may have happened”.

Speaking at the July meeting of the West Clare Municipal District, Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) commented, “there may be issues on the wastewater treatment plant, not just auditing the plant but the receiving water above and below it, that is almost critical, if we’re going to be about cleaning waterways we have to understand what the problems and where they are. It will always be an emotional passionate argument between sectors”.

Readings from the outfall are not generally completed by Uisce Éireann, Cllr Ian Lynch (IND) flagged. “Doonbeg comes up regularly and Kilmihil that there are issues there, there could be harmful bacteria in it, the Kilrush one was due to open

in next few months, it would be no harm if the West Clare Municipal District visited it in the next few months. There has been such a song and dance about how great it is but all it is a sieve”.

Representatives of the EPA should come before a meeting of the West Clare MD, Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) felt. “This incident in North Clare was catastrophic, the impact will be felt for years and years to come, it is just not good enough and we deserve a meeting. They need to come before us and give very clear indication on what happened”.

Accountability for the fish kill has not yet come to the surface, Cllr Joe Killeen (FF) said. “Can we infer that blame has been apportioned, I don’t think we can,” he commented of the reply from Flynn.

Obair gearing up for expansion as food app on way

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

“WHEN you say you’re from Newmarket-on-Fergus, there are two things people say to you - hurling and Obair. And they’re the two things that everyone in Newmarket is very proud of.”

These are the words of Obair’s acting manager Siobhán O’Dricoll, who quickly corrects herself to include soccer. “Between our soccer, hurling and Obair, they are our three main identities. They’re very proud of it,” she says, when asked about the importance of Obair to the people of Newmarket-on-Fergus.

From the cradle to the grave is the ethos of Obair in its approach to supporting their community. Established by a group of people from the community in 1992 - including Clare visionary Dr Brendan O’Regan - it

began as an entity that delivered work schemes to people in the area however over the last three decades it has become so much more than that. It now employs up to 48 staff and counts 110 volunteers on its books.

Siobhán tells The Clare Echo, “A lot of people come in through the creche, they’ve had kids in the after-school programme, they’ve worked

it, but it’s the community who owns it.”

The community development organisation is most well-known these days for its meals on wheels service. Having delivered around 35 meals a day prior to Covid, Obair’s service became vitally important to the older population in Newmarket-on-Fergus and beyond with the arrival of the global

of six vans, including three newly-purchased electric vehicles, and plans are in place to expand the offering from Kilkee to Lisdoonvarna with the medium-term target of delivering 400 meals per day.

“We rely very heavily on volunteers, especially with the meals on wheels. We’re so lucky with the meals on wheels that we have astounding volunteers, they are reliable, efficient, and we wouldn’t be able deliver the meals and wheels service without our volunteers,” explains Siobhán.

in Obair, their parents are getting their meals on wheels, maybe their aunt is volunteering. It’s all walks of life. The whole community can avail of Obair. Nobody is going to make a profit from

pandemic, for obvious reasons. Today, some 200 meals a day are delivered to people in areas from Ennis to Tulla, down to Cratloe and back into Newmarket.

They are serviced by a fleet

Counted as possibly their youngest volunteer is a certain Paraic McMahon of The Clare Echo, and Soibhán quips, “Everyone likes to do their own area except for Páraic, he likes to do Clarecastle because he wants to keep an eye on what they’re doing there with the hurling.”

“Older people love meeting the volunteers, they want

to meet the locals to have the chat, to keep an eye on them and to make them feels safe in their home.”

A ‘Food4You’ App is going to be launched soon by Obair to make the ordering process easier with greater selection of homemade meals which incredibly cost just €6.

On the other end of the scale, Obair’s creche is always at full capacity with up to 90 young children being cared for at Obair’s community building which also facilitates the Rós Café, which is run by Newmarket native Claire Coughlan. “We have a concept here with the creche that we do cradle to the grave. We deal with babies, we deal with after schoolers, we deal with teenagers, and we have our going strong group that come here and meet on Tuesdays from 2-4pm and then we have the meals on wheels project.”

Obair also developed the fabulous O’Regan Park in Newmarket over 10 years ago, which they also maintain and soibhán refers to as “a little oasis in the middle of the village”. They also deliver a CSP work scheme which aims to bring people back into employment, with particular emphasis on people in recovery, school leavers, ex-offenders, asylum seekers, young mothers and members of the Travelling community.

She continues, “Our new social enterprise Tradaree building takes up half the main street and out of that

comes our meals on wheels and food products. Within that social enterprise in Tradaree we have sublet a number of social enterprise for start-ups, so we have a Mexican food truck, a lady doing Ukrainian food, we have a baker, we have different training classes going on in our training school, and we have a fabulous state-ofthe-art youth space in the back that different youth groups and organisations use.

“During the winter we have the post primary homework support club and we got funding from the Clare Local Development Company SICAP (Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme), working with kids that would be struggling in school, could be earmarked to be early school leavers, might have behavioural issues, so we give them support. We have two tutors. They come in off the bus and get their dinner, get a cup of tea and then get support with their homework. For the last half hour we have fabulous state of the art games and computers, pool table and a hot chocolate machine so they get to chill then, and we do group work with them too.”

If you’re interested in volunteering with Obair, call (061) 368030. For more information visit obair.org.

Pictured preparing some of the Meals on Wheels at Obair, Newmarket on Fergus are Alannah Slevin (Chef) and and Erica Long (Head Chef, Obair Meals on Wheels Service)

The Clare Outdoor Recreation EXPO 2023 is more than just an event; it’s a gateway to unforgettable experiences and lifelong memories here in County Clare. Find out more on the Clare Sports Partnership website on https://claresports.ie/clare-outdoor-recreation-expo/

Thought for the week: Life is a rollercoaster

Spreading the word of positivity

RONAN SCULLY

Life is a roller-coaster with plenty of ups and downs, good times and tough times.

