The Clare Echo 19/11/20

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NOV 19 2020

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Stonehall says no to biomass processing PÁRAIC MCMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie

DECISION day is edging closer for a planned renewable energy development in Stonehall.

Clare County Council are due to announce in the coming days if an application from Carbon Sole Group Ltd to construct a biomass processing and storage area along with a gasification and methanation plant for the production of advanced biofuels is given the green light.

Opposition to the development has intensified locally leading to the establishment of the Clean Air Shannon group. Over 30 submissions

ONE IN A MILLION Mary named

to the planning authority had been submitted by locals while a petition included has over 400 signatures from concerned residents of Newmarket-on-Fergus, Shannon and Clarecastle.

Concerns cited by locals include the location of the site given its proximity to Stonehall national school, a feared impact to property prices in the vicinity and the proposal for infrastructure to fuel a district heating system.

Spokesperson for Clean Air Shannon, Vicky Cassley outlined, “There is a huge community objection to this biomass objection plant, there is nobody in the locality who wants it, the site they have chosen is not suitable.”

as Volunteer of the Year

C

LARE’S Older People Volunteer of the Year has been named for 2020.

Mary Slattery from Cratloe has been selected as the Clare Older People Volunteer of the Year. Her success was announced at a virtual function on Tuesday which was streamed live on Clare County Council’s YouTube page.

An active volunteer in her community for 48 years, Mary was among 19 nominees put forward for the accolade. All nominees will be presented with a framed letter by President Michael D. Higgins.

FULL STORY PAGE 10

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2 NEWS

THURSDAY, NOV 19 2020

Index NEWS

GIFT FOR GORT SQUARE FACELIFT

2-13

ENTERTAINMENT

14

GREEN CLARE

15

REBECCA O’NEILL

19

BUSINESS

22-24

SHANNON FEATURE 25-33 SPORT

38-43

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

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

SALES

Email: ger.naughton@clareecho.ie or niall@clareecho.ie This publication supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Press Council’s Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Press Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, Lo-call 1890 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie

l CHEQUE MATES: Sullivan’s Royal Hotel has been at the heart of Gort Market Square for 53 years. The hotel has generously contributed â‚Ź1000 to the Facelift For the Square, a joint Burren Lowlands CLG and Galway County Council project. Mary Cunniffe, Hotel Manager, said, “This period has been extremely challenging for us and we miss interacting with our customers, friends and the vibrant sound of chatter. Until we reopen fully, we are operating a full takeaway service and are selling our Christmas Vouchers.â€?

Karen O’Neill added “The Burren Lowlands thanks everyone who has contributed to the Facelift for the Gort Market Square effort.

All contributions are deeply appreciated and remember to support local.� Pictured is Mary Cunniffe, Sullivan’s Royal Hotel Manager, handing a cheque to Karen O’Neill and Tonii Kelly of Burren Lowlands CLG

Photo by Deirdre Holmes

Pressure mounts to extend pyrite scheme PĂ RAIC MCMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie

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ORE than forty Clare homeowners are living in fear that their houses will crumble due to the presence of damaging materials in the building blocks used to construct them.

An action group has been established to seek the extension of the defective concrete blocks scheme, and the pyrite remediation scheme to Co Clare. It is currently only active in Donegal and Mayo but political pressure is mounting on the Department of Housing to apply it to affected homeowners in the Banner County.

To date, 35 to 40 houses in Clare have declared having issues with pyrite, a harmful mineral which is found in quarries that has led to a devastating impact on houses. “Most if not all of the 33 houses will have to be demolished if not rebuilt,� Senator Martin Conway (FG) stated when he brought the matter before the Seanad earlier this month seeking an extension of the scheme.

There are approximately 25 members of the Clare Pyrite Action Group with national exposure recently obtained. The countywide issues were also brought before a meeting of Clare County Council with the Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien (FF) urged to extend the schemes to the county.

This formal request following motions from Cllr Michael Begley (IND) Cllr Pat Mc-

Mahon (FF), Cllr PJ Ryan (IND), Cllr Pat O’Gorman (FF), Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) and Cllr Shane Talty (FF) has been acknowledged by the Department of Housing with communication lines now open between it and the local authority. “Any extension to the Defective Concrete Blocks Grants Scheme would require the same rigorous analysis as that which was put in place prior to the rollout of the scheme in Donegal and Mayo. It would also have to be the subject of budgetary discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform,� a spokesperson for the Department outlined.

Extending the scheme was deemed as a necessity by Cllr McMahon. He flagged that the presence of pyrite and mica in building blocks when exposed to air “leads to intensive cracking and eventual collapse�.

A report to show how Clare “is as entitled as Donegal and Mayo to be put into the scheme,� must be compiled by the Council, Cllr O’Gorman felt. He added, “Everyday these people are going into bed and the problem is their head, they are inside in bed and hoping the house won’t fall down around them�.

All Oireachtas members should be made aware of the cause, Cllr Flynn suggested. “We’re not asking for a lot just the same, we all live on the same island�.

At one house affected in Fanore, “you can put through your first through a block,� Cllr Talty outlined. “It is like you have someone playing the tin whistle in every corner of the room because the wind is circling through the walls, it is no way to live�.

4 NEWS

THURSDAY, NOV 19 2020

Marcella (85) sells knitted toys online CIAN O’BROIN

M

cian@clareecho.ie

ARCELLA Mulcahy has spent much of the year knitting and selling toys online. At 85 years of age, knitting has given her something to focus on in lockdown. Loved and lauded by the local Clare community and online, Marcella’s toys have now been sent all over the world.

Health complications, including a cracked pelvis suffered during the initial lockdown, couldn’t keep this good woman down and Marcella has used her recovery time to focus on her handmade toys.

Originally from Limerick, Marcella worked for 17 years with Pan American Airlines in Shannon Airport. After retiring, she acquired a diploma in speech and drama and decided to teach in Ennis, where she has been living since she married many years ago.

On the refuge found in the art of the craft, she states, “I am not able to walk and knitting toys keeps me busy. I have always made things, be they toys, embroidered tablecloths, clothes for my children when they were young.

Knitting toys has stopped me from being bored during lockdown. I just pick something I want to knit and then I sit down and start working on it. I love sending my toys out into the world to all their new homes.”

Knitting has always been a hobby for

Marcella and remains a generational skill taught to her by her mother and passed on to her own children. The idea to sell her handmade works began with a Christmas market stall in 2019, where Marcella and Laura sold a variety of products including Michael ‘T’ Higgins Tea Cosy’s. After the close of the Christmas sales, Marcella told the town that she would “go on the lash with the winnings.”

Since the closure of craft markets due to Covid, Marcella and Laura have taken to Facebook in order to ship products through Ireland and abroad.

“The reaction has been unbelievable. My daughter tells me that nearly 100,000 people have seen the simple post she put on Facebook for me. They have gotten new homes all over the world,” she admits.

Purchases can be made on her daughter, Laura Mulcahy’s Facebook page. Laura is a local musician in Clare and has documented her mother’s work online, helping her mother’s toys reach a wider audience than she had ever imagined. “She shows my toys to the world by posting pictures of them.

She is my slave,” Marcella wisecracks.

Marcella concludes her conversation with The Clare Echo with the words, “I would like to add a thank you to my daughter, Laura who has helped me with all this. She has organised the whole thing out of nothing but wanting to see me happy as Larry, selling my toys. Thank you, Laura.”

Toys can be purchased online via Laura Mulcahy’s Facebook Page, ranging between €15 and €45.

‘Reopen our gyms’ LOCAL representatives in Clare are calling for an easing of COVID-19 restrictions citing the impact on businesses and mental health in their arguments.

Two separate motions were tabled before last Monday’s meeting of Clare County Council on the topic of Level 5 restrictions in what marked the first sitting of the local authority where several councillors questioned and criticised the reasoning for prolonged measures.

Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) sought evidence from the Health Minister Stephen Donnelly (FF) necessitating gym closures. “We heard from numerous experts and mental health service providers how these restrictions affect people’s well being. During earlier restrictions we had good weather so people exercised outdoors but unfortunately the fine weather has gone

and the dark, wet nights are the reality”.

Regimental structures were put in place by gym owners to make the facilities safe, the Shannon representative stated.

She referenced a petition which has over 40,000 signatures urging the Government to reconsider the decision.

Agreement was voiced by Cllr Pat O’Gorman (FF) and Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) who felt the motion “will be needed if the unsustainable open and closed lockdown continues”.

A separate motion from Cllrs Pat Daly (FF), Pat McMahon (FF), Michael Begley (IND) and John Crowe (FG) asked the Government to consider easing restrictions under a weekly review with COVID-19 cases dropping “with a view to allowing some additional sectors to trade and giving more small businesses hope into the future”.

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6 NEWS

THURSDAY, NOV 19 2020

Minister receives inquiry into investigation of Bunratty death PÁRAIC MCMAHON

A

paraic@clareecho.ie

CLARE family are anxiously waiting for an update from the Department of Justice surrounding the death of a 23 year old man in 1986.

An inquiry into the investigation of the death of Pat Nugent in Bunratty 36 years ago was completed at the end of October and subsequently presented to the Minister for Justice Helen McEntee (FG).

For more than three decades, the Nugent family have been seeking answers into Patrick’s death, subsequent manslaughter trial and inquest.

Former judge Patrick Clyne was tasked with carrying out a Section 42 inquiry into the Garda handling of

the case.

Mr Nugent was working as a banqueting manager at Bunratty Castle, when he was found dead in the Folk Park near the popular tourist attraction on 11th February 1986. Allegations that his death was not properly investigated were considered by an independent review mechanism in 2014, which recommended that the case be examined under the Section 42 provisions of the Garda Síochána Act 2005.

Minister McEntee gave an “absolute commitment” that the final report would be received within two weeks. On Wednesday last when questioned by Clare TD, Michael McNamara (IND), she confirmed the inquiry was completed at the end of October

with Judge Clyne’s report received on November 3rd.

“I am currently considering the report and will be seeking the advice of the Attorney General on its contents.

I have written to the Nugent family to inform them of this progress,” she stated.

Publishing of the report in full is “in the public interest,” the Sixmilebrige family believed. They are hopeful the circumstances into Patrick’s death will be investigated.

“From the family’s point of view, it’s an inquiry into the Garda investigation and it’s not looking into the circumstances surrounding Pat’s death. We’re hoping that there will be a recommendation for a further investigation or inquiry into the actual circumstances of Pat’s death,” a spokesperson for the Nugent family stated. “We have a right to know and that’s what the family have wanted all these years”.

Limerick to Scariff Greenway moves to preliminary design

CLARE TD Michael McNamara has confirmed that the preliminary design of a Greenway linking Limerick City with Clonlara, O'Briensbridge, Killaloe and Scariff will go to tender next week.

In July, €140,000 was allocated for the design of the Greenway, which will start from the existing greenway to UL, crossing the River Shannon over the Black Bridge and following the old Errina canal across publicly-owned lands to O’Briensbridge and Killaloe and onwards to Scariff (pictured below).

Deputy McNamara said, “I have received confirmation from Waterways Ireland that a tender for the preliminary design of this project will be published

next week. It is hoped that a preliminary design will be produced in the first half of 2021. This is welcome news for the communities involved particularly Clonlara and O'Briensbridge in terms of attracting tourists and providing a local community amenity.”

"This is a project that I have been advocating for since I was first elected to the Dáil in 2011 and I am glad to note the progress that has been made since then.

This project has the potential to deliver a huge tourism boost to East Clare and Limerick similar to what has been delivered by the Waterford and Westport Greenways for their local areas," stated Deputy McNamara.

l TRAGIC CIRCUMSTANCES: Patrick Nugent died as a 23-year-old man in 1986

THURSDAY, NOV 19 2020

NEWS 7

8 NEWS

Five Clare towns release raw sewage

‘Set up new driving test centres’

CIAN O’BROIN

paraic@clareecho.ie

T

cian@clareecho.ie

HE Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have released their Urban Wastewater Treatment report for 2019, citing five Clare towns that continued to release raw sewage into the environment by the end of the year.

This report identifies the 113 priority areas where improvements are needed to prevent water pollution, eliminate discharges of raw sewage, meet EU treatment standards and protect bathing waters and freshwater pearl mussels.

The European Union’s Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive sets requirements for treating waste water from these large urban areas, with the objective of protecting the environment from the adverse effects of waste water discharges.

Untreated wastewater from the equivalent of 78,000⁵ people in 35 towns and villages is still released into the environment every day.

Ballyvaughan, Clarecastle, Kilkee, Kilrush and Liscannor were all identified within the category of releasing untreated wastewater. All five urban areas have listed 2022 as the marker for when treatment will take place. This section covers

all areas, including the smaller towns and villages, where wastewater is collected in public sewers and discharged into rivers, estuaries or the sea without treatment.

Ennis South, Lahinch and Shannon were also found to have failed EU legally binding treatment standards, whilst a stream in Kilmihill was found by the EPA to have waste water discharges as the main significant pressure on a water body at risk of pollution.

The EPA warns that “delays and uncertainty in Irish Water’s delivery of critical improvement to infrastructure are prolonging risks to the environment and public health.” Further inspection found that almost half of all improvement works required by EPA licences are overdue,

with many of these more than four years late.

The study is pushing for several resolutons, the first, a call on instant action from Irish Water, whereby the underlying causes for the delays in upgrading deficient treatment systems will be remedied.

In addition, that target resources to resolve environmental issues at the 113 priority areas will be met and make sure each of these has an action programme and timeframe to improve treatment.

Finally, that Irish Water will accelerate the pace at which the overdue impact assessments on shellfish waters are carried out and use the findings to plan and implement improvement works.

THURSDAY, NOV 19 2020

PÁRAIC MCMAHON IN ORDER to alleviate the wait for a drivers test endured by learner drivers in Co Clare, one councillor has called for the creation of test centres in towns with a population greater than 6,000.

At the beginning of October, the Road Safety Authority had 15,111 people scheduled to take a test date over a five week period. A further 43,192 individuals were waiting to receive a date to be tested.

Mid-Spring is seen as the earliest date for testing by those applying now. It prompted Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) to table a motion before a meeting of Clare County Council seeking the Transport Minister Eamon Ryan (GP) “to establish driving test centres in towns with a population in excess of 6000, and also appoint a minimum of 30 new driving testers as the present arrangements are not working”.

Constituents that contacted the Cratloe representative said they were waiting eight months for a test. Having previously sought measures when the wait was between ten to twelve weeks, Cllr

Ryan insisted that Minister Ryan had to act urgently. “Driver testers are stressed out because they are working overtime and trying to get through as many people as they can,” he said.

Of the almost 44,000 people waiting, 1,500 are based in Co Clare, Cllr Ryan stated. He noted that it is causing difficulties for young motorists waiting to sit a test as they are unable to drive unaccompanied as per the Clancy Amendment.

Mayor of Clare, Cllr Mary Howard (FG) acknowledged that it was “very frustrating” for individuals to be dealt with such a wait.

His motion reminded Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG) of a previous proposal seeking that a test centre be set up in West Clare, a call which was rejected by the Department. “We’re living in a different climate, maybe the Minister could look at it from different point of view. It is vital that we look after our people in rural Ireland”.

Latest figures from the RSA on the amount of individuals affected have been requested by The Clare Echo.

ANNUAL BUDGET MEETING Notice is hereby given that the Annual Budget of Clare County Council for the financial year ending 31st December, 2021 has been prepared and will be considered by the members of Clare County Council at the Budget Meeting to be held in Glor, Causeway Link, Ennis, Co. Clare on Friday, 27nd November 2020 at 3:30 p.m.

A copy of the said Budget has been deposited in the office of Clare County Council at Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis and may be inspected free of charge by any member of the public at any time while the offices are open for the transaction of official business. A copy of the Budget will be supplied to every person making an application.

l WET AND WILD: A snapshot of the rough seas in Cappa, Kilrush on Saturday November 14

Photo by Noelle Houlihan

NEWS 9

Sixth class students create proposal for future of Quin

THURSDAY, NOV 19 2020

CIAN O’BROIN

S

cian@clareecho.ie

IXTH class students at Quin National School have come together to create a proposal for the development of Quin village as part of the Clare County Development Plan 2022-

2028.

Put together by senior management within the school, Clare County Council asked for pupils to offer their opinion on what the village needs. Delivered in the form of a YouTube video, filmed by 6th class teacher Mr Murphy, students identified four key areas of development that they would like to see implemented into the plan: transport, environment, recreation as well as history and culture.

Quin NS was built in the early 1960s and has since seen several renovations and extensions leading to extra classroom space in 2016 and a new general-purpose room in 2017.

“There has been a huge population growth in the village in the last 15 or 20 years,” explains Fergal Lynch, who has been teaching in the school since 2007 and principal since 2015.

The primary school now accommodates 287 pupils and a total of 16 class teachers. Fergal

l TRAILBLAZERS: Quin National School students Michael Hannon, Aaron Picollo, Colin Griffin, Henrik Parker, Ryan Thomas, Eleanor Ward, Sophie o Donnell and Emma Daffy explains that local Councillor Joe Cooney and Roads Engineer Tom Mellett visited the

school and advised to put in a proposal for forward planning.

Citing concerns leading up to the proposal, Fergal states, “There are issues in relation to the safety of children travelling to and from school, with inadequate road structures and footpath, signage and speed limits that need to be reviewed. We hope to strengthen the village as a whole and make it a safer place to live. Quin is a unique place in that it is a historical village with the abbey, its close to the Wild Atlantic Way and it’s between Ennis and Shannon as well as Galway and Limerick, making it perfect for a digital hub.”

Quin NS places a huge pride in promoting sport in the school and is looking to strengthen its facilities by adding a four-lane running track around its GAA and astro pitch. “The school is also really steeped in the traditional Irish music part of the curriculum, with several teachers being members of the Kilfenora Céilí Band,” Fergal informs. Adding that, “We hope to develop these areas further and promote the school to be the best in the county.”

Fergal hopes that the proposal put forward by students will result in a youth club or facility that would meet the needs of Quin students when they reach the ages of 12 to 18.

“Their input is very important so that we can see, through their eyes, what they would like to see in their village and also promotes a bit of pride of place there as well,” the former Clare Senior Hurler concludes with.

10 NEWS

THURSDAY, NOV 19 2020

Stonehall says no to planned biomass plant

l CONCERNS: Thomas Griffin, David Griffin, Vicky Cassley, Louise McNamara & Mary Quinlivan outside the location of the planned biomass plant in Stonehall Photo by Joe Buckley

PÁRAIC MCMAHON

S

paraic@clareecho.ie

ENIOR officials in Clare County Council have confirmed there has been “considerable interest” to an application to construct a biomass plant in Stonehall.

A decision on the renewable energy development is due from the local authority next Wednesday with over 400 signatures from locals and more than 30 submissions objecting to the works.

At the end of September, Carbon Sole Group Ltd lodged a planning application for the construction of a biomass processing and storage area utilising forestry plants, the construction of a gasification and methanation plant for the production of advanced biofuels, construction of a gasification and combined heat power.

Other aspects include a plant for production of electricity and heating, construction of a battery storage facility (20MW), construction of a thermal Energy recovery and storage facility for district heating distribution and creation of a new access road from the L-3169-0. Senator Timmy Dooley (FF) has claimed the plans are “contrary to sustainable and appropriate development”.

