The Clare Echo 16/05/19

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16 May 2019

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TRUMP IS COMING

PÁRAIC McMAHON

D

news@clareecho.ie

ONALD Trump’s visit to Clare this June has been given the green light according to US sources.

Senior sources of the US President have confirmed he will be visiting Ireland in June. Prior to that, he will be in the United Kingdom marking the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings and in doing so will become only the third American President to have been accorded a state visit by

Queen Elizabeth.

The 72 year old has no plans to travel to Dublin and whilst in Ireland is most likely to only visit West Clare and his family’s Trump International Golf Links & Hotel Doonbeg Ireland. He would not be the first President of the United States to visit just Clare while in Ireland, in 2004 President George W. Bush stayed at Dromoland Castle when attending the G20 Summit.

Irish Government officials are preparing for the US President to visit Ireland between the 5th and the 8th of June with a visit to West Clare pencilled in for June 5th.

From there, he will travel to France for further commemorations with a return to Ireland mooted.

Full story PAGE 9 C

ck out AoibhíhneG arrihy’s

LOVE CLARE column in

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2 NEWS

THURSDAY, MAY 16 2019

Index AOIBHIN GARRIHY

10-11

SHANNON

13-18

ELECTIONS

20-26

COMMUNITY

28-29

MOTORING

33-35

PROPERTY

36-39

SPORT

41-43

CLASSIFIEDS

44-45

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

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

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

l SHOWING THEIR COLOURS: Aine Lohan from Shannon and Mike Hegarty from Newmarket on Fergus were in Waterford for the big game on Sunday

Photo by Martin Connolly

West Clare sporting facilities in focus PÁRAIC McMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

O

BESITY is being assisted through the charges and opening hours for accessing community sporting facilities, one West Clare representative has stated.

Cllr Ian Lynch made the remarks at Friday’s meeting of the West Clare Municipal District following on from a motion of his which called on Clare County Council to “review the access and charging structure for Active Kilrush Sports Complex to ensure the better use of the facility”.

The €320,000 astro turf and running track opened in April 2015.

Siobhan McNulty, a senior executive officer with the local authority confirmed they were in the process of reviewing opening hours “to enable better use of the facility, in particular the focus will be on pedestrian access”. The Council intend to reduce the hire cost for the pitches there to €20 for juveniles “which is in line with the charging structure for other Active Ennis facilities. This reduction can be immediately applied to encourage active youth participation in sport once agreed by the Management Committee”.

A meeting to approve the charged fee with management is hoped to “take place as soon as possible”. McNulty explained “the cost to the Council for the management, maintenance and upkeep of the facilities at Active Kilrush is significant and these costs are not recovered by the charges applied for the use of the facility.

Therefore, it is incumbent on the Council to maximise the use of the facility to generate a greater income to support the cost of running the facility”. Reference to the Healthy Clare Strategic Plan 20192021 launched at the end of March was made by Monica Meehan, Rural Development Officer.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Lynch highlighted recent reports including the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) prepared by the Southern Regional Assembly which noted ‘a demise in the vitality of Kilrush’. “It is a wonderful facility that didn’t cost Clare County Council financially. We are a disadvantaged town that is widely known and the last report identified it”.

He added, “When we charge for facilities, we are adding to obesity and all the problems associated with it. We’re basically teasing the public with a beautiful facility... adult teams come together and use the facility weekly to get healthy. The Independent councillor stated they had been requesting a meeting with management of the complex “over and over, it’s been eighteen months since our last meeting”.

In the past fortnight, he made a trip to John O’Sullivan Park in Ennis and noticed a big difference between that and Cooraclare Rd facility, “I can go into Lees Rd and kick around a ball, you can’t do that in Kilrush”. Fianna Fáil’s Bill Chambers seconded the motion.

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THURSDAY, MAY 16 2019

Four of Clare's finest receive awards for sporting success STUART HOLLY

T

editor@clareecho.ie

HE Elected Members of Clare County Council hosted a Joint Civic Reception for four high achieving Clare sports figures following the May Monthly Meeting in the Council Chamber, Áras Contae an Chláir, on Monday evening.

The Civic Reception honoured Emma Barrett for winning a gold medal in swimming at the Special Olympics World Games, Marguerite (Mairead) Moroney and Jean Molony for their silver medal in golf at the Special Olympics World Games, and Noel McNamara who guided the Irish Under-20 Rugby Team to a Six Nations Grand Slam earlier this year.

Speaking to the assembled audience in the Council Chamber, Mayor of Clare Councillor Michael Begley said, “It is important we mark the achievements of people from Clare

who have flown the flag for their county and brought great pride to their local communities through their outstanding achievements.

"It is our honour, as Elected Members, to honour you for your achievements in sport and in representing your county with distinction on the international stage.”

Congratulating Emma Barrett, the Mayor said, “Emma took her place on the winner's podium in Abu Dhabi in March as a member of Team Ireland’s 25m freestyle relay team which won Gold in the Special Olympics Games.

This was a huge achievement for Emma and a massive source of pride for her teammates and of course, her family.

Last July, Emma also won gold in the 200m breaststroke and in the 4 by 100 metre relay during the Special Olympic Ireland Games.”

In congratulating Mairead Moroney and Jean Molony who travelled to Abu Dhabi two months ago off the back of winning a medal at the Special Olympics Ireland Games, the Mayor said, “They knew that being invited to join Team Ireland’s golfers was the honour

of a lifetime but they certainly didn’t rest on their laurels once they landed in the United Arab Emirates.

"Jean and Mairead putted, chipped and drove their way to a Silver Medal and in doing so raised the Banner and the Tricolour, much to the delight of their teammates, families and friends.

You earned your success through hard work and belief in your own ability, and for that, all of us in this Chamber applaud you.”

Mayor Begley also paid tribute to O’Callaghan’s Mills native, Noel McNamara who guided Ireland’s U20 team to a first Grand Slam in 12 years.

“At the tender age of 36, Noel has risen through the ranks of school and underage representative coaching to his current position, which he balances with his work as an elite player development officer for Leinster Rugby.

"In winning the Grand Slam, Noel further cemented Ireland’s place amongst the powerhouses of world l BRINGING HOME THE GOLD: (L-R) Emma Barrett, Special rugby while at the same time, he plantOlympics gold medalist pictured centre with her parents Monica ed a small Clare flag at the top,” stated the Mayor.

Broderick and Niall Barrett, alongside Councillor Ann Norton and Mayor of Clare Michael Begley

Photo by Eamon Ward

ENNIS ACTORS ANNOUNCE NEW ADULTS COURSE

Ennis Actors Workshop Quality Drama Training for Adults BRAND NEW 8 week Acting Course for Adults Always wanted to give acting a try?

Want to build confidence, have fun and meet people?

Or brush up on existing acting skills?

Starts: Wednesday 22nd May, 7pm to 10pm Cloughleigh Community Hall, Ennis

Cost: €250 or €230 (student/unemployed) For more info call Sarah on: Tel: 087 237 3531 Email: galwayactorsworkshop@gmail.com www.galwayactorsworkshop.com

ENNIS Actors Workshop are delighted to announce their first 8-Week Acting for Adults course, starting on Wednesday 22nd May at Cloughleigh Community Hall, Ennis.

Acting for Adults is perfect for anyone who's always wanted to give acting a try, or just wants to build confidence, have fun and meet people. It's also suitable for those who have done a little acting but want to deepen their knowledge of the craft, and learn specific skills.

We are affiliated with Galway Actors Workshop who have been providing quality acting training for all levels and interests in Galway for over ten years.

But we've had so many students driving all the way from Clare and Limerick, and then having to negotiate rush-hour Galway traffic, that we decided to make things easier and bring the courses to you!

Your tutor Sarah O'Toole is an experienced actor, director and facilitator

and will bring you on a detailed tour of the basics over 8 weeks, with particular focus on character, relationships, motivation, space, ensemble, story-telling, voice, physicality and text. The last couple of weeks will be spent on applying all that we learn through working on scenes and learning how to rehearse and take direction. By the end of the course, you will have greater confidence in an audition or rehearsal situation and be able to come up with your own creative interpretations.

Following on from this, we will be adding an Acting 201 course during the Autumn semester and, over time, establishing courses that lead to public performances in a theatre venue.

The course runs on Wednesdays, 7-10pm, from 22nd May to the 10th July, and costs €250 or €230 (Students/unemployed). For more information visit www.galwayactorsworkshop.com, call Sarah on 087 237 3531 or email galwayactorsworkshop@gmail.com

THURSDAY, MAY 16 2019

Harty supports Yes vote on Divorce However Clare’s Independent TD insists he’s not in favour of ‘quickie divorces’ STUART HOLLY

C

editor@clareecho.ie

LARE Independent TD Dr. Michael Harty says he supports the proposed change in the constitution which would remove the need for couples to live apart for four years before applying for a divorce.

He said the four years wait is too long and too stressful for many couples and their families. “I don’t believe it is a good idea to insert timelines in the Constitution. However, I am not in favour of so called quickie divorces and some period of reflection is needed before legal proceedings are initiated,” he said.

Dr. Harty (pictured) said that if this section of the Constitution is deleted following a Yes vote in the Referendum on May 24, then it will be up to the Oireachtas to decide what length of separation is appropriate.

“The Government has said it will legislate for a two year living apart period. I think that is reasonable and suitable for society’s current needs,” he added.

He said there is also a second part to the referendum which would allow TDs and Senators to legislate for the recognition of foreign divorces. This would update the Constitution which was drawn up in 1937 long before divorce was introduced in Ireland.

In a statement to The Clare Echo, the

Kilmihil doctor continued, “I would remind voters that there will only be one question on the ballot paper.

“A Yes vote will remove the four-year living apart section and also give the Oireachtas power to legislate on foreign divorce recognition.

“In other words, a Yes vote allows both changes, a No vote will reject both changes.

It is not possible to vote Yes to one and No to the other. In my view, both are sensible proposals and I am canvassing for a Yes vote,” added Dr. Harty.

l SAY CHEESE: Congrats to our photographer Martin Connolly LIPF on receiving his Licentiateship (LIPF) with I.P.F. in Mullingar this week Photo by John Mangan

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Scariff's Sarah set for Eurovision PÁRAIC McMAHON

S

paraic@clareecho.ie

CARIFF’S Sarah McTernan will tonight take to the Eurovision stage in the second semi-final of the song contest.

Thursday’s slot is not a favourable one for Sarah, she is second in the running order and will compete with some of the countries tipped to win the contest.

Not alone was preparing for her biggest performance a challenge for McTernan, but the mother of one has also had to respond to calls from Irish protestors to boycott the Eurovision as it is taking place in Israel.

"Of course, everybody has their own opinions and I respect everyone’s opinion completely and utterly. For me I’m just really happy to be representing my country, I’m really honoured to be representing in Eurovision 2019 for Ireland. It’s

about the music and bringing people together. You’d only have to be at the events where people are mixing to know that it really does bring people together from all walks to life. It really is heart-warming and I’ve really made true friends for life. For me music is about love and music is about friendship and bringing people together."

On Tuesday, Sarah spent the time rehearsing and performed at EuroClub. "It was really good, we went in and I got to meet some of the fans and we did a

performance and Stuart, our choreographer, made this really cool version of 22 where he put a little bit of Irish dancing into it."

She added, "It’s really nice to know that there are people behind you because it’s such an honour to represent your country and that people are wishing you well." Sarah urged viewers in Ireland to encourage their relatives abroad to vote for Ireland on Thursday and, hopefully, Saturday night. "Get the old nanas to vote there in the UK and everything,” she quipped.

l PURE DEDICATION: Michael Connolly and Mrs Josephine Horan (nee Hogan) who were presented with medals and a scroll from Pope Francis for their contribution and service to the church in Killaloe for the last six decades. Michael is the church organist and involved in the choir

Photo by Martin Connolly

THURSDAY, MAY 16 2019

'More Irish flags needed in Clare' PÁRAIC McMAHON

news@clareecho.ie

AN IRISH identity needs to be emphasised across Co Clare with councillors calling for the national flag to be erected at libraries and district offices throughout the county.

Clare is home to 15 libraries and may soon have the Irish flag in full mast outside their doors following requests from Cllr Ian Lynch and Cllr Christy Curtin at the May meeting of the West Clare Municipal District.

Cllr Lynch tabled a motion asking “the West Clare Municipal District ensures that the national flag is flown at district offices and where flag poles can’t be accessed or don’t exist that new flag poles are erected”.

Meetings Administrator of the West Clare MD, John Corry noted that a review of “the protocols surrounding the national flag it has been suggested that there is no requirement to lower the national flag where it is illuminated. Further clarification has been sought on this matter and is awaited”. If correct, the Municipal District would look favourably on the suggestion “as there would be no staffing resource required

to raise and lower the national flag during daylight hours”.

With County Councils celebrating 100 years in existence in 2019, Cllr Lynch recognised the need for Ireland’s heritage and culture to be visible via local authority’s municipal district offices.

Independent, Cllr Christy Curtin added, “I’m going to go further, it should be flown outside every library”. The Miltown Malbay representative who has regularly highlighted the positive service provided by libraries within Clare referenced the fact that key figures in Irish history such as Patrick Hillery, Eamon de Valera, Sean Lemass and William Smith O’Brien had Clare libraries named after them.

l FLAGGED ISSUE: Cllr Ian Lynch Photo by Gary Collins

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Cahercon can be world class marine facility PÁRAIC McMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

CAHERCON has the potential to be “a world class marine facility”, a meeting in Kilrush has heard.

Funding of €1.75m was allocated towards the development of a Maritime Centre of Excellence at Cahercon House in December. The first phase of the project is to provide a specialist commercial training facility providing mandatory maritime training courses and value-added training for non-seafaring personnel taking up positions at sea with an emphasis on those in the Cruise Ship industry.

As a result of the funding, renovation work of the existing accommodation block and classrooms in Cahercon House can take place, allowing for the first phase to progress.

Senior planner with Clare County Council, Brian McCarthy informed Friday’s meeting of the West Clare Municipal District that the focus since December has been on marketing the

Clare Maritime Economic Zone (Clare MEZ) and Cahercon facility with a dedicated website setup and brochures produced.

“Through the attendance of our partners with Cruise Ireland at the Seatrade Cruise Global Conference in Miami in April, the project has been marketed worldwide to key stakeholders in the cruise industry. I am advised that feedback has been highly positive not just from the cruise companies but from other organisations seeing development possibilities including marine renewable energy in the zone around Cahercon”.

Fine Gael’s Gabriel Keating welcomed the update from the senior planner, “We could be looking at a world class marine facility in the future. Cahercon has the deepest water in western Europe, this is a step in the right direction and I welcome it, with the likes of Brian McCarthy at the helm it will be successful”.

Although he was happy with the progress, Fianna Fáil’s PJ Kelly shared his concerns regarding the cost of removing silt “to allow boats approach the pier at Cahercon”.

l STILL GOING STRONG: Congratulations to long-time married couple Michael and Monica O’Loughlin, from Cappahard, Roslevan, Ennis, who recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary

Black Mercedes dropping off 'organised beggers' in Ennis PÁRAIC McMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

O

RGANISED begging is being conducted in Clare’s county town, it was claimed this week.

“Issues have arisen and one of them I’m getting a lot is the organised begging, they seem to have got a pass recently because begging seems to be permitted. A black Mercedes drops off some of these people and tourists are targetted,” Cllr Johnny Flynn told Tuesday’s meeting of the Ennis Municipal District as he sought the reinstatement of a sub-committee in the Clare JPC specifically for Ennis.

Cllr Flynn noted that Parnell St is now becoming home to “congregation of addicts”.

The Fine Gael representative also warned that female staff in shopping centres have become aware of “organised robbing. Older members of a gang identify what they want stolen and the younger members have to go get them”. He added, “Repeat offenders have total disregard for their society, bail conditions should prevent them from being near retail centres as they are picking and begging for their addiction”.

Chief Superintendent, Michael Gubbins who was present at the meeting in response told Cllr Flynn that the registration number of the black Mercedes would be very useful to Gardaí. “Organised begging goes back to the people drinking at the Church, when the case arises they are summoned”.

Regarding bail conditions, Gubbins confirmed he would relay the suggestion to their working group however he was opposed to a sub-committee of the joint policing committee being re-established. “From what I understand Clare County Council and the JPC would cover everything concerned”.

Flynn’s Fine Gael colleague, Cllr Mary Howard who serves as Chairperson of the JPC dismissed the need for a sub grouping.

“The JPC is countywide and four of us from this Chamber sit on it. It would be another layer of bureaucracy”.

Meanwhile, elected representatives also appealed to the public not to give cash to members of the homeless community and instead hand them food or liquids should they wish to assist them.

Cllr Mary Howard commented, “One big issue in the town of Ennis, traders are getting very frustrated with the vagrancy. There are people hanging around the square, intimidating people in the town and it is not a good image for the town.”

She requested “more foot patrol in the town of Ennis if at all over the next few weeks, let them know ye are on top of them and they will move off elsewhere”.

Gubbins was of the view that some of the individuals in question were residing at Laurel Lodge but stressed the importance of reports being made to the Gardaí if issues were developing. “If things are happening, we can only know about it if reports are made”.

Recalling a previous conversation she had with the one of the vagrants, Howard said,

“One of the gentleman said to me, he came back to me because the people of Ennis are decent”. While heading on a bus journey with friends, the Fine Gael representative said 12 of the 16 people on the bus had given money to the same man she had spoken to. “I’m appealing to the people of Ennis not to give them cash, if you want to give them lunch do”.

On Sunday last, Cllr Pat Daly was assisting Fianna Fáil with a church gate collection outside Ennis Cathedral. “There was a bit of anti-social behaviour early in the morning, wine had already been consumed.

Thirty or forty tourists were walking to The Old Ground and this is not a good image for them to see. Our parish priest was trying to sort it out.

“I reiterate what has been said with regard to foot patrol. Old people living in the town would like to see more of a Garda presence,” Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy stated.

Chief Supt Gubbins also urged the public not to give money to individuals looking for it. “If people are giving them money why wouldn’t they go somewhere where there are rich people”.

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THURSDAY, MAY 16 2019

Dermot set for Iceland

Clareman on a mission for Dogs for the Disabled STUART HOLLY

A

editor@clareecho.ie

CLARE adventurer is in final preparations for a 600km odyssey which will see him traverse ice-melt rivers, mountains and glaciers this July in Iceland.

Ennis native Dermot Cosgrove, who is now living in Kilkee, will spend three weeks on foot carrying a 45kg hiking cart behind him as he treks from the most northern point of Iceland to its most southern point.

