The Clare Echo 16/07/20

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editor@clareecho.ie

ROCHE HGV TRAFFIC: A CLARIFICATION THE front page of last week’s Clare Echo newspaper carried a story claiming there would be 360,360 HGV journeys over a seven-year period as part of the planned decommissioning of Roche.

The Clare Echo would like to clarify that this information is inaccurate. As per their planning application to Clare County Council under the section ‘trip generation’ (4.4), Roche Ireland Ltd states that: “A CTMP will be implemented to control vehicular movement along the proposed haulage route, including restriction on the number of HGVs and EHGVs to the following during the Proposed Development working hours: • Average of 15 HGVs/hour comprising of approximately 12 EHGVs per hour supplemented by approximately 3 diesel HGVs • Peaks of 18 HGVS/hour comprising of approximately 15 EHGVs per hour supplemented by approximately 3 diesel HGVs per hour. It is anticipated that the Project Demolition and Remediation Programme will begin in 2021 and be completed by 2024. Based on the current schedule, in 2025 there will be no further traffic generation arising from the Proposed Development (subject to planning consents).â€?

According to Roche Ireland Ltd’s public consultation document (available at https://rochedecommissioning.consultation.ai/), there will be an estimated 63,000 HGV movements associated with the site decommissioning over the duration of the project.

As outlined in the traffic and transport assessment (3.2.3.2), hours of working will be between 07.00 and 19.00 Monday to Friday and 08.00 to 14.00 on Saturday.

The Clare Echo is happy to make this clarification and wishes to apologise for any undue upset caused as a result of our error.

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JULY 16 2020

ON YER BIKE! Clare business woman praised by community for refusing tourists PĂ RAIC McMAHON news@clareecho.ie

A

North Clare business woman has received praise from all over Ireland after declining to take a booking from overseas visitors who had failed to quarantine for a period of 14 days after flying into the country.

Janet Cavanagh of E-Whizz received a

booking on Saturday night from visitors. Having first noticed that they had Irish names, she enquired to see where they were from and upon learning they were American and didn’t believe they should quarantine for fourteen days, she made the decision to cancel their guided cycle. “I don’t believe people should be allowed to break those rules, I know some rules are harmless when you break them but I don’t think this rule is harmless.�

FULL STORY PAGE 4

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2 NEWS

THURSDAY, JUL 16 2020

Index NEWS

2-18

ENTERTAINMENT

13

RONAN SCULLY

16

GREENER CLARE

17

PROPERTY SPECIAL 19-29 MOTORING

30-31

SPORT

32-35

CLASSIFIEDS

36-37

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

NEWSDESK

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

SALES

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

‘We will never be able to repay staff’ PÁRAIC MCMAHON

l LOCAL HEROES: Ennis Hospital staff (l-r) Carol Cotter, Joe Cassidy, Patricia O’Gorman, and Sheila Mulcair

paraic@clareecho.ie

R

ESUMPTION of services is “the biggest challenge” for health services in the Mid-West while planning permission has been granted for a new injury unit at Ennis General Hospital.

Addressing Monday’s meeting of Clare County Council, Group Chief Executive of UL Hospitals Group, Colette Cowan detailed their efforts in responding to COVID-19. The Mid-West was one of the first parts of the country hit by the pandemic which required the creation of “a hospital within a hospital” to cater for COVID-19 and non COVID-19 patients.

Attendance in emergency departments dropped during the restrictions. “We are trying to work up a plan to come up with a different option for patients that won’t have to come to emergency departments,” she said of the anxiety some individuals have in travelling to the hospital at the current time.

Staff were deployed across UL Hospitals Group due to “a worry of a critical care surge”.

She stated, “We will never be

able to repay staff for what they have done, a lot of them don’t want to leave critical care now.

We’ve the best critical care unit in the country”.

Gratitude was extended to The Clare Echo from Ms Cowan over the “great media coverage” of staff from Ennis General Hospital whom she described as “real champions”.

She added, “They had a lot of surge going on with a lot of patients going in. We are very proud of them.”

She confirmed that planning

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Ennis (Clon Road, Corrovorrin, Gort Road, and surrounding areas)

permission for an injury unit at Ennis General Hospital has been granted and will be going for tender. Funds did not come from the Group’s annual budget of €370m, Cowan outlined.

“They need a theatre upgrade, that will be the next capital build. We are also looking for more space for a medical assessment unit”.

Capacity challenges in the Mid-West still exist, Colette admitted. “The biggest challenge for us is the resumption of services. Staff fatigue is something

Funding set aside for cycleway linking Clonlara to UL PÁRAIC MCMAHON

W

paraic@clareecho.ie

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Updates will be posted to Ennis Town Forum Facebook group.

we have to watch very carefully, all staff are tired including managers, they are exhausted.

For a long time they had their heads down and felt health service was a negative story, they feel proud now”.

Cllr Pat Daly (FF) welcomed the injury unit and increased outpatient activity at Ennis Hospital. “We’ve a fantastic hospital, whatever facilities can be given to the hospital they won’t go astray, with Tom Peirce and his team it will be done,” Cllr John Crowe (FG) added.

ORK on the construction of a cycleway linking Clonlara to the University of Limerick is earmarked to start at the beginning of September.

A pathway adjacent to the public road from the southern entrance of the Burlington Factory to the Humpback Bridges passing over the River Blackwater and Erinagh Canal is envisaged as part of the project with planning and funding already secured.

As part of the works, there will be a new gateway, widening and surfacing of the pathway, addition of lighting and access from the bank to the footpath and carpark of Thomond Village on the UL campus.

Appropriate treatment of any invasive species and appropriate limbing of trees and branches is also factored into the plans, senior engineer Seán Lenihan confirmed.

Officials are currently reviewing the de-

sign as a result of COVID-19 with possible changes to be considered. “We are also consulting with the college authorities in terms of the precise detail on linking on to their campus,” he stated.

Clare County Council have appointed a contractor for the works. The Wildlife Acts restricts the cutting of vegetation, hedges and trees during the breeding season (March 1st to August 31st).

“We would be hopeful of commencing work immediately thereafter,” Lenihan added.

Cllr Michael Begley (IND) had requested an update at a recent meeting of the Shannon Municipal District. He commented that funding had been available for the project for the past four years. He described it as annoying “for a small project where the money is in place that it has taken four years”.

Six stakeholders are involved in the pathway which is over 150m in distance, Begley said. He was hopeful the start date would materialise. Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) seconded the Clonlara councillor’s motion on the subject.

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4 NEWS

THURSDAY, JUL 16 2020

E-Whizz cancels guided tours for Americans who didn’t self-isolate PÁRAIC MCMAHON

A

paraic@clareecho.ie

NORTH Clare businesswoman has received widespread praise after declining to take a booking from overseas visitors who had failed to quarantine for a period of 14 days after flying into Ireland.

Janet Cavanagh of E-Whizz received a booking on Saturday.

Having first noticed that they had Irish names, she enquired to see where they were from and upon learning they were American and didn’t believe they should quarantine for 14 days, she made the decision to cancel their guided cycle.

“I don’t believe people should be allowed to break those rules, I know some rules are harmless when you break them but I don’t think this rule is harmless,” she explained of her decision.

Similar sentiments have been expressed in the county. Two Kil-

fenora B&Bs have turned down US visitors while four Air BnB bookings have been declined in the past week with people from different locations outside of Ireland.

Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly (FF) has said everyone flying into the country should self-isolate for two weeks. The advice has not been universally heeded with MEP Billy Kelleher (FF) travelling to Dublin for the Micheál Martin’s (FF) election as Taoiseach days after returning from Brussels.

As a result of her actions, Janet has received extra bookings from domestic tourists in an act of solidarity having read of her story and heard interviews on Today FM and the most listened to radio show on the island, Morning Ireland.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, the Dublin native admitted that she is following news coverage on Covid-19 daily. “I follow it everyday, I keep myself well up to speed on everything. Being a member of the local eco-tourism network they provide a lot of information on what the requirements and reg-

l RESPONSIBLE: Janet Cavanagh of E-Whizz Photo by John Mangan ulations are over the whole period, we’ve been in touch with regard to what other people are doing and getting around things”.

Colleagues in the tourism sector in the West of Ireland have shared their concerns with Janet on the lack of advice issued to tour operators. “My business isn’t as heavily regulated as a B&B or a restaurant, talking to other people in my sec-

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tor that can be a bit of a problem.

A friend and counterpart in Westport has decided to shut down because he doesn’t know what he can or can’t do”.

Eighty per cent of E-Whizz’s business last year was from overseas visitors. She admitted, “I had written the year off because I assumed people wouldn’t be travelling, the fact that they are is a

surprise to me”. Their doors have opened in Kilfenora but Janet reports a dip of up to 80 per cent in visitors.

Her decision not to take any chances is one that is protecting the people of North Clare from a potential cluster. Their appreciation has been visible with locals calling to the shop to pay tribute to Janet for her stance and “to say they were right behind me”.

From her telecommunication and marketing days in London, she is well used to taking phonecalls of all nature but has been pleased with the goodwill shown in recent days.

“I’m not so much shocked but amazed with how supportive people have been. I just felt it was a decision for my business but when you think about it, it was a decision that can affect the whole community,” explains Janet.

“You don’t necessarily think about that when you’re making a business decision, normally business decisions are just about your business and they don’t affect your community,” she added.

Norton: I haven’t come out of it and I know it PEOPLE with confirmed cases of Covid-19 can be re-tested for the virus if symptoms persist following their self-isolation period of two weeks, writes Páraic McMahon.

Department of Health figures for Co Clare from Saturday state that 369 individuals have tested positive for Coronavirus. Only one of them is considered to be an active case.

Few of the individuals diagnosed with the virus in the county have spoken publicly about their experience, Cllr Ann Norton (IND) is one of the exceptions. The Barefield representative was released from hospital in April having received treatment for COVID-19.

Praise was extended to the staff of University Hospital Limerick (UHL)

by Cllr Norton at Monday’s meeting of Clare County Council following a presentation from leading health officials within UL Hospitals Group. “My first-hand experience was that staff were excellent, I couldn’t have asked for better”. She remarked, “it was the quietest I’ve seen the A&E”.

lCONCERNS: Cllr Ann Norton She questioned if it was possible for personnel that have had the virus to be tested again where they experience ongoing symptoms. “It is very difficult to know whether you still have Covid or if it is gone.

I find it very difficult, I haven’t come out of it and I know that, I’m conscious of the fact I’m around people the whole time and I’m a little bit paranoid,” Ann detailed.

GP referral was another area in which Cllr Norton sought further information.

“Is your GP able to refer you? I made a query about that in the last few weeks

Photo by Eamon Ward

and I’ve been told a GP isn’t able to refer you for a second Covid-19 test”.

Specialist in public health medicine, Dr Mai Mannix responded, “After two weeks a person who has had Covid-19 is no longer infectious or a threat to anybody else”.

She explained that a confirmed case following their isolation period “has immunity for three months, after that we’re not sure”.

When indicated a GP is able to refer for Covid-19 testing, she confirmed.

Maria Bridgeman also assured that a GP can send an individual for testing.

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6 NEWS

THURSDAY, JUL 16 2020

‘Bring Shannon Heritage sites under control of Council’

STUART HOLLY editor@clareecho.ie

T

HE possibility of transferring Shannon Heritage sites under the control of the local authority or the Office of Public Works must be “explored and supported”, says Clare TD Joe Carey.

Deputy Carey spoke out after he received confirmation that the Government is to carry out a review of the Shannon Group, which currently operates the heritage sites.

Bunratty Castle & Folk Park and St John’s Castle in Limerick have reopened after the lockdown but are due to close again at the end of August. Other key sites such as Craggaunowen Castle, Knappogue Castle and Dunguaire Castle have not reopened, which has created great uncertainty among Shannon Heritage employees.

Speaking after he met with Shannon Heritage workers today, Dep-

uty Carey called on the Shannon Group to make a formal application for further supports to enable the heritage sites to reopen on a yearround basis.

The local Fine Gael TD said: “I have raised this in the Dáil on several occasions – including last week – and I’m glad that my colleague, the Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton, has confirmed that there will be a review into the Shannon Group. I also recently met with my party leader, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Leo Varadkar, who has indicated to me a stimulus package will be made available to the airport.

“In my view the Shannon Group has a moral obligation to keep all the heritage sites open. These attractions and the employment they provide are vital to the economic well-being of Clare and the entire Mid-West region. They support local businesses and will have a hugely important role to play in helping to kickstart a decimated tourism and hospitality sector.

“The Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) will be extended again, and this must be taken into account by the Shannon Group.”

Deputy Carey, along with fellow TD Kieran O’Donnell, Senator Martin Conway and councillors John Crowe and Pat Burke, met with around 30 Shannon Heritage workers outside Bunratty this week to listen to their concerns.

Speaking after the meeting, Deputy Carey said the transfer of Shannon Heritage sites to Clare County Council or the Office of Public Works “should be explored and supported”. He also called for consideration to be given to allow Shannon Heritage to run and operate the sites independently.

The Clare TD was recently elected chair of the Shannon Airport Oireachtas Group, which he convened to bring all Oireachtas members in Clare, Limerick and Tipperary together to support the airport.

The all-party group is due to meet with the CEO and chairperson of the Shannon Group this Friday.

Millions needed to keep site open PÁRAIC MCMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie

MULTI-MILLION euro support is required from the Irish Government to allow for Shannon Heritage sites to stay open beyond August 31, writes Páraic McMahon.

Bunratty Castle & Folk Park and King John’s Castle opened their doors in June and are due to close at the end of August while Knappogue and Craggaunowen have remained shut since March.

A submission from Shannon Group has been put to the Government in an attempt to secure funding to allow the two castles to welcome visitors beyond August as leading health officials urge the Irish public not to travel abroad and instead go on staycations this year.

Speaking this week, Chief Executive of Clare County

Council, Pat Dowling stated 80% of visitors to Bunratty Castle & Folk Park were from abroad. A spokesperson for Shannon Group outlined, “Unfortunately even with an anticipated surge in domestic visitors it will not compensate for the lack of international visitors”.

Bookings of domestic tourists between now and August are poor according to management. “Despite an extensive national marketing campaign

by Shannon Heritage, it is continuing to lose money on these sites,” the spokesperson added.

An assessment of all available options with regards to the tourist attractions is continuing. The spokesperson commented, “Given the financial position of Shannon Heritage as a result of COVID-19, it is not financially possible for the attractions to remain open beyond August 31 without Government funding to cover these operational losses”.