Correspondence on behalf

of the applicant noted that a number of “interrelated bioenergy production elements” were within the site plan.

“The proposed development will use forestry by-products as fuel, approximately 71,000 tonnes of dry biomass woodchip fuel which will generate up to 32MW of Green Energy per year, this will comprise 13MW of Advanced Biofuels/Biomethane, 14MWth Heating, 5 MWe Electricity”.

Carbon Sole have entered into a binding contract to purchase the lands on which the proposed development is situated from Shannon Airport Authority as per a document dated September 3 2020.

An engineer’s assessment conducted by Carbon Sole flagged that the development does not contain any element which will produce greenhouse gaseous emissions or odorous emissions.

Further information to the application has been sought by the Health and Safety Authority who note there was “insufficient technical advice on the application”. Irish Water in a submission flagged that the “water main abutting proposed development is not a public watermain. If development requires connection to a public watermain a mains extension is required in excess of circa 2300m”. An assessment was sought from the Irish Airport Authority on the potential impact to Shannon Airport

Navaids signals.

Clean Air Shannon has been established as a community group to object to the biomass plant. Spokesperson for the group, Vicky Cassley outlined, “There is a huge community objection to this biomass plant, there is nobody in the locality who wants it, the site they have chosen is not suitable.

I don’t even think people in the town of Shannon know it is on their doorstep, the emissions and the ash from this alone and the way the wind blows I don’t think people in the wider locality actually understand what this is and where it is going and the implication for our environment”.

An international relations graduate of UL, David Griffin feared there were long-term chances of “more sinister fuel” being used. “We have prevailing south-westerly winds going right across the airport, there has been no real mention of the impact of where that parting matter will end up, the cement factory has proven that air pollution can travel but there is no mention of where it can end up. It will have a wider impact than just Shannon and Newmarket-on-Fergus, it is most of the region that will be negatively affected”.

Proximity to Stonehall national school which has about 120 students, has been identified as a further concern.

Potential for 41 jobs at Coláiste Ui Comhraidhe PÁRAIC MCMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie

A WEST Clare Irish college has the potential to create 41 jobs throughout the entire year if it becomes a multi-purpose centre.

Development of Coláiste Eoghain Ui Comhraidhe in Carrigaholt as a multi-purpose centre and the beginning of residential summer courses for students was suggested by Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG) at Tuesday’s meeting of the West Clare Municipal District.

Skills apprenticeships, languages and education were among the possible courses identified by the West Clare representative. Tourism, cultural and sports facilities such as swimming, water polo, kayaking and tennis were referenced by Cllr Keating. He detailed that funding would be required from relevant Government departments to bring the project to fruition.

“The Coláiste should then remain open all year round with the potential to create 41 jobs,” Keating stated. Further opportunities can be tapped into the accommodation for 100 people there, he added.

Directors of the Rural and Economic Development of Clare Co Council completed a “very worthwhile” site visit to Coláiste Ui Comhraidhe in October, acting senior executive officer John O’Malley said. “The potential for the site was visible

to all present,” he added and noted the Director of Economic Development was working on the next step for the project.

“This is going to be a huge development,” Keating declared. Use as a multi-purpose centre was the way forward, he believed.

“It is ideally located for marine development and for what it has been used as an Irish college, apprenticeship, tourism, culture and sporting opportunities”. The college was in a Gaeltacht area until 1959, he recalled and highlighted that other avenues of financial backing were needed.

“With funding anything is possible”.

Coláiste Ui Comhraidhe had been identified as a strategic project in the West Clare MD, Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) noted. He detailed why it was worthy of approval in the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. “Explore the sense of being Irish and how Irish you are. We have to look at the bigger picture,” he added.

Support for the proposal was also voiced by Cllr PJ Kelly (FF). His late uncle Sean was priomhoide at the college for twenty years while Kelly himself spent the early summers of his teaching career at the Carrigaholt college.

Creating a cross-directorate effort for the project is the approach being trialled by the Council, Director of Service Leonard Cleary confirmed. He highlighted that it brought opportunities to the area outside of the summer season, “it does bring life into the Peninsula”.

THURSDAY, NOV 19 2020

110 new jobs for Transact in Limerick

A NEXT-GENERATION digital campus in Limerick City is to create 110 new jobs.

Integrated payment and credential software solution company, Transact Campus Inc made the announcement on Monday. The digital campus will serve as the company’s international headquarters with responsibility for shaping and developing the company’s portfolio of products and services.

David Marr, CEO of Transact stated the investment represented the “final and critical component” of their global vision. The company plans to invest in multiple core workstreams that will exploit de-coupled micro-service architectures, cloud-based data analytics, CQRS patterns, asynchronous event-based integration models, data streaming, data lakes, and AI-linked analysis.

Open roles available are in the areas of Product Managers, Architects, Scrum Masters, UX Designers, Front End Developers, Back End Developers, iOS and Android Developers, DevOps Engineers, Software, Development Engineers in Test, and Data Scientists.

Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona USA, Transact serves more than 1,300 educational institutions and facilitates more than $46bn in annual education-related payments. Its software services include tuition and fee bill presentment and payment, student payment plans, as well as ensuring secure authorized access to campus facilities and events.

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar (FG) noted that it is the latest investment in the Mid-West region “where a strong financial services cluster has developed in recent years”.

NEWS 11

Burren one of world’s best, says Lonely Planet PÁRAIC MCMAHON

A

paraic@clareecho.ie

NORTH Clare community tourism network has been recognised as one of the world’s top 30 places, people and tourism projects for 2021.

On Tuesday, the Lonely Planet announced the winners of the coveted Best in Travel awards for 2021. The Burren Ecotourism Network was named as one of ten winners in the new category ‘Best in Community’.

It was described as “an impressive community collaboration of local enterprises which has transformed Ireland’s Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark into a global leader for sustainable tourism”.

It takes pride of place among Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer train and Italy’s 245-mile Vie di Dante.

Places and people demon-

strating a genuine commitment to community, diversity and sustainability across the world were recognised in this year’s awards on account of the huge alteration to the travelling trends this year.

Tourism Ireland have confirmed they will be undertaking promotional activity to highlight the accolade. This includes a new video that will focus on the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher Geopark that they will endeavour to share across the world.

Over a decade’s work was acknowledged, a thrilled CEO of the Buren Ecotourism Network, Jarlath O’Dwyer remarked. He recalled the weekly Zoom meetings held since March in an attempt to maximise the staycation season which proved to be a resounding success. Well-known visitors to the area included Paul O’Connell, Roz Purcell and Shane Filan, “once they put out their photos, it’s very influential.”

Sustainability is highlighted

lSTONE MAD ABOUT US: Nóirín Hegarty, Lonely Planet; Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland; and Catherine Martin TD, Minister for Tourism celebrate the announcement

by O’Dwyer as the bedrock for all members. Among its varied group of members are the Cliffs of Moher and Aillwee Caves, the Falls Hotel in Ennistymon and a host of smaller operators.

CEO of Tourism Ireland, Niall Gibbons said the award was “well-deserved which recognised “all of their hard work to become a global leader for sustainable tourism”. He add-

ed, “In what has been a devastating year for travel and tourism, this accolade is really good news and will surely inspire travellers everywhere to put the Burren, Co Clare and the island of Ireland on their holiday wish-list – when the time is right.”

Clare TD, Joe Carey (FG) felt the accolade had “Clare rightly taking its place among the best places in the world to visit”.

12 NEWS

THURSDAY, NOV 19 2020

Bunratty to close in January

SHANNON Heritage operated sites will close to the public from January to April next year, writes Påraic McMahon. ₏550,000 in funding from the Dept of Transport was allocated to Shannon Heritage to keep Bunratty Castle and Folk Park and King John’s Castle open from September until the end of 2020. Craggaunowen, Dungaire and Knappogue have remained shut throughout the duration of the current pandemic.

Speaking on Wednesday, Clare TD Cathal Crowe (FF) confirmed that Bunrattty Castle and Folk Park and King John’s Castle will close to the public from January until April following extensive dialogue with state agencies. Closures will continue at Craggaunowen, Dungaire and Knappogue.

Deputy Crowe stated that Shannon Group were advised by the Government that no funding was in place to support the sites staying open. “The announcement is being made now in order to give the workers notice of the plans but it is a tough pill to swallow so close to Christmas�. “This is, sadly, a necessary step to protect the businesses into the future and ensure that the jobs aren’t permanently lost. I am aware of the difficulties that Shannon Group has faced this year and of the fact that they have been told funding isn’t there but I really am reiterating the call to government now to step up and provide the necessary support to keep Shannon Heritage sites operational. It’s not just the likes of Bunratty Castle and Folk Park – it’s the countless hotels, B&Bs, cafes and restaurants that rely on these attractions. The ripple effect cannot be understated and while I realise it may look bleak right now, I would hope that support can be found somewhere,� Crowe added.

At a DĂĄil sitting on Tuesday evening, Michael McNamara (IND) lambasted the Government’s lack of strategic direction for Shannon Heritage after questioning Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan (GP). “He failed to offer any strategic direction or even confirm that the Government has given consideration to Shannon Heritage and whether it will remain part of the Shannon Group,â€? McNamara felt.

He continued, “The only thing that Minister Ryan had to say in the DĂĄil was that we need to get out of Level 5, which is surely a decision he himself will make as a member of Cabinet. The Government urgently needs to clarify when all Shannon Heritage sites will open in 2021, and clarify whether Shannon Heritage will remain part of the cash-strapped Shannon Group or if an alternative management structure will be explored. “It is now 12 months since Craggaunowen, Dungaire and Knappogue last opened their doors to the public. Workers and local tourism businesses that depend on those sites are none the wiser after the Minister’s comments, which is indicative of the lack of priority that this Government affords the Midwest,â€? the Scariff native concluded.

Drive-thru testing centre opens lGETTING CHECKED: Mayor of Clare, Cllr Mary Howard is among the first to avail the service last week

Photo by Sean Curtin / True Media

PĂ RAIC MCMAHON

A

paraic@clareecho.ie

drive-thru COVID-19 testing centre is to open at Shannon Airport which has been praised as showing a “proactive approach� from the International Airport.

The Irish healthcare company is to run testing facilities at Shannon and Cork airports with the facilities to begin operating today (Thursday). The centre will be located in Coach Park 2 at Shannon Airport.

Pre-departure tests will be conducted for passengers flying out of the airports in accordance with the newly implemented EU Traffic Light system for international travel.

Quick, private testing will be provided to the public, RocDoc have stated.

Results are to be made available within a matter of hours. Passengers will be the priority but the facility will also open to members of the public and local businesses who wish to be tested. Tests can be scheduled via CovidCheck.ie David Rock, Chief Executive of RocDoc said the mobile category-two laboratory would be able to “meet the needs of large organisations that require sameday results. This means we can offer onsite, express testing of staff which helps them keep their businesses open�.

CEO of Shannon Group, Mary Considine said the provision of testing at Shannon was a “welcome development for the local community�. She added, “What we all want is for a safe return to air travel and having the facility to offer pre-departure testing at the airport is an important step in restoring consumer

confidence to fly again.�

Shannon Chamber have hailed it as a step in the right direction. “It demonstrates that Shannon is a very proactive Airport and is doing everything within its power to welcome customers back again as soon as is practicable,� Chief Executive Helen Downes stated.

Ms Downes believed it would be of “tremendous benefit� to local businesses in need of fast-turnaround results. “We commend Shannon Airport and RocDoc on this initiative which will contribute greatly to reducing the spread of the virus and facilitate the resumption of air travel once it is safe to do so again. While we may not experience our old normal for quite some time yet, every new step in the direction of some type of normality is welcome. Everyone wants to come through this pandemic safely with our economy revived; testing and tracking is the route to this end�.

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NEWS 13

THURSDAY, NOV 19 2020

Famine footwear find at Derrynaboy

lGETTING CHECKED: Standing above the encampment at Ashline is Ennis Municipal District Councillors Paul Murphy and Ann Norton Photo by Joe Buckley

Court ruling backs eviction for Ennis illegal encampment PÁRAIC MCMAHON

T

paraic@clareecho.ie

HE Court of Appeal have supported a High Court decision that will result in forthcoming evictions from an illegal encampment in Ennis.

In a ruling announced last Thursday, the Court of Appeal stood by a High Court decision whereby Clare County Council were given powers to evict tenants of an illegal encampment in Ashline which has been in place since August 2018.

An interlocutory injunction had previously been issued as part of the long-running proceedings. Repeat orders had been made by the Court to restrain continuing breaches of planning law as well as trespass.

Accommodation offers made by the Council to the family in question were described by the Court as “reasonable” and said there was “an intention to refuse all offers” by the appellants as they insisted the local authority provide them forthwith with six dwelling houses for the exclusive use of the appellants and five of their sons, with the latter’s partners/spouses and children.

A standing commitment on the Council’s behalf to develop the lands at Ashline in conjunction with adjoining lands to provide forty units of social housing were noted as “significant”. The families in the illegal encampment will be offered permanent accommodation in the form of a dwelling house as part of this scheme. Four previous offers for what was deemed reasonable accommodation had been made and were rejected.

Criticism of the Council’s failure to zone any land for traveller accommodation in the County Development Plan 2017 to 2023 was detailed by the appellants. The local authority said all travellers are taken into account with the Clare Traveller Accommodation Programme. “A failure to facilitate a Traveller way of life” was another point put forward while they did not deny to

breaching the planning legislation.

Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) said the decision to issue eviction notices was correct.

“To see it in black and white and to see the addresses listed of where houses was turned down by members of the families in Ashline beggars belief. The tail can’t wag the dog, it has to work two ways”.

He stated that residents in surrounding areas of Ashline, Ballybeg, Rockmount and on the Kilrush Rd have expressed their relief with the outcome.

“Their lives have been difficult for the last number of years to be looking at a blatant disregard for law and order and for the planning laws of our country. Many communities across the Municipal District are dealing with the challenges from the illegal encampments, there are a number of them going from Ashline to the Doora exit, we’re talking about fifteen caravans and seven mobile homes, it provides a big challenge for the Council to take on but this ruling gives us a bit of clout in taking on these illegal encampments”.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, the Clarecastle representative acknowledged there had been shortcomings associated with the provision of traveller specific accommodation. “Getting the appropriate sites has proven to be problematic over the years. As a member of the Local Traveller Accommodation Committee, getting the travellers to come to the table and find solutions has also been problematic, the Council can’t click their fingers and set up housing. The traveller bodies like Pavee Point, they haven’t engaged with the Council and the Council Housing Directorate have been trying to get them into meetings but it hasn’t happened. It isn’t just the Council that have failed, it is the failure of a number of agencies”.

An eviction is unlikely to take place until early 2021, he admitted. “With the COVID-19 Level 5 restrictions it gives the encampment until at least December 1st, there is an option to extend that by fourteen days and you’re getting into Christmas week by that stage so I’d imagine it will be the New Year before an eviction takes place and it will be hard to face into that for anybody.”

AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL excavation of a Famine-era house has revealed fragments of a 19th century ankle boot, which provides links to an old folk tradition. The excavation was undertaken as part of the Creative Ireland Programme, a national culture-based programme designed to promote individual, community and national wellbeing.

The excavation of the Famine-era house site, at Derryboy, near Crusheen, took place over three days in October, 2019. Among the finds was an item of footwear, which was found in fragments, located in a deposit that was believed to have derived from the roof and which, following analysis, can be considered a probable example of the practice of concealing shoes, especially children’s shoes, in the fabric of a building.

The fragmentary nature of the remains makes positive identification of a particular shoe or boot style impossible. However, elements of the construction suggest an ankle-high boot of a type that would have been worn in rural areas for outdoor work.

The estimated length suggests a child’s size 7 half-boot in modern measurement terms. Significantly, the remains are not those of a brogue, which was possibly a more common type of footwear in rural areas in the early 19th century but which was in general decline by mid-century, as mass-produced footwear became available.

The idea that the shoe was deliberately concealed in the roof of the building was first suggested by Josephine Nolan, museum volunteer, in late 2019. Further investigation by archaeologist Graham Hull, of Thames Valley Archaeological Services (TVAS) Ireland, revealed that there are about 2,000 such finds from locations all over the world, and that all previous examples of hidden shoes have come either from Britain or from places colonised

by English settlers. This is only the third time a concealed shoe has been found in a house site in Ireland, with the other two occurrences at Augier Street, Dublin, and at a 19th century cottage restoration in Lisacul, County Roscommon.

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THURSDAY, NOV 19 2020

14 FEATURES

GREEN CLARE

The Useless Project brings to light importance of sustainable clothing

CIAN O’BROIN

T

cianobroin@clareecho.ie

HE Useless Project is a nationwide drive to make sustainable fashion as appealing and accessible as possible.

Started as a fun fashion project two years ago, it has since grown into looking at sustainable solutions to our own habits and behaviours. Now a full-time job for creators Geraldine Carton and Taz Kelleher, the Useless Project inspires individuals to tweak their buying habits and use less energy by sharing information people can easily digest, identify with and apply in their daily lives.

Co-founder Geraldine Carton speaks with The Clare Echo about

the significance of the name of the project, the environmental and humanitarian issues around fast fashion as well as the importance of extending the lifespan of quality clothes made with a conscience and how you, as a consumer, can help deflate the destructive forces of the fashion industry.

Tearing down taboos, Geraldine states, “There would have been this perception around the industry that it is all about hemp dresses that look like potato sacks and trousers made out of granola. When we talk about sustainable fashion, it’s really just a case of doing more with the clothes you have. Now people have anything between 40

to 400 per cent more clothes than 20 years ago. Social media has added to this perception of feeling that we are in a fishbowl, making paparazzi out of all of us. People don’t want to be seen wearing the same thing more than once.�

The Useless Project works as a double entendre, Geraldine explains.

It describes the problem and the solution in one. The sense of uselessness when trying to make sustainable changes lNOT USELESS: Co-founders of The Useless Project Geraldine Carton and Taz Kelleher in the face of a world on the Grown Clothing is one company verge of several environmental One particular scene shows a river and humanitarian crisis. The sec- lined with textile factories, which she toutes as sustainable, having ond meaning is the implication to results in the water turning a lu- introduced tree planting projects use less and lower your everyday minous pink one day and indigo and placing an emphasis on upthe next. “People are relying on cycling. Depop and Thriftify are consumption.

The fashion industry, ideal- this as a water source and drink- good starting points, with the latised and glamorized throughout ing it downstream. It’s horrific, ter providing information on charhistory, is plagued by a number a quality of water that we would ity clothing shops online. With of prominent environmental is- never expect to be made drink or power comes huge responsibility, sues. On the fast-fashion level, even stand for. Sustainability and especially with any public figures, there is a problem with synthetic humanitarian come hand in hand. Geraldine tells, “It’s too easy for fibres, Geraldine informs, “Most Some people think that environ- influencers online to do a swipe of these types of clothes are oil mental activism is all about the up and an affiliate link, adding to based. These micro-fibres make environment, but it’s really about the negative impact of the fashion their way into our water systems. the people too, not just the planet,� industry. It’s important for these people to minimise harm through Such is our consumption of plastic Geraldine admonishes.