It goes without saying that you and I are having these kinds of experiences. We all have to face struggles of one type or another on our life’s journeys. St. Ignatius once described life as a series of consolations and desolations: periods of time where one feels the presence of God balanced with periods of feeling distant from Him and His purposes. A lot of the times when we go through pain or suffering, we are surprised that these situations find a way into our lives and forget that God has told us that we will experience hardships. We are given the gift of faith from Him and are taught to use this valuable fruit of the Spirit, but a lot of the times we do not. In difficult or confusing times, we are quick to worry about them instead of having faith. We all face life’s ups and downs. But we need to admit to our down times and be confident that God will help us whenever we ask him. Life can be tough. Life can be hard, at times almost unbearable, and at times deeply distressing. But remember what you have already endured and achieved. The trauma you have experienced, the sleepless nights worrying about your family, the fear, sickness, and distress you have been through. You have had some dark days and nights, but despite everything, you are still standing, still to the good. Remember no matter how bad it gets you will make it. With God on your side, you can withstand anything life throws at you.

GOD IS ON YOUR SIDE

When people experience hard and worrying times, it can sometimes seem that they’re never going to end. I think we are all feeling tough times like that at the moment as we daily try to deal with the fall out of so many things affecting our world and way of life. The dictionary defines adversity as “a serious or continued difficulty.” Although some people going through adversity are more likely to define it as hell. It is the long drawn-out nature of adversity, rather than brief spells of misfortune, that can crush the human spirit and cause related illnesses such as stress, anxiety and depression.

Adversity is no respecter of persons. All of us will face it at some time or other. The question is how we will respond to it. The best way to keep going over the long haul is to be kind to yourself and have true faith and acceptance in God above. Take the extra time to stay active, get adequate sleep, eat food that nourishes your body, and do things that make you smile and remember that anxiety might be in some way contagious but compassion for oneself and others is contagious as well. So try if you can muster up the energy to keep going!! For me through my prayer life encouragement is one of my most powerful antidotes against adversity. Have you ever heard a car engine knock or splutter because it was low on oil? Then after oil was added the engine hummed along smoothly? Our lives are the same. Many times we get so busy with the cares and worries of this world and just getting by, that we run low on oil and get knocked and spluttered around. We stop putting the encouragement, prayers, care and love into our hearts and souls and that only lends to putting our lives in jeopardy. Learning how to overcome adversity should be always a major part of our character that

we all must continually try to develop. Even though these situations can be devastating, life still goes on and we must do what is necessary to get through these difficult circumstances and to always remember that God is on our side. As usual a story from my Nana Scully’s prayer book may help to explain.

POTATOES, EGGS AND COFFEE

“Once upon a time, a daughter complained to her father that her life was miserable and that she didn’t know how she was going to make it through. She was tired of fighting and struggling all the time. It seemed just as one problem was solved, another one soon followed. Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen. He filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Once the three pots began to boil, he placed potatoes in one pot, eggs in the second pot, and ground coffee beans in the third pot. He then let them sit and boil, without saying a word to his daughter. The daughter moaned and impatiently waited, wondering what he was doing. After twenty minutes, he turned off the burners. He took the potatoes out of the pot and placed them in a bowl. He pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. He then ladled the coffee out and placed it in a cup. Turning to her, he asked, “Daughter, what do you see?” “Potatoes, eggs, and coffee,” she hastily replied. “Look closer,” he said, “and touch the potatoes.” She did and noted that they were soft. He then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, he asked her to sip the coffee. Its rich aroma brought a smile to her face. “Father, what does this mean?” she asked. He then explained that the potatoes, eggs, and coffee beans had each faced the same adversity, boiling water.

However, each one reacted differently. The potato went in strong, hard and unrelenting, but in boiling water, it became soft and weak. The egg was fragile, with the thin outer shell protecting its liquid interior until it was put in the boiling water. Then the inside of the egg became hard. However, the ground coffee beans were unique. After they were exposed to boiling water, they changed the water and created something new. “Which are you?” he asked his daughter. “When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a potato, an egg, or a coffee bean?”

UPS AND DOWNS OF LIFE

I don’t know about you but there have been times in my life where I just wanted to throw in the towel especially during some of the time in lockdown over the past twenty months. I am sure we have all been down on our luck at some point. Personally, I have had the highest of highs and the lowest of lows through my journey through life so far.

I have been depressed, discouraged, hurt, sad, worried, anxious and even terrified. I have even done some things I am sure no one could be proud of. But let’s make one thing clear, Life is a continuous succession of both small and large problems or joyful and sorrowful mysteries as I would like to call them. They never end. No sooner do you get control of one situation when you are hit by another. Life is a process of “two steps forward and one step back.” No matter how smart and clever and careful you are, you’ll face life struggles, challenges, difficulties, and sometimes heartbreaking adversities every day, week and month of your life. And in some way thank heavens for that! You couldn’t possibly have become the person you are today if you had not had to contend with adversity.

Perhaps your chief aim in

life is to develop a noble character, to become an excellent human being, to become everything you are capable of becoming. Only by contending with hard times that seem to be beyond your strength to handle at the moment you can grow more surely toward your goal. The starting point for me in dealing with any difficulty or worry is simply to relax and pray and ask God to help me and guide me safely through it. Clear your mind. Get yourself into a state where you’re calm and cool and in full control of your emotions and senses.

As long as you are asking questions, you are expanding the range of options and possibilities that are open to you. As long as you are asking questions, you are keeping your mind calm and cool and objective and my prayers help me do that. It’s important to not be afraid to admit that you’re in a bind. If you made a mistake, or dropped the ball and found yourself in a difficult situation, don’t be afraid to go to someone that you trust and admit that you need help. You’ll be amazed at the valuable advice that you can get from someone who has already experienced the difficulty that you’re going through or that you know when you share your worries they will be received and listened to with love and genuine care. In dealing with adversity, perhaps one of the most important positive affirmations that I know that was given to me by my good friend David who sadly passed away recently and hopefully you can remember it to at times if you are like me and suffer from anxiety and depression is this: “This, too, shall pass.” Whatever it is, however difficult it may appear, say to yourself, “This, too, shall pass.”