ROUGH SLEEPERS WON’T COOPERATE

ROUGH sleepers in Ennis are ‘unwilling’ to co-operate with attempts from authorities to set up temporary accommodation during COVID-19. Speaking on Monday, Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) spoke of an “unwillingness of rough sleepers in Ennis to cooperate” with attempts to have them housed in a safe environment as the country fights off a potential second wave of COVID-19.

“They are a risk to COVID-19 and are located in the centre of the town,” Cllr Flynn commented.

Chief Officer of HSE Midwest Community Healthcare, Maria Bridgeman said she would follow up the matter with colleagues in environmental health as well as Clare County Council. For the month of May, there was an 18% reduction in the amount of individuals classed as homeless according to Mid West Simon.

Clampdown on illegal dumping PÁRAIC MCMAHON

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paraic@clareecho.ie

DATA protection impact assessment is being prepared by Clare County Council to enable CCTV use to clamp down on illegal dumping with the local authority now determined to prosecute individuals.

GDPR has been the reason used by Council officials over the past two years when concerns relating to illegal dumping have been voiced by councillors and members of the public. The impact assessment will allow for “the safe and compliant use of CCTV” to monitor and investigate illegal dumping, senior engineer Bernard Flynn stated.

As reported by The Clare Echo in recent months, “considerable time, money and staffing resources” has been invested by the local authority during Covid-19 to investigate dumping.

Cratloe representative, Cllr Pat O’Gorman (FF) sought the installation of CCTV at parts

of Meelick including Ballycar Rd, Sweeps Rd and the Knockalisheen Rd along with Gallows Hill in Cratloe at a recent sitting of the Shannon Municipal District. “Since the Coronavirus hit I don’t know if it’s people cleaning their houses or what, this illegal dumping is coming out of the back of lorries, I don’t know where it is coming from but I do know Gardaí have found names in the rubbish,” he commented.

When it comes to going before Courts, Cllr O’Gorman encouraged the County Council “to represent the local community”. He detailed three occasions whereby individuals had brought the matter to the Gardaí’s attention “but when it came to the crunch, these people were advised not to go to Court”.

Where names are found at the scene of illegal dumping, the evidence should be left there for the Council steward to record “and witness those names from the scene, then his or her evidence in Court will be sufficient, Cllr Michael Begley (IND) commented.

Director of Service, Liam Conneally admitted that it has “really extenuated itself since the Covid-19 situation”. Evidence found is

used, he confirmed. Engagements have been held with the Gardai for checkpoints around “dumping hotspots” which have taken place

subsequent to the meeting. “We will be looking at the prosecution side of it because we have no choice. It must stop,” he concluded.

8 NEWS

THURSDAY, JUN 16 2020

l EFFORT: Groundsman Brendan Halpin on newly purchased pitch mower and young children of the parish

Brendan Grace’s ashes spread in Lough Derg PÁRAIC MCMAHON

l FAMILY: Brendan’s daughter Amanda, grandson James Gillespie (11) and wife Eileen at Shannon Airport last year

Photo by Arthur Ellis

paraic@clareecho.ie

Funds for Crusheen playground ORGANISATIONS in Crusheen are joining forces to pay for damage caused in the local playground.

Crusheen GAA’s minor club has teamed up with playground committee to raise funds that will go towards the repair of facilities following a vandal attack in May. Playgrounds had been closed during the COVID-19 restrictions and now local groups are working to put together the necessary funds to bounce back from the incident.

Two sponsored walks are to be held in Crusheen, the first of which is titled ‘Escape to the Estates’ and it takes place this Sunday (July 19th) starting at the GAA grounds at 10am, it is expected to finish at 1pm. The second sponsored walk, ‘Beautiful Ballinruan’ is scheduled for the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Officials within the GAA club approached the playground committee to work together to help defray costs. A GoFundMe page has also been set up with over €200 raised to date.

F

AMILY of the late Brendan Grace have marked the anniversary of his death by spreading his ashes on Lough Derg near their Killaloe home.

Brendan died on July 11th last year and will forever be regarded as one of the greatest Irish comedians.

On Saturday, the Grace family scattered his ashes along Lough Derg. They travelled on the local tourist boat, Spirit of Killaloe on a journey Brendan would often take whereby he would drink two Irish coffees on the trip. His favourite songs including The Dutchman were played in the background as family prepared to spread his ashes.

A seat has also been erected in memory of Brendan at his favourite spot in Killaloe where he fed the ducks and swans. Family including his wife Eileen and daughter Aman-

da were joined by friends for the official unveiling and blessing of the seat.

Last week, Brendan’s only sister Marie died from lung cancer aged 59, the same illness which took the

life of her brother. In May, their aunt Wyn Meyler a famous Irish model in the 1950s and 1960s and a woman described as “a second mother” to Brendan died from a heart attack.

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10 NEWS

THURSDAY, JUL 16 2020

Library set for further delay as no word yet from Keating PÁRAIC MCMAHON

K

paraic@clareecho.ie

EATING Construction have yet to inform clients including Clare County Council if they will be able to complete works on ongoing projects.

Workers belonging to the marine, civil engineering and building company have not returned on-site at ongoing developments for over seven days, two locations in question include the University of Limerick and where the new Ennis Library is to be built.

No information has been forthcoming from Keating in relation to its future outlook. Its headquarters in Kilmihil have also remained closed. Employees are not optimistic and The Clare Echo understands an announcement is expected in the coming days.

Late 2021 was the original target for the finishing of the library which has a price tag close to €14m.

The onset of COVID-19 and temporary pause of construction work for two months

was envisaged to have delayed works and set the completion of works back into the first half of 2022.

An update was sought by Cllr Pat Daly (FF) at Monday’s meeting of Clare Coun-

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ty Council with regards to the stoppage of works by glór. “It’s a serious situation that needs to be rectified in the very immediate future. It’s important that a replacement building contractor should be appointed in

the very near future. It shouldn’t be drawn out for 12 months”.

Chief Executive of the local authority, Pat Dowling replied by saying their focus remained on financing and commissioning the completion of the project. “We are continuing to engage with our suppliers and sub contractors in relation to commissioning and certifying the works, that commitment remains and should there be any change on that members, I will let you know immediately”.

Dowling continued, “We’ve had to deal with a national crisis in the last few months, we will deal with this also if it arises and proceed with an alternative route, for now that is the stance on it”.

Shannon representative, Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) was adamant there would be “a time lapse” despite the non-committal remarks from the Chief Executive.

“Nothing has been confirmed that works will be discontinued,” Dowling responded.

He warned that there is a potential of an extra twelve months being added on meaning the finish date would be pushed to 2023. “If there is a change, there is a delay,” he cautioned.

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CAPPA Beach was one of the many Clare facilities embraced during the height of COVID-19 restrictions by locals, improvement works for the Kilrush attraction have been confirmed.

Repairs of the existing pathways from the steps at Cappa was requested by Cllr

Ian Lynch (IND) at the June meeting of the West Clare Municipal District. His motion was seconded by Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF).

Senior engineer, Alan Kennelly in response assured that the repairs would be “carried out shortly”.

“During COVID-19 it brought home the facilities

that were on our doorsteps, this was one on our doorstep that got great use,” Cllr Lynch outlined. He highlighted that the two footpaths at Cappa have been consistently corroded over time. “I appreciate there is probably a bigger plan for the future of Cappa,” he added.

NEWS 11

THURSDAY, JUL 16 2020

Historic character of Killaloe to be respected in new plan

areas will be completed with a street furniture design guide to be drafted. Emphasis will be placed on a green infrastructure network which includes the development of riverside paraic@clareecho.ie walks. How the towns can adapt to the construction of the Killaloe Bypass, Shannon ORK on a town enhanceBridge Crossing and R494 Improvement ment, tourism and mobilScheme forms part of the plan. ity plan for Killaloe and Future funding applications will be influBallina has begun. enced by the plan, Brian McCarthy outlined.

Shane , he wants to do a THANK YOU .

Both Clare County “The enhancement of Killaloe and Ballina Council and Tipperary County Council are A LOVE HEART IMAGE Heartfelt thanks to our Customers , old & new for their support will respect the distinctive historic characjoining forces for the plan which will focus on our re-opening LOVE HEAR IMAGE ter of both heritage towns, while also capon the two areas as linked settlements. Conturing the individuality of each town. There sultants Downey Planning & Architecture OPENING HOURS JULY & AUGUST are opportunities to capitalise further on the are expected to take six months to prepare Monday Closed towns’ assets in order to collectively expand the document. the tourism product, attract increased visiSenior planner Brian McCarthy and Direc- Tuesday Closed tor numbers and maximise local economic tor of Services Anne Haugh are leading the Wednesday 5pm to 9pm benefits with a particular emphasis on improject on behalf of Clare County Council proving mobility within and between the Thursday 5pm to 9pm with Brian Beck and Marcus O’Connor the town centres. This will build on their existFriday 12 to 2.30pm & 5.30pm to 9pm key personnel from the Tipperary side. ing strengths in order to further develop and Tourism was listed as an integral part of Saturday 5pm to 9pm support a strong economic base, recreation the consultation by Ms Haugh. “Tourism is and town centre offering, and provide for 1pm to 6.30pmMembers of Tipperary and Clare County Councils announce the critical to the economy of Killaloe-Ballina. Sunday future growth of the resident population and l BUILDING BRIDGES: It makes sense from a national and interna- plans for the Killaloe and Ballina town enhancement scheme Photo by Eamon Ward tourism”. tional tourism perspective that both towns Consultation with the elected members and their amenities are developed, managed for Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands in the area. plan. This will include traffic management, of the Killaloe and Nenagh MDs, commerand marketed in a coordinated manner”. She cial and business interests, the tourism and Initiatives to add to an increase in com- car-parking and pedestrian connectivity flagged the importance of water-based tourist mercial activity on the main streets of KilIt will also factor in a tourism strategy and hospitality sector and the general public will along Lough Derg plus the potential growth laloe and Ballina are to be pinpointed in the sustainable mobility plan. An analysis of both commence in early Autumn.

PÁRAIC MCMAHON

W

Heartfelt Thanks OPENING HOURS JULY & AUGUST

to our customers, old & new for their support on our re-opening

Monday Closed Tuesday Closed Wednesday 5pm to 9pm Thursday 5pm to 9pm Friday 12 to 2.30pm & 5.30pm to 9pm Saturday 5pm to 9pm Sunday 1pm to 6.30pm phone: 065 6899393 email: info@henrysbistroandwinebar.ie website: www.henrysbistroanswinebar.ie location: Market street, Ennis

G R EA T FOOD - G R EA T S ER V I C E - G R E A T T A S T E

12 NEWS

THURSDAY, JUL 16 2020

Speakers confirmed for public rally PĂ RAIC MCMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie

CLARE TD, Michael McNamara (IND), Lahinch hotelier Michael Vaughan and Karen O’Loughlin of SIPTU are the first names organisers have managed to secure to speak at the demonstration. Further speakers are to be announced in the coming weeks.

O’Connell Monument has been set as the location for the rally following consultation with An Gardaí Siochåna.

Stewards will be ensuring social distancing will be in place, organisers have stated.

Save Shannon

Airport have labelled themselves as “a broad church� of local traders, community groups, tourism groups, trade unions, hoteliers with cross-party political support. They have encouraged individuals attending to bring their flags and banners to the rally.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Denis Vaughan of Save Shannon Airport highlighted the absence of Shannon Airport from the Programme for Government and described the report from the Aviation Taskforce as “unclear�. He said,

“Ireland requires a clear aviation policy.

We are a nation island, and desperately need connectivity with the world�.

Similar to the views expressed by Shannon Group management, Vaughan believed the Airport should receive funding in the regional airports programme.

He repeated his call for the current Board to Shannon Group “to stand down as a matter of urgency and be replaced by a group of focused professionals to establish a suitable agenda for the Airports survival as the sole issue. The proposed redundancies at the Airport should be rescinded immediately�.

Chauffeurs face wipe-out without supports

Pictured during a drive by in support of Shannon Airport are L-R Tom McHale, Westport Co Mayo, Trevor White, Ennis, Paul Smith, Longford and Tony Woods, Ennis Photo by Arthur Ellis l HUNDREDS of jobs in the chauffeur industry in Ireland are facing wipe-out within six weeks with companies across the country set to fold unless they get government support to see them through the worst season on record.

The industry’s largest representative body, the Western Chauffeur Drive Association Ireland (WCDAI), says that otherwise viable businesses will become insolvent unless the government makes a COVID-19 fund available for the industry.

The industry is almost entirely dependent on the high-end inbound travel market but with this entirely wiped out for 2020. And with operators having significant borrowings due to the need to constantly upgrade their executive class fleets, many businesses will now become insolvent the moment the bank moratorium on loans is lifted.

Shannon defends reduced hours

M

ANAGEMENT of Shannon Airport have defended their decision to reduce opening hours during the height of COVID-19 despite the willingness from some staff to take a reduction to pay to maintain normal hours.

At the June meeting of Clare County Council, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) sought clarification from Shannon Group on their decision to close Shannon Airport from 10pm to 6am during the lockdown. She said that the majority of Airport and Fire Police Officers had offered to work 40 hours and only receive payment for 32 “which it is understood would have averted this decision to close�.

Correspondence from CEO of Shannon Group, Mary Considine was issued this week in response. She outlined that management made the decision to close the Airport on nights with effect from 6th April at 10pm following “the collapse of passenger traffic�.

Considine explained, “This was done on

the basis that there was no passenger traffic scheduled to operate for the foreseeable future and secondly arrangements had already been made with our key cargo, MRO and transit operators that they would continue to work within the reduced opening hours�.

Workers at the Airport were left upset when their offer was rebuked, Cllr Colleran Molloy commented. She recalled that up to three medical diversions landed at Dublin Airport during the restrictions with 60 private landings diverted to English and Irish Airports. “The West is awake, it is alive and well, we need to speak up,� the Quin native added.

An adamant Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) seconded the motion, “There was no way that Shannon Airport should have closed. It was always a 24 hour Airport and it was one of the things it prided itself on�. He questioned the motivations behind the move, “They want to take away the 24 hour status of Shannon Airport��.

Kilrush representative, Cllr Ian Lynch (IND)

commented, “This is another downgrading of the Airport. I don’t think management have permission to do this without consulting national emergency plan, the removal of that concerns me�.

Chief Executive of the local authority, Pat Dowling agreed, “The viability of Shannon Airport, its welfare and future is tied up with Co Clare’s welfare and future. We have been raising this for a long time but we’re not at the table but therein lies the concern. Collaboration is one thing but it requires joined up thinking�.