The Useless Project is a rolling positive sharing online.� based clothing that by 2050, there On a final note, Geraldine conis probably going to be more plas- operation, conducting private tic than fish in our oceans. We are workshops and classes for schools cludes with the take home message making bad quality clothing. With and businesses that make contact. that underlines the fashion indusnatural fibres like cotton, we as- These workshops assist individu- try in modern times, “Elongate that sume surely that is better. Cotton is als in acknowledging sustainable lifespan of reliable clothing. It’s the a hugely thirsty and volatile plant. sources. Geraldine posits that easiest, most sustainable way of upIf you are looking at a single pair transparency is perhaps the most grading your wardrobe. Recognise of denim jeans, made from cotton, important factor when looking to the fact that it most likely has had a negative impact on the area and you need an amount of water that source sustainable clothes.

Greenwashing is a serious is- the people who made it. By recogequates to what a person drinks for three to four years. We are wasting sue, she tells. This occurs when nising this, see how you can minithese resources not on medicine, businesses proclaim that their mise any further harm by making items are sustainable, however the sure to mend it, pass it on to somenot on food but on clothing.�

Not only do these issues affect majority of the items on sale are one or bring to a charity shop. The our environment, they also inflict produced unethically. Certifica- worst-case scenario is if it goes to serious harm on the people that tion is helpful. Check a company’s landfill or gets incinerated.�

Schools or businesses can conboth produce and live in these ar- website - most have an ethics page eas. Geraldine notes a documenta- available and are proud of what tact The Useless Project on Instary ‘River Blue’ which looks at the they are doing. This speaks sus- gram or Facebook if they would textile dying industry. It highlights tainability, Geraldine believes. On like a personalised talk or workthe toxic chemicals in dying that the other hand, deafening silence shop. Contact can also be made at info@uselessproject.com. make their way into water systems. is oftentimes questionable.

Arts & Entertainment 15

THURSDAY, NOV 19 2020

Woodie reminisces about West Clare on new podcast

ELAINE TUBRIDY

I

elaine.tubridy@clareecho.ie

RISH rugby legend Keith Wood has spoken fondly of his love for West Clare and Killaloe, while speaking about his family ties to Quilty in the latest Travel Tales with Fergal podcast, available on The Clare Echo website.

Hosted by Ennis native Fergal O’Keeffe, the Travel Tales with Fergal Podcast hopes to fuel listeners wanderlust while we all wait for post pandemic travel to hopefully return next year. We may not be able to travel right now but this podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs

about day-dream worthy destinations.

This week features the Munster, Ireland and Lions rugby legend Keith Wood, who discusses his travels throughout his rugby career with Ireland and the Lions but what really shines through is his love of Co.Clare, and particularly his hometown of Killaloe.

He talks eloquently about his love of West Clare and particularly around Quilty, where his family are originally from. Keith played all sports growing up and he speaks of playing underage Clare hurling beside the ‘artist’ Jamesie O’Connor.

Keith is inextricably linked to the Lions and he shares great insights into the iconic tour to

South Africa in 1997 and the tour to Australia in 2001.

Keith talks about his time in London with Harlequins and his love of that city. He is particularly fond of Australia where he went on many tours with Ireland and the Lions and ended his career at the World Cup in 2003. Keith tells us where his favourite cities and stadium is to play in and his favourite countries to tour to.

The brand new weekly podcast interview series is out every Tuesday and guests will talk about travel, sport, culture, people, food, politics, history, the tourism industry and life abroad.

SCAN WITH CAMERA PHONE TO LISTEN TO THE PODCAST

PLATFORM 31 an opportunity for artists to develop ideas

LOCAL Authority Arts Offices and the Arts Council of Ireland have announced PLATFORM 31.

This is a nationwide artist development scheme by the 31 Local Authority Arts Offices, in collaboration with the Arts Council.

PLATFORM 31 is a national opportunity for artists to develop their practice and test new ideas of collaboration, research, audience development, place-making and sharing their work.

The bursary award has been designed to support and offer career development for 31 mid-career artists (one artist in each of the 31 local authorities around Ireland). There are two elements of support for participating artists in the scheme: financial and developmental.

Participating artists will receive an €8,000 bursary to invest in themselves and their practice, combined with participation in an advisory and developmental framework and a peer network.

“The bursary seeks to provide artists with the time and resources to think, test new ideas, research new approaches and to reflect and engage with their artistic practice”, said Maureen Kennelly, Arts Council Director. “The Arts Council is delighted to partner with local authorities, who are responding thoughtfully and ambitiously to the challenging environment for artists.

The carefully considered support network built into Platform 31 sets this bursary scheme apart.”

The scheme will establish a peer networking framework for participating artists, in-

troducing them to a pool of critical thinkers to share their work and learnings, and encouraging a national conversation about creating work in local contexts. The exact nature of this artist support framework will be informed by the proposals and interests of the 31 artists selected.

Stage one selection takes place in December 2020, whereby eligible applications are compiled and sent to the Local Authority Arts Officer of the region in which the applicant lives. Each relevant Local Authority Arts Officer will engage the assistance of an external assessor of their choice to assess the applications on the basis of the scheme’s selection criteria. Up to three artists from each Local Authority region will be recommended for consideration in Stage two.

Stage two selection begins in January

2021. Here Up to 93 recommended artists (three from each Local Authority region) will be considered by a national selection panel (composed of four Local authority Arts Officers and up to two arts practitioners). Selected artists will be contacted

by Wicklow County Council. The scheme will run until Autumn 2021.

The award is open to artists of any discipline and practice, based in Ireland, as well as multi-disciplinary practice and design of all kinds. It is designed to support mid-career artists who must have been in receipt of support/investment from a Local Authority Arts Office or the Arts Council within the last three years.

Applications open until November 30. For more info email localartsireland@gmail.com or see https://platform31.localartsireland.ie/

Choose life...

16 FEATURES

RONAN SCULLY

Thought for the week

L

IFE can be so unfair and heartbreaking at times.

For instance, last Sunday we celebrated Remembrance Sunday of people and children who lost their lives on our roads over the years. I was remembering my beautiful, caring, gentle and loving niece Aoife whom we all miss each and every day since she was killed tragically on our roads at the start of our Covid-19 lockdown.

Also my work in parts of some of the poorest places in the world make me realise also that life can be heartbreaking and unfair. But life can be good too, I have a loving family and some great friends who are helping me on my life’s journey. I wish you who are reading this, a good family and friends too because they are a blessing and give you the courage to live a life worth living. Friends all the same, do come and go but the real ones stay around or are part of your life when you need them. Nurture the good ones. Being kind, caring and loving, really matters in life. When in doubt or afraid, just take one day at a time. Life can be very short.

Love and care as much as you can, for the time allotted to you is never known. It’s okay to be different and to have different views and beliefs once you respect others.

Sometimes tomorrow never comes

Don’t become settled, always try to strive for better. You are always good enough if you put your mind to it. Believe in your goodness.

Don’t compare yourself to the best others can do, but to the best you can do. It’s okay not to feel okay but it is always okay to ask for help.

Remember it can take a long time to become the person you want to be. Don’t be afraid to cry or to let a loved one see you cry, it can make a difference to them and can bring healing to you and your loved ones.

You can be right and you can be wrong. Remember that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time.

Always remember regardless of your relationship with your loved ones, you will miss them terribly after they die, trust me on that one! Keep a diary of all the good memories. Print off your photos from your phone don’t lose them!

Tell the truth, it really does set you free, I know I have experienced it.

Don’t be a walkover or too easy going. You don’t have to win every argument or discussion or hurling match. It’s okay to give out to God whoever you believe God to be.

Thank God for your blessings and

ask for strength for the journey and say ‘thank you’ often.

Go After your Dreams

Don’t go to bed or let the sun go down on your anger. Don’t be jealous of others. Always try to be thankful for the blessings you have in your life and cherish them for you have no idea what it’s like to walk in another’s shoes. Always try to control your attitude or it controls you. Go after your dreams at all times when you can, especially if it involves genuine love and care.

Try to do and be what you love. Be aware and work on your problems if you have them and always look for a good and speedy resolution for them. Always remember that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel. Always keep trying and moving forward.

Always consider the power of your words carefully as they can hurt. Always pray for other’s intentions and if you’re like me always light a candle for someone.

I believe that prayer candles really work. Live for today as it is special and real for tomorrow might never come. Make everyone of your days here on earth count for the good of yourself and for others.

Go to your doctor for check ups and look after your health, no-one else will. Help your friends and your work colleagues for they are central to your life. Don’t worry about what people think of you.

Love you and then you will be able to love others. If you want something ask for it because if you don’t the answer will always be no. Wake up, get up, clean up and show up in everything in life and make the most of it. Never give up. Don’t put pressure on yourself. It’s okay to say No. Dwell, Pray, Breathe and Listen and Listen to Music as well.

Enjoy nature and the fresh air as much as you can. Walk or run or do both. Be active physically and mentally if you can. As the Christy Moore song goes or what myself and my brother did a few years ago “climb mountains or jump in a lake”. Life can surprise you.

The Serenity Prayer

Keep the Serenity prayer always close by so that you can have the courage and wisdom to be the person you want to and can be.

Express your thanks and gratitude to people who have helped you along life’s way. To forgive or not to forgive is one of our life choices, from my experience in life it is always more freeing to forgive. When you say sorry or seek forgiveness, always mean it and if people don’t accept your apology

you can do no more. Don’t spend time hating or being envious.

Sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you’re down will be the ones to help you get back up, while the ones you expect to help you are nowhere to be found.

Remember that sometimes when you are angry, you have the right to be angry, but that doesn’t give me or you the right to be cruel. Know that no matter how good a friend someone is, they’re going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them. You cannot make someone love you. All you can do is be someone who can be loved. The rest is up to them.

Always remember that no matter what you do in life that there is no greater thing that you can do, than to love someone or care for someone or be there for someone. Be that someone, for that is what life is really all about at the end of the day! Real genuine Love is and will always be the answer to this life.

Have the courage

Have the courage to try. Have the courage to be who you really are.

Have the courage to love. Have the courage to hope. Have the courage to care and protect. Have the courage to believe in forever. Have the courage to leave masks behind.

Have the courage to believe in God. Have the courage to pray. Have the courage to look beyond appearances to souls. Have the courage to conquer fears and addictions. Have the courage to say no. Have the courage to say yes. Have the courage to forgive. Have the courage to seek forgiveness. Have the courage to say sorry. Have the courage to ask for what you need. Have the courage to challenge wrongs. Have the courage to walk away. Have the courage to have confidence in yourself. Have the courage to go after your dreams and beliefs. Have the courage to live humbly. Have the courage to truly live a life worth living.

THURSDAY, NOV 19 2020

Ceremonies for Scariff Martyrs held privately PÁRAIC MCMAHON paraic@clareecho.ie

P

RIVATE ceremonies were undertaken over the weekend to mark the centenary of the Scariff Martyrs.

Clare’s longest serving commemoration group, the East Clare Memorial Committee had significant plans to mark the occasion but had to postpone these until 2021. This included commissioning a boat to carry symbolic lights from Whitegate to Killaloe as well as a horse drawn carriage to convey them back to Scariff, to draw attention to places associated with the story of four young men, Michael Egan, Brud MacMahon, Alphie Rogers and Martin Gildea shot dead by British Forces on Killaloe Bridge on November 16 1920.

Over recent months, the group’s centenary campaign Scariff Martyrs 100 have led various initiatives such as the wearing of black armbands by both Scariff and Smith O’Briens for the Clare IHC semi-final.

Adding to the occasion was the fact that Mark Rodgers lined out in that game. He is a great grandnephew of Alphie Rodgers who was among the men that fought against British Rule which banned hurling and arrested any gathering of young men with hurleys. A special commemorative jersey has also been commissioned

by Scariff GAA. The group also featured on national television and in-

stalled a commemorative panel on Killaloe bridge, and have arranged the cleaning of associated monuments, the bridge of Killaloe and the commissioning of audio-visual feature on the story. Killaloe artist PJ Conroy designed the panel in memory of ‘The Four Who Fell’ and it is located on the Clare side of Killaloe Bridge and draws attention to the significance of the site for local and Irish history.

Shane Walsh who is Treasurer of the group explained, “Our commemoration plans have always been part of an ongoing effort to find innovative ways of raising awareness of the Scariff Martyrs as well as the broader struggle for independence in East Clare.

We have been able to deliver on several our plans over the summer which has been really positive. We’ve had contact from all around the world from East Clare people who have been touched by one action or another, which is also really heartening. Of course, we are devastated that our main plans which we’ve been working on had to be postponed but we’ll continue as we have done and in 2021, we’ll be back honouring the men again”.

For more than 20 years, Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) has been Chairman of the committee.

He was deeply disappointed the plans for the centenary had to be postponed as a result of Level 5 restrictions but outlined that they will be held next year.

“Our main events will now take place in 2021 but we will mark the centenary in both Killaloe and Scariff in a private and dignified way and conscious of public health guidelines”.

Thought for the week

As a final thought, look at your life’s experiences and see what you are doing about them and as the saying goes, go after your dreams, for Life can be and is short! So may everyday be a thoughtful courageous day for you. May the light of your soul guide you. May the light of your soul bless the work that you do with the secret love and warmth of your heart. May the sacredness of your work bring healing, light and renewal to those who work with you and to those who see and receive your work.

May your work never weary you.

May it release within you wellsprings of refreshment, inspiration and excitement. May the day never burden. May dawn find you awake and alert, approaching your new day with dreams. May evening find you gracious and fulfilled. May you go into the night blessed, sheltered and protected. Amen.

Kathleen Mitchell, a niece of Martin Gildea is the oldest living relative of one of the Scariff Martyrs. In 1945, when the large monument that now stands at their grave in Scariff Church grounds was erected, Kathleen was there as a young girl. It has been her long held wish to attend the 100th commemoration to honour her uncle and the other men. The Committee determined that if Kathleen could not come to honour her uncle, then they go to her. They arranged to have the photo of her uncle restored to a level where she had never seen him before, which they then framed with a special inscription to mark the occasion.

COMMUNITY 17

THURSDAY, NOV 19 2020

ENNISTYMON

ENNIS NEW BOOK BY LARRY BRENNAN, LANEWAYS & BOW-WAYS OF ENNIS

THE OLD ENNISTYMON SOCIETY LAUNCH 2021 CALENDAR

Growing up in Ennis one takes it for granted about the amount of lanes in the town but do we all know the correct names? Many towns’ people call the lanes by their adopted names such as Quinn’s Lane, Enzo’s Lane, Supermac’s Lane but it’s always a source of discussion especially in pub quizzes as to their correct names.

The Lanes & Bow-Ways of Ennis lists the names of 88 lanes and bow-ways and 8 Quays. Larry traces the residents from these lanes to new housing in Connolly Villas, Hermitage, St. Michaels, Cloughleigh & The Turnpike from 1827 to 1965 by using the Pigot’s Directory 1824, Ejectment Book 1828, Registry of Free Holders 1832, Baptismal Records 1841-1879, Griffith’s Valuation 1855, Cancellation Book 1853 to 1960, Ennis National School Registers 1898-1952, 1901 & 1911 Census and the Voting Registers og 1935. In 1901 Ennis recorded 206 families with 891 residents living in the lanes and Bow-ways of Ennis.

In the book he attempt to revitalise some long-forgotten lanes and bow-ways and alleys and review the laneways that have been privatised, closed off, neglected or simply disappeared. He also describes some of the conditions of the people who lived in the laneways. By using resources of Maps, Newspapers, Church Records, Census, Photographs etc. we get an insight of a Ennis long forgotten.

We get an insight into conditions of

housing in the lanes described as hovels, each consisting of a tiny kitchen and an even smaller single bedroom, having no windows in their back wall and no back door.

They had neither water supply nor sanitary accommodation; the walls damp and roofs leaking. Off Parnell Street the lanes were regularly flooded. They were generally described as unfit for human habitation. Pigs had been kept extensively in the houses with the residents. In a room in one house the room was called the pig’s room. We hear about shebeening in the lanes. Ennis had no public water supply before 1874. This meant that prior to this many of the poor of Ennis obtained their water from the river Fergus.

Before the WWII it was estimated there were 400 slum dwellings in Ennis.

Within the book we learn about the old clubs in Ennis and their function along with where their members were drawn from.

Ger Browne tells of those that took part in the First World War. Details are also given of the early history of Drama in Ennis from 1789. Industrial Ennis is introduced through a brief history of Ennis Pearl Factory & the Diamond Factory. While the main purpose of the book is for genealogical purposes in order to assist with future generations to trace their families and the place they came from the book will assist with putting meat on the bones of these family histories.

The book goes on sale this Friday and is available at Ennis Bookshop, Mary Kelly’s Newsagents in O’Connell Street & O’ Connors Newsagents in the Market.

The Old Ennistymon Society has recently launched its much awaited 2021 calendar The Way We Were. The calendar features nostalgic images of bygone times in Ennistymon and Lahinch.It would make an ideal Christmas present for friends and family at home and abroad. The calendar with envelope costs €8 each, €15 for two. It’s available for sale at Hayes Print, Ennistymon & Ennistymon Post Office. Pictured is the July photo of families enjoying the sun at the Lahinch pool.

Saturday, 21st November, 10am-1pm Thinking of CAO and college choices?

Join GMIT’s Virtual Open Day. Discover our courses and campuses through presentations, videos and live Q&A sessions.

REGISTER NOW AT openday.gmit.ie

18 COLUMNIST

THURSDAY, NOV 19 2020

With

With

With

Veganism arguments are flawed Virtue signalling by elites has become too prevalent, says The Clare Echo farming columnist Joe Melody

"H

OW are you going to get those cows down into that slatted tank JJ,� that was the retort to my father showing an official from the planning office the plan for his new slatted shed in the 1980s. This official believed the cattle would reside in the tank not over it. Common sense is not so common seemingly. This a classic case of bureaucratic Ireland meets rural Ireland.

As I travel around the county, I pass many great farms being farmed by people who through knowledge passed from generation to generation as well as the use of modern best agricultural practice have endured and continue to thrive in harmony with nature.

These men and women are the custodians of our environment and understand it best.

However in recent years, the reprehensible act of virtue signalling by elites has become more prevalent.

Former President of Ireland Mary Robinson has been telling the world that we need to go vegan for the sake of our planet. What background does this finger wagging relic of Ireland’s political class have in farming or the environment? Her areas of competency are with the legal and political fields. I would not expect her to understand the intricacies of food production and land management just as I would not be expected to understand the complexities of constitutional law.

In this case my sense is she is able to articulate a flawed idea best of how to counter climate change and as the old saying goes, “The world belongs to the articulate�.

The internet has created huge opportunities and I am seeing that at home on the

farm where my brother Frank has seen unprecedented demand for his pasture raised eggs that he has promoted online through his Instagram and Facebook pages. This demand is the silent majority countering the propaganda that is being spouted through various media such as Netflix where shows such as ‘Game Changers’ and ‘Cowspiracy’ set the false narrative that cows are to blame for everything from environmental woes to bad health.

There is vested interests behind these documentaries with many being large shareholders in vegan food companies. Common sense will prevail with most people as the choice between a food raised on lush pasture versus a processed vegan food grown in a test tube should be an easy one to make.

We’re well and truly into the winter routine here at home currently with the milking cows settled on their diet of silage and 3kg of dairy nuts, we have now moved to once-a-day milking to reduce labour and to maintain cow body condition. This silage was made on the 27th of May and has turned out very well. The rest of the stock are still at grass but we will watch this situation very closely if conditions deteriorate with all this rainfall.

