The Clare Echo 18/01/24 by The Clare Echo

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Jan 18 2024

Library to CLARE STUDENTS SHINE be named AT BT YOUNG SCIENTIST after Edna SCARIFF Library is to be named after legendary novelist and Tuamgraney’s finest playwright Edna O’Brien, writes Páraic McMahon. At Wednesday’s meeting of the Killaloe Municipal District Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) made the proposal. He stated, “Edna O’Brien has made an immeasurable impact on Irish literature and culture. It is fitting that we recognise her contributions in a meaningful and lasting way. I propose that Scariff Library be officially named the “Edna O’Brien Library” to celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions of this iconic Irish author to the world of literature.” All elected members in the Killaloe MD rowed in behind Hayes’ motion and paid tribute to the 93 year old. Cllr Hayes told the meeting he would like a sign to be erected at the library with O’Brien’s name on it.

l Edna O’Brien

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l Clodagh O’Connor, Saorla Crowe and Ruby Mooney from St John Bosco Community College with their project “A Statistical Analysis of the Knowledge of Women’s Health and the Status of the Women’s Healthcare Services in Ireland” at the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2024 in the RDS Dublin Photo by Fennell Photography

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Teens do the Banner proud at BT Young Scientist

CONTENTS

NEWS .............................2-11 GORT.................................12 GREEN CLARE............14-15 COLUMNISTS ..............18-21 BUSINESS ...................22-23 SPORT..........................25-26 PLANNING ........................27 CLASSIFIEDS ..............28-29

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Clare students received no less than five honours at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition held in Dublin this week. Pictured is Oisin Jackson from Mary Immaculate Secondary School receiving the Met Eireann Award presented by Broadcast Meteorologist Joanna Donnelly for the project ‘An Investigation into the Relationship Between Precipitation and Water Levels in Turloughs in the Burren’ in the Chemical, Physical & Mathematical Sciences Category. Ailish Marrinan, Caragh Killeen and Cian McInerney from St Joseph’s Community College in Kilkee received the third Senior Group Award in the Biological and Ecological Sciences Category to for their project “Sea the Smell is Gone” with Bio-Liser: A Seaweed-Derived Pyrogenic Biochar for Enhanced Soil Stability, Reduced Nutrient Loss, Emission Control and Odor Mitigation’. The group also won the WILLIAMS LEA Ireland award. Eilidh Lawless and Caoimhe McCarthy from Mary Immaculate The Poet's Corner Bar Secondary School were highly commended their project “Does is a traditional Irish pub that for opens water temperature affect the righting its doors onto theability mainoftown street two speciesofof starfish Ennis. Perfect for(Asterias a pint, arubens bite to and eat or Asterina gibbosa)?’. traditional Irish music session. Also highly commended were Clodagh O’Connor, Saorla Crowe and Ruby Mooney from St John Bosco Community College with their project “A Statistical Analysis of the Knowledge of Women’s Health and the Status of the Women’s Healthcare Services in Ireland”

Photos by Fennell Photography

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Lighting needed at Barry’s Cross

FIANNA Fáil local election candidate Rachel Hartigan is calling for lighting and adequate infrastructure to be installed at the recently raised pedestrian crossing at Barry’s Cross, Ardnacrusha. “I was delighted to see last week that the pedestrian crossing at Barry’s Cross now has a speed bump on it,” said Hartigan. Hartigan continued: “However, it’s now vital that the remaining required works that are outstanding are carried out promptly. “There needs to be adequate lighting and painted markings on the road, so that motorists familiar with the area will realise that a change has taken place.”

‘Above average’ wealth in Banner

CLARE is marginally above the national average level of affluence according to the 2022 Pobal HP Deprivation Index. Almost 19,000 small areas, including 502 in Clare, (50-200 households) were indexed leading to the development of a detailed map of the relative affluence and disadvantage. The Index found a nationwide improvement in measures such as employment and population growth, with levels largely returning to those observed in 2006, however persistent disadvantage remains for many communities. The Pobal HP Deprivation Index uses data from Census 2022, analysing 10 measures of an area’s levels of disadvantage.

‘I don’t believe the NDLS hasn’t written to you in three years’ by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

A JUDGE has rejected a claim made by the partner of independent Clare TD, Violet Anne Wynne that he has yet to receive an email from the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) inviting him to sit his driving test more than three years after he applied for the test. At Kilrush District Court on Tuesday, Judge Alec Gabbett told provisional driver, John Mountaine - 42 in March - that “it is time you got a full licence. You can’t continue to drive on a provisional licence. There are children in this car and lots of driving going on”. Judge Gabbett made his comments as Mr Mountaine faced additional driving breach summons in court on Tuesday where he is accused of driving without insurance, driving without a licence and driving unaccompanied by a qualified driver at Wood Rd, Kilrush on May 18th 2022. Mr Mountaine was also before the court concerning separate driving offences which he was found guilty of last July and Judge Gabbett had adjourned sentencing to give Mr Mountaine time to sit his driving test in order to obtain a full licence. Solicitor for Mr Mountaine, Patrick Moylan handed Judge Gabbett a document confirming that Mr Mountaine applied for a driving test to the NDLS on November 3rd 2020. Judge Gabbett said that Mr Mountaine of Pella Rd, Kilrush

says that hasn’t heard back from the NDLS since. Judge Gabbett said to Mr Mountaine: “I don’t believe for a minute that the NDLS hasn’t written to you since November 2020.” In response, Mr Mountaine said: “I have no reason to lie.” In reply, Judge Gabbett said: “Have you checked your email?” Mr Mountaine said: “I have I check my emails regularly for work.” Judge Gabbett said that he wanted the issue sorted by the next court date on February 13th otherwise he will proceed to sentence Mr Mountaine for the driving offences. Judge Gabbett said: “I am very surprised if you haven’t got that email in the last three years. It is a very convenient system.” Judge Gabbett said: “I know for a fact that people have applied for tests and sat their tests since November 2020 including myself for another licensed category. Judge Gabbett said: “Mr Mountaine has been in a holding pattern for three and a half years and one of the few people who hasn’t availed of a test.” Mr Moylan said: “I would imagine that there is a loop in the system.” In reply, Judge Gabbett said: “there is no loop in the system - it is called attending to your paperwork.” Judge Gabbett told Mr Mountaine: “If you check your email, there will be an email there to tell

l John Mountaine

you to apply for your test.” Judge Gabbett said: “I am looking for compliance here - a pink driving licence for someone who appears to drive without a full licence and at being continually in breach of the law.” At the hearing of the contested case in July, Judge Gabbett said that Mr Mountaine was continuing to break the law by driving around unaccompanied before adjourning the case as he wanted Mr Mountaine to obtain a full licence. Judge Gabbett said last July he is to convict Mr Mountaine (41) of holding a mobile phone while driving, driving unaccompanied and driving without L plate at Lack West, Kilmihil, Co Clare.

Mr Mountaine was on a call to Deputy Wynne at Leinster House during a ‘pre-school run’ for two of the couple’s children on October 21st 2021 when he was spotted by Garda Patrick Hanley holding a mobile phone up to his ear while driving. Judge Gabbett said that Mr Mountaine “by his admission is continuing to break the law by driving around unaccompanied. He has reasons for that but that doesn’t make them valid”. Judge Gabbett said that Mr Mountaine has a peculiar set of circumstances where he has six children, his partner works in Dublin for a significant portion of the week and he has to drive.

Clare house prices rise by four per cent THE price of the average second-hand threebed semi in County Clare has risen to €240,000, an increase of 4pc from €230,000 in the last 12 months, according to a national survey by Real Estate Alliance. The Q4 REA Average House Price Index shows that first time buyers made up 60% of the market in the county, with 5pc of sales coming from outside the county and 45pc attributed to landlords selling. Clare agents are reporting that the average

time taken to sell in the final quarter of 2023 dropped by a fortnight to a total of six weeks. “The limited supply of second-hand stock and new developments is still driving prices upwards on good quality homes,” said Liam Browne of REA Paddy Browne, Ennis. “With rents increasing, it is still economically favourable to have a mortgage rather than letting. “With inflation reducing and potential ECB interest rate reductions in the new year, the up-

ward trend will more than likely continue well into 2024.” The REA Average House Price Index concentrates on the actual sale price of Ireland's typical stock home, the three-bed semi, giving an accurate picture of the second-hand property market in towns and cities countrywide. Three-bed semi prices nationally will rise by 3pc in 2024, estate agents across the country are predicting.

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Uisce Éireann pleads guilty to two water pollution charges in north Clare ‘fish kill’ by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

UISCE Éireann has pleaded guilty to two water pollution charges in connection with a ‘fish kill’ that occurred downstream of an Uisce

Éireann water treatment plant in north Clare last May. In the case before Ennis District Court, solicitor for prosecuting authority in the case, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), Kevin Sherry said that

Uisce Éireann is pleading guilty to permitting deleterious matter to go into a waterway at Calluragh East, Ennistymon contrary to Section 171 of the Fisheries Act. The dates of the offences are May 2nd and May 18th of last year. The fish kill, where up to 2,000 fish died, occurred on the Ballymacraven River downstream of Irish Water’s Ballymacraven water treatment plant. The plant serves a population of almost 7,000 people in the wider North Clare area including Ennistymon, Lahinch, Kilfenora, Doolin, Fanore and Ballyvaughan. Mr Sherry said that on the ba-

sis of the guilty pleas, other counts against Uisce Éireann can be withdrawn. Mr Sherry said that there is also agreement concerning the reasonable discharge of reasonable costs of the IFI prosecution. Counsel for Uisce Éireann, Rebecca Treacy BL said that the case could be adjourned to next month for facts in the case to be heard. The guilty pleas come at the end of a IFI investigation into the fish kill in early May on the Ballymacraven River which spread for 2.6km in length where the Ballymacravan River meets the Inagh River.

l Up to 2,000 fish died

Species of fish discovered dead include a large number of eel, along with salmon, trout, rudd and flounder of all ages. IFI first became aware of an ecological issue when a member of the public informed staff of a rusty red colour on the river. Asked to comment on the guilty pleas, a spokesman for Uisce Éireann said on Wednesday: “Uisce Eireann is committed to safeguarding public health and protecting the environment in all our activities. Following an incident in May 2023, which regretfully resulted in a fish kill in the Ballymacraven River, downstream of the Ballymacraven Water Treatment Plant, we have put in a number of measures to seek to ensure such an incident does not recur and we expect to outline those to the court in due course.” The spokesman said: “In particular, Uisce Eireann wishes to assure the local community that a €7.5m upgrade to the Ballymacraven Water Treatment Plant is progressing well and is due to the completed in 2024”. In July, Uisce Éireann said that it had undertaken changes to the management of Ennistymon Water Treatment Plant as a precautionary measure.