Meanwhile, a representative of Shannon Group is to appear before the Oireachtas COVID-19 committee later this month. It is the first time a representative of Shannon Group will appear in the Dåil while Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary is also expected to attend on behalf of the airline with CEO of Shannon Group Mary Considine tipped to be their representative.

Inis Artists in Skycourt

INIS Artists will make a return to Shannon Skycourt from this Friday, July 17.

The new summer exhibition features many works created during the last three months of lockdown.

This will be the first new exhibition from the fifteen local artists since the closure of galleries and other arts venues back in March.

PRO Alan Shoosmith said “We’re delighted to be able to return exhibiting our work to the public and we hope to be able to reschedule some of the previously cancelled events through this summer and autumn.

You can keep up to date with our planned events on www.inisartists. com.

Â

Arts & Entertainment 13

THURSDAY, JUL 16 2020

Anonymous donation ensures future of Ennis Musical Society CIAN O’BROIN

lTHE SHOW GOES ON: Members of the Ennis Musical Society have received the good news that their productions will continue thanks to various donations

E

cian@clareecho.ie NNIS Musical Society has been saved by an anonymous donor, just eight days after launching a public campaign to alleviate the financial damage inflicted on the amateur society due to Covid-19.

The cancellation of the society’s annual Glór performance, had left Ennis Musical Society in dire straits financially, incurring a deficit of fourteen thousand euro through the loss of box office sales and the accompanying costs derived from lights, sound and the orchestra.

Acting chairperson Rachael Culligan tells the Clare Echo about the deeply seeded and symbiotic relationship the society shares with the people of Ennis, it’s unfaltering sense of inclusivity as well as how the generosity of an unnamed Clare man and the goodwill of one hundred and eighty personal donations has enabled Ennis Musical Society to lift themselves out of a financial thrift and up onto centre stage once again.

Rachael wields warm words and a deep appreciation for the history of Ennis Musical Society and its place within the town of Ennis.

Inheriting the role over a year ago, Rachael acknowledges familial ties with the society, recalling her father’s time as Chairman throughout the 1990s. She remembers calling down and ambling backstage through the duration of old shows, all the while fostering a growing adoration, feeling like she was part of something magical.

Situated firmly within local hearts is a position Rachael feels Ennis Musical Society has earned through its inclusivity at all levels.

Speaking on the personal connection felt within the society, Rachael admits, “We are a nice group and bunch of people. It’s so inclusive, we have people with disabilities, we have two people with down syndrome, we have children under the age of three, we have people in their eighties, we have members of the LGBTI+ community and we have people who want to be backstage. Some people just want to do the lights, others the sound. There is great friendship and community within the society, it’s something to do and there is a sense of magic in taking a bow together. You all feel like you have created something together that brings happiness to people and I would say the friends you make on stage, you don’t make friends like that any-

where else or in any other aspect of life. From the terror of the curtains opening to the bow and that final feeling of elation, you experience such a range of emotions with these people. It’s an outlet available to so many people and it’s closed to nobody, everyone is welcome at the Ennis Musical Society.”

Touching on the recent hardship experienced by the society in struggling with a financial deficit, Rachael tells of how the government’s €25 million euro bailout doesn’t include provisions for amateur arts groups and the society has had to rely on the goodwill of the Clare people. Other amateur performance groups have been rallying around one another, with the Ennis Players and Ennis Pantaloons offering some small financial

support to Ennis Musical Society.

The annual performance runs up a stipend in the tens of thousands Rachael reveals, and the society needed to accrue a total of €14,000 euro to break even and begin anew.

This is where an unnamed Clare man came to the fore. Rachael recounts the story of reaching out to the anonymous donor, “Funnily enough, I contacted him. What happened was that I was on Clare FM and Alan Flynn from the Old Ground Hotel and the Pantomime society both got in touch with me and made really, really big donations. The president of our musical society also made a really big donation. It must have been playing on Alan’s mind quite a bit because he was texting me a couple of times a day, asking me have you

tried this, have you tried that. He then gave me the name of a very well-known Clare man who had moved away and had done really well for himself. Alan told me he was a proud Clare man who would hate to see the musical society go under. The anonymous donor then called me the next night. At that stage we had raised eight out of the fourteen thousand and had six thousand left to raise. I told him how much we needed, and he said, ‘I’ll put that away in your bank account tomorrow.’”

Rachael and the Ennis Musical Society are extremely grateful for the generosity of the anonymous donor and the many individuals who contributed to the society’s last ditched efforts to keep its doors open. Ennis Musical Society hopes to reconvene in January, as rehearsals for this year’s cancelled show, Seussical, will begin again and March 2021 could see the amateur arts group take to the stage once again. Rachael is putting the call out for men to join the society, quipping that it has become the Tinder of its day and that internal matchmaking and even matrimony isn’t unheard of within the society: “We are kind of like the mafia.

Once you come down, it’s hard to get away. Especially if you are a man. That is possibly the biggest challenge that we face, year on year. It’s so hard to get men to join.

It’s funny because if you look back on the programmes in the seventies, eighties, nineties, it was full of men. A certain stereotype began to creep in after that and it’s hard to shake. Any man that joins Ennis Musical Society, is usually married off within the group. Lot’s of marriages happen here because there is a lot of women and when one man joins, everyone has their eye out. It’s that sort of a group. It’s the Tinder of its time.”

14

COLUMNISTS

2006

THURSDAY, JUL 16 2020

Only in Ireland...

Cian O’Broin recounts County Clare in 2006 as boomtime Ireland was drawing to close

CIAN O’BROIN History

T

HIS year we revisit the not so distant archives of 2006 in County Clare, where a certain trend in immigration from a popular South American country saw bordering town Gort evolve into a thriving ecosystem of cultural diversity. We also take a look at a circus stunt that resulted in the death of a Russian trapeze artist in Scariff, as hundreds of eyes trained on the incident in disbelief, adults and children alike. Finally, we look at the amalgamation of enthusiastic archivists and genealogists in Clare, in forming the Clare Roots Society as a way of reconnecting to our deep and extensive past. Welcome back to Reeling in the Years in Clare…

LITTLE BRAZIL As little as four years on from Brazil’s astonishing World Cup win over Germany in 2002, samba soccer and its mystique were still doing the rounds throughout Ireland and abroad. Ronaldo 9 or El Phenomeno wasn’t an uncommon sight on the back of a Brazilian jersey here, at home. Much to the surprise of the people of Gort and neighbouring towns in County Clare, over twenty thousand Brazilians began to make the transatlantic journey over in search of work and a better life, choosing to settle down in the South Galway town. Dubbed as ‘Little Brazil’ in 2006, Gort quickly asserted itself as a fascinating case study in tides of migration and cultural diversity, with the Irish population secretly hoping to enrich its national soccer team in years to come through the offspring of new arrivals. A statistical survey at the time found that one in three people in the town of Gort were Brazilian. Over a decade before, the small town of Villa Fabril and its inhabitants felt the agony of unemployment, as 900 men and women were left with no work following the closure of a major international beef company, known as Reiboi. A tide of emigration ensued, with many of the Brazilians landing on the west coast and settling for Gort.

These new immigrants set to work on farms, building sites, in factories, shops and nursing homes. A documentary run by RTÉ, ‘Little Brazil, Gort, Ireland’, in 2006, told the heart wrenching tale of first-generation Brazilian factory workers that left their beloved Brazil in search of a better life. Since 2006, the Brazilian population has trebled in size. The Central Statistics Office recorded a total of 13, 640 Brazilians residing in Ireland during the 2016 census.

CIRCUS CAUSALITY IN SCARIFF On August 28th, a Russian trapeze artist was killed, and his wife injured at a circus in Scariff, after rigging detached during the middle of the performance. It was believed that ropes came undone during the middle of a routine and he fell onto cages on the ground. The Russian man, Vital Khrapavitski, was later pronounced dead at Ennis General Hospital. His wife sustained an arm injury in the fall also. The incident occurred at the

lSignage on a road in Cratloe could leave motorists confused Royal Russian circus in Scariff, which was set up at the local GAA pitch and had about one hundred people in attendance on the night.

Some of the audience members present were children. One eyewitness from the crowd later gave an account to TV3 news, admonishing that the couple were up high performing their act and that everything seemed fine until Vital suddenly fell to the floor. Circus spokesman Tom Courtney spoke to the media about the stunt, following the unfortunate accident, “He’s 26 years old, they’re a young couple, Russian,” he said. “The wife, it was originally her father’s act and the information we have is that his wife’s father had trained this young man to do it and apparently it was their first year out performing this act.” It was later revealed that the Russian acrobat and his wife had been planning to take a year out from performing, to start a family.

CLARE ROOTS SOCIETY Larry Brennan, a local Ennis man set about establishing the Clare Roots Society in April 2006. Placing letters in local media, Larry decided to get a feel for the level of interest in forming a society in Clare based around genealogy and the past. A total of twenty-five people registered their interest in response, turning up at the first proposed meeting. The society has met once a month since then, with exception for summer and had garnered 100 members by 2010. The society is made up of experienced genealogists as well as enthusiastic new beginners. The group also includes a number of ‘virtual diaspora’ members residing around the world, with a great interest in County Clare. Data recording and genealogy research workshops are part and

parcel of the society’s operations. The society lists the transcription of gravestones in the old Drumcliffe Cemetery as one of its most prominent projects to date.

Photo by John Mangan

Check back next week as we look at the year 2007 in our Reeling In The Years Clare archival series.

YOUR LETTERS SPARE A THOUGHT FOR THOSE ON THE FRONTLINE OF JOB HUNTING Dear Editor, Working from home is being touted as the best thing since the sliced loaf.

The successful application of abode working has shown that commercial work does not always need a defined location for it to take place.

This pandemic nudge forced employers and employees to reconfigure their working space to accommodate the new working normal.

But for those of us working on the frontline of job hunting, working from home is not the new normal.

We don’t have the option of working from home.

Because our home has been our workplace, sometimes for years, as we try to find employment.

Our working day involves a round of trawling through online/offline job advertisements, e-mailing CVs, Zoom/Skype interviews, cold-calling to potential employers and following

up job-whispers.

Finding employment is a full-time job. A daily search infused with frustration, time-wasting, dashed hopes and being ignored on an industrial level.

A human algorithm might explain how in the current jobs market, a person with all the relevant qualifications, a work-ethic and drive finds it impossible to reach the hire button within an employer’s search engine.

Is the result of the race to the employment bottom producing jobs that offer short working hours, elastic employment duties and a bias towards the single-use worker?

Abode working may become part of a worker’s employment contact but spare a thought for those who never made it into the office in the first place.

Yours, John Tierney Ashtown Fews Co. Waterford

FEATURES 15

THURSDAY, JUL 16 2020

Opinion

Get in contact Become part of the conversation. Submit your letters to the editor by emailing editor@clareecho.ie or via post addressed to 36c Abbey Street, Ennis, County Clare

Covid will be Micheál Martin has set bar headline news for every TD in 33rd Dáil EOIN for years L NEYLON

STUART HOLLY Editor

F

OLLOWING a 30 day run without a new case of Covid-19 in Clare, the inevitable happened on Sunday evening when the Department of Health confirmed one new case, as reported by The Clare Echo online.

Sunday’s news has thrown up fresh realities over the future of the containment of the virus.

This week, we spoke to the owner of a bike rental company in the Burren, E-Whizz, who said ‘no’ to a group of American tourists who wished to avail of her services despite having not quarantined following their arrival in Ireland. The Clare businesswoman named Janet Cavanagh is onto something.

As the Covid-19 storyline unfolds in front of our eyes, it’s striking that each twist is as predictable as the last. Ireland is now facing a strong likelihood of a second Covid-19 wave with cases beginning to pop their head up again and more young people contracting the virus nationwide. Of course, most people won’t do anything until they’re told otherwise by a Government figure. Except strong-willed people like Janet.

Now, an independent group of Irish medical experts have called for a plan for a Zero-Covid island, in an open letter that reads, “Right now, the number of new COVID-19 cases is rising steadily across Ireland, especially in younger people, who are more likely to silently carry and transmit the virus. We are now facing the strong likelihood of an imminent second wave...Unless we take immediate and decisive action, we will pay a very heavy price, with many people getting sick, being admitted to ICU and dying.

“Without a Zero-COVID

island, the best outcome we can hope for is that the current state of affairs will continue, perhaps for years.”

The group of experts have called for a ‘Green Zone’ strategy which would involve local relaxation of restrictions wherever there is no community transmission, which would allow for a return to near normal conditions in those areas. They claim that a Zero-COVID Island is our only viable exit strategy, otherwise this could “last for years or indefinitely”.

Despite having admiration for aspects of how our previous Government handled this pandemic, there’s certainly a case to say that they - like many other governments have been late to the party on implementing specific measures, rather reacting to a growth in cases as opposed to taking strong, preventative action. People might remember a certain UFC star from Dublin being ridiculed a number of months ago for calling for a national lockdown. It took the then Government a number of weeks to catch up with his line of thinking.

This Government, under the stewardship of Fianna Fáil’s Micheál Martin, now has an opportunity to show that it’s not a continuation of the Fine Gael status quo, but has its own strong identity and progressive leadership.

Finishing on a slight tangent, Cllr Ann Norton, who herself has recovered from Coronavirus, spoke on Monday about a lack of clarity provided on whether the virus had left her system. We need more people who have recovered from the virus in County Clare to speak up about their experiences and Cllr Norton should be commended, it’s a brave thing to do considering the stigma attached to the strain.

ET it never be said that Fianna Fáil in Government is anything less than interesting.

Spare a thought for print journalists and columnists and their deadlines. Plenty of them, this columnist included, were caught out on Tuesday night to take out laptops and frantically get writing as Taoiseach Míchéal Martin appeared before the Dáil to inform his colleagues, and the country at large, that he had sacked his Minister for Agriculture and the Marine, Barry Cowen. Ironic that the man with responsibility for the marine would become the first man overboard from the new Government. His three weeks in the job is one of the shortest in the history of the State. Nevertheless, the record is still intact and likely never to be beaten given Jim McDaid who, in 1991, didn’t last a full day as Minister for Defence before handing back the portfolio in controversial circumstance.

This current affair with Barry Cowen still has a lot of questions surrounding it. Many people within Government and on the opposition benches remain unclear as to how Cowen remained on a provisional licence for so long despite, admittedly, never having sat a driving test. There were also questions surrounding his alleged driving unaccompanied during this period, if he drove on motorways and if he displayed the correct plates on his car. Barry Cowen should be afforded due process to clear up these questions and be given an attempt to clear his name.