We are selling the last of our cattle for the year through our local Sixmilebridge mart. Most of these cattle are forward stores mainly dairy cross but also some Charolais cattle. This mart is a huge asset to the area, this is the cooperative model at its very best.

As farmers we have to remember that it is the cooperative spirit that enjoys the better harvest.

ď ŹQUALITY PRODUCE: The success of my brother Frank's pasture raised eggs shows Photo by John Mangan the silent majority is countering pro-vegan propeganda

Eoin Neylon

An inside look at Clare’s political spectrum

British apology is long overdue

O

NE hundred years ago this weekend, the War of Independence, and with it the fate of the country, took an undeniable turn. The events of Bloody Sunday and its aftermath sent shockwaves around the world with outrage at actions by both sides being expressed from different quarters.

That morning, some five dozen Volunteers spread out across Dublin city to strike a blow at the British intelligence service in Ireland. Their main target was members of G division of the Metropolitan police, or G Men as they were commonly referred to at the time. Regrettably, given the lack of photo surveillance and men with reconnaissance training, not all those killed by the IRA that morning were the intended targets, with several more targets being missed altogether. In the afternoon of November 21, 1920, the reaction from Black and Tans, Auxiliaries and other Crown forces was swift and brutal. Croke Park was turned into a blood bath, ultimately leaving 14 dead in their wake, first from indiscriminate fire into the crowd and then deliberate targeting of Tipperary players that lay on the ground for cover.

This is by far a full account of the events of that day. The evening previous, Brigadier Dick McKee and my great grand uncle, Vice Brigadier Peadar Clancy (pictured) of the Dublin Brigade, having just narrowly escaped a raid, we followed to Vaughan’s hotel by an informer. Having planned the hit by the Squad with Michael Collins against the Cairo Gang, they were in possession of the full list of targets for the following morning. When British forces came to the hotel to arrest the two

men, the ensuing fire fight gave McKee and Clancy just enough time to burn the list before they were captured. It proved to be their final sacrifice for Irish freedom which, for both men, had started when they enlisted as volunteers in 1913, fought in different companies on Easter Week 1916 and ultimately took charge of the war in Dublin through 1919 into 1920.

On Sunday morning, after being brutalised by British agents in Dublin Castle, the two men, along with an innocent man from Quin, Conor Clune, were murdered in custody. Within seven months, the war was over. Their actions had allowed for their colleagues to strike the World’s largest empire a vital blow from which its effort to crush the Irish rebellion never recovered. Nevertheless, the British cover-up of events in the Castle and Croke Park was swift. In both instances, a story of initial aggression by Republicans was concocted to try frame both incidents as self-defence. In both instances, they were easily disproven lies.

Coincidentally, on January 30, 1972 in Derry, another Bloody Sunday occurred at a civil rights march. Once again 14 innocent civilians were shot

by Crown forces and once more, a fabricated story was concocted to try make it look like the British did not fire first. However, the British Government only ever formally apologised outright for one of these atrocities. In the wake of the Saville Inquiry, then

Prime Minister David Cameron did give a formal apology to the families of those slain in Derry that day. Although British representatives have laid wreaths and appeared at commemorations of events 100 years ago, they are yet to formally say sorry. In times of Brexit, where again the hubris of the British establishment has caused unmitigated, unnecessary division, this would be a very poignant time for the British state to reflect on its history and formally apologise to the families of the 17 men, women and children they shot and killed illegally that weekend. A century is long enough for the wounds and divisions to fester. For many in those families, it would bring about the ultimate closure on that awful chapter in Irish history.

This being Covid times, the long planned events to mark the incredible life of Peadar, the collection together of his extended family to remember his sacrifice and celebrate the culture he was so fond of promoting, have, like everything else, been cancelled. Centenaries only come about once, so it is a great sadness to our family that this one will pass by with a whimper rather than the fanfare it deserves. On Saturday, I am honoured to be able to represent the family on national radio to discuss those events 100 years ago and bring Peadar’s story to a wider audience. On Sunday, the day of his anniversary, I will go to his graveside in the Republican Plot of Glasnevin Cemetery and lay down a lily to remember the man quietly. Never one to seek out the limelight himself, there is a certain aptness to that I feel. Family will quietly remember him in his native Cranny too at the same time. We will have to wait for the 101st anniversary to remember him together.

COLUMNIST 19

THURSDAY, NOV 19 2020

Creamy Kildysart spongecake

I

Kearney Cooks

STARTED posting videos of my recipes about six months ago on Instagram. This was primarily so I wouldn't have to write down recipes that people used to message me for when they saw a picture of my food.

This light spongecake recipe was one of the first recipes I posted about from my home in Kildysart. It is very handy to do and looks class as a centrepiece dessert for a dinner party or afternoon tea. It's highly adaptable as well and you can fill it with whatever you like really or flavour it whatever which way like too (lemon zest is a great flavouring).

Step 2 Fold in your flour with a spatula or a spade attachment until everything is combined.

Step 3 Bang it into the oven for a half hour at 180 degrees Celsius.

Step 4 When its out of the oven, remove from the tin and let it cool on a wire rack.

Step 5 Slice that bad boy in half and layer up fresh fruit, jam and cream in

the centre. Put the top half of the cake back on and if you like you can put some cream and fruit on top as well.

Step 6 Have a nice slice of cake with some tea and revel in your mastery of the kitchen.

Enjoy,

Steve K

For this recipe you will need For the sponge • 120 g plain flour • 120 g sugar • 4 large eggs • 1 tsp vanilla flavouring For the filling • Jam (as much as you want) • Cream (again as much or as little as you want) • Fresh Fruit, berries work best( whichever fruit you want, as long as its not pineapple) Step 1 Horse your eggs, sugar and vanilla into the mixer and mix with the whisk attachment, on high for 15 minutes. If your using a hand mixer you may need to whisk for 20mins.

R

ebecca O’Neill

FOR VIDEO DEMO, SCAN THE QR CODE WITH YOUR PHONE

Sustainable is on trend

F

This week, Miss Clare Rebecca O'Neill questions if fashion trends are changing during Covid-19

ASHION is such a major topic that expresses everyone’s individuality and style.

It is a comfort zone for some, and a lot of fun for others.

There is a wide variety in fashion and a large amount of options in terms of how you want to create your own style or by just following the best and up to date trends.

Sustainability in fashion has been talked about in more detail recently and is potentially going to be very successful in the coming years. People are starting to recognise the vast majority of fast fashion brands may not fall into the line of ecological integrity.

For me, this lockdown has taught me more about my individuality in terms of what I love to wear and what makes me feel confident. Social media has taught me how to be creative with the clothes I already have, without buying more. I’m currently trying my best to stay sustainable and smart with my fashion. The occasional 'Mom jeans' have become so much more popular than the regular tight skinny jeans. Maybe our generation is bringing the 80s back? Flair pants and Doc

martens being another major staple for most people’s wardrobes.

Loungewear of course has been extremely popular during lockdown. One thing I have noticed, is that brands making loungewear, are creating more fashionable, comfortable and affordable clothing. If you are struggling with your fashion and don’t know how to get started, or need a bit of inspiration, download pinterest. I use this app to give me ideas for outfits so you can visually see how everything matches. Considering items in your wardrobe that you can pair with others and realising you probably have a lot of fashionable things that you may not have known. I think for some people, it is really hard to visualise an outfit unless you see it on someone else. Hence why fashion trends have become so popular.

I want to encourage people to shop local during these times when keeping up with the latest trends this Christmas. Some of my favourite local shops/websites, Irish owned are Dani’s Closet in Limerick, Cornucopia and Willow in Ennis, Vavavoom. ie and Getthattrend.com.

My favourite quote about fashion is “Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak” - Rachel Zoe.

20 CLICK FOR CLARE Click for Clare is supported by

TOP TIPS FOR CONVERTING SOCIAL MEDIA INTO CLICKS

THE Clare Echo has teamed up with Local Enterprise Office Clare to bring readers our Click For Clare series, which promotes shopping locally online and supports businesses which are trading online.

This week Cian O’Broin speaks to expert Evan Mangan who runs a digital marketing training company called The Marketing Crowd. Evan, formerly head of European marketing for Yahoo Mobile, now delivers training courses on behalf of eight Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs).

“My advice to people is, don’t just use social media as the only thing you use. What you really need is to visualise that your website is at the centre of your digital marketing and that is your sales environment where you have your products, testimonials and videos. You try and drive people into that sales environment. What would be very important is to pull people in from social media,” he begins.

“This is a brilliant free environment to get discovered, increase awareness of your brand, grow a following, but ultimately, it’s about driving people back into the website.

You are using Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to get discovered, but really to get people to click that link into your website where they will buy your products.”

Evan has compiled some essential tips for business owners looking to leverage the power of social media to drive their business sales for this Christmas season.

Tip 1: Have a dedicated page for the topic you are promoting. “If you send out a post or ad on social media about product X, you have got to drive them to a page that’s just about product X, no other distractions,” Evan explains. Relevance is the key component here, as well as the page loading quickly. Facebook tells that if a page takes more than three seconds to load, 40 per cent of people will abandon. A page speed test can be checked by availing of the Google ‘speed test’ or on the website gtmetrix.com.

Tip 2: When people land on your page, they need to immediately understand what makes your page or product different. “Too many people talk about the price. People are not always looking for the cheapest, but quite often a mixture between quality and value.” Features, benefits of the product and what makes it different is important here.

People don’t read text. Statistics show that we only read between 20 and 23 percent of text. “When you drive people to your page, it has to be bullet points and easily scannable,” Evan adds.

Tip 3: The third tip relates to testimonials. People want to know what others think of this product or service. Getting testimonials from previous customers is crucial, Evan asserts. “You should email them and ask if they wouldn’t mind leaving a testimonial. The point is you need to get them on your website. You shouldn’t keep them only there though.

You should embed Facebook reviews on your website.”

Tip 4: Have a product video. Whether a product or service, a business should have a 60 second video that explains what the product or service is about. Evan cites studies that show that conversion rates double, where a business has these videos. Evan states, “Not everybody understands how a product or video works. The LEO office runs a training course ‘How to make marketing videos.’ This is very helpful in this regard” Tip 5: The final tip is about retargeting. This offers a way of getting back in front of the other 97 per cent of people who do not convert to a click on your website. “They were interested, it’s just that they were not at the point of enquiry or purchase. There are two ways of getting back in front of them. One is to run Facebook retargeting ads and the other is to try and tempt people to leave their email address when visiting your site by offering discounts and other incentives” Studies show that by running Facebook retargeting ads, your conversion rate could increase from one to three percent to between four and seven per cent. The LEO runs a training course on this entitled, ‘Facebook ads training course.’”

For more information concerning training and events visit www.localenterprise.ie/clare.

THURSDAY, NOV 19 2020

Crisis drives innovation at The Pantry in Kilkee CIAN O’BROIN

T

cian@clareecho.ie

HE Pantry has been operating successfully for 38 years, being one of the first cafés to arrive in Kilkee in 1982. Developed and improved over the years by owner Imelda Bourke, the deli and café-cumfood shop prides itself on producing wholesome foods from local ingredients. Like many businesses facing the challenges of Covid-19, Imelda has taken time to step back and assess her business. “Crisis drives innovation,” Imelda tells, adding, “I had to have a creative response and inspire my business.”

In June, Imelda introduced a food hall and admits that the adaptation has been a tremendous success. This involved more products, more variety and an eclectic take-away menu. Fastidious about food, Imelda arrives on the premises every morning at 5:30am to start making the bread and scones.

During the s u m m e r, she was joined by 30 employees who she had trained

SCAN WITH CAMERA PHONE TO SHOP AT THE PANTRY

over the years. “It was important that everything had to be bagged and labelled due to Covid. The food hall allowed customers to feel safe. Since the beginning of the second lockdown, we have been doing tailor made food boxes and hampers. That is the aim of The Pantry, everything here is made on the premises.”

Pride is a huge part of the philosophy at the Pantry. “We taste everything, we check everything, our quality is always consistent here,” explains Imelda. Fish pies, lasagnes, salads as well as crab meat and prawns all feature on a flush and variety-filled menu.

Imelda imparts, “We make up to six different varieties of scones every morning. People were able to come in then with the food hall, buy their breads and their scones for their breakfast. Our other successful products are jams, relishes, chutneys. Our quality is the secret of success here. The carrot cake is one of the best in Ireland.”

One of the ways in which Imelda has navigated the crisis has been through the development of The Pantry’s website. Availing of the LEO trading online voucher, Imelda emphasises the power of imagery in bolstering The Pantry’s presence online. “I felt that we were doing a good quality product, so

to keep the standard, you need a good quality photo.” Imelda hired photographer John Kelly to take professional videos and images for her website. Since the second lockdown, there has been a huge interest in her live cooking demonstrations on social media, which has been of major focus for Imelda in providing a platform to market The Pantry. “To have a good quality product you have to be prepared to put the effort in and pay the little bit of expense at the beginning for the product to be good. It’s like the ingredients.

We don’t buy cheap and it’s the same with our website.”

West Clare is a tight-knit community, Imelda tells. Loop Head Tourism and the Chamber of Commerce has seen a growth in membership and The Pantry is delighted to be a part of the learning curve brought about by the pandemic. The local ethos revolves around quality products and experiences. On the collective business conscience in Kilkee, Imelda states, “We all work together. There’s a fantastic team spirit there. If I’m in trouble, I can ring my neighbour. We don’t look on different businesses as competition. We are all in it together and as a result the town has grown.”

CLICK FOR CLARE 21

THURSDAY, NOV 19 2020

Smaointe play their cards right with Gaeilge greetings STUART HOLLY

editor@clareecho.ie

V

ALERIE Mhic Giolla Fhinnéin sits at her kitchen table crafting her trade, as we discuss her greeting card business Smaointe.

The skilled Gaeilgór lives in an idyllic cottage setting near the towering Cliffs of Kilkee and from here she produces her cártaí dátheangacha, or bilingual cards.

Greeting cards may be seen as a traditional form of communication but Valerie was ahead of the curve when setting up Smaointe.com two decades ago, since which time she has been trading online.

Professional translator Valerie and her husband Billy also run Loop Head Alpacas, a small working farm which had been welcoming

visitors in Kilfareagh up until the arrival of the pandemic. While they can’t welcome visitors, they continue to produce 100 per cent alpaca quality wool which customers can buy directly.

The pair share a grá for the teanga and when not producing cards or tending to their 12 alpacas and four horses, prior to Covid they could be found partaking in Carrigaholt’s ‘circle cainte’ or indeed set dancing at Morrissey’s.

A native of Lurga, Co Armagh, Valerie was at Coleraine University when the idea for Smaointe came about. “I did an Irish studies and literature degree in ’98 and one of the girls, a native Irish speaker, was complaining that she couldn’t get a card to send to her grandfather who didn’t speak English and that put the idea into my head - and I just thought Smaointe.com.

That’s how it started.”

The business continued

PLAYING THEIR CARDS RIGHT: (left) Valerie at work and (inset) with husband Billy; (above) some of the Christmas cards available from Smaointe.com

but the location changed as Valerie and Billy’s six children grew up and moved out of their home in Portstewart, Co Derry. Swapping “the big house for the small farm”, they headed west and bought three alpacas to graze on their newly-acquired 22 acres. Twenty-two years since Smaointe was born and now basing their business in West Clare, cus-

SCAN WITH PHONE CAMERA TO START SHOPPING IN CLARE

PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES EAST CLARE Bia Folláin Healthstore www.biafollain.ie Bridge House Studios www.bridgehousestudios.ie East Clare Yoga www.eastclareyoga.com Glendara Art www.glendaraar.com Happy Out Forest School happyoutforestschool.ie Inward Bound Mindfulness inwardboundmindfulness.ie Palm Free Irish Soap palmfreeirishsoap.ie Planet Tri www.planettri.ie The Greene Room Hair & Makeup Salon www.greeneroom.ie Wilde Irish Chocolate www.wildeirishchocolates.com ENNIS & SURROUNDS BEO Wellness www.beowellness.ie Berka Solutions www.berksolutions.com Blackbird Jewellery www.blackbirdennis.ie Brass Boutique www.brassboutique.ie Bridget Haren Hair www.bridgetharen.com Buckets.ie www.buckets.ie Carestore www.carestore.ie Carmel T Madigan Art www.carmeltmadigan.com Carries Bakery www.carriesbakery.ie

Candles With Character www.candleswithcharacter.ie Club Dangan & CD2 clubdanganmenswear.com Cornucopia www.cornucopia.fashion County Boutique www.countyboutique.ie Ela Maria Boutique www.elamaria.ie Ennis Art School www.ennisartschool.com Ennis Blinds www.acmeblinds.com Ennis Electrical www.enniselectrical.ie Ennis Gourmet Store www.gourmet-hampers.ie Ennis Home Furniture www.ennishomefurniture.com Fitness4Fun www.fitness4fun.ie Fun Kidz Klub www.funkidzklub.ie GA Sports www.gasports.ie Gift Works www.giftworksstore.com Jackson’s Pig & Poultry www.jacksonspp.com K2 Hair www.k2hair.ie Kilkenny Shop www.kilkennyshop.com La Jolie Femme www.lajoliefemme.ie Laserderm Clinic www.laserderm.ie Max Business www.maxservices.ie Meya Boutique www.meyaboutique.com

SCAN WITH PHONE CAMERA TO SHOP AT SMAOINTE.COM

Mods & Minis www.modsandminis.ie NAIIAD Contemporary Designer Jewellery www.naiiad.com Neighbourfood www.neighbourfood.ie Nozomi Shoe Boutique www.nozomishoes.ie The Old Ground www.oldgroundhotelennis.com Ollie’s Tours www.olliestours.com Pamela Scott www.pamelascott.com Patrick Bourke Menswear patrickbourkemenswear.ie Physio Recovery Room https://physiorecoveryroom. connect.tm3app.com Rochfords Pharmacy www.rochfordspharmacy.ie Risk Assess It www.riskassessit.com Salon Glow www.glow.ie Siar Photography www.siarphotography.ie Smelly Bees www.smellybees.com Strike Sport www.strikesport.org Sweet N Green www.sweetngreen.ie The Candle Emporium www.candleemporium.ie The Record Break www.therecordbreak.com The Woollen Market www.thewollenmarket.com The Wine Buff www.thewinebuff.com

tomers can be counted at every corner of the world with the handmade cards proving popular in America and Australia as well as across Ireland.

The alpaca herd has grown to 12-strong and Valerie admits it has been a stressful year on that business front as they made the decision to remain closed for the entire year to discourage the Vigour www.vigour.ie Water Online www.wateronline.ie Western Herd www.westernherd.com Wix & Wax www.wixandwaxireland.com Wonder Photo Shop www.fujiennis.ie Wowwee.ie www.wowwee.ie NORTH CLARE Airmid Natural Handmade Skincare www.airmidsoap.com Anam Coffee www.anamcoffee.ie Banner Books http://bannerbooks.ie Burren Smokehouse www.burrensmokehouse.com Celtic T-Shirts www.celtictshirts.ie Climb It www.climbit.ie Doolin2Aran www.doolin2aranferries.com Doreen Drennan Art www.doreendrennan.com Eko Tree Cashmere www.ekotreeknitwear.store Folded Leaf www.foldedleaf.ie Glas Grazing www.glasgrazing.ie Healing Hearths www.healinghearths.com Hitching For Hope www.hitchingforhope.com Irish Crafts Online www.irishcraftsonline.com Irish T-Shirts www.irishtshirts.ie Kenny Woollen Mills www.kennywoollenmills.com Lahinch Art Gallery www.lahinchartgallery.com Lahinch Surf Shop www.lahinchsurfshop.com Moher Cottege www.mohercottage.com Morrisson Gallery www.phillipmorrison.com

spread of Covid-19. However Valerie has noticed a fortuitous upturn in interest in her greeting cards. “In fact it has helped me this Christmas,” she reflects, “because more people want to send cards now and I have ‘thinking of you’ mass cards [which are proving popular].”