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

As your thought for the week, always remember that one of your main jobs in life is to become an expert in dealing

with adversity, to triumph over difficulty, to rise above the challenges of day-to-day life especially now for all of us during these uncertain times in our world. Keep your thoughts on where you’re going, not on where you’ve been. Keep your eyes on your goals. As long as we choose not to shut down around the pain but stay with the feelings and trust that we can survive them, heartbreak can be an opportunity to experience more love for ourselves, for a sick loved one or really for anyone in our lives. The following is a prayer given to me by my Nana Scully that I say in times of difficulty in my life and it goes as follows, “Gracious God, how I thank you for the fact of your presence in my life, especially in times of difficulty. There have been so many times when I have hung onto this promise for dear life, trusting you for patience, strength, and courage. How grateful I am for your help and even more, for your presence. Lord, you know that sometimes it’s hard for me to sense your presence, especially when I am in pain or distress. You can seem a million miles away. So help me, I pray, to be aware of you. Open my heart to know you even in the midst of difficulties. May I be attentive to the still, small voice of your Spirit, even and especially when I need you most. Amen.” So keep upon the Roller-Coaster of life as best you can and remember that yesterday is gone, tomorrow has not yet come and we have only today. As the great poet and philosopher Rock Balboa once said, “It ain’t about how hard ya hit, but how hard ya can get hit and keep moving forward.” Right now we are still in the early rounds. We have already taken a few hard blows. But it’s going to take much more to knock us out as we’ve come to battle. So let us begin again and keep going.

Beannachtaí na Féile MacDara Oraibh

Happy Saint MacDara’s Day

Macalla an Chláir

LE MACDARA Ó CONAOLA

Bíonn ceiliúradh mór i gCarna i nGaeltacht Chonamara chuile bhliain ar an 16ú de mhí Iúil, Láil' Mhic Dara. Mar sin, cén fáth nach dtabharfá cuairt ar Iorras Aitheanach an deireadh seachtaine seo agus dhuil ag an Aifreann ar Oileán Mhic Dara agus na báid seoil uilig a fheiceáil ag Féile Mhic Dara!

Carna in the Connemara Gaeltacht is the place to be this weekend as they celebrate St. Mac Dara's Day, the 16th of July, with a traditional sail boat (turf boat) regatta and Mass on St. Mac Da-

ra's Island.

So why not head to the Iorras Aithneach Peninsula and enjoy Féile Mhic

Dara and practise your cúpla focal!

RECOMMENDED VIEWING ON TG4 / IS FIÚ BREATHNÚ AR SEO AR TG4: Agus ar fhaitíos nár bhfuair sibh bhur ndóthain de Chonamara Láil' Mhic Dara is féidir breathnú ar ''Bádóirí'' ag 19:30, agus ar ''Bailte'' ag 20:30 san oíche Dé Máirt, 18ú Iúil / And in case you won't have gotten enough of Connemara on St. Mac Dara's Day, check out ''Bádóirí'' at 7.30pm, and ''Bailte'' at 8.30pm, TG4, on Tuesday evening, 18th of July.

Imeachtaí/Events:

• INIS - Scéalaíocht do pháistí / Story time i nGaeilge le MacDara, Dé Máirt 18ú Iúil / July, Leabharlann De Valera, 3pm, in aisce / FREE

• INIS – CAINT AGUS COMHRÁ, chuile Dé Luain ag 11am sa gCopper Jug, Dé Céadaoin ag 11am in Insomnia (Tesco), oíche Déardaoin sa Temple Gate (8pm), agus Dé Sathairn i nGlór, 11am-12pm

• RAIDIÓ CLARE FM - ‘’Cúlchaint’’ le Domhnall Ó Loingsigh chuile mhaidin Dé Sathairn, 9am. Seol nuacht chuig: Donal@clare. fm

• INIS - Rith le Ruairí, chuile Dé Máirt ag 7.30pm, ag Local Motion, Sráid Uí Chonaill

• CILL INÍNE BAOITH - Ciorcal Comhrá san XPO, chuile Dé Céadaoin ag 7.30pm

The Insider Guide to Selecting Window Treatments

Deirdre Coleman Interior Designer

FROM light control and privacy to pulling a room scheme together and adding textural interest, the selection of window treatments can prove to be an expensive form of trial and error for the uninitiated. We’ve put together the ultimate guide to selecting your window treatments so they deliver both functionally and aesthetically. The right window treatment can elevate a scheme, but even a panoramic vista can be transformed into an eyesore if it’s now properly executed. From choice of fabric to layering your treatments, there are a number of things to consider when making your treatment selections.

1Consider What Light Regulation

Your Require

Window coverings help reduce or eliminate the natural light entering a room. You should decide how much light you want before making a purchase. If you

devices such as lights and heating to create your perfect smart home environment. Electric blinds offer a great child-friendly solution; with the motor hidden inside the headrail of the blind and wirelessly connected to an remote control or your smart device, everything is neat and tidy, and there’s no operating chains to worry about. You can set your blinds to close during the hours of harshest sun to help prevent your furnishings from bleaching. Programming your blinds to lower at night will stop your home looking empty when you’re away. Motorised blinds are great for hard to reach areas like skylights and they can fully retract into the ceiling or remain hidden in a pelmet.

3

Embrace

the wave

Wave curtains are an extremely popular choice, particularly over large expanses of glass such as bi-fold or sliding doors, or in front of floor to ceiling windows or doors. A wave curtain delivers a neat, contemporary window dressing and looks very stylish. A wave curtain needs to be fitted on a curtain track or curtain pole compatible with wave gliders. They work particularly well in large open-plan living rooms and kitchen-diners, although they look great anywhere!

want more control over the light, consider blinds. Opacity refers to the amount of light that passes through a fabric. Sheer fabrics allow for the most light to enter a room, but they offer the least amount of privacy. On the other end of the spectrum, blackout fabrics block nearly all light from entering a room, and they provide the most privacy. The obvious application for blackout blinds is in the bedroom where they create the perfect environment for deep sleep and weekend lie-ins. Better yet – use them as your secret weapon for keeping children asleep longer. However, there is a small caveat to blackout blinds. No matter how much light you block through the fabric, there’s going to be a very narrow gap around the edge. Layering blackout blinds with a curtain allows for most of this “light spillage” to be eliminated. Blackout blinds are are a nonnegotiable, especially in the summer months. Not only will they reduce the light entering your bedroom, they also help to block heat coming in from outside. You can also layer blinds - for example in a dressing room off a bedroom, you might want to add a blind which is semi-opaque, that allows for some light to get through and offers privacy. You can leave this blind down all the time and layer with a black-out blind which prevents light in the bedroom at night.

2Choose motorisation and enjoy the freedom of smart

For even greater flexibility to control the light, privacy and security in your home choose to make your electric blinds smart. Compatible with your mobile phone, Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, you can now control all the blinds in your home via a mobile app or voice command. You can schedule your blinds to open individually or room by room.