Nevertheless, while these questions surrounded him, the episode was proving a distraction to the operation of Government. When further queries arose over an accusation of whether he tried to evade detection or not on the day of his drink driving offense, the Taoiseach must have realised that this was not going to blow over. The now former Minister had too many questions to answer and needed to stand aside while he sorted it all out. When Cowen refused to resign, he left Taoiseach Martin with no choice but to sack him.

Many of Martin’s critics, and even some of his fans, have questioned his ability to take the tough decisions in a timely manner in the past.

The new Taoiseach left them in little doubt on Tuesday night though; the battle cry from Merrion Square was “this is a premiership that will not shirk the hard calls”. If he hadn’t made the call, he and many in Fianna Fáil, would have been met with cries of hypocrisy.

The party had many times in the preceding years called on various politicians from other parties to, at a minimum, temporarily stand aside due to similar controversies. Martin, knowing that these two and a half years may be his only in the role of Taoiseach, will want his Government to make its mark. He will have no time for such distractions

Politics

lThe current affair with Barry Cowen still has a lot of questions surrounding it

getting in the way of the policy goals he and his team want to achieve in this time. The bar has now been set for all TDs in the 33rd Dáil. There will be no room for ambiguity, no room for ongoing controversy and no tolerance for anything but clear communications and results.

There’s an old saying in politics, “when you’re explaining, you’re losing”. After over a week of ongoing explaining, or failing to explain as it may be, Cowen, ultimately, lost.

Should he vindicate himself, there’s no reason he won’t be back in cabinet in the future. That said, after Tuesday’s episode, it won’t be while Martin is leader of Fianna Fáil, such was the tone of Cowen’s statement on his sacking.

As I write ahead of tomorrow’s print deadline, all political correspondents and senior party members I’ve spoken to agree on one thing; Dara Calleary surely must be appointed a replacement Agriculture Minister. This would right the perceived wrong of there being no senior cabinet minister west of the Shannon. Speculation though is rife

as to the knock-on effect as to who then becomes the Government Chief Whip and, should that be an existing junior minister, who then gets promoted.

There is already much talk surrounding the names of people who are in line for a promotion in that scenario; Cavan/Monaghan’s Niamh Smyth, Wexford’s James Browne, Kildare North’s James Lawless and Clare’s own Cathal Crowe are names that are continually being mentioned. Residents of the Banner county will be hopeful to get a voice in Government.

Míchéal Martin will have a long night ahead deciding on the next course of action, but regardless of his final decision, which will be known by the time this is being read, he has, suddenly, become the ‘no-nonsense’ Taoiseach. Many people this time last week wouldn’t have thought they’d be hearing that. Fianna Fáil in Government; it’s nothing but entertaining anyway.

Heaven knows what next week will entail.

16 FEATURES

It’s later than you think RONAN SCULLY

Thought for the week

I

HEARD a song on Clare FM recently from The Supremes made famous by Doris Day called ‘Enjoy Yourself It’s Later than you Think!’ and it got me thinking about how short life can be - especially when we look at the huge loss of many loved ones during lockdown and also how life can pass us by.

As the song goes, “You work and work for years and years, You’re always on the go, Never take a minute off, Too busy makin’ dough, Some day, you say, you’ll have your fun, When you’re a millionaire! But Imagine all the fun you’ll have In an old rockin’ chair, Enjoy yourself it’s later than you think, Enjoy yourself while you’re still in the pink, The years go by as quickly as a wink, Enjoy yourself, enjoy yourself It’s later than you think.”

Everyone of us before the Coronavirus were busy in a fast world. In other words it is difficult for us to enjoy ourselves because we are so caught up in rushing around. But, we should now after lockdown, as much as possible try to make our world a better place to care about others. We should be aware of the difficulties some of our family, friends, neighbours, colleagues and others carry or have been through over the last few months. We should try to help bear as much as we can some of their strife. We should try and do this but also enjoy ourselves in doing it.

The following Serenity prayer helps me each day in my living, “God grant me the serenity, To accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; And wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world. As it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right. If I surrender to His Will; So that I may be reasonably happy in this life. And supremely happy with Him Forever and ever in the next.”

Please everyone, if you know of someone that needs support, please help that someone along the way of life’s journey. That is what life is really all about because if you hurt someone along that journey you will destroy your own journey - but then again who am I or anyone to judge another. In saying that, do your best always. I hope and pray that you know that you get more by giving more, not hoarding or trying to hold onto what you do have. I hope and pray that you know that you have incredible talents and you can use them for a greater good if you believe in goodness and the genuine care of looking after one

another. I hope and pray that you know the satisfaction of learning and caring and compassionately helping others to learn and genuinely care too. I hope and pray that you know that love is seeing the good in others and helping their light to shine. Your light shining can help others light to shine as well. Never blow out someone else’s light but always try to make it shine brighter.

Believe me, some day it will all come to an end. That’s why as the song goes it’s important to enjoy ourselves when we can because it is already too late for some of us.

There will be no more walks on the prom or on the beaches around West Clare or sunrises or sunsets for that matter, no seconds, no minutes, no hours, no days, no weeks or no years. All the things that we have hoarded, whether hidden, treasured or held in a display cabinet or in a bank, will pass to someone else. Your wealth, fame, achievements, power and even your remembrance each year will whither down to, “did we ever exist at all”. It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed.

Your grudges, loves, resentments, cares, frustrations, acceptances and jealousies will finally disappear. So too, your hopes, ambitions, plans and bucket lists will expire. The winning of All-Ireland medals and losses that once seemed so important will fade away. It won’t matter where you came from at the end.

It won’t matter whether you were beautiful, bright, talented, gifted or brilliant. Even your gender and skin color will be irrelevant.

So, give of yourself to someone today and enjoy yourself and I promise you that you will sleep better tonight for it. So what will matter? How will the value of your days be measured? What will matter is not what you bought, but what you built; not what you got, but what you gave. What will matter is not your success, but your significance. What will matter is about what you learned as well as what you taught. What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage or sacrifice that enriched, empowered or encouraged others to emulate your example.

What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom and for what. Living a life that matters doesn’t happen by accident. It’s not a matter of circumstance but of choice. Choose to live a life that matters and enjoy yourself while doing it before it is too late!

Thought for the week

As your thought for the week, try to become a giver instead of a taker and I promise you that you

will find comfort, contentment, and joy. So, be a blessing and genuinely be a helper and a carer and a lover. Make every day count!

Appreciate every moment and take from those moments everything that you possibly can for you may never be able to experience it again.

Talk to people that you have never talked to before, and actually listen.

Let yourself fall in love, break free, and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right to. Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don’t believe in yourself, it will be hard for others to believe in you. Create your own life then go out and live it with absolutely no regrets.

May one of your purposes in life be to help someone today and give it your all always and enjoy yourself before it’s too late. Always remember, “Success is not just reaching the top, but also helping others go up!”

Remember that ours is not the task of fixing the world at once, but of stretching out to mend the part of the world within our reach, the part that we come in contact with in our daily living. Any small, loving, merciful thing that one soul can do to help another soul will help immensely. What is needed for dramatic change is an accumulation of acts, adding, then adding more and then continuing. We know that it does not take “everyone on Earth” to bring justice and peace, but only a small, determined group who will not give up during the first, second, or hundredth gale.

One of the most calming, revitalising, refocusing and powerful actions you can do, to intervene in a stormy world or to make the storm within you and without, is to stand up and show your own soul.

Struggling souls like mine a lot of the time catch light from other souls who are fully lit and willing to show it. If you would help to calm the tumult, this is one of the strongest things you can do. There will always be times when you feel despair. I have felt despair many times in my life, even recently and more constantly lately but I do not keep a chair for it; I try so hard not to entertain it. The reason is this: In my uttermost bones I know something and if we are honest we all do at times. It is that there can be no despair when you remember why you came to Earth, who you serve, and who sent you here. The good words we say and the good deeds we do are not ours: They are the words and deeds of the One who brought us here. In that spirit, I hope you will write this on your wall: When a great ship is in harbor and moored, it is safe, there can be no doubt. But that is not what great ships are built for. This comes with much love and a prayer that you remember who you came from, and why you came to this beautiful, needful Earth. So try as much as possible to be a genuine help to others and when you can, “enjoy yourself it’s later than you think!”

THURSDAY, JUL 16 2020

Crusheen resident to cycle Wild Atlantic Way

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RUSHEEN’S Hendrik Ketelaar will take to the road cycling from Kinsale to Derry along the Wild Atlantic Way taking nothing with him but his bike and tent.

A native of the Netherlands, he will face challenging terrain and battle the elements along the West coast to raise funds for charity and a local cause.

His challenge will begin on Saturday July 18th with Sunday July 26th the scheduled finish date.

Funding raised for Hendrik’s efforts on the bike will go towards Bone Marrow for Leukaemia Trust (BMLT). In particular it will go towards trying to secure a dedicated bone marrow transplant unit in St. James’s Hospital Dublin.

This is the only location in Ireland where an adult can receive a sibling or matched unrelated donor stem cell transplant. The trust also provides direct support for patients and their relatives who require accommodation nearby so that they can continue to receive their ongoing critical care. This level of support significantly reduces the added

worry and financial burden to families during recovery.

BMLT is a cause close to Hendrik’s heart. In 2015, his brother-in-law, Gary O’Callaghan from Shannon underwent a successful stem cell transplant donated by his brother Mike which saved his life. Gary was a recipient of the life-saving care, accommodation and day to day support provided by this Trust. The success of the BMLT depends entirely on the generosity of donations.

Living near Crusheen, Hendrik couldn’t escape the lure of hurling and his three sons all line out for the Blood and Bandages where they have been long standing members.

A portion of the funds raised will also support this clubs ongoing development efforts and to help increase youth participation in sport.

You can follow Hendrik on his Wild Atlantic Cycle on twitter @bonemarrowtrust (Hendriks Wild Atlantic Cycle) and donations can be made to gofundme.comHendrik’s Wild Cycle for Leukaemia and Youth Sport.

lON YER BIKE: Hendrik will cycle from Kinsale to Derry to raise funds going towards the development of a bone marrow transplant unit in St James’s Hospital, Dublin

FEATURES 17

THURSDAY, JUL 16 2020

GREEN CLARE

Blue & Green flags boosts Clare staycation status CIAN O’BROIN

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cianobroin@clareecho.ie

LARE County Council is responsible for the water safety and quality at the many beaches and bathing destinations within the county boundaries. The upkeep and retention of Blue Flag and Green Coast status is testimony to Clare’s optimal status as a staycation hotspot this year. Water Safety Officer Clare McGrath points to a total of nine blue flag beaches and four green coast status bathing locations, all sporting excellent water quality but adjures that not only is the process arduous, but also deeply layered and complex.

Clare’s duty as Water Safety Officer positions her as line manager to 53 lifeguards in the summer seasons. Most notably, she is responsible for the upkeep of Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards at beaches and bathing locations around the county, with the blue flag representing an international system of cleanliness, in her opinion. Blue Flag applications take place in the end of November when An Taisce contact local authorities and set the procedure for renewing or acquiring next summers blue flag. The Council then has to prove that the water quality is excellent over an average of four years. Blue Flag and Green Coast status both consist of excellent water quality, however; blue flag is recognised as having superior access and facilities at bathing locations, whereas green coast is seen as less equipped.

Two essential criteria in maintaining blue flag and green coast status each year are information provision and environmental ed-

ucation. Clare asserts that the council holds great merit in educating the public on the local environs and a close alignment with the local schools sees hundreds of students thronging to the beach on an educational escapade, each year, “Firstly, we have to provide the environmental layout of these areas through notice boards and if there are any special areas of conservation. Types of wildlife are listed here also on a map. We also have to engage with the local community.

Covid has made it different, this year. Every other year, we would have various schools arriving on the beaches, coming on different days, to learn about recycling, the blue flag, environmental education and water safety.

We have a very good schools programme.

We are also supporting An Taisce’s ‘Think before you flush’ campaign, with posters put up within the various bathrooms at these locations, detailing what you can and cannot flush. Rules and regulations relating to recycling can also be found at our blue flag and green coast locations.�

Cathal Brodie is the Executive Scientist at the Clare County Council’s laboratory.

Holding an honours degree in Environmental Science and a Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Engineering, Cathal oversees a highly experienced and educated laboratory that is responsible for testing the water samples that arrive in from beaches, rivers, lakes and all other relevant water bodies throughout the county. Ranging from Carrigaholt to Bishops Quarter and from Ballyalla to Mountshannon, everyone is catered for, Cathal tells The Clare Echo.

With regards to bathing water, Cathal tells of how samples are tested for ecoli and other bacteria under the 2008 Bathing Water Act in Ireland which is an implementation of the EU Bathing Water Directive of 2006. The water is assessed under four levels: excellent, good, sufficient and poor. From a total

lINVITING: Mountshannon is among the bathing spots in Clare to have retained its Blue Flag status

Photo courtesy of Clare County Council

of fourteen locations, Cathal rejoices in the county’s retention of an ‘excellent’ status at each location over the past number of years.

On the sampling process and one positive to come out of the coronavirus with regards to Ballyalla, Cathal tells, “The bathing process runs from June 1 to September 15.

The monitoring is distributed evenly over that period. We usually start the last week of May. You monitor then at least every two weeks. We do 10 sample runs spread out over the bathing season. The results are then posted at the bathing areas and on Beaches.ie. Due to the population distribution in Clare, excellent water quality is able to be maintained. The Atlantic washout helps the beaches and the lakes are also doing great as the farmers are following all

the rules here. It’s great to see the likes of Ballyalla up and running again this year.

It’s where I learned to swim. It’s nice to see a great atmosphere around, with lifeguards there and an excellent water quality.�

Both Clare and Cathal admonish that the maintenance of blue flag and green coast locations is in the special interest of all the small and large communities within Clare.

Water Safety Officer, Clare McGrath also finishes on a similar sentiment, acknowledging the diligent work of local clean coast groups who have assisted the council in passing all unannounced inspections and retained superior blue flag and green coast status which continues to allow tourism and the natural environment to flourish here in Clare.

18 NEWS

THURSDAY, JUL 16 2020

Clare resident Jim promoting industrial growth in Africa CIAN O’BROIN cianobroin@clareecho.ie

K

ILMURRY resident Jim Fitzpatrick’s position has allowed him to gain a special insight into the food supply chain market throughout the world, identifying the many flaws, fluctuations and flagrant abuses of power seen between the developed and developing world.