Dermot has in recent years trekked the Arctic Circle trail and the mountains of the Pyrenees all in the name of raising money for a cause close to his heart, the Irish Dogs for the Disabled charity.

Speaking to The Clare Echo from Algeria where he works for a Spanish oil and gas company, Dermot spoke about his motivations behind taking on this project which will be the ultimate test of physical and mental strength. A former member of the French Foreign Legion, Dermot is no stranger to

adversity.

"Here in Algeria, I have a nice 2kilometre loop that I do laps on to train and at the moment I'm bringing a 35kg tyre around to similate dragging something behind me except it's in 35-degree heat." In Iceland, it will be other extremes Dermot will deal with as he will experience temperatures dipping to -30 degrees while he carries a 45kg weight on his hiking cart. "The idea behind the hiking cart is to allow me to carry 45kilos. The plan is to be 100 per cent sustainable for the three weeks so I won't be availing of any resupplies while I'm crossing and everything I need; food, which will be vacuum packed, and water; I'll be pulling along behind me."

Dermot's trek will begin on July 6 from Iceland's most northerly point. He will begin by following back trails that are mostly used by 4x4s and as he gets further south, he will traverse the Icelandic Highlands.

Dermot continues, "The elevation is going to be similar if not more than what I've done before. I'll be crossing down one of the biggest glaciers there is, the largest in Iceland.

The temperature range will come and go as I go along and I'll have quite a lot of river crossings and the rivers there are ice-melt rivers. As I hit the southern end, the last 10

l READY FOR ACTION: Mayor of Clare Cllr. Michael Begley, Donnchadh Kelleher, Scoil Seanain Naofa Principal; Colum Frawley, Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Clare County Fire & Rescue Service; Killaloe Fire Brigade Firefighters Majella Monaghan and Edward Moloney pictured with students of Scoil Seanain Naofa in Clonlara Photo by Eamon Ward

Fire Service brings safety to classroom

SOME 114 primary schools across Clare are participating in a fire safety awareness campaign facilitated by Clare County Fire & Rescue Service.

The information sessions form part of a nationwide programme entitled ‘Safety Team’, which is designed to teach third class children to educate their families about fire safety and about protecting homes and communities from fire.

The programme has been officially launched at Scoil Seanain Naofa in Clonlara by Mayor of Clare Cllr. Michael Begley and is being rolled out to Clare’s remaining primary schools.

“The age at which a child receives a fire safety lesson is important,” explained Colum Frawley, Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Clare County Fire & Rescue Service. “Experience has shown that if the child is too young then he or she may not fully understand the message and, secondly, the child may become frightened. Children of 8 or 9 years old are more open to messages of fire safety and, if educated early enough, are less likely to progress into activities such as false alarms and arson."

l MAN ON A MISSION: Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy with Dermot Cosgrove ahead of his charity walk Photo by Martin Connolly

days of the trek I'll be into cross-country.

One of the trails is between two volcanic glaciers and last year it was closed because of blizzards so I'll have to make a last minute decision about taking on that but if I can't I have a back-up route. It will still be the full 600km, if not a little bit more."

Speaking about his deep connection with the charity which is benefiting from his trip, Dermot is hoping to get to the €25,000 mark for Irish Dogs for the Disabled, for whom he has already raised in the region of €15,000 for to train up new dogs.

"They're a very small charity," Dermot began. "My connection came through my sister Claire, she'd been fostering dogs for Irish Dogs for the Disabled for 16, 17 years now. There's a family connection there with them. When I did Greenland I decided I would raise funds for them but in the runup to Greenland, and now getting ready for Iceland, I'm learning more and more about what they're doing.

"They've diversified from just the strict assistance dogs to they're training to be therapy dogs. They're about to have the first dog that will go out to help sexual assuult victims, which is fantastic. These are dogs that will be paired with with kids who are vic-

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THURSDAY, MAY 16 2019

trek tims of sexual abuse, helping them through giving testimony. The charity don't receive any government assistance so they rely on all charitable donations so it's massive motivation to me to be able to help out them."

The gratitude from Dogs for the Disabled

‘‘

My connection to Irish Dogs for the Disabled came through my sister, she'd been fostering dogs for 16, 17 years

‘‘

was marked last year when they named one of their newest recruits “Kossie”.

If anybody would like to make a donation to Dermot's trek, go to www.dermotcosgrove.ie or if you would like to get involved as a sponsor, contact Dermot by email at dermotcosgrove@hotmail.com.

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US officials say Trump is coming to Doonbeg PÁRAIC McMAHON

D

paraic@clareecho.ie

ONALD Trump’s visit to Clare this June has been given the green light according to US sources.

Senior sources of the US President have confirmed he will be visiting Ireland in June. Prior to that, he will be in the United Kingdom marking the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings and in doing so will become only the third American President to have been accorded a state visit by Queen Elizabeth.

The 72 year old has no plans to travel to Dublin and whilst in Ireland is most likely to only visit West Clare and his family’s Trump International Golf Links & Hotel Doonbeg Ireland. He would not be the first President of the United States to visit just Clare while in Ireland, in 2004 President George W. Bush stayed at Dromoland Castle when attending the G20 Summit.

Irish Government officials are preparing for the US President to visit Ireland between the 5th and the 8th of June with a visit to West Clare pencilled in for June 5th.

From there, he will travel to France for further commemorations with a return to Ireland mooted.

It is expected Trump will meet with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar while in Ireland, staff from the Taoiseach’s office will be assessing security and logistical issues at various sites in Clare this week. US officials have already started booking accommodation in both Clare and Limerick for the June trip.

A spokesperson for the Irish Government said there is no official confirmation of the visit just yet. Donald Trump was due to visit Ireland last year but later cancelled, therefore officials are keen not to make an announcement too early should the same instance occur. Meanwhile, US officials have said the visit is going ahead and will be confirmed next week.

l VISITING: Doonbeg Hotel owner and US President Donald Trump

10 COLUMNIST

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Aoibhín Garrihy

LOVE

CLARE

From Scariff to Israel

THE NOTEBOOK

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moment for Banner woman Sarah McTernan please! Did you ever see such a bombshell and hailing from Scariff Co Clare we couldn’t be more proud of this lady representing Ireland tonight in Tel Aviv at the Eurovision. She took to the Orange Carpet at the Opening on Sunday night sporting Irish Designer Eamonn McGill and certainly turned heads in a dazzling white creation.

We can’t wait to cheer her on this evening. They’ll hear the Banner roar in Israel tonight!

Last week I met with former president Mary Robinson to commemorate the 25th anniversary of

the Rwandan Genocide as Bothar launch a campaign to charter a “Noah’s Arc” of Irish animals to the survivors and their families. I was six years of age at the time of the Genocide and so I had to do my homework before meeting Mary but she gave an incredible insight into the harrowing scenes she was met with in 1994 and shared why the survivors still need the generous support of the Irish people.

We are delighted to say BEO Bites will join the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open in Lahinch this summer for what promises to be an epic few days for the county and in particular West Clare. Hoping to encourage more women to the tournament, BEO Bites will add a little female empowerment to an already action packed few days as we take to the stage on Saturday 6th July at the tournament village and you can find out more at beowellness.ie

COVET IN

CLARE

NOAH’S ARC: Former president Mary Robinson and Aoibhín meet

Speaking of action packed weekends, I attended Wellfest on Saturday and I’m still buzzing after it! It was my first time at the festival and if you haven’t been before I would seriously recommend. There is so much to see and do and you will leave feeling energized, motivated and on a high! The energy was

REPRESENTING IRELAND: Sarah McTernan in Israel in the Eurovision. (below) Exam elevation by Pat Divilly

amazing and its family friendly too! Check out Wellfest.ie for details on upcoming mini events throughout the year.

Before the exams kick off, Elevate have launched a fantastic 5 episode campaign entitled ‘Exam Elevation’ in partnership

with Pat Divilly created to support all young people doing the Junior or Leaving Certificate exams.

Check out Elevate’s Facebook page for more.

CUTE IN CORAL Carrig Donn have been showcasing some of this season’s gorgeous must have gúnas and this high neck coral number is a steal at just €44.95

STEP IN STYLE Those first steps ought to be stylish so look no further than Bambino’s for the ultimate statement pair. These beauties are handcrafted and come in a range of different styles and colours.

GOOD VIBES ONLY Add some neon magic to your garden party this summer with some fun decor from Penney’s. This pink sign is just €12 and also available in flamingo!

MINDFUL DRINKING I recently tried a unique alcohol free spirit in the form of Ceder’s Alt Gin and mixed it with Fever Tree Tonic. It’s safe to say it’s as good as the real thing and is the perfect guilt free alternative. Available in Dunnes Stores and Tesco now €25 SUNS OUT With the weather looking up make sure you’re covered with a good skincare range this summer. La Roche Posay is the perfect poolside companion and suitable for all the family. Available at most good pharmacies.

WELLFEST: Highly recommended Wellfest with so much to see and do.

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Top 5 4

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Podcasts to celebrate Mental 1 Health Awareness Week

Conversations and Clarity : Looking to upgrade your life? Renowned health and wellness advocate Pat Divilly aims to shed light on the everyday choices we make with this easy listening podcast. His gentle approach will have you asking yourself some very worthwhile questions and in turn begin to question and hopefully maximize your fullest potential.

In need of some motivation, Pat’s your man!

FEARNE COTTON - HAPPY PLACE:

Having taken Wellfest by storm last weekend as she shared her own struggles with anxiety, trying to juggle and finding a purpose, it’s no wonder Fearne’s podcast has become a firm favourite in the Uk and Ireland. In her series of episodes she welcomes some incredible people as they delve into life, love, loss and everything in between.

THE GOOD GLOW - GEORGIE CRAWFORD:

Following her battle with breast cancer, Georgie has a new found appreciation for leading a healthier, happier life and is on a mission to encourage us to start putting ourselves on our own to do list. She speaks to health and wellness advocates on the joy introducing a little self-care into our lives can bring.

PODCAST...THE LAUGHS +1**BONUS OF YOUR LIFE WITH DOIREANN GARRIHY:

While it’s not specifically about mental health, Doireann’s Podcast is sure to put a smile on your face with hilarious anecdotal stories on life and laughter in all its many forms!

THE PAT DIVILLY PODCAST

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OWNING IT - THE ANXIETY PODCAST:

From the number one non fiction bestseller comes a podcast by author Caroline Foran as she shares her anxiety tools, tips and techniques and chats to those who speak openly about how it can manifest personally for them.

This no bull approach will have you telling your anxiety who’s boss in no time!

5

HAPPY MUM HAPPY BABY:

A particular favourite for me in the months leading up to and after the birth of my baby, Giovanna Fletcher’s podcast followed her book of the same title as she chats to a host of well known mums and dads on the trials and tribulations of parenthood. It’s a warm, honest account of the challenging though incredible journey that is raising a family.

Entertainment MUSIC LEGEND DECLAN SINNOTT SET FOR INTIMATE CLARE GIG

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USIC lovers in Clare are in for a rare treat with legendary musician Declan Sinnott set to play an intimate gig in Liscannor on May 19th. Sinnott is one of Ireland’s most respected musicians and songwriters. He is a founding member of Celtic Rock legends Horslips and was a member of acclaimed folk group Moving Hearts alongside Christy Moore, Mick Hanly and other musical luminaries.

Sinnott will be accompanied by singer-songwriter Vickie Keating when they perform as part of the Anam Music series of gigs. Anam, founded

by Ennistymon music lover Pat Ryan with musician and Clare FM presenter Eoin O’Neill, was created to offer a unique family-friendly listening experience for people who are passionate about good music. Their last gig featured John Spillane and received rave reviews.

“We’re delighted to be bringing Declan to the banner. He’s a world-class musician and it’s a rare treat to be able to hear him in such an intimate venue.” said Pat Ryan.

Wexford born Sinnott is especially well known for his collaborations with Christy Moore who he has worked alongside for approximately 30 years. He still tours regularly with Moore and

often performs his own solo material as part of the show. He has also worked alongside the likes of Emmylou Harris, Mary Black, Sinead Lohan and John Spillane.

Sinnott’s first solo album ‘I Love The Noise It Makes’ was released by Warner Music in 2012 to critical acclaim, including a 4-star review from UK newspaper The Telegraph. This was followed up by a well-received second album ‘Window on the World’ in 2015. The Sunday Times has described him as “master of mellow, whose gloriously understated vocals are accompanied by a neat mix of acoustic and electric guitars.”

Declan’s partner Vickie Keating is a singer and writer from Cork. She has been collaborating with Declan since 2012. Vickie also writes and sings with her band ‘From The Forest’, who has been a huge hit at the Doolin Folk Festival in the past. She has just finished a short run of a musical theatre piece based on the writings of ‘Stump’ frontman, Mick Lynch. Vickie and Declan are currently working on an album together.

Declan Sinnott and Vickie Keating perform as part of the Anan Music series at the Cliffs of Moher Hotel in Liscannor at 7pm on Sunday May 19th at 7pm. Tickets are priced €15 + booking fee and are available online via Eventbrite.

lWORLD RENOWNED: Irish Guitarist, Producer, Songwriter and Folk Legend Declan Sinnott accompanied by Vicky Keating.

STUDENTS PRESENT END OF YEAR EXHIBITION IN CLARE MUSEUM

A lMUSIC LEGEND: Wexford born Sinnott is especially well known for his collaborations with Christy Moore.

rtworks by students who undertook the Art & Design Course with Clare VTOS/LCTB will be exhibited at Clare Museum from Monday 20 May until June 1st.

The visual art group exhibition, entitled ‘Visions’, features exciting works that explore a number of diverse themes in a variety of media from paintings, drawings and prints.

The exhibition is free and open to the public.

For further details please contact: louise.houlihan@lcetb.ie.

‘LOVE SHANNON’ WANTS TO BUILD A BETTER FUTURE FOR THE TOWN PÁRAIC MCMAHON

news@clareecho.ie

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TEAM of business personnel have pooled together in Shannon with the creation of a new group aimed at making the town a place to “be proud to bring people to visit and where people would want to stay”.

Residents in the town have voiced their criticism in recent months with Government promises to allocate funding for The Venue, a planned community, civic, cultural and interpretative centre that failed to receive necessary financial aid in various tranches of funding handed out.

February 28th saw a public meeting held regarding The Venue’s future, it would prove to be a key event in the foundation of Love Shannon. “I was there in attendance as were members of the Love Shannon before it was formed and at the end of the night there was a request from one of the people involved in The Venue to see would there be any volunteers willing to come together to help move the case forward. A few of us got together, met up and realised there was a larger agenda than just The Venue. We had been fairly disenchanted by the way in which the funding was handled or not handled, there was promises made and nothing came through.

When we listened to their story and the lack of support that they got at different points throughout their journey, we felt a strong sense that something more was needed for Shannon and we started from there,” Denise O’Brien explained to The Clare Echo.

According to a statement from the group, they are “concerned individuals whose main purpose is to make Shannon town a better place to live today and for future generations to come”. To make progress, they will collaborate, lobby and question. “We aspire to help

Shannon achieve its full potential as a living town. We aim to do this through collaborating with suitable bodies, lobbying and questioning the relevant authorities. The final decision makers in all of these matters will be the people of Shannon themselves”.

A founder and business owner of O’Brien Learning Solutions, Denise forms part of the 11 strong group all with a shared vision.

“The common goal is that Shannon is a better place, we’re not affiliated to a commercial organisation, business, religious order or political party, that has been stated very clearly on our social media platforms and in our mission statement. Even though there are business people in there, it’s not to promote anything particular business, it is to promote Shannon”.

No group is favoured over another and equally no one is discriminated against with Love Shannon. “We’re willing to work with anyone who has a similar ideal or has the heart of Shannon at it’s core”.

Her business assists companies making changes both big and small, similar adjustments need to be made relating to Shannon’s future. “I’m a native of Shannon, I grew up here, I’ve a daughter who I raised here in the town so I have a real affinity for Shannon, I do have my own business I’m self-employed, my own business is around change management, helping organisations to change but I want to give something back to the community, I feel there is palpable energy

around the place, the time is now”.

Since setting up social media accounts last week, Love Shannon has amassed close to 1,300 followers. “It was a case of taking an opportunity while it’s there, I do think there are a lot of things that aligned to set this up for success. There is an air of discontent in Shannon, I do think people feel that Shannon needs more attention and focus in terms of Government funding and we are looking for what we are entitled to. Shannon is a very unique town and there is a great community spirit in Shannon, we’ve been multi-cultural before a lot of towns in Ireland knew what the phrase meant, we really want to draw out the positives of Shannon and make our community all inclusive and restore pride back in the community”.

For the past six weeks, the team behind Love Shannon have met once a week with community groups invited to an open meeting last Thursday. “At the open meeting we

ran like a focus group where we invited representatives from local groups within the community. People who have already done fantastic work in Shannon, we’re not there to step on anybody’s toes we’re there to bring everyone together and run this idea by them and see what the appetite is like. We made it clear that it was only a place for positivity, it’s not a place where people can moan and vent, we’re very focused on solutions and bringing out the best for the town, the response was fantastic”.

On what would make Love Shannon a success, Denise outlined, “We know that Shannon is lacking a townscape, a streetscape, a heart, a centre, we’d love to see the rezoning of land, a joined up plan from local government where we can visualise Shannon’s finest features being made more prominent like the riverwalks, having a town centre, a place where you would be proud to bring people to visit and where people would want to stay”.

14 SHANNON NEWS

Clare Echo THE

THURSDAY, MAY 16 2019

Shannon’s Flynn refuses to sign pledge to restore health services to Clare PÁRAIC MCMAHON

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news@clareecho.ie

F all 51 candidates for the local elections on May 24th, Shannon councillor Gerry Flynn was the only one to refuse to sign a pledge to give his support for the restoration of health services to Co Clare. Clare PPN organised hustings for each of the five electoral areas ahead which were attended by representatives from Friends of Ennis General Hospital who asked all candidates to give a commitment in writing “to support the restoration of the A&E to Ennis hospital including the upgrade of the hospital to a model three hospital under the HSE framework for services”.

Numerous candidates were absent for the hustings across the county including Fine Gael councillors Pat Burke, Gabriel Keating and Bill Slattery, Cllr Mike McKee (SF), Chris Kirwan (SD), Noreen Lynch (IND), Eugene Long (FG), Joe Floyd (IND), Sean Naughton (SF) and André Hakizimana (IND).

The Clare Echo understands that Sean Naughton has contacted the group to express his interest in signing the pledge.