You can also integrate with your other

4Choose the right fabric and match your metal accents

Know the style of the room you want to achieve and stick to it. Classic, modern, Scandi, contemporary, rustic: the window treatments play a huge job in supporting the look of a room. Make sure the fabric matches the room style you are aiming for. Sheer fabrics, such as linens, let in more light and feel more casual—perfect for spaces like living rooms. Heavier fabrics,

such as velvets are more formal and will block light and provide privacy. If you live in a colder climate or an old building, heavier window treatments can also help block some of those pesky drafts.

Heavier curtains call for more substantial curtain poles, while sheers can be placed on slimmer poles. If you have metal accents elsewhere in the room, such as a brassframed coffee table, consider a similar

material or finish for the curtain poles. 5

Conceal your curtain rail or pole for a minimalist look Covering the track with the wall is a stylish way to hide the curtain hardware and create a minimalist look, which can work in both traditional and contemporary homes.

It effortlessly makes your curtains

Consider your curtain stack to let the light in

look expensive, too. One option that truly celebrates the fabric, ensuring all focus is on the pattern or materiality, as well as elevating the architectural detail of the room, is to recede the curtain into the ceiling cornicing. If you’re layering a blind and a curtain, ensure you allow enough depth in the niche to allow for both to glide easily. 6

For many people, the term ‘curtain stack-back’ is an alien one, but it’s an important piece of terminology to know when it comes to choosing the perfect curtains for your space.

In simple terms, it means the room on the sides of your windows for the material to bunch up when drawn open. Not allowing for enough stack-back means that your curtains will block some of the light coming through the window when all the way open. Generally speaking, “high and wide” is a great rule

of thumb to remember when fitting your curtains. Go as high and wide as you can to make your window look larger and allow light to flow. Your curtains should also be the right length, just skimming the floor.

7

Layer your fabrics for added opulence

Layering curtains has numerous benefits. It’s an easy decorating hack that adds colour and depth to your windows and enhances and beautifies the space. It’s also a great way to double-down on privacy. Plus, layered curtains provide extra insulation that can increase energy efficiency and lower utility costs for your home. You can double layer your curtains with a sheer and an outer curtain for hotellike comfort and luxury. This works great in bedrooms where privacy is an issue as you can leave the sheers pulled. You can also layer using a blind and a curtain which allows for a blackout blind and the extra warmth and softness of a curtain. You can also layer blinds with a mix of sheers and

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roman blinds which can be useful if the view outside is not aesthetically pleasing.

8Go extra on your trims

For a classic contemporary, luxury look, we interior designers will often add trims, fringes or beading to window treatments for that added detailing that is truly bespoke. The French call them passementerie, and choosing a co-ordinated or contrasting trim gives a sophisticated and unique look. Samuel and Sons, Houlès and Kravet have gorgeous ranges. Look to add a delicate trim to the leading edge of curtains, or a braid edge to a pelmet. Speaking of, if you’ve the budget and the type of room and windows to take them, boxed pelmets and tailored cornices add formali-ty, while concealing the curtain hangings, particularly when a mix of curtains and blinds are used. Gorgeous Pom Pom trimmings are perfect for finishing and trimming a kids bedroom blind and offer a playful, fun look.

Self.ly Interior Design based in Ennis, Co. Clare is focused on wellness interior design, creating spaces that enhance our wellbeing. Interior Designer, Deirdre Coleman, is passionate about designing for the wellness of her clients and focuses on delivering restorative spaces that positively impact on health and wellbeing.

With an interest in designing for wellness, Deirdre is putting her considerable wealth of experience in self-care, health and wellbeing to design homes that make people feel their best

selves.

Self.ly Interior Design offers one hour online design consultations, room designs and full house designs customised to your needs. We also offer property staging and showhouse design focused on wellbeing and hybrid working.

For more information and design inspiration, follow us on Instagram: @Self_ly Tel: 086 3868058

Email: selflydesign@gmail.com

FULL RANGE OF SANDERSON & CLARKE & CLARKE FABRICS AVAILABLE FROM GER’S CURTAINS & BLINDS

DESIGNING A CHILDREN’S BEDROOM? ADD A CHARMING, PLAYFUL ACCENT TO ROMAN BLINDS OR THE LEADING EDGE OF CURTAINS WITH A POM POM TRIM.

Mid-West to benefit from launch of degree programmes

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

TWO new degree programmes will be available in the Mid-West region from this September through a new pilot programme run by Limerick and Clare ETB and Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), as part of a National Tertiary Office pilot programme.

These “tertiary programmes” are courses that commence in an Education and Training Board (Limerick and Clare ETB) and continue in a university (TUS), culminating in the award of a degree.

Established by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Skills in a joint initiative between the Higher Education Authority and SOLAS, the National Tertiary Office (NTO) was tasked with the development of these new progressive pathways through further education to higher education. This partnership is central to the government’s vision of a unified tertiary education system.

In this proof-of-concept phase, there are 23 tertiary degree programmes commencing in September across 11 locations and different fields of provision including Business, ICT, Arts, Engineering, Manufacturing & Construction, and Health & Welfare.

In the Mid-West region, two such degree programmes will be on offer. A Bachelor of Business (Hons) Level 8 course will begin in the ETB’s College of FET Ennis Campus, with students progressing to complete the degree programme in TUS. Meanwhile, Year 1 of the Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Mobile & Web Computing Level 8 course will be offered in the ETB’s College of FET Mulgrave Street Campus, with students moving to the TUS Moylish Campus to complete their degree programme.

Speaking at the launch last Friday, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD said: “This is the single biggest transformation to education

access in decades. Today, we launch 23 degree courses outside the points system. We know the points system has not worked for many of our young people. Today, we can tell the next generation of students they can access degrees in nursing, business, engineering, and media without ever engaging with the CAO system. This is the start. We have much more to do but today, we change the system and ensure the learner is at the heart of all we do. I want to thank the National Tertiary Office, the Higher Education Authority and SOLAS for their leadership in driving this forward.”

Limerick and Clare ETB and TUS said they were excited by the new opportunity for integrated access to education, providing a seamless transition from further education to higher education.

TUS Vice President for Academic Affairs and Registrar Terry Twomey said, “TUS and Limerick and Clare ETB are excited by the new opportunity for integrated access to education, providing a seamless transition from further education to higher education.