She adds, “The cards are available all year round.

They are bilingual but they don’t have to be, if you want Nature’s Pocket www.naturespocket.ie Rowena Sheen Jewellery www.rowenasheen.com Ruth Vaughan Photography ruthvaughanphotography.com Secret Fashion Fixes www.secretfashionfixes.ie St Tola Goat Farm www.st-tola.ie Susan Quirke Meditation www.susanquirke.com The Design Lodge www.designlodge.ie The Russell Gallery www.russellgallery.net The Salmon Bookshop www.salmonpoetry.com Tunes From Doolin www.tunesfromdoolin.com West Clare Flowers www.westclareflowers.ie SHANNON AREA Avokado and co www.avokadoandco.com Back Baller www.backballer.com Carrygerry Country House www.carrygerryhouse.com Creative Clay www.creativeclayireland.com Genisis Beauty www.genisisbeauty.net Gleeson Goldsmiths www.gleesongoldsmiths.ie KMF Eco www.kmf.ie Lavender Beauty www.lavenderbeauty.ie Shannon Springs / Old Lodge Gastro Pub www.shannonspringshotel.com The Inn At Dromoland www.theinnatdromoland.ie Torpey Hurleys www.torpeyhurleys.com SOUTH EAST CLARE Galanta Jewellery www.galanta.com Hungry Soul hungrysoulplantpower.com I-Spy Clothing www.i-spy.ie

Irish only I can do that for you, I also do personalised stuff.”

Available from Smaointe. com include a wide range of greeting cards for occasions including Christmas, birthdays, wedding, baby, thanks and more. “I have a new line coming out called ‘scríobh’. I have a lovely selection of watermarked linen paper with matching envelopes pack of six and they’ll be coming out soon,” Valerie adds.

JC Safety www.jc-safety.ie ONS Site Support www.onsitesupport.ie WEST CLARE Anchor Crafts www.anchorcraftskilrush.ie Armada Hotel www.armadahotel.com Carsten Krieger Photography www.irelandsnaturestories.com Cocolemon Hair www.cocolemon.ie Cottage Garden Centre www.cottagegardencentre.ie Daisy Days www.daisydays.ie Irish ICE Cards www.irishicecard.ie JJ Corry Irish Whiskey www.jjcorry.com John O’Dwyer Concrete www.johnodwyerquilty.ie Kilbaha Gallery www.kilbahagallery.com Loophead Alpacas www.loopheadalpacas.ie Malone’s Pharmacy www.malonespharmacy.ie Nevsail Watersports www.nevsailwatersports.ie Nia Natural Beauty www.nianaturalbeauty.com Riverside Hair & Beauty www.rsbeautyshop.ie Sallyann’s Handmade Bags www.sallyannsbags.com Sew Irish www.sew-irish.ie Smaointe www.smaointe.com SMT Consultants www.smt.ie The Family Store www.thefamilystore.ie The Pantry Cafe www.pantrykilkee.ie The Perfect Touch Beauty Salon www.theperfecttouch.ie Wild Atlantic Living www.wildatlanticliving.com Wild Irish Seaweed www.wildirishseaweeds.com

22 BUSINESS

BUSINESS AND RECRUITMENT

THURSDAY, NOV 19 2020

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

2021 Green Business Awards launched CIAN O’BROIN cian@clareecho.ie

THE green consultancy firm Fifty Shades Greener has announced the launch of their newest venture - the Green Business Awards 2021.

This novel opportunity offers businesses from all sectors to enter and showcase the green programme they have been implementing at their workplace for the past 12 months.

Interested applicants can apply by providing a summary of their green programme for the past 12 months. In order to qualify, they must demonstrate that they have provided sufficient environmental training to their employees and that they have established their business Green Key Performance Indicators, which are monitored on a monthly basis.

Organisations of all standards are welcomed, explains the Liscannor based, Fifty Shades Greener. Adding that, it is not a competition against

other countries but simply, recognises an achieved standard.

Successful applicants will receive numerous benefits and open up the thriving green market to their business.

"Over the past number of years through working with various clients, we have seen first-hand how little recognition businesses get for their efforts. Often, they don't realise just how much work they are doing to create a sustainable enterprise and have little to no experience in how

to successfully market their achievements. An internationally recognised award boosts workplace morale while also garnering significant customer interest," Explains Raquel, founder and CEO at Fifty Shades Greener.

Limited applications will be accepted. Deadline for 2021 applications is November 30th.

To apply for the Green Business Awards 2021 visit: www. fiftyshadesgreener.ie/greenbusiness-award

Specsavers Ennis is open with safety at front of mind

S

PECSAVERS Ennis, experts in eye and hearing care, has been offering unparalleled service throughout the pandemic and are proud to be a reliable and constant service to the people in their community.

Open with the health and safety of customers in mind, Specsavers has a series of hygiene and personal protection measures in place to create a safe and comfortable experience in store for customers and staff.

Offering a full breadth of optical and audiology services, including eye and hearing tests, contact lens consultations, frame repairs and the sale of glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, and other products, all customers can shop safely in store. Customers who are unable to attend a store can still access care and support through Specsavers new RemoteCare video and telephone consultation service, while glasses and contact lenses can be bought online with a current prescription at Specsavers.ie.

The in-store hygiene and personal protection measures include restrictions on the number of customers allowed in store at any one-time, strict social distancing rules and bank card instead of cash payments, where possible. Keeping in line with HSE recommendations, Specsavers staff use personal protective equipment (PPE) and all testing equipment and frames are thoroughly sanitised before and after each use. Customers are also asked to make an appointment in order to manage the number of people in store at any one time.

Specsavers store director, Sean Power, says: ‘We want to assure everyone that our number one priority is the safety and wellbeing of all our customers and colleagues, both in the test rooms and in the rest of our store.

‘During tests, our staff will be wearing face masks and gloves, so even though they’ll be pleased to see you, you may not be able to see their smiles but know that every measure we have taken is designed to put safety first.’

Specsavers store director and optometrist, John O’Farrell, comments: ‘When you are passionate about helping people and offering great customer experiences, it is important that your business continues to offer a high level of service even in a challenging time for retail. Implementing health and safety measures was of course necessary to ensure we are in line with government guidance but also to ensure our customers can visit us safely and with confidence.’

‘We offered an emergency service for our community during lockdown and have been proud to support those who needed us during such a difficult time. As we moved into the Government’s Five Level Plan for Living with Covid, we were thrilled to see that we can offer our full level of service to all. We want to assure customers that we will be always here to offer a service to those who need us with health and safety always front of mind.’

For more information or to request an appointment, visit http://www. specsavers.ie/stores/ennis or call (065) 682 1212.

THURSDAY, NOV 19 2020

BUSINESS 23

Changes to tax scheme will ‘decimate tourism and retail’ Stark warning from leading economist ahead of Brexit STUART HOLLY

editor@clareecho.ie

L

EADING economist Jim Power has published the findings of an economic report which outlines the real damage proposed tax changes will have on the retail and tourism sectors in Clare and which urges the Government to urgently rethink its proposals.

The current Retail Export Scheme allows non-EU tourists to claim VAT refunds on quality Irish craft and gift items purchased in Ireland. The existing scheme supports small retailers in Clare and encourages local craftspeople and designers.

However, the Government’s Brexit Omnibus Bill 2020, currently moving through the Oireachtas, will exclude all purchases under €175 from the scheme. This means that a tourist in Clare will have to spend at least €175 on a single purchase to avail of a VAT refund.

As almost 85 per cent of refunds under the current scheme are purchases less than €175, the Government is scrapping the scheme for retailers who do not sell high value goods. Many of the retailers in Clare who avail of the scheme are small, family run businesses who do not sell high value items.

The Bill also introduces heavy restrictions on the use of the scheme for visitors from the UK. According to economist Jim Power; ‘’The Retail Export Scheme contributes €108.1 million to the economy, with a large proportion of this spent outside of Dublin. The proposed new legislation will risk many jobs in Clare and will put people out of business. It is crystal clear that economic activity, employment and the overall health of the retail and tourism sectors in Clare are at risk. Introducing the €175 limit on the Retail Export Scheme would undermine competitiveness and decimate the Irish tourism and retail sectors, particularly along the Wild Atlantic Way.’’ Jim Power went on to say; ‘’The tourism and retail sectors in Clare have been decimated by COVID-19 and they face a very challenging future. They need as much support as possible over the coming years. Increasing the Retail Export Scheme threshold to €175 would not represent support, and it would totally fly in the face of the ongoing efforts to promote Irish tourism.’’

An alliance of independent retailers and tourism businesses across Ireland have launched a campaign on the issue. A spokesperson for the ‘Stop Another Tourism Tax!’ campaign said; ‘’We are days away from Brexit and the Government is currently on a collision course with the retail and tourism sectors. Not only have the sectors been decimated by COVID-19, they are lining up another body blow for the industry.

Our campaign is encouraging all retailers and tourism businesses in Clare to contact their local TDs and ask them to stop another tourism tax.’’

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ENNIS NATIVE DRIVES LATE LATE PJs DONATION ENNIS woman Ciara Ruane is front and centre of a campaign which will see 50,000 pairs of RTÉ Late Late Toy Show pyjamas donated to children’s hospitals.

Ciara (pictured) is Director of People and Culture at Penneys and made the announcement this week that Penneys is delighted to team up with Barnardos and children’s hospitals to donate its Late Late Toy Show pyjama collection to children across the country.

With its 36 stores in the Republic of Ireland temporarily closed, Penneys wanted to help spread festive excitement in the lead up to the much-loved Late Late Toy Show annual broadcast.

The official pyjama sets of Ireland’s most anticipated show will also be distributed to all children in Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin, Temple Street and Tallaght hospitals in time for November 27, the night of the Late Late Toy Show. In addition, Penneys will make a donation of €5,000 to each of the three children’s hospitals via The Children’s Health Foundation Temple Street and Crumlin and The National Children’s Hospital Foundation Tallaght.

Ciara said, “The Penneys Late Late Toy Show Collection has become ingrained in the Irish Christmas countdown as children and families nationwide prepare to kick off the festive season by enjoying RTÉ’s Late Late Toy Show together each year. Although our stores remain temporarily closed, we are so proud to partner with Barnardos and continue our partnerships with Children’s Health Foundation Temple Street and Crumlin and The National Children’s Hospital Foundation Tallaght for the sixth consecutive year, to help bring festive excitement and joy to children across Ireland.”

A Shift in Focus to Local F

ARAWAY hills may have always seemed greener but the urge to travel far and wide to source what may be right on our doorsteps has been turned on its head since the onset of COVID-19. That’s the view of Shannon Chamber CEO Helen Downes who believes it has taken a pandemic to make all of us realise just what we have in Shannon and in Co Clare in terms of shopping and product sourcing.

Shannon Chamber’s website contains a page called ‘Made in Shannon’ which outlines the quality, scale and nature of business undertaken every day in Shannon.

“It really is amazing how Shannon impacts our lives. If we could just stop every time we need to

buy something, be that food, fruit and veg, fashion, entertainment, news, books and stationery, beauty, dining, home improvement, gardening, DIY and for so many other aspects of our lives and ask, where can I source that in Shannon? That would the perfect start on our journeys to boosting the local economy,” stated Ms Downes.

“Most local businesses have been set up by entrepreneurs who depend on local trade for their survival.

The multiples, likewise, employ much welcomed local employment. They both deserve our footfall and support.

“When, and only when, that product cannot be found in Shannon should we move further afield,

to our county and regional towns and, ultimately to our cities, and that applies to online shopping too.

Just like an onion; work in layers from local to regional to national,” urges Ms Downes.

Turning her attention to local opportunities, Ms Downes also encourages people in Shannon and in Co Clare to avail of free training available through the Chamber’s Skillnet network.

“We have a range of programmes to help those seeking employment or in receipt of PUP. It’s a wonderful opportunity to source and acquire new skills locally.

Simply email admin@shannonchamber.ie to find out more,” she added.

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THURSDAY, NOV 19 2020

Expeditors stand by Shannon workforce WITH a motto of looking after staff during difficult times, not alone have Expeditors maintained their existing workforce but have added to it over recent months.

Headquartered in Seattle, Expeditors’ Shannon base in the Smithstown Business Park have stuck to the company’s philosophy of standing by its employees when the pressure begins to mount. Such a move was fortunate as District Manager, Michael Guilfoyle explained the pandemic has led to an increased workload.

“We’ve had no lay-offs which is one of the company’s mottos that in bad times we do not lay off people and we did not do that. As the way it turned out, we could not afford to have anyone off, lots of things have changed in terms of moving PPE in from Asia for various different customers and we were also involved with a lot of COVID projects from pharma-healthcare companies going out to various places.

We have had one of the busiest six to nine months ever in the Shannon office”.

Facilitating remote working for office staff proved to be an initial challenge, the Feakle native admitted but he flagged that the tools and systems utilised by the company have resulted in this becoming a success.

At present, Expeditors have 53 people employed in Shannon. He outlined that some staff are keen to return to the office while their warehouse personnel have experienced little change to their daily duties except following strict COVID-19 guidelines.

“Our warehouse staff have been working all through the pandemic and they’ve done an absolutely super job for us with increased volumes.

The worry was always there for them in case any of them got sick, they had to take extra precautions to make sure they were working in a safe & healthy environment”.

One eye has been kept on monitoring the virus but the other has been keenly focused on preparing for Brexit. Indeed, four individuals have been hired specifically for Brexit. “The hiring was always

going to happen for Brexit but we’re anticipating a lot of people upgrading their businesses and moving a lot more products, we’re also hiring for general staff at the moment”.

Michael added, “Their role would be in relation to customs, we would already have nine cus-

tom brokers here in Shannon preparing custom entries in and out of the country, with Brexit that will increase dramatically at least a fifty percent increase so all these staff will be trained into our procedures and systems to ensure we are ready for the volume of business that will occur on January 1st 2021”.

Undoubtedly aviation is a key component to their business model and with the global crisis affecting this industry, it has had challenges for companies like Expeditors. “The lack of airline capacity globally has been challenging our rates and services. Every shipment now has it’s own challenges and while we certainly have the experience and expertise, the world has changed in the freight forwarding sense for sure”.

With airlines reducing their services from Shannon Airport, they

have had to find alternatives which have mainly been found through London and others through continental Europe. “For these companies business has gone on so we’ve had to go and adapt and make sure we’re servicing all of our Customers”.

A Munster minor championship winner with Clare in 1981, Michael is assured that the local branch and office of Expeditors is in a strong position. “We see that there will be more opportunities as Brexit approaches. Though challenging, we also see Brexit as an opportunity with the amounts of increased Customs activity and the opportunity to carry more of our Customers shipments”.

“As a young progressive international company we would be looking to increase our business in 2021, we’ve a solid workforce but we’re always on the look for good freight and international transport and logistics people to work for us, we’re always open to talking to the right people to work in our business,” he concluded.

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THURSDAY, NOV 19 2020

Netflix boost for Shannon basketball CIAN O’BROIN

cianobroin@clareecho.ie

S

HANNON Jets Basketball Club has seen an exponential growth in membership this year, despite the challenges brought on by Covid-19. For the first time ever, the club has recorded over 100 members. Now, with an eye to the future the club are looking for a more permanent home.

Development Coach Nick Kirby speaks to The Clare Echo about the recent history of the club, the influence of Netflix’s ‘The Last Dance’ on Irish basketball as well as the importance of supporting young players and providing a physical outlet through the restrictions imposed in a level 5 lockdown.

Shannon Jets roots began seven years ago, under the auspices of Mike Hickey, the current President of the club.

Mike is a significant figure in Irish basketball, in that he is a Basketball Ireland Tutor and can train coaches. He currently holds a coaching role with the Irish men’s Senior Team. “Mike was the driving force for the beginning of the club,” Nick comments. Adding, “It started off through a couple of guys that played basketball in secondary school and with some clubs in Limerick. They started to play in Shannon and decided to get a club together.

Mike came in and added a lot of structure

to that.” Shannon Jets enjoy training in a hall at Shannon Leisure Centre and since Level 5, have had to suspend all training activities.

Nick acknowledges a resurgence and revival in Irish basketball since the release of Netflix’s ‘The Last Dance’ documentary which looks into the final year of Michael Jordan’s career in the NBA. The reverberation has been strongly felt within Shannon Jets Basketball Club and Nick expects numbers to continue to rise over the next two to three years. Shannon Jets caters for ages 5 to 8 in one group as well as fielding teams at U10, U12, U14 and U16 level for both boys and girls. These teams play in a Clare league whilst the men’s team play in the North Munster league, enjoying fierce rivalry with other Clare teams.

“We always focus on player development. That is our only focus. We focus on making players better. We now have a defined roadmap. This is the same for girls and boys.

We have a gap between the 16-year olds to our Seniors.

We don’t have an U18, U21 or U23’s team. It’s quite difficult because sometimes we lose a lot of these guys who go to try and concentrate on their leaving cert and various different things. What the club did this year was, we came up with the idea of a development team.

We weren’t quite sure what type of response we would get. This is for guys that we want them to develop a little bit so that they

can actually fit into our senior team. We got 24 guys in training on the first night. We have more people on the development team now than our senior team. These were young guys that were a little bit lost, didn’t have a team, didn’t have an age group. Some of these guys need a year or two to bulk up a little bit physically to play at a higher level. I volunteered to coach this team and it’s been a revelation,” Nick concedes.

Nick and the committee noted the impact that a Level 5

lockdown was having on young basketball players that were unable to train. An online suggestion and initiative was put out there called the Jets Nets.

This entailed a sticker being posted out from the club to anyone that enquired.

This sticker can be placed on any basketball ring to signal to other players that it is free to use. The aim was to get as many kids out there playing in the fresh air as possible, Nick tells. Adding, “A kid down the street might not have a

ring. We promote that you use your own basketball and that it’s individual. Since we have started, we have reached 3,500 people through this Facebook post. It’s a great initiative just to keep the kids playing.”

Nick would like to thank Conor Wade of Nua for sponsoring the club this year and asserts that anyone looking to join the Shannon Jets Basketball club can make contact through their Facebook Page Shannon Jets Basketball Club.

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THURSDAY, NOV 19 2020

Innovation, key to success for Shannon Springs SHANNON Springs Hotel, now five years in operation, has managed to successfully navigate the Covid-19 crisis through a number of innovative business ideas such as an extensive takeaway menu, a beer van as well as afternoon tea at home. Opening for essential workers throughout the lockdown, Managing Director (MD) John Gavin speaks of the experimental business models that have helped see the business trade through a difficult lockdown period in which, he opines, “have helped us to keep relevant and up with the current trends.”