However Cathaoirleach of the Shannon

Municipal District, Cllr Gerry Flynn was the only representative to decline to sign the pledge. The Miltown Malbay native was unavailable for comment when contacted by The Clare Echo on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Deirdre Culligan who approached Cllr Flynn to sign the pledge and outlined what he said when asked to do so. “To quote him, he doesn’t sign he acts and this was after he literally threw a hissy fit and claimed Ennis would never ever re-open and it’s a waste of time”.

Speaking in The Clare People this week, Cllr Flynn accused the group of trying to “hijack” the hustings “for whatever alternative motive”. He referred to his work on a hospital action committee in the past, “I certainly support better health services in the county if we can get them”.

His “provocative language” has disappointed the Friends of Ennis General Hospital. “We can only assume that we have hit a nerve with Cllr Flynn and his only way of responding to his lack of support is to attack and cast aspersions on our group and those who support us. We as a group can hold our heads up high in the work we have done and continue to do, without accusing anyone of ulterior motives”.

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Clare Echo THE

THURSDAY, MAY 16 2019

SHANNON NEWS

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Bricky rolls out latest product in attempt to hit one million mark PÁRAIC MCMAHON

news@clareecho.ie

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Shannon company assisting some of the biggest sporting stars have launched a new product.

In September 2016, the BackBaller invented by Noel Marshall was first put on sale and now have launched the MuscleBaller, a smaller, more convenient and cheaper version of the BackBaller. The Cork native saw his athletic career which included winning the Irish U23 1500m brought to an abrupt because of injury which led to him subsequently coming up with the idea that has avoided required back surgery and instead has him running again.

“At 39 years of age I was told I needed a back operation which I refused to take lying down and that’s what prompted me to really focus on the subject, I started foam rolling the hell out of myself and got myself fixed, every time I was using the normal foam roller I would be going from one end of the room to the next. I’d spend an hour a day on it, it was just the realisation that if we could make this process a little bit more sophisticated more people might be able to engage with it and get the sort of benefits that I experienced. It saved me from a back operation and I’m back active in sport since, I’m running and have a cycle this evening”.

When managing the Wolfe Tones U16 hurlers, Marshall saw the use of foam rollers in a dressing room up close and personal, that led to the BackBaller and the MuscleBaller’s creation is aimed to leave players with a lighter load when travelling to training and matches.

“It’s a single version of The BackBaller, very handy for lads to throw into the gearbag bringing to games and playing, it’s a pocket size version. In the case of a hurler he has his gear bag in one hand, his hurley and he wouldn’t have room for the Back Baller whereas the Muscle Baller he can fit in the gear bag,” Noel explained to The Clare Echo.

To date, 25,000 BackBallers have been sold around the world. The dual-mounted foam roller and the newer version are suitable for all the family, though Noel admitted those with severe pain may find the prospect of rolling around daunting. “The younger generation are more inclined to use it because it does require a bit of work to get down and use it, the youngsters will jump and d o w n without thinking about it, the older guys will see it as a bit of a chore.

People who are into running and are active w i l l use it, the f e l la who is crocked with back pain he’s a

tough nut to get down on it because he’d see it as a struggle to get up and down, he’d prefer to lie on a table and have someone working on them. If it’s in the family, it’s there for all to use, everyone should use it if they could”.

Earlier this year, he promoted the product during a business slot on The Late Late Show, viewers noticed his commitment to the cause as he stayed rolling on the baller for the duration of the segment. “To sell anything you have to give it socks, for some of the Premier League clubs I’ve turned up uninvited just knock on the door and see what will happen”.

Such an approach hasn’t resulted in Marshall getting booted out of the grounds. “When they see what you have and that you’re not bullshitting them they are receptive to it because straight away once they get a sense of it they have it, they all used foam rollers and they can see the frame makes it more stable and it makes sense to use it. It’s an expensive foam roller in that it’s €60 compared to one in Lidl for €10, that’s not too much of a factor for them if it’s better they will have it”.

Noel is also the inventor of Bricky which has since become his nickname around Shannon, in 2008 he sold 100,000 of the wall building tools.

Europe and UK have been the main markets for sales of The BackBaller and he is of the view their market can grow. “It’s available worldwide but we’re only scratching the surface yet.

If it was fully fled we’d probably be selling a couple of hundred a day”.

He added, “The Bricky broke my heart in that it took seven or eight years before I had any traction going with it really, we got traction on the Back Baller from the word go which was a massive plus, at this stage there is 25,000 of them out there and the more people out there using them it helps the thing grow and develop”.

Four months after launching, Man City purchased an order, the date of which hangs proudly on the office wall in Smithstown. “They put in an order on the 5th of January 2017. That came four months after we launched it. They wouldn’t be ordering stuff unless it was the real deal”.

Tiger Woods, Roger Federer and Mo Farrah are three of the most high profile users of The BackBaller with most Premier League clubs and inter-county sides stocking them in their gyms. As he looks towards to the future, Noel is keen to hit the one million mark as far as sales are concerned.

“If I don’t sell a million of these things I feel I won’t have done my job, they should be in every house, it’s the best few pound any family could spend where you active youngsters it would be used every night of the week. The value you get out of it, it’s a no brainer not to get it, it’s the cost of a physio session”.

Noel demonstrates the Backballer to the Clare Team

Rolling with the Banner

www.BackBaller.com

16 SHANNON NEWS

Clare Echo THE

THURSDAY, MAY 16 2019

Shannon Company Scoops National Best Medium Business Award

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T was celebrations all round in Shannon last week when Shannon-based Advanced Technical Concepts (ATC) was awarded the All-Ireland Business Foundation’s Best Medium Business Award 2019 at the Foundation’s annual All-Ireland Business Summit in Croke Park.

The company’s win was based on a detailed submission and live judging on the day.

In business since 1993, and operating from two sites, one in Smithstown, Shannon and the second in Drombanna, Co Limerick, ATC supports supply chain and delivers engineering services to multinational companies in a wide range of sectors including medical device, pharmaceutical, food and beverage. Originally focused on sealing and jointing components, the company has expanded its offerings and now manages its business across five different units. These include 3D printing (of prototypes and components) and bespoke lean builds and Kaizen products that help customers remove non-value add processes.

Reacting to the company’s win, managing director, Marie Clifford said: “This award of Best Medium Business of 2019, which recognises us against our peers, further vindicates the hard work of our team, who are dedicated to providing a best-in- class service to all our customers.

lWINNERS: Marie Clifford, managing director, Advanced Technical Concepts (third left) is pictured receiving the All-Ireland Business Foundation’s Best Medium Business Award 2019 with (from left) Mairead McGuinness, MEP; Paul Fagan, managing director, Action Coach; Sandra Fleming and Ger Finan, Advanced Technical Concepts and; chairperson of the judging panel Dr Briga Hynes, University of Limerick.

“When I talk about team ATC, I can categorically say that we have the right people on the bus. The last two years have seen us really focus on getting a great team in place – the right people with the right attitude - as well as investing in an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to allow us to put in

place the foundations to scale for growth.

“In achieving this award, we join a unique group of businesses in demonstrating our commitment to improving our products and service to our customers and suppliers. Committed to growing a sustainable business, the adoption of a lean philosophy

has proven key with a desire by all the team to remove any non-value add activities so that we are always offering our customers best value. Part of building a strong team has been our continued investment in our people; we currently have five staff members pursuing green and black belts.

“As an SME, we offer flexibility and autonomy as well as a great location. We are driven by a desire to always deliver the best and add value and, a desire to always encourage continuous improvement.” added Ms Clifford.

Congratulating ATC on attaining this tremendous accolade, Shannon Chamber CEO Helen Downes added: “ATC is an exemplar SME. We have watched its progress over the years and observed the determination of the CEO, Marie Clifford, to put systems and structures in place to take the company to a new level. Company representatives attend most of the Chamber’s and the MidWest Lean Network’s events to absorb new learning and embed best practice in the organisation. This a well-deserved award and we will now watch with interest how ATC progresses in the Energia Manufacturing & Engineering Family Business of the Year award, in which it is shortlisted, when the winners are announced on Friday, 24 May in the Mansion House Dublin.”

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Clare Echo THE

THURSDAY, MAY 16 2019

A range of Ceramic pieces inspired by the natural beauty of the landscape in particular the Burren Each piece is individually handmade & hand painted so no two pieces can ever be the same.

Raquel Walsh

Ballycasey, Shannon Co. Clare For more information see: www.creativeclayireland.com creativeclay.ie creativeclay.ireland

SHANNON NEWS

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Clare Echo THE

18 SHANNON NEWS

THURSDAY, MAY 16 2019

Increased productivity at Ei Electronics derived from introducing lean principles

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company whose operations are spread over a 14-acre site in Shannon, that ships over 250,000 fire and carbon monoxide detection alarms per week to over 30 countries worldwide, and employs over 700 people in Shannon with an additional 100 in marketing and sales overseas, attributes much of its operational success to the introduction of Kaizen, a methodology focused on continuous improvement, in 1996.

Now the world leader in its niche product area, Ei Electronics opened its doors last week to host the fourth workshop in the Mid-West Lean Network’s 2019 series of workshops, to demonstrate how, when implemented with buy-in from employees at all levels, lean or continuous improvement can deliver multiple benefits to an organisation. In Ei Electronics case, lean has eliminated waste and led to single piece flow and standard operations.

“Without Kaizen, we would not be here today,” said Ei Electronics’ founder and CEO Mick Guinee when addressing attendees and introducing his lean team leaders: Nicky Mullen senior mechanical engineer, Barry Loughnane, production supervisor and Paul Kilbridge, manufacturing projects manager.

“It’s all about questioning the status quo,

standardising programmes and processes, and involving everyone within the organisation, from the production operator that does the job to all other functions, in problem solving to eliminate duplication and waste.

The workshop focused on standardised work, a powerful lean tool which enables the efficient operation of the final assembly processes at Ei Electronics.

As senior mechanical engineer Nicky Mullen explained: “At a basic level, standard work outlines the current best-known method (or standard) for each step of our production process. This new ‘standard’, forms a baseline for the process from which all future Kaizen or continuous improvement activities are measured. Once improvements are made, the new standard becomes the baseline for further improvements and so on, continuing an endless cycle of improvement.

“While standard work has focused mainly on the assembly process in the company, it has also been introduced in the moulding shop and in other areas of the company, such as finance. It helps everyone to work smarter,” added Mr Mullen.

Manufacturing projects manager Paul Kilbridge advised attendees seeking to introduce standard work into their companies to expect challenges along the way: “Imple-

menting change may not be an initial success; people will be nervous at the outset but adopting the 30-day goal to embed change yields positive results. It’s important to have senior management and all employees involved in the process.”

Speaking at the event, Shannon Chamber’s CEO Helen Downes was fulsome in her praise for the great strides made by Ei Electronics, under the direction of its founder Mick Guinee, and the enormous contribution the company makes to the local, regional and national economy.

“Ei Electronics is an exemplar indigenous company that has proved it is possible to manufacture and scale up in Ireland once the right systems and management team are in place. As Mick Guinee stated: business is simple, it’s all about keeping your costs lower than your selling price.”

Shannon Chamber also used this occasion to announce that Enterprise Ireland is the new sponsor of the Mid-West Lean Network. “ We are delighted to have the support of Enterprise Ireland in our endeavour to grow the Mid-West Lean Network and make it a best-in-class example of a lean network in action. Being industry led, the activities of the network are in direct response to members’ needs. The fact that 100 member com-

panies are now part of the network and that each workshop is a sell-out means that it is meeting the needs of companies seeking to attain competitive advantage in their respective sectors. It augers well for the region and we look forward to taking the network to even higher levels with the support of Enterprise Ireland as sponsor and IDA Ireland as an active supporter.”

Mick Guinee, founder and CEO, Ei Electronics (2nd left) is pictured at the Mid-West Lean Network workshop in Ei Electronics in Shannon with Helen Downes, CEO, Shannon Chamber and (from left):Paul Kilbridge, manufacturing projects manager, Nicky Mullen senior mechanical engineer and Barry Loughnane, production Photo: Eamon Ward supervisor, Ei Electronics.

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THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK 19

THURSDAY, MAY 16 2019

Ronan Scully

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK Author spreading the word of positivity

SUMMER SPIRITUALITY

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S I write this thought for the week, I am just after returning from a beautiful walk along the cliffs of moher cliff walk into Doolin where finally the season of summer has shown itself in full bloom and it gave me a sweet taste of the hopefully warm summer days before us. Hopefully it will make us in some ways feel younger and more alive! The month of May traditionally marks the beginning of summertime and brings with it not only a change in the weather, but also a change in the way we experience the world around us.

The summer season gives us opportunities to discover our world and our life in new and revitalizing ways. A thought that came to me during my walk is that I love and adore the season of Summer.

I love the sunshine of the summer months as it brightens up the world, and with it, brings days of new warmth and gives obvious signs of awakening and renewal wherever we look. It amazes me how the evening’s start to lengthen to its fullest and how the heat of the sun comes back into the air. For me, summer is the symbolic season that reminds one to grab hold of all that life has to offer. Summer is the fulfilment of a hopeful Spring. To make the most of summer is, for me, to make the most of all that is good in life. Gone are thoughts of winter despair or a chilling and wet spring. Everything around us now in this summer season is alive and vibrant and in full maturity.

If I seize a summer day, I believe I seize life itself and find in it all that gives pleasure and meaning.

But nothing is as beautiful as all the trees, flowers, shrubs and bushes that are in full bloom and full of life and energy. It is truly a beautiful, magical and wonderful time of our year. It makes me think about the many blessings that summer shines upon us, such as the warmth and freshness in the air, the warm sun on my skin,

wonderful humid breezes, singing of the birds, the growth of nature all around me, animals of all kinds fully emerged, fresh and sea waters flowing, trees, plants and flowers fully blossomed in an array of numerous colours, and of course the oncoming of the summer holidays. The month of May which is also the month of Our Lady marks the start of the summer and a time to enjoy and experience life. We all need to be positive and embrace abundance, love, care and joy into our lives, treasuring each moment as it comes. We get so wrapped up at times, well I know I do, with thinking about the past, a lot of the time trying to control the future and forgetting to enjoy and be at peace in the present moment of now. Whether in the country or just passing neighbours’ gardens or public parks or close to beautiful seaside beaches, summer reminds us of the insane generosity of God. Trees and plants flower and fruit in a way that can seem almost criminally wasteful.

If a spirituality of summer tells us anything, it is that the fruition of the earth, the fruit of time spent contemplatively going about our daily tasks, is always going to be more than we can calculate and make use of in obvious ways. A sense of the sacrament of the present moment can liberate us from the tyranny of time, dominated by market forces and the idolization of work, of cost effectiveness, of productiveness as value. Wasting time with the God whose times and seasons are full of generous wastefulness can remind us of what truly matters. The God who is with us always to the end of time is not limited to any season. God is both within and beyond times and seasons, but invites us in the summer, perhaps more vividly than at other times, to hear ‘this is my body’ as an invitation to savour the beauties of creation. This includes ourselves, the other, whether family, friend or stranger and the earth in full

flower and fruit as the power of the risen Christ liberates all creation from bondage. In this world there is strife. There is hardship, and there is suffering. There is inequality. There is injustice. There is also abundant beauty amidst it all. And within that beauty there are reminders tucked away everywhere, encouraging us to persist, to strive, and to bring our dreams for a better world to life. We have only to open our hearts and look, and we will see them. Please this summer try to embrace the positive in your life as it’s meant to be.

Lessons on life “There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away.

The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer and the youngest son in the fall. When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen. The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted. The second son said no, it was covered with green buds and full of promise. The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen. The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment. The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree’s life. He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up. If you give up when it’s winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, fulfillment of your fall. The moral of the story is, don’t let the pain of one sea-

son destroy the joy of all the rest.

Don’t judge life by one difficult season. Persevere through the difficult patches and better times are sure to come some time later.”

Thought for the week As your thought for the week, I pray that as the signs of summer begin to show themselves all around us, you will remember that each new day is like a cleared field ready for planting. Your thoughts, attitudes, and actions are the seeds you plant. This summer choose only the seeds that will produce a bountiful harvest of love, joy, health, kindness, care, prosperity, and peace. And may you give thanksgiving not only for the summertime around you, but also for the summertime within you. This summer season try to dislodge hate and replace it with love. Dislodge pride and replace it with humility. Dislodge anger and replace it with self control.

Dislodge unbelief and replace it with faith. Dislodge revenge, and replace it with forgiveness. Dislodge complaining and replace it with praise. Dislodge evil and unkind thoughts and replace them with pure and kind thoughts. Dislodge gossip and replace it with encouragement. Dislodge laziness and replace it with caring. Happy Summer season everyone!! I wish each of you as you read this thought, in this moment and on

this day, much peace and joy. Feel this summer, own it, squeeze the juice out of it. You have arrived at your destination; this is the present summer of your life. Here is a nice prayer for each of you for a blessed and beautiful summer “Creator of all, thank You for summer! Thank You for the warmth of the sun and the increased daylight. Thank You for the beauty I see all around me and for the opportunity to be outside and enjoy Your creation. Thank You for the increased time I have to be with my friends and family, and for the more casual pace of the summer season. Draw me closer to You this summer. Teach me how I can pray no matter where I am or what I am doing. Warm my soul with the awareness of Your presence, and light my path with Your Word and Counsel. For more light in the day, we thank you, For gentle mornings, we thank you, For nighttime conversations, we thank you, For friends and family, we thank you, For gardens and all manner of creatures, we thank you. Help us, Creator and lover of our souls. Help us love this earth.

Help us dwell wholeheartedly in our lives this day. Help us pray as we walk, work, play, rest, and create. As I enjoy Your creation, create in me a pure heart and a hunger and a thirst for You. Amen.”

Enjoy a beautiful summer!!!

20 ELECTIONS

THURSDAY, MAY 16 2019

Progress at 'dangerous Shanaway intersection' STUART HOLLY

T

editor@clareecho.ie

he Lahinch Road residents’ concerns of congestion and accident risks at the Shanaway Road intersection may be resolved by early next year.

Rising concerns for the safety of drivers, pedestrians and cyclists in highly populated residential areas led to Cllr Johnny Flynn to again repeat submissions in January 2019 for safety audits on several dangerous junctions around Ennis. These audits would be carried out by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to determine potential improvements to road layouts for safety on junctions including Ballymachill Cross, Corroviron Junction and the Shanaway road junction.