These pilot programmes will provide new pathways to higher education for students from across the region. TUS is committed to providing relevant high-quality education in both traditional and flexible ways to

cater to a diverse cohort of students across the region. New pathways to Higher Education are about ensuring everyone’s potential can be realised and all individuals in our region can be provided with equal opportunities thereby positively impacting the individual, their family, communities and region as a whole.”

Limerick and Clare ETB Director of Further Education and Training Paul Patton said, “Creating partnerships that work to provide access, seamless transitions and progression opportunities for FET students is a key priority of the ETB’s 4-year FET Strategic Framework. Today’s announcement is a significant step forward in that strategy and underlines the key role of FET in the Tertiary Education landscape of the region. Through this close collaboration with TUS on the development and shared delivery of these tertiary programmes, students will be provided with a seamless transition from FET into Higher Education and a clearly-defined learner pathway right

through to professional practice.”

Students interested in pursuing a degree through the new tertiary routes in 2023 should email tertiaryoffice@ lcetb.ie. Alternatively, applicants should visit the National Tertiary Office website (www. nto.ie) where students may apply for any of the 23 programmes on offer this September. For the eligibility criteria and course specific entry requirements, please refer to the course information section on the NTO website. General

enquiries may be addressed to the NTO and course specific queries should be directed to the relevant Tertiary Coordinator as listed on the website. A wider offering of collaborative tertiary courses is in planning for 2024.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC WORKS

GENERAL OPERATIVE BAND 2 /360° EXCAVATOR DRIVER (SEASONAL, FIXED TERM AND PERMANENT POSITIONS) in the

Southwest Region Arterial Drainage Maintenance and Construction Services Division

Competition Reference: 2023/055

Applications are invited for the above positions. Competition details and application forms are available at www.gov.ie/opw

RETAINED FIRE-FIGHTER PANELS (PART-TIME)

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

• Kilrush

• Kilkee

• Killaloe

• Shannon

Candidates must live and work within 2.4 km of the Fire Station and be available to attend drills and fire alerts. Garda vetting will apply prior to any appointment(s) that are made.

Completed applications must be emailed to: recruitment@clarecoco.ie not later then 12 noon on Thursday 10th August, 2023

Application forms and further particulars may be obtained by requesting same from the Human Resources Department, Clare County Council at 065-6846250, via e-mail: recruitment@clarecoco.ie or can be downloaded from the following website: www.clarecoco.ie

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

Scriobh chugainn as gaeilge más fearr leat.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is not later than 5:30pm on Friday 4th August 2023.

The Office of Public Works is committed to a policy of equal opportunity.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC WORKS

GENERAL OPERATIVE BAND 3 (RURAL) (SEASONAL, FIXED TERM AND PERMANENT POSITIONS) in the

Southwest Region Arterial Drainage Maintenance and Construction Services Division

Competition Reference: 2023/057

Applications are invited for the above positions. Competition details and application forms are available at www.gov.ie/opw

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is not later than 5:30pm on Friday 4th August 2023.

The Office of Public Works is committed to a policy of equal opportunity.

Inward reflection & addition of new voices key for Lohan’s Clare to progress in 2024

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

ANOTHER CHAMPIONSHIP campaign draws to a close with Clare’s senior hurlers edging closer but not arriving in the promised land.

Similar to the Munster Final defeat to Limerick, Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final loss to Kilkenny left players, management and supporters deflated because they knew victory was within their grasp but was not snatched.

First things first, with the conclusion of another inter-county season for Clare’s hurlers it is important to acknowledge the commitment and dedication shown by everyone involved in the set-up from starting players, extended panellists, management, kit men, hurley carriers, statisticians, video analysts, medics and liaison officers. Countless hours are put in all in the name of their county’s cause.

It is fair to say that Clare at present are one of the top three hurling counties at senior level, take your pick on where exactly they fall in that pecking order.

Clare did not qualify from the Munster round-robin in 2019 while a year previous they were the width of a post from advancing to an All-Ireland final. That 2019 campaign included a thirteen point defeat to Tipperary and an eighteen point loss to Limerick, results which would bring to an end Donal Moloney and Gerry O’Connor’s tenure as joint managers.

Fireworks billowed from nearby Clarecastle when Brian Lohan was ratified as manager that October, it was more to do with Halloween than actual celebrations but it marked the dawning of a new era.

Lohan’s era has on a whole been largely progressive including back to back All-Ireland semi-final and Munster Final

appearances in 2022 and 2023 plus reaching the quarter-final stages in 2020 while defeats to Tipperary in the provincial series and a qualifier exit to Cork underpinned the 2021 bid.

Physically Clare’s collective is now matching the biggest teams whereas in the past it was only a section of the side that could complete with the S&C pedigree of other counties. Equally, it was said that Clare maxed out in their bid for provincial honours last season and had nothing left in the tank when it came to the All-Ireland quarter-final and semi-final clashes with Wexford and Kilkenny but that was rectified this season with the addition of Adrian O’Brien to the already effective mind of Michael Carmody boosting the Banner in the area of S&C.

Under Lohan’s watch, Clare have delivered consistent championship performances, improved the county’s provincial record and given an important lift to the morale of their supporters.

In a results based business, it has to be pointed out that while Clare have come close they have not obtained any silverware during the past four seasons.

An unfortunate trend has been the detrimental decisions that have proved oh so costly. Deploying a sweeper against Kilkenny in the opening half of Sunday’s semi-final has left the county puzzled, particularly when Clare did not operate with a seventh defender all season and when their second half start clearly showed just how effective they are when bulked up with right numbers to run at opposing teams. Utilising a sweeper requires familiarity with the system, it didn’t suit Clare but rather cost them albeit management were smart enough to discard its use at half-time.

Other aspects from Sunday’s encounter include the

head-scratching decision to leave Aron Shanagher waiting on the sideline until the seventieth minute, his impact helped to beat Limerick in the Munster round-robin while all of Kilkenny’s substitutes were timely in their introduction and made their own distinct impression.

Also with the benefit of hindsight we are able to say that an alternative role should have been sourced for Tony Kelly. As was outlined in Darach Honan’s column for The Clare Echo last week, Clare needed the Ballyea sharpshooter scoring early, he hit 0-01 in the opening half and had two assists but was not as involved as was needed. A side’s best player is key to the success of any team yet Clare seemed content to keep the captain in a deeper role.