Graduating from a two-star establishment in its infancy to a decadent four star, 2020 has brought the final stages of an extension of 17 extra bedrooms, two new meeting rooms and a full new reception area. With the planning process incepted several years ago and starting 12 months previous, John likens it to a juggernaut, inferring, “once it started, we couldn’t stop it.” Contractual obligations with airline staff meant that the hotel kept its doors open for essential workers through the first lockdown and even managed to keep 24 out of its 50 staff members employed. Since the lockdown, creativity has been a key element in the business model that has “right the way through, never been more reliant on local customers for support,” John confesses.

A number of special services have been in operation since the beginning of restrictions.

A takeaway menu for lunch and dinner has just, this week, added an extension of breakfast times and items. John also explains that Shannon Springs Hotel will be providing gift boxes for the Late Late Toy Show. A unique service also given life in lockdown is the beer van, which operates from Thursday to Sunday, starting at 3pm to last orders at 10.30pm. “We are serving draught. There is Guinness, Heineken and Coors Light. On top of that we have a full cocktail menu. Customers simply ring and make the transaction with the hotel and then we deliver. We try

to keep it in Shannon but will go outside if not too busy,” John informs. Afternoon Tea, a staple of Shannon Springs, is also being delivered to customers homes.

“We have tried to innovate and come up with new ideas to interact with our customers but also to give them something when there is not a huge amount of variety or choice available on their doorstep. We are normally very involved in the community and we provide sponsorship for all our local sporting teams, musical societies and different things. When we are in a position to give back, we try to do that now and again as it’s important,” John states.

Christmas is a very important period for hotels, restaurants and bars, he explains.

Continuing, he remarks, “December accounts for 30 per cent of the annual turnover for these businesses and the economic contribution for the local economy in relation to tourism in the west is 12,000 jobs, generating €266 million.”

Dermot Kelly, John’s business partner, is Chairman of the Shannon Branch of the Irish Hotel Federation (IHF). The pair have been very active in their interaction with government officials in acquiring a roadmap to open after the second lockdown. John has been telling local councillors and senators about his story and that of his industry and notes a better line of communication as opposed to after the first lockdown. “The budget did listen to us to a certain degree,” he admits, adding, “The wage subsidy scheme and the VAT reduction were great but, it’s only important when the business is there. What we really want is to trade through the lockdown period and open for the first two weeks of December to allow people to dine indoors.

We are planning for all eventualities.”

Right: Shannon Springs Hotel Managing Director, John Gavin Below: Dermot Kelly and John Gavinof The Shannon Springs Hotel

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Creating gifts that remind you of home AVOKADO & Co. has been creating gifts that bring people closer since 2014. It’s a fab Irish Brand that captures Irish expressions of endearment and transforms them into gifts that are fun, creative & above all reminds you of home.

The focus is on creative designs and gift products made on site, which have now found their way all over the world. Along side their main business ‘Indigo Signs’ which has been trading for 15 years, the business is run by husband and wife, Claire and Shane Bannon.

Up until the onset of Covid-19, stock was sold from Irish airports and a multitude of large and independent retailers around the country. Like many businesses in the current climate, Claire had to focus on online sales and marketing and took the time over the summer to rethink the consumer market and so a brand new range of kindness and wellness products, which they hope will “give people something to smile about.” was created.

Claire remarks that Avokado & Co. have seen their expressions

like ‘What’s The Craic’, ‘Ah For Feck’s Sake’ and ‘Turn Off The Immersion’ go all over the world.

“Everywhere we have gone, and our friends have gone, in Irish pubs and homes , you would see our gifts. We walked into a pub in Sorrento in Italy last year and there was one of our signs hanging up.

We walked into the Long Hall pub in New York City and there before us, were four or five of them.

“They’re everywhere” In the summertime and with the persistence of the pandemic, Claire felt people needed a reason to smile. In response to this, a new range of kindness and wellness gifts were created. The aim was to bring the gift of a smile, to bring people together, while they were apart. These included expressions such as ‘Kind people are my kinda people’, ‘Small steps, everyday’ and ‘In this together,’ Claire notes that there has been a great buy-in online. She comments on one of the favourite gifts within the range, “We have a teddy bear that says, ‘While we’re apart, a cuddle from

my heart.’ In that you can write a note on the teddy bear and a note on the box. I’m nearly in tears every day from the people’s stories of what they are writing. Notes about babies that relatives haven’t met yet, people not coming home for Christmas, husbands and wives who are in different countries. Our Send a Cuddle Teddy Bears are really touching people’s hearts.”

Normally, this time of year, we would be getting ready to attend the massive week long Christmas Irish Craft Fair in the RDS, Dublin, but due to the pandemic, Claire explains that the website is now essentially their Christmas store. Throughout the lockdown, she has taken a number of marketing courses and has learned the value of social media in business, although admits, “It’s hard work but is paying off ” With this shift in the business model, Claire is cognisant that not everybody is able to access the internet and shop online. Catering for the older generation, she has created a catalogue and hopes that any elderly

customers that ring her to make a purchase will be greeted warmly and have their needs met. A click and collect service is currently in operation and includes all items on the website, including personalised Christmas gifts.

With eyes on the future, Claire concludes with, “We have great

plans for 2021 to get out there physically once again, although things are changing all the time.”

For more information check out www.avokadoandco.com or telephone 061 718786 Above: Claire and Shane Bannon, owners of Avokado & Co.

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THURSDAY, NOV 19 2020

BBNet connects local customers adapting to Covid restrictions COUNTY Clare broadband provider BBNet has spent 2020 responding to a surge in demand for increased connectivity, as customers adapt to new working environments due to the global pandemic.

Based in Shannon, BBNet employs 12 staff locally along with a number of local sub-contractors around Munster who respond to their large customer base across Clare, Limerick, Kerry and north Cork. In an industry not celebrated for its customer relations, BBNet has managed to buck this trend by relying on unrivalled local knowledge and a dedicated team which is headquartered in Shannon.

BBNet traditionally specialises in connecting rural homes with bespoke wireless solutions - in fact the company was established after its two founding directors successfully managed to connect their

respective houses in Cratloe and Sixmilebrige to each other - and while they continue to prosper in this area, their service offering has expanded greatly with continued advancements in technology in the telecoms sector.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, General Manager Shane Slattery explains that the nature of the product has moved on significantly in recent years with BBNet now offering wireless speeds of up to 100Mb and fibre broadband, where available. With the advent of Covid-19, they have seen huge demand for greater connectivity.

Shane, who has been with BBNet since 2007, explains, “Covid-19 has been the big challenge for everybody this year, that goes without saying. Since March, we have seen a huge surge in demand for connectivity. People who had been

SCAN WITH PHONE CAMERA TO VISIT WEBSITE

working off mobile connections at home have gone for more fixed wireless solutions, particularly the likes of the Jet service which is 50Mb or 100Mb. It allows people do that bit more; upload speed is particularly important for Zoom calls or teams meetings, and the likes of fibre or the higher speed wireless services definitely deliver that.”

“The other one is on the wifi side of things; a lot of rural houses are quite large or pose a challenge with things like stone walls and mass concrete between upstairs and downstairs. A lot of people are now working from home and have an office at one end of the house but the broadband is at the other, so we’ve done quite a lot on offering solutions for Wifi to ensure somebody can work well.”

BBNet has also seen a spike in their corporate customer base who avail of the Shannon company’s enterprise class products and they have a growing range there including hospitality, a large number of multinationals based in the midwest and a number of international clients across Europe, Asia and into the Caribbean. BBNet also provides managed Wifi services for hotels, public spaces, events and conferences.

In a highly competitive market, Shane details that the company’s hands-on approach and local knowledge is a unique selling point. “We’re local first of all. We are based in Shannon and our offices have been based in Shannon since I joined the company. There’s a couple of things that appeal to the customer. One is that support, other providers may have their challenges around that. We answer calls as quickly as possibly and that

works very well.

“If there’s an issue we’ll often hear about it before the calls come in so that local presence is very important. The feedback we get is the customer service is good and that’s a huge part of it for us.”

“People do care about the fact that they can pick up the phone and get an answer. You have to keep your customer happy and if you’re not in a position to provide the support your customer requires, then your’e at risk of losing that business.”

Shane acknowledges that BBNet are “one of the lucky ones” who have been able to continue operations as an essential service and stresses the importance of shopping locally and supporting the businesses that are closed at the moment. “That’s very very important at the moment that people do support local, and support the businesses that are there to help.

There are a lot of businesses with a lot of challenges at the moment so the more we can support, the more we will.”

To enquire about BBNet’s services, visit bbnet.ie or call 061 512000.

Left: BBNet General Manager, Shane Slattery

31

THURSDAY, NOV 19 2020

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THURSDAY, NOV 19 2020

Full speed ahead for Top Part in Clare

T

OP PART has become a name synonymous with high quality car parts in County Clare and further afield over the last four decades. Quality brands at affordable prices is the core philosophy of the well-known auto service and repair centre.

With respected businessman and Corofin resident John Dillane at the wheel, the company has grown from a humble one-shop operation into a well-oiled national brand boasting 22 branches that sell car parts, accessories, garage equipment and tools.

The Ennis branch, established as Banner Motor Factors in 1984, was instrumental in the growth of the now-established brand. John and his wife Maria moved here town and a second premises was from Tralee - the location of their set up in the Banner County. The first shop - at the time to manage company now has 15 employees the Ennis branch and he admits based in Clare and 10 vans on they “liked Clare so much and we the road delivering to garages and thought the business had so much customers across the county. potential that we decided to settle Despite operating at 10 per cent here”. during the first shutdown when Top Top Part made its way to ShanPart was on call to supply essential non 12 years agoEnnis as John identiTop Part & Shannon 20200916.pdf 22/09/2020 09:28 workers,1John tells The Clare Echo fied a vibrant market in the airport

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CMY

K

that they have recovered well and are now on par to match last year’s figures. The Corofin resident attributes this success to a number of factors including the dedication of his staff, most of whom are with him in Clare 20+ years.

While there’s a family feel to operations with John and Maria running the business in Clare for more

than 25 years, he adds there are advantages to having branches nationwide, including Galway, Sligo and Kilkenny. “The branch network now has 22 branches and we’re part of an international buying group which gives us superior buying power to most other competing businesses in Ireland,” explains John. “We sell high quality alternative parts and we only buy from very reputable manufacturers of car parts.

Most of our brands would be instantly known in the motor trade.”

Top Part supply “any part of your car” says John, adding that they are an alternative to the main dealers. Wiper blades, batter-

ies, oils, winter packs are among their bread and butter and while they work with garages across the county, independent customers will be in safe hands with an experienced and knowledgeable, local staff. The team also took necessary steps due to Covid-19 early this year to implement safety steps to protect staff and indeed visiting customers. John stresses that under current restrictions, customers are not limited by travel restrictions when maintaining their vehicle.

A Kerryman by birth, John is now an adopted Clareman and admits he even dons the saffron and blue when watching inter county matches. In this spirit, he is reminding people to continue supporting the local economy. “Support your local garage and be aware you can drive over the 5k if you need to get your car maintained or serviced,” says John, adding that Top Part is a good option for Christmas presents for the DIY man in the house.

Call Top Part, Smithstown Shannon on (061) 708790 with any enquiries or visit toppart.com.

33

THURSDAY, NOV 19 2020

Feistim app awarded ‘Best New Start Up’ CIAN O’BROIN

cianobroin@clareecho.ie

FEISTIM is a new, innovative application to allow individuals, teams and organisations to track and monitor inputs (efforts) and outputs (performance metrics) to maximise performance.

Launched on October 9th, 2020, Feistim are actively engaging with teams and clubs of all sporting disciplines and offering attractive starter packages to help with recording, tracking and analysing player performance.

CEO Lorcan Hassett, admits that the app has enjoyed a successful first 30 days and would like to offer a, “thank you to all our new customers who have downloaded the app.”

Now with 1,200 downloads over 13 different countries, the app has this week been crowned "Best New Start up" in the Regional final of the Seedcorn Intertrade Competition as well as being shortlisted as

a Best New Start up to present at the Web Summit in Lisbon (virtually ) on Dec 2nd.

Feistim allows for your manager to assign inputs and outputs to the team that can be analysed and cor-

related to see which has the greatest effect on performance. The data from Feistim can be downloaded

in xls or pdf format for further analysis.

Some of the key features found on the app are activity whereby the manager or player can monitor and analyse performance. A chat function, whereby the manager and individuals can share chat, reminders, training or work schedule and video clips. A wellness check that enables the manager and individual to monitor Covid 19 status with a simple questionnaire and finally, a calendar, allowing the user to add any number of performance metrics in any given day.

In essence, Feistim is the ideal application to assist with remote monitoring and performance of individuals, teams and organizations.

“Please reach out to us to see how we can help with recording, tracking and analyzing your performance. Here's hoping the next 30 days are as exciting. Let Feistim be your performance partner,” concludes Mr. Hassett.

Feistim is available for download on the App Store and Google Play.

34

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THURSDAY, NOV 19 2020

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35

36

MOTORING

MOTORING

THURSDAY, NOV 19 2020

MOTORING EXPERT NEIL BRISCOE GIVES HIS VIEWS

VOLKSWAGEN EXPANDING BAND ONE OPTIONS

VW ALREADY HAS SEVERAL MODELS ON SALE WITH EMISSIONS UNDER 50G/KM

V

OLKSWAGEN currently has eight models available to order now that qualify for the new lowest ‘Band 1’ VRT Rate of 7 per cent for vehicles with emissions of less than 50g/km. Following on from success in September of the initial sales of the ID.3 1st Edition, the brand has announced their full range of ID.3 models for 2021 as well as details of new PHEVs (Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle) and the new ID.4 all-electric SUV. “Budget 2021 has seen a very strong move by the Irish Government towards fully electric and plugin hybrid vehicles and thankfully the Volkswagen range is very well suited to these new measures and is continuing to grow as we look towards 2021’ said Rodolfo Calixto, Brand Director of Volkswagen Ireland.

The ID.3 is Volkswagen’s new all-electric hatchback and will come with a choice of seven variants, six versions of the 58kWh model (Life, Business, Family, Style, Tech and Max) with a range of up to 425km (WLTP) and a 77kWh version capable of up to 542km. With emissions of 0g/km, the ID.3 not only will be in ‘Band 1’ in terms of VRT but will qualify for the new lowest annual Motor Tax Band rate of €120. The

new VRT measures mean that the price (RRP) of the ID.3 before Government grants have been applied has beem reduced by up to €3,600 in some cases.* The ID.3 will be followed in early 2021 by the new ID.4, a fully-electric SUV. The ID.4 will enter the Irish market with two limited-edition models. The 100 per cent electric SUV will come with a 77kWh battery initially, returning up to 500km of range.

The ID.3 and ID.4 are also delivered to the end customer with a 100 per cent certified carbon-neutral balance as part of Volkswagen’s commitment to reduce emissions through all stages of the production life cycle, from battery sourcing and logistics right through to manufacture and recycling.

Two new PHEV (plug-in hybrid vehicles) versions of the Golf were launched recently – the Golf eHybrid and Golf GTE, with outputs of 204PS and 245PS respectively and capable of driving on electric-only power for up to 64km in the Golf GTE and 71km in the Golf eHybrid, thanks to a larger 13kWh battery.

The Golf eHybrid has emissions of 21g/km, with the GTE returning just 36g/km – both models qualifying for

Band 1 in terms of VRT and Annual Motor Tax of only €140. Under the new VRT Bands, the eHybrid drops by €3,045, while the GTE drops in price by €3,455, before Government grants are applied.

There will be more new PHEV models coming from Volkswagen in time for 2021. The PHEV versions of the new Volkswagen Arteon and all-new Arteon Shooting Brake (with CO2 emissions of 36g/km) are available to order now. There will also be a PHEV version of the Tiguan, and at the top of the Volkswagen range, two PHEV versions of the Touareg model, the Touareg PHEV and Touareg R, available to order in early 2021. These new models also join the existing Passat GTE and Passat Estate GTE with emissions of 28g/ km and 31g/km respectively.

The introduction of the new PHEV and EV models supports Volkswagen’s Way to Zero strategy – the introduction and proliferation of vehicles that allow genuine, emission-free driving. Volkswagen has low-or-no emission vehicles for all requirements and locations and welcomes the Government’s intention to make these options more affordable.

Nissan offering 0 per cent loans for electric Leaf

N

ISSAN and AIB have come together as the new driving force behind an ambitious initiative to put more Electric Vehicle (EV) drivers onto Irish roads and help support the transition to a low-carbon economy.

The ‘Power of Zero’ initiative offers consumers the opportunity to buy a new Nissan LEAF with 0 per cent finance and to avail of one year’s free servicing. Customers who do so can save in excess of €13,000 in finance and running costs and 11-tonnes of C02 emissions over five years, which is equivalent to planting 181,887 trees.

The two organisations have united to support the Government’s Climate Action Plan and to present motorists who want to take the road to a sustainable, greener future with an all-encompassing offer that is the first of its kind in Ireland.

“This integrated approach has been taken by Nissan and AIB in recognition of our joint commitment to creating a sustainable Ireland. We looked at what consumers required to make the switch to EV driving and responded with an initiative that delivers great value and a greener future for Ireland,” said James McCarthy, CEO of Nissan Ireland.

James McCarthy, CEO Nissan and Yvonne Holmes, Chief Sustainability Officer, AIB “This is a golden opportunity to pictured at the launch of the ‘Power of Zero’ initiative to put more Electric Vehicle (EV) drivers onto Irish roads and help support the transition to a low-carbon econ- make the switch into an EV today and to make very significant savomy.

ings now and into the future. The Government’s environment policy is aimed at removing diesel and petrol cars from Irish roads and motorists already driving EVs will have a distinct advantage over customers trading in diesel and petrol engines in the years to come,” he added.

Yvonne Holmes, Chief Sustainability Officer, AIB said: “The sustainability agenda is accelerating at AIB and for the last two years green lending has been the fastest-growing part of our balance sheet as customers seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit harmful air pollutants.’’

“We are delighted to be working with Nissan to help meet customers’ growing demand for cleaner transport as they take this important step on the road to a more sustainable future. Electric Vehicles can help consumers shrink their carbon foot print, while improving the quality of life for all through cleaner air and less noise pollution,” she added.

The ‘Power of Zero’ initiative is geared to be a ‘win-win’ for consumers who want to reduce their carbon footprint and motoring costs while playing their part in helping to create a sustainable greener future for Ireland.

“We are delighted to join forces with forward-looking businesses like AIB to help motorists make the switch to 100 per cent electric driv-

ing. One in two Irish EV drivers already drives a Nissan LEAF and this is an incredible opportunity for all other motorists to join them in saving money and the environment,” said Mr. McCarthy.

“Our ‘Power of Zero’ initiative with AIB is designed to encourage more families and businesses to switch to 100 per cent electric driving, to become more sustainable and to make a very real impact in reducing Ireland’s CO2 emissions,” he added.

The Nissan LEAF is Ireland’s best-selling EV with 5,406 of Ireland’s 11,684 EV drivers having already chosen the zero emissions vehicle as the most effective way to reduce their motoring costs and carbon footprint. It is firmly established as Ireland’s and the world’s favourite EV with more than 100 global awards and over 400,000 sales since its launch ten years ago.

“The Nissan LEAF has achieved this status because it offers a range of at least 270 kilometres on a single charge for a sub €30k entry price and because it is a very well spec-ed car with a good sized boot and spacious interior to meet the needs of any family or business,” said Mr. McCarthy.