Previously working for a large multinational which saw him travel internationally for twenty-five to thirty weeks of the year, examining food exports and production in Africa, Jim decided to set up his own consulting and marketing business, Ingredient Sourcing Solutions, allowing him to advise governments and push for business development in Africa with regards to getting the best value for their products.

Jim tells The Clare Echo about the environmental and humanitarian issues existing within African countries at the moment and of how making the right choices here in Ireland, can help bridge the gap between the developed and developing worlds.

l INFLUENCE: Jim Fitzpatrick on a factory visit in Benin and (right) receiving an award from the CEO of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council Mr Segun Awolowo

The African continent is a rich and fertile landscape with regards to the capacity to grow specialised foods but lacks an adequate system of processing and production.

Jim hopes to mitigate this by promoting in-

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dustrialisation as well as economic and environmental development. He points to the detrimental effect the coronavirus has had on certain African countries, disrupting the supply chains in areas that have a deficit in infrastructure.

The supply chain from Africa to Europe is laden with products that are well developed and their antithesis, underdeveloped items and processes. Fresh fruit, cocoa and coffee are notorious for their African origins and are very well developed, Jim tells, however; a number of other products such as dried foods, seeds, grain, nuts do not ally with a well developed system of production and output. One poignant example that Jim alludes to is the processing of cashew nuts.

Often this item is produced only five thousand kilometres from where it is bought in a supermarket, but insufficient infrastructure means that cashew nuts are sent out to India and Asia to be processed, return to Africa and then head onto their final destination, accumulating over thirty thousand kilometres in travel, proving costly in terms of carbon and financial strain on the developing world.

Jim affirms that African farmers are limited by consumer choices in the developing world and that this plays a huge role in imbalances found within the food market, “Fairtrade only accounts for five percent of the market. It is known as a specialised, certified market. A threshold price is set and this is then stepped up throughout the chain. A minimum price for the product and premium are the basis for Fairtrade. Countries like the Netherlands are not really supporting Fairtrade at a consumer level.

“The other interesting market in that area is organic food. That is another highly certified sector. Price premiums are between twenty and thirty percent in value. This is a rapid growing market. The market is driven by two things: consumer interest in health and consumer’s concern for the environment.

Producing organic foods in Africa is technically not that difficult. The problem is in organising the farmers. Most of these products are grown by farmers that would farm on less than two hectares of land. These are

tiny farm families, with incomes of between 400 and 600 dollars per year. If you can add a premium for organic or improve the yield on the farm or get them to have a better price, it can have a huge impact.”

A number of salient issues continue to plague the African continent, environmentally and with regards to human rights and labour. Conscience driven consumption is the only way to eradicate this, Jim insists.

He notes a seismic shift in consumer choice patterns over the last decade, with consumers looking deeper than just a label pronouncing ethical sourcing. Trends in diets like vegetarian and vegan lifestyles are having a huge knock off effect in the developing world. Sixty-three per cent of Germans now want to reduce their meat consumption. Items grown and produced in Africa such as dried fruit, seeds and nuts are becoming more prevalent.

Jim believes that supermarkets are now looking in the same direction as its consumers trends, as opposed to as little as ten years previous. Jim urges Irish consumers to buy with their conscience and not with their pockets.

Identifying ethical certification on foods such as Cedex or ETI and researching companies and their labour practices is the only way to negate the disruptive practices that are inconspicuously binding and limiting the third world.

“Verifying the claims of companies on labels is an essential aspect to being a conscience driven consumer. The social impact of food often lacks transparency. You have to look at the companies. Certain foods can have a disruptive impact for example extensive farming. There are plenty of examples in African countries of companies or corporations taking twenty thousand, thirty or more hectares and clearing the people off the land.

That happens.

“There are examples where palm is grown for palm oil and then the land is cleared. People and villages are kicked off their own land.

There are other good examples. Cocoa has a huge reputation for child labour on farms but has since gone into Fairtrade and are making a real effort to eliminate that practice. Slave labour, intensive labour and child labour in farms and on factories is unfortunately, more common than we would think in developing countries. It is very common throughout the world. Take a look at your product in your local supermarket and see if the product is doing something to reassure that those practices have been eliminated. If enough people do it, change will happen.”

20

Property in a PROPERTY IN A COVID WORLD

THURSDAY, JULY 16 2020

The Clare Echo sits down with Diarmuid McMahon of Sherry Fitzgerald McMahon in Ennis, who looks at how STUART HOLLY

editor@clareecho.ie

THANKS for joining us Diarmuid.

To begin with, what does Covid-19 mean for first time buyers?

I think for first-time buyers in particular, the impact will be with mortgage finance.

Where we’ve seen an effect on first-time buyers is where their companies are on the subsidy scheme. Some of the banks have increased hurdles in providing finance if they see subsidy on a pay slip. AIB for example need to see four payslips without subsidy on the payslip, Ulster Bank is one payslip so it really depends on which bank the first-time buyer is dealing with but if the employer is claiming subsidy it can impact their ability to raise finance.

Are you noticing an increase in prospective buyers not being approved finance and sales falling through?

Interestingly, the fall-through period we had was through March. So there was a fallthrough period but most weren’t finance related, they were confidence related because there was so much uncertainty around that period in March. I think all of the fallthroughs we had at that time have been renegotiated and have all been resold. Since we’ve come back proper at the beginning of June, we’ve found demand is a lot higher, and a lot stronger than it was before Covid was even mentioned at all.

What are the reasons for that?

It’s really a function of, firstly, availability of stock. So during the lockdown period new stock did not come on the market for March, April and May so stock levels in general are down on this time last year by around 25 per cent. In Dublin they’re down by 30 per cent, in this part of the country it’s about 22 per cent. So there’s a big constraint on the supply side. As well as having a demand shock during lockdown, you had a supply shock during lockdown so that has balanced things out to an extent. So those who wish to buy have less choice.

The second thing, the Covid period really gave people a chance to think about what they want to do, where they want to be.

So if we take coastal properties, holiday homes, huge demand for that in recent weeks since lockdown ended. People have decided that they’re going to buy properties on the coast and go on their holidays in Ireland into the future.

The third one then... we’re being asked what broadband a property has for relocators. So we’re dealing with people – significant numbers of people – who would be from Clare and historically would have been looking and priced out of the market in Dublin and their employers have said to

them, you can work from home. They are in numbers, making the decision not to buy in Dublin and buy in Clare. It’s really a dramatic shift in terms of how people are going to operate. I hope it’s something that will sustain becuase it could be a huge bonus for a town like Ennis if the people who actually come from here can live here and work remotely and maybe spend a day a week in Dublin or a day a month or whatever it is to do their meetings and then work from home.

You mentioned Ennis in terms of people relocating, is there a spread across the county in terms of areas people are looking to relocate to?

I did some viewings of properties we have in Fanore last weekend and Fanore just as it happened, before lockdown – Fanore is a beautiful location, it’s just that bit remote – but it just got fibre broadband before lockdown and that just switched on a light for that area. That’s just as an example, we’ve had good success out in Tulla with people looking to relocate. People buying good quality, large, detached homes. People who if they were looking to buy in Dublin would have been looking at an apartment.

ESRI predicted back in March that there would be a 12 per cent fall in property prices – that doesn’t seem to have transpired.

Are you surprised prices have held?

This is my first pandemic so I’m still trying to get the hang of it (laughs). It certainly hasn’t played out as I would have expected, admittedly. We have not seen a softening of prices so I think people underestimated the impact that not having supply available has had. We haven’t seen an example of prices struggling to date, if anything the opposite.

Is now as good a time as any to enter the housing market?

If you take a town like Ennis, and Clare in particular, we didn’t have a whole lot of fat on prices before we entered into Covid so we didn’t have anywhere to go. Other parts of the country where you’re dealing with much higher prices, there is that potential when you get an economic shock to impact pricing more because there might be more fat on their prices. We were pretty lean going into this. We’re still way below peak prices you would have had in 2006.

From a new homes perspective, we’re only just marginal in terms of it being economical to build new homes so there isn’t a whole lot of fat on our prices here and I think that will stand to us over the next 1224 months because our prices are reasonable and people now have the option that they never ever had in history, to relocate to other parts of the country.

March-May is a time when you would encounter peak stock

levels. With that drying up due to lockdown measures, will that now trickle down throughout the rest of the year?

Certainly you can see stock starting to come through now but I don’t know if we’re going to be able to catch up because there is a seasonality to our business and the spring is important in terms of stock take-on. If somebody’s made a decision to buy, they don’t really care what time of year they buy in. It’s always been a quandary of mine in the business that, but vendors target the spring in terms of the time they go on.

There is stock coming on but it seems to be so far just keeping pace with the demand that we have there but I don’t have a view of a big glut of stuff that’s about to come on and certainly some vendors we’ve spoken to have taken a view that they’re going to leave it to next year because they felt there was a lot of uncertainty. Actually the vendors that have gone ahead have done pretty well out of it so supply definitely is improving but it’s not racing ahead of demand at the moment so there’s equilibrium there.

Prior to lockdown, anecdotally it was said that landlords had been exiting the market. Are there any changes on that outlook?

Even with increased rents over the years, landlords have found it very difficult to stay in the market and landlords were getting out of the market. It depended for a lot of landlords what their debt position was. A lot would have found themselves getting out of negative equity, getting their heads above water on their mortgages and really, if you’re in a high level of debt on a mortgage as an investor, if it’s too highly leveraged there’s nothing in it for you, you’re working for the bank. They were a lot of the landlords that were leaving. Aside from that, even with increased rents, increased capital values, a lot of landlords, once they’d paid the income tax on the rental income were struggling to figure out how this was washing out for them. There was very little in it for them so investors have not been a strong part of the Irish residential market in recent years and I don’t anticipate that they will be in the years to come. And some of investment in Irish prop-

erty historically was based on people reeling not as much about the rent but more about the capital growth in the property.

Aside from Covid, we’re probably as an economy entering a more mature period of property price so that we’re not going to have wild volatility in prices where we’re putting too much debt into the economy which is driving up prices and then that being pulled away and going the other extreme. So if investors can’t see strong capital growth and then their rents, there isn’t a whole lot left after they pay their tax, what am I doing here. That’s been a government construct as well because they want owner occupiers, they want people to buy and they want stock to be available to them so they probably kept that pressure on landlords to an extent.

If somebody has a sum of money, is there value in getting into the property market?

There is. The key is if you’re not too highly leveraged. If you have a load of money then you can get reasonable returns, it kind of adds up. But if you’re too highly leveraged and you have too much debt in terms of the investment, the tipping point there is without decent interest relief on the mortgage debt to deduct from the rental income, it’s not adding up. So if you’re coming to it with a lump of cash, you’re going to have a stable investment because you’re getting to a more stable property price platform, prices aren’t volatile, so it’s a store of wealth and generating an income, property is a good

Covid world

PROPERTY IN A COVID WORLD

THURSDAY, JULY 16 2020

21

the prospects of first-time buyers, home switchers and investors have been impacted by the global pandemic. place to be but without too much debt.

In the Clare market, are some areas more vulnerable in terms of price?

What this will do is shine a light on the importance of broadband infrastructure so there are areas that are rural that have really struggled that their pricing is not at a level for new homes to be built and I think good quality broadband can be the saving of these areas. If that broadband infrastructure is there, there’s been a massive mind shift from service based employers who realise, we can manage this, we can make it work and allow people to move to them areas and it will be the saving of them. It has huge implications for the environment, for communting, traffic congestion, all kinds of things if we can make this work and maybe Covid is the kick that was needed to make

ST MARTINS, CLAREABBEY CLARECASTLE, CO CLARE €259,000

T

HIS beautifully maintained home is deceptively spacious and the modest front garden belies a stunning spacious rear garden. St. Martins is a 4 bedroom bungalow located across the road from the Saffron and Blue medical centre in Clareabbey. It is a short distance from both Clarecastle and Ennis with easy access to the M18 at the Clareabbey roundabout.

The property has been carefully maintained and modernised over the years. It has multiple attractive cosy living spaces and ample spacious bedrooms.

The property can be accessed to the front or more easily accessed to a parking area to the rear off the Kildysart road.

Contact: Diarmuid McMahon O’Connell Square House, Ennis, Co Clare Tel: 065 686 7866 PSL 001212

it happen. To answer your question there are vulnerable areas but broadband could be their saviour.

So the connectivity has a real impact on the price of a house?

Absolutely, yeah, it could impact the value of the property. Because it will open up to more people and more people you open up any product to, the better the price.

So it’s just as good a time now to put your property on the market as prior to Covid, the demand still exists?

Certainly for the last six weeks, the demand has increased. I would feel though that there’s got to be some backlog in that so the frenetic pace at which things have developed in recent weeks will settle down

2 NOUGHAVAL, DOORA ENNIS, CO CLARE €195,000

E

XCEPTIONAL 3 bed detached bungalow on c.0.5 acre plot with outstanding mature landscaped grounds. This block built home has the benefit of double glazed windows and doors and kitchen that was fitted in recent times.

The property is just two doors down from Doora church and is within 1.4km of junction 12 on the M18.

Accommodation includes entrance hall, sitting room with open fire, kitchen/ dining room, bathroom and three bedrooms.

The location is excellent, the site is gorgeous, this is a gem.

Contact: Jason Pyne O’Connell Square House, Ennis, Co Clare Tel: 065 686 7866 PSL 001212

into something more normal. But if we came back and didn’t have that demand it wouldn’t be a good place to be in and we have so that gives stability and confidence to the market.

To conclude, how would you describe the outlook for the property market in County Clare?

I feel an awful lot more positive about it than I did three months ago. I feel positive about it from the perspective of relocaters, it hadn’t occurred to me beforehand that you’d have people relocating in the numbers that they seem to be doing now and moving away from a capital city that had become the constraint for the growth of the economy because Dublin was just at max capacity and if Dublin couldn’t grow the economy was stagnant and now there’s

SITE 2 WITH OUTLINE PLANNING, HOLLAND DRIVE, LISCANNOR, CO CLARE €80,000

A

RARE opportunity to purchase such a quality 0.11 hectare (0.27 acre) approx. site with Outline planning permission for a residential dwelling. The site is located in Liscannor just opposite Liscannor National School.

This is an exceptional residential site and has excellent access onto Holland Drive with some stunning sea views across Liscannor bay.

The Clare county council planning reference number is 17761. The outline planning permission is for permanent occupation.