Cllr Flynn comments, “Since the last time I raised the concerns early this year of the dangerous junctions in Ennis, we have progressed towards finding solutions for some of the intersections. There has been a turning count carried out at Shanaway Road to indi-

cate traffic volumes. My understanding from discussions with the Senior Engineer, is the proposal to TII will be to fund a vehicular activated traffic light system for commencement early next year. This will allow residents along Shanaway road to safely enter and exit onto Lahinch Road. Also, €35,000 has been secured to install a pedestrian crossing at Ballymacahill Cross. I have worked closely with the residents of Corrovorrin who are frustrated with the new layout. I’m hopeful a design solution will be agreed in time to get Government funded this year in order to start work in 2020.”

“Road safety measures in residential areas are essential which is why I have worked with many estates since 2014 to implement traffic calming measures. Studies show that death rates of pedestrians fall from 90% when hit by a car travelling 60 km per hour to just 10% when hit by a car travelling 30km per hour.”

Cllr Flynn has indicated he is committed to continue the campaign to find solutions for these dangerous intersections for the safety of drivers and pedestrians.

l LABELLED DANGEROUS: The Shanaway Road intersection

Photo by Vagelis Art

ELECTIONS 21

THURSDAY, MAY 16 2019

l GOOD CAUSE: Presenting funds raised for the Alzheimer Society of Ireland is Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (centre) Bridget Hoey (left), and Margaret Barry Photo by Martin Connolly

Alzheimer Society a cause held close by Cllr Colleran Molloy

C

LARE Colleran Molloy paid a return visit to the Clare branch of the Alzheimer Society in Clare after her fundraising efforts late last year helped to raise nearly â‚Ź2,000 for the local branch.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Cllr Colleran Molloy noted the importance of the society, something which was brought to her attention when her mother was diagnosed.

My eyes were opened to this by my 92year old mother, who was diagnosed with vascular dementia. I come from a big family and we were trying to figure out to keep her at home and care for her at home. The Alzheimer Society, without even wanting to charge, were willing to come and help for a few hours. In order to do that, they need funds, which is why I decided to do a sit-down luncheaon for the Alzheimer Society back in November."

Mayor Colleran Molloy was delighted by the turnout at the fundraiser held at the Old Ground for the Alzheimer Society of Ireland. "We got close to â‚Ź2,000 in and that helps greatly, they were so appreciative of it. Bridget Hoey is the president here and they were just so delighted."

The Society provide hours to families, providiing a person to come and keep company with the person suffering with Alzheimers at very little cost.

"That has to have some fundraising behind it and that's why it's so important," continued Cllr Colleran. "My mother Dolly is doing very well now, she's in Carrigoran now and she's much improved.

"I recently had another familiy member diagnosed with dimentia, it can happen to anybody. So many people are affected by it which is why it's such a worhty cause to support."

22

ELECTIONS

THURSDAY, MAY 16 2019

Cooney concerned by ‘dead’ small towns and villages

F

OR the last two elections, Joe Cooney secured more first preference votes than any other candidate in the county but he’s insisting “there are no guarantees in life” as the countdown to May 24th continues.

Hard work and a commitment to serving the people of East Clare is what the O’Callaghans Mills councillor credits for his poll topping results of 2,780 (2009) and 2,843 (2014). With such a strong voting base, Fine Gael could do worse than approach him for the upcoming General Election but Joe confirmed to The Clare Echo that becoming a TD is a job he has no aspirations of working towards.

On top of his full-time Council role, Cooney is a building contractor and Chairperson of Clare GAA. “Being in different positions you have to balance and keep on top of things. I’m involved in a construction company, again by working with other people and making sure I deal with issues straight away don’t leave them on the long finger and by being straight and up front with people helps in a big way. It’s not an easy task but when you’re committed to something you’re either committed or you’re not committed I’m committed to the different roles I’m involved in as long I’ve

the appetite and am able to continue doing it and my term as the Chairperson of the GAA will be over after another twelve months because that’s only a five year term, we don’t know what’s going to happen on the 24th of May with the local elections so after that I’ll look at that when the new Council is put in place if I’m still there”.

As he travels the Killaloe Municipal District in pursuit of retaining the two thousand plus votes, Joe outlined what areas he would be keen to see progress in if returned to the local authority. “A sewerage facility for Broadford is a vital piece of infrastructure for Broadford and the catchment area down there, I’d be campaigning for that and also the need to continue to improve road infrastructure in the Killaloe Municipal District including local, minor and regional roads with special attention to the ongoing road maintenance and ongoing investment in the new River Shannon crossing at Killaloe would be one of my priorities as well. Ensuring our tourism facilities are enhanced including the development of the visitors attraction at Holy Island. Brexit is a big issue and I would be hoping that there would be some conclusion at some stage but sustaining farming communities, businesses and rural communities in the context of Brexit

VOTE NO. 1 FOR SOLUTIONS

CANDIDATE : ANDRE HAKIZIMANA

PARTY: INDEPENDENT OCCUPATION: ECONOMIST & AUTHOR

087 337 8293 AUGHANTEEROE, ENNIS hakizimana.andre@gmail.com

KEY PRIORITIES WITH YOUR VOTE ON MAY 24 INDIVIDUAL HOME-CARE FOR THE ELDERLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING & HELP WITH SOCIAL HOUSING NATIONAL SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS IN ENNIS ACCESS TO HOME HELP & HOSPITAL APPOINTMENTS

is another priority of mine and promoting more sporting and recreational facilities throughout the Killaloe Municipal District

for the young people”.

For the past five years, the father of three has been Chairperson of the Council’s Physical Development Strategic Policy Committee. “We’ve good progress made. Our road infrastructure has improved throughout the Killaloe Municipal District, we would love to see more done on the local and minor roads, the reinstatement of the CIS and the LIS schemes have helped them roads in a major

way which was very beneficial and welcome.

The Killaloe bridge crossing is going to be vital for the East Clare area, we have made great progress on that and the illegal dumping going on around this county is a disgrace, it’s ruining our lovely countryside and I think we’ve made a lot of progress on that”.

The current state of towns and villages across the county has frightened the former Scariff Community College student. “Small villages and towns in some parts of it are just dead at the moment to be honest with you.

Overall a lot has been achieved, a lot of our national schools have got extensions and upgrades, we have a new secondary school in Tulla which has been a major asset and benefit to East Clare, a new national school in Sixmilebridge. My big concern is vacant and derelict buildings in small villages and towns, they seem to be dying completely, shops can’t survive there unfortunately, lack of infrastructure is a big setback”.

As it stands, Fianna Fáil have three sitting councillors in the Killaloe MD but Fine Gael are aiming to upset this and hope to retain their two seats while adding Ger O’Halloran to the mix, and Cooney maintains, “There are nine candidates running for five seats, it’s going to be very competitive so it’s very hard to call.”

WOULFE SAYS COMMERCIAL RATES MUST BE TACKLED

Rural Clare needs to be put first, according to election candidate Joseph Woulfe.

In a statement to The Clare Echo, the Quilty barber-slash-farmer said that rural Ireland has been left behind and that commercial rates need to be tackled to improve business conditions in rural Ireland.

“For too long the Government has turned its back on Rural Ireland and our local Post Offices, our pubs, small to medium enterprises need to be protected. With your support we can push back the Governments restrictive approach towards our county. I am willing to fight for our county, our right to exist. My name is Joseph Woulfe from West Clare, Quilty (Kilmurry Ibrickane) and I strongly believe that living and working together in the community enriches people’s lives.

Mr Woulfe has 20 years combined experience in farming, as a self-employed barber and in the retail and service sector.

Recently he was appointed Chairperson of the Beef Plan Movement, who conduct meetings throughout Clare, develop strategies for Fair Payment for Livestock, Farmer Union, brand and sell grass feed beef product locally, within the EU & Internationally. Approximately 1,000 farmers in Clare have joined the movement and 19,000 across Ireland. Farming being a subject close to his heart, Joseph w a n t s to “make small family farms viable; stop feedlots, farmers need to get support for Brexit and more competition in the economy.”

On the subject of commercial rates, Mr Woulfe suggests that they be proportional to business income; his statement continued, “Pay more rates on your busy season (Summer) & less on quite season (Winter). Clare County Council to host every business on there website for free. Locals know what businesses are available to them but tourists, returning Irish citizens and new local people in the community don’t know what businesses and facilities are available and open.”

Mr Woulfe suggest that the website will be in languages including Spanish, French, Africans, and Polish to name a few. In terms of employment Joseph said he advocates the setting up of apprenticeship schemes.

The West Clare man also encourages the development of youth social clubs / internet cafes to improve well being and social interaction among youth, in which satellite broadband is the key.

He is also calling for public showers at beaches, recycling bins and toilets, and community Gardens.

ELECTIONS 23

THURSDAY, MAY 16 2019

l READY FOR JIGS AND REELS: Principle Huge Connolly with Cllr Mary Howard and Holy Family Senior School Students Photo by John Mangan

Holy Family reaps huge rewards of instrument appeal

T

HIS week almost thirty musical instruments were donated to the Holy Family School in Ennis. The appeal began over four years ago and it is led by Cllr Mary Howard, "Almost five years ago we had a marching band visiting from Phoenix Arizona, the day before they returned to the USA we took them on a tour of local schools to play music. They had an amazing experience at Scoil Chriost Ri and after they left Karen Vaughan who teaches music there explained that many of the children are very talented and were on music scholarships, but for many reasons they could not afford a step-up instrument! This got me thinking about all the instruments lying about in houses all over the county that were no longer being played or loved... and the Instrument Appeal was born!" explained Cllr Howard.

"Over the past four years almost 200 instruments have been donated to both schools, we have also donated pianos, one most recently to a local nursing home and we also donated a harmonium to Clare Music Generation.

"This year I had assistance from Colaiste Muire students Aisling Reidy, Aisling Flouch and Muireann Byrne who travelled to Phoenix in 2018 as youth ambassadors and once they return each year we start the Instrument Appeal for the next few months.

"All instruments are accepted as we can get then re-strung and tuned."

Scoil Chriost Ri's students were the initial recipients and all of the instruments that were donated are now being played again. The instruments help the schools create a bank of their own instruments.

If anyone has instruments to donate contact Cllr Mary Howard at 086 87 80298.

24

ELECTIONS

THURSDAY, MAY 16 2019

Alfonso eyes Council role PÁRAIC McMAHON

A

news@clareecho.ie

LFONSO D’Auria has pledged to be the voice of soletraders and business personnel if elected to Clare County Council.

D’Auria has highlighted the need for Ennis to have it’s own third level campus and for measures to be put in place to improve the wellbeing of children living in the county.

As the owner of Enzo’s on Parnell St, the father of two is pleased with the allocation of €1.4m under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund for the street but with 30 percent of buildings there vacant, he is of the view that more is required. “Ennis is such a vibrant town and you could see with the Fleadh what can happen and what it offers.

"I’m here on Parnell St and I know we’ve been looking to get stuff done for the last ten years and this year thank God there is something going to happen to energise the street but I don’t think that’s going to be enough, they need to get more footfall and more people into Ennis across the board.

"I know there is issues with rates from both parties, there is issues from the Coun-

l READY TO REPRESENT: Popular Ennis businessman Alfonso D'Auria

cil about rates and soletraders about rates, the best solution for both parties is to get more people into Ennis shopping and there won’t be a problem”.

Five years ago, Alfonso considered running in the 2014 local elections but feels now is the time to use “this avenue for me to help Ennis get back on track”. “I wouldn’t have political experience but I would have experience dealing with the public for 20 years over the counter, my ear is to the ground, I

know what is going on. I get a lot of people coming in here for the chats that I would know on first name terms, I’m a councillor in my own way behind the counter”.

For two years, he served as Chairperson of the Clare Schoolboys/Schoolgirls Soccer League (CSSL) and has had a lifetime involvement with Avenue Utd. The forty four year old maintained that sport can be used to tackle anti-social problems within the county. “I’d really love to be the voice of soletraders and businesses in town, that would be my main area, I’d also like to be involved in the sporting side with the different clubs even if it was to help the tennis club get their indoor facilities or the Clare District League their stand; whatever I can do in anyway, that would be my goal especially for sport because it’s very important for the kids, keep them in sport to keep them out of court”.

“From my point of view Parnell St has been a long time coming and they have it over the line but it has been ten years coming, I’d like to see if there is something in the pipeline that the process is faster and delivered quicker. I’d be hoping that liaising between businesses and the Council that we can get projects up and running quicker. Wellbeing of kids is very important and I’d like to get something off the ground that can be rolled into the schools going forward that might be a blueprint to combat obesity and general wellbeing," the Independent candidate stated.

VOTE No.

1

O'Loghlen aims to deliver for North Clare

ELECTIONS have always been in Martin O’Loghlen’s life but on May 24 it will be his name on the ballot paper instead of the many candidates he has helped get over the line.

As the parliamentary assistant to Timmy Dooley and Director of Elections for the East Clare TD, Martin has orchestrated three successful election bids for Deputy Dooley and is now aiming to repeat the dose but for himself in the Ennistymon local electoral area.

The Fianna Fail man's grandfather is former TD and Senator, Peter O’Loghlen who was a close friend of Eamon de Valera. The decision to run stems from his experience and a desire to extend the work he has been doing as parliamentary assistant to benefit the people of North Clare.

“For the last 13 nearly 14 years I have been delivering for people in the county on a whole range of issues from Deputy Dooley’s office working closely with Timmy. Many of those people would be based in North Clare, the feedback I was getting was ‘Martin why don’t you give a shot at the Council’”.

On what Fianna Fáil would deem a successful result in the LEA, the Ballyvaughan native added, “We’d be certainly hoping to hold on to our two seats, two excellent councillors in Richard Nagle and Michael Hillery, first objective is to hold both of those and try improve on our first preference vote in the area”.

3rd Level Campus.

Secure the future of Ennis & its surrounding communities.

The associated third level population will increase the need to reopen our A&E in Ennis General Hospital.

Support Sole Traders, Business, Enterprise & Innovation.

Drive Tourism Opportunities in Ennis & surrounding areas & more importantly Tourism Spending.

International, National, Local Festivals, Events & Concerts in Cusack Park.

Tackle Parking issues Well Being & Mental Health - Working on a Pilot Scheme project that can be rolled out across Clare Schools & Nationwide.

Increased investment in Clubs, Sporting, Recreational & General Amenity Facilities for all ages. Avail of capital funding for facilities & clubs.

Volunteers are the heartbeat of our Community, Children & youth are the future of our Community. So lets support them as we build our EMD Community.

Open to other ideas and suggestions from the public.

Keep Clare Tidy

Cllr. PAUL

MURPHY LISTENING, ADVISING, DELIVERING 087 839 6757 barntickfarm@yahoo.ie Cllr Paul Murphy

CLLR. JOHNNY

FLYNN CLLR. MARY HOWARD

VOTE 2, 3 in order of your preference

ELECTIONS 25

THURSDAY, MAY 16 2019

AMANDA MAJOR

I am determined to Listen, Act & Follow Up

MY PRIORITIES

I am asking for your No. 1 Vote on May 24 for a seat as a councillor to enable me to work for you & be your voice as we seek for a solution to the problems facing us as a community in Ennis town & district.

INDEPENDENT

VOTE

HOUSING: Working with any of the candidates to achieve a sustainable solution to housing by getting the community involved.

ENNIS HOSPITAL & A&E: Calling for the reopening of the A&E Unit in Ennis hospital, as I have pledged with the sisters of Ennis hospital, to do so.

1

No.

ENNIS AS A CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE: I will be committed to working with other candidates as we make Ennis town a Centre of Excellence by:  Looking at the issues of car parking in Ennis town  Opening & closing hours of businesses  Encouraging more events into Ennis town  Calling for Ennis town to be wheelchair assessable (This is 2019).

FAMILY SUPPORTS: I will be working on:  Professional support for vulnerable children/adults  Professional support for parents with children facing behavioral challenges/disabilities, and for the children as well  Professional support for families that are caring for their loved ones at home.

SENIOR CITIZENS: I will be calling for the Homecare Packages to be revised, for the senior citizens that wish to stay at home.

ANIMALS: As an animal lover, the welfare of animals will be promoted by reinforcing the law of animal cruelty.

CLIMATE CHANGE: As a Sustainable Building & Renewable Energy Engineer, I will boost the awareness for Climate Change & impact on the environment as we strive for a greener & more sustainable future.

CONTACT AMANDA:

083 415 8240

089 983 0944

AMANDA MAJOR

amandamajorennisclare@hotmail.com

AMANDAMAJOR

Quintet say final farewell PÁRAIC McMAHON

F

news@clareecho.ie

IVE local representatives with a combined service of 130 years have this week attended their final meeting as elected members of Clare County Council.

Councillors Christy Curtin, James Breen, Michael Hillery, Richard Nagle and Tom McNamara said their farewell to local politics after decades of service to their communities and county.

1979 saw the election of Miltown Malbay’s Christy Curtin to Clare County Council as an Independent candidate. Since 1991, his vote has grown in every single campaign and has been one of the most consistent vote getters in the local authority’s history.

Kilnamona’s James Breen topped the poll in Clare for the 2002 General Election and was a member of the Council from 1985 prior to that. As he returned from Dáil Éireann, the former SIPTU shop steward at de Beers would top the poll in 2009 and 2014.

Cllr Michael Hillery was the first of the five to announce his retirement from politics, doing so in December. A nephew of the sixth President of Ireland, Dr. Patrick Hillery, the Spanish Point father of two was elected in 1985 and has been ever present on the local authority since.

Co-opted to the Council in 1997, retired teacher Richard Nagle was successful in four subsequent elections, recording his highest vote in 2014. He was selected on Fianna Fáil’s party ticket for the Ennistymon local electoral area but cited “family and personal circumstances” in his decision to step away.

Kilmaley’s Tom McNamara brought an end to a decade long stint with the Council and became the third Fianna Fáil councillor of this term to announce his retirement, a decision to change the election boundaries prompted the former psychiatric nurse to

l TIME TO SAY GOODBYE: Outgoing councillors Michael Hillery, Christy Curtin, James Breen, Richard Nagle and Tom McNamara

call it a day.

Chief Executive of the Council, Pat Dowling paid tribute to the retiring five on Monday. “I have no doubt ye will continue to be active locally. Ye have a collective service of 130 years, that says enough about the scale of the contribution to the life of Clare”.

“I came in with the swallows in 1979, I’m leaving with the cuckoo,” remarked Cllr Curtin. “I’m the senior man leaving the team, I came in here in 1979, I served with 26 Chairmen and 5 County Managers plus the present staff ”.

James Breen recalled his first day at a Council meeting, “I came in and said ‘I just stepped in to see you for a while’ - didn’t expect to be here for so long. I served under 5 County Managers, we had our arguments but what happened inside here stayed in here”. At Tuesday’s meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, Breen who is well known to sing a tune, bowed out with a rendition of My Lovely Rose of Clare on the request of Cllr Pat Daly.