When it came to the Munster Final, the time at which it took to make positional switches to try curb Aaron Gillane’s dominance was a primary reason why Clare’s wait to obtain a senior provincial crown was not ended. Playing Cian Nolan was not a mistake but rather failing to recognise how isolated he was left with the leading contender for Hurler of the Year, once he picked up a yellow card the Killaloe man was on a tightrope and it was at this juncture a positional switch was necessary.

Similar to Nolan was the decision to throw Páidí Fitzpatrick in at the deep end for last year’s All-Ireland semi-final. What is baffling is that neither man had featured in a championship contest for the season with which they ended up getting a starting spot for a defining game.

Nobody will be devastated if Clare fail to win the National League so it is perplexing as to why the competition was not used to trial fringe players who have yet to establish themselves. By not widening the net, management left themselves

stretched for options or gambling on players with insufficient game-time in the absence of nailed on starters like John Conlon and Conor Cleary, as happened in the 2022 semi-final and 2023 Munster final.

Clare have certainly closed the gap on the top counties but they have left the front door wide open by getting big calls wrong on the most important of days.

With regards to 2024, Brian Lohan has the backing of the majority of the public and based on performanc es he has been able to get the best out of the players at his disposal. Therefore it is in the best interests of hurling in the county if he continues in the role for another season.

However, strengthening his management and adding fresh ness to the set-up is essential for Clare’s quest for success next season. Shooting efficiency aside, there can be few complaints with the standard of Clare’s hurling abil ity and he inroads have been on the fitness side of the house.

With the set-up po tentially entering a fifth season, Lohan should look to bolster his ticket. Both Ken Ralph and James Moran have had a long-work ing relationship with the two-time All-Ireland winner stretching back to their Fitz gibbon Cup success with UL in 2015 and it is arguably here and within the back room team personnel that new ideas, faces and voices are most required.

Given that some of the county’s finest hurlers in Shane O’Donnell, John Conlon, Tony Kelly and David McInerney are com ing towards the end of their

ALL-IRELAND SENIOR HURLING SEMI-FINAL

Kilkenny 1-25

Clare 1-22

Venue: Croke Park, Dublin

Referee: Colm Lyons (Cork)

inter-county careers, it would be a shame if they were to bow out of the county colours with just one All-Ireland senior medal and one Munster medal to their names so the inward reflection and tough calls will have to be made in order to ensure Clare have the best possible set-up at their disposal to renew the quest

Kilkenny:

Frees: 13 (7/6)

Wides: 9 (2/7)

Spread of scorers: 9

Scores from play: 1-13

Top scorer: TJ Reid (0-12 11f, 1’65)

Bookings: Eoin Cody (38)

Own puckouts won: 24 from 32 (75%)

Clare:

Frees: 14 (6/8)

Wides: 15 (5/10)

Spread of scorers: 11

Scores from play: 1-14

Top scorer: Mark Rodgers (0-10 4f 4’65)

Bookings: Seadna Morey (20), Ryan Taylor (24), Adam Hogan (40), Diarmuid Ryan (64) Peter Duggan (71), Own puckouts won: 27 from 31 (87%)

l Delight for Kilkenny and devastation for Clare & Rory Hayes.

Photo by Gerard O'Neill

Cusack Cup win ‘a significant achievement’ for Ennistymon seniors - Shanahan

thinking about the championship but this evening is about the Cusack Cup and paying it due respect, we’re delighted to win it”.

It will serve as ideal preparation for championship, he maintained, “One thing that I’ve noticed over the last couple of years with circumstances for different counties, trying to get challenge matches is a nightmare, we’ve had two competitive games so yeah it has been good in that regard definitely”.

Strength in depth was certainly applicable for last year’s beaten Clare SFC finalists, with a panel of 42 they certainly had to plunge into the reserves and lined out with just seven starters from that county final defeat to Éire Óg.

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

CLAIMING THEIR first ever

Cusack Cup title is “a significant achievement” for Ennistymon’s senior footballers.

They were the words of a proud manager, Ennistymon Mark Shanahan but also the views held by gaelic football pundits across Clare as they garnered their first taste of success at this level.

A 0-10 0-08 win saw Ennistymon dethrone rivals St Breckan’s and take the FutureTicketing Cusack Cup under their mantle.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, the victorious Ennistymon boss remarked of the win, “It is significant insofar as when the split season came it created a big difference between league and championship. Considering the panel of players we had to pick from all year, it is a

significant achievement to say we could win the league, it doesn’t have a massive relevance to the championship but in our minds to get that senior win and to win it in its own right considering the panel we’ve had for it all year, it is a significant achievement”.

To collect the first bit of silverware at senior will aid their challenge for further honours. “It’s nice, it’s a good thing. You’re always

“We’ve 42 lads on the panel, we’ve so many and we had to delve into our reserves and into our second panel. Even the fact our second team got to the Division 3 semi-final considering we were taking from them so that was another achievement when you think about it that way, all in all we’ve a decent panel of lads there. They are a delight to be with, there’s no managing in them, they turn up every night and give their heart to training, they turn up every day and give their all, they do that repeatedly, they are a real pleasure to deal with”.

Survival never mind Cusack Cup glory was the focus from the outset

but it was definitely the case following the opening four rounds but they turned their campaign around with a series of wins propelling them into the semi-finals where they produced a very impressive display against Clondegad, “we were very good that evening, today was a local derby and is always going to be a tense affair, we got there in the end”.

Mark admitted, “The semi-final or final wasn’t on our radar five weeks ago, it was about staying up but one thing we’re building is wicked resilience, we stuck in the league and we stuck in games, we were competitive and then we got our rewards by staying in there, results went our way, we got to a semi-final which is bonus territory, they saw an opportunity and they took it”.

TG4 ALL-IRELAND INTERMEDIATE LADIES FOOTBALL QUARTER-FINAL

CLARE 3-14 Westmeath 3-08

Venue: Cusack Park, Ennis

Wayne Freeman, Clare intermediate ladies football manager:

“We fully deserved to win that game today but as always we make life difficult for ourselves especially with the ten minutes before the break. We had to regroup at half time, we didn’t panic though which is a sign of how we as a team are maturing all the time. We showed the necessary character bottle and fight required to win and that’s what quarter finals are all about. It’s about getting over the line and I’m so thrilled for everyone in-

volved.