Contact: Diarmuid McMahon O’Connell Square House, Ennis, Co Clare Tel: 065 686 7866 PSL 001212

solutions being provided by the rest of the country and a rebalancing so I feel really positive about it now. I don’t think without caution because there has been a significant economic shock and I’m conscious there are people and types of businesses that are going to be impacted, that there is going to be an impact economically. The whole world is waiting for a vaccine so there is going to be an affect from that but maybe when we come out the far side of it there’ll be upsides as well.

SHYAN, 1 THE CLOISTERS, KILKEE, CO CLARE €200,000

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HIS impressive 3 bedroom detached property comes to the market in good condition. Ideally located in a highly desirable area, close to the beach and all local amenities.

The property forms part of a private, established residential development of 10 houses which were constructed approximately 21 years ago. Since that time, only one property has ever come to market which speaks volumes for the location and security of this development. This particular property is located on a corner site with great privacy.

Contact: Jason Pyne O’Connell Square House, Ennis, Co Clare Tel: 065 686 7866 PSL 001212

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PROPERTY IN A COVID WORLD

THURSDAY, JULY 16 2020

Investing in property through your pension

Darach Honan Trusted independent financial advisor with IPS Financial Advice

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ANY Irish investors are using their pensions to invest in property. The flexibility of a self-administered pension means that property investments can be made through your pension.

There are huge tax benefits to paying into your pension.

Tax relief is available on all pension contributions. For example, if a high rate tax payer contributes €300,000 to their pension, they would receive a tax rebate of €120,000 (€300,000 x 40%). This means the net cost of contributing €300,000 to a pension is only €180,000 (€300,000 x 60%).

This can make investing in property through your pension a really tax efficient way of entering the property market.

Rental income outside of pension is taxed at the marginal rate of income tax. This means you will either pay 20% or 40% depending on what your marginal rate is. On the other hand, rental income from property is paid into your pension fund tax free. As rental income is channelled back into your pension fund and your fund grows, you can then re-invest and grow your property portfolio further within your pension.

Investing in property through your pension can be hugely beneficial from a tax perspective. Consider the following

case study to compare the tax implications of investing in property using savings versus buying property through your pension.

Investor A buys a property for €200,000 from his savings.

He holds the property for ten years and receives rent of €10,000 per annum and €100,000 in total over that time.

After ten years the property has risen in value and is now worth €400,000. First, he will pay tax of 40% on the €100,000 income he received. This will mean a tax bill of €40,000 (€100,000 x 40%). Investor A sells the property after ten years for €400,000 making a gain of €200,000. This gain of €200,000 is subject to capital gains tax at 33%. The tax liability here would be €66,000 (€200,000 x 33%). In total he will pay tax of €106,000 on this property (€40,000 income tax plus €66,000 capital gains tax) and have after tax cash of €394,000.

Investor B invests in this same property through a self-administered pension.

He holds the property for ten years and rents it just like Investor A and has the same gain on disposal. However, property through a self-administered pension fund is exempt from both tax on rental income and capital gains and as a result Investor B will not have incurred €106,000 of tax and as a result will now have a pension fund of €500,000.

Both investors have made a really good investment. However, Investor B has a larger value on his property portfolio because he made the investment through a pension.

40 BRUACH NA HABHAINN, QUIN ROAD, ENNIS

B

€165,000

RIGHT, spacious, three bedroomed semi detached family home which is ideally located in the popular Bruach na hAbhainn development, just off the Quin Road in a quiet cul de sac close to Ennis town centre and all amenities in the town. The accommodation is bright and spacious and has all modern finishes including timber flooring, modern fitted kitchen, good quality tiling, built in wardrobes, solid concrete block shed in the back garden and much more. No.40 stands on a nice site with a large green area to the front and enclosed walled landscaped gardens front and rear.

Viewing of this fine home is strongly recommended.

Contact: Helen Gallery, 68 Parnell Street, Ennis.

Tel: 065 6829481 & 086 250 4671 PSL 002433

It is also possible to hold the property in pension post retirement. If a property is generating strong rental income it can serve as a very useful investment for an approved retirement fund (ARF). The rental income can be paid into the ARF tax free. The ARF holder can then draw the rental income out of their pension and use it to finance their lifestyle in retirement.

Tax benefits aside people like to invest in what they know. Investing in property through your pension allows you to harvest your own local knowledge and contacts to identify worthwhile property investments. This allows you to access unique investment opportunities in both the residential and commercial market. Property as an asset class, like equity performs well as a long-term hold. As pensions are long-term investment vehicles, property is well suited as an asset class for investment.

42 ANNAGHDUN, INAGH, CO CLARE

I

€165,000

NAGH is a small village located on the N85 Ennis / Ennistymon road, ideally located approximately 14km west of Ennis and within a short drive of the holiday towns of Lahinch, Miltown Malbay .and Corofin.

Annagh Dun is a small, attractive development of residential homes located in the village and is close to shops, church and the local primary school. No.42 is ideally located within the development in a quiet cul de sac to the rear. The property is presented for sale in show house condition with a host of modern finishes including tiled and timber flooring on the ground floor, modern fully fitted kitchen, feature fireplace, tiled bathrooms, built in wardrobes and much more. The accommodation is surprisingly spacious and very bright.

The rear garden is enclosed and the front of the property overlooks a large open space.

Viewing of this very fine home is highly recommended.

Contact: Helen Gallery, 68 Parnell Street, Ennis.

Tel: 065 6829481 & 086 250 4671 PSL 002433

Another successful, quality development by M Fitzgibbon Contractors Ltd. SHOWHOUSE OPENING THIS WEEKEND From: €265,000

PHASE 1 A Few Units still available VIEWING STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

CALL NOW to set up your private appointment All Homes Qualify for help to buy scheme from €13,250. · Outstanding location- within walking distance of Ennis town centre yet being ideal for those commuting to Shannon, Limerick & Galway. · Energy efficient homes with A3 BER rating. · Superb finishes with choices of quality kitchen, wardrobes, tiled bathrooms and flooring. · Underfloor heating on the ground floor from air to water heat pump. · Multi fuel insert stove in living room as standard.

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PROPERTY IN A COVID WORLD

THURSDAY, JULY 16 2020

‘Special interest’ observed as Miltown House goes up for sale PÁRAIC McMAHON news@clareecho.ie

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STATE agents behind the sale of a former West Clare convent have received “special interest” in the property within the past week.

At the end of June, the Sisters of Mercy brought to an end their ninety one year history with Spanish Point as the last four remaining nuns Angela, Zita, Mona and Noreen took up residence in Ennis and Limerick.

Property Plus are now selling the 8.86 acre site which has a price tag of €500,000. The company which was established by Mayo native Philip O’Reilly in 1982 but closed in 2012, his daughter Aideen brought the company back to life in recent years. Another daughter, Emer currently runs EBS in Ennis.

Philip who was the first manager of Ulster Bank in Ennis when it opened in 1978 is tasked with selling what was home to the Sisters of Mercy in West Clare. “It is quite a special property with quite a lot of interest in it from people who actually want to live in it. We’ve had it on Daft for the past week and the interest has been quite good, it is mainly from people who want to live in it,” he explained.

He revealed that he has been involved with selling property belonging to the Sisters for over three decades. One such example includes a former convent which is now The Temple Gate Hotel. Preparing the sale of Miltown House requires a similar formula. “It is much the same. It is a bigger property, there is eight acres with this and it is a special

property so people have a special interest in it. There is a bit more work in putting it together”.

“A convent is a very loose word. It is a nun’s residence so it is a residence really, it has been used as a community residence for the nuns. Prior to them buying it, it was a family home, I think it will go back into being a family home,” O’Reilly stated.

Interest has been expressed in the property by individuals in Dublin and Galway with Clare connections. Anyone that has made inquiries see it as a potential family home.

The fact that is not a listed building and that Philip expects the owner will be interested in the land “for land’s sake” as opposed to developments is viewed as a positive.

l Sisters enjoying the drive pass Photo by John Mangan

Tel: 065 68 44448

PSR No. 003708

www.aideenoreilly.ie

“Miltown House” Spanish Point Co Clare On circa 8.86 acres Convent building in Spanish Point with walled garden and lands (circa 8.86 acres) and stone outbuildings.

Accommodation: Ground Floor: Entrance Porch and Hall, Living Bedroom with En-suite Basement: Dining room, Kitchen, Pantry, Utility Room Basement level 1: Cloak room, Storage Room and Laundry Room. Self-contained apartment: Kitchen/Living area, Bedroom and Bathroom. Outside: Beautiful walled garden and lands (circa 8.86 acres) with sea views. BER No. 113133805

THINKING OF SELLING?

Original stone 19th century outbuildings to the rear with conversion potential.

VIEWING STRICTLY BY PRIOR APPOINTMENT WITH SOLE SELLING AGENT

Contact us today for a free market valuation 065 6844 448 info@aideenoreilly.ie Philip: 086 6044 448 Aideen O’Reilly

Maura Canny

Philip O’Reilly

O’SULLIVAN HURLEY

(065) 684 0200 74 O'CONNELL STREET ENNIS

PSL No 002295

SELLING MORE HOMES THAN ANY OTHER AGENT

With high demand across all sectors of the market, if you are seeking to sell your home, call the award winning team at DNG O'Sullivan Hurley for your FREE no obligation market appraisal.

JUST SOME OF OUR JULY SALES 12 CARRAIG DUBH

52 GARDEN VIEW CLARECASTLE

14 WOODSTOCK DRIVE

60 ACHA BHILE

12A STATION COURT, ENNIS

LE ED SARE AG

RUSHAN KILNAMONA

15 SILVERGROVE

LE ED SARE AG

LE ED SARE AG

LE ED SARE AG

LE ED SARE AG 11 WEST PARK SPANISH POINT

20 SHANACLOON

35 DERRYMORE, TULLA ROAD, ENNIS

LE ED SARE AG

LE ED SARE AG

LE ED SARE AG

LE ED SARE AG

LE ED SARE AG

MEET YOUR

LOCAL PROPERTY

EXPERTS

DOUGLAS HURLEY

CORMAC O'SULLIVAN

CATHERINE MURPHY

JOHN CLOHESSY

26

PROPERTY IN A COVID WORLD

6 WATERSIDE ENNIS

N

O. 6 Waterside is a fantastic 4 bedroom semi-detached dwelling benefitting from a large corner site with fantastic south facing landscaped gardens. Overlooking communal green area to the front in a cul de sac of only ten homes the property also benefits from privacy to the rear directly overlooking woodland area. This home is presented in meticulous condition throughout with an abundance of space and light.

Contact: DNG O’Sullivan Hurley Tel: (065) 684 0200 PSL 002295

20 CATHEDRAL COURT, ENNIS

L

OCATED in the very popular and much sought after Cathedral Court Development, No.20 is a rare gem to come to the Ennis market. With private door access, this 2 (double) bedroom ground floor apartment offers bright spacious and well-proportioned living accommodation, particularly with the open plan kitchen/living/dining.

Contact: DNG O’Sullivan Hurley Tel: (065) 684 0200 PSL 002295

10 SLÍ AN FHEARGHAS, QUAY ROAD, CLARECASTLE, CO. CLARE AMV €175,000

A

Living

SUPERBLY finished home extending to 91.78 sqm (988.78 sq ft), built in 2008 to the highest of standards this gas fired central heated home boasts a B2 Energy rating.

Energy Efficient B2 / Superb Finish / Contemporary

Contact: Location Location Tel: 065672 9999 PSL 003928

THURSDAY, JULY 16 2020

13 ARD AOIBHINN, ENNIS

RATHFOLAN NEWMARKET-ON-FERGUS

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OCATED in the much sought after Ard Aoibhinn housing development, positioned on an extended corner site, number 13 is a bright and spacious detached family home in this town centre development of just 25 detached homes. Boasting over 2,000 sq ft of living accommodation.

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ONVENIENTLY located taking full advantage of countryside living yet being within walking distance of less than 1km from Newmarket-on-Fergus village and local amenities, shops and services. This property offers excellent potential with the M18 motorway being within minutes driving distance for easy access to Shannon, Limerick, and Ennis.

Contact: DNG O’Sullivan Hurley Tel: (065) 684 0200 PSL 002295

Contact: DNG O’Sullivan Hurley Tel: (065) 684 0200 PSL 002295

SEAFIELD, TROMORA WEST, QUILTY, CO. CLARE

19 MAIGH DARA, QUIN VILLAGE, CO. CLARE AMV €277,500

S

€159,000

ET on approx. 0.5 of an acre along with Wild Atlantic Way – less than 400m to Seafield Beach, 2km to the village & 5km to Spanish Point & Miltown Malbay.

3 Bed Detached Bungalow with Garage / 400m to Seafield Beach / Wild Atlantic Way Contact: Location Location Tel: 065672 9999 PSL 003928

BALLYDINEEN, LISSYCASEY, CO. CLARE

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Contact: Location Location Tel: 065672 9999 PSL 003928

€250,000

OCATION Location are delighted to present Ballydineen, Lissycasey to the market, built in 2008 and extending to am impressive 245.54sq (2,643 sq ft).

Set on a truly stunning elevated 0.5 acre site is this spacious family home offering bright and well-proportioned rooms throughout. Impeccably maintained, the property boasts a host of added features.

Contact: Location Location Tel: 065672 9999 PSL 003928

F

INISHED to an exceptional standard, this four bedroom (2 x Ensuite) home is located on a large corner elevated & landscaped site offering the ultimate in luxurious & spacious family living.

Superb Location / Extention /Luxurious Living / Non Overlooked / South Facing to Rear

SHERRY FITZGERALD MCMAHON

WE’RE YOUR LOCALS IN CLARE O’Connell Square House, Ennis , Co. Clare

GLENARD, MANUS, CLARECASTLE, CO CLARE V95 X317

AMV €385,000

FOR SALE BY PRIVATE AUCTION (Pre-Registration Required to attend) ON THURSDAY, 30TH JULY 2020.

- Glenard Glebe House and Gate Lodge on 7.95 hectares (19.6 acres) - Consists of a charming old world country two storey 4 bedroom Glebe House that was built in 1822.

- Stable and stone outbuildings with a courtyard to the rear which are in need of repair.

- The Gate Lodge consists of a two bedroom cottage with a bathroom and kitchen/living area.

- The residence is in need of modernisation and investment but is a rare opportunity to purchase such a special property in a stunning setting.

- The house is approximately 2km from Clarecastle village on the R458.