Cllr Hillery referred to the same day as Breen in which he also took office. “I hope I’ve made some contribution to the community. I wish the councillors the best in retirement. It is a sad occasion to leave this desk, a thing I will always remember”.

Speaking at Friday’s meeting of the West Clare Municipal District, Cllr Nagle paid tribute to the staff of Clare County Council. “We very often take for granted the level of assistance and help we receive and the role the County Council play in delivering a first class service to the people of Co Clare.”

Being Cathaoirleach in 2017 was the highpoint for Cllr McNamara. “As I’m the junior boy of the quintet, I thank the people of the greater Ennis area for allowing me to serve as a councillor. This is a great organisation, the service it gives to Clare is unbelievable. It is a phase of my life I thought I would never fulfil and I’m delighted I did it, I’m leaving with a certain element of sadness.”

Amanda wants to be voice for the voiceless INDEPENDENT election candidate Amanda Major is hoping to be a voice for the voiceless in Ennis if elected on May 24.

The Ennis-based candidate has lived in Clare for 15 years, first living in Scariff and Shannon before settling in Ennis 13 years ago.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, the mother of three who is also a third year sustainable building and energy engineering student at LIT, said she wants to be the voice for people who are not listened to.

"I have been committed to and working in the community for the last 13 years. I have worked for the Clare family resource centre as a montessori teacher for the last six years, also with Clare Care as a care assistant for the elderly, before returning to college in LIT. I have always been solution driven and I am asking for your No1 vote on May 24 for a seat in the council to enable me to work for you and be your voice as we seek for a solution to the problems facing us as a community in Ennis town and district.

Amanda also stated that she has a deep understanding of the duties of a local councillor, having studied the relevant local government acts, and will be using her full breathe of professional and community experience to work for people in the community.

Conforming to party policies has put her off joining any current political grouping in Ireland though she stressed that despite being an Independent she will be a team player if endorsed by the electorate of the Ennis Municipal District.

“There is no point listening and only doing something at the time of an election. Listening, taking action and following up are very important to me," said Amanda.

"I’ll be looking at mental health, it is a big issue, if you’re looking at mental health you need to look at some of the courses, what is the trigger for a mental health issue”. Running awareness courses for parents at pre-school facilities and offering professional support for those with children facing behaviour challenges and disabilities would help in this regard, Amanda believed.

VOTE NO.1

Vote Fianna Fail

Local candidates 2019

Clare Electoral Areas

Candidates ENNIS

Cllr. Clare Colleran Molloy

Cllr. Pat Daly

Mark Nestor

KILLALOE

ENNISTYMON Joe Killeen

Martin O'Loghlen

Shane Talty

Cllr. P.J. Kelly

Cllr. Tony O’Brien

Cllr. Alan O'Callaghan

SHANNON

KILRUSH Cllr. Bill Chambers

Cllr. Pat Hayes

Cillian Murphy

Cllr. Cathal Crowe

Cllr. Pat McMahon

28 COMMUNITY

Community

THURSDAY, MAY 16 2019

CONTACT NEWSDESK

065 671 9021 news@clareecho.ie

WEST / NORTH CLARE WEST CLARE FRC WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU Do you live in West Clare? Are you over 55? Do you know someone over 55?

We want to improve our activities and make sure they are what you need, and to do this we would like to hear from you. You are invited to share your suggestions and expectations for new and improved activities for over 55’s in West Clare. Come along on Thursday 23rd May 2-3pm in Kilrush Community Centre. Tea and cake will be provided!

Call us on 065 905 2173 or drop in to the West Clare Family Resource Centre to find out more or to share your ideas.

KILRUSH YOUTH OFF TO TAIZE Kilrush Youth Ministry are off to Taize in South France, for 5 Days/Nights for Voluntary Youth Ministry work on Sunday 21st July.

As a fundraiser they are organising a Cash for Clobber Collection before this date All Mens, Womens, Children Clothes ,Paired Shoes ,Bed Linen Towels ,Belts /Bags and Curtains/Mats are Acceptable for collection.

Please drop bags to the Kilrush Community Centre ,or Patricia o Shaughnessy in Lower Moore street Kilrush, or Pat Kelly,5 Moyne Court Kilrush as soon as possible.

They Must be clean ,and dry .-- Strictly no Duvets /Pillows or Bric a Brack.

DOOLIN COMMUNITY COUNCIL All seven candidates for the North Clare area in the forthcoming Local Elections attended a public meeting on Monday 13th May called by the Doolin Community Council, a recently formed co- ordinating body consisting of representatives of 9 separate community organisations in Doolin.

A large attendance heard presentations from each of the candidates and then proceeded to an open question and answer session chaired by Mr. Michael Sweeney, National Chairman of Muintir an Tire.

Local residents raised issues such as the lack of footpaths in the area, a paucity of road signage, the lack of a waste water processing system (despite years of promises) and a growing problem of large day-trip coaches using unsuitable local roads to take short-cuts.

The candidates all undertook to pursue the issues of footpaths, signage and day-trip coach journeys and all agreed on the need for a sustainable traffic management plan for North Clare. While pointing out the fact that Waste Water issues are now a matter for Irish Water the candidates undertook to work with the local community to seek a solution.

A suggestion from several of the candidates that there should be on-going meetings between the Community Council and the elected Councillors, “to make sure we’re not back here talking about the same things in five years time”, was accepted by the audience and will be followed up by the Community Council.

Concluding the meeting Ms Sarah Daly, Chairperson of the Doolin Community Council, thanked the candidates for attending “at this very busy time for you” and also thanked Michael Sweeney for taking the time and trouble to travel to Doolin to chair the meeting.

The candidates for North Clare are, Joe Garrihy (FG), Roisin Garvey (G), Joe Killeen (FF), Noeleen Moran (SF), Martin O’Loghlen (FF), Cllr Bill Slattery (FG) and Shane Talty (FF).

EAST CLARE TEA-RIFFIC DAY AT NEYLON’S

The annual Alzheimer’s Tea Day recently held at Neylon’s foodstore Kilmurry McMahon raised €1050. Geraldine would like to thank everyone who so generously supported this worthy cause.

BUNRATTY, ENNIS AND WESTBURY SHOW PRIDE OF PLACE The communities of Bunratty, Ennis (pictured) and Westbury will represent County Clare in the 2019 IPB Pride of Place competition.

Three separate projects have been nominated by the Rural Development Directorate of Clare County Council to participate in annual all-island competition, which is run by Co-operation Ireland and aims to recognise and celebrate the vital contributions that communities make to society.

Bunratty Local Development Association has been nominated in the Community Tourism Initiative category. Formed five years ago, the Association’s activities are focused on regenerating the heart of the village through restoration works, landscaping and maintaining the village to the highest possible standard. Among the projects undertaken to date By local volunteers is the restoration of monuments, planting, landscaping, two new heritage style bus shelters in village centre, using local skills and labour and a new gateway to the graveyard and old mediaeval church – which is the oldest building in Bunratty.

Ennis Tidy Towns has been nominated to participate in Category 5, for towns with a population of over 5,000 people. Now one the longest serving Tidy Towns groups in the country, the group has for 30 years championed community-led projects which foster a sense of place, promote engagement, all of which makes Ennis a wonderful place to live, work and visit. Current activities include community arts initiatives, clean-ups, climate change campaigns, sustainability and waste management projects and enhancing local green spaces for pollinators and biodiversity.

The Moorings, Westbury, has been nominated to take part in Category 10 (Housing Estates) of the competition. Built 25 years ago and home to 900 homes, the estate is home to the Moorings Pond which residents maintain in the middle of the large green area. Various Plants were introduced and now the pond is home to a flock of Mallard and Moorhen among many other species of wildlife. Elderly residents from the local Nursing home and children with their parents regularly visit to observe the bird activity. Residents are currently engaging with the wider community to develop wildlife sections on Greens by continuing to organize Environmental Walks and Talks throughout the Estate.

THURSDAY, MAY 16 2019

Community

COMMUNITY 29 CONTACT NEWSDESK

065 671 9021 news@clareecho.ie

l FUN IN THE SUN: Sinead and Shauna Doyle from Tuamgraney pictured during the half time break in Walsh Park last Sunday; (above right) Martin Glynn from Kilmaley checks up on his social media activity at the Waterford v Clare game; (below) Ciara Galvin, sister of Clare Hurling stars Colm and Ian pictured here with Claire Fitzgerald from Bodyke Photos by Martin Connolly

Newmarket-oN-Fergus

agricultural show

aNNual tractor & truck ruN wheN: suNday, may 19th 2019 where: the greeN, Newmarket-oN-Fergus registratioN: From 12.30 at the greeN startiNg time: 1pm eNtry Fee: â‚Ź20.00 all Vintage Vehicles from tractors to cars to motorcycles are welcome

the run will take place on the back roads around the parish over a distance of approx 25km and will include a refreshment stop. refreshments will also be provided afterwards in the hunters lodge. all tractors & trucks must have valid insurance and passengers are only allowed with proper seating.

In aid of Pieta House and The Irish Heart Foundation

30 COMMUNITY NEWS

THURSDAY, MAY 16 2019

Ennis Art School students impress in Texaco competition STUART HOLLY

editor@clareecho.ie

S

EVEN budding Clare artists from the same art school are celebrating after being recognised at the 65th Texaco Children's Art Competition.

Laurie Hehir spearheaded the success as she was announced the overall winner in the Under 6 category while she was joined in her success by six fellow Ennis Art School students who picked up a certificate of commendation. These include Brian Coughlan, Michael McInerney (16-18yrs), Mahia Rahman (12-13yrs), Gabrielle Cullinan (9-11yrs), Diana Azemi (7-8yrs), and Conor Kelly (Special needs category, 18 and under). Laurie's stunning artwork was picked by judges ahead of 2,800 other entries who submitted in her category.

The seven starlets who attend Ennis Art School were joined by Aoibhinn Troy from Toonagh National School, who also picked up a Certificate of Commendation in the 9-11 age category of the Texaco Art Competition.

Only 50 entrants from each category were awarded a commendation in a competition which attracts in the region of 25,000 entries in total every year. Former winners include artists Graham Knuttel, Robert Ballagh, Bernadette Madden, Dorothy Cross and fashion designer Paul Costelloe.

Carmel Doherty, who has been running the Ennis Art School for the past 10 years, told The Clare Echo that the achievement

l TOP TALENT: Laurie Hehir won the overall U6 category of her students is magnified when you examine their success alongside that of other counties, with Clare outperforming the likes of Cork, Limerick and Galway.

"I was looking at the statistics," explained Carmel. "Dublin received the highest awards with two 'firsts' and 39 other awards. Water-

'The Crafty Crew' needs help with project supplies

YOUNG students from Ennis National School's 'The Crafty Crew' are appealing to the public for donations to help them with their extensive plans for school art projects.

In a hand-written letter to The Clare Echo editor, a young student by the name of Eoghan Barnett appealed that this newspaper help raise awareness with the public to make donations of a number of items.

The letter states, "Our crafty crew needs donations of wool and needles - we would appreaciate it so much."

Eoghan continued, "I am a member of it and we are bombing the corridor with knitting / looming / weaving and pompoms and things made by crochet.

"It is good for calming / making friends / fun / helping sad people - we also need tiles (white) / nail varnish (any colour) and old unwanted frames. If people want to, tell them to go to the school.

We have already had lots of donations.

So we have to say a big thank you to Karen O'Connor and everyone else, Yours sincerely, Eohan Barnett.

PS: Donations must be left off in donation box of Classroom 6."

ford and Clare came in second with one 'first' and seven Certificates. For Clare it's quite an achievement and for a winner and six of those certificates to come from the same art school, it's brilliant.

"It is a major achievement for Ennis Art School, in the biggest most prestigious com-

MONDAY - FRIDAY 9am-12 pm July 1 t o 5 th 8 th t o 1 2 th 1 5 th t o 1 9 th 2 2 nd t o 26 t h 2 9 t h t o 2 nd (AUG) st

August 1 9 t h t o 23 rd

petition in children's art in Ireland. It just shows that if art is taught in the correct way, anybody who is willing to learn will flourish."

Ennis native Carmel is passionate about passing on the gift she acquired through her studies at the University of Dundee (M.Phil in Designing Public Areas) and Limerick Art School (degree in Sculpture). After arriving home in 1990, Carmel organised three contemporary public sculpture exhibits before she approached Clare County Council which led to two public art exhibitions, Ennis Riverwalk Sculpture Trail and The Ennis Seated Sculpture Trail. Altogether 10 pieces of permanent stone sculpture were sited. Carmel continued to work on private commissions and gallery exhibitions, until 2010 when she decided to start teaching art privately.

"I believe it is important to pass on knowledge and skill to the younger generations coming up, as I always loved teaching as I used to teach in England and in the Limerick School of Art & Design," she explained.

Carmel went on to say that art gives young people a great grounding and can help to shape their future. "People might say that there's no career opportunities from art but if you look around - everything is designed.

The newspaper is designed, curtains, the inside of your house, everything.

"It's also important for young people to persue their passions in life and at Ennis Art School, learners are given the best opportunity to further their progression as artists."

Carmel also teaches portfolio to adults and teenagers interested in entering Art School in third level.

Anima tion camp

using P h

otosho

p & Dir ector

aug us t 2 6 th t o 3 0 th 9 AM - 1 pm 2 1 PM - 4 PM

ages

: 8 - 16 ye a r s

Farming LAMB PRICE CUT ROBBING FARMERS OF AN INCOME STUART HOLLY

I

news@clareecho.ie

FA National Sheep Chairman Sean Dennehy said lamb factories need to stop cutting prices and undermining the lamb market. He said the price cuts of the last two weeks were robbing sheep farmers of any chance of an income from early lamb.

“The price cutting tactic of the factories is completely undermining the market and destroying sheep farmers’ incomes. We need price stability at this critical time,” he said.

Sean Dennehy said spring lambs are making €6.10 to €6.30/ kg and hoggets are making from €5.00/kg to €5.30/kg for larger

suitable lots.

The IFA sheep Chairman advised flock owners to draft and select stock on a weekly basis at this time of year. He said, “With the good spring, lambs are finishing well and it is essential farmers don’t allow lambs into overweight condition. This is only giving factories free lamb and makes no sense.”

Sean Dennehy said the price cuts on spring lamb and hoggets at the factories have been excessive this year.

“This time last year spring lambs and hoggets’ were making €1.00/kg more, which is equivalent to €20 to €23 per head, or all of the profit from a sheep enterprise,” he concluded.

Nuts about Liffey Mills Dairy Cubes

ENNIS MART THURSDAY, MAY 9 Numbers holding steady with a 98% clearance with more bullocks and heifers and less cows but still 160 culls about. Cull cows were a great trade with quite a number of lots exceeding €2/kg. More 2017 bullocks than last week. Trade overall improved €10 on the week.

Not as many beef type cows available. A good entry of aged bulls and prices averaged €1.87/kg with a Limousin of 845kgs hitting €1,850.

Mark Flannery, Liffey Mills, Adrian Brooks and John Meehan, Liffey Mills

A

ADRIAN Brooks (pictured above) is a Liffey Mills customer based in Creggaun, Ennis and milks 93 cows on a 23 HA platform.

He is currently feeding 24KG Dry Matter per cow, 25% of which comes from fresh grass. Adrian uses Liffey Mills Dairy Leader Cube as part of his overall TMR feed.

Adrian says “Liffey Mills Dairy Nuts provides me with theconfidence I need to feed cows high levels of concentrates without any fear of digestive upsets, acidosis or other metabolic disorders arising from heavy concentrate feeding. The addition of protected minerals, yeasts & buffers included in the nuts also gives me great peace of mind at this time of year as we head into breeding season. Keeping condition on cows is paramount in my enterprise as our average yield at present is 42 litres per cow with individual cows yielding in excess of 65 litres with an average lactation hitting 7 on the farm.

BULLOCKS: 2 CHX 457kgs - €1,250 - €2.73kg 5 CHX 433kgs - €1,225 - €2.83/kg 1 LMX 645kgs - €1,615 - €2.50/kg 1 CHX 600kgs - €1,540 - €2.57/kg 1 LMX 560kgs - €1,455 - €2.60/kg 1 HEX 670kgs - €1,410 - €2.10/kg 4 HEX 700kgs - €1,430- €2.04/kg 1 AA 495kgs - €1,110 - €2.24/kg HEIFERS: 1 AAX 480kgs - €1,050 - €2.19/kg 4 CHX 540kgs - €1,295 - €2.40/kg 4 LMX 431kgs - €1,080 - €2.50/kg 1 HEX 490kgs - €1,130 - €2.30/kg 4 LMX 568kgs - €1,355 - €2.38/kg 1 HEX 565kgs - €1,120 - €1.98/kg 3 LM 540kgs - €1,300 - €2.41/kg 1 HEX 525kgs - €1,140 - €2.17/kg CULL COWS: 1 LM 665kgs - €1,390 - €2.09/kg 1 LIM 625kgs - €1,340 - €2.14/kg 1 CHX 760kgs - €1,420 - €1.87/kg 1 LIM 850kgs - €1,770 - €2.08/kg 1 PTX 480kgs - €1,100 - €2.29/kg 1 FR 690kgs - €1,060 - €1.54/kg 1 AAX 555kgs - €1,090 - €1.96/kg 1 FR 590kgs - €1,020 - €1.73/kg

32 BUSINESS

THURSDAY, MAY 16 2019

BUSINESS

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

Two restaurant awards for Gregans

G

REGANS Castle has been crowned Best Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant in Munster and All-Ireland, at the Irish Restaurant Awards held in Dublin on Monday, May 13.

Over 1,100 guests sat down to a black-tie gala dinner to celebrate and honour the hard work and achievements of those working in the Irish restaurant industry over the last 12 months.

Simon Haden, proprietor at Gregans Castle said; “We are so delighted for all of our team especially Chef Robbie McCauley and Restaurant Manager Deirdre O’Sullivan.

Robbie took over the kitchen last year and he has his own style and at the same time he has maintained the very high standards our guests have come to expect. We are a small operation and it is not only about the food but also the informal, warm hospitality from our wonderful staff and the spectacular views of Galway Bay and the Burren mountains from our Dining Room.”

Speaking at the awards, Chief Executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland Adrian Cummins commented, “This is the 11th year of the Irish Restaurant Awards, and it has been the biggest year for the awards to date. Over 90,000 nominations were received from the public in January, and over 2,000 restaurateurs attended the Regional Awards, which were held in Kildare, Monaghan, Limerick and Sligo. The standard for judging this year has been very high” Gregans Castle is situated overlooking the unique Burren landscape. Simon and Freddie together with their staff manage the establishment, offering award winning innovative cooking and elegant bedrooms.