“It was our own fault really. We took our foot off the pedal which we will need to learn from. We weren’t tagging the runners as we were in the opening fifteen minutes. They came back at us strong but we spoke about it at half time and we just said we had to up our work rate. And again I have to emphasise that we didn’t panic. We gave a superb performance in the second half considering the deteriorating conditions.

“We are one game away from Croke Park. That’s where

Compiled by

we want to be. That’s where we deserve to be. Antrim are a fine side but I’ve no doubt if we perform to our ability we can emerge victorious. Alot of their victories have been at Junior level and in the league they were a Division four outfit. That’s not taking them for granted. We know they’ll be a test. Antrim have a sharpshooter we will have to deal with but we have the best full back in the game so that’ll be some battle, one that if Siofra wins we will be in a super position”.

l Enda O’Gorman, captain of St Joseph’s Miltown

Photos by Gerard O'Neill

Derek Dormer

l Fidelma Marrinan and Chloe Moloney

Photo by Burren Eye Photography

l Ennistymon players celebrate their maiden Cusack Cup successy

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

Ennis’ Áine shines on big stage of US Open

Hayes added to L.O.I referees panel

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

NEWMARKET-ON-FERGUS referee Paudie Hayes has been selected on the League of Ireland panel.

Hayes’ performance in the School of Excellence programme resulted in his addition to the panel. He first began refereeing in 2019. He becomes the first Clare referee since Padraigh Sutton and Rob Hennessy to be added to the refereeing ranks in the League of Ireland. Hayes will now be officiating games in the U19 League of Ireland and Wom-

by

ENNIS’ ÁINE Donegan made her mark in the US Women’s Open and certainly collected an array of new supporters while taking to the fairways of Pebble Beach.

Áine covered the back nine of her final round in four-over, agonisingly missing out on the silver medal for the leading amateur by a single stroke.

A member of both Woodstock Golf Club which is located directly across from her home and Lahinch Golf Club, she got off to a dream start when she covered her opening round in three under par and she was just a shot behind the early leader.

Having made the cut after the opening two rounds, she made an excellent start to round three with three birdies in the opening six

holes to climb to two-under for the championship and into the top five.

Unfortunately, the very difficult eighth hole showed its teeth and with a very strong left-to- right wind blowing, Áine was forced to reload twice with her approach shot which resulted in a five over bogey 9.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better week. My goal was to make the cut. I’ve learned a lot. I’ve learned that these tournaments are tiring, definitely,” she said following the tournament.

She put an end to speculation that she would be turning professional when she said she was going to remain at Louisiana State University. “I have a final qualifier for the Open,” she said when asked what was next, “and then I have the Irish Open at Dromoland Castle hopefully. I got invited last year so hopefully that will happen again this year and it’s only 10 minutes from my house”.

Ranger scores for Ennis & Kilmihil syndicate

by Michael Maher news@clareecho.ie

KILWEST RANGER owned by an Ennis and Kilmihil syndicate took the top graded event in Galway over the weekend.

The A2 graded sixth contest was the top graded event on Friday nights card at Galway Greyhound Stadium.

The Keating Syndicate of Ennis and Kilmihil owned Kilwest Ranger made it two wins from four starts in the S2 graded ninth contest as he kicked clear form the crown of the home bend to defeat Five Alley Din by two and a half lengths in 19.02. From traps the winner and runner up were both away well with Ceide Queen also prominent on the run towards the opening bend. As they reached the bend the Mathew Harte of Gort trained Kilwest Ranger (Droopys Sydney and Ballymac Saoirse) took command of the contest and from the home bend he stayed in well to win going away.

As the traps rose for the S3 graded sprint contest Room To Stop and Cushcallow Flyer were both away well in the centre of the track and racing towards the opening bend the pair matched strides with Flyers Kirsty just in behind the pair as they approached the opening bend. As the leaders took the bend the Michael Fitzgerald of Kilrush owned Flyers Kirsty slipped through to lead along the rails and although the daughter of Ballymac Cashout and Ballymac Arminta swung very wide around the home bend she was still in command on the run home as she defeated Cushcallow Flyer by three lengths in 19.33.

The feature contest on Saturday night’s card at the College Road Venue was the concluding A1 graded 525 yards contest and as the traps rose Lissatouk Gena and Jonny Whiskers were away smartly and racing towards the opening bend the pair

raced stride for stride two lengths clear of the remainder.

Rounding the bend, the Lee Byron owned Jonny Whiskers took a narrow advantage on the outside of the pair and turning down the back led by almost a length. Racing past halfway the son of Skywalker Logan and Couldkevinbewrong really lengthened his stride and from this point on he gradually drew clear to defeat Lissatouk Gena by three and three quarter lengths in a best of the night 28.96 and bring up a second win of the night for Ballyea native Albert Long.

The opening contest of the night was an A5 graded contest in which Abigails Gabby was away best and led on the wide outside from Fast Fit Dream racing towards the opening bend. Rounding the bend Fast Fit Dream cornered well and immediately took two lengths out of his rival as they entered the back straight. Racing along the back the John Quinn of Gort owned son of Doratos Wildcat and Fast Fit Maeve extended his advantage to also to four lengths as Knockdrum Molly moved into second place but Fast Fit Dream was home by four and three quarter lengths at the line in 29.43.

The outcome of the S7 graded sprint contest was settled at the opening bend as from traps Fast Fit Tadgh and Pallasmore Best were both away smartly and racing towards the opening bend the pair raced stride for stride just ahead of Killanin Grace and Brickhill Musk. As the leaders reached the bend the stripped jacketed Brickhill Musk swept right round the wide outside and despite maintaining a wide berth the son of Ballymac Best and Brickhill Sharon was four lengths clear approaching the home turn. Clear of the home bend, the Kilmihil native John Collins owned runner stormed to a six and a half lengths success over Larchill Echo in 19.29

en’s National League with hopes he will continue to progress up the ranks to the LOI First Division.

In February, Paudie was the man in the middle for the FAI Youths Inter-League Cup final, his first time officiating the decider which was won by Cork. Last August, he took charge of the FAI Women’s U17 Cup final when Salthill Devon edged out Claremorris on penalties. In November, he took charge of the meeting between Northern Ireland and Wales in the U16 Victory Shield, a tie that took place in Villa Park, Waterford.