Clare LEO clients created 188 new jobs last year

ALMOST two hundred jobs were created by Clare Local Enterprise Office (LEO) clients in 2023, writes Elaine Tubridy. This is according to the LEO annual report, announced earlier this week, which showed that Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Clare supported companies created 188 jobs in 2023. The net jobs created by Local Enterprise Office Clare supported clients in 2023 was 62, which considers companies that amalgamated, ceased trading and those that transferred on to Enterprise Ireland. The new figures show that the LEO Clare financially supported 229 small businesses in their portfolio across the county these companies in turn employ 1,393 people. The total national figures for the Local Enterprise Offices across the country were announced with the LEOs now financially supporting 38,726 jobs across 7,167 companies. This is the most jobs the Local Enterprise

Offices have supported nationally since their inception in 2014. In 2023 there were 6,640 new jobs created by LEO client companies with a net job’s creation figure of 2,131. This was up 6% nationally on 2022. From the jobs created, 82% were outside of the Dublin region. The LEOs also provide substantial funded supports to thousands of other small businesses across the country with programmes such as the Trading Online Voucher, Lean for Business and Green for Business along with training and mentoring. Cllr. Joe Cooney, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council said “The continuing ability of our many small businesses to thrive and grow, is very encouraging. The employment they provide, and create, year in year out throughout our County reflects the vibrancy of our local economy. I encourage all businesses in Clare to reach out to the Local Enterprise Office to see how they can support and assist your

business to continue prospering and growing.” Padraic McElwee, Head of Enterprise said, “Despite many challenges the businesses we support in Clare have demonstrated remarkable resilience to overcome these challenges and continue to grow their businesses and create new employment opportunities. This year we have seen first-hand the ability of many small businesses to adapt, embrace new technologies and ensure their employees avail of the many upskilling opportunities available to them. “2024 will present new challenges and we have a range of supports available to assist businesses which will help them to continue growing their businesses and provide employment. We continue to work closely with Enterprise Ireland and other agencies to ensure our local businesses adapt, and embrace, emerging trends in reducing their carbon footprint and improving productivity through digitisation. ”

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Scariff library to be named after legendary author Edna O’Brien

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

SCARIFF Library is to be named after legendary novelist and Tuamgraney’s finest playwright Edna O’Brien. Born in December 1930 to farmer Michael O’Brien and Lena Cleary in Drewsborough, Tuamgraney, Edna has gone on to become one of the country’s greatest writers of all-time and among the biggest literary giants across generations. In 1960, her first novel, ‘The Country Girls’ was released and it is fair to say that it caused a stir. It has been heralded on lifting taboos on sexual and social issues in Ireland following World War Two. The book was banned, burned and denounced from the pulpit. At Wednesday’s meeting of the Killaloe Municipal District, ironically held in the same building as Scariff Library, Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) made the proposal. He stated, “Edna O’Brien has made an immeasurable impact on Irish literature and culture. It is fitting that we recognise her contributions in a meaningful and lasting way. I propose that Scariff Library be officially named the “Edna O’Brien Library” to celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions

l Edna O’Brien Photo by Murdo McLeod

of this iconic Irish author to the world of literature. “As a native of our locality, naming the library after Edna O’Brien will serve as a reminder of the rich cultural heritage of our communi-

ty and inspire future generations. Edna O’Brien has not only gained international acclaim but has also played a pivotal role in shaping the literary landscape of Ireland. By naming the library after her, we pay

tribute to her profound impact on literature and her role as a source of inspiration and pride for our local community”. All elected members in the Killaloe MD rowed in behind Hayes’ motion and paid tribute to the 93 year old. Cllr Hayes told the meeting he would like a sign to be erected at the library with O’Brien’s name on it. He was anxious for the process to be done swiftly. Senior planner with Clare County Council, Brian McCarthy acknowledged that Edna is “one of the most celebrated writers in the English language and arguably Ireland’s greatest living writer. The proposal to name Scariff Library in honour of Edna O’Brien is fitting and appropriate in recognition of her achievements, her brilliant consistency, literary skill, courage and impact of her work for over 60 years”. McCarthy outlined that he consulted with the Country Librarian Helen Walsh where it was evident that there was “significant support” for the proposal. He noted, “the proposal is even more apt and fitting as the Edna O’Brien library would be the first Clare County Council building named after a Clare woman and literary pioneer”.

Historical and political figures are attached to libraries in the county such as Eamon de Valera (Ennis), Sean Lemass (Shannon), William Smith O’Brien (Newmarket-on-Fergus) and Dr Patrick J. Hillery (Miltown Malbay. In June, a proposal to go to public consultation to decide on the name of the new Ennis library was defeated with councillors keen to keep the de Valera name. At this sitting, Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) suggested it be named after Edna O’Brien instead. Scottish novelist Andrew O’Hagan said that Edna “changed the nature of Irish fiction; she brought the woman’s experience and sex and internal lives of those people on to the page, and she did it with style, and she made those concerns international”. She has been described by Irish novelist Colum McCann as “the advance scout for the Irish imagination” for over five decades. Philip Roth labelled her as “the most gifted woman now writing in English”, while a former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson, cited her as “one of the great creative writers of her generation”. Others to hail her as one of the greatest writers alive include John Banville, Michael Ondaatje and Sir Ian McKellen.

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Thursday, Jan 18, 2024 THE CLARE ECHO

Ennis: Talk of the Town

Best paws forward at Toonagh charity walk

lROUND OF A-PAWS: Celebrating their wins at the Toonagh walk in aid of Slainte an Chlair held at Toonagh Hall on Sunday were (L-R): Bunce with his owner Rory who won the “Best Largest Dog” category; Max with his owner Aishling who won the “Best Small Dog” category; Luna with her owner Ammy who won the “Best Dressed Dog” category

‘We call on the Government to amplify voices of women and girls’ by Adam Maloney news@clareecho.ie

FINE Gael Councillor Mary Howard has called on the government to end the ‘Paternalistic Approach to women’s healthcare in Ireland’ at the January meeting of Clare County Council. At the first County Council meeting of 2024, Mary Howard (FG) tabled a motion stating, “Clare County Council calls on the government to end what the Scally report called a ‘Paternalistic Approach to women’s health care in Ireland’”. The significance for this motion aligns with Cllr. Howard’s declaration of demands for universal health care and a swift execution of Slaintecare. “We call on the Government to amplify the voices of women and girls in the design and implementation of all health policy and service delivery,” she stated. Cllr. Howard’s motion concluded: “This critical to fulfilling Vicky

lFEMALE HEALTH: Cllr Mary Howard

Phelan’s wish for a healthcare system which serves the health needs of all women and girls”. Vicky Phelan was diagnosed with cervical cancer three years after receiving the all-clear in 2014. This prompted Phelan to delve into

the issue, discovering that several other women would ultimately be impacted. Phelan’s investigation resulted in the Scally report, which was published in September 2018, and compiled by Irish public health physician Gabriel Scally.

Vicky Phelan passed away on November 14th, 2022. “I brought forward this motion as I have read the Scally report. We are looking for the accelerated implementation of Slaintecare & the provision of universal health care. So, hopefully as a council we try and make sure that women’s voices are heard and that a decision be made”, Cllr. Howard declared in the Council chamber. The motion received strong support in the chamber, as 11 representatives endorsed the Fine Gael representative, which included Ennis councillor, Johnny Flynn (FG), Joe Killeen (FF), Killaloe MD councillor Joe Cooney (FG), Cllr. Ian Lynch (IND), Cllr. Rita McInerney (FF), and Cllr. Cillian Murphy from the Kilrush MD, and five councillors within the Shannon MD, Cllr. John Crowe (FG), Cllr. Gerry Flynn (IND), Cllr. Donna McGettigan (SF), Cllr. Pat McMahon (FF), and Cllr. PJ Ryan (IND).

At her first meeting as an elected representative, Cllr. McInerney expressed “It is very important that women’s voices are heard and it is important for this to be implemented, and for it to be seen as a milestone so that people have the opportunity to rectify the situation and change the situation, to ensure that all of our people are met and are treated equally”. Cllr. Gerry Flynn stated “the public out there do not have confidence in our health service, and that’s where I want to compliment Cllr. Howard for bringing this motion forward. And to compliment the people like Vicky Phelan. I think people like Vicky are unbelievable heroes, and hopefully we can gain a positive conclusion to this matter”. Cllr. Howard concluded the motion, “Going forward, women can hopefully now use their voices. It is very important that this approach to women’s health care is taken sternly”.

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Gort & North Clare

Bed closures at Ennistymon Hospital are ‘unacceptable’ by Elaine Tubridy news@clareecho.ie

THE continued closure of almost half of all long term and respite beds at Ennistymon Community Hospital is causing serious concern and anxiety in the wider North Clare community, according to Clare Local Election candidate for West Clare Municipal District Bill Slattery (inset). Slattery, who was a sitting Fine Gael Councillor from 2011 to 2019 and is a candidate in the 2024 Local Election, said 6 respite beds have remained unused in the

old wing of the hospital since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic with an additional 6 beds in the newly developed long-term ward, which is fully equipped having been due to open in June 2023, also remaining closed. 16 beds are currently open in another long stay ward at the facility. Slattery says he has written to the Minister for Health requesting that the necessary resources and staffing be provided without delay. He also highlighted how the capacity issues in private nursing homes in the county is leaving

members of the local community without fewer respite or long stay options. “The HSE and the Department of Health could open these beds in the morning if they wanted to,” explained the Lahinch man. “Both wards are fully equipped but no progress has been made in securing the necessary resources and nurses to staff each of the two nursing stations. As a result, a much-needed community service is lying idle.” Mr. Slattery said local people are having to look beyond North Clare for access to respite and long stay care because of the ongoing bed closures. He explained, “The Friends of Ennistymon Hospital charity group has collected well over €1 million through local fund-

raisers and private contributions down through the years. These people, who have served the community diligently for many years, find themselves in a position where they and their family members are now struggling to secure accommodation either for respite or long-term care at the hospital. While the daycare centre at the hospital provides an invaluable community service, there is growing frustration amongst the local population around the continued closure of beds.” Mr. Slattery received a response to his written request to Health Minister Stephen Donnelly confirming that the matter had been referred to Mary Butler, Minister of State for Mental Health & Older People for response.

Burren College of Art features stunning exhibition by international students AESTHETES are being encouraged to check out the stunning PhD joint exhibition of QiChen and Robbie Lawrence at the Burren College of Art before it closes at the end of the month, writes Elaine Tubridy. Qi Chen is a Chinese artist living in Ire-

land. Qi is interested in portrait painting and documentary film. His research focuses on the combination of portrait, text and documentary film to question or collapse subjective distance between people from different cultures in order to enhance mu-

tual understanding. He draws on Chinese silk with ink and combines these drawings with documentary videos to reflect conflicts and misunderstandings between different ideologies and identities. These pieces challenge the viewer to rethink themselves and their boundaries. Robbie Lawrence was born in the United States, but currently resides in the west of Ireland. Her practice is formed by observational and turn of the 20th-century painting and drawing techniques, using mimicry to investigate objects and people around her. Robbie received her bachelor’s degree at MICA and later studied with ateliers in Italy and France, learning techniques able to record moments of storied depth and sensitivity. Her paintings aim to create quiet, delicate, and contemplative spaces for critical reflection. Visit www.burrencollege.ie/qi-chen-robbielawrence/for more. lPieces created by Qi Chen and Robbie Lawrence

Uisce Éireann to lay 1km of new pipes UISCE Éireann crews have been tasked with replacing 900 metres of aged cast iron water mains with new modern pipes in Ennistymon, writes Elaine Tubridy. The section of works will take place along Circular Road, from Ennistymon Garda Station and continue onto Church Hill and Victoria Terrace. These improvement works will also take place along the N85 (New Road), from Linnane’s Funeral Home to Alfie’s Cafe. The works will also involve laying new water service connections from the public water main in the road to customers’ property boundaries and connecting it to the customers’ water supply. Programme Manager for Uisce Éireann’s National Leakage Reduction Programme Jack Cronin outlined the benefits of the works for customers in Ennistymon. “Old and damaged water mains remain a huge source of leakage and continue to impact communities across County Clare, causing low pressure and supply disruption. Replacing these old water mains in poor condition will eliminate existing leaks and significantly reduce the amount of clean drinking water lost into the ground. The delivery of these essential works will help provide a safer, more secure water supply for Ennistymon by minimising the frequency of bursts and improving the resilience of the network.” “We would like to thank the community in Ennistymon in advance for their patience and cooperation during the works. We know based on previous experiences that the short-term inconvenience will be overshadowed by the lasting benefits.” The works will be carried out by Ward & Burke on behalf of Uisce Éireann and are expected to be completed in April 2024. Areas of work will be limited to short sections to minimise impact on customers. To deliver the works safely and efficiently, a road closure will be in place along the N85 until Friday, 23 February 2024. Local and emergency traffic will always be maintained. A road closure on Church Hill road will be applied for as works progress and this will be communicated at a later time. Traffic management will be in place along Circular Road in the form of flagmen and traffic lights. The works may involve some short-term interruptions to the water supply but the project team will ensure that customers are given a minimum of 48 hours-notice prior to any planned interruption. We understand that this type of work can be inconvenient and our team will make every effort to minimise any disruption these necessary works cause. This project in County Clare has been prioritised as part of Uisce Éireann’s national Leakage Reduction Programme which is delivering a more secure and reliable water supply to communities right across Ireland. This project forms part of Uisce Eireann’s National Leakage Reduction Programme and will help us achieve our 2030 goal of a national leakage rate of 25%. The National Leakage Reduction team has made great strides since 2018 when the leakage rate stood at 46%. Since 2018, Uisce Éireann has invested more than €500 million to upgrade the underground water network across the country through the delivery of the national Leakage Reduction Programme. We are investing a further €250 million every year up to the end of 2030 - fixing leaks and replacing pipes to provide a more reliable water supply.