In this, the 11th year of the Irish Restaurant Awards, more than 90,000 online nominations were received. The public vote was followed by judging assessment at regional level, and at national level there were mystery guest inspections and votes from the RAI’s National Judging Academy, made up of industry experts.

Clare Youth Service

Care to Make a Difference?

Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons for the post of:

CARETAKER – Clare Youth Service (part time positions) The successful candidate will be required to work Monday to Friday (Primary School Term) Average 7.5hours per week

The post will include key holding responsibility, cleaning duties, light garden maintenance & linking with the public including children & teenagers.

The successful candidate will possess:  Minimum of five years’ fulltime work experience  Previous experience of key holding responsibilities  Proven ability to engage with people especially children & teenagers

Post may involve evening & weekend work

Job description & application form available from ldack@clareyouthservice.org Send CV to H.R. Manager, Clare Youth Service, Carmody Street, Ennis, Co. Clare.

Closing date for application is Friday May 31 at 2pm Clare Youth Service is committed to a policy of Equal Opportunity.

Appointment is subject to satisfactory Garda clearance & completion of Child Safeguarding training. Short listing will apply.

Make a difference with Home Instead

A

RE you an experienced carer who’s looking for a change, or a caring individual who’d like to bring your natural skills into the professional caregiving community?

Home Instead Senior Care, Ireland’s largest provider of non-medical care for older people, and people with disabilities are hiring new and experienced carers across the whole of County Clare. This long-established home care company is inviting applications from caring and compassionate people who want to make a difference in the lives of older people, people with disabilities, and their families within the community.

Home Instead Senior Care provides a wide range of non-medical home care services, from companionship, personal and domestic care, to dementia and disability care. Home Instead CAREGivers re-

ceive daily support from their office, the hourly rate of pay is competitive, and hours flexible. Whatever your aspirations in care, we have a role for you!

If interested in joining our team, call into us at our Ennis office, at Unit 1, First Floor, Roslevan Shopping Centre, Tulla Road, Ennis, Co. Clare, to receive information in relation to job opportunities and training, contact us on 065 6797507, or apply online at clare@homeinstead.ie.

Pick up a copy of our FREE Senior Citizen & Family Carer Guidebook from our Ennis office or download on our website. We have compiled the necessary information to help you and your loved ones understand the value of planning for every aspect of ageing. It offers practical information on topics such as care options, entitlements, finance, health, law, nutrition to unique insights and useful tips on how to age successfully.

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

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

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

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

clarejobs@homeinstead.ie

MOTORING

MOTORING EXPERT NEIL BRISCOE GIVES HIS VIEWS

A LONGER ROUND OF GOLF DELAYS IN GETTING THE NEW VW GOLF READY MEAN WE’RE KEEPING THE OLD ONE FOR A BIT YET

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 1.5 TSI

I

’m trying to think of things that are more familiar than a VW Golf. The back of my hand might be the best, cliched response but to be honest, I don’t think I could as accurately describe the appearance of my own hand quite as well as I could describe a Golf. That blunt, yet curved nose. The upright stance. The big, angled pillar at the back. To so many of us, the shape of the Golf is the shape of family motoring.

Well, the good news is that the current-shape Golf, the seventh generation of VW’s evergreen hatch, is going to stay with us for a little while longer. Normally a delay in the arrival of a new model would be bad news, but not so much this time. While the new, eighth Golf should have been getting its official reveal at the Frankfurt motor show this autumn, VW is delaying things to move up the launch of its — possibly era-defining — new ID electric hatchback.

Thus, the arrival of the new Golf is being put back to the beginning of 2020.

Which, to be honest, is fine by us. While we’re as eager to see the new Golf, and find out what it’s going to be like, having the current model stick around for a bit longer is not exactly what you’d call a hardship. And, let’s face it, going on previous form, VW isn’t exactly going to shock us with radical changes for the next Golf. As with the previous seven versions, it’s going to be a Golf,

but better.

How much better remains to be seen, though. I mean, it’s possibly foolhardy to say that the current Golf has reached a peak of perfection, but… Well, anyway, thanks to the delay we do at least have the opportunity to have a last go in the current model, now fitted with the latest 1.5 TSI turbo petrol engine.

A development of the old 1.4-litre TSI, and sharing that car’s 150hp power and 250Nm torque outputs, the 1.5 is arguably the best engine that VW currently makes (well, it’s either this or the brilliant little 1.0-litre TSI three-cylinder).

This version gets clever Active Cylinder Management, which can shut down the fuel flow to two of the engine’s four cylinders when it’s operating under low loads, when you’re driving gently around town, or rolling down a long motorway incline.

It’s tech that VW has used for more than six years already, but in the old 1.4 TSI engine you could just about tell, both from listening to the engine note, and from the feel through the chassis, when the changeover occurred. Here in the 1.5-litre, you’ll never guess, unless you look down into the instrument panel and see the ‘Two-Cylinder Mode Active’ display light up. It’s seriously smooth, this engine — impressively refined and unruffled, even when you rev it out, and there’s plenty of power on tap.

It’s not quite a junior hot hatch, but you know what? It’s not a million miles away, and it’s a very satisfying engine to drive.

Much more so than would be the equivalent 2.0-litre TDI diesel.

How economical it is depends entirely on how you drive it, which is rather less

like a diesel. If you’re gentle (relatively so anyway) then you could potentially squeeze a very-diesel-like 50mpg+ out of this engine. Drive a little more enthusiastically (not hard, given how good an engine it is) and you’re looking at more like 40mpg. Still not too shabby.

As for the rest, the Golf remains a Golf and that’s almost all good news. The big alloy wheels and stiffer suspension of the R-Line pack make this particular car feel a little bit too firm at times for country roads, but the sweet, nicely-weighted steering remains present and correct. So too does the beautifully-made interior, which is lifted here by gorgeous digital dials and the big central touchscreen. The boot is a fraction small by the latest standards, but the Golf remains one of the very best family hatchbacks around. Keeping this one around for a while longer will be no hardship at all.

FACTS & FIGURES

Model tested: Volkswagen Golf 1.5 TSI R-Line Pricing: €33,750 as tested; Golf starts at €22,495 Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol turbo Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic, front-wheel drive Body style: five door hatchback CO2 emissions: 119g/km (Band A4 €200 per annum) Combined economy: 56.0mpg (5.0 litres/100km) Top speed: 216km/h 0-100km/h: 8.3 seconds Power: 150hp at 5,000rpm Torque: 250Nm at 1,500rpm Boot space: 380 litres Safety: EuroNCAP Rating for VW Golf: Five-stars: adult 94 per cent; child 89 per cent; pedestrian 65 per cent; safety assist 71 per cent

MOTORING

MOTORING EXPERT NEIL BRISCOE GIVES HIS VIEWS

JAGUAR’S SHANNON DEVELOPMENT TEAM SHOWS OFF NEW TECH

T

NEW ‘VIRTUAL WALLET’ WILL COLLECT REWARDS AS YOU DRIVE

HERE’S some seriously advanced new connected technology is being trialled at the Jaguar Land Rover software engineering base in Shannon, where engineers have already equipped several prototype vehicles, including the Jaguar F-Pace and Range Rover Velar, with ‘Smart Wallet’ functionality.

What’s a Smart Wallet? Well, using Smart Wallet technology, owners earn credits by enabling their cars to automatically report useful road condition data such as traffic congestion or potholes to navigation providers or local authorities. Drivers could then redeem these for rewards such as coffee, or conveniently use them to automatically pay tolls, parking fees and for smart charging electric vehicles.

‘Smart Wallet’ removes the need for drivers to hunt for loose change or sign up to multiple accounts to pay for a variety of everyday services.

Smart Wallet uses the latest cryptocurrency technology and Jaguar Land Rover has partnered with the IOTA Foundation to harness ‘distributed ledger’ technologies to make and receive these payments. Unlike other similar systems,

due to its structure, it requires no transaction fee to operate and over time transactions will get faster across the entire network, forecast to include some 75 billion connected devices by 2025. Drivers could also top-up the Smart Wallet using conventional payment methods.

“The connected car technologies we are developing will be transformative and truly turn your Jaguar or Land Rover into a third space, in addition to your home or office. In the future an autonomous car could drive itself to a charging station, recharge and pay, while its owner could choose to participate in the sharing economy - earning rewards from sharing useful data such as warning other cars of traffic jams” said Russel Vickers, one of Jaguar Land Rover’s software architects.

“Our Shannon software development centre is advancing the use of cryptocurrency to make people’s lives better, by allowing drivers to safely share data and make payments from their vehicle. Working with our engineering hub in the UK, the team in Shannon are pioneering and testing these sophisticated connected technologies that will help

people to make the most of the time they spend in their car.

Jaguar Land Rover is embracing autonomous, connected, electrified and shared mobility technology as we endeavour to make cars safer, cleaner and smarter for everybody.” said Nick Rogers, executive director of product engineering at Jaguar Land Rover.

Experts at the innovative Shannon R&D facility, are developing new technologies to support electrification and self-driving features on future Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles.

All-New Dacia Duster No nonsense. No notions. No big price tag.

Shockingly affordable, from €73 per week.

ZERO DEPOSIT. 24-hour test drive available now.

Hogan Motors Ennis Gort Road, Ennis, Co. Clare Tel 065 6821704 www.hoganmotorsennis.ie Model Shown: Dacia Duster Prestige SCe 115 RRP €21,290. Finance example Duster ESSENTIAL SCe 115. RRP €17,390. Deposit €0. Term 36 monthly payments of €318, weekly payments of €73. Payments are drawn monthly. APR 4.9%. Total cost of credit €1,819 inc fees of €150. Optional final payment €7,617. Excess mileage plus excess wear and tear charges may apply upon return of Vehicle. Offer is made under a hire purchase agreement. Subject to lending criteria. Terms and conditions apply. Offer exclusive to Dacia Bank. See Dacia.ie [Warning: You will not own these goods until the final payment is made]. Dacia Bank is a trading name of RCI Banque Branch Ireland and is authorised and regulated by the French banking authority and supervised by the Central Bank for conduct of business purposes. Offer available at Dacia participating dealers.

MOTORING 35

THURSDAY, MAY 16 2019

FORD’S RANGER RAPTOR ARRIVES

SPORTY PICKUP ON SALE WITH €63,950 PRICETAG

F

ORD has announced the arrival in Europe of the new Ranger Raptor – the toughest and most high-performing version ever of Europe’s best-selling pick-up.

Developed by Ford Performance for the true enthusiast off-roader, the first-ever Ranger Raptor will be available to customers in Ireland from August 2019. New Ranger Raptor is powered by a Bi-turbo version of Ford’s 2.0‑litre EcoBlue diesel engine that delivers 213hp and 500Nm of torque; and Ford’s new 10-speed automatic gearbox.

The commanding presence delivered by the Ranger’s dimensions and extreme styling is supported by a unique Ford Performance chassis optimised for high-speed off-road driving and go-anywhere capability.

“Forget everything you think you know about pick-ups,” said Leo Roeks, Ford Performance Director, Europe. “Our new Ranger Raptor is a different breed – a thoroughbred desert racer and extreme lifestyle off-roader that can toil with the best of them in the harshest of working conditions.”

The Ford Ranger is Europe’s best-selling pick-up. Ford sold 13,600 units in the first quarter of 2019, an increase of 15 per cent compared with the same period last year.

Built to withstand high-impact off-road events, Ranger Raptor’s unique, reinforced chassis uses high-strength, low-alloy steels to endure the punishment of off-road racing.

Raptor’s race-bred suspension has been specifically crafted to tackle fearsome terrain at high-speed while remaining in complete control and comfort, using a 150 mm wider track and 51 mm taller ride height compared with the Ranger XLT. Fox shock absorbers with Position Sensitive Damping provide higher damping forces at extremes for unparalleled offroad capability, and lower damping forces in more moderate conditions for a smoother ride on-road. Front damper travel is increased by 32 per cent, and rear travel by 18 per cent.

The high performance 2.5-inch (63.5 mm) diameter dampers are supported by aluminium control arms, with protruding shock absorber towers at the front. A bespoke new coilover

rear suspension arrangement features an integrated Watt’s linkage that allows the axle to move up and down with very little lateral movement.

All-terrain BF Goodrich 285/70 R17 tyres have been specially developed for the Ranger Raptor. The 33-inch by 11inch tyres offer a tough sidewall to take on the most formidable environments.

“The standout experience of the Ranger Raptor, hands down, is how far you can push it off-road and still ride like a millionaire on-road,” said Damien Ross, chief program engineer, Ranger Raptor, Ford Motor Company. “Everything about the Ranger Raptor builds on the already outstanding sophisticated feel and functional capability of the Ranger, and then goes further. From a driving dynamic fun standpoint, it is really an exceptionally special vehicle.”

Ford engineers extensively tested the new Ranger Raptor’s powerful Bi-turbo 2.0-litre EcoBlue and 10‑speed automatic powertrain to prove durability in the most fatiguing conditions, including running the high-pressure and low-pressure turbochargers until they glowed red-hot for 200 hours non-stop. The two turbochargers work in series at lower engine rpms for enhanced torque and responsiveness.

At higher rpm, the larger low-pressure turbocharger delivers peak power.

Driver assistance and safety technologies that boost confidence for drivers facing off-road challenges or demanding working environments include an enhanced version of Ford Stability Control incorporating Roll Mitigation Function and Electronic Stability Control; Trailer Sway Control; Hill Start Assist; Hill Descent Control and Load Adaptive Control.

0% APR. 0 Deposit. 0 Excuses.

Model Shown: New KADJAR GT Line TCe 140 GPF, RRP €34,145. Finance example New Kadjar Play TCe 140 GPF. RRP €27,145. Deposit €0. Term 36 monthly payments of €754. APR 0%.

Total cost of credit €0. Offer exclusive to Renault Bank. Excess mileage plus excess wear and tear charges may apply upon return of Vehicle. Offer is made under a hire purchase agreement.

Subject to lending criteria. Terms and conditions apply. See Renault.ie [Warning: You will not own these goods until the final payment is made]. Renault Bank is a trading name of RCI Banque Branch Ireland and is authorised and regulated by the French banking authority and supervised by the Central Bank for conduct of business purposes.

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

Book a test drive

Property

Beautiful homes all over the County

4 STONEPARK, BALLYALLA, ENNIS, CO. CLARE

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4 €299,000 53 WOODHAVEN, KILRUSH ROAD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE

OCATED in the affluent Ennis suburb of Ballyalla, this property boasts a scenic and convenient location just 300 meters from Ballyalla Lake, 1km from the M18 motorway and 5 minutes to Ennis Town Centre. The property enjoys a countryside setting while being on the doorstep of all local amenities.

Set on a site of circa 0.33 acres, this four bedroom family home has a host of features, including open plan entrance hallway which is void into first floor, two reception rooms both with open fireplaces, kitchen dining, separate utility with downstairs WC and master en-suite bedroom, with a further three bedrooms and main bathroom at first floor level with one of the bedrooms being en-suite.

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OPEN VIEWING: SATURDAY MAY 18, 11-11.30AM

OSITIONED on a slightly elevated corner site in popular Woodhaven, this semi-detached 4 bedroom home is presented for sale in impeccable condition. The marble tile floor entrance hallway leads to a modern main reception with double doors leading onto the open plan kitchen/dining with integrated appliances and sliding patio doors to rear gardens (not overlooked). Also to the ground floor is the utility, WC and downstairs bedroom 1/ playroom. To the first floor from the main landing is entrance to 3 bedrooms with the master bedroom en-suite and main bathroom.

4

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34 CASTLEWOOD PARK, ENNIS, CO. CLARE

€250,000 CLON ROAD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE

F

R

ARELY does a property come to the market in Castlewood Park and number 34 is a home to be viewed to be truly appreciated. Presented for sale in meticulous condition, this town centre dwelling has been configured to facilitate those requiring ground floor living with two double bedrooms (1 en-suite), extended main reception, stunning open plan kitchen/dining and TV room. The additional living quarters were tastefully executed and with a further 4 bedrooms and main bathroom to the first floor, this must be viewed to truly appreciate the finish, privacy and quality.

Contact: Cormac O’Sullivan, DNG O’Sullivan Hurley, 74 O’Connell Street, Ennis Tel: (065)6840200 PSL 002295

5 €229,000

ANTASTIC, character filled, detached property fronting onto Clon Road, in the heart of Ennis town centre within walking distance of all local amenities including shops and bus/rail station within 300 meters. Access to M18 is less than a 5 minute drive. The property offers great potential to both investors and those looking to down-size to a town centre location. This home benefits from off street parking and gated side access to private rear garden, laid to lawn. The gravelled front garden is presented with mature planting and block wall boundary. The rear aspect of the property is southeasterly facing. This is an incredible opportunity to acquire a bright and spacious detached bungalow with fantastic rear gardens in the heart of Ennis Town Centre.

Viewing comes highly recommended.

Contact: Cormac O’Sullivan, DNG O’Sullivan Hurley, 74 O’Connell Street, Ennis Tel: (065)6840200 PSL 002295

€190,000

OPEN VIEWING: SATURDAY MAY 18, 10-10.30AM

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OCATED on an elevated corner site with private off street parking, 20 Girroga Heights is in an envied location in a private sought after location.

With Lidl and The Auburn Lodge in the vicinity the 1997-built property is within walking distance of the Town Centre and within minutes drive of the M18 Limerick-Galway Motorway.

The gardens are lawned to the front, side and rear with tarmac drive giving off street parking and solid block wall boundaries throughout. Upgraded pumped cavity wall and attic insulation combined with a duel heating system help to provide a warm comfortable home in a popular location.

Contact: John Clohessy, DNG O’Sullivan Hurley, 74 O’Connell Street, Ennis Tel: (065)6840200 PSL 002295

€215,000

Contact: Cormac O’Sullivan, DNG O’Sullivan Hurley, 74 O’Connell Street, Ennis Tel: (065)6840200 PSL 002295

Contact: Cormac O’Sullivan, DNG O’Sullivan Hurley, 74 O’Connell Street, Ennis Tel: (065)6840200 PSL 002295

20 GIRROGA HEIGHTS, GORT ROAD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE

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11 SILVERGROVE, BALLYBEG, ENNIS, CO. CLARE

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€500,000

OPEN VIEWING: SATURDAY MAY 18, 2-2.30PM

OSITIONED on a stunning corner site boundaried on three sides by forestry, this stunning property is located to the rear of the exclusive Silvergrove development. Set on a site of 0.75 acre this 5 bedroom detached family home has bright and spacious, well proportioned living accommodation which includes main reception, formal dining room, ground floor gym/office, open plan kitchen/living/dining of light oak built in units with granite work surfaces and breakfast bar and downstairs shower room. To the first floor are five en-suite bedrooms, three with walk-in wardrobes and main bathroom.