As a player, Hayes was heavily involved with Newmarket Celtic at all levels. He spent two years as coach to the A team as well as lining out for both the A and B teams within the club for many seasons winning Cup and League titles along the way. This season, he took charge of the Ennis Carpets Clare Cup Final for the first time. Avenue Utd overcame Lifford FC 2-0 in the encounter which took place at the end of May. He will continue to take charge of matches in the CDSL.

CDSL AGM postponed as accounts not ready

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

MONDAY’S ANNUAL General Meeting

(AGM) of the Clare District Soccer League (CDSL) was postponed as the league’s accounts were not completed on time.

In correspondence issues to clubs on Saturday, CDSL secretary Denis Collins confirmed that the planned AGM would not be proceeding as expected.

“Unfortunately we have to announce that our accountant is away and will not have our accounts in time for the AGM on Monday.

As a result many of the functions of the AGM will be unable to be completed. I apologise for this short notice but this information only came to our attention today,” he stated. To “follow correct procedures” the AGM started Monday evening but was immediately postponed. “This is an inconvenience to us all but proper procures dictate that this action be taken,” the Ennis Town FC clubman admitted.

A new proposed date of Thursday July 20th has been relayed to clubs for the AGM to be held.

Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

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STORAGE

O most beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendour of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me this my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein you are my Mother.

O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart, to succour me in this necessity; there are none that can withstand your power.

O, show me herein you are my Mother,

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. (3 times)

Sweet Mother, I place this cause in your hands. (3 times)

Say this prayer for 3 consecutive days, and then you must publish it and it will be granted to you.

O most beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendour of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me this my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein you are my Mother.

O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart, to succour me in this necessity; there are none that can withstand your power.

O, show me herein you are my Mother,

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. (3 times)

Sweet Mother, I place this cause in your hands. (3 times)

Say this prayer for 3 consecutive days, and then you must publish it and it will be granted to you.

PLANNING

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL DARRAGH NORTH, ENNIS, CO. CLARE, V95W582

Take notice that Cos Wholesale Ltd., intend to apply to the Planning Authority for persmission to retain the demolition of derelict two story house at above address and make good and resurface footprint.

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL FURTHER INFORMATION / REVISED PLANS

Planning Ref: P22/647

Development Description:

(a) construct new single storey Clubhouse and Community recreation facility, (b) construct new vehicular and pedestrian site entrance and access road, (c) install new wastewater treatment system, (d) minor modifications of public road, and all ancillary site works.

A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been prepared and accompanies this application Location: New Pier Road, Ballyvaughan, Co.Clare.

Take notice that Ballyvaughan Fanore Walking Club have lodged significant further information in respect of planning application P22/647. 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 Contae 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 5 weeks after the receipt of the newspaper notice and site notice by the planning authority.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL TEERMACLANE TD, ENNIS , CO CLARE

Take notice that Deirdre and Alan Keogh intends to apply to the Planning Authority for retention permission for the extension to the rear of their dwelling

house and additional windows to the original 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. 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 LISHEEN, BALLYNACALLY, ENNIS, CO CLARE.

Take notice that Anne Marie Browne 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 BALLYNOTE WEST, KILRUSH, CO CLARE.

Take notice that Barry Keane & Stephanie Levesque intend to apply to the planning authority for permission to construct a new dwelling house and attached 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 DERRYNALICKA, KILMURRY MCMAHON, CO. CLARE

Take notice that Mhairi Riddet intends to apply to the planning authority for (a) permission to construct an extension to the rear of an existing derelict dwelling house and (b) permission to carry out alterations to the existing dwelling,

(c) upgrade the existing sewage treatment system, permission to construct a new garage and a new site entrance 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 CAHER, CO. CLARE, V94 2F58.

Take notice that Aidan Murphy and Jennifer Mahony intent to apply to Clare County Council for planning permission to demolish single storey storage shed to rear of existing dwelling and construct single storey extension in its place including all associated site works located at Caher, Co. Clare, V94 2F58.

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL CRAG, LAHINCH, CO

CLARE

Take notice that John Leahy intends to apply for permission to RETAIN the Machinery Shed , Silage Pit & all other 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 POUND ROAD, KILFENORA, CO

CLARE

Take notice that Frances Connole intends to apply for permission to renovate and extend the existing cottage & all other 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 BURRANE LOWER, KILLIMER, CO.CLARE

Take notice that N. Meehan intends to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to extend dwelling house, to install foul sewer system, percolation area and new site entrance 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

We, Bank Of Ireland, intend to apply for permission for development at this site Bank of Ireland, Bank Place, Ennis Co. Clare V95 RW77. The development will consist of (a)Installation of new external ATM and illuminated surround panel adjacent to existing ATM.(b) Removal of existing night safe and portion of stone wall to accommodate new

ATM.(c)New illuminated surround panel to existing ATM. And all associated site works. This building is a protected structure (ref no. 20000006) and is within an architectural conservation area. 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, €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 CARROWKEEL WEST, INAGH, CO. CLARE

Take notice that Patrick Hehir is applying for outline planning permission for the construction of 24 houses with reserved open space, access roads, footpaths , connections to pub-

lic sewer and storm water, ancillary services along with all associated site works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making 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 CAHEREA, LISSYCASEY, CO. CLARE

Take notice that Board of Management of Caherea National School are applying to Clare County Council for planning permission for alterations to the parking / set down area including adjustments to the front wall and other boundaries along with all necessary 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 Clare County Council during its public opening

Recent Deaths

BARRY (née Crofton), Catherine Ardnacrusha Clare

Brickenden, Emma Amanda Louise Cratloe Clare

Gallery, Mary Miltown Malbay Clare

Gee (née Ryan), Jo (Johanna) Shannon Clare

Hurry, Robert Feakle Clare

Stockton, Derren Simon Killaloe Clare

Daly, John Cooraclare Clare

Lynch, Brendan Clarecastle Clare

Mangan, Brendan Killaloe Clare

Callaghan, James (Jim) Carrigaholt Clare

Conroy, Evan Bridgetown Clare

Doyle (née Hogan), Margaret Parteen Clare

Nolan, Patrick TubberClare

O’Dwyer (née Morgan), Joanne Liscannor Clare

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.

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