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Hasting’s Farmhouse features in special Heritage Council publication

ÚCHAS na Sionna’s conservation work of Hasting’s Farmhouse has featured in a special Heritage Council publication, writes Elaine Tubridy. The booklet marks 25 years since the Heritage Officer Network was founded and features one key heritage project from each local authority. The farmhouse is a testament to the traditional Irish rural life of the 19th century and played a major role in the War of Independence, serving as a safe house for General Lucas, the highest ranking British officer captured during the conflict. The Hastings family, who resided in the house until the early 1970s, lived through many years without the modern conveniences of elec-

tricity or running water, relying on kerosene lamps, candles, and well water. The farmhouse’s legacy extends beyond the family, touching the cultural and historical fabric of the area. It was a hub for community and historical narratives, with the Hastings family and visitors partaking in traditional activities like butter-making and sharing stories that kept the local heritage alive. In collaboration with the Shannon Archaeological and Historical Society, Dúchas na Sionna have worked to further protect this local landmark by securing its status as a ‘Protected Structure’ with Clare County Council. Speaking on the launch of the booklet, Heritage Officer for Clare County Council John Treacy said:

“It is deeply satisfying to see documented in this publication the influence of the Heritage Officer Network in shaping our approach to heritage conservation and protection. Although we work as individuals at local authority level, what is clear from these pages is that the real strength of the Network is in the collective. These stories cover only a snapshot of recently completed projects from current heritage officers, so when we factor in the hundreds of past projects completed since 1999, it brings into the focus the enormous impact that the Local Authority Heritage Officer Programme has had.”

The publication can be read in full on the Heritage Council website at www.heritagecouncil.ie.

Airport records 30% growth surge in 2023

SHANNON Airport had a strong growth surge in 2023 with 1.958 million passengers welcomed to the airport, a 29 per cent increase on 2022 activity, writes Elaine Tubridy. This strong performance saw the airport achieve its highest passenger numbers since 2009, 14 years ago, with growth in air services across all markets. Passenger numbers to and from Continental Europe rose by 41 per cent to over 748k; UK traffic increased by 31 per cent recording 838k, while transatlantic passenger numbers increased by 24 per cent to 296k. These results build on the recent publication of an independent report by Oxford Economics showing that The Shannon Airport Group delivers a major contribution of almost €4 billion (€3.96bn) to Ireland’s GDP, supports over 20,300 jobs across the Irish workforce, and contributes €643m in tax revenues. Commenting on the Group’s positive performance in 2023, Mary Considine, CEO of The Shannon Airport Group said: “These

l The Munster Rugby team check in at Shannon Airport results are a testament to the hard work of our team across The Shannon Airport Group, the loyalty of our customers and stakeholders, and support from Government. “Shannon Airport’s temporary inclusion in the Regional Airports Programme helped us enormously to rebuild in the aftermath of COVID-19, and in 2023, much welcome Government funding supported our airport operation. “We have achieved much, but know we can achieve even more for our region

with continued Government support. Ultimately, Shannon Airport’s permanent inclusion in the Regional Airports Programme will deliver economic benefits for Ireland, aligning as it does with the Government’s own ambitions for ensuring balanced regional development. “We have been lobbying hard for this for some time and continue to do so as we await the outcome of the Government’s Mid-Term Review of the Programme due shortly.”

lRESTORATION: Earthen building workshop at Hasting’s Farmhouse in 2022

Thursday, Jan 18, 2024 THE CLARE ECHO

GREEN CLARE

Seventy local businesses driving sustainable tourism in the Burren

by Elaine Tubridy news@clareecho.ie

A SURGE in the number of businesses participating in an environmental initiative in North Clare is transforming the development of sustainable tourism across the Burren region. From a hotel harnessing all its electricity needs through hydropower to an artisan producer embracing sustainable farming practices, the 70 members of the Burren Ecotourism Network that are currently signed up for the Geopark Code of Practice for Sustainable Tourism are actively monitoring and adapting their environmental performance, as well has helping to build sustainable communities. Developed with EU LIFE funding, the

Code is the only sustainable initiative of its kind in Ireland and in the network of 169 Geoparks spread across 44 countries. The initiative is being funded by Clare County Council and is third party verified by the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark. “Working with the Burren Ecotourism Network, we are raising the standard of sustainable practices among tourism businesses across the entire destination of the Geopark and across all types of businesses,” explained Carol Gleeson, Manager of the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark. “The Code of Practice is actively developing a sustainable ethos and practices amongst a critical mass of tourism businesses in a destination.”

lVIBRANT COMMUNITIES: Nuala Mulqueeny, Managing Director at Aillwee Burren Experience pictured with members of the Burren Gaels Ladies Football Club

Photo courtesy of Aillwee Cave

“The growing network of businesses signing up to the Code is reflective of Clare’s continued moves toward established as a truly sustainable destination and follows the recent announcement that the County has broken into the Top 40 of the Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index, a sustainability benchmarking and performance improvement programme for destinations,” added Ms. Gleeson. She continued, “This success will also support the efforts of the recently established Clare Green Team, comprising tourism leaders from across the County, to achieve Ireland’s first Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Destination Certification.” Burren Smokehouse is one of the small and medium enterprises that have taken steps to measure and manage their energy and water consumption, as well as increase their support for local producers, services and community groups. Birgitta Hedin-Curtin, CEO/Owner of Burren Smokehouse described how a major investment in sustainable environmental management has led to considerable energy savings for the Lisdoonvarna-based during 2023. “Solar power is going to be essential to meeting growing energy demands while staving off climate change,” added Ms. Hedin-Curtin. “We are delighted to have started on that journey with our recent investment. Our solar panels commenced generating electricity in August. We have been monitoring daily contributions and have to date 3,430 KWh saving over €1,000 in the past three months. Our aim is to reduce our total electricity use from the grid by 30%.” The Falls Hotel Spa in Ennistymon, which became a certified carbon-neutral property through Green Hospitality Ireland in 2021, today harnesses 100% of its electricity needs from a 220kW hydro power turbine installed

near the Cascades on the Inagh River. Doolin Ferry Co also has made strides towards sustainability, with a key focus on reducing its environmental footprint. Initiatives undertaken include the digitisation of ticket bookings, a move that has markedly decreased the company’s usage of paper. The Aillwee Burren Experience is implementing the Code’s Sustainable Tourism principle around ‘vibrant communities’ through its sponsorship of the local GAA club. According to Nuala Mulqueeny, Managing Director at Aillwee Burren Experience, “We a proud to subscribe to the Code of Practice and are committed to strengthening local livelihoods and communities by sourcing from local suppliers, employing locally, volunteering locally, and supporting local teams and activities. We sponsor the Burren Gaels Ladies Football Club, empowering girls from across North Clare to excel in sports and to forge life-long friendships. Many members of the club have also become valued members of the Aillwee Burren Experience family over the years.” Hotel Doolin, which became Ireland’s first carbon neutral hotel in 2019, has received national acclaim for the “30-mile menu” at its Glas Restaurant. “Every ingredient featured on the menu is foraged, reared, caught, grown, or produced in County Clare not more than 30 miles ‘as the crow flies’ from the hotel,” explained Donal Minihane, Managing Director of Hotel Doolin. “The 30-mile menu not only strengthens local livelihoods, but also reduces the carbon footprint associated with the sourcing of ingredients. This dedication to locally sourced dining reflects Hotel Doolin’s holistic approach to sustainable hospitality.” Visit www.burrengeopark.ie or www.burren.ie for further information on the Geopark Code of Practice for Sustainable Tourism.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jan 18, 2024

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GREEN CLARE

New Local Link bus route to make 20 stops across county town

A NEW Local Link bus route will take passengers across Ennis town five times a day, seven days a week, writes Elaine Tubridy. Local election Green Party candidate Bridget Ginnity has welcomed the new C6C route, which runs between Clarecastle and Ballymaley Business Park, stopping almost 20 times along the way. “Getting a convenient bus through Ennis is now a reality. I’m delighted that Local Link have identified 18 stopping places along the route. The relatively frequent times means that it is good for getting to schools and business parks along the route as well as joining up with other public transport at the station and the Temple Gate bus stop.” The new bus route, when heading north, goes from Clarecastle to the train station, then loops around

by Dunnes Stores and the Templegate Bus station to rejoin Clonroad. The bus then goes down Lifford Road to get to the Gort Road and continues to Ballymaley Business Park. The return journey south follows the same route. “A further improvement would be to make it easier to see other buses going along those routes that you can also take. For example, the C6A bus goes between Hotel Woodstock and all the secondary schools and matches school start and end times. It can be hailed by anyone along the route where it is safe to do so,” according to Bridget. Other buses going along the Clarecastle and Gort roads that can also be used to supplement the new 6C route include the 337, which travels towards Clarecastle up to the Kildysert road.

On Saturdays, the C11, C13 and C14 travel along the Gort Road. The C6B travels in from the Tulla road in weekday mornings to reach town centre shortly after 8am and has two other routes during the day that take in various locations of interest. “I want to get the word out about how many buses we can get within Ennis so I’m putting Ennis focussed timetables on my social media page. I’m also helping people identify where the bus stops are. It is so handy, saves finding parking and giving lifts and more people on buses can help to reduce traffic congestion. It’s also great value for money. The fare within Ennis is only €1, with a 30% discount with prepaid Leap cards and it is free with travel cards” concludes Bridget.

lBUS TOUR: Green Party Representative Bridget Ginnity hops on the Local Link bus

Thursday, Jan 18 2024 THE CLARE ECHO

Giveaway

THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL Have a look at some of the prizes you could win The Clare Echo would like to wish our readers a Happy New Year in the best possible way in conjunction with a number of our advertisers. To be in with your chance to win over €2500 worth of prizes read on for full details...

HOW TO BE IN WITH A CHANCE TO WIN? Introducing The Clare Echo riddle. We will bring you a new clue each week, culminating with our fourth and final clue on February 1, 2024. Readers who guessed the correct answer in Week 1 received 10 entries into our prize draw. The number of entries awarded for getting the correct answer this week will be 6. The number of entries that will be awarded for a correct answer are as follows. • Week 1 (until Jan 17 at 6pm): 10 entries • Week 2 (until Jan 24 at 6pm): 6 entries • Week 3 (until Jan 31 at 6pm): 3 entries • Week 4 (until Feb 6 at 6pm): 1 entry Contestants can enter each week and 10 entries is the most one person will be eligible for in total. To enter, email editor@clareecho.ie with the subject line Clare Echo Riddle. In the email, give us your answer, name, age, phone number and where you’re from. Entrants must be aged 18 or over. Terms and Conditions apply with all prizes.