Within walking distance of Ballybeg Woods, this property is in one of Ennis’ most sought after areas.

Contact: Douglas Hurley, DNG O’Sullivan Hurley, 74 O’Connell Street, Ennis Tel: (065)6840200 PSL 002295

O’SULLIVAN HURLEY

74 O'Connell Street, Ennis, Co. Clare Phone: (065) 684 0200

The updated numbers are just in!

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PSL No. 002295

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PROPERTY

THURSDAY, MAY 16 2019

2 8 AN PAIRC, BRUACH NA €125,000 HABHAINN, QUIN ROAD, ENNIS

4 78 AUGHANTEEROE, GORT ROAD, ENNIS, CO. CLARE

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€175,000

OPEN VIEWINGS: THURSDAY MAY 16 & TUESDAY MAY 21, 5-5.30PM

UGHANTEEROE is located just off the Galway Road in a mature development of detached and semi-detached homes. Situated 2km from the town centre and close to the M18, the development is a stone’s throw from schools, Ennis Swimming Pool, churches, shops, restaurants and pubs.

A semi-detached home, it is presented for sale in excellent condition and is well laid-out with spacious accommodation.

The ground floor comprises of living room, study/bedroom 4, kitchen/dining room, WC and utility room. Upstairs are three good sized bedrooms (one en-suite) and bathroom. There is a Stira stairs fitted to the floored attic which has a velux window fitted.

Contact: Helen Gallery Auctioneers & Valuers, 68 Parnell Street, Ennis Tel: (065)6829481 or 086 2504671 PSL 002433

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ET in the popular development of Bruach Na hAbhainn on the Quin Road, this two-bedroom apartment is just minuntes’ walking distance to the Bus & Rail Station, a 5-minute walk to Ennis town centre and within close proximity to the Ennis Bypass.

The property boasts a private entrance door, concrete carpeted stairs to first floor, where an inner hallway contains cloak room, hotpress, access to attic and doors to bedroom 1, 2, main bathroom & kitchen-dining-living.

Inside is a bright & spacious living area, large window overlooking green area with mature trees, carpet flooring, feature open fireplace with granite hearth & wood surround, curtains, fittings, dining area & and open plan to kitchen. There are two large double bedrooms including a generous master bedroom containing door to balcony along with electric Contact: Location Location, shower, electric vent, vinyl flooring Unit 2, Summerhill, Market Place, Ennis and tiled wet areas.

Tel: (065)6823718 PSL 003928

EchoSport l FLYING START: Clare’s David McInerney about to challenge Shane Bennett and (left) Jack Browne, who took up the centre back position, tussles with Waterford forward Stephen Bennett

Photos by Martin Connolly

Banner up and running Munster Snr Hurling Championship @ Walsh Park, Waterford

Waterford 0-22 Clare 1-20

James Mulvihill MATCH REPORT

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ONY Kelly produced a master-class at centre forward scoring five points from play as Clare got their Munster campaign off to a winning start.

In a game of two halves, it was John Conlon and Shane O’Donnell who caused serious problems for the Waterford defence in the first half while Kelly was at his free-running best, with Tadgh De Burca displaying the difficulty of man-marking Clare’s talisman.

Austin Gleeson opened the scoring and it was the last time Waterford led. Shortly after Clare scored the only goal of the game when O’Donnell broke onto a loose ball before delivering a perfect hand pass to Conlon who rounded the keeper and dispatched the ball into an empty net to give Clare a two-point lead.

There wasn’t much in terms of scoring thereafter to seperate the sides for the first quarter, with the score at 1-06 to 0-08 after 25 minutes. Then Clare hit a purple patch scoring the next five points through Peter Duggan (two frees), O’Donnell, Conlon and Kelly to extend the lead to six points heading into added time.

The last four points of the half were shared thanks to Mikey Kearney, Jamie Barron and Peter Duggan (two frees) to leave the score at 1-13 to 0-10 in favour of Clare.

Waterford stayed in touch throughout the second half, and were back to within three when former hurler of the year Austin Gleeson landed a monster point to give the home crowd a massive lift, however Clare kept coming back to keep Waterford at arm’s length.

Clare were up 1-16 to 0-15 midway through the second half and it wasn’t until added time, still trailing by three points, that Waterford looked to threaten the outcome of the game, with substitute Maurice Shanahan having a big impact on proceedings.

A placed ball from Stephen Bennett and an inspirational point by Austin Gleeson had the margin down to the minimum. Clare scored a vital point through substitute Ryan Taylor to give the Banner men some breathing space. However, Waterford to their credit didn’t throw in the towel and scored a point through Thomas Ryan to set up a grandstand finish. Clare’s defence

l TUSSLE: Patrick O’Connor loses his hurley and fouls Stephen Bennett Photo by Martin Connolly held firm and when referee James Owens blew the final whistle it was sheer joy and relief for Clare.

Clare: Donal Tuohy; Patrick O’Connor, David McInerney, Jack Browne; Seadna Morey, Colm Galvin (0-1), David Fitzgerald; Shane Golden (0-1), Cathal Malone; Peter Duggan (0-8,7fs), Tony Kelly (05), Diarmuid Ryan; Shane O’Donnell (0-1), John Conlon (1-1), Podge Collins (0-1). Subs: Aron Shanagher for Collins (52 mins), Aidan McCarthy (0-1) for Golden (57 mins), Ryan Taylor (0-1) for Ryan (64m).

Waterford: Stephen O’Keeffe; Shane McNulty, Conor Prunty, Noel Connors; Philip Mahony, Tadgh De Burca, Kevin Moran; Jamie Barron (0-2), Conor Gleeson (0-1); Austin Gleeson (0-4), Mikey Kearney (0-1), Pauric Mahony; Shane Bennett (0-1), Stephen Bennett (0-11,8fs,1 ‘65’), Peter Hogan. Subs: Shane Fives for Connors injured (18 mins), Thomas Ryan (0-1) for Hogan (H/T), Patrick Curran for Shane Bennett (55 mins), Jack Prendergast for Barron (56 mins), Maurice Shanahan (0-1) for Pauric Mahony (64 mins).

Referee: James Owens (Wexford)

Perfect start for Minors THE Clare minor Hurlers got the day off to the perfect start after overcoming Waterford by 0-17 to 0-15 in Walsh Park. They were outstanding performances by the likes of Tony Butler, Captain Cian Galvin, Conor Hegarty and Shane Meehan. Clare host Tipperary on June 2nd with a 2pm starting time.

Clare: Aaron Shanahan (Tulla), Storm Devanney (Sixmilebridge), Adam Hogan (Feakle), Cillian McGroary (Corofin), Jarleth Collins (Eire Og), Colm O’Meara (Clonlara), Tony Butler (0-1), (St. Josephs Doora Barefield), Oisin Clune (Feakle), Killian O’Connor (Corofin), Shane Meehan (0-1), (The Banner), Cian Galvin (0-1f), (Clarecastle), Oisin O’Donnell (0-1) (Crusheen), Conor Hegarty (0-4), (Inagh-Kilnamona), Diarmuid Cahill (0-3), (Corofin), Keith Smyth (0-5,4fs) (Killanena). Subs: Dylan Downes (0-1), (Sixmilebridge) for O’Connor, Sean Ronan (Kilmaley) for O’Donnell.

Captain O’Connor cherishes 1st round Championship win IN ANTICIPATION for Clare’s Munster SHC opener with Waterford, little adaptations were made to their training routine such as the layout of Cusack Park to properly prepare for the environment that would exist at Walsh Park, writes Páraic McMahon.

Patrick O’Connor has been Clare’s captain for the entirety of Gerry O’Connor and Donal Moloney’s three-year senior tenure and felt overcoming Waterford on Sunday was certainly a success to savour.

“We’re delighted to get over the line here. You’d often hear the boys referring to the moments in the dressing room after the final whistle so I’m looking forward to that because we really have to cherish these moments and we will,” said Patrick, speaking pitch-side at Walsh Park.

In making the most of the post-match celebrations the Clare panel opted for a cold treat making a pitstop for 99s, flakes and icebergs as they made their way home on Sunday evening. That came as the release to the conclusion of seven weeks’ preparation with the National Hurling League 14-point defeat still leaving a sour taste. “As a group it was probably our heaviest defeat, a lacklustre display and a defeat where we came up second best all over the field and it really didn’t sit well with us. We were so eager to right them wrongs.”

During this two-month window of work, management made minor tweaks such as the tightening every pitch for training matches to try replicate the dimensions of Walsh Park. “For the last eight weeks if we were training in Cusack Park, we’ve had cones five yards in from the sideline trying to mimic this, as a back I’d probably like it a bit tighter but the boys above would disagree. We’ve had a seven-week run into this and we’re going to be very much on our toes for the rest of the year, delighted to come through”.

Joint manager Dónal Moloney was of the view every team would be as meticulous in their endeavours to gain the smallest of advantages.

“It’s 14 or 15 metres narrower than Cusack Park and a bit shorter, players adjust quickly and they need to readjust quickly now because the next game is in the Park. Every team will do that in preparation”.

There is a way to go until the three teams that progress from Munster are determined, but this is a step in the right direction for Clare who prior to the game had plenty of doubters. When asked what he made of the Banner being one of the two teams fancied not to make it to the All-Ireland series, O’Connor stated, “I wouldn’t see the merit in how they would do that, I wouldn’t have listened to any of that”.

According to the Tubber defender, “an environment has been fostered” where the more senior players like John Conlon, Shane O’Donnell and Peter Duggan are guiding and encouraging the new brigade including Gary Cooney, Diarmuid Ryan, Aidan McCarthy, Ryan Taylor, David Conroy, Colin Guilfoyle, Riain Considine and Ross Hayes.

“Get used to those names because their application to training and everything away from the field, guys have really matured in the last couple of years; diet, sleep, ticking all the boxes and it bodes well for the future.

“Those lads are going to have long careers and that’s who the team will be built around in five to six years’ time,” Patrick added.

Who needs pre-season anyway?

O’Donnell freshness helped Clare pick off Déise

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PEAKING to people around Clare last week, many felt as though going down to Waterford and beating them on their home patch may be a bridge too far. Sure, they anticipated a close affair, but many travelled in hope rather than expectation. I must admit, I tended to agree. While confidence around the county was not sky-high last week, our players never wavered and right they were as there is no doubt the better team came away with the victory.

League form was all we had to go on, but championship is a different animal and Clare looked a different team than the one that travelled to Walsh Park eight weeks ago. Much of that will be down to some key personnel that has been added since; John Conlon and Shane O’Donnell came in to the full forward line and they will always add a completely different dimension to this Clare team.

It was great to see SOD so sharp on his return from Harvard. The freshness that he showed makes me question whether all the training in the early months of the year may be overrated. Or maybe that is just wishful thinking from someone who never relished the thought of going out in the rain seven days a week in January.

Shane and John formed a dangerous partnership in the inside line and were causing the Waterford full-back line all sorts of problems. John’s early goal kept us ahead early and it was a lead we would not relinquish after. Shane was very hard done by for a second goal too after the ref, James Owens of Wexford, called back play for a third man tackle, quite harshly. Conlon ‘Smash’ as he is sometimes referred to in Clonlara, didn’t have enough time to get out of the way of play

l WREAKING HAVOC: Shane O Donnell on the attack with assistance from Colm Galvin on Sunday. He formed a dangerous partnership with John Conlon Photo by Martin Connolly

as he was competing for the ball and that goal would have allowed Clare to open up a bigger gap which would have reflected their superiority.

Podge, who played further out from goal to create space for the two lads, timed his runs really well and the trio must have had Patsy Fanning and the Waterford management questioning what they could do to stem the tide.

While our inside line found space in the first half, there was none to be had in the middle of the park. Playing against Waterford in recent years has always been a tactically challenging affair. While I was on the panel, we always seemed to spend far more time preparing for the tactical battle than against any other team. Of course, this was because under Derek McGrath they played a sweeper system and it was never an

orthodox game. While they have moved away from that particular style under new management, a commonality that remains is how crowded the middle third becomes when playing them. It was a striking feature of the game last weekend; just how congested play was in the middle. When players carried the ball into that area, more often than not, they were turned over.

Waterford won their fair share of possession in the middle too, but their delivery to their inside line was not as precise as Clare’s.

Added to this was the fact that our full backline were reading and attacking the ball far better than their counterparts. David McInerney and Pat O’Connor were beating the Bennet brothers out to the ball on most of the first half deliveries. The aggression they showed in attacking the ball made it very hard for Waterford

to get a foothold in the game early doors.

Clare had their success when they delivered the ball early and bypassed this area or when they picked out Tony, who scored some magnificent points, in the centre. Tadhg De Burca had a tough choice to make in the first half. Did he stick with Tony, or offer cover for his full backline who were under pressure. In the first half he got it wrong.

Waterford attempted to use Tadhg to close Tony down no matter where he was on the pitch. This left a hole at the back and space for the lads to exploit inside, while Tony was moving so well that he was still getting away from his marker and making scoring opportunities for himself.

Going into the match, discipline was identified as a major area that Clare needed to be

better on. While they improved from where they were in the league, it is still an area that remains a weakness. It can’t be understated how important free-taking has become in the modern game. Peter Duggan was flawless from the dead balls and finished the game with seven pointed frees. However, Stephen Bennett finished the game with eight and missed five. Many would question why Pauric Mahony was taken off the frees for Waterford. In a game that Clare wound up winning by one, those five missed frees were crucial.

Glady, putting Mahony back on the frees may be a lesson that Waterford learn after, and not before, the Clare game.

The impact of the bench played a big part also. When Maurice Shanahan was introduced for Waterford, he changed the game.

They now had someone to win possession from direct ball in to the full forward line. Maurice got the crowd pumped up and was key to the Déise’s surge at the end of the game.

However, Clare had some impact subs of their own. It was great to see two debutants come on and get two crucial scores.

Aidan McCarthy and Ryan Taylor will have dreamed of making the impact that they did when they were listed amongst the substitutes for this game. The two points that they managed to pick up on their introduction were key to helping Clare over the line in a game they will have felt that they should have won by more.

So, Clare rest this weekend after setting themselves up with a massive chance of qualification from Munster. The lads will get a chance to work on areas that they need to improve on and both the squad and the public will have Cusack Park bouncing to welcome Tipperary on June 2.

Bennett will be licking his lips

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Fouling could be sword Clare fall on

HESE are the weeks you miss playing the most.

The slog of winter training comes into the rearview to be replaced by the thrill of hurling in the sunshine. In three days time, my former teammates will pull on the new Clare shirt for the first lashes of Championship hurling in 2019. The Munster opener sees Clare do battle at a sold-out Walsh Park in front of a charged Waterford team looking to right a few wrongs and injustices from last year. Fuelling them on will be 11,000 fans who have waited 23 years to witness provincial hurling on home soil. That’s as hot as it gets.

As a player, I relished challenges like this one. In my first three Championship seasons, we faced Waterford in the Munster opener each time in neutral territory and regardless of the form book, there was no telling who would come out on top. This Sunday will be no different and you can only hope Clare can hit the ground running.

There has been an eight-week block of training since Clare’s last game and the intensity will have turned up a notch since the league - higher tempo, shorter sessions. Over the last two weeks focus would have turned to skill levels, ensuring that the lads are razor sharp and the eye is in.

Looking back on the league, there were areas of major concern - principally Clare’s discipline. We fouled our way through games, and although it was acknowledged to the media that it had to stop, the problem continued. We handed a win to Cork, kept Kilkenny in a game and gave Limerick every chance to equalise; all through ill-discipline and consistent fouling.

Every county side today has top class free-takers and Stephen Bennett will be licking his lips

at the sight of Clare unless we improve. If it is an area that has not been corrected for Championship, it will be the sword we fall on.

There are positives, too. Last year, management gave the same 17 or 18 players all the game time as they looked to build familiarity among key personnel; this year we saw experimental line-ups as the threat of relegation was removed from the league. Diarmuid Ryan emerged as an excellent prospect and one who will stake a claim for a starting spot this weekend.

Diarmuid is similar in style to his brother Conor, my schoolmate at Ardscoil Rís and teammate in 2013. He is athletic and aggressive, with tremendous work rate. With David Reidy unavailable, Clare will need to replace his scoring threat and Diarmuid looks the man to do that from wing forward.

The full extent of Clare’s panel will be tested. From last year’s team, Clare will be missing David Reidy, Rory Hayes, Darragh Corry, Ian Galvin, Jamie Shana-

han, Conor McGrath and Conor Cleary for the Waterford clash.

As a result, we are unsure as to how the team will line up. Cleary has been a constant at centre back during Dónal and Gerry’s

time at the helm and he will be a loss following what many feel was an unfair suspension - he will be raring for road for the next game. In the meantime, he provides a selection headache for management and an opportunity for a defender to step up.

My own club man Oisin O’Brien has been one of the most consistent performers through

the club championship in recent years and putting him in the full back line could free David McInerney to come out and fill six in Conor’s absence. In the tight confines of Walsh Park, centre back will be pivotal and someone with David’s striking ability could have a major influence in setting up attacks. I’ve always thought that David would do his best hurling from the halfback line however, it also wouldn’t surprise me to see them opt for Jack Brown at centre back.

As I hinted, Waterford will arguably be the team to benefit most from the new home and away format, the other being Clare.

Every team will have championship experience in the Gaelic Grounds, Pairc Ui Caoimh and Semple Stadium, but Walsh and Cusack Park are both intimidating venues and will be a new experience for many. Walsh Park is quite a narrow field, and often the home team will find space more easily than the visitors. When players are comfortable in their surroundings, they will exploit every available blade of grass. We regularly see visiting teams bunch much more and stay away from the baying crowd.

This makes it easier for defences to get on top.

The tight pitch will also magnify the importance of the puckout strategy. Dónal Tuohy and Stephen O’Keefe will be desperately trying to find space with their puckouts for forwards to run onto however, it will be hard to come by. The majority of puckouts that go long will be won by the first man in on the break. Clare will be hoping that Galvin and Golden in midfield will read the game better than their counterparts and win more breaking ball on the ground. If Clare can dominate on puckouts and get Galvin on the ball this will give them the platform they need to go on and win.

So what’s the verdict as Clare begin their 2019 Munster Championship odyssey? Last year, we paid the price for a slow finish against Cork in the opening Championship fixture when Clare appeared to lose concentration when it mattered most. You would hope that won’t happen again and psychologically, Clare certainly will not fear Waterford.

We beat them comprehensively last year in Ennis, however this game is going to be a very different affair. Waterford have embraced a more attacking style of hurling that has seen the Bennet brothers flourish in their inside line as a result. They also have more strength in depth available to them this year than on the equivalent fixture last year.

From Clare’s perspective, on our last visit to Walsh Park we were without John Conlon and Shane O’Donnell. They are playing well by all accounts and Clare will hope they can replicate last year’s form and put Waterford on the back foot. Ultimately, Clare will need to have corrected the indiscipline evident in league and will need to compete hard on puckouts in order to come away with a win. If not, we could be under pressure to qualify in our remaining games.

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SPORT

THURSDAY, MAY 16 2019

Waterford win as bad as it gets Martin Daly

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GAA ANALYSIS

ET me begin by saying I have huge admiration for Colm Collins. He’s proven to be one of the top managers in the country, bringing Clare to Division 2 and keeping them there. We do not have a huge player pool and we’re not blessed with a volume of outstanding footballers. But between Colm (right) and the players we have held our own. He has a number of years done and his gameplan has brought us this far - now I’m concerned it won’t bring us any further.

On Saturday evening, Clare welcomed Division 4 Waterford to Cusack Park and came away with a win, just about. Unfortunately, having led by six points at half time, we went on to score one point in the remaining 35 minutes. In perfect conditions. In our home field. In a championship match. That’s as bad as it gets in my eyes.

Things unfolded exactly as I feared they might in my previous Clare Echo column.

I said that unless Clare came with intensity and purposeful kick-passes to the inside line, there would be but a few scores in this game. We knew Waterford would come with negative play; put as many men behind the ball as possible and the only way you can counteract that is by moving the ball with pace. With a home semi-final against Kerry in sight, it would have been a perfect opportunity to start bringing speed into our attack but we didn’t do that and were lucky that Eoin Cleary landed a few sweet long-range scores in the first half along with a few frees. Really and truly, we didn’t trouble the Waterford goalie once.

When we came out in the second half, Waterford began to grow in confidence.

They stuck to their gameplan and unfortunately for us, so did we. Every time we got as far as the 45m line, Waterford had regrouped and Clare persisted with lateral passing, no-one willing to take on the ball from deep and try to break the tackle. And it’s no surprise we went a long time without scoring, we’ve been doing it all year. We did it through our whole league campaign, going through spells of 15, 20,

25 minutes without a point. In a way, you’d accept it playing against Division 2 opposition but to only create about five efforts in 35 minutes against Waterford in perfect conditions and to convert once, that’s not acceptable. You certainly won’t beat Kerry by handpassing up the field at snail’s pace.

What’s disappointing for me is we were on a huge high after a brilliant performance against Tipperary to stay in Division 2 and that high is now a low and you’re disheartened going into the Kerry game. Last year in Killarney, Kerry opened us up with their pace, intensity and foot passing and the game was over within 15 minutes. Clare don’t want that to happen this year so they’ll bring everyone behind the ball, essentially use the same tactics Waterford did against Clare. We have no other tools because our style of play is the only one that’s tried and tested by the Collins management over the last number of years, so we’re not all of a sudden going to change it against

‘That performance won’t get you in the gate against Kerry’

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EATING Waterford on Saturday was a case of job done for Colm Collins and the Clare senior footballers but it won’t come close when it comes to Kerry according to the Banner boss, writes Páraic McMahon.

They may not have set the world alight in the first half of their Championship opener but it was enough to hold a six point advantage, that lead would be whittled down to a single score as the game progressed with Waterford piling the pressure on the hosts.

For thirty six minutes in the second half, Clare went without a score allowing their opponents get a foothold in the game as Collins said, “I think the biggest problem was we didn’t keep the scoreboard ticking over, any chances we created we squandered and that gave encouragement to the opposition, championship is championship, this isn’t the first time this has happened. Galway and London last weekend says everything, Limerick third from bottom in Division 4 beat Tipperary tonight, we’re just happy to have won.

“It is frustrating, we were in a fantastic position at half-time and didn’t drive on. In 2014 we were lucky to draw here so happy enough we have got the win and looking forward to playing the Munster semi-final on the 1st of June”. He added, “We missed a lot of chances but I’d rather be in this position than Tipperary’s position”.

Over the next three weeks, Clare will be aiming to make a significant improvement before their semi-final meeting with Kerry. “Nobody would be under any illusions, that performance won’t get you inside the gate on that day, we’ve a lot to day so we’ll get on with it,” the Cratloe club man stated. For that tie, he has confirmed David Tubridy and Sean O’Donoghue will be available for selection.

Eoin Cleary, meanwhile, felt Clare’s one point win was “more like a defeat”.

Kerry. So now we come with our same game plan of slow build-up until we come as far as the 45 - but this time you’re dealing with a different animal in Kerry, who can tackle with high intensity, break out of defense with pace and be in the opposite full forward line within two kicks. Unless we lift our intensity, Kerry are going to open us up.

I have to ask the question, why were we so flat against Waterford? What worries me is we’re nearly treating our league as championship; every county should recognise that all your training should be geared towards Championship football and I feel we may have lost that. We’re putting all our emphasis on the league to maintain Division 2 status and by the time the Championship comes around, we’re flat, tired, and unable to lift it that extra notch needed for Championship football. I’d rather see us experiment with our tactics in the league and drop a division to see Clare go a step further in the Championship.

Regards Kerry, home advantage will be a help and the gameplan will involve keeping the score down with 15 men behind the ball. But to be truthful, you’d find it hard to see us coming within 15 points of Kerry based on last Sunday’s performance.

The Scorecard in association with

EAST CLARE GOLF CLUB Men’s POY White (stroke) 1st Mike Sillery (14) 67 2nd Liam Husband (9) 68 3rd Ben Rittweger (4) 69 Men’s POY Yellows 1st Matthew Cooney (25) 41pts 2nd Teddy Murphy (14) 36 pts Ladies 18 hole stroke Winner Margaret Macnamara nett 69 Cat 1 Eileen Donnellan 70 Cat2 Noreen Doyle 73 Cat3 Helen Downey 73 Ladies Team of 3 1st Rita O Brien, Mary McMahon, Joan Murphy 99pts 2nd Maureen Clune,Marie Donnellan, Breda McCarthy 97 pts

l MIXED EMOTIONS: Eoin Cleary and Colm Collins celebrate a better day out, defeating Tipperary in the league Photo by Martin Connolly

Men’s Seniors 1st Batt Skehan, Aileen McDonnell, Willie Hayes 2nd Seamus O Dwyer,Michael Drew,Steve Symes 3rd Ger Shortt,Joe Moloney,Ted Harrington

Cleary was scorer in chief for the Banner finishing with six of their nine point tally. “We stayed up in Division 2 and we’re hoping for a very strong championship and you want to start as you go on for the year and we started very poorly. We were sluggish at the start and the second half, you want to put a stamp on the Munster championship straight away when you get a chance and we didn’t do that this evening and it does feel like a defeat to be honest but we have to get over it, we won and got out of jail”.

“It’s a bit Irish to be disappointed with a win but the performance overall was poor, if we won by a few points and played well we’d be happy enough but with the performance we know there is a lot of work to do and we’ve three weeks to do it,” the Limerick based Garda added.

Several improvements are needed before Kerry travel to Cusack Park on June 1, but Cleary added, “In 2014 ... we gave Kerry a good rattle so we’re hoping for the same. We know there is a lot of work to do, Kerry are a formidable outfit but we’re looking forward to the challenge.”

Ladies Wednesday’s 1st Noreen O Grady, Breda Reid, Mary Stritch 2nd Mary Hogan, Phil Burke, Helen Downey Ennis Golf Club Senior Ladies Tuesday May 7th 1st Jean Moloney, Kathleen Pyne & Margaret McEnery 52 2nd Carmel Verling, Ann White, Mary Woulfe & Anne McMahon 52.6 3rd Nuala Guinan, Mary Murray & Eileen Holly 54 4th Eileen Daly, Emmanuel McMahon, Pauline Parkes & Mary McMahon 56.4 KILRUSH GOLF CLUB Bank Holiday Monday Mixed Scramble 06/05/2019 1st Michael Ryan, Tom O’Dea, Claire Ryan 34.89 2nd Margaret Clancy, George Nolan, Pat Mulcahy 36.11 3rd Joe Linnane, Anne Brennan, Robert Prunty 36.67

Senior Ladies’ Team Competition May 7 1st Anne Mc Mahon, Margaret Griffin, Marion Brennan 37.56 2nd Margaret Clancy, Colette Glynn, Pauline Kirk. 40.33 3rd Carmel Lillis, Rebecca Brew, Kathleen Haugh. 42.22 Senior Men’s Team Competition 08/05/2019.

1st N Thornton, Pat Shannon (Cranny), T McGrath 2nd John Saunders, Jim Kelly, Gerry Duffy 3rd D F Nagle, T Cleary, M Collins, M Roche Golden Vale Ladies 18hole Singles May 9 1st Maura McSwiggan (29) 36 pts 2nd Jean Lorigan (31) 34 pts (Back 9) 3rd Clair Pyne (20) 34 pts 4th Margaret Donnelly (18) 33 pts CAT I Anne Brennan (12) 32 pts CAT II Joan O’Malley (20) 32 pts CAT III Rebecca Brew (30) 23 pts Friday Mixed Team 10/05/2019 1st Mary Collins, Brian Scanlon, Sean Matthews, Michael Studdert 37.33 2nd Pat Shannon, Paul McGibney, Muriel Kiely 38.78 3rd Claire Pyne, Tom McGrath, Michael Hogan 39.33 4th Joe Linnane, Anne Brennan, Murt Collins 40.33 AIB 18 Holes Men’s Open Singles 11/05/19 – 12/05/19 1st Andrew Turner (16) 41 pts 2nd Sean Myatt (1) 40 pts 3rd Pat Shannon (17) Back 9 WOODSTOCK GOLF CLUB Club Singles White Strokeplay 11th & 12th May 1st Kieran Patton (18) 69 Nett 2nd Diarmaid Whelan (6) 72 Nett (B9) Gross Brian Gilligan (+1) 75 Gross 3rd David White (12) 72 Nett 4th Tom McKaigney (21) 73 Nett (B9) CSS 75

SPORT

THURSDAY, MAY 16 2019

43

It’s all or nothing with Eimear Considine with PÁRAIC McMAHON

A

S A full-time secondary school teacher and Irish international, time is certainly of the essence for Eimear Considine. Her colleagues have remarked she has “two different lives” and since concentrating on rugby a new chapter began in her action-packed sporting career.

It started off with rugby 7s, a message on LinkedIn from Stan McDowell enquiring about her interest. It went unnoticed for a while but Eimear gladly took up the opportunity and became part of the squad aiming to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics. At the time she was a dual-player with Clare in ladies football and camogie, and adjusting from two sports played all her life to a completely new one was difficult.

“That was so hard and I don’t think I’ll ever remember how hard it was unless I was thrown back into it again. The stage I was at with Clare, I was vice captain of the camogie team that year so I was pretty important in the team, playing well. I was at the top of my game in both and then I went from knowing everything naturally to not having a clue and being at the bottom of the pile and that was probably the hardest part,” Eimear tells The Clare Echo.

“I was so used to being able to solo a ball easily without thinking or knowing where to be positionally, to people roaring at you because you’re in the wrong place. It’s not that the girls were mean, it’s just that in rugby you have to be very vocal in relation to who you’re tackling, who’s opposite you, who’s on your inside, who’s on your outside because it’s the system.

“I remember the first few months and I literally had tears in my eyes throughout the whole training session and I would go into the car, cry, ring mam and say ‘I’m done with this’ but she was like ‘look, you can’t get good at this overnight, you have to stay, give it a go’. I remember there was one Friday night I was ready to go into a weekend camp and I rang mam saying ‘I’m done, it’s three months in, I’ve had it’. We didn’t have any games and it was really hard because I was working Monday to Friday, train all weekend, do it again and again. There was just no break and I wasn’t getting home to Clare.

“I was 23, I was used to going home because of camogie and football but she was like ‘hold tough, it’ll be worth it’ because I was trying to qualify for the Olympics. That was the dream at the end of it and that Saturday morning Anthony Eddy called me in and gave me my contract that Saturday.

It was a bit of a relief that I was safe and I wasn’t going to kicked off it. It was hard and I cried a lot and I’m not a cryer, the hardest part was not being good at something naturally and then starting all over again”.

In the latest of our series focusing on figures in female sport, we speak to cross-code sports star Eimear Considine, who admits that an intercounty return is unlikely due to her rugby commitments, with one eye on the World Cup

l TOP CLASS: Eimear Considine has impressed for the Irish rugby team

Not alone was Considine hit by the setback of not making the Olympics but also the disappointment of not making the squad for their final qualifying games. Once she did find her feet, Eimear enjoyed sevens but admitted to The Clare Echo it caused her to burn out. “The first year it was really exciting, it was new, we were travelling to Canada, San Diego, Amsterdam and I trained every morning, I didn’t mind doing that work, train in the evening, gym in the morning, work, train in the morning, Wednesday off, gym Thursday morning, work, train Thursday evening, gym Friday evening. Wednesday was my only off and looking back I don’t know how I did it but it got to a stage where it got too much for me, I had burnout and I didn’t realise that I had it.

“After the Rio Olympics, I took a complete break from sport, that year in 2016 the Clare Ladies got to the All-Ireland final against Kildare. Mam and Ailish wanted me to go back playing for Clare but I had burnout and I didn’t want to go for a run or a walk, the talk of exercise made me wince, I didn’t want to be tied to it. We got a schedule with a year in advance so we knew that every year was going to be cancelled out and it was so hard, I hated not having my life and I took

those two or three months off. I played a little club football with Kilmihil, got a love of sport back and played for fun as opposed to playing to qualify for the Olympics which is very different. You change everything, you change your nights out, you change who you are friends with, what you eat, who you see, who you don’t see because you are constantly tired ... you’re trying to qualify for the Olympics at the end of the day. I fell back in love with sport again and what happened was I played with Munster. I never played 15s before and then played the 6 Nations in a World Cup year and it has rolled on since then”.

While Eimear and her mother Kay watched Ireland’s women win the 2013 Grand Slam, Eimear remarked “I could never play that game”. Since then she has earned 12 international caps and is a regular in Adam Griggs’ side and stressed how “glad” she is to have taken up the sport.

This year, they finished 5th in the 6 Nations and the Kilmihil woman believed their club structures, amount of departed players, lack of summer internationals and competing against semi-professionals are reasons for their regression. “We need to keep the squad that we have, there are a lot of new

caps and we need to keep them, we need to get this group and bring it on a journey and bring us to that World Cup and connect us, not just chopping and changing, bringing girls in to give them one cap and get rid of them again. It has to feel like a journey and bring players through”.

For a winger pace is essential, and to prolong her international career the 28 year old has eyed up moving to full back. “I’ve given my life to sport, it has got me to where I am and I’m thankful of that, there comes a time when you have to go out on a good note and your own terms. I don’t want to be the person that stays around too long and is pushed out the door, I’ll stay for the World Cup and you’ll never know what will happen. As a winger I’m not an out and out sprinter, I’m fast but there are some girls out there that are absolute sprinters. I am looking at myself for 15, I do want to play there, I think it’s a more versatile role and you’re a decision maker and a play maker, the kicking option is there too”.

An All-Ireland U16 high jump winner, Eimear has also hit the heights of provincial titles in the high and long jump. Athletics she noted “creates a great base”. Her jumping days were put on hold as her Clare GAA career took off, and since focusing on rugby regular calls have been made for her to return to the county setups. The Glasnevin teacher admitted she can’t see herself playing either ladies football or camogie for the county again.

“I was saying that I would go back to a bit of club football if I have time but I don’t like being the person that dips in and out of things either. The reason I haven’t gone back in the past is I live in Dublin so I’m not going to be at training a lot and I don’t like half doing things, I’m all in or all out, that’s the way I want to be and I don’t want to be known as that flaky player, I’m all in or all out and that’s me, it’s 100 percent or it’s nothing, you either want to be the best or you don’t, if you want to give less than 100 percent then you’re not going to be your best and that’s always something I’ve stuck with”.

Her busy schedule has got more hectic since becoming a rugby pundit with TG4 “such a good experience”. Her conversation with The Clare Echo took place prior to the Clare’s senior footballers outing with Waterford with her boyfriend Dean Ryan lining out at wing-back. They travelled down to Clare together on Friday for the first time in 2019, “there is not a weekend free, for the two of us we had to get out of the country to escape sport” she said of their year spent travelling from September 2017 to the following August.

All or nothing, that’s the way it is with Eimear Considine and always will be.

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QUIZ 47

THURSDAY, MAY 16 2019

The Clare Echo Quiz FAMOUS FIGURES IN CLARE’S HISTORY

Boru claimed which title in 1LordBrian the year 1002? of the Shannon, King of Munster, High King of Ireland.

Brian Boru was slain in 1014 at 2 which battle?

Battle of the Boyne, Battle of Clontarf, Battle of Dysert O’ Dea.

19th c. Ireland.

Bishop Michael Harty created 8 which Parish in 1967?

Scariff, Shannon, Kildysart

Sharon Shannon is renowned for 9 her mastery of which instrument?

Accordion, Fiddle, Tin-Whistle

Harriet Smithson was a faJohn Phillip Holland of Liscannor 10 mous _ from Ennis?

3 is know for his invention of?

The Fling Dance of Clare, The Women’s Rights Activist, Actress, bodhrán, The Submarine.

Novelist.

Michael Cusack founded the GAA 4 in which year?

1884, 1886, 1882

by Cian O’Broin

Eamon De Valera was elected 5 for which Clare Constituency in 1919?

l QUESTION 1: Brian Boru claimed which title in the year 1002?

West Clare, East Clare, North Clare.

Clare Schoolmaster Peter O’ Con7 nell is most noted for?

His maps of the Burren region, His Irish-English dictionary, His poetry of

lQUESTION 3: John Phillip Holland

6. Daniel O’ Connell 7. His Irish-English dictionary 8. Shannon 9. Accordion 10. Actress

Daniel O’ Connell, Stuart Parnell, Michael Cusack.

ANSWERS

1. High King of Ireland 2. Battle of Clontarf 3. The Submarine 4. 1884 5. East Clare

The Clare election of 1828 was 6 a turning point in which political figure’s career?

of Liscannor

OLD IMAGES OF COUNTY CLARE

Church Ruins, Holy Island, Lough Derg,

Image NLI.ie / Collection: The Lawrence Photograph Collection