- BER Exempt. Folio CE14491. 240 sqm. (2,583 sq ft).

- Listed as a protected structure by Clare County Council.

SOLICITOR: Paul Lynch and Co. Solicitors, Ennis, Co Clare.

CONTACT: Diarmuid McMahon 065 6867866

38 WESTWOOD, GOLF LINKS ROAD, ENNIS, CO CLARE V95 PYY5

ASKING PRICE €235,000

HELP TO BUY SCHEME - A-rated home - New build - 4 spacious bedrooms - 0.5 kilometres from the Ennis by pass - Short distance from Ennis town centre - Air to water heating system - Enclosed rear garden - 128 sqm (1,378 sq.ft.)

CONTACT: Jason Pyne 065 6867866 PRSA No. 001212

28

PROPERTY IN A COVID WORLD

THURSDAY, JULY 16 2020

Helping families since 1935 EBS

A

T EBS we’ve been helping families in Ireland buy their own homes and save for life’s milestones since 1935. To this day, we’re still working closely with communities through our 70 EBS offices nationwide.

All that time spent helping customers buy their homes shows up in the dedication and experience of our Mortgage Masters.

During these uncertain times, our Mortgage Masters at EBS Ennis are ready to support you. Emer, Ann Marie and Yvonne will guide you through your options and help you make the right decision for you. We’ve a number of procedures in place in our offices to ensure your safety when you meet with us.

If you have questions about your mortgage or are looking to apply for a mortgage, we’re here to help.

Emer O’Reilly and Staff at their EBS office in Ennis

Harbour House, Wood Quay, Clonroad Beg, Ennis, Co. Clare T: (065) 6841755 E: info@reapaddybrowne.ie

PADDY BROWNE & CO FOR SALE BY ONLINE AUCTION

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON REGISTRATION PROCESS AND TO ARRANGE A VIEWING CONTACT REA PADDY BROWNE & CO www.reapaddybrowne.ie info@reapaddybrowne.ie 0656841755

UP TO

3%

BACK IN CASH ON YOUR NEW MORTGAGE EBS MORTGAGE MASTERS If you’re looking to buy a new home EBS Ennis are ready to help

Drop in, call us on (065) 689 9600 or email ennis@mail.ebs.ie IMPORTANT INFORMATION Warning: If you do not meet the repayments on your loan, your account will go into arrears.

This may affect your credit rating, which may limit your ability to access credit in the future.

Warning: If you do not keep up your repayments you may lose your home.

Lending criteria, terms and conditions apply. For eligible customers, 2% will be paid back into your current account. Additional 1% paid on the 5th anniversary of the EBS mortgage.

Offer valid until 31st December 2020.

Emer O’Reilly Financial Services Limited is a tied mortgage agent acting solely on behalf of EBS d.a.c. EBS d.a.c. is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

WARNING: YOUR HOME IS AT RISK IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP PAYMENTS ON A MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER LOAN SECURED ON IT. A typical €100,000, 20 year mortgage for an Owner Occupier Residential Property with Loan to value greater than 80% will have a variable interest rate of 3.7% and Annual Percentage Rate (APR) 3.8%, and 240 monthly repayments of €590.29. If the APR does not vary during the term of the mortgage, the total cost of credit i.e. the total amount repayable less than the amount of the loan would be €41,884.48 (inclusive of valuation report fees of €215.00). The total amount repayable would be €141,884.48. The effect of a 1% increase in interest rates for such a mortgage will add €53.21 to the monthly repayments.

Note: The above notice in respect of adjustments to repayment rates will not apply during any period when the loan is at a fixed rate. If you or your dependants intend to use the property as a principal place of residence, you must show evidence of mortgage protection insurance, unless you are exempt under the Consumer Credit Act 1995. Maximum loan to value of Owner Occupier Residential Properties - 90% of purchase price or valuation whichever is lower and 80% loan to value on one bedroom properties. Lending levels are subject to monthly repayment burden, typically not exceeding c. 35% of borrower’s disposable income and will vary according to individual circumstances. Mortgage loan requests are considered on the basis of proof of income, financial status and demonstrated repayment capacity (including capacity to repay at higher interest rates). Loans not available to people under 18. Mortgage loans are secured by a first legal mortgage/charge over your property. The property must be within the Republic of Ireland.

LM016 Ext PressA4 01.20

30

MOTORING

THURSDAY, JULY 16 2020

MOTORING MOTORING EXPERT NEIL BRISCOE GIVES HIS VIEWS

SKODA LAUNCHES ITS NEW ‘STRETCHGO’

NOT A NEW CAR; THIS ONE’S A FOLDING BIKE…

Y

OU know how loads of car makers started off, a hundred or so years ago, as bicycle makers?

Peugeot and Rover are just two good examples of this, but there are others. Well, now that the coronavirus has put pedal-power back onto many people’s menus, car makers are starting to go back to two wheels as a solution for those seeking high quality urban-friendly transport.

Skoda, for example, offers a range of bicycles for immediate delivery and one, in particular, will be of interest to those who intend to make cycling at least part of their commute in the future.

The StretchGo folding bike weighs just 12.5kg and is the perfect companion for commuters.

The black city bike with 7-speed Shimano drivetrain can be easily folded up for storing in a car boot or the office, offers taller cyclists a comfortable ride once unfolded and also provides a clear view of city traffic thanks to its high seat position. It couldn’t be easier to fold and unfold, taking just a few

seconds and the bike’s aluminium frame and forks make it super strong too.

The StretchGo is available in Skoda retailers now, and even if retailers don’t have them in stock, they take just two weeks to be delivered. Priced at just €675, this bike offers the perfect ‘last mile’ solution, whereby commuters might choose to drive the majority of their commute and cycle the last section, saving time and parking costs and offers a great alternative to public transport which may well remain restricted for some time to come.

Skoda’s history began with bicycles. The history of the company is closely associated with bicycles.

125 years ago, company founders Václav Laurin and Václav Klement started with the production of bicycles before moving to motorised vehicles. In addition, for the last 14 years, Skoda has been an official partner of the Tour de France.

The StretchGo bicycle, original accessories and other branded products, is available at Skoda dealerships.

NEW CAR SALES DOWN OVER 43% IN JUNE NEW figures from the Central Statistics Office show a slight recovery in cars sales in June compared to April and May sales figures.

The CSO said the number of new cars licensed for the first time in June stood at 2,189, down from 3,858 the same time last year - a drop of 43.3%.

But that compares to annual declines of 90.3% and 83.7% in April and May of this year, the CSO said, as Covid-19 restrictions closed car showrooms around the country.

Meanwhile, the number of used or imported private cars licensed decreased by 53.3% compared with the same month in 2019.

Today’s figures show that the number of new cars licensed in the first six months of 2020 stood at 49,184, a decrease of 36.7% from the 77,639 cars sold in the same time last year.

Comparing today’s figures with the recently published Society of the Irish Motor Industry figures, the CSO said it was important to note that more than two thirds of new cars licensed in June were actually registered before the month.

The CSO said that while licensing of new petrol and diesel private cars fell by 41.7% and 41.5% in the first six months of 2020, the number of hybrid new private cars licensed increased by 1.9% to 7,343.

It noted that in the first half of 2020, electric and hybrid vehicles accounted for 18.7% of new private cars licensed, up from 11.8% in the same time in 2019.

The CSO noted that Longford had the largest proportion of new electric cars licensed in the first half of the year, followed by Wicklow and Dublin. For hybrid vehicles, Galway had the highest proportion of sales, followed by Dublin and Meath.

Today’s CSO figures show that Toyota was the most popular make of new private cars licensed in the first half of 2020, followed by Volkswagen, Hyundai, Skoda and Ford.

Together these five makes represent 49% of all new private cars licensed in the six month period.

Dulick Motors 202 EVENT Owing to the success of our New 202 Nissan Registrations we are hosting a massive Used car event With Fantastic Offers On Our Pre-Loved Cars Huge Discounts Excellent Trade-In Allowances Keen Finance Rates Finance Arranged Within The Hour Wanted Urgently: Clean 2011 - 2015 Cars To Trade Against Any Gold Standard Car

Massive Selection Of Quality Used Nissan's Ranging From 2011 to 2019 In Stock These cars are fully serviced, Valeted and Carry Nissan Gold Standard Warranty

NISSAN QASHQAI 2019 1.2 XE Grey 2019 1.3 SV, Blue 2018 1.6 SV CVT 2018 1.5 DSL SV, Brown 2017 1.5 XE, Grey 2017 1.2 SV, Grey 2017 1.2 SV, Silver 2016 1.5 XE, Dk Red, Black, Bronze 2016 1.5 XE Safety, Red 2016 1.5 DSL SV, Red 2016 1.6 DSL SV & Safety, Silver 2015 1.5 XE Safety, Red 2015 1.5 DSL SV, Silver 2015 1.5 DSL SV + Safety, Blue 2014 1.2 SV, Black 2014 1.5 XE, Silver Gort Dulick, 2014 Road, 1.6 Auto, White Ennis, Co. 2012 682 1.6 SVE, Dk Red (065) 3232 2011 1.5 SV, Dk Grey

Clare

NISSAN X-TRAIL 2018 1.6 SV Premium 7 Seats, Dk Brown 2018 1.6 SVE 7 Seats, Black 2017 1.6 SVE 7 Seats, Balck 2016 1.6 XE + Safety 5 Seats, Black NISSAN PULSAR 2018 1.2 SV Auto Exec, Silver 2016 1.5 SV, Grey NISSAN JUKE 2018 1.0 SV, White 2014 1.2 SV Premium, Black NISSAN LEAF 2019 Electric Leaf EV Dk Red NISSAN NOTE 2018 1.5 Diesel SV Sport, Grey 2017 1.2 PET SV, Silver NISSAN MICRA 2017 1.2 SV, Dk Red 2014 1.2 SV Auto, Silver 2011 1.2 XE, Black

NISSAN COMMERCIALS 2018 NV 200, White 2014 NV 400, White OTHER MODELS 2018 VW Karoq 1.6 TDI, Grey 2017 VW Up 1.0, Silver 2017 Peugeot 208, Black 2017 Kia Sportage, Silver 2017 Renault Kajar 1.5 D, Blue 2017 Hyundai Tuscon, Brown 2017 Verso 7 Seat, Grey 2017 Corolla 1.4 Luna, Grey 2017 Corolla 1.4 D4D, Brown 2017 Ford C-Max, Black 2015 Renault Clio, Blue 2014 Renault Capture, Grey 2011 Ford Galaxy, Gold

There couldn't be a better time to upgrade your car. So don’t delay and call today to Paul or Joe

Visit us on www.dulick-nissan.com or phone us on our hotline number at 065 6823232 for an unbeatable used car deal

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16-07-20

Clare Echo THE

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

Torpey criticises Croke Park over Cúl Camps

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ROKE Park officials were singled out for prioritising sponsors over young members at the June meeting of Clare County Board.

Games Development Officer with Clare GAA, Sean Chaplin confirmed 27 Kelloggs Cúl Camps would be going ahead in the county this year with 22 clubs opting not to host the weeklong camps.

Lissycasey delegate James O’Shea told the meeting their club was prevented from holding an annual club summer camp by Croke Park but that they were welcome to run a Kelloggs Cúl Camp.

Criticism was voiced by Tulla’s Brian Torpey who said “corporates are deciding” what is happening in Croke Park

and slammed the move as “a disgrace”.

He struggled to comprehend how Lissycasey were not allowed to run their own camp but could have a Cúl Camp, “if they stuck the Kelloggs logo on the side they would be allowed”.

Clare GAA secretary, Pat Fitzgerald outlined that clubs have to be “very careful” as Croke Park are setting the structure on insurance. “We have to adhere to it,” he stated.

Torpey declared that the GAA was “the laughing stock of the country” when pitches were closed and teams trained on grounds belonging to other sporting organisations. He pointed out that mentors were not let train U12 teams but Croke Park had gave clearance for up to 150 children to attend the Cúl Camps. “We’re going by Croke

lOPINION: Brian Torpey

Park guidelines,” Joe Cooney responded.

Sean Griffin of Ballyea informed the meeting that they had received permission from Croke Park to hold a camp provided they follow all Cúl Camp guidelines. Chaplin advised that as per the policy this year, a club must hold a Cúl Camp prior to

Photo by John Mangan

hosting their own equivalent.

Irish Officer of Clare GAA, Flan O’Reilly highlighted how Cork GAA are running the Cúl Camps independent of Croke Park. He believed a national discussion was required and described the current guidelines as “very vague”.

Barry remembered at Galway stadium

We’re ready to welcome you back to the thrill of GREYHOUND RACING in our Restaurant!

You can be part of the action from the comfort of your table in our glass-fronted restaurant in line with the Government Guidelines

Re-open Friday & Saturday nights from 3rd July

www.GalwayGreyhoundStadium.ie

Re-open Thursday & Saturday nights from 2nd July

www.LimerickGreyhoundStadium.ie

BALLYEA’S Colin Barry was remembered with a minute’s silence ahead of the action at Galway Greyhound Stadium on Friday last.

On the same day as he was laid to rest, greyhound followers from the West took a moment to pay tribute to Colin. Two years ago, Newhall Missile a dog he owned alongside Noel Coote won the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Consolation Derby in 2018 having started out as a 150/1 rank outside before Round One. Named after Colin’s address, the dog grabbed the attention of the countymaking its way to the Derby. His colleagues in the greyhound industry held a minute’s silence before race three in Galway on Friday.

In the second contest at the Galway Track on Friday Night last Cragbrien Bengie owned by Martin Cronin and Robbie Markham of Ennis made it third time lucky in the S10n graded contest as he saw off his rivals by upwards of five and a quarter lengths in 19.37. Away well on the wide outside the winner headed Kiluran Rastaman at the opening bend and clear of the home bend lengthened well to the line to defeat Kilbannon Tee readily.

Mythical Enya owned by Ennistymon’s Tommy Flanagan made a winning start for the Clare contingent in the opener. The A6 contest was a re-run of last week’s voided one. Mythical Enya headed the pace setting Burnpark Pluto leaving the back straight before holding the challenge of Rising Turbo in 29.42.

Kilfenora had reason to celebrate in the S8 graded sprint contest with Conor Davoren-Sheehan’s Willbrook Choppy coming home five and a quarter lengths clear

of Derymoyle Pat in 19.48. The winner held the inside berth well on the run towards the opening bend as the runner up and Ringroe Rascal also showed pace but the winner railed well between the two bends on his way to a comfortable success.