THURSDAY, NOV 19 2020

MOTORING

37

Sport Clare Echo THE

19-11-20

pg 38

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

Buttsys Blackie blitzes the field SHANNON syndicate Buttsys Blackie blitzed the field in the opening round of the Limerick and Clare GOBA A3 525 stake.

The opening round of the Limerick and Clare GOBA A3 525 Stake got underway at the Limerick Track on Saturday night last, this always proves to be a very hotly contested stake and the 2020 renewal is set to be no different.

The standout performance from the five heats came in the opening heat as Buttsys Blackie blitzed the field to record a sizzling 28.42.

Owned by the Buttsys-Buckos syndicate of Shannon and trained

by Gerry Holian, this son of Pin-

GreyhounD friends of limerick

stadium

point Maxi and Killeacle Tammy started his career winning a small sprint stake in Galway but it is clear he has gone on to bigger and better things.

Belting out in front from trap one, Buttsys Blackie never saw another tail as he outpaced his rivals throughout to emerge a seven length winner. The time, as stated, was a flying 28.42 and at this even at this early stage it is clear that this greyhound is the one to beat.

In Galway, there was little doubt surrounding the outcome of the S9 graded sprint contest as from traps the John Quinn and Kate Cantwell of Gort owned Fast Fit

Hallie was very smartly into her stride to lead Willows Dream and Another Shadow on the run towards the opening bend.

Rounding the bend the daughter of Over Limit & Fast Fit Maeve led by three lengths as Drimeen Heights tried to get involved out wide but Fast Fit Hallie was in command as she eased home a length and a half clear of Another Shadow in 19.79.

The A4 graded 525 yards contest went in impressive fashion to the Donal Duggan of Tulla trained Banner Chops who railed superbly throughout to defeat Hanover Power by six and a half lengths

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in 29.26. The Pat and Gerard McMahon of Newmarket-on-Fergus owned runner was outpaced to the bend by Cragbrien Benjy towards the outside but as that rival maintained a wide berth between the opening two bends Banner Chops railed well to take two lengths out of his rival.

Racing down the back Banner Chops extend his advantage to over five lengths as Hanover Power moved second at the third bend but out front Banner Chops was home and hosed as he galloped all the way to the line.

In the early strides of the A4 graded 550 Yards contest Kilban-

non Lilly showed pace to lead from Campclone Blaze who switched inside the leader on the run towards the opening bend and took over at the head of affairs. Turning down the back Campclone Blaze kicked on and at halfway led Kilbannon Lilly and Blackberry Blaze by over four lengths and looked set for an easy success.

From the crown of the home bend though the leader began to come back to his rivals and close home the Stephen Murray of Sixmilebridge trained No-Turbo Syndicate owned Campclone Blaze was all out to see off Blackberry Nessy by a length in 31.03.

Donovan shows that he’s the ‘Real Deal’ PADDY ‘Real Deal’ Donovan has recorded his fifth professional win.

It’s now five wins from five bouts from the promising Donovan.

Earmarked by Bob Arum as the prettiest fighter since Muhammad Ali, the Ennis boxer produced an eye-catching 60-55 win over former Southern Area champion Jumamme Camero.

Indeed, Paddy was unlucky not to become the first man to white wash Camero.

Trained by Andy Lee, the 21 year old dominated largely in part to his footwork and movement. On top of this, he picked his shots well particularly in the fourth round.

His latest success has led to boxing pundits forming the view that his ‘Real Deal’ nickname is certainly warranted.

Right: Clare professional boxer, Paddy ‘Real Deal’ Donovan

pg 39

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Clare Echo THE

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

ALL-IRELAND INTERMEDIATE LADIES FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

Compiled by Páraic McMahon

Class Clare ladies seal semi-final spot Clare 7-18 Sligo 0-02 Venue: St Jarlath’s Park, Tuam CLARE Frees For: 11 (3/8) Wides: 5 (3/2) Scores from Play: 7-11 Spread of Scorers: 8 Top Scorer: Grainne Nolan (2-07 7f) Own Kick-Outs won: 3 from 4 (75%) SLIGO Frees For: 11 (8/3) Wides: 2 (2/0) Scores from Play: 0-01 Spread of Scorers: 2 Top Scorer: Rachel O’Brien (0-01 1f) and Leah Kelly (0-01) Own Kick-Outs won: 16 from 30 (53%)

PLAYER WATCH GRAINNE NOLAN (CLARE) Possessions: 34 (10/24) Shots: 10 Points: 7 (2/5) Goals: 2 (2/0) Wides: 1 (1/0) Dropped Short: 0 Passes: 21 (4/17) Long Pass: 0 Short Pass: 21 (4/17) Foot Pass: 8 (2/6) Hand Pass: 13 (2/11) Tackles: 6 (5/1) Turnovers: 1 (1/0) Turned Over: 3 (1/2) Frees Won: 1 Frees Lost: 0

GER KEANE, CLARE SELECTOR: “IT WAS unbelievable really, I’m involved in football a long time but I was never involved in something so dramatic and waiting for the result to come in for the other side.

“We knew we had to take care of our own business and after that it was outside of our own hands. We built ourselves up for the Kildare game and we were disappointed then to lose because only team was coming out of a tough group. The girls have responded unbelievably well since we lost to Kildare, we’ve had up in the high twenties for training and they’ve got what they deserved.

“They are proud Clare women and they wanted to win for their county, we don’t take anyone for granted and we wanted to go as hard as we could for sixty minutes and see what would happen.

“We have a fair idea of what we have in our team and in our panel. We’re improving the whole time and there is good strength in depth in the panel which is a great way to be going into the semi-final.

We’ve two weeks and a lot will be down to who is going well in training and who is going well out there with very little between the players.

“We had a dramatic draw with Meath in what turned out to be the last game of the League, they were six points up on us that day and were cruising.

“They’ve lost the last two All-Ireland finals and will be going in as strong favourites but the way our girls are playing they will fear no one, it is a great bonus to be there and should be a cracker of a game in the semi-final”.

Fidelma Marrinan, Siofra Ní Chonáill and Carol O’Leary celebrate the result. BurrenEye Photography

MICHAEL BOHAN, SLIGO MANAGER: “IT IS very disappointing but we have a young team, we brought in nine or ten girls that hadn’t played senior county before and we were up against a strong Clare team who got to an All-Ireland final in 2016, you can see the size and power of them against our girls there’s no comparison.

“When we came back in September we lost fifteen of the panel for different reasons, we got in new players and these girls will learn from it. The only way you will learn is to play teams like Kildare, Clare and Laois.

“We would probably have had ten or eleven that would have been regulars but we didn’t have them so we had to go with the girls that came in and we have to give credit to the 25 girls that came back after the club football, they are out training two or three nights a week and we couldn’t fault them”.

Four nominations for Chairman of Clare GAA SEAMUS HAYES NOMINATIONS for positions on the Executive of Clare GAA closed on Monday.

Speculation continues as to how many names will be in the hat when it comes to voting for the posts of Chairman, Vice Chairman and Munster Council delegates on the executive of Clare GAA. Four nominees were submitted for the role of Chairman when nominations closed on Monday.

There are also four men in the running to become Vice Chairman with three put forward for the two Munster Council posts.

Those nominated to succeed Joe Cooney as chairman are current vice chairman P.J. McGuane from Cooraclare, ex Chairman Robert Frost from O’Callaghans Mills, sitting PRO Michael O’Connor from Crusheen where he is club chairman and Cratloe’s Jack Chaplin.

Chaplin, an unsuccessful candidate for the role of vice chairman

a few years ago, hasn’t yet made a decision as to whether or not he will seek election. “I will speak to club officials and make a decision over the next few days”, he told The Clare Echo.

Crusheen’s O’Connor is also weighing up his options. “I have yet to make a decision as to whether or not I will seek election but I am thankful to the clubs that have nominated me” Former Clare and Munster Council chairman Frost repeated this week that he has yet to decide whether or not to allow his name go forward. “There is a deadline by which candidates must declare whether or not they will be allowing their names go forward and I will make a decision before then”, he said.

McGuane is the only one of the four nominees who has confirmed that he is a candidate for the position The four candidates for the position of vice chairman which is being vacated by P.J. McGuane who has completed his term in that role are Kieran Keating (Naomh Eoin).

Neil O’Brien (O’Callaghans Mills), Niall Romer (Kilmaley) and Michael Maher (Kilmaley).

Keating completes his term as Munster Council delegate at the upcoming convention. Neil O’Brien is the current Bord na nOg hurling chairman. Romer is the current Kilmaley club delegate

to the board while he was joint manager of the Kilmaley senior hurlers last season with Kieran O’Neill.

Maher managed Kilmaley to their first Clare senior hurling championship title back in 1985 and is a member of the board’s CCC and in recent years has filled the role of groundsman at Cusack Park and Caherlohan.

All four have confirmed that they will be seeking election to the position.

The upcoming convention will elect two delegates to represent the county at Munster Council.

Nominated for these positions are John Fawl (Ennistymon), Bernard Keane (St. Josephs Doora/Barefield) and Niall Gilligan (Sixmilebridge).

Fawl is outgoing having been elected to the position last year.

Kieran Keating has completed his term on the provincial body which has led to the vacancy. Former board treasurer Bernard Keane was narrowly defeated for this position last year while the third candidate is Sixmilebridge’s Niall Gilligan was also an unsuccessful candidate last year.

Padraig MacMathuna’s term as president of Clare GAA comes to an end at Convention and there are two nominees for the post.

They are former board vice chairman Michael Lee from Tubber and former Clare hurler Naoise Jordan from Whitegate.

The remaining officers on the Clare GAA executive will be returned for an other term.

Voting forms are expected to be distributed to the clubs next week.

The Clare GAA Convention will take place, online, on Tuesday December 15.

Left: (clockwise from top left) Robert Frost, Michael O’Connor, Jack Chaplin, PJ McGuane

19-11-20

Clare Echo THE

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

ALL-IRELAND SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP Compiled by Páraic McMahon

Kelly the hero as Clare reach quarter-finals Clare 1-21 Wexford 0-17 Venue: MW Hire O’Moore Park, Portlaoise CLARE Frees For: 13 (8/5) Wides: 7 (4/3) Scores from play: 1-12 Spread of scorers: 6 Top scorer: Tony Kelly (1-15 8f 1’65) Own puck-outs won: 20 from 28 (71%) WEXFORD Frees For: 17 (7/10) Wides: 11 (6/5) Scores from play: 0-11 Spread of scorers: 7 Top scorer: Paul Morris (0-06 5f) Own puck-outs won: 17 from 29 (59%)

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

DAVY FITZGERALD, WEXFORD SENIOR HURLING MANAGER: “THE WAY I was abused today is not right and it should be dealt with. The abuse and the stuff that was thrown at me personally by one individual there today, who was sent there to do it, is not right and it has no place in hurling. I would urge and encourage Clare to look at that and not let him do it to anybody else what he did there today. You can’t condone that behaviour.

“The best team won today without a shadow of a doubt.

They performed unreal today and I couldn’t say a bad word about them. On the field, there were no bad belts.

They worked and tracked and the one thing I will say to Clare supporters is please let them play the game that suits them. That’s what they did. I got a lot of stick in Clare because they wanted to go back to long ball but play what suits them. I’m part of a Wexford setup and we congratulate them and say ‘well done to them.

“The last two or three weeks haven’t been great for us, we have been flat. Lee Chin came on with one leg today and probably shouldn’t but when you’re fucking grasping to see if you can get anything you’ll put out a lad on one leg.

But that doesn’t take away from anything Clare did today. Himself and Rory didn’t train all week”.

BRIAN LOHAN, CLARE SENIOR HURLING MANAGER: “THEY were tough conditions, tough opponents, they really put it up to our lads but there is a bit of spirit in the group. We were unlucky not to get a better result against Laois last weekend, I thought we played well but unfortunately we conceded a couple of goals but they are not a bad team. That result stood us fairly well for this game. Everyone knows Tony is an exceptional hurler but he works so hard, every day we train he is the first guy there and the last to leave.

“I thought we had a pace in our forward line that was going to cause them trouble so I was happy enough facing into the breeze, I thought we were going to get more than three points, it depended on whether they would be able to get a goal down the other side and if we could get goals”.

Left: Clares’s Rory Hayes keeps his eye on the ball during Saturday’s All-Ireland senior hurling qualifer against Wexford. Photograph: Martin Connolly

PLAYER WATCH - JASON McCARTHY (CLARE) Minutes Played: 59 Possessions: 9 (5/4)

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Turnovers: 5 (4/1)

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DAVY Fitzgerald is to stay on as Wexford senior hurling manager.

Fitzgerald’s side were eliminated from the All-Ireland SHC on Saturday with a second below par display from the Model County seeing them crash out to Brian Lohan’s Clare.

Last season Wexford won the county’s first Leinster ti-

tle in fifteen years but their 2020 campaign saw them knocked out of the provincial championship by Galway and the All-Ireland series to Clare by margins of thirteen and seven points respectively.

Speaking over the weekend, the Sixmilebridge man noted that he was offered a five year contract and would only agree to stay on if it was for “the betterment of the team”. Following their championship exit, he said that the players had given

him their full backing in the dressing room.

Members of the Wexford panel were informed of Fitzgerald’s decision on Monday.

Two time All Star Brendan Bugler from Whitegate was also part of the management with Clarecastle’s Noel Considine acting as goalkeeper coach. Michael ‘Gazzy’ Collins, Timmy Crowe and James Hickey were also part of the Clare contingent involved with the Wexford backroom team.

pg 41

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Greater support for Kelly in attack is crucial Darach Honan’s CHAMPIONSHIP ANALYSIS CLARE dismantled Wexford with a dominant display on Sunday.

They were tactically and physically superior and showed more hunger on the day. This was even more impressive in the face of the criticism they received in the build up to the game. In the media prior to the game there had been an overreaction to what I considered a good win over Laois. Clare were criticised for not winning by more.

The Clare players used this as motivation last week as they were written off versus a Wexford team that they know they should beat.

Clare had played Wexford four times with Davy in charge and won three, so I am sure the players were a little bemused to be entering the game as underdogs.

Despite losing Davy McInerney to suspension, along with Aron Shanagher and Jack Browne to injury, the Clare players knew this was a game they should win.

The opening exchanges were lively, as Wexford attempted to

paper over the flaws in their game with pure aggression. However, after the first water break Clare settled down and began to take over the game. They stopped the Wexford backs advancing the ball out of defence uncontested and creating overlaps. Once this option was removed for Wexford, they looked completely bereft of ideas and had no plan B. Clare won this game in the second quarter, inspired by the brilliance of Tony Kelly. Tony scored five or six points in this game that would make for impressive career highlights for any other player. He is hurling with huge confidence now and looks like he can do whatever he wants to with the ball.

It was a dubious call from Wexford management to place Matthew O’Hanlon as a man marker on Tony. Matthew is a good player but does not have the pace to keep up with Tony. It was too easy for Tony to get free and create separation, once he had a yard of space he could score from anywhere on

the field. It was clear that Wexford needed to make a change here, but none was forthcoming.

After shipping three goals against Laois, Eibhear Quilligan and the backs will have been keen to keep a clean sheet. Once Clare opened a significant lead at half time, Wexford needed a goal to change momentum and bring them back into the game. While there were some heart-stopping moments at the end, Clare did well to repel Wexford attacks.

Wexford’s lack of penetration has a lot to do with how they play the game. They carry no threat inside as they sacrifice their goal threat to bring bodies back the field.

From a Wexford point of view, it is a shame that the likes of Conor McDonald, who is an excellent talent, will never get a chance to shine under this system.

We must still give credit to Clare defenders who snuffed out any danger when it did arise. Rory Hayes is becoming a reliable player at corner back; he plays the game with huge energy and aggression. With experience, his use of the ball will improve, and he looks an excellent corner back for Clare for years to come.

Pat O’Connor coming back into the team helped to steady things also. Pat brings experience, assurance and is comfortable when on the ball.

As noted in previous articles here, it is difficult for a new management team to come in during 2020 when there has been so much disruption. However, the Clare team is starting to take shape under Brian Lohan now and they are improving game on game. This improvement will need to continue as they play Waterford this weekend.

Waterford pose a very different threat than Wexford. They have an excellent manager who has them playing an exciting brand of hurling. It is commonly accepted that Limerick are the top team in the country right now and Waterford have given them the most competitive game so far. Heading into the last water break there was nothing between the teams. However, the Waterford game plan demands huge energy and they just did not have enough to see through the full 70 minutes.

As I see it there are two areas that Clare will need to target to be victorious. Waterford start most of their attacks by carrying the ball out of defence into midfield creating an overlap. Tadhg De Búrca, Moran and Callum Lyons are particularly good at this. Clare cannot allow them to break the tackle here. If they cannot dispossess these players when running, they must not let them get and create an overlap. Forcing a clearance

on the back foot would be a good result when these guys are in possession.

The second thing is the Waterford puckout. Limerick did a great job of creating pressure on Stephen O’Keefe here. The Limerick half back line was dominant aerially when he went long, and when he went short/medium the half forwards intercepted him three times. Clare will have to select a half-backline who will be able to attack the high ball. For this reason, I would start Jack Brown and David McInerney in this line. This would free up Aidan McCarthy to move further up the field. He had a super club campaign at wing forward and I believe he would bring a puckout target as well as a scoring threat to the forwards.

This weekend represents a serious step up for Clare. It will give us a better picture of our standing as a team and whether we can mix it with top opposition. I believe Clare have what it takes to overcome this challenge, but it will not be easy. Waterford will do everything they can to stop the influence of Tony Kelly this weekend, but that is easier said than done.

Tony taking the focus of the Waterford defence will give some of our other forwards a chance to step up, so I think this weekend we will see a breakthrough performance from one of them.

O’Connor continues to do his bit for the greater good PÁRAIC MCMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

Patrick O’Connor holds the tag as the longest serving member of the Clare team, this weekend he is determined to maintain his place in the starting fifteen.

SPORT has become a beacon of hope for some members of the public during the pandemic and to qualify for the last six in such a peculiar campaign is a big plus for the banner, O’Connor felt. “It is extremely satisfying, it has been a very unusual year so it is great to get the chance to be playing each weekend and enjoying the way it is rolling on week on week, it is definitely making the winter shorter for us”.

Called onto the panel in 2011

by Ger ‘Sparrow’ O’Loughlin, the Tubber defender was an ever-present part of the Clare defence under

Davy Fitzgerald and was later honoured with the captaincy by Donal Moloney and Gerry O’Connor during their tenure.

Along with Jack Browne, David Fitzgerald and Diarmuid Ryan, Pat was one of four players dropped following Clare’s ten point Munster quarter-final defeat to Limerick. Receiving such a setback understandably came as a blow.

“It was tough but I’ve no divine right to be playing. It was only David Fitzgerald asking me when was the last time I had missed a match or didn’t start a championship match and I couldn’t genuinely tell him, I wasn’t told I wasn’t playing it was only when the team was named that I realised I wasn’t in but that’s sport. I put in the effort to play but I tried not to sulk and put down the head too much at the time, I had been playing for a while so I thought I had something to offer the lads be it a word in the ear or whatever for the lads that were playing. I went into training on

Tuesday night and tried to show I had something to offer”.

True to form, the three time Connacht Colleges Senior A hurling medallist was back with a vengeance in training and was rewarded by a return to wing-back where he helped to steady up their back line as they held off the challenge of Wexford.

He told The Clare Echo, “I don’t think I pulled up any trees but I

was happy to be part of the unit that went and did our job. We were all asked to do as well as we could with our own individual duel and try and do as well for the man beside, behind and in front of you.

Everyone is trying to put in a shift as a unit in the backs, you can’t be a me féiner back there, it’s for the greater good and thanks be to God we held out, there was a spell in the end where they were real defiant pouncing for goal and to get out with no goal conceded was great even though we did ride our luck, there was one particular play where I don’t know how it stayed out. Hopefully I did enough to put my name in the hat for contention at the weekend”.

The lift given to the county by the weekend’s performance was lost on O’Connor who admitted the absence of the atmosphere has taken from this year’s campaign. “It is the one thing I have struggled a little bit with is the lack of the interaction with the crowd on match

day and the lack of appreciation that a crowd can give following a certain play or score or a tackle, it is something I really miss but bar a couple of countries around the world it is the way every country is dealing with sport at the moment but certainly it is something I miss and meeting the few familiar faces afterwards and the supporters that would have travelled after us and Clare hurling for years and years”.

Chances to impress are few and far between in training given the short window, he felt “we stumbled over the line” against Laois but referenced the manner in which John Conlon and Tony Kelly spoke to the panel last Tuesday as “setting the tone for the week” en route to beating last year’s Leinster champions. If given the opportunity, the 2013 All-Ireland winning back will be one of the players leaving every last drop on the field to try secure a semi-final spot.

Left: Patrick O’Connor Seb Daly / Sportsfile

19-11-20

Clare Echo THE

pg 42

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

‘Anything could happen in strange championship’ PÁRAIC MCMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

“ANYTHING could happen” with only six teams left standing in the race for the Liam McCarthy, Clare’s Tony Kelly has outlined.

Kelly has shone head and shoulders above all his Clare teammates in their three championship outings of 2020 notching a personal tally of 1-46, his 1-16 versus Wexford being crucial as they sealed their place in the All-Ireland quarter-finals.

Of his form of late, the Ballyea man cautioned, “Next week I might not hit a barn door, that’s just the way the conditions are in winter hurling. Sometimes the easiest job is to put the ball over the bar, the hard job is winning puckouts and winning breaks, driving forward and putting the shoulder to the wheel. Whoever gets the scores we don’t really mind.

In this regard, he singled out Shane O’Donnell for the attributes he has consistently brought to the county side. “I have to mention Shane O’Donnell, every single week he goes out, he gets criticised for not scoring but my God himself and Conor Whelan are probably the two best forwards in the country for winning their own ball, work rate and setting up scores, every single day he does the same thing, same with Cathal Malone”. The contributions of defenders Rory Hayes and Conor

Cleary was also lauded by the 2013 Hurler of the Year.

Another key moment in his view was the immediate impact of Cratloe’s Diarmuid Ryan. “A big thing for us was Diarmuid Ryan getting a great point at the start of the second half which settled us, we got another one and against the breeze it really settled us. It was managing the game from then out which was massive”.

Their first qualifier win saw a fourteen man Clare struggle to shake off the challenge of Laois.

The criticism of this win was one that irritated the players, Tony admitted. “At the start of the year we were moving nicely but the lay off didn’t help, even last week a lot was wrote that we only beat Laois a point but coming in Tuesday night we felt it was a small bit disrespectful firstly towards Laois and

secondly towards ourselves, a win is a win no matter who you beat in championship.

“Even that small bit of momentum last week helped especially given the conditions, we knew if we won the toss and built up a bit of a lead, it would be hard for them to come back from it. Things broke well for us in the first half and we built up a nice lead, a goal is a massive score in those conditions and

we saw that in the second half ”.

By advancing to the last eight, Clare ensured captain David McInerney will be eligible to return to action having completed a one match suspension. The secondary school teacher believed the Tulla man will offer “the bit of fresh legs we might need” and also felt the few days would prove beneficial to the injured pair of John Conlon and Aron Shanagher. “Everyone knows about the calibre of lads we are missing from the outset, we are missing another good few through injury. It’s week on week, you’re training to build up momentum, it could be a strange championship, you never know what might happen, it will give everyone an extra week to get back”.

Following their seven point win over Wexford, the Clare panel made a bee-line to Yellow Belly boss Davy Fitzgerald, a move which signalled their acclaim for the Sixmilebridge man. “We’ve massive respect for Davy and Brendan Bugler, I’m teaching with Bugs in Flannan’s and I played with him for many years. We’ve massive respect for Davy, first of all he played for Clare and we grew up watching him and idolised that team, then as manager he won an All-Ireland which was absolutely fantastic, we may never win one again so there is a massive health and respect towards Davy”.

Above: Tony Kelly with a trademark point.

Photograph: Martin Connolly

Waterford game too soon for Conlon admits Lohan PÁRAIC MCMAHON

paraic@clareecho.ie

CLARE senior hurling manager, Brian Lohan has said 2018 All Star John Conlon will not be in the reckoning for their All-Ireland quarter-final with Waterford.

Speaking following Saturday’s seven point victory against Wexford, Tony Kelly hinted that the additional week in the championship would offer hope that Clonlara’s Conlon could play a part in their quarter-final tie.

Lohan was not so optimistic that the man he appointed captain at the beginning of the year would be in consideration. “Every day we train he comes and does a bit of

work with the S&C, he is attacking balls but it is going to be too early for him to come into the match, he hasn’t done contact,” the Shannon man said of the possibility of Conlon featuring.

In March, John sustained a cruciate ligament injury at a Clare training in UL. He has been following an extensive rehabilitation programme over recent months in a bid to return to the county colours.

Moments before the throw-in for Saturday’s qualifier win, Clare were forced to make a very late change with Aron Shanagher pulling out of the team and David Fitzgerald of Inagh/Kilnamona entering the fray instead.

Shanagher damaged his hamstring shortly before the game with

Brian admitting that the 2016 National League winner made the call himself that he was not fit enough to play a championship game. His injury is being monitored this week with a decision on his fitness to be made shortly before they face Waterford.

The Clare Echo understands that Ballyea’s Jack Browne is also struggling with injury. There was surprise with the three time All-Ireland U21 winner’s continued lack of game-time following Clare’s exit in the Munster championship to Limerick but injury is said to be the reason why the St Flannan’s teacher has played no part in the All-Ireland series.

Right: John Conlon in action for Clare V Waterford in 2018. Photo: Martin Connolly

pg 43

19-11-20

Clare Echo THE

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

Moran braced for Clare challenge SEAMUS HAYES KEVIN Moran is one of Waterford’s most experienced players and is eagerly looking forward to Saturday’s All-Ireland quarter final clash with Clare, a game he believes “will go down to the wire”.

“Look, Waterford are under no illusions about the task we are facing. Every championship game now is knock out and its all on the day. Clare had a difficult enough assignment against Limerick in the first round but after 50/55 minutes, like ourselves, were well in the game. A team like Limerick can punish you if they get a run on you, thankfully they didn’t do that to us on Saturday”.

The versatile Waterford player believes Saturday game with Clare in Páirc Uí Caoimh “will be a very very close game between two teams under new management who are mad to get back into All-Ireland semi-finals. It’s an intriguing encounter and may the best team win on the day”.

He acknowledged that the meeting of Tipperary and Galway “might get a bit more of the limelight but we are two good teams going about our business, under the radar maybe two teams that could cause a bit of a shock over the next couple of weeks”.

Tony Kelly’s recent form will be monitored by the Waterford manager, Liam Cahill and his selectors,

“you would be foolish not to take that on board and worry about it,” he said of Kelly’s championship displays.

Whether he will be the player assigned to try curtail the Ballyea man is unknown as of yet. “I am sure that our management have been thinking about that since the draw was made and I am sure that they will come up with a plan that

hopefully will limit the chances that Clare will create for Tony” Moran who made his championship debut in 2006 stressed that his opponents this weekend were not a one-man team with several players that are comfortable on the ball. “The Clare players are very under rated, a couple of years ago they were very unlucky not to get to an All-Ireland. Like ourselves, they have a lot of new personnel, young players, maybe guys that are unknown, that doesn’t mean that they are not as good as guys they are missing. There might be a lot unknown about Clare and Waterford with new personnel and new managements. Both will fancy their chances on Saturday.

“They had a really good league campaign, they have a new management and their marquee players are paying really well for them.

It will be a down to a wire game and hopefully it will be a ding dong battle. We are in knock out stages now. Clare had a comprehensive win over a team that was very close to winning the Liam McCarthy last year” With a very short turnaround

time for games in this year’s championship, the De La Salle clubman noted recovery was critical. “It’s about dusting ourselves down from a loss on our behalf and a win on Clare’s behalf and getting ready for a knock out game which is around the corner. Players are delighted to be playing matches, we didn’t even think we would have matches this year. We will take that as it didn’t seem likely a few months ago”.

A repeat clash with Limerick in an All-Ireland semi-final is not on his mind as of yet. “We would be foolish to look beyond Saturday’s All-Ireland quarter final, Both teams will be going hell for leather and putting everything into getting over the line. Come Saturday evening the focus of attention completely changes, you will have your All-Ireland semi-finalists and those involved will have eight days to get themselves right. That’s plenty of time to prepare and go again. We are completely focussed on trying to get a performance on Saturday and hopefully that will be good enough”.

Left: Waterford’s Kevin Moran

ALL-IRELAND SENIOR CAMOGIE CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER-FINAL

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

Compiled by Eoin Brennan

Powerful Cork finish ends Clare’s season Cork 3-15 Clare 0-08 Venue: Pairc Uí Chaoimh, Cork CORK Frees For: 12 (6/6) Wides: 6 (2/4) Scores from Play: 3-10 Spread of Scorers: 8 Top Scorer: Amy O’Connor (2-1) Own Puck-Outs won: 8 from 9 (89%)

PLAYER WATCH ALANNAH RYAN (CLARE) Possessions - 25 (11/14) Passes - 12 (6/6) Hooks/Blocks - 3 (2/1) Assists - 1 Frees won 1 Minutes Played - All

CLARE Frees For: 13 (7/6) Wides: 2 (2/0) Scores from Play: 0-04 Spread of Scorers: 3 Top Scorer: Chloe Morey (0-4 4f) Own Puck-Outs won: 16 from 24 (67%)

PAUDIE MURRAY, CORK SENIOR CAMOGIE MANAGER:

GER O’CONNELL, CLARE SENIOR CAMOGIE MANAGER:

“GETTING to a semi-final was our primary objective from the start of the year and it’s something that our supporters expect of us too.

“I think we played well throughout, I know we pulled away for a finish but a lot of the hard work was done in the first half when we were playing into a gale force wind.

“We moved the ball well enough in that first half and I was admittedly a small bit critical of the final pass as we could have been further ahead by half-time. But other than that you’d have to be happy to take a lead into half-time against such conditions.

“At half-time, we just told the girls to continue doing what they were doing as I thought they were playing well. And to keep the tempo high as well as you’re not going to blow away any team in 45 minutes, it’s only in the last ten minutes that you tend to open teams up and so it proved today again.

“And when we started to run at Clare and created the overlap, we caused them trouble.

“Overall our use of the ball was better today than the last day [against Galway in the group decider]. A number of our players are starting to hit form which is key.

“The only warning sign I see is that I’d I would like more energy if we are to get to the level of a semi-final. The semi-final is a massive, massive task to get ourselves mentally and physically to the next level. The key now is to make sure all our injuries are okay and work from there.”

“The result is not a true reflection of the game but I’m kind of tired of hearing that regarding Clare performances. We were well in the game at half-time after a good first half in which we felt we definitely could have built up a lead.

“But the bottom line is that we need to take our chances. We are creating good opportunities but that’s the ultimate difference between the likes of Cork and ourselves is that invariably when they create goal chances, they take them and we just didn’t today.

“So that’s the frustrating thing and these hard luck stories and moral victories, they have to go because the standards we’re trying to set as a Clare group are higher than that. We’re better than we showed there in the last quarter and overall I think we’ve shown that all year. We had a decent league campaign and got to the last six in the championship but this is the minimum now.

“This is my second year. I think we made progress, but after today we haven’t made enough. We want to get higher than quarter-finals so we need to sit down and see where we are going to go. The players are fantastic. They are young and are learning every day but overall, we need that bit more bite and finish. Cork are five, six, or seven years ahead of us as regards structures. We have to get up to that, everybody from the county board to us in the managerial level and all the way down to underage. There needs to be a connection so that everyone can drive on Clare Camogie to the next level.”

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PLANNING 45

THURSDAY, 19 NOV 2020

PLANNING NOTICES Clare County Council Coolshamrock, Quin, Co. Clare We, Joe and Ann-Marie Leyden, intend to apply to the above named planning authority for permission for the construction of a dwelling house and garage, proprietary waste water treatment system, new entrance and all ancillary work at Coolshamrock, Quin, Co. Clare.

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

Clare County Council No 23 Knockrahaderry, Liscannor, Co. Clare Take notice that Paul Conway Architects, Knockbrack, Ennistymon intend to apply to the Planning Authority of Clare County Council on behalf of Seamus & Miriam Breslin for planning permission for development at No 23 Knockrahaderry, Liscannor, Co. Clare.

The development will consist of the demolition of the existing 2.0SqM Porch, and the construction of a 23.5SqM extension to the side/ south-west; a 11.5SqM Porch extension to the front/ southeast; raise the pitch of the roof by 1.1M to form new 60.0SqM upper floor accommodation; with new rooflights, replacement to existing windows, and alterations to site works and services.

That the planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be

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

Clare County Council, Sunset House, Strand Line, Kilkee, Co. Clare.

Take notice that Diarmuid Keane + Associates Ltd. (065-9083667, www.diarmuidkeane.ie) intend to apply to Clare County Council on behalf of Claire & Grattan Evans for planning permission to demolish existing front porch and rear extension and to construct new front and rear extensions to the existing dwelling along with other alterations to the house and all associated site works. 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, Ballintlea South, Cratloe, Co. Clare.

Take notice that Diarmuid Keane + Associates Ltd. (065-9083667, www.diarmuidkeane.ie) intend to apply to Clare County Council on behalf of Kiran Kingra & Damien Browne for planning permission to construct a new dwelling house to

include a pre-school facility, access road, site entrance, private garage, on-site wastewater treatment system and all other 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 subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

Clare County Council, Dromore, Ruan, Co. Clare.

Take notice that Diarmuid Keane + Associates Ltd. (065-9083667, www.diarmuidkeane.ie) intend to apply to Clare County Council on behalf of Michael Daly & Rebecca O’Donoghue for planning permission to demolish existing agricultural storage shed and to construct a new dwelling house, private garage, site entrance, onsite wastewater treatment system, and all other 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 subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

Clare County Council, 1 Grattan Street, Kilkee, Co. Clare.

Take notice that Diarmuid Keane + Associates Ltd. (065-9083667, www.diarmuidkeane.ie) intend to apply to Clare County Council on behalf of JJ & Chippy Hickie for retention permission to retain asconstructed elevational changes to the exterior of the existing dwelling house to that granted under P18/593 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 36 St Flannans Terrace, Ennis, Co. Clare Take notice that Clare Honan intends to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to construct an extension to the rear of her dwelling 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, New Road, Ennis, during its public opening hours (9am to 4pm). A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the planning authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00, within the period of 5 weeks, beginning on the date of receipt by the planning authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL Dromard, Drumcliffe Road, Ennis.

Take notice that “Merlot Homes Limited” intends to apply to Clare Count Council for planning permission to provide a first floor addition over permitted single story annex to house No. 2 (house presently under construction, permitted under planning ref P 19/804).

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 planning department, Aras Contae an Chláir, 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 within the period of 5 weeks, beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the application.

Clare County Council Noughaval, Doora, Co. Clare Take notice that Brian Foudy & Associates – Architects & Chartered Engineers of Osprey House, Carmody Street, Ennis, Co. Clare 065 6893565 www.foudyconsulting. ie.

Intend to apply to the planning authority on behalf of Michael & Karen Davis to construct a

dwellinghouse, garage, wastewater treatment system and soil polishing filter together with all ancillary site development 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 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; P20/522 Development Description: Planning Permission to increase the number of children from 10 to 20 at existing crèche on foot of original planning granted under ref no. P.09-791at above address.

Location: Toonagh, Fountain, Co. Clare Take Notice That Nora Custy has lodged significant further information in respect of planning Ref. No. P20/522. This information and the Planning Application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority of Clare County Council, Planning Department, Aras Contae an Chlair, 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 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 notice by the planning authority.

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THANKSGIVING THANKSGIVING. ST. JUDE. Most Holy Apostle St. Jude faithful servant & friend of Jesus. The Church honours & invokes you universally as the patron of hopeless cases, of matters almost despaired of. Pray for me I am so helpless & alone. Make use I implore you of that particular privilege given to you, to bring speedy help where help is almost despaired of.

Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation & help of Heaven in all my necessities, tribulations & sufferings & that I may praise God with you & all the Elect forever. I promise O Blessed St. Jude to be ever mindful of this great favour to always honour you as my special & powerful patron & to gratefully encourage devotion to you. Amen.

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Solution

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The Clare Echo Crossword S

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Clear

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.

9

Software © 2017 crossword-compiler.com

2

ANSWERS

HOW TO PLAY

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

5

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How to play

1

A P A P O Y C P N N G T E S

3

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How to play

L L O H L S H W

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.

I

SUDOKU

11/12/2020

Beach Boys

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Abba

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WORD SEARCH

Band Aid

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QUIZ 47

THURSDAY, NOV 19 2020

The Clare Echo Quiz Famous People with links to Clare

year did Muhammad Ali visit 1What Clare?

high king of Munster?

Marty Morrisey grew up in Co. 2 Clare, but which state did he spend his early childhood in?

Biddy Early magical lady of Clare 7 was born in Faha near Feakle, how many husbands did she have?

Australian celebrity has 3 Which grandparents from Co. Clare?

Kylie Minogue Naomi Watts Margot Robbie

Daniel O’Connell was an MEP for 4 Clare but what town was he born in?

Mallow Cahersiveen Lackagh

2 3 4

in County Clare, what is 8 Born Thomas Blood famous for?

Being a member of parliament Stealing the crown jewels Being a world-renowned scientist

9

Ryan Tubridy has a great-grandfather from which part of Clare?

Boru was born near Kilal6 Brian loe, what year did he become

county team in what year?

East South West

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis forGer Loughnane, famous Clare 5 mer first lady and wife of JFK has 10 hurler made his debut for the ancestors from which Clare town? senior county team in what year?

Mullagh Ennis Feakle

l 10: Ger Loughnane, famous Clare hurler made his debut for the senior

1970 1972 1975

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

The answers will be revealed in next weeks edition.

6: 951 7: 4 8: Stealing the crown jewels 9: West 10: 1972

Massachusetts New York Illinois

951 960 967

ANSWERS 1: 2009 2: New York 3: Kylie Minogue 4: Cahersiveen 5: Mullagh

2004 2007 2009

Last weeks Answers . Whiskers on Dog (right) missing . Necklace on Dog (left) missing . Dog’s ear (right) different colour . Blood Stain on sheet missing . Eyebrows on Dog (left) missing

. Girls hair band different colour . crest on boys jacket missing

Niamh O’Dea shows her agility.

Photograph: Burren Eye Photography