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Thursday, Jan 18 2024 THE CLARE ECHO

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Giveaway

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Thursday, Jan 18, 2024 THE CLARE ECHO

Lifestyle & Comment

Your Guide to E-Scooter Etiquette

IN RECENT years, electric scooters (e-scooters) have become a popular and eco-friendly mode of transportation, particularly in more urban settings like Ennis and Shannon. Unfortunately, in 2023 four users of the devices were killed compared to one in 2022 and none in 2021. As more riders take to the streets on these compact and convenient vehicles, it becomes crucial to emphasise the importance of driving safely to ensure the well-being of both riders and pedestrians. First and foremost, riders should familiarise themselves with local traffic laws and regulations pertaining to e-scooters. Understanding speed limits and which lanes to use can help prevent accidents and foster a harmonious coexistence with other road users. Visibility is key when navigating the bustling streets with an e-scooter. Wearing bright, reflective clothing and equipping the scooter with proper lights and re-

flectors enhances visibility, especially during low-light conditions. Additionally, riders should be vigilant about their surroundings, anticipating potential obstacles and being prepared to react quickly. Responsible riding extends to respecting pedestrian spaces. E-scooter users should refrain from riding on footpaths, ensuring the safety of older people, children and vulnerable pedestrians. When crossing intersections, it’s crucial to adhere to traffic signals and yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. Lastly, protective gear should not be overlooked. Helmets are essential for safeguarding against head injuries, and riders are encouraged to wear additional protective gear such as knee and elbow pads. By adhering to these guidelines, e-scooter enthusiasts can contribute to a safer and more enjoyable urban environment, promoting a culture of responsible and considerate riding on our roads.

l E-Scooter

Divorce and judicial separation: What do I do?

Ennis based law firm Cashin Clancy explain the difference between divorce and separation FOLLOWING on from our article in last week’s edition, where we discussed the usual steps taken to start the process of legally formalising your separation or divorce, today we will discuss the difference between legal separation and divorce, and what is involved in these types of cases, usually taken in the Circuit Court. Where you cannot reach agreement to finalise your separation by way of a Deed of Separation (Separation Agreement), and court proceedings are instead required, you and your spouse will have to have been living apart for 12 months in order to start court proceedings. Where you have been separated for more than 2 years, you may prefer to issue Divorce proceedings. Both types of court proceedings deal with much the same issues, the main difference being that a Court Order for Divorce permits you to re-marry. In either types of proceedings, your solicitor will need to gather a significant amount of information and documentation in order to start preparing for your case. You can start to prepare for the process by gather the following items, which your Solicitor will need from you:1. Original State/Civil Marriage Certificate 2. Any previous court orders (including any issued by the District Court) 3. Any previous written agreements (e.g. Mediated Agreements, Deeds of Separation) 4. Details of your children, to include their names, ages, educational status, health status

lEXPERTS: The Cashin Clancy Solicitors 5. Details of any existing Access and Maintenance arrangements 6. A financial profile of both husband and wife, to include:i. Employment status and income (with statements of earnings and payslips) ii. Mortgage, debts and other liabilities (bank loans, overdrafts, etc.) iii. Properties owned, either in sole or joint names iv. List of other assets, e.g. vehicles, bank accounts, shares, etc. v. Details of Pensions, Insurances and Life

Policies vi. Summary of Expenses for Household utilities and bills Your solicitor will also take a detailed history of your relationship history and its breakdown, and will provide you with initial advices as to the significant issues to be considered, options and likely outcomes. You will be asked to complete a financial statement known as an ‘Affidavit of Means’. Your solicitor will discuss with you the prospect of engaging with the solicitors rep-

resenting your estranged spouse, the likely costs of taking your case, and about engaging a barrister who will draft the court proceedings. Your solicitor will also advise you of the benefits of considering and engaging in Mediation as an alternative dispute resolution method, and of being open to negotiations with the other side in the case, to try and settle your case at an early stage, whenever possible. Every person’s situation is different, and unique to them only, which is why individual and specially-tailored advice is recommended in every case. A winning effort begins with preparation, and by preparing as early as possible, you can help advance your case to the best of your ability. If you would like more information on family law, separation or divorce, please visit our website www.cashinclancy.ie and you can call us on 065 6840060 or email enquiries@ cashinclancy.ie to make an appointment. This article does not constitute legal advice and where an opinion is expressed, it is the personal opinion of the author only and not of the firm or the paper.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jan 18, 2024

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Lifestyle & Comment

Homely Sausage Ragu

You’ll need

n 3 tbsp olive oil n 1 onion, finely chopped n 2 large garlic cloves, crushed n ¼ tsp chilli flakes n 2 rosemary sprigs, leaves

finely chopped n 2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes n 1 tbsp brown sugar n 6 pork sausages n 150ml whole milk n 1 lemon, zested n 350g rigatoni pasta n grated parmesan and ½ small bunch parsley, leaves roughly chopped, to serve

Method

1) Heat 2 tbsp of the oil in a saucepan over a medium heat. Fry the onion with a pinch of salt for 7 mins. Add

the garlic, chilli and rosemary, and cook for 1 min more. Tip in the tomatoes and sugar, and simmer for 20 mins. 2) Heat the remaining oil in a medium frying pan over a medium heat. Squeeze the sausage meat from the skins and fry, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, for 5-7 mins until golden. Add to the sauce with the milk and lemon zest, then simmer for a further 5 mins. To freeze, leave to cool completely and transfer to large freezerproof bags. 3) Cook the pasta following pack instructions. Drain and toss with the sauce. Scatter over the parmesan and parsley leaves to serve. THIS is a fantastic mid-week meal for all the family.

The key is to invest in the best pork sausages. Lunasa farm sell fantastic sausages in their butchers on Saturdays,

I would highly recommend them. Also, it’s worth spending a little more on good-quality pasta as this can make all

the difference. This recipe is great to freeze down if you fancy making a double batch and freezing. Enjoy.

Top tips for January gardening Re-thinking your planting scheme for spring

lBluebell

FOR your bed and borders now is a good time to rethink your planting scheme, for example, where to plant some evergreen shrubs or add screening plants. Maybe some plants need to be relocated, or possibly more color is needed in the perennial border, or the beds. There is a lot to look over in the garden and now is a great time to have a cuppa and look out over your little haven to see what the wish list was as you go through each season. Have a look at the pots around the house, maybe you want to add more color or move location. So, here are some ideas for this spring. We have lots of lovely bulbs coming into flower

and it’s not too late to add them in to the garden. Snowdrops are beautiful and add a woodland effect under the tree area if you have some. Bluebells mixed in with your other bulbs are stunning to look at. Crocuses are a lovely mix of colors and just a delicate beauty. And there are many more bulbs, so call in to the garden center to see the selection available. Polyanthus is a lovely addition of color this time of year mixed with pansy and viola. We have lots of colours available to keep the pots looking fab and to brighten up anyone’s day. If you are in the garden, now

is a good time to plant bare-root hedging plants and if you act fast you can still buy your pick of the bunch. I hope you are all getting in full swing with the exciting changes you are hoping to make in the coming year. lCrocus

Thursday, Jan 18, 2024 THE CLARE ECHO

Columnists

‘I am grateful for female trailblazers’ IN PREPARING a webinar for female leaders in aviation, I came across some shocking statistics. Did you know that women make up only 5% of airline captains and 5.1% of all pilots, 4% of mechanics, 3% of CEOs, COOs, and other key leadership positions, 16% of airport managers and air traffic control, 40% of TSA screeners, 79% of flight attendants and 86% of travel agents? In looking at this it is evident that the higher paid, higher profile roles are dominated by the opposite sex. Across industry as a whole, approximately 25% of C-suite roles are held by women, according to a Korn Ferry analysis of the nation’s 1,000 largest corporations across eight industries. The term “C-suite” refers to a company’s top management positions, where the “C” stands for “chief.” It is widely used to describe the upper echelons of a corporation’s senior executives, such as the CEO, CFO, CIO, and other chief officers. These high-ranking executives are responsible for running the organization, setting its strategy, making high-stakes decisions, and ensuring that day-to-day operations align with the company’s objectives Ruth Bader Ginsberg, the American lawyer and jurist who served as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1993 until her death in 2020 is quoted as saying that “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception”. Part of the issue is also the gender pay gap which in 2020 was at 14.4% in Ireland, and has decreased to 9.6% as of last year. This drop has been attributed to the pandemic. According to an article in the Irish Times, it triggered greater female participation in the Irish labour market and greater participation in better paying sectors such as finance and information technology. However, it still stands that women

are underrepresented in positions of power for example with an average of only 25% of our political representatives being female. The government has taken positive steps to address gender inequality, such as introducing legislation requiring companies with over 250 employees to report on their gender pay gap and implementing a legislative female election candidate quota of 30%. But is this enough? In my experience of being a full-time working single parent, who eventually started my own business, I know that it is harder to do such things in the absence of female role models. We need to have the reassurance of firstly seeing women who have gone before us, paving the way for success. In my youth, growing up in Shannon town, I was aware of three powerful female leaders in the political field. I remember them because they called to the door at home and seemed passionate about things I did not yet understand. They lived nearby and they were a visible, palpable part of our community. I instinctively knew that there was something different about these women. They seemed to have a purpose and what they were doing seemed important. Mainly they stood out because there were no other women like them that I knew of, doing what they did. Namely these were Patricia McCarthy, Geraldine Lambert and Bridget Makowski. Knowing what I know now about gender imbalance, particularly in politics, it is almost incomprehensible to understand how they did what they did. They each forged a successful career in politics, affecting positive change for the people of Shannon over a sustained period of time. Looking back, I am grateful to women like these for the subliminal messages they left in the minds young, impressionable girls like me. They were indeed trailblazers, paving the way for women to believe that it is possible to have an in-

fluence on matters of importance to us and our communities. My partner recently accompanied me to an aviation networking event where he chatted to a male attendee, about the role that women play in the industry. This man discussed how, from his professional experience that when women are in the room where decisions are made, decisions are made differently. He couldn’t say exactly how, why or what happens specifically, but he could acknowledge that it was a difference for the better. Next week, I will explore in further detail what women bring to the leadership table, and why this is important for all of us to appreciate.

lEQUALITY: Only five per cent of pilots are women

To snack or not to snack, that is the question

IN MY opinion, it depends on your bio-individuality. The science surprisingly does support both options: snacking and not snacking. The science pro snacking is based on the following benefits (source harvardedu.): - Provides a boost of energy if several hours pass between meals and blood glucose levels drop. - Helps curb your appetite to prevent overeating. - Provides extra nutrients when choosing certain snacks like fresh fruit or nuts. - Can help maintain adequate nutrition if someone has a poor appetite and cannot eat full meals. The concerns about snacking are real as well and they bring to our attention the following dangers: - Snacking on less nutritious foods can contribute to weight gain.

- You might actually not be hungry and it is just a mindless habit. - Snacking late can create a sugar spike in your blood and increase the risk of diabetes. Professor of genetics, Tim Spector from King’s College London conducted a study recently, which sits at the base of his book “Iden-

tically different”. The study shows how identical twins have a different response to the same food based on their bio-individualities. This makes so much sense when it comes to snacking as well. For someone who is looking to maintain or to lose weight and to control the sugar spikes in their blood,

snacking is not the way to go. On the other hand, for someone who is looking to improve an athletic performance and gain muscle mass or gain weight, healthy snacking is the ideal way to go. Let’s look at a few reasons why we are snacking. 1. Mass media and social media influence. We are exposed daily to tons of ads about having a snack, grab a can of soda, grab chocolate, indulge in a bag of crisps because they are tasty. 2. Your brain is looking to replace certain hormones that are missing due to lack of sleep. After a night with bad quality sleep your body faces an increased level of cortisol, the stress hormone, and it is looking to balance this with sugar. 3. We are bored or we are procrastinating. 4. We don’t have enough nutri-

ents packed in our meals.

Some healthy snacks include: • fibre rich fresh vegetables and hummus. • fibre rich fresh fruits and nut butter. • whole grain crackers and nut butter or hummus. • natural yoghurt and berries. • nuts like almonds, walnuts, or hazelnuts.

Join Smaranda at her January detox workshops at SweetnGreen cafe on January 17 and 25, from 6-8pm. €33 per person, WhatsApp 083-0306360 to book

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jan 18, 2024

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Columnists

‘Although my ADHD diagnosis is very recent, I know I am not alone’

Menopause expert and awareness advocate Nicola Ryan MPSI delves into ADHD and how it can worsen with perimenopause. Helena also shares her experience of the condition. IN TODAY’S article I just wanted to highlight a neurological condition that may worsen or only be diagnosed in the perimenopause years. ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) impacts approximately five per cent of the population in Ireland. ADHD is a developmental impairment of the brain’s executive functions. People with ADHD have trouble with impulse-control, focusing and organisation. For many women with ADHD, entering the perimenopause can cause a worsening of their ADHD and many others do not realise they are neurogenerative until the fluctuation of hormonal changes at perimenopause bring many issues to the fore that they may have struggled with for years but did a good job hiding the condition or keeping control of symptoms until now. When oestrogen levels decline this can impact the neurotransmitters in your brain required for attention, regulating emotions, memory, and organisational skills. Now we know that women without ADHD can experience this but for women with ADHD, the perimenopause can make their symptoms much more severe and thus they need specialised treatment. Helena is one of these women and she has been kind enough to share her story with us. “Although my diagnosis of ADHD is very recent, I know I am not alone; the average age of ADHD diagnosis in women is 39 years of age, and this is no coincidence. Research on the link between female hormones and ADHD is well established, something I was crudely unaware of until I had to find out the hard way! ADHD and I are intimately close, we have been together all of my life despite my ignorance of its existence. I am inherently hyper, in need of constant stimulation, and in a perpetual battle with boredom regardless of how many new opportunities I am presented with. “This constant drive for change and improvement is both a good and a bad thing - it is perhaps the only reason that I have come as far in my life as I have. However, my combined ADHD also means that

I am inattentive, I find it difficult to remember instructions and my brain wanders when tasks don’t interest me. I have given a lifetime to hiding my mistakes, perfecting facial expressions, nodding and agreeing, and repeating parts of conversations back to people in an attempt to show that: I am paying attention! I am engaged in the task at hand! I am competent enough for this role! “Until recently I got away with this. Perhaps the only people who see the true impact of the condition are those closest to me, and it is hard for them. It is difficult dealing with someone who can change like the flick of a switch and go from being a pile on the couch to someone who decides the night before it starts that they will commit to a psychology degree or book a holiday without discussing it with anyone; let alone the irritability that comes with overstimulation (yes, you heard that correctly, overstimulated despite a constant feeling of under stimulation!). Living with someone who has ADHD can also

“

Things got a bit tense in my household

”

be great! It adds a bit of fun and spontaneity, but overall it’s very unpredictable and this needs to be acknowledged. “Picture how this might feel when you add hormonal disruption into the mix. This is what happened to me and perhaps most of the women who received their ADHD diagnosis around 39 years of age. I

lHEALTH: Nicola Ryan

am 38 and received my diagnosis in the past few months. What made me pursue it? “Well here’s the thing, women with ADHD will ALWAYS experience an increase in their symptoms during hormonal changes, so much so that medication efficacy is known to drop in the luteal phase of their cycle. This drop in oestrogen coincides with a subsequent drop in dopamine (the neurotransmitter responsible for most of the symptoms of ADHD). This is further complicated by the fact that the symptoms of perimenopause are very similar to the symptoms of ADHD. “As you can imagine, things got a bit tense in my household! I didn’t know I had ADHD, I didn’t know I might be perimenopausal, I just thought I might be finally losing the plot and was running the risk of dragging my family down with me. “I decided it was time to see a doctor and visited a GP who had a special interest in women’s health. She thought the best course of action was to treat my symptoms despite blood tests producing a normal result for hormones. My life improved almost immediately. HRT, combined with a healthy diet, exercise, and supplements resulted in huge improvements in my sleep,

lADHD: Helena learned how to mask her symptoms

night sweats, energy, concentration, moods, and overall mental health. I had never felt so good in my life… until I returned to my own clinic, where I was promptly referred to an endocrinologist for confirmation of perimenopause which never came. “I was instructed to come off HRT after 1.5 years and as you can guess the impact of that was even worse than the original symptoms. I can safely say that every coping mechanism that I had perfected over the years swiftly jumped out the window leaving me sitting in a tearful mess at home, terrified of how I was going to manage my life. This fear was what eventually pushed me to seek my ADHD diagnosis, it had been a long time coming and is something that I am extremely grateful to know about. “I am currently medicated and the improvement is amazing. Stim-

ulants aren’t a magic cure, but they are the best tool I have in the box – that is until the day when women’s health and perimenopause are taken more seriously.”

A massive thanks to Helena for sharing her story. Helena is doing lots to make an awareness around this topic and help any other women who may be suffering in silence. If you would like to hear more on Helena’s story you can listen to her interview on the podcast ‘Can I Have Your Attention Please’, Episode 5. Although research on the link between ADHD and perimenopause is limited, and much more research needs to be done, this topic is definitely food for thought.

Thursday, Jan 18, 2024 THE CLARE ECHO

Recruitment

CLARE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT DAC

Clare Tourism Development DAC is a subsidiary company of Clare County Council that oversees the management, development, and promotion of a portfolio of signature visitor attraction sites throughout County Clare. Clare Tourism East which comprises of Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Knappogue Castle, Craggaunowen and Inis Cealtra, Cliffs of Moher Retail is now seeking to hire the following experienced professionals with the appropriate skills.

JOB OPENINGS – CLARE TOURISM EAST •

Head of Operations

•

Human Resource Business Partner

•

Assistant Head of Operations

•

Assistant Sales and Marketing Manager

•

Operations Manager

•

HR Support & Office Administrator

•

Farm Manager

HOW TO APPLY / FURTHER INFORMATION: If you are interested in applying, or want to know more about the individual position, contact careers@claretourismdev.ie or email your CV with cover letter to careers@claretourismdev.ie. Closing date for applications Friday, 16th of February 2024 at 5pm.

SATURDAY 20TH JANUARY 2024

Would you like to work in West Clare at one of Ireland’s most beautiful tourist attractions? Vandeleur Walled Garden/Loop Head Lighthouse are holding a

RECRUITMENT OPEN DAY FOR 2024 SEASON

for customer service agents, café staff, gardening staff Location: Vandeleur Walled Garden & Visitor Centre Killimer Rd, Kilrush, Co. Clare, V15 E735 from 11am to 4pm Training Provided Uniform Provided

Meet with staff and managers who work at Vandeleur Walled Garden & Visitor Centre/Loop Head Lighthouse. You are welcome to bring an up to date Curriculum Vitae. If you or someone you know would be interested in working as part of our team, please come to the recruitment open day on Saturday, 20th January. If you require any further information, please email info@vandeleurwalledgarden.ie or info@loopheadlighthouse.ie

www.loopheadlighthouse.ie www.vandeleurwalledgarden.ie

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jan 18, 2024

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Employment Opportunities in the National Parks and Wildlife Service

ADULT EDUCATION OFFICER x 3 POSTS

RURAL GENERAL OPERATIVES BAND 2 PERMANENT POSITIONS

with Initial Responsibilities ASSISTANT MANAGER FET PROVISION & SUPPORT SERVICES 2 Year Fixed Term Contracts Post 1 Ennis Campus Post 2 Raheen Campus Post 3 Shannon Campus

In the Western Division and Mid-Western Division Applications are invited for the above positions. Competition details and application forms are available on the website for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The closing date for receipt of applications is 3pm on Thursday, 1st February 2024.

Ref. No. 014701 Online application form and further details are available on www.lcetb.ie/recruitment Closing time and date for receipt of applications is 12 noon Tuesday 06th February 2024. The above posts are subject to sanction. Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board is an Equal Opportunities Employer. Canvassing will disqualify.

An tSeirbhís Páirceanna Náisiúnta agus Fiadhúlra National Parks and Wildlife Service

Recruitment

PANEL FOR BEACH LIFEGUARDS & SENIOR BEACH LIFEGUARDS – SUMMER SEASON 2024 Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons for inclusion on a Panel for employment as Beach Lifeguards & Senior Beach Lifeguards for the 2024 Bathing season. Age Limit:

Not less than 18 years of age on commencement of employment.

Qualifications: Current Water Safety Ireland, National Beach Lifeguard Award or equivalent as recognised by the International Lifesaving Federation (ILS). All candidates will be required to undergo a practical test in Basic Life Support (BLS), swimming ability, lifesaving techniques and a theory test conducted by an Examiner(s) nominated by Water Safety Ireland. The Garda Vetting process will be carried out in respect of all applicants. All relevant information must be included on application form to ensure appropriate marks are awarded. Please complete online application form available on www.clarecoco.ie under Careers Section. Closing date: 12 Noon Friday 16th February 2024 Clare County Council is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sectors of the Community. Scríobh chugainn as gaeilge más fearr leat.

Provision co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union. Có-mhaoinithe ag an

AONTAS EORPACH Co-funded by the

EUROPEAN UNION

Airport Security Search Officer Full-time and Part-time Opportunities - Fixed Term Contracts for Immediate Start We are growing our Airport Security Search Unit Team! This key role will provide security and protection for all passengers, staff and vehicles entering security restricted areas in the airport. Together, the team deliver consistent, targeted levels of safety, security and services, as well as a quality passenger experience.

At Shannon Airport we offer: • Full uniform & PPE • Paid accredited training to meet national and international standards as defined by the IAA, EU ECAC and ICAO • Fortnightly salary • Free onsite parking for the duration of the contract • Discounted rates for Shannon Duty Free & onsite food vendors • Comprehensive training and development • Attractive PRSA scheme • Access to the Bike to Work Scheme • Employee wellbeing initiatives to include a complimentary flu vaccine and Employee Assistance Programme • Pathway to a career at Shannon Airport

How to Apply: Applications in the form of a cover letter and current CV (MS Word or PDF) should be sent to: recruitment@snnairportgroup.ie not later than 12 noon on Wednesday, 31st January 2024. Ensure your email and telephone number (including mobile) are included with your application. As these are shift positions, applicants must be over 18 years of age on date of application. The selection process for the Airport Security Search Unit will include an assessment, interview, 5-year background check, Garda vetting and pre-employment medical.

Thursday, Jan 18, 2024 THE CLARE ECHO

Columnists

Thought for the week: Candle of hope Spreading the word of positivity RONAN SCULLY

ANDLES have always played an important role in praising God, in beautifying and illuminating places of worship, and in supporting spiritual celebrations. Candles illuminate and comfort as they help one reflect on the goodness and glory of God. Through the ages, believers have been called to “keep a flame burning perpetually” (Exodus 27:19-20). Lighting a candle for someone holds deep symbolic and emotional significance across various cultures and contexts. It is a ritual that transcends religious or spiritual beliefs and is often used to convey a range of sentiments and intentions. BEAUTIFUL ACT Lighting a candle is a mysteriously beautiful action. Where there is total, complete darkness, one lit candle becomes crucially indispensable. The spiritual meaning of a candle encompasses a range of symbolisms, including illumination, enlightenment, and reverence. It represents the light in the darkness, guiding us through uncertainties and symbolizing our spiritual selves. Candles also signify a calm presence and connection to God. In spiritual terms, a candle’s light is often seen as representing divine light, helping to manifest our intentions and desires in the universe. It’s said that each flame has a specific frequency and resonates with certain energies, aiding in healing, meditation, and rituals. It’s a universal symbol of peace and hope, used widely in religious and spiritual practices worldwide.

MY CANDLES Recall the quote, “It is better to light one candle, than to curse the darkness.” The candles I light each day for people who ask me too are the luminous reminder of my daily vow as much as I can to muster up the courage to follow the Light of Christ, the Jesus we read about and hear about in the Gospel readings each day, to the end. My thought for the week prayer candle sits in front of me daily as I write this thought for the week column each week. It is the living memory of the light in my soul that brought me to where I am now at this present moment of my journey through life. This candle that I light for everyone daily including for myself is a reminder to me that its light and warmth must help others to find their own ways through life. Candles, for all their fragility, are, in fact, the overwhelming image of what it means to be spiritually alive. In them is an ancient energy, eternal light, ceaseless prayer, sign of possibility, of help, love, prayer and hope on the horizons of our lives. MY FAVOURITE PRAYER To light a candle by myself is one of my favorite prayers. I am not talking about reading prayers by candlelight. The very act of lighting a candle is prayer. There is the sound of striking the match, the whiff of smoke after blowing it out, the way the flame flares up and then sinks, almost goes out until a drop of melted wax gives it strength to grow to its proper size and to steady itself. All this and the darkness beyond my small circle of light is prayer. I enter it as one enters a room. My being alone is essential to this prayer. This burning candle is a celebration of my belief in and love of life

and of God. I am asking that all shall be well, not just for myself, but for everyone who cries out for God, for everyone who prays, and for everyone who would pray if they could but find the heart to do so. My candle lighting is filled with hope and gratitude. That is my prayer. I pray mostly without words. I enter into the mystery of life. My love and my lighted candle is in my prayer. CANDLE OF HOPE The motto I mentioned above is a good one, “It is far better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.” Jesus said something like that but in a different way. He said, “You are a lamp. And a lamp must shed its light upon those who are around so that when they see your good works, they will give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” The great writer A. J. Cronin tells of traveling through the European continent immediately after the second World War encountering the terrible destruction there. He came to the romantic, once beautiful city of Vienna and was stunned by what he saw. The destruction was so complete. And as he moved through the ruined streets of that city, he felt deep resentment beginning to build up within him. He was downright angry that such terrible desolation could have occurred in such a magnificent place. He began to curse the darkness which had caused it all. THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK As your thought for the week, we must remember that the most fundamental vocation and purpose of our lives is to love. However, love without sacrifice is empty, and love without pain is vain. Mother Teresa once said that humanity has cured so many incurable diseases,

lCandles

but one disease that afflicts humanity today is that there are many people who feel unwanted and unloved. May each and every one of us become God’s light and hand in the world to touch a wounded soul and heal a broken heart through acts of kindness, love, charity, mercy and forgiveness that flows from a deep place. May we remember the immortal words of St. Therese of Lisieux: “My life is for a moment, I am only the breath of God. O, my God teach me that for loving you and loving my neighbor, I have only today for my life is only for a moment.” Let me leave you with a daily prayer recited by Mother Teresa and attributed to St. John Henry Newman, it was said to be among her favorites. “Dear Jesus, help me to spread Thy fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my

soul with Thy spirit and love. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that all my life may only be a radiance of Thine. Shine through me and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel Thy presence in my soul. Let them look up and see no longer me but only Jesus. Stay with me and then I shall begin to shine as you shine, so to shine as to be a light to others. Amen.” Whatever talents, gifts, and creative ideas you have, there is an unlimited number of ways to let your light shine. So go ahead, light your candle and spread your light for you might be the bright light that others need to see through darkness and find their way home. A candle symbolizes light in the darkness of life especially for a loved one or significant person. Lighting

a candle represents the light of Christ who gives us hope and heals us. Lighting a candle is a way to let Christ, the Light, into our lives; it is a way to let our light of care, concern, hope, love, compassion, interconnectedness and peace shine into the world; it is an invitation to warmth; the fire of a candle ascends, like our prayer; it can be an offering of self, “our souls and bodies” to God’s glory. The lit candle can be our continuing prayer, even when our conscious praying is interrupted or distracted into oblivion. The lit candle, especially in the darkest part of the night, is a symbol of an unquenchable hope; it is a symbol of a life-giving trust in God. I encourage you this week and always to light a candle, offer a prayer and give the Light of Jesus you know to the world.

Irish classes for adults beginning on Tuesday

Ranganna oíche Gaeilge do dhaoine fásta ag tosaigh Dé Máirt Imeachtaí/Events:

Macalla an Chláir

LE MACDARA Ó CONAOLA

PRAOI le Gaeilge will commence Irish conversational classes in Clare Education Centre on the Kilrush Road on Tuesday, the 23rd of January, where your tutor will be a native of The

lIrish classes

Aran Islands Gaeltacht! Accepting reservations for: ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS, INTERMEDIATE, AND ADVANCED students. Price for the 8-week course is €65.

BOOK YOUR PLACE NOW! For further information, please contact SPRAOI LE GAEILGE at spraoilegaeilge@gmail.com or call 085-1295594 Beidh míle fáilte romhat! You’ll be very welcome!

• INIS DÍOMÁIN – Scéalta agus rannta do ghasúir 0-5 mbliana d’aois, sa Leabharlann, ón 11am go 11.30am, Dé Sathairn, 20ú lá d’Eanáir. • Clare FM - Cúl-chaint le Domhnall Ó Loingsigh chuile Dé Sathairn, ag 9am ar Clare FM • Ciorcal Comhrá san XPO, i gCill Iníne Baoith, chuile Dé Céadaoin ag 7.30pm • INIS – CAINT AGUS COMHRÁ, chuile Dé Luain ag 11am sa gCopper Jug, Dé Céadaoin ag 11am in O’Brien’s, oíche Déardaoin sa Temple Gate (8pm), agus Dé Sathairn i nGlór, 11am-12pm Déan teagmháil leo ag: caintaguscomhra@outlook.com

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jan 18, 2024

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Sport

Three putting hurts Rory by PÁDRAIG MCGRATH Tommy Fleetwood wins the Dubai Invitational with a dramatic birdie, birdie finish after dropping a shot on the 16th to win by the smallest of margins over Rory McILroy and Thriston Lawrence both tied second on -18. Tommy began the day as leader by one shot over Rory so it was setup for an epic Sunday final round. Tommy played solid all day and never looked like he was struggling putting for birdie on almost every hole. Rory charged on the backnine and even went one shot ahead on the 16th when Tommy had a rare bogie. Tommy finished really strong with birdies at seventeen and eighteen to win by one after Rory bogied the final hole after finding the water. In his final round Rory put a lay up iron shot into the water on the front nine, three putted from two feet and hit his tee shot on the 18th into the water and still only narrowly missed out by one. Rory has three putted from close range a few times over the years. At the official opening of the new course at

Adare Manor I recall he hit a spectacular nine iron to the fourth hole to four feet to a difficult tucked away pin and he managed to three putt that four footer after racing his attempt five foot past the hole. He has a tendency to hit short putts aggressively at the hole and unfortunately when you miss with the modern day greens playing so fast you can easily run several feet past which can be easily missed resulting in a three putt. I would love to see Rory roll in short putts with less pace and rule out ever three putting from short range. In my opinion he seems to putt best when he rolls putts in the front of the hole versus hitting

putts for the back of the hole. TaylorMade Launch new Qi10 Range Both Tommy and Rory were among the players using the new TaylorMade Qi10 woods this week which are now available in stores for custom fittings. They officially launch at the end of the month but all TaylorMade stockists have fitting components to get you fitted now. The new Qi10 Max is the highest MOI driver TaylorMade have ever produced. MOI stands for Moment Of Inertia and the higher the MOI the less the clubface will open or close when the ball hits towards the toe or the heel of

the driver, as seen in the im- possibly the lowest I've ever age. So if you are struggling seen on the market. with hitting fairways the Qi10 Max is the driver for you. There are four models of the Qi10 : Qi10 : This is your standard head that will suit the majority of golfers. It is a forgiving head and it is suitable for any golfer looking for an easy to use driver with a mid spin. Qi10 Max : Ideal for a beginner golfer or a golfer who is struggling to hit fairways. This head will reduce the curvature of your drives considerably with a mid / high by Seamus Hayes spin. 46 points. Qi10 Max HL : This news@clareecho.ie DROMOLAND GOLF CLUB head has all the bene- WEATHER comditions are still Pat McGrath was the winner fits of the Max but with proving difficult for golfers but of category A in last week’s some competitions went ahead a higher loft. This head men’s seniors outing at Dromosuits a golfer with a at the weekend. With freezing land. Noel McMahon was secslower swing speed or temperatures forecast again this ond while Bart O’Brien was in one with a steep golf week, its likely that competitions third place. swing. This has the will be suspended at a number In category B, Paul Dyar was of clubs highest spin head. third followed by James Linnane Qi10 LS : The LS or GORT GOLF CLUB with Frank Travers in third place low spin head is the Niall O’Shaughnessy (11) was KILRUSH GOLF CLUB less forgiving head and the winner of category A in the Martin P. Brennan (15) was is suited for the better 18 hole singles stableford commore consistent golfer petition at Gort last weekend the winner of the singles competition at Kilrush on with a faster clubhead with 42 points. Sunday with 30 points. He had speed. It is easier to hit Michael Cahill (12) won cat- one to spare over Dominic Enfades and draws with egory B with 41 points, David the LS head also. It is Daly won category C with 47 right (8) who, in turn, was one by far the lowest spin- points while the category D win- ahead of Michael Miniter (10) ning driver TaylorMa- ner was Pat McNamara (24) with while fourth placed Thomas Coffey (8) also finished with 28. de have produced and

Weather still a spoilsport

Bright start to 2024 for Clare dogs in Limerick by Michael Maher news@clareecho.ie

CLARE greyhounds have made a bright start to the new year at Limerick greyhound stadium. Starting with Cloneyogan Bear recording a third career success for Mullagh’s Noel Moroney, the son of Pestana and Cloneyogan Flash stopped the clock at 29.30. One of the most consistent performers around the Limerick circuit in the last year is Portdrine Magic, owned by Cratloe’s Liam Carroll. This son of Clonbrien Hero and Clona Lass landed his 10th race win in an impressive 28.60 at last Thursday meeting which has now changed to an afternoon schedule. From the 13 races on the card, four winners came home to the Banner county. O’ Callaghans Mills trainer Donal Cooney recorded a double. In the first race of the afternoon, Killuran Babe, owned by Ciaran Cooney made it 4 wins from 8 starts, with a 29.78 victory. She is a daughter of

Pestana and Border Electric. The double was completed in the 12th race when East Clare Way, owned by Frank O’Meara and Padraig Minogue. recorded a second career success in 29.42. He is a son of Pestana and Slippery Jade. Snuggie Archie recorded his 11th career win for Newmarket on Fergus’s Myles Cummins. A son of Paddy’s Magic and Miles Girl, his winning time was 29.83. Ennistymons’s Tom Flanagan was in the winner’s enclosure with Trembling Gloria, who notched career win number 5 in 29.26, Gloria is a home bred daughter of Romeo recruit and Trembling Juliet. At last Saturday night’s Galway meeting the Mrs Maria Browne of Cree owned Burnpark Jaytee took his career stats to five wins from five starts as he gradually makes his way through the grades taking this S4 graded contest by a diminishing three parts of a length in 18.07. The son of Jaytee Jet & Seekers Vision was headed from traps by Strawberry Messi but powering down the

rails he led by two lengths at the opening bend where the runner up fought in traffic . Off the home bend Matilda Be Slick began to power home but the line was always going to be Jaytee Jets friend . In the A4 grade ninth contest over 550 yards the Siobhan Garraghy Cloneyogan Sydney of Moy Lahinch recorded his fourth career success from just nine starts with a game three parts of a length victory over Heathlawn Lucy in 30.39. Heathlawn Lucy was best away and led to the opening bend where the eventual winner briefly drew level . Turning down the back Heathlawn Lucy went two lengths clear but approaching the third bend the Donie Duggan trained Cloneyogan Sydney moved through on the leaders inner to take over but the son of Droopys Sydney & Tiernana Rum was all out to hold his rivals renewed challenge in the dying strides. There was a thrilling finish to the A8 graded contest as the Michael Costello & Brian McMahon of Ballyvaughan owned Pinnacle Venture

just held the late thrust of Ballyhale Sandra to prevail by a head at the line in 29.89. The winner trapped well towards the inner as Rosshill Magico showed pace towards the wide outside racing to the opening bend. Tracking well the son of Burgess Bucks & Pinnacle Abbie led Rosshill Magico and Ballyhale Sandra by over a length racing towards halfway as the trio drew clear of their rivals . Approaching the home bend Ballyhale Sandra looked a big threat to Pinnacle Venture who like her dam was tenacious in front and saw the challenge off close to home. The Shane Counihan & John Quinn of Gort owned Hit The Diss is in a great vein of form at present and the daughter of Pestana & Port West Pop recorded her sixth career success in game all the way fashion in the A4 graded contest, prevailing by a diminishing neck form Abigails Hope in 29.54. The winner trapped well in company with Bumblebee Lottie and cutting to the rail at the opening bend she led by three

lengths entering the back straight . At halfway the lead was four lengths but from this point Abigails Hope began to close with every stride only to run out of real estate as Hit The Diss lasted home . The Gerry O’Donoghue of Gort owned On The Radio(Candlelight King-Pinnacle Blue) came in as a reserve for the A5 contest and he duly made all the running to defeat the fast finishing Abigails Sinead by two and a half lengths in 29.36. Very smartly into stride the winner led by over two lengths form Five Alley Floss rounding the opening bend . Racing along the back the lead increased to over four lengths as On The Radio made the best of his way home and staying on well was always in command.

Thursday, Jan 18, 2024 THE CLARE ECHO

Sport

Munster camogie Mounsey & McCarthy impress North title for St Flannans for Clare in defeat against Cork St. Flannans 3-4 Scoil Ruain Killenaule 2-3

St. Flannans college captured the North Munster under 16 1/2 camogie title and the Sr. Patricia trophy when they accounted for Scoil ruain, Killenaue, Tipperary in an evenly contested decider at the Eire Og grounds on Saturday. In a tie in which scores were hard to come by, the winners led by two points at half time, 1-3 to 1-1. Sara Fitzgerald had the opening point of the game. This was followed by a period without scores before the visitors struck for a goal. Shortly before half time Sara Fitzgerald struck for the opening goal for St. Flannans who had two goals early in the second half, both from Ava Custy. The Tipperary outfit hit back strongly and helped by their second goal there was just one score between the teams with time ticking away. St. Flannan's had the final score of the day to seal a four point win and spark off great celebrations as team captain, Eva Loftus from Eire Og, accepted the trophy. Amongst those to stand out for the winners on the day were Georgia White, Ashling O’Connor, Caoimhe Neylon, Sarah Fitzgerald and Ava Custy .

MUNSTER HURLING LEAGUE Cork 1-24 Clare 0-24 Venue: Pairc Ui Rinn, Cork By Seamus Hayes

CLARE’S involvement in this season’s Co-Op Superstores Munster hurling league ended at Pairc Ui Rinn this Sunday afternoon when they went down to Cork by a goal. While there will be disappointment at bowing out of the 2024 competition, Clare can be happy at the fact that they got valuable game time into most of the squad in their games against Limerick and Cork last week. A relatively inexperienced Clare side faced a much more experienced Cork outfit and they matched the Leesiders in many areas in what was a high scoring game. The game’s only goal came with just a minute played and this was the difference between the sides at the final whistle. Clare opened the scoring through the impressive Robyn Mounsey and straight from the resulting puck-out, Cork’s Conor Lehane won possession and he broke through the Clare defense, firing to the net to give Cork a lead they held for all but a minute of the tie. When Aidan McCarthy, Clare’s top scorer on the day, converted a free in the 23rd minute it levelled the contest at 0-10 to 1-7. Lehane, a key payer for the winners in the opening half, responded with a point and the winners went on to lead by five at half time when the score was 1-16 to 0-14. Both sides rung the changed in

St. Flannans;Holly Morgan; Georgia White, Erona O’Connor, Ashling O’Connor; Ciara Lohan, Cara Lawlor, Aly Carmody; Hannah Madden, Caoimhe Neylon(0-1); Eva Loftus captain, Edie McGuane (0-1), Honor Moran; Ava Custy (2-0), Sara Fitzpatrick (1-2), Heidi Keane Subs; Saoirse Conway for C. Lohan; Aoife Murphy for H. Keane

l Robin Mounsey scored four points from play against Cork at the weekend

the second half and scores weren’t as plentiful. With ten minutes remaining the winners were seven points clear before Clare hit six unanswered points in the next eight minutes to leave the minimum between the sides with time almost up. Cork managed the last two scores through Darragh O’Flynn and goalkeeper Brian Saunderson from a long-range free to seal a win they just about deserved on a day when Ciaran Joyce, Conor Lehane, Shane Kingston and Robbie Cotter impressed for them. For Clare, Conor Cleary, Cathal Malone, Aidan McCarthy and Robyn Mounsey stood out.

Photo by Gerard O'Neill

Cork; Brian Saunderson (0-1); Ger Mellerick, Robert Downey, Cathal McCarthy; Ciaran Joyce, Tommy O’Connell, Cormac O’Brien; Eoin Carey (0-1), Brian Roche; Sean Twomey, Conor Lehane (1-3), Shane Kingston (0-8); Jack O’Connor (0-1), Brian Hayes (0-1), Robbie Cotter (0-4); Subs used; Daire O’Leary, Sam Quirke, Darragh O’Flynn (0-3), Declan Dalton, Robbie O’Flynn, Cormac Beausang (0-1), Eoin Roche Clare; Cian Broderick (Clarecastle); David Tuohy (Clarecastle), Conor Cleary (Miltown St. Josephs), Seadna Morey (Sixmilebridge); Oran Cahill (Eire Og), Dylan McMahon(Clonlara), Tadhg Dean (Crusheen); Aidan Moriarty (Clonlara), Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge) 0-1; Stephen Conway (Feakle), Cian Barron (St. Josephs) 0-2, Killian O’Connor (Corofin) 0-1; Gearoid Sheedy (Ogonnelloe), Aidan McCarthy (Inagh-Kilnamona) (0-13, 10 frees), Robin Mounsey (Ruan) (0-4) Subs used; Ross Hayes (Crusheen), Conn Smyth (Feakle), Paddy Donnellan (Broadford), Keith Smyth (Killanena) 0-2, Eanna Crimmins (Newmarket), Colm O’Meara (Clonlara) 0-1, Diarmuid Cahill (Corofin), Jack Kirwan (Parteen-Meelick), Keelan Hartigan (Scariff) Referee; Eamonn Stapleton, Limerick.

Remembering Damian Carmody DAMIAN Carmody was a leading light with O’Curry’s GAA club up to the time of his untimely death following an accident three years ago. Details were announced recently of a football competition to be run in his memory. Four clubs, O’Currys, Naomh Eoin, St. Senans, Kilkee and Doonbeg will compete for the Damian Carmody memorial cup. The Shanahan McNamara park in Doonbeg will host the competition on Saturday

February 24. The action will get under way at 12 noon with the meeting of Doonbeg and Naomh Eoin in the first semi-final. St. Senans Kilkee will then take on O’Currys at 2p.m. with the final scheduled for 3p.m. As well as honouring Damian, this competition should prove very valuable to the teams involved as it comes shortly before the new domestic season gets under way with the opening rounds in the various Leagues.

Ennis men thump Douglas in winning weekend

by Dearbhla Parry

SENIOR MEN’S LEAGUE: ENNIS RFC 55 – 7 DOUGLAS RFC The senior men were victorious against Douglas with 55-7 and will play against Killarney at home as a result. Tries were scored by Joe Connaughton (x3), Calum Barret (x1), Osgar O’Gorman (x1), Nial O’Brien (x2), Jack Scahill (x1), and Oisín Madigan (x1) with 5 conversions by Colm Kearney. Tries from Calum Barret, and two from the hard-runing Joe Connaughton contributed to a half time score of 19-0. Connaughton completed his hat-trick early in the second half which was followed by an Osgar O’Gorman try, with Kearney consistent as ever with the boot. The bench was then emptied and Nial O’Brien running in two tries, and one for Jack Scahill which was set up by Cian Guilfoyle. Douglas was able to score a try due to a lapse in concentration, but a penalty to Ennis and Oisín Madigan scoring Ennis’ final try al-

lowed the Ennis senior men to come out victorious. U16 GIRLS MUNSTER LEAGUE: ENNIS RFC 4722 DUNMANWAY BANTRY BAY RFC The U16 girls will play in the league semi-final next week after winning against Dunmanway Bantry Bay RFC in their Munster league quarterfinal. The at home game was eventful with Ennis being penalised in the ruck as they were off their feet and an injury to Grace Hoyne. Ennis’ Lucy Kelly scored a try in the first minute, which was converted by the number eight Nicole Clark. After the kick-off, the Cork players were stunned by Abi Kelly’s speed, who managed to score another try that was also converted by Clark. Superb tackling by Eimear Meaney, Aoife Martin and Fia Doody kept the visitors in their own half and when Ennis were awarded a scrum, Clark took off with the ball. Once tackled, scrum-half Hoyne was quick to the breakdown to pass out to out-half Sarah

l Cian Guilfoyle

Keavey. She sent the ball to Meabh McCarthy who sent a lovely pass to Kelly, who ran in under the posts. Ennis continued with their forward momentum and Kate Howard drove over the line for another five points, converted by Clark. The Cork girls finally got on the board for their first try before Enis out-half Keavey dived over for a well-worked team try as Clark added the 2 points with ease.

Antoher try for the Cork outfit left the half time score at 35-12. During half time, changes were made with substitutes Rachel Hayes, Katie Murray and Holly Murphy coming on. The visitors began the second half well by getting their third try. Just after the outside-centre Kelly was subbed and Faye Ryan came on, Hoyne suffered an injury, resulting in Keating returning as scrum-half and Kelly coming back onto the field, only to score Ennis' final two tries of the match. Ennis: Fia Doody, Kathy Slattery, Aoife Martin, Lucy Kelly, Eimear Meaney, Kate Howard, Kiera Hanrahan, Nicole Clarke, Grace Hoyne, Sarah Keavey, Eileen Keating, Maebh McCarthy, Abi Kelly, Siofra Enright, Laura Kate Ryan, Rachel Hayes, Lilith Kearney, Faye Ryan, Holly Murphy, Katie Murray, and Olivia Burns.

U14 GIRLS LEAGUE QUARTER FINAL: ENNIS RFC 26 – 19 COBH PIRATES RFC Away to top opposition, a quick start for Ennis was crucial which was provided by an Emma Browne try. Cobh responded with three consecutive tries and took a

19-5 lead at half-time. However Ennis showed great spirit and superb handling skills as tries from Biborka Benko and Rachel Clarke helped Ennis to bounce back and ultimately win 26-19. Ennis: Sadbh McMahon, Emma Browne, Rebecca Toone, Amy Martin, Emma Hanrahan, Saoirse Quinn, Sally Crowe, Rachel Hanrahan, Biborka Benko, Lauren Reidy, Eve Tiernan, Niamh Browne, Rachel Clarke, Olivia Flanagan, Grace Kelly, Addison Kelly, and Eadaoin McNamara.

U13 BOYS COMPETITION LEAGUE: ENNIS RFC 19 – 19 GARRYOWEN RFC Ennis drew 19 – 19 with Garryowen on Sunday, a game that was meant to be played last week but was postponed due to the weather. The first try of the game was scored by Cian O’Dwyer in the corner. However, it was not long before Garryowen caught up with a score in the corner as well. Ennis held up the ball over their try line and showed good defence throughout the first half of the game. In the second half, good play from Garryowen led to a try under the post, but Ennis kept the pressure on. A great

try by Ennis’ Ben McAllister left of the posts, with the conversion, put the score at 12-12. A great ruck was seen by Roland as well as a break by Robbie, who ran the length of the pitch to score under the posts. The last try was scored by Garryowen under the posts, leaving the two teams to draw 19-19. Ennis: Conor McMahon, Oisín Hough, John Boyle, Conor Earle, Cian Friel, Alex Labuhn, Alfie Tracey, Colm O’Gara, Devin Thornton, Ben McAllister, Dylan O’Loughlin, Robbie McMahon, Donnachadh Warner, Finn Ellingstad, Cian O’Dwyer, Donnacha Flannagan, Páraic Keane, Thomog Ryan, Niall O’Connell, Rowland Adeniyi, Michael Meere, and Tadhg Crowe.

U8 BLITZ Kilrush hosted a blitz consisting of three Clare clubs: two Kilrush teams, three Ennis teams, and three St. Sennans teams. There were several brilliant tries scored and some good tackling by the players. All the teams played some great games and all of the players enjoyed themselves.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jan 18, 2024

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CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL FUROOR, KILKEE, CO CLARE Take notice that PJ Rafferty is applying to Clare County Council for retention permission of existing workshop ancillary to the existing dwelling house and planning permission to extend the aforementioned workshop, and to demolish existing stables and construct a shed to be used for domestic purposes ancillary to the dwelling house along with all associated works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of Clare County Council during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL KNOCKROE, KILKEE, CO CLARE Take notice that Aoife Haugh is applying to Clare County Council for retention permission for demolition of outbuildings and front wall and extension and alterations to existing house along with planning permission to renovate and alter the existing house along with all associated works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of Clare County Council during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL. HERMITAGE, ENNIS, CO CLARE Take notice that Diarmuid Keane + Associates Ltd. (065-9083667, www. diarmuidkeane.ie) intends to apply to Clare County Council on behalf of Sarah-Kate Bannon for planning permission for the following development at the above address: to convert the front lawn to a hard surfaced area and to make elevational alterations to the existing front boundary wall and footpath for the purpose of vehicular access, including all associated site works and services. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the

application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL. CASTLECRINE, SIXMILEBRIDGE, CO CLARE. Take notice that Diarmuid Keane + Associates Ltd. (065-9083667, www. diarmuidkeane.ie) intends to apply to Clare County Council on behalf of Rita Liddy for planning permission for the following development at the above address: (a) to convert the existing attached garage to residential accommodation; (b) to construct an extension to the side and rear of the existing dwelling house; (c) to make elevational alterations to the existing house; (d) to sub-divide the dwelling house for the purpose of ancillary living accommodation; and (e) all associated site works and services. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL, CREEVAGH, KILNABOY, ENNIS, CO CLARE Take notice that Diarmuid Keane + Associates Ltd. (065-9083667, www. diarmuidkeane.ie) intend to apply to Clare County Council on behalf of Martina Daly & Kevin Baker for planning permission to construct a new dwelling house, private garage, site entrance, wastewater treatment system, bored well and all associated site works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission sub-

ject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL, BALLYFAUDEEN, LAHINCH, CO CLARE Take notice that Diarmuid Keane + Associates Ltd. (065-9083667, www. diarmuidkeane.ie) intend to apply to Clare County Council on behalf of Aaron Greene & Michelle Hogan for planning permission to construct a new dwelling house, private garage, site entrance, wastewater treatment system and all associated site works and services at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL RATHCLOONEY, CRUSHEEN, CO CLARE Take notice that Jason Horner intends to apply to the Planning Authority for retention permission for the roof windows on the existing dwelling at the above address. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, New Road, Ennis, during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the planning authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00, within the period of 5 weeks, beginning on the date of receipt by the planning authority of the application. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL DERRYAHEILA, FEAKLE, CO CLARE. Take notice that Sean O’Grady intends to apply for permission to construct a new Slatted House and associated site works at the above address. The Planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority, Clare County Council, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare, during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the

period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL, DOONANE, TULLA, CO CLARE Take notice that Patrick and Marilyn Talty intend to apply for planning permission to construct a new single detached dwelling house including: access drive from the public road, connection to public sewer and services together with all associated ancillary works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of Clare County Council, Clare County Council, Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare, V95 DXP2 during its public opening hours. (Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 4.00 pm). A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL FURTHER INFORMATION/ REVISED PLANS PLANNING REF: 2360344 Development Description: Retention Permission of a shed and further extension as constructed; all for use as Short Term Tourist Accommodation Location: The Red Gates, Killeen, Corofin, Co. Clare Take notice that The Red Gates c/o Desmond Tully has lodged significant further information in respect of planning application 2360344. This information and planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority of Clare County Council, Planning Department, Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, not later than 2 weeks after the receipt of the newspaper notice and site notice by the planning authority or in the case of a planning application accompanied by an EIS within 5 weeks of receipt of such notices by the planning authority. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL FURTHER INFORMATION/ REVISED PLANS PLANNING REF: 2360343 Development Description: Permission for the installation of a new wastewater treatment unit and soil polishing filter to serve existing short term tourism accommodation on site. Location: The Red Gates, Killeen,

Planning

Corofin, Co. Clare Take notice that The Red Gates c/o Desmond Tully has lodged significant further information in respect of planning application 2360343. This information and planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority of Clare County Council, Planning Department, Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, not later than 2 weeks after the receipt of the newspaper notice and site notice by the planning authority or in the case of a planning application accompanied by an EIS within 5 weeks of receipt of such notices by the planning authority. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL FURTHER INFORMATION / REVISED PLANS PLANNING REF: P23/60359 Development Description: to erect dwelling house, foul sewer treatment plant and percolation area Location: Emlagh, Quilty Take notice that M. Flynn has lodged significant further information in respect of planning application P23/60359. This information and planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority of Clare County Council, Planning Department, New Road, Ennis, Co Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, not later than 2 weeks after the receipt of the newspaper notice and site notice by the planning authority. CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL BALLYTIGUE, LISDOONVARNA, CO CLARE Take notice that Neville Civil Works Ltd. intends to apply for planning permission to construct a building for use as offices, meeting room, staff welfare facilities & storage area to the south west of the existing private dwelling & all other associated site and ancillary works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority, during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

Thursday, Jan 18, 2024 THE CLARE ECHO

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Thursday, Jan 18, 2024 THE CLARE ECHO

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Thursday, Jan 18, 2024 THE CLARE ECHO

Quiz

The Clare Echo Quiz CO.CLARE QUIZ

The statue is often referred to as another mythical Greek figure named Daedalus. He was what relation to Icarus?

Son Father Second cousin once removed

monument on Frances Street 3The in Kilrush is dedicated to what? Manchester Martyrs Easter Rising The Peru Two

According to a recent survey, which Clare town has the most pubs per head in Ireland (one for every 26 people!)

Lahinch Scariff Liscannor

old is the sign hanging over 5How the door of Knox’s Pub in Ennis?

An outdoor theatre Roman baths A brewery

is the area known as Cora 7What Chaitlín (Caitlín’s weir) in Irish? Lisdoonvarna Newmarket on Fergus Cooraclare

was once known 8Clarecastle simply as... Castletown Clare Maggieluf

In 1881, two men digging a drain 9 near Lissycasey discovered what? A box full of gold coins A bear’s skeleton The book of Kells

The name Scariff is derived 10 from the Gaelic “Scairbh” which means what? A rocky ford House of Scars House of Scarfs

118 years 218 years 15 years

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE Can you spot the 7 differences

6. A brewery 7. Newmarket on Fergus 8. Clare 9. A box full of gold coins 10. A rocky ford

mark what?

Ennis’ 750-year celebration 50 years of Shannon Airport A record year for peat sales

In the 1800s, what was located 6 inpresent day Abbey Street Car Park?

ANSWERS

1. Ennis’ 750-year celebration 2. Father 3. Manchester Martyrs 4. Liscannor 5. 118 years

Icarus statue in Ennis was 1Guinness gifted to Ennis Town Council by Peat Aviation in 1990 to

Last weeks answers . Sock different coulour on woman (right) . Crest missing on man (middle) . Tuft of grass missing in background . White part of zip missing on woman

(middle) . PING missing on umbrella in background . crest missing on woman (right) . Piece of golf club missing (woman middle)

Therese Gunning, BT Ireland presents the 3rd Senior Group Award in the Biological and Ecological Sciences Category to Ailish Marrinan, Caragh Killeen and Cian McInerney, St Joseph’s Community College, Kilkee, Co Clare for the project “Sea the Smell is Gone” with Bio-Liser: A Seaweed-Derived Pyrogenic Biochar for Enhanced Soil Stability, Reduced Nutrient Loss, Emission Control and Odor Mitigation’. The group also won the WILLIAMS LEA Ireland award for their project Photo by Fennell Photography

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Jan 18, 2024

Puzzle

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THIS WEEKS PUZZLES Jan 18

SUDOKU

1/17/24, 11:32 AM

Water Bed

8 5

Chest

Cradle

Davenport

Desk

7 3

Divan

Dresser

Lamp

How to play

Ottoman

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

ANSWERS 6

2 4

7 6 8

7 6 4 9 2 1 3

1 3 7 2

4 2 8 3 1

4 9

5 6 2 9 4 1 8 7

7 1 3 6 8 9 5 2

| by Michael Curl

9 8 5 1 7 4 3 6 about:blank

Stool

Sofa

Sideboard

about:blank

Settle

Recliner

1/2

HOW TO PLAY

Lectern

1/17/24, 11:46 AM

Cabinet

How to play

Bookcase

| Puzzle: Wed Jan 17 2024

Bench

Table

Armchair

about:blank

WORD SEARCH

The Clare Echo Crossword

ary 2024

1. Track by a canal(7) 2. Wrong(5) 3. Conspire(7) 4. Soundness of mind(6) 5. Upper part of a wave(5) 6. Attached(7) 7. Luxurious car(5) 13. Satan(7) 15. Otalgia(7) 16. Doctor’s client(7) 17. Root vegetable(6) 18. Noblemen(5) 19. Longest river in France(5) 21. Engrained dirt(5)

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

nuary 2024

1. Hypnotic states(7) 5. Professorship(5) 8. Revolve rapidly(5) 9. Required(7) 10. Attack(7) 11. Cabs(5) 12. Protective headgear(6) 14. Delayed(4,2) 18. Surpass others(5) 20. Perpendicular(7) 22. Funfair (anag.)(7) 23. Tick off(5) 24. Carefree lively outing(5) 25. Excuse(7)

DOWN

at's not g in your les.com-

not your om-

ACROSS