Aulton Patsy recorded its fifth career win in the S4 graded sprint contest.

Owned by Pat Hogan of Ennis and trained

by Seamus Fahy, the son of Pat C Sabbath & Heathlawn Molly broke smartly and led from Ballymac Rosa on the run to the opening bend which he kicked clear to record an emphatic success.

A Ballyea owned dog had deserved success in the A1 graded contest over 525 Yards which was the feature event of the night. From the traps it quickly developed into a match as Rathmeehan May broke best in the white jacket as Moanduff Daisy in the stripes went with her and the pair rounded the opening bend four lengths clear of Cloneyogan Flash.

Racing along the back straight the lead pair battled it but the John Collins & John Browne of Ballyea owned Rathmeehan May always just held the upper hand and despite the best effort of Moanduff Daisy, Rathmeehan May deservedly prevailed by three parts of a length in 28.96 Buttsys Blackie trained by Gerry Holian for the Buttsys Buckos Syndicate of Ballycasey took the finale by eight and a half lengths from Oh My Knees in 29.10.

The winner raced in second early as Ballyvoe Ace showed pace out wide but at the opening bend railed well and quickly asserted down the back straight. Striding out and railing well throughout he was full value for the margin of success at the line.

16-07-20

Clare Echo THE

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

Cusack Park and O’Garney Park to host Clare SHC games PÁRAIC MCMAHON

www.pmgolf.ie

paraic@clareecho.ie

C

Spoil him with a P&M Gift Voucher

USACK Park and O’Garney Park in Sixmilebridge are to be used as the primary venues for all clashes in the Clare senior hurling cham-

pionship.

Provisional fixtures have been released to clubs for opening encounters in the Clare SHC and IHC which commence next weekend across the county.

Two fixtures are due to be held on Friday evening with the majority of ties taking place on Saturday.

Games in the Clare SHC are to be played at Cusack Park and O’Garney Park in Sixmilebridge. In the case where there is a double header, a period of time will be set aside in between games to allow for the safe entrance and exit of spectators.

For the Clare IHC, different venues such as Dr Daly Park in Tulla, Fr belonging to Wolfe Tones na Sionna and Murphy Memorial Park in Newmar- Clarecastle have been identified as suitable.

Clare GAA have put in place a COVID-19 ket-on-Fergus along with GAA grounds

Big scores at Dromoland as golf continues

D

ROMOLAND Golf Club recorded big scores in competitions this week with Noel O’Connor, Michael McCarthy and Michelle McCarthy among the winners at the Newmarket-on-Fergus club, writes Séamus Hayes.

DROMOLAND: In the weekend open singles at Dromoland, Noel O’Connor captured the honours with 49 points from Adam Mungovan with 42 and Kenneth Arthur with 41.

Lloyd Woulfe won the Friday open singles with 41 points from Eoghan Smith with 40 with Niall Melody in third place with 39 points. Killian Howard won the gross with

Tony Kelly and Diarmuid Ryan in action in Cusack Park Photo by Martin Connolly

compliance committee to prepare for the start of the club championships.

Venues to be utilised for the Clare senior

and intermediate football championships have not been decided upon as of yet.

this

www.pmgolf.ie Last Minute Gift? Open Sunday 21st (11am - 2pm)

38 points.

Michael McCarthy with 22 points won the midweek 9 hole competition from Ruairi Price who had a similar score. Gary Russell was third with 19 points.

Michelle McCarthy was the winner of the ladies weekly 9 hole competition with 24 points from Lisa McKnight on 20 and Mary Arthur on 18 points. In the 18 hole competition Karina Doyle was the winner with 34 points from Dorothy Brennan with a similar s core with Cathy Casey a point back in third place.

WOODSTOCK: High scoring was the order of the day at Woodstock last week for the open singles

Spoil him with a P&M Unit 9 Westgate Business Pk Kilrush Rd, Ennis Gift (065)6840844 Voucher competition which was won by Killian McDermott (16) of Lahinch with 49 points.

Woodstock member Darragh O’Driscoll (15) was second with 46 points followed by his clubmate Daniel Slattery (25) with 42 points,. In fourth place was Lahinch member Cathal Malone (13) with 41 points and he finished just ahead of Cathal Clune (19) from Woodstock who also had 41 points.

Aaron Donegan (5) from Woodstock won the gross with 43 points.

KILRUSH: The Flan Brew memorial competition attracted a good entry from the men’s section at Kilrush at the weekend when Brendan Carey (20) emerged with the honours

this

with an impressive 44 points. He had two to spare over Geremiah Brennan (13) with third spot filled by Jason C. Ryan (12) with 39 points.

Meanwhile the competition for the ladies was the Golden Vale singles which was won

by Rebecca Brew (29) with 39 points from Mary McCarthy (29) with 35, Anne Brennan (12) with 34 and Anne Marie Donnellan (17) with 32. Geraldine Burke (18) won category A with 32 points while Kathleen Haugh (31) won category B with 31 points.

Clare Echo THE

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THE GAME CENTRE SOCCER

Referee: Michael Rock

Saturday 18th July 2020 Martin Donnelly MyClubShop.ie Clare & District Soccer League Fixtures Maloney Garden Machinery Premier Division Newmarket Celtic A v Avenue Utd A in McDonough Park at 18:30. Referee: Mark Rellis Shannon Hibs A v Bridge Utd A in Riverside at 19:00.

Referee: 7pm Dylan Shannon Lifford A v Shannon Olympic in Cassidy Park at 19:00.

Referee: Michael Rock Shannon Town A v Turnpike Rovers in Lynch Park at 19:00. Referee: Brian Punch T Sheils & Company First Division League Newmarket Celtic B v Avenue Utd B in McDonough Park at 19:00. Referee: Mark Rellis Tulla Utd v Corofin Harps in The Cragg at 19:00. Referee: Paudie Hayes Mountshannon Celtic v Kildysart Celtic in Scariff at 19:00. Referee: Julian Sandford Moher Celtic A v Ennis Town in Lahinch at 19:00.

Referee: Sean Kenneally Sunday 19th July 2020 Maloney Garden Machinery Premier Division Sporting Ennistymon v Kilrush Rangers in Lahinch at 11:00. Referee: Julian Sandford Campion Insurance Second Division League Coole FC v Shannon Town B in Gort at 11:00. Referee: Pa Gleeson Bridge Utd B v Manus Celtic A in Sixmilebridge at 11:00.

Referee: Sean Kenneally Moher Celtic B v Rineanna Rovers in Liscannor at 14:00.

Suttons Lighting Third Division League Shannon Hibs B v Ennis Dons in Riverside at 11:00.

Referee: Frankie Coote Inch Crusaders v Cloughleigh Celtic in Lees Rd at 11:00.

Referee: Paudie Hayes CSGL Electrical Youths League B Division Kildysart Celtic v Newmarket Celtic in Kildysart at 14:30.

Referee: Brian Punch Tulla Utd B v Ennis Town in The Cragg at 14:30. Referee: Trevor White Monday 20th July 2020 CSGL Electrical Youths League A Division Shannon Town v Bridge Utd in Corrib Drive at 19:00.

Referee: Pa Gleeson Wednesday 22nd July 2020 Maloney Garden Machinery Premier Division Lifford A v Avenue Utd A in Cassidy Park at 19:00.

Referee: Pa Gleeson Bridge Utd A v Newmarket Celtic A in Sixmilebridge at 19:00. Referee: Julian Sandford T Sheils & Company First Division League Hermitage A v Avenue Utd B in The Fair Green at 19:00.

Referee: Dylan Shannon Tulla Utd v Newmarket Celtic B in The Cragg at 19:00.

Referee: Mark Rellis Mountshannon Celtic v Corofin Harps in Scariff at 19:15.

Referee: Sean Kenneally Campion Insurance Second Division League Shannon Town B v Rineanna Rovers in Corrib Drive at 19:00. Referee: Frankie Coote

Rhine Rovers v Bunratty Cratloe in Lees Rd at 19:00.

Referee: Paudie Hayes Jim Casey Trophies U17 League Group B Moher Celtic v Burren Utd in Lahinch at 19:00. Referee: Michael Rock Thursday 23rd July 2020 Campion Insurance Second Division League Coole FC v Manus Celtic A in Gort at 19:00. Referee: Pa Gleeson Bridge Utd B v Kilkishen Celtic in Sixmilebridge at 19:00.

Referee: Mark Rellis Suttons Lighting Third Division League Shannon Town C v Shannon Hibs B in Corrib Drive at 19:00. Referee: Julian Sandford Connolly Celtic v Cloughleigh Celtic in Kilmaley School at 19:00. Referee: Dylan Shannon Michael O’Gorman Youths Cup Quarter-Final Avenue Utd v Kilrush Rangers in Roslevan at 19:00.

Referee: Frankie Coote Note: In the event of a draw 10 mins e/w extra time and penalties if necessary Clare U17 Cup Quarter-Final Cragg: Tulla Utd v Shannon Town in The Cragg at 19:00.

Referee: Paudie Hayes Note: In the event of a draw 10 mins e/w extra time and penalties if necessary Jim Casey Trophies U17 League Group A Newmarket Celtic v Ennis Town in McDonough Park at 19:00. Referee: Sean Kenneally

Historic 6-minute tie takes place

ONE of the shortest games in the history of Irish junior soccer is to take place in Co Clare this weekend, writes Páraic McMahon.

Mark Rellis will take charge of Saturday’s Maloney Garden Machinery Premier Division tie between Avenue Utd and Newmarket Celtic which will last for six minutes.

Last September, the first league encounter between the sides of the season had to be abandoned following an injury sustained by a member of the Ennis side in the final few moments of the contest. Newmarket had been leading 2-1 prior to the decision of match official Shane Hayes to call a halt to proceedings.

Not alone does the six minute contest add intrigue in itself but the match is of huge importance to the intentions of both clubs in being crowned league champions.

David Russell’s Avenue currently sit at top of the table with 29 points however the Mark O’Malley managed Celtic have one game in hand and can take top spot should they secure the win at McDonough Park in the 6:30pm fixture.

The clubs also meet at 7pm in a key tie in the T Sheils & Company First Division League. Avenue are two points clear and also have a game in hand. It is seen as a pivotal clash in deciding who will win the First Division.

Newmarket Celtic (right) will take on Avenue United in the six-minute clash.

Photo by John Mangan

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PLANNING NOTICES CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL 73 CARRAIG MIDHE, CORBALLY, CO. CLARE.

Take notice that Barry and Áine Rogers intend to apply to Clare County Council for permission to retain a ground floor, single storey, living room extension to rear and shed to side of the dwelling at 73 Carraig Midhe, Corbally, Co. Clare.

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL. TULLYCREEN LOWER, CO. CLARE.

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Take note that Debra & Patrick Carmody are applying to Clare County County for Planning Permission to retain extension works to existing dwelling and site entrance, also permission to complete works including all ancillary site works at the above address.

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

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL, FINTRA BEG, MILTOWN MALBAY CO. CLARE.

Take notice that A. & G. Simpson intend to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to construct a private storage shed along with ancillary site works at the above address.

That the planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making

a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL 6 CHAPEL LANE ENNIS CO. CLARE

Planning Permission sought as follows (a) Change of use of existing un-used restaurant (previously known as ‘Bistro on the Lane’) to a 3 bedroom residential apartment. (b) To demolish existing single storey rear annex (c) Refurbish and carry out mainly internal building modifications (d) all other associated site works and services at above address, Applicant’s Fiona & David Whelahan. (No.6 Chapel Lane is a listed protected structure RPS No. 772) ‘’The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

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

CLARE CO COUNCIL BALLYHANNON, DOORA, CO CLARE

Permission sought to (A) alter, extend and renovate existing dwelling house.

(B) demolish existing rear sunroom annex. (C) retain existing domestic garden shed including all associated site works & services at above address / Applicant’s: Margaret & Sean Fegan ‘’The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to

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

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

THIS WEEKS PUZZLES JULY 16

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SUDOKU

7/13/2020

9

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2

HOW TO PLAY

How to play

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

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

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THURSDAY, JULY 16 2020

1/1

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38 PUZZLEPAGE

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1.Offensive to the sight (4) 3.Scattered, irregular (8) 9.Holy place (7) 10.Brag (5) 11.Roots (anag) (5) 12.Hue (6) 14.Probable (6) 16.Acid neutraliser (6) 19.Capsicum (6) 21.Instrument with 88 keys (5) 24.Not illuminated (5) 25.Native of Tyneside (7) 26.Vexatious (8) 27.Dutch cheese (4)

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QUIZ 39

THURSDAY, JULY 16 2020

The Clare Echo SCHOOLS IN CLARE

is the only all-boys second1Where ary school in Clare located?

Ennistymon Miltown Malbay Ennis

2

Ennis National School opened in 1897 at Kilrush cross on the site where Clare Youth Centre now stands. Initially known as Ennis Boys National, in what year did it become co-educational?

1992 1982 1972

time, but where was it located?

Spanish Point Site of St Francis Credit Union in Ennis Kilrush

many gaelscoileanna are 6How there in County Clare?

1 2 3

gaelscoil in Ennis is named 7The after which famous Clare person?

Willie Clancy Michael Cusack Ger Loughnane

Willie Walsh - the former bishop Which school in Clare has the 3 of Killaloe is a former student and 8 lowest enrolment numbers of 12 staff member at St Flannans College, (according to education.ie)? but where is he from?

Nenagh Roscrea Clonesr

Doonaha Boston Coolmeen

Clare has produced 23 Harty Cup What is Clare’s most westerly pri4 winning sides in its history, 22 of 9 mary school? which were produced by St Flannan’s.

The only industrial school in Clare’s 5 history was closed in 1963 having accommodated about 100 girls at any

is Clare’s most easterly 10What school?

Lakyle NS Mountshannon NS Cratloe NS

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

The answers will be revealed in next weeks edition.

6. 3 7. Michael Cusack 8. Coolmeen 9. St Cuan’s Kilbaha 10. Lakyle NS

Shannon Comprehensive St Caimin’s Rice College

St Cuan’s Kilbaha Carrigaholt NS Stonehall

ANSWERS

1. Ennistymon 2. 1992 3. Roscrea 4. Rice College 5. Site of St Francis Credit Union in Ennis

Which other school has won a title?

Last weeks Answers . Cathals shoes are different colour . Irish Flag missing . Window on castle missing . Cathals buttons missing . Puddle on ground missing

. Top of building in distance missing . Light on pole missing

Sisters Of Mercy saying goodbye to convent in Spanish Point Photo by John